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

"Princess Wen, you talk too much. Whether you are recuperating or something else, everyone knows it clearly." Concubine Hua smiled sweetly, and the next second, she restrained her smile.

Jiang Ruyin said lightly, "Sister Hua Fei, are you confused? The Emperor has ordered that the Empress be recuperated in the Old Summer Palace, and the whole nation will provide for her. The Emperor said that the Empress is ill."

Hua Fei's face was slightly gloomy, while Jiang Ruyin was calm and composed.

At this juncture, no one dared to say anything. Concubine Qi, seemingly oblivious to the awkward atmosphere, stood up despite her position as a concubine, forcing a smile and saying, "What Concubine Fang said is true. The Emperor's words are his. Concubine Hua is in charge of the six harems, so perhaps she forgot for a moment."

Jiang Ruyin looked at her and sighed in her heart: Concubine Qi is so scared that she is confused. She is trying to please both sides and is not afraid of any consequences.

It was barely a step forward. Concubine Hua pursed her lips and was about to speak, but Zhen Huan took the lead.

"Empress Hua is not wrong. Empress Qi must know something. Why is she forcing Empress Hua to change her words?"

From the moment Concubine Qi appeared, Zhen Huan's hateful gaze lingered on her for a long time, and now she even shouted at her.

Hua Fei curled her lips, glanced at Jiang Ruyin triumphantly, opened her red lips slightly, and spoke in a lazy voice:

"It seems that the hearts and minds of the people in the harem are very clear."

Forcefully coming over, An Lingrong, who had been silent the entire time, suddenly blurted out, "The Emperor trusts Concubine Fang, which is why he's asking her and Concubine Hua to jointly manage palace affairs. The two concubines are naturally the people's choice."

Hua Fei's smile paused, and she silently said to herself, "I feel sorry for you, so I won't bother with you."

Then she looked at Jiang Ruyin faintly, "Concubine Fang is dressed very richly today, but her hair is covered with gold and jade, which doesn't seem too vulgar. Look at the small pearls you wear on your ears. Isn't it a bit out of balance?"

At the end, Lou Yong'er lowered her head and folded her hands on her abdomen, making it impossible to tell her emotions.

Jiang Ruyin sneered and stroked her hair with her slender fingers.

The enamel and gold-wire armor contrast with the gorgeous golden light on the bun, and the warm jade exudes a rich and smooth color, softening the dazzling brilliance of the red gold.

"If everything were to be lavish, wouldn't it be too overwhelming? If two things were to clash, their inherent beauty would be lost. It's better to have one main and one supporting element, complementing each other, to achieve the ultimate beauty."

Jiang Ruyin tilted her head to look at Concubine Hua.

Hua Fei narrowed her eyes: "She seems to have some other intentions."

So Concubine Hua looked at Concubine Wen. Concubine Wen caught her gaze, coughed awkwardly, and looked at her cautiously:

"Your Majesty, do you really want me to say this in public?"

Hua Fei rolled her eyes and cleared her throat, "Alright!"

"I have always governed the six palaces with an iron fist, an iron hand, and a heart of stone. If anyone makes a mistake and I find out, don't blame me for being ruthless!" Concubine Hua narrowed her eyes slightly, and looked at every face with satisfaction, whether it was resentful, happy, or calm.

Finally, Concubine Hua gave Jiang Ruyin a cold look and said, "Since Concubine Fang is strictly following the palace rules, please don't hold me back."

Jiang Ruyin smiled, "Of course."

After leaving Qingliang Palace, Jiang Ruyin said gently to An Lingrong, "You shouldn't move around too early. Go back and rest early. Once you've recovered, you can take Hongning to Xinghuachun Pavilion. That way, you can hold the enthronement ceremony as soon as possible and provide Hongning with stronger support." Jiang Ruyin's voice gradually became lower, but every word was clearly heard by An Lingrong.

An Lingrong forced a smile, but the corners of her mouth formed an ugly curve.

"Then I will return to Rugu Hanjin first."

Suo Chun looked at An Lingrong's back coldly.

When Jiang Ruyin and An Lingrong finished their conversation, Concubine Xin stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, my Reflecting Water Orchid Fragrance is very close to the Upper and Lower Heavens Light. I wonder if I could take a glimpse of the Upper and Lower Heavens Light."

Jiang Ruyin nodded.

As Jiang Ruyin and her group walked away, Na Ying and Su Ying stayed close together. Su Ying asked Na Ying angrily, "Why don't you go over there?"

The promise blinked and said, "Since you didn't go, I wouldn't dare to go either."

......

......

A two-story pavilion, built on the upper and lower sides of the lake, spans the lake, winding for hundreds of feet. Pavilions and terraces are built atop the bridges. Looking down from the railing, one can almost imagine the magnificent view of Dongting Lake from Yueyang Tower. The water and sky merge into one, connected like a vast mirror, a crystal clear space. The sky is a brilliant blue, and leisurely white clouds drift like clouds, reflected in the lake. The light from above and below blends perfectly. Sunlight streams down, shimmering on the lake like countless pieces of gold, a striking contrast to the radiance of the sky. A gentle breeze ripples the water, swaying the sky within.

"'As for the spring weather, the scenery is bright and the waves are calm, and the sky is a vast expanse of blue.' This sky is truly impeccable! Your Majesty, you are truly the most important in the emperor's heart." Concubine Xin marveled, her eyes full of envy.

"It turns out that Concubine Xin is also well versed in poetry and literature." Jiang Ruyin was a little surprised.

Concubine Xin said helplessly, "Life in the harem is long, and I am just reading a sentence here and there."

The two of them sat down in the main hall, and a group of palace servants came in one after another carrying various trays.

"What's going on, sir?" Jiang Ruyin pretended not to know.

"Just some small gifts to congratulate Her Majesty."

Jiang Ruyin's face darkened. "What do you mean, Noble Lady Xin? I'm in charge of palace affairs on behalf of the Empress, so I should take responsibility for my own actions. How could I accept these things?"

Concubine Xin sneered, "It's not a valuable thing, Your Majesty, please accept it."

She lifted the red silk one by one. "This is Yanjin black-bone chicken, perfect for making soup for Sixth Prince. And this papaya is a great tonic for women! And these apples, bamboo fungus, and Sichuan peppercorns..."

Concubine Xin knew everything about the family. Jiang Ruyin coughed lightly and said, "Okay, please take a seat, Concubine Xin."

"Black-bone chicken and papaya seem to be items from the imperial kitchen and offered as tribute." Jiang Ruyin said.

Concubine Xin smiled bitterly, "My father is the governor of the Zhaotong Palace, so every time I pay tribute, I always get more. This is the only thing the emperor cares about me."

Jiang Ruyin nodded thoughtfully. "The Emperor didn't visit Concubine Qian, but he was always thinking about her. You might as well send some to Concubine Qian and Hongning. Concubine Hua is in charge of palace affairs, and papaya is good for beauty and nourishing the skin. She will like it."

Concubine Xin nodded repeatedly, "Thank you for your suggestion, Your Majesty. I was planning to send some papayas to all of you ladies, but my hometown suffered from drought last year, so I didn't have much."

She added, "This year, I got seven, Concubine Hua got two, and you got three." She winked at Jiang Ruyin.

Jiang Ruyin nodded. She vaguely remembered that Concubine Hua and she each had three, Concubine Qi and Concubine Wan had two, and Concubine Wen, Concubine Jing, and Concubine Qian each had one. The emperor kept ten for himself, and after deducting the dozen or so he gave as rewards, he sent the remaining eight back to the Forbidden City for the Empress Dowager.