The Legend of Zhen Huan: Rebirth of An Lingrong: Counterattack to Become the Queen Mother

Chapter 212 Ling Huan breaks through the fog to find the truth

Zhen Huan nodded and said, "Sister, you are right. As long as we work together, we will be able to completely expose this conspiracy."

An Lingrong also said firmly, "That's right, Huan'er, sister. I've heard recently that that force seems to be colluding with a senior official in the court and often secretly delivers letters."

Zhen Huan's eyes lit up: "Lingrong, where did you get this information?"

An Lingrong said, "I overheard my maid chatting with a young eunuch from the Imperial Household Department. They mentioned that the young eunuch had seen a mysterious person entering and leaving the residence of that important official, and that he had since become associated with some unusual individuals in the palace."

Hua Fei asked anxiously, "Do you know which important official it is?"

An Lingrong shook her head. "I don't know that. The eunuch didn't even see her face clearly, he just said she was dressed very luxuriously."

Zhen Huan thought for a moment: "It seems we have to start with this letter. If we can intercept the letter they are delivering, we will surely learn more secrets."

Hua Fei asked, "But there are so many letters going back and forth in the palace. How can we be sure which one is theirs?"

Zhen Huan said, "First, we should keep an eye on the letters sent from the palace to the outside, especially those who are trying to hide their identities. At the same time, have Brother Zhen keep an eye out outside the palace as well. If any suspicious person contacts the palace, we will track them down immediately."

An Lingrong said, "Huan'er, this is a very good plan. But it will take some time, and I'm afraid they will cause trouble again during this time."

Zhen Huan comforted her, "Lingrong, don't worry. We have also strengthened our defenses in the palace. If they make any moves, we will be able to respond in time."

A few days later, Zhen Huan's maid came to report: "Your Majesty, I discovered that the maid next to Concubine Li was secretly delivering a letter outside the palace. She was in a hurry and was very suspicious."

Zhen Huan, An Lingrong, and Concubine Hua exchanged a glance, and Zhen Huan said, "Let's go and take a look."

They rushed to the palace gate and stopped the maid. Zhen Huan asked sternly, "What are you doing sneaking around like that, maid? What's in the letter?"

The maid was so frightened that she fell to her knees and said, "Your Majesty, I am innocent! This letter was sent by Concubine Li, and I do not know the contents."

Hua Fei said, "Humph! Lipin? What's she up to again? Hand over the letter!"

Zhen Huan took the letter, opened it, and found that it contained only some ordinary greetings.

An Lingrong asked doubtfully, "Could it be that we made a mistake?"

Zhen Huan examined the letter carefully and suddenly smiled, "Lingrong, look at this letter. It may seem ordinary, but it actually holds a secret. There's a small mark in the corner, which must be the secret note they agreed upon."

Hua Fei took a closer look and said, "Indeed, it is true. It seems that Lipin is trying to get away with it."

Zhen Huan said, "Let's take this letter to Concubine Li and see how she explains it."

Everyone came to Lipin's palace. When Lipin saw them coming, her face turned pale.

Zhen Huan threw the letter in front of her: "Sister Lipin, what's the matter with this letter? Don't try to quibble. We already know there is a fraud in it."

Lipin stammered, "I...I was just coerced and had to do this."

An Lingrong asked, "Who coerced you? If you tell the truth, perhaps we can give you a lighter sentence."

Lipin hesitated for a long time before finally saying, "It's...it's Lord Nian Gengyao. He threatened me that if I didn't help him pass on information within the palace, it would be bad for my family."

Zhen Huan and Concubine Hua were both shocked. Concubine Hua angrily said, "Nian Gengyao? He's so bold!"

Zhen Huan said, "Sister, Nian Gengyao commands a large army, no wonder he is so arrogant. We must inform the Emperor of this as soon as possible."

Hua Fei hesitated: "But he is my brother after all. If I report him, I..."

An Lingrong advised, "Sister, it's difficult to kill one's own relatives for the sake of justice, but if you allow him to do whatever he wants, not only will he harm more people, but he will also bring trouble to you, sister."

Hua Fei pondered for a long time, then gritted her teeth and said, "Forget it! I cannot sacrifice public service for personal gain. I will do as you say and inform the Emperor of this matter."

