The Legend of Zhen Huan Reborn: Overthrowing Zhen Huan to Become the Queen Mother

The war of words began again.

Zhen Huan was feeling irritated and whispered to Huanbi, "I want to go out for a walk."

Huanbi was startled, looked around, and said politely, "I am not familiar with the way to Changchun Garden, so please ask Aunt Jinxi to accompany the young lady."

Zhen Huan originally thought that it would be safer to keep Cui Jinxi here, but seeing that Huanbi was unwilling, she didn't care much and nodded.

After a night stroll, Zhen Huan calmed her still beating heart and slowly entered the palace through the back door.

Unexpectedly, she attracted the attention of all the concubines as soon as she appeared.

Concubine Wen smiled and said, "When it comes to clothing, Concubine Wan knows how to match clothes. This dress is calm and dignified yet elegant, which perfectly complements Concubine Wan's youthful beauty. One of the hairpins has been replaced with a silver rose hairpin, which has a girlish and playful vibe."

The emperor looked at Zhen Huan and agreed with her.

Concubine Wen is indeed a wise general under Concubine Hua. As soon as she opens her mouth, it makes Zhen Huan feel uneasy.

Zhen Huan's gaze lingered for a moment on the splendid pearls and jadeite on Concubine Wen's head.

"Sister Wenpin, you're joking. The cloisonné and red coral on your head is truly extraordinary."

Concubine Wen tilted her head slightly and saw that Concubine Hua's eyes were on her.

Zhen Huan looked at Huanbi who was left behind, but saw that she was biting her lower lip tightly, looking aggrieved.

Zhen Huan's heart tightened.

As expected, Concubine Hua spoke lazily, her contemptuous eyes swirling around Zhen Huan, "Kesi silk is so precious, no wonder Concubine Wan doesn't even look down on floating brocade."

Before Concubine Qi could calm down for a moment, she saw that Concubine Hua was also dissatisfied with Zhen Huan and was about to make a move. "The wave palace lantern pattern on this dress is a perfect match. It's really beautiful. It's not as dazzling as the floating brocade, which is extraordinary. No wonder Concubine Wan didn't like it."

Zhen Huan instantly understood why and frowned as she looked at Huanbi, who had her head lowered, looking as if she was about to cry.

Concubine Qi then boasted, "This must be Miss Huanbi, right? Concubine Wan gave you the floating brocade, so why don't you wear it? You look so unhappy."

Huanbi fell to her knees with a plop. No matter how stupid she was, she should have understood that Concubine Qi was targeting her.

There was already a hint of tears in her voice, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. The young lady was kind enough to reward me. I didn't wear it because I was afraid of showing off."

The emperor frowned and didn't dare to show off, otherwise everyone in the palace would know about it.

Prince Dun finally understood what was going on and chuckled, "Lady Wan is beautiful and a good dancer. No wonder the Emperor likes her. Those the Emperor likes are naturally of high standards."

The Queen seemed to come to the rescue and said, "In that case, Concubine Fang is more sensible. Didn't Concubine Qian also give you the Floating Light Brocade? Why don't you wear it?"

Jiang Ruyin didn't even bother to raise her eyelids, "Hongxuan likes me wearing this."

The emperor said, "Ever since Concubine Fang had Hongxuan, her heart has been on him. I will go to see you tonight."

The queen was embarrassed. Tonight was the Chinese Valentine's Day, how could the emperor not give her face?

The queen glanced at the emperor and saw that his eyes were indifferently fixed outside the palace. She knew that the emperor was taking the verbal dispute among the concubines upon herself.

The emperor did not comment on this matter, and it was obvious that he was still partial to Concubine Wan.

Between the emperor's preferences and the dissatisfaction of Concubine Hua and Concubine Qi, the queen decisively chose the former.

The Queen bit the tip of her tongue lightly, feeling the stinging sensation, and said, "Although there's no precedent for a palace maid to possess tribute silk, that doesn't mean it's forbidden. Since you've received such a good thing, you can keep it for yourself as a dowry."

Huanbi's eyelashes were soaked with tears, and she kowtowed to the queen, "Yes, thank you, Queen."

Zhen Huan lowered her eyes calmly, her gaze lingering on Huanbi.

......

......

After a few days of peace,

Princess Wen Yi's vomiting caused the entire Qingliang Palace to fall into tension and anxiety.

The Imperial Household Department claimed that only Zhen Huan's servants had taken the cassava flour. Huanbi kowtowed and apologized, and a young maid from nowhere claimed to have seen Zhen Huan heading towards the Qingliang Palace that night, which almost put Zhen Huan in an unjust position.

