An Lingrong's Rebirth: Red

The cold came and went quickly. In just three to five days, Lingrong recovered and was able to follow Noble Lady Fucha to pay respects to the Queen.

I don't know what happened in the past few days, but the emperor has been busy reviewing memorials in the Yangxin Palace all day long. Since Lingrong fell ill, the emperor has not entered the harem.

It was also for this reason that the concubines in the various palaces were less aggressive when paying their respects, and it was rare for them to be able to chat calmly and peacefully.

On the tenth day, the emperor finally entered the harem and discussed with the queen about staying in Tangquan Palace for a few days while the snow melted and the weather became clear.

"Last time, I was unable to go to Tangquan Palace due to illness. This time, I will definitely enjoy it. I wonder how long Your Majesty plans to stay. Will you bring some sisters with you?"

The emperor was relieved to see that the queen was so sensible. He covered the back of the queen's hand and patted it. "The imperial physician said that bathing in hot springs can help the concubine who had a miscarriage recover. So I thought of taking Concubine Hua, Concubine Wan and Concubine An with me."

The queen was originally delighted by the emperor's sudden intimacy, but when she heard that it was for the sake of the child, she could not help but feel resentful. However, she finally smiled and said, "Hot spring bathing can actually have such an effect. If I had known this earlier, I should have let all the sisters in the harem go together."

"What the Queen said does make some sense, but the road to Changping is long, and I'm afraid the snow will block the way, which will be inconvenient. I'll just take the four of you this time."

"Yes. I will leave the affairs of the palace to Concubine Jing first. She took over some of the affairs of the six palaces a few days ago and handled them quite well. It can be seen that she has some talent."

"The Queen will take care of the affairs of the harem. I rest assured."

When paying respects on the second day, the empress informed the concubines in the harem that they would go to the Tangquan Palace. She used the excuse that it would help the concubines who had miscarriage to recover. Even if some people had complaints, they did not dare to say anything sarcastic at this time.

The happiest person was Concubine Hua, who thought that the Emperor was thinking about the unborn male fetus just as much as she was.

Little did she know that the Emperor had already asked the Imperial Physician, and that soaking in the hot spring would be of no use in Concubine Hua's current condition.

The most surprised person was Ling Rong. In her previous life, she had never been to Tangquan Palace. Among the newlyweds, only Zhen Huan had received this favor. Now, even if she was brought along casually, it was still considered a great favor.

But Lingrong didn't know that the emperor decided to go to the Tangquan Palace for a bath because of her.

She sang a song for the emperor when she had a miscarriage. After that day, the emperor suddenly called He Anming to the Yangxin Palace to inquire about Lingrong's health.

He Anming is an imperial physician trained by the Fucha clan. He is very good at scheming. Knowing that the emperor is concerned, he deliberately exaggerates Ling Rong's condition.

At that time, the emperor had just been reminded of his longing for Queen Chunyuan by Lingrong. When he heard that Lingrong was in very poor health, he also directed his sorrow for Queen Chunyuan onto Lingrong.

He Anming was even asked to work with other imperial doctors to try every possible way to cure Concubine An.

But no one had expected that Lingrong caught a cold just after she came out of confinement. When He Anming reminded the emperor of this again, he remembered the bathing in the Tangquan Palace.

But Lingrong was not aware of these things. She just thought that she was the one who was dragged down, so she was not that happy.

Especially since Zhen Huan would also be traveling with them, Ling Rong felt uncomfortable all over at the thought of meeting her all day. For a moment, it was really difficult for her to act out the deep sisterly love with her.

"My lady, what do we need to prepare for going to Tangquan Palace?" When Zhaoshui heard that his lady was going to Tangquan Palace, he happily began to prepare clothes and jewelry.

But she had never even heard of the Tangquan Palace, let alone know what she needed to prepare to go there.

"Prepare some thick clothes," Ling Rong thought about it, but she didn't know what to prepare. Anyway, it was winter, so it would be a good idea to take some thick clothes. "And bring the ginkgo hairpin with you."

"The young lady likes that hairpin the most. She even puts it next to her pillow when she sleeps." Zhaoshui teased Lingrong while tidying up.

Lingrong just smiled. She didn't like the hairpin at all. It was the emperor who thought that this was a sign of his care for him, so he did this on purpose.

But she would not say this to the water. If her personal maid believed that she was deeply in love with the emperor, no one would be able to discover her deep disgust for the emperor, including the most suspicious emperor.

I thought she could go this time because of Zhen Huan, but when she was about to leave the next day, the Queen Mother kept her there on the pretext of teaching her personally.

The Emperor only told Zhen Huan to follow the Empress Dowager's example and learn the rules. He did not stay for long and set off on time with the remaining three people.

Zhen Huan was so favored, but being kept in the harem like this, Ling Rong felt like she was dreaming. Although the news came that the Queen Mother would personally teach Zhen Huan, the Queen's indifferent attitude showed that it was obviously just a false title.

The Queen Mother has been in the harem for many years. In order to preserve the status of the Ulanara family, she would never promote Zhen Huan at this time.

The Emperor probably thought that the Empress Dowager was willing to personally train her favorite concubine in order to ease their mother-son relationship, so he was happy to facilitate this matter and did not object at all.

No wonder the Queen showed no surprise. With her good aunt's plan, there was no need for her to advise the Emperor to treat everyone equally. I'm afraid the Queen would be so happy that she wouldn't have time to react.

The carriage was moving very fast. Ling Rong lifted the heavy curtain and looked out, and her eyes were dazzled by the silver-white scene.

