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

The candlelight flickered, and the light and shadow swayed on his calm face.

When he thought that the queen was suspected of murdering the royal heir, an uncontrollable anger surged in his heart. This was a major matter concerning the inheritance of the royal heir. As the master of the harem, how could she be so cruel?

But when it came to deposing the empress, he hesitated again. The empress's mother's family, the Ulanara clan, was related to the Uya clan. Not to mention that the Ulanara clan had been operating in the imperial court for many years, and although this generation had been quiet, the clan was deeply entangled in the dark, and even a single move could affect the entire clan.

The current Empress Dowager, the Emperor's biological mother, was from the Uya clan. If the Empress Dowager were to be deposed hastily, she would be obsessed with the position of Empress and would undoubtedly become increasingly nagging, further turmoil in the government. Furthermore, the Empress, a concubine's daughter, had managed the harem for so many years, and while her management had occasional flaws, no major disturbances had occurred. Her past affection and contributions could not be completely disregarded.

Then think of Nian Gengyao of the previous dynasty, who was already arrogant and domineering, relying on his military achievements to interfere in court affairs. If the empress were deposed at this time, Nian Gengyao might cause even greater unrest, and the affairs of the court would become even more difficult to control. And within the harem, Concubine Hua is always watching covetously. Without the empress to suppress her, wouldn't she become even more lawless? How could there be peace in the harem?

As for Jiang Ruyin, the emperor had no idea whether she was involved or not. The situation in the harem was becoming increasingly murky, and the matter of deposing the empress had put him in a dilemma.

Could he truly endure the consequences of this decree? But if he didn't depose him, how could the crime of murdering the heir to the throne be easily forgiven? And where would the dignity of the imperial family be? The emperor frowned, sighed deeply, and gazed at the flickering candlelight, lost in a deep dilemma, unable to make a decision for a long time.

"Your Majesty," Jiang Ruyin brought a rouge-red enameled teacup, but was interrupted by the emperor as soon as she called out.

"Someone in the harem is plotting to murder the heir to the throne. I am worried." The emperor's expression was slightly gloomy, but a faint smile was on his lips. "I trust you the most. I want to promote you to the rank of Imperial Concubine. Please support Hongxuan and the Seventh Prince."

Meeting the emperor's gloomy gaze, the emperor's broad palm caressed her neck, and the thick calluses left by her diligent training in riding and archery scratched Jiang Ruyin's skin painfully.

Jiang Ruyin couldn't even lift her tired eyelids. She put down the teacup obediently, put her big hand on her cheek and rubbed it gently, saying softly:

"Chrysanthemum and Cassia Seed Tea is the best for clearing the liver and brightening the eyes. Although I seldom visit Your Majesty, firstly, I fear that I would be too sad to see you in such a way that you would be distracted by your beauty, and secondly, without your beauty, you would be buried in government affairs, which would distress me as I am incompetent. Your Majesty is renowned for his diligence, but how many people could tolerate only two or three hours of rest each day? Your Majesty often suffers from headaches, which are caused by excessive liver fire, and reviewing memorials hurts his eyes. So I personally brewed this tea for Your Majesty to enjoy."

The emperor looked at her meaningfully, picked up the teacup and drank it all in one gulp.

Jiang Ruyin raised her eyelids and held back tears.

The emperor curled his lips and said in a slightly teasing tone, "Fang Qing, are you so happy?"

Jiang Ruyin forced a smile and said, "Your Majesty values ​​me, I am terrified."

The emperor withdrew his gaze and said indifferently, "It's your ability to become the imperial concubine. There is nothing to be afraid of."

Jiang Ruyin's tears flowed even more fiercely. She took a few steps away from the dragon throne and knelt down. "Your Majesty, I am terrified because I was born a commoner, yet Your Majesty values ​​me so much that I was promoted to the rank of Consort. I know there are rumors in the palace, but Your Majesty is here. I can only pretend to be calm and follow the rules and etiquette at all times, not daring to let anyone criticize me. I would die for Your Majesty, but I cannot accept Your Majesty's kindness with peace of mind while letting Him be criticized."

The emperor's expression was slightly moved.

Jiang Ruyin sobbed and continued

"There was a man in ancient times named Zeng Shen. When he was young, his family was poor and he often went into the mountains to collect firewood. One day, a guest came to their house. His mother was at a loss and bit her finger with her teeth. Zeng Shen suddenly felt distressed, knowing that his mother was calling him. He quickly returned home with the firewood on his back and knelt to ask why. His mother replied, 'A guest has suddenly arrived, and I bit my finger in anticipation of your return.' Zeng Shen then received the guest and treated him with courtesy. The scene of my giving birth to Hongxuan is still vivid in my mind, and I have experienced the bond between mother and son thoroughly."

"How dare I snatch the child that Concubine Qian, in her grief, and after a near-death experience, gave birth to? In just three days, two pairs of mothers and children have suffered tragedies. How can I remain indifferent? Mother and child are connected by heart, and the pain of separation is beyond the comprehension of ordinary people. When I think of Hongxuan leaving, I feel as if a thousand iron nails are piercing my body. I truly dare not do such a thing as stealing someone's love. Your Majesty, for the sake of your own reputation and Concubine Qian and her child, please do not favor me!"

The emperor's thoughts were wandering and his expression was sad. He stood up in sorrow and felt a splitting headache.

"emperor!"

Jiang Ruyin ran over a few steps and finally managed to support the emperor's body with difficulty.

"Eunuch Su! Su Peisheng!"

Su Peisheng just pushed the door open and ran in but was scolded away by the emperor. He turned sharply and jumped out of the door again, then turned back in a hurry to close the door.

"I'm fine..." The emperor buried his head in Jiang Ruyin's arms, but smelled a familiar yet unfamiliar scent of firewood.

The headache was relieved immediately, and the emperor simply put all his weight on Jiang Ruyin. Jiang Ruyin was pushed down on the dragon throne by the force and immediately panicked, "Your Majesty, I..."

"Don't worry, stay with me for a while." The emperor's muffled voice came.

Fortunately, the dragon throne was big enough. Jiang Ruyin adjusted his posture without any expression and simply half-lay down.

The emperor then rested his head on Jiang Ruyin's legs. The smell of burning wood on Jiang Ruyin's skirt was even stronger.

The emperor still remembered that when he was just old enough to remember things, every time he was sick, Empress Xiaoyi Ren, Tong Jia, would personally hold him in her arms and feed him medicine.

At this time, there was a smell of firewood on Tong Jia's dress, accompanying him in every tormenting night.

Suddenly, a ballad came to my ears. It was the song that Jiang Ruyin sang to coax Hongxuan in the past.

Mother and child are connected by heart!

I searched for memories in this soothing and melodious tune, but only found bits and pieces about Tong Jia.

The emperor almost fell asleep like this. He changed his posture and asked with a thick nasal voice, "Why did you think of singing this?"

"...I can't possibly perform a play for the emperor." Jiang Ruyin's hesitant voice came.

The emperor was amused by himself: Yes, this is Jiang Ruyin, not Ulanara Rouze, who can't sing.

"Zeng Shen, courtesy name Ziyu, was a native of Lu during the Spring and Autumn Period. He was a favorite disciple of Confucius, known as Zengzi, and renowned for his filial piety. The text in the Records of the Hundred Schools of Thought is obscure and difficult to understand, making it difficult for you to understand."

Jiang Ruyin said sullenly, "I don't want others to think that the emperor is blind."

The emperor laughed, "Are you not aggrieved anymore? You dare to tease me."