pdf-ebookys Chapter 205 Ling Huan's new predicament and turning point
Chapter 205 Ling Huan's new predicament and turning point
The good deeds of Zhen Huan and An Lingrong in the palace continued for some time. One day, Zhen Huan discussed with An Lingrong in her own palace.
Zhen Huan whispered, "Lingrong, although people's opinions of us have changed, I still feel a sense of unease. The person who spread the rumors hasn't actually appeared yet, and I'm afraid he might have more tricks up his sleeve."
An Lingrong frowned slightly. "Huan'er, I'm worried too. But it seems all we can do now is wait and take precautions."
As she was speaking, Concubine Hua hurried over, looking a little panicked. "My two sisters, this is bad! I just received news that Concubine Li has suddenly fallen seriously ill while under house arrest. She is now unconscious and babbling nonsense, as if possessed by some evil spirit!"
Zhen Huan was shocked: "How could this be? Could someone have secretly harmed her?"
An Lingrong was also puzzled and asked, "Sister, this is too strange. Could it be that the person behind this wants to silence us, or is he trying to use the Lipin incident to stir up trouble again?"
Concubine Hua nodded. "I have the same suspicion. If this matter is not handled properly, I am afraid it will implicate us. The Emperor is aware of this matter and is very worried. Eunuch Su said that the Emperor may send someone to investigate."
Zhen Huan pondered for a moment: "If they are investigating, we must deal with it calmly. However, we must first check on Concubine Li's situation. Perhaps we can find some clues from there."
The three men came to Lipin's residence, only to see that Lipin was pale and lying on the bed muttering to herself. The palace maids and eunuchs around her were all frightened.
Zhen Huan approached the bedside and called softly, "Sister Lipin, can you hear me?"
Concubine Li had no reaction and continued to speak some incomprehensible words to herself.
An Lingrong observed Lipin carefully and suddenly smelled a faint peculiar smell. She was moved and said to Zhen Huan, "Huan'er, smell it, there seems to be a strange fragrance in this room."
Zhen Huan sniffed and also noticed something strange: "I've never smelled this scent before. Could it be this that caused Concubine Li to behave like this?"
Hua Fei immediately ordered the palace maid: "Go and carefully check everything in this room to see if there is anything suspicious!"
The palace maids became busy, and soon a young maid found some remaining spices in the incense burner in the corner.
Zhen Huan took the spice and examined it carefully, frowning. "This spice formula is extremely rare. I've never seen it before. Lingrong, do you recognize it?"
An Lingrong took it, sniffed it carefully, and thought for a moment before saying, "Huan'er, although I can't be sure, this spice seems to be mixed with some exotic flowers and herbs from the Western Regions, which has the effect of confusing people's minds. I suspect that someone deliberately tampered with this spice to cause Concubine Li to be like this."
Concubine Hua angrily said, "Who is so cruel? How could they resort to such tactics?"
At this time, the eunuch beside the emperor came to convey the emperor's order, saying that the emperor summoned Zhen Huan, An Lingrong and Hua Fei to go to the Yangxin Palace for questioning.
The three of them arrived at the Yangxin Palace. The emperor said with a serious face, "I heard about Concubine Li and was very surprised. Have you found anything?"
Zhen Huan stepped forward and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, I have discovered a suspicious spice in Lipin's palace. This spice seems to be problematic. I suspect someone is using it to harm Lipin and intend to stir up trouble again."
The Emperor took the spices presented by Zhen Huan, looked at them, and asked, "Where do these spices come from?"
An Lingrong replied, "Your Majesty, I have not yet investigated. However, the formula of this spice is unique and must not be common in the palace."
Hua Fei also said: "Your Majesty, there must be a mastermind behind this matter. I implore Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly and restore peace to the harem."
The emperor pondered for a long time and said, "I will investigate thoroughly. You may withdraw now. In the meantime, please do not cause any more trouble."
After the three of them left the Yangxin Palace, Zhen Huan said, "It seems we've stumbled into another mystery. There must be something behind this spice issue."
An Lingrong nodded. "Huan'er, we must quickly find the source of these spices and who is behind them. I'd like to ask my mother and Aunt Xiao for advice. They've run a spice shop for many years and might have some clues."
Zhen Huan agreed, "Alright. I'll keep an eye on everyone in the palace. Sister Hua Fei, you have a lot of experience in the palace. If there's anything going on, I hope you'll let me know."
Hua Fei replied, "Don't worry, I will keep an eye on it."
An Lingrong left the palace and came to the spice shop, where she met her mother and Aunt Xiao and told them in detail what had happened in the palace.
Aunt Xiao pondered for a moment and said, "Lingrong, although I have never seen this spice before, from your description, it sounds like a long-lost secret incense from the Western Regions. This secret incense is extremely difficult to make, and the ingredients required are extremely precious. Anyone who can obtain this spice must be an extraordinary person."
