pdf-ebookys Chapter 291: Another shocking change
Chapter 291: Another shocking change
Zhen Huan looked at the little palace maid being dragged away and sighed softly, "When will there be true peace in this harem?"
An Lingrong gently held Zhen Huan's hand and said, "Huan'er, don't sigh. As long as we sisters are united in heart, no matter how the storm changes, we can always find a peaceful place."
Concubine Hua was still furious. "Hmph! These people are so audacious! They even dared to cause trouble during a banquet. If I catch them next time, I will not let them off lightly!"
Mei Zhuang said calmly, "Sisters, the most urgent task is to strengthen the defenses in the palace. We can't let this kind of thing happen so easily again."
Chun Er nodded vigorously, "Sister Mei Zhuang is right. We must protect our home well."
A few days later, Zhen Huan was reading in the palace when Xiao Yunzi suddenly ran in, looking panicked: "Your Majesty, this is terrible! All the flowers and plants in the imperial garden have withered overnight!"
Zhen Huan was startled and put the book down. "How could this be? Have you found out the reason?"
Xiao Yunzi shook his head: "Your Majesty, the servants are investigating, but we have no clues yet."
Zhen Huan immediately stood up and said, "Let's go and take a look at the Imperial Garden."
When they arrived at the Imperial Garden, they saw that the once vibrant scene had become desolate, and the concubines were gathered there, talking among themselves.
An Lingrong arrived shortly afterwards and frowned upon seeing this scene. "This is definitely not a natural occurrence. Someone must have done this on purpose."
Concubine Hua also hurried over: "Who is so bold as to destroy the Imperial Garden? This is the royal land!"
At this time, an old maid stepped forward and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, I have heard that the flowers and plants in this imperial garden are harmed by an evil spell. We need to invite a magician to perform a ritual to dispel it."
Zhen Huan was suspicious: "Witchcraft? How could such a ridiculous thing happen in this palace?"
An Lingrong's heart moved: "Huan'er, don't believe it easily. This may be someone doing it on purpose to create panic in the palace."
Mei Zhuang also said: "Ling Rong is right. We can't let others lead us by the nose."
Zhen Huan nodded: "Then let's go back to our respective palaces and secretly investigate this matter to see who is behind this."
Back at the palace, Zhen Huan instructed Jin Xi, "Go and quietly find out if there are any suspicious people entering or leaving the Imperial Garden these days, especially those who know how to care for flowers and plants or have connections with people outside the palace."
An Lingrong was also pondering in the palace. She said to her maid, "Go and see if the Imperial Household Department has purchased anything unusual recently, especially anything related to flowers and plants."
A few days later, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong reunited.
Zhen Huan spoke first: "I've found out that there's a young eunuch who's been sneaking around in a remote corner of the Imperial Garden these past few days. He used to work in the Cold Palace."
An Lingrong said, "I have news too. The Imperial Household Department purchased a batch of special spices a few days ago. They are said to have a great effect on flowers and plants. The person in charge of purchasing them is a eunuch who has a close relationship with the Queen."
Zhen Huan's eyes turned cold: "Are they the Queen's remnants again? It seems they still refuse to give up."
An Lingrong said, "Let's not alert the enemy yet. Let's set a trap and lure them out."
So, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong arranged people to set up an ambush in the imperial garden.
That night, the young eunuch was seen sneaking into the imperial garden with a package in his hand.
Zhen Huan and others appeared: "What are you doing?"
The young eunuch collapsed to the ground in fear. "Your Majesty, this servant... this servant was forced into a desperate situation. Someone close to the Empress instructed this servant to use this poisonous incense to destroy the flowers and plants, and then spread rumors that it was witchcraft, causing panic in the palace."
Zhen Huan angrily said, "The Queen is really haunting us!"
An Lingrong said, "Let's take this young eunuch to see the Emperor and let him deal with him."
When she met the emperor, Zhen Huan told him what had happened.
The emperor was furious: "The queen is under house arrest but still refuses to repent, and even attempts to disrupt the harem!"
The emperor ordered that all eunuchs and palace maids around the queen who were involved in this matter be severely punished, and the queen's house arrest period be extended by another year.
After this incident, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong became more determined to maintain peace in the harem.
One day, a small country in a distant place presented a batch of precious jewels as tribute.
The emperor was overjoyed and decided to hold a jewelry exhibition in the palace for all the concubines to watch.
Zhen Huan and An Lingrong went to see it together, and saw that the jewels were dazzling.
However, during the exhibition, it was suddenly discovered that one of the most precious pearls was missing.
There was panic.
Hua Fei angrily said, "This is a tribute. If it is lost, how can I explain it to the Emperor?"
Zhen Huan said calmly, "Everyone, please don't panic. Let's seal off the scene and search it thoroughly."
An Lingrong also said: "Yes, perhaps someone took the opportunity to steal it. We must find it as soon as possible."
At this moment, a little palace maid suddenly shouted, "My Lady, I just saw a dark shadow running over there."
Zhen Huan immediately said, "Chase!"
Everyone followed the direction where the shadow disappeared and found that the shadow had entered an abandoned palace.
They entered the palace, but found it empty, with only a box on the ground.
Zhen Huan opened the box and found Mingzhu inside.
Zhen Huan asked in confusion, "What's going on? Why did they steal the pearl and put it here?"
An Lingrong pondered for a moment: "I'm afraid someone is deliberately trying to frame us and make us lose favor with the Emperor."
Mei Zhuang said, "Then we have to find out who is behind this."
After some investigation, it was discovered that the act was done by an unpopular concubine who was jealous of Zhen Huan and An Lingrong's status and wanted to take this opportunity to make them fall from favor.
Zhen Huan looked at the maid and said disappointedly, "We are both sisters in the harem, why do you act like this?"
Chang Zai cried and said, "My Lady, I just can't accept that I have been neglected in this palace, while you are being pampered."
An Lingrong said, "If you want to gain favor, you should rely on your sincerity and kindness, not on such tricks."
When the emperor learned about this, he demoted the concubine to a concubine and punished her to reflect on her mistakes in seclusion.
Throughout these storms, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong always remained true to their hearts, and their friendship grew deeper and deeper. In this harem, they were like a clear stream, continuing to write their own legendary stories. No matter what difficulties they encountered, they never backed down, because they knew that only by supporting each other could they go further in this harem full of conspiracies and intrigues and protect the pure land in their hearts.