An Lingrong's Rebirth: Red

Ling Rong often wondered privately why Zhen Huan was trying to return to the palace when she had such a deep rift with the emperor. After all, she was not pregnant, and the Zhen family was not implicated by her actions.

If she did it for the Zhen family and for her child with Prince Guo in her previous life, then what was she doing it for in this life?

Was it because he was stopped from leaving Ganlu Temple and tortured by the nuns? Thinking about it this way, it was somewhat possible, but Lingrong always felt that the reason was insufficient.

However, Concubine Wan seemed to be in poor health, so the emperor exempted her from paying her respects and did not allow anyone else to visit her.

As a result, after Concubine Wan entered the palace, only Zhaoshui, Mujin, and a few imperial doctors from the Imperial Medical Bureau had seen her face.

The Empress Dowager was also caught off guard by the Emperor. When she heard the decree, she wanted to call Concubine Wan over to give her a warning, but she didn't expect that the decree was just "house arrest", which left the Empress Dowager with nowhere to vent her anger.

In desperation, the Empress Dowager called the Emperor over, but the Emperor refused to admit that Concubine Wan was Zhen Huan. He only said that she was an illiterate country woman who looked somewhat like Empress Chun Yuan.

Zhen Huan, the female Zhuge Liang, became a country woman, which made her more pitiful but also a little ironic.

Since Wan Changzai entered the palace, the emperor rarely went to rest with other concubines. The emperor only went to the harem ten times in a month, and nine of them went to Yongshou Palace.

The only time he went to Concubine Jing's palace was at the end of the month, when he asked her to keep an eye on everyone in the harem and not to make things difficult for Concubine Wan.

"Embarrassing? We can't even see Concubine Wan, how can we embarrass her?" Concubine Qi was very angry. If she hadn't been worried about the pain in her hand, she would have slammed the table. "It's obviously her who made things difficult for us. She has been flirting with the emperor for a month and has not gone anywhere else except Yongshou Palace."

"It seems that Lady Qi's face is not as good as Lady Wan's."

Concubine Xin still remembered the last quarrel. She had a faint smile on her face, but her words were particularly sarcastic, "She is really a person with foresight. No wonder she said that about Hai Changzai a month ago."

Concubine Qi was hit in the sore spot, her face turned pale and blue, she glared at Concubine Hai fiercely, "I can't believe it, after such a long time, Concubine Xin actually remembered to help Concubine Hai, it's really a deep sisterly love, different from others."

"Whether the sisters are affectionate or not, others don't know," Xia Dongchun suddenly said, "It's like when Concubine Qi got angry, and Concubine Hai didn't even say a word of rebuttal. If they weren't close friends, how could they do that? And how could they not say that the sisters are affectionate?"

Hai Changzai, who was the center of the topic, was held tightly by her real sister Gao Da Ying, and she was unable to jump out at this time to say, "If I were not as high-ranking as you, who would have to endure your ridicule?"

They are sisters, but I think they are more like enemies.

Fortunately, Gao Da Ying held her hand the whole time, so Hai Changzai did not lose his composure in front of everyone and offend more people.

"I don't think the purpose of the sisters coming here today is to engage in verbal disputes."

Concubine Jing only felt her forehead burning and the back of her head aching. She finally experienced the feeling of the Queen having a headache due to being disturbed.

"My dear concubine, the emperor finally managed to get more people into the harem last month, but they were all snatched away by that vixen Wan Changzai.

The sisters in the harem are feeling unhappy, and you should persuade the emperor more.

He has only favored one person for a month and he has caused resentment in the harem. What if it was three months or even half a year?

What hope do the women in the harem have?"

Concubine Qi was very excited, her chest heaving. It was obvious that after a month of investigation, she had already known the true face of Concubine Wan. "Concubine Jing and the other three sisters are all people who assist in managing the six palaces. They should help the sisters in the palaces to solve the problems.

What's more, she is a deposed concubine returning to the palace..."

"Noble Lady Qi, you've said too much." Ling Rong interrupted Noble Lady Qi loudly, which scared Noble Lady Qi and also made everyone feel a chill in their hearts.

The Emperor kept this secret because he didn't want others to know that Zhen Huan was a deposed concubine. If this were to be revealed, it would bring shame to the Emperor, and how could he continue to favor Concubine Qi?

Lingrong's timing to stop the conversation was very good. It not only let everyone know the true identity of Concubine Wan, but also nominally stopped Concubine Qi from talking nonsense.

Even if the emperor questioned her later, she would have something to say and her arguments would be reasonable.