Hua Fei's words were as powerful as a sharp blade pointing directly at Zhen Huan, intending to put her in an irretrievable situation.

Concubine Wen could no longer hold back her tears. She turned and knelt before Zhen Huan, tears streaming down her face. "What I said that day was purely unintentional! If you mind, just come to me. But Wen Yi is still a baby..."

Zhen Huan was stunned for a moment before she replied, "It was just a few jokes. Why are you saying that, sister? Have you really done anything wrong to me?"

The emperor frowned, his heart pounding with irritation. Hongxuan's birth had been a difficult one, but he was now plump and healthy, while Wen Yi was so frail, which worried him. He looked at Concubine Wen, who was sobbing, and sighed inwardly.

The Empress's expression was filled with worry, yet a hint of dissatisfaction lingered in her eyes. Why was Concubine Hua singling out Zhen Huan? Couldn't she see that Jiang Ruyin was now at the peak of her powers, enjoying the Emperor's favor? Such shortsightedness and jealousy were truly a source of worry for her.

Concubine Hua pressed Zhen Huan again, but Zhen Huan knew that she had to keep her meeting with Prince Guo a secret, and since there were no witnesses, she was caught in a dilemma.

Su Peisheng respectfully welcomed Concubine Yu at the door. The emperor was stunned, and several broken images flashed through his mind. He looked at the visitor with complicated eyes.

Yupin, dressed simply and with a fair complexion, bowed and greeted the Emperor, Empress, and Concubine Hua one by one. Just as she was about to speak, she heard the eunuch outside the door singing, "The Empress Duan has arrived."

Before Concubine Duan even entered the palace, Concubine Hua was already uncontrollably filled with anger.

Concubine Duan's words came to Zhen Huan's rescue. Concubine Yu was stunned and had more thoughts in her mind.

She glanced at the queen inconspicuously, only to see that she was lost in thought, not knowing what she was thinking about.

She also spoke, "It is indeed as Concubine Duan said. Concubine Wan kept her promise, but she almost got framed. Therefore, I came here to fulfill Concubine Wan's promise and not let a good person suffer injustice."

Concubine Duan and Concubine Yu both testified for Zhen Huan, and Concubine Hua could no longer deny the matter. She stared at Concubine Duan with eyes that seemed to be spitting fire.

When the emperor suddenly saw Concubine Yu, he felt as if he didn't know what year it was. Thinking of Hongxuan, he hurried to Rugu Hanjin.

Zhen Huan then traveled with Concubine Duan and Concubine Yu.

The three of them had their own thoughts and chatted idly.

Yupin said, "When I met you that day, I felt a strong connection with you. I believed you weren't such a vicious person, so I came to your rescue." She glanced at Concubine Duan and said, "I never thought Concubine Duan cared more about you."

Concubine Duan smiled, obviously not intending to speak in front of Concubine Yu.

Zhen Huan thanked Concubine Yu in a gentle voice.

Concubine Yu also saw what Concubine Duan was thinking and offered to leave first.

Zhen Huan then asked, "Where does Your Majesty live? I could come visit you someday."

Yupin smiled and said, "If we are destined to meet, we will meet each other. Zibi Mountain House is simple, so I will not invite you two sisters."

Zhen Huan was surprised. Zibi Mountain House, as its name suggests, is a mountain garden with only a few simple rooms. Although Concubine Yu was dressed simply, she never thought that she would live in such a place with the Fifth Prince Hongzhou.

Concubine Duan looked at Zhen Huan with gentle eyes. Zhen Huan understood the elegant meaning of the music and took the initiative to step forward and support Concubine Duan.

"I only know the name of Concubine Yu, but I didn't expect to meet her. I am becoming more and more curious. It's a pity that such a quiet and gentle woman lives in the Old Summer Palace for a long time." Zhen Huan looked thirsty for knowledge.

Concubine Duan lowered her eyes and smiled.

Zibi Shanfang, commonly known as Hanshan, is a mountain garden. Initially constructed in 1731, the ninth year of the Yongzheng reign of the Qing Dynasty, it consisted of only a few small buildings. Later, in 1757, during his second trip to the south of the Yangtze River, Emperor Qianlong visited Hanshan Villa, a mountain garden built by Suzhou hermit Zhao Xiguang for his father's burial. Inspired by its quintessential harmony of nature and man, he remodeled and expanded Zibi Shanfang, modeled after Hanshan Villa, completing its basic construction over three years.