An Lingrong is reborn to live for herself.

The so-called truth is just the truth that the emperor wants everyone to know.

When the imperial decree was issued, An Lingrong was doing needlework in Zhen Huan's Suiyu Pavilion.

Just as the first stitch of the embroidery pattern of willow leaves meeting the heart was completed, Liu Zhu rushed in.

It is said that the truth of the matter has been found out. It was Yuan's own carelessness that caused her to slip and fall off the artificial hill while admiring the koi, resulting in the deaths of both herself and her unborn child.

This matter deeply saddened both the Emperor and the Empress Dowager. Therefore, they specifically admonished the concubines to always remain within their bounds and prioritize the greater good. They also praised the Empress's benevolence, noting that she gave Yuan a grand funeral and sent some silver to the Yuan family as a token of gratitude for Yuan's efforts in ensuring the imperial succession.

After hearing Liu Zhu's description, An Lingrong found it quite amusing.

Such a harem remains the same regardless of the number of lifetimes. It appears peaceful on the surface, but in reality, it's filled with petty squabbles and thievery. And if one merely desires a tranquil life within the harem, one is likely to be treated like dirt, trampled upon at will, without even realizing it.

"Although Lady Yuan is pitiful, fortunately the Emperor is kind and the Empress is benevolent, and they are both willing to treat the Yuan family well. It's just a pity that I heard Lady Miaoyin is only 16 years old this year, which is the same age as us." Zhen Huan sighed softly, unable to hide her regret.

"However, I've heard that Lady Miaoyin has quite a background. It's said that the Emperor chose Consort Xia's name on the day of his death, but he encountered Lady Miaoyin in Yanxi Palace." Jinxi said while refilling Zhen Huan and An Lingrong's teacups.

“Yes, although she is a palace maid in Yanxi Palace, I have never seen her in Yanxi Palace.” An Lingrong continued to stitch her embroidery for the second time, this time using three-colored threads to embroider the intricate patterns. An Lingrong lowered her head, intently watching the stitches, as if it were an unintentional reply.

Upon hearing this, Baojuan's brow twitched almost imperceptibly.

"Oh? Then is Lady Yuan suitable to enter Yanxi Palace?" Zhen Huan asked, her mind racing.

“I heard that she used to serve the Dowager Consort. When we entered the palace, the staff was redistributed among the palaces, and she was transferred from the Dowager Consort’s side,” An Lingrong replied, then seemed to remember something, “By the way, Jinxi used to serve in the Dowager Consort’s palace, right? Have you ever heard of such a person?”

Jinxi pondered for a moment and replied, "It seems there is no one like Yuan Shi. There were indeed some young maids in the Dowager Consort's palace before, but after serving for a while, the Dowager Consort felt that they were too young and not reliable enough, so she had them all taken back by the Imperial Household Department. Speaking of which, there are some of these people that I know well, but I really don't remember anyone like Yuan Shi."

The hall was filled with the delicate fragrance of fine spruce wood, which was being burned and slowly diffused into the bone china dish.

An Lingrong looked at the spruce wood and smiled, "I don't know where the Yuan family came from, but I seem to have heard of the incense that you are using, sister. This is a fine spruce wood. Some time ago, when Xia was favored, she would always carry this elegant woody fragrance when she returned from the Hall of Mental Cultivation."

Because spruce wood is so rare, it's exclusively supplied to the Emperor's Hall of Mental Cultivation. Every time Lady Xia returns, she makes a point of visiting Lady Fucha's palace, fragrant with its scent, just to show off her favor. When she passes by my place, she inevitably gives me a show of ostentation as well. Therefore, even though Lingrong isn't very well-educated, she knows that spruce wood is a valuable commodity!

"I'm sorry to have made Lingrong laugh at me. It was indeed a gift from the Emperor, but I really didn't know it was so precious." As she spoke, Zhen Huan put down her teacup, her face slightly flushed.

An Lingrong smiled and said, "Sister, you are currently enjoying the Emperor's favor. Even if the best things are sent to your palace, the Emperor will be willing to give them away. I'm just afraid that he might not be able to please you."

Zhen Huan blushed even more and said shyly, "Sister Lingrong has such a beautiful mouth. I never noticed it before."