"Even if, even if it was hidden, everyone in the harem would have known about it long ago."

Noble Lady Qi stiffened her neck and refused to fall into a disadvantage at this time. One or two Han army flags dared to bully her. Did they think that there was no one left in the Manchu army flags?

"Then go out and talk, stand in the courtyard of Xianfu Palace, or stand in the Imperial Garden and talk."

Lingrong did not tolerate Concubine Qi's temper. If she spoke, it would hurt the emperor's face. As long as she was right, she was not afraid of Concubine Qi going to the emperor to complain about her.

In addition, with so many concubines in the harem today and so many witnesses, how could Concubine Qi really turn the tables?

Seeing Lingrong becoming tough, Concubine Qi lost her temper. She also knew that this was something the emperor did not want others to know. If it were to get out, it would only make the emperor dislike her.

And this high and mighty Concubine Sheng will not only not be punished, but will continue to come and laugh at her own joke.

"This is the harem. You all know very well what you should and shouldn't say. Today, someone is helping you to stop it and prevent you from saying something out of the blue. But tomorrow, you can't be sure."

Lingrong was already worried because the emperor came less often to visit Hongyu and Youning, and now she had to listen to Concubine Qi blaming the people in charge of the six palaces for not considering their sisters in the harem.

Concubine Tian also joined in, "You really did pass, Lady Qi."

After three powerful people started to criticize her, Concubine Qi didn't dare to say anything even if she felt she was very capable.

Everyone knew that this matter was of great importance, so they pretended not to have heard anything. They still asked the Emperor, who favored Concubine Wan, how to resolve the matter.

But Concubine Jing and others are not of the status of the Queen after all. The Queen can persuade the Emperor to treat everyone equally, but they, the concubines, can never do that.

If you are not careful, you will be considered to have usurped the throne.

Just as everyone was making a lot of noise, the emperor walked in and everyone quickly quieted down, especially Concubine Qi, who lowered her head and didn't even dare to breathe.

The emperor had obviously heard the complaints from the harem in recent times, so he planned to pick a suitable opportunity to make an "explanation" for the time being.

But looking at the emperor's expression, Lingrong felt that it was not a good thing. It was even possible that the emperor came to clear Zhen Huan's name again.

"I, my concubine, see you, Your Majesty."

"Stand up," the emperor walked through the crowd and sat comfortably on the upper seat. "As soon as I entered the room, I heard a lot of noise in the main hall. Is there any good news that I don't know about?"

"It's just the sisters telling some jokes," Imperial Concubine Jing continued, "After all, it's rare for everyone to get together like this, and there are many private things that they are eager to talk about."

The emperor hummed and looked around at everyone in the hall, "But Concubine Wan is missing. She has been in poor health, so I have allowed her not to pay her respects."

When they heard the name of Concubine Wan, everyone didn't want to even look at her. Then they all focused their eyes on Concubine Jing, which made Concubine Jing feel a chill on her back.

"Your Majesty, the wound on Wan Changzai's body has not healed yet?"

The emperor nodded and said, "When Concubine Wan first entered the palace, she fell ill due to a congenital weakness. She was seriously ill and had to be nursed off and on for many years before she started to get better.

A few days ago, she followed me out of the palace to Ganlu Temple to pray for the Empress Dowager. When we were going down the mountain, we encountered a rainstorm and I was nearly hit by a branch broken by the strong wind. It was Concubine Wan who saved me at the risk of her own life.

I felt that I was not doing her justice, so I stayed with her for a little longer, but I still have to raise her in the future."

The emperor said so much in just one sentence. Lingrong keenly grasped the fact that he fell ill after entering the palace.

She thought of the time in her previous life when Zhen Huan claimed to be sick and never served the emperor in the palace. For a moment, she felt as if time and space overlapped, and the world became more and more confusing.

"Wan Changzai fell ill when she entered the palace?" Ling Rong asked in confusion. The emperor was not angry at being questioned, but nodded happily, "Yes, at that time, the eight of you entered the palace, but only Wan Changzai was seriously ill, so none of you had seen her many times."

Eight people entered the palace? Ling Rong thought of her previous doubts and couldn't help but shudder. Shen Meizhuang, Fucha, Zhen Huan, Fang Jiachunyi, Borjigit, Xia Dongchun and herself, there were only seven people. Where did eight people come from?

But at that time it was indeed said that eight people entered the palace. Ling Rong privately investigated for a long time but could not find out who the eighth person was. Now the emperor suddenly said that the eighth person was Concubine Wan, how could anyone believe it.