An Lingrong asked anxiously, "Do you know anyone who might have this spice?"
Mother shook her head. "I don't know about that either. However, I heard that in recent years, some people in the underworld have been secretly buying and selling rare spices. Could they be colluding with people in the palace?"
An Lingrong's heart moved: "Thank you, mother and aunt. I will go back to the palace and tell Huan'er."
After returning to the palace, An Lingrong told Zhen Huan about the situation.
Zhen Huan said, "If people from the Jianghu are involved, this matter will become even more complicated. We must be careful and not fall into their trap."
At this moment, a young eunuch came to report that a package was found in a remote corner of the imperial garden, which seemed to contain something related to the suspicious spice.
Zhen Huan and An Lingrong looked at each other and immediately went to the Imperial Garden.
When I arrived at the Imperial Garden, I saw the package lying on the ground, surrounded by a faint fragrance.
Zhen Huan carefully opened the package, revealing some spice ingredients and a note that read, "If you want to know the truth, come to the abandoned side hall of Chuxiu Palace at midnight."
An Lingrong looked at the note, hesitant: "Huan'er, could this be a trap?"
Zhen Huan gritted her teeth and said, "Whether it's a trap or not, we have to go. To find out the truth, we can't back down."
When Concubine Hua learned about this, she rushed over to dissuade them: "My two sisters, this is too dangerous. Don't go there rashly."
Zhen Huan said firmly, "Sister, we know the danger. But if we don't go, the people behind this will become even more arrogant, and we will never have peace in the palace."
Seeing that she couldn't persuade them, Concubine Hua said helplessly, "Then I will go with you so that I can take care of you."
At midnight, the three of them, along with a few trusted aides, quietly came to the abandoned side hall of Chuxiu Palace.
The side hall was dark and filled with a pungent smell.
Suddenly, a dark shadow flashed by, and a sinister laugh was heard: "You are finally here..."
Zhen Huan asked loudly, "Who are you? Why did you set up this?"
A dark figure slowly emerged, revealing a masked woman. "Zhen Huan, An Lingrong, do you think you can live peacefully in the palace? You've blocked the way for too many people..."
An Lingrong angrily asked, "What are you talking about? What grudge do we have against you?"
The masked woman sneered, "Grudge? Your existence is hatred. You are favored in the palace, and some people can't sit still..."
Hua Fei shouted, "Stop playing tricks here! Tell me, who's behind you?"
The masked woman stopped talking and just stood there quietly.
Zhen Huan signaled Hua Fei and An Lingrong not to act rashly, and slowly approached the masked woman: "If you tell the truth, we may be able to spare your life."
Just as Zhen Huan was about to walk up to the masked woman, suddenly, a group of people in black rushed out and surrounded them.
Hua Fei shouted: "Oh no, we've been ambushed!"
Zhen Huan said calmly: "Don't panic, let's find a way to break out first!"
An Lingrong also mustered up her courage: "Yes, we can't be trapped by them!"
So, the three of them, along with their trusted followers, started a fierce fight with the men in black. During the fight, Zhen Huan discovered that these men in black were well-trained and did not look like ordinary assassins.
While dodging the attacks, Zhen Huan said to An Lingrong and Hua Fei, "These people are definitely not ordinary people from the martial arts world. They seem to be specially trained assassins."
While beating them, Concubine Hua said, "No matter who they are, we must not let them succeed today!"
An Lingrong also fought hard: "Huan'er, sister, we have to be careful!"
Just as everyone was locked in a bitter struggle, the sound of horse hooves could be heard from afar. It turned out to be Zhen Yuandao and his guards rushing to the rescue.
Zhen Yuandao shouted, "Sister, Miss Lingrong, Lady Hua, don't be afraid, I'm coming!"
With the help of Zhen Yuandao and the guards, the men in black were gradually defeated and fled.
Zhen Huan breathed a sigh of relief: "Brother, why are you here?"
Zhen Yuandao said, "I heard from outside the palace gate that there seemed to be unusual movements in the palace. I was worried about your safety, so I brought the guards in to check."
An Lingrong said gratefully, "Brother Zhen, thank you for arriving on time, otherwise we would be in danger today."
Concubine Hua also said: "Thanks to Master Zhen, I will remember this favor."
Zhen Yuandao nodded slightly: "Your Majesty is too polite. What is going on?"
Zhen Huan recounted what had happened one by one.
Zhen Yuandao pondered for a moment: "It seems that the power behind this is not simple. I will continue to investigate this matter, and you should also be more careful in the palace."
Zhen Huan and the others returned to the palace. This experience left them with lingering fears, but also made them more determined to find out the truth. However, the conspiracy and danger behind it still followed them like a shadow, waiting for them to crack.