The two chatted and laughed for a while before returning to the matter of the Yuan family.

"Does Sister Lingrong think that the appearance and death of Lady Yuan are somewhat suspicious?" Zhen Huan suddenly stopped smiling and asked seriously.

“Look, there are three concubines living in Yanxi Palace, but none of them have ever seen her. Although she has a background, no one really knows her. She gained favor in one fell swoop, and although she didn’t flaunt it, her background alone made her a target of envy among the concubines in the palace. Furthermore, when I think about it carefully, it doesn’t make any sense that Yuan Shi fell into the artificial hill and suffered a miscarriage.”

"That day we all came back from Jingren Palace. Yuan's Zhongcui Palace and Huafei's Yikun Palace are not next to each other. Why did Yuan go to play outside Yikun Palace instead of going to Qibao Pond, which is closer to Zhongcui Palace?" Zhen Huan pondered all the way and listed her thoughts as she went.

"I heard that when Madam Yuan was found, her right hand was clenched tightly, as if she was holding something. But the person who found her said that Madam Yuan didn't have anything in her hand. Could it be that someone deliberately harmed Madam Yuan and then took what was in her hand?" An Lingrong said solemnly.

"It's not impossible," Zhen Huan nodded.

"In this way, although we don't know the whole story, we can make sense of it in general. Perhaps Yuan was arranged by someone to get to know the Emperor."

Given Yuan's background, even if she were favored, she would be isolated and helpless in the harem, so there was not much to worry about.

However, what the mastermind did not expect was that Lady Yuan would become pregnant so quickly, and the timing was just right. Lady Yuan's child was very likely to be the emperor's first son after his ascension to the throne, and therefore she was highly valued by the emperor.

Therefore, the person behind the scenes who originally only wanted to use the Yuan family to gain favor could no longer sit still and thus decided to eliminate the Yuan family.

An Lingrong took a slight breath and continued speaking.

"The person who carried out the attack then notified the Yuan family to wait for her by the Thousand Mile Pond, either to exchange some items or to pass on some messages. In short, they lured her there and then killed her..."

"But this person is truly ruthless. The baby in the Yuan family was only four months along. If they simply wanted to terminate the pregnancy, there should have been ways to do so. But this person is so vicious, so heartless as to murder two lives."

In her past life, An Lingrong had also been manipulated by others, unable to make her own decisions regarding her offspring, and nearly lost both her child and her life due to the emperor's irresistible authority. Thinking of this, An Lingrong couldn't help but grit her teeth, her eyes already reddening.

The Yuan family of today is probably just like myself in my past life—how lamentable!

Zhen Huan pondered for a moment and said, "What my sister said is right. However, after Yuan Shi became pregnant, she kept a low profile and always stayed in her own palace to recuperate. The palace servants in the inner palace have a schedule and records, so the person who could pass on the message to Yuan Shi so easily was probably not someone outside Yanxi Palace, but someone inside Yanxi Palace."

"Hmm, if she's from Yanxi Palace, she's probably not someone close to Empress Fucha. She's the only pregnant concubine in the harem right now. She's also the only one who can compete with the unborn child in Empress Yuan's womb for the first time."

Moreover, it is said that the entire Fucha family is extremely concerned about her pregnancy.

"Tonic herbs and rare elixirs sought from all over are being sent to her palace in droves." An Lingrong replied after what seemed like a long pause.

However, the tone shifted again, "But Lady Fucha is not a fool. As long as the child can be born, it is a 50/50 chance of winning. But if she plots to harm the imperial heir, it is a 100% death penalty. In comparison, why would she risk her life?"

To say that this is something that doesn't necessarily involve favoring the emperor's children, perhaps someone else wants to get rid of the Yuan family and take their place?

At this moment, An Lingrong noticed that Bao Juan, who was standing beside her, trembled as she was about to add tea.

Baojuan realized she had lost her composure and quickly composed herself, saying with a light smile, "Your tea seems a bit weak, so I'll go brew a fresh pot."

An Lingrong said gently, "Be careful."

Baojuan picked up the teapot, turned around, and left.

A moment later, Baojuan returned with the teapot, her expression as usual. She served respectfully by her side, showing no sign of anything amiss.