Xia Dongchun seemed to have thought of the problem. She looked at Ling Rong with a confused expression and made a seven gesture with her hand.

"In this palace, only the deposed concubine Zhen is most familiar with her. If it weren't for the friendship between the two of them living in Suiyuxuan, I would not have brought Concubine Wan to Ganlu Temple."

"Your Majesty has also preserved the friendship between the two sisters." Lingrong reacted the fastest. She echoed the emperor's words, which really made him smile.

"Rong'er has real insights and is truly my confidant."

Ling Rong showed a shy smile on her face, but she was cursing in her heart that the emperor had erased the existence of the eighth concubine in order to prevent the deposed concubine from returning to the palace.

I don’t know if it has been like this in all dynasties, with a special position for concubines reserved in case of emergency.

"The Emperor loves Concubine Wan so much that he doesn't want to ask the sisters in the harem to disturb her."

Concubine Qi spoke in a coquettish tone, but unfortunately she only glanced at the blind man, and the Emperor didn't even look at her for a second.

"Please don't disturb me during this period, understand?"

"I understand." No one dared to refuse, so they could only give the answer the emperor wanted in unison.

After revealing his identity as Concubine Wan in front of everyone, the Emperor took Su Peisheng away. Before leaving, he did not forget to arouse jealousy and targeting towards Ling Rong - the Emperor was going to rest in Chengqian Palace tonight.

If the emperor doesn't come, they worry that their children will not be favored. If the emperor comes, he will bring jealousy and unstoppable turmoil.

When Lingrong saw Concubine Qi's angry and jealous expression, she wanted to rush up and kick her and the stool over.

"What does the emperor mean by this? Did Concubine Wan enter the palace together with Concubine Sheng?"

"Yes. Those who entered the palace that year were Noble Lady Fucha, Noble Lady Borjigit, Noble Lady Shen, Concubine Wan, and Concubine Chun. Zhen agreed to be with me.

But these are just some old stories. If you are curious, you might as well ask the people in the Ministry of Internal Affairs."

Since the emperor had spoken, Lingrong could only cover up for him in this way. However, as long as everyone saw that Concubine Wan, they would know that all this was just the emperor's pretense.

The emperor's stubbornness will only make Zhen Huan a laughing stock in the eyes of the public. Although she has the emperor's support now and no one dares to cause trouble to her openly, after the emperor's popularity fades, she will be ridiculed and plotted against by the public.

A greeting that started and ended with Wan Changzai.

The others were able to continue the discussion in groups of three or four, but Ling Rong could only hurry back to the palace to prepare for the Emperor's arrival tonight.

After all, the emperor is very picky. He came here tonight, probably to warn me not to reveal Zhen Huan's identity.

Zhaoshui changed the bedding and gauze curtains for Lingrong. In fact, she had always wanted to ask her queen whether that Concubine Wan was the deposed Concubine Zhen Huan.

But I was the one who saw Wan Changzai's appearance, so it was a bit strange to ask the Empress.

"Hang this sachet on the bedside as well."

Lingrong put some Snow Spring Message in the sachet, which was the emperor's favorite type of plum blossom fragrance. However, the formula of this fragrance contained musk, and few people in the palace actually used it.

In fact, there is only one penny of musk in the incense recipe. Even if it is used for many years, it cannot achieve the same effect as Huanyi incense.

"Your Highness rarely places scented sachets by the bed, why is this here today?"

"I just want to fumigate the bed. The emperor likes the scent of plum blossoms, so this can please him."

Zhaoshui nodded and tied the sachets on the four corners of the couch. "It seems that Wan Chang has been favored by the Queen for nine days, and the Queen is a little worried."

"I'm not in a hurry, but the emperor has reorganized Concubine Wan's identity, causing the evidence we prepared before to be temporarily invalidated. I'm just a little uneasy."

"Your Majesty..." Zhaoshui hesitated for a long time, but still asked the question, "Are Concubine Wan and Concubine Xu really not the same person?"

"It would be fine if Mu Jin asked this question. You should have followed me when I entered the palace and witnessed the rise and fall of the Zhen family. How could you be so foolish?"

"Because the emperor was so sure, I couldn't help but believe it."

Ling Rong poked Zhao Shui's forehead and smiled with a hint of sarcasm, "Since ancient times, when people talk about the emperor, they always say that their words are as good as gold and as good as gold.

Over time, everyone began to believe it, thinking that every word the emperor said was right, and that everyone should obey the emperor unconditionally.

But think about it carefully, has anyone ever said that the emperor will not lie? Has anyone ever said that the emperor will not have selfish motives? "