The three men requested an audience with the emperor and explained the entire story. Upon hearing this, the emperor's face darkened to a terrifying degree: "Nian Gengyao is so audacious! I will not let him off lightly."

Zhen Huan said, "Your Majesty, this matter involves many people in the palace. We need to investigate carefully to avoid alerting the enemy."

The Emperor nodded. "What Huanhuan said is quite true. I will send someone to secretly investigate Nian Gengyao. You should also keep an eye on him in the palace. If you have any news, report it immediately."

After coming out of the emperor's palace, Concubine Hua was in a low mood.

Zhen Huan comforted her, "Sister, don't be sad. What you did today is a righteous act. The Emperor will surely understand your painstaking efforts."

Hua Fei sighed, "I hope so. I just hope this will all end soon."

An Lingrong said, "Don't worry, sister. With the Emperor's attention, we will be able to completely eradicate this conspiracy."

However, Nian Gengyao was no ordinary person. After learning that Concubine Li's affair was exposed, he began to plan countermeasures outside the palace, trying to cover up his crimes, and also wanted to find an opportunity to take revenge on Zhen Huan and others.

He bribed some assassins to sneak into the palace and kill Zhen Huan and An Lingrong.

One day, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong were walking in the imperial garden when suddenly a group of assassins rushed out from all directions.

The assassin leader shouted, "Zhen Huan, An Lingrong, give me your lives!"

Zhen Huan was horrified: "Lingrong, be careful!"

Although An Lingrong was afraid, she still forced herself to remain calm: "Huan'er, don't be afraid, we will fight them!"

Just as the assassins were about to strike, Concubine Hua arrived with her guards in time: "How dare you, a madman, commit murder in the palace!"

The guards engaged in a fierce struggle with the assassins. Concubine Hua stood in front of Zhen Huan and An Lingrong and asked, "Are you all right?"

Zhen Huan said, "Thank you, sister, for saving me in time."

An Lingrong asked, "Sister, why are you here?"

Concubine Hua said, "I was worried about you, so I brought the guards here. I didn't expect to encounter an assassin. It seems that Nian Gengyao is desperate."

After a hard fight, the guards finally repelled the assassin. But Zhen Huan knew that this was just a test by Nian Gengyao, and he would not give up.

Zhen Huan said, "We must find evidence of Nian Gengyao's guilt as soon as possible and have the Emperor punish him thoroughly, otherwise we will never have peace."

Hua Fei said: "But he is extremely cautious in his actions. How can it be so easy to find evidence of his crime?"

An Lingrong said, "We can start with his confidants. Perhaps we can pry something useful out of them."

Zhen Huan nodded: "Lingrong is right. Let's first investigate the people close to Nian Gengyao and see if we can make any breakthroughs."

So the three of them started a new investigation. After asking around, they finally tracked down one of Nian Gengyao's staff.

Zhen Huan designed a plan to bring the aide into the palace and interrogate him secretly.

Zhen Huan said, "If you confess Nian Gengyao's crimes honestly, perhaps I can spare your life. If you persist in your wrongdoings, you will be severely punished."

The staff member was stubborn at first, but under the coercion and inducement of Zhen Huan and others, he finally gave in: "Your Majesty, I will tell you everything. Nian Gengyao secretly embezzled military funds, formed a clique for personal gain, and even intended to rebel..."

After hearing this, Zhen Huan and others were shocked.

Zhen Huan asked, "Do you have any evidence?"

The aide said, "Yes, he hid the embezzled military pay accounts and the letters of collusion with some ministers in the secret room of his study."

Zhen Huan said, "Okay, if you dare to lie to us, we will not forgive you."

Afterwards, Zhen Huan informed the emperor of this matter, and the emperor immediately sent people to search Nian Gengyao's residence, and indeed found evidence of the crime.

The emperor was furious: "Nian Gengyao's crimes are unforgivable. He will be thrown into prison immediately, his property confiscated, and his entire clan exterminated!"

With Nian Gengyao's downfall, the conspiracy forces stirring up trouble in the harem and court suffered a severe blow. Zhen Huan, An Lingrong, and Concubine Hua finally breathed a sigh of relief. But they also knew that new challenges and conspiracies might be quietly brewing within the palace.