Now the sun is shining brightly, shining on the white snow, making it appear colorful, as if the whole world is bathed in the warm glow of the sun.

Even the brown leafless trees seemed to have some pride that was not bent by ice and snow.

"It's so beautiful. I wish I could stay outside forever." Ling Rong hid behind the curtain and peeked at the world outside, just like a bird in a cage looking at the scenery through a crack.

Zhaoshui saw it all and reached out to open the curtain for Lingrong. "My lady, if you like it, just take a closer look. To be honest, if you give birth to a little prince in the future, you will have the opportunity to leave the palace."

"Actually, I don't..."

She was unwilling to bear a child for the emperor, and the emperor was as heartless and ungrateful as her father. She was destined to live an empty life without children.

This emperor deserves to be called the Holy Lord by all the people in the world, but he does not deserve to be called the Emperor Father by An Lingrong's child.

"...I don't really want to see snow anymore," Ling Rong swallowed back what she wanted to say, but her eyes were still fixed on the carriage. "I want to see peach blossoms all over the tree. I like peach blossoms the most."

"That's April. I don't know what happened this year. There's still this much snow in March. It's like spring won't come."

"Stupid Zhaoshui, how could spring not come?" Lingrong motioned Zhaoshui to lower the curtain and put the hot water bottle in her hand into Zhaoshui's hand, "Warm yourself up, there is still a long way to go."

The journey to Tangquan Palace was long and bumpy, and it was already late at night when they arrived. The emperor had no intention of holding a banquet at this time, so he told a few people to have a good rest and went to look at the Yanyun Palace.

Fortunately, the Queen was with them on this trip to Tangquan Palace. When it came to the rest arrangements for the group, she remained calm and assigned Concubine Hua to Fanlianhui in the east and Lingrong to Chenghuai Guandao in the west.

These two places were not too far from the Zhongshu where the emperor lived, so Concubine Hua did not mind the Queen living in the Lanbi Palace in Zhongshu.

"Since you are out for fun, you two sisters should feel more at ease. There is no need to come over to pay your respects."

It was a rare opportunity for Lingrong to live alone, so she didn't mind living far or near from the emperor. She left first with Zhaoshui.

The West Palace faces water on both sides, and there are corridors around the main hall, which is perfect for viewing the water and enjoying the scenery. There is also an octagonal Guangrun Pavilion on the north side. Ling Rong just looked at it from a distance and planned to go to the pavilion tomorrow to take a look.

As it was already the end of the hour of Hai, Ling Rong was really out of energy, so she did not summon the palace servants who were serving in Chenghuai Temple. She fell into a deep sleep as soon as she lay down.

After waking up from a full sleep, Lingrong felt refreshed. Perhaps it was because she no longer had to be in the same room with Zhen Huan, she even felt that the hot spring palace was filled with sweetness.

Unlike the dull harem, the smell of decay that fills your eyes as soon as you open them makes you feel sick.

"The young lady is finally awake. She almost missed breakfast." Zhaoshui came in with a smile, followed by a little unfamiliar girl.

"Who's behind you?"

"To answer your question, this is Bai Jin, who was specially ordered by the Emperor to serve you."

"My lady An, I am Bai Jin, a servant who has been in this Tangquan Palace for many years. I am very familiar with the scenery inside the palace. I am just waiting to lead the way for you so that you can take a closer look."

Bai Jin's face was full of joy, and when she smiled she had two beautiful dimples. Just by looking at her pleasing features, it was not difficult to guess that she had many friends in this palace.

"With you here, I won't feel bored during my days in this palace." Ling Rong asked Zhaoshui to give her a generous gift, and Bai Jin did not refuse it but accepted it generously.

"My Lady An, the Emperor has just instructed that you can go anywhere you want in this Tangquan Palace, but be careful not to disturb the Empress and Concubine Hua while they are bathing."

Ling Rong nodded. Instead of going to soak in the hot spring first, it would be better to go shopping in the West House first. She came too late last night and didn't know if there was any scenery to see.

After finally having breakfast, Ling Rong anxiously left the main hall. Under Bai Jin's guidance, she went to the Guangrun Pavilion.

The pavilion is surrounded by peach trees. Due to the terrain of Tangquan Palace, it is warmer than the Forbidden City.

With the addition of some hot spring water, the peach tree was quietly in full bloom when it was still covered with ice and snow outside, like a drunken red cloud.

Reflected by the clear jade-like lake water, the scenery is no less beautiful than the Jiangnan area in spring.

"The peach blossoms are bright and the willows are lush, the spring scenery fills the south of the Yangtze River." Ling Rong couldn't help but exclaim in admiration. When she first read this poem, she just sighed that Miss Liu lush came from this.

Seeing this scene now, it has a different flavor.

"The rain has cleared, the wind is warm, the smoke is light, and the weather is intoxicating." Suddenly someone behind her continued the next line of the poem. Lingrong's good mood was lost for the most part, but she still turned around with a bright smile and called out "Your Majesty."

"This peach blossom is so lovely."

Lingrong nodded. The peach blossoms were so beautiful that they looked like crimson clouds. Even though she was admiring the view with the emperor, she couldn't help but say that she liked them.

"I like it. I was born in Songyang County. In March, when the peach blossoms are in full bloom, this is the beautiful scenery."

"Rong'er likes it. The peach blossoms are blooming just right."

Sitting in the pavilion with the emperor, Ling Rong inevitably felt a little restrained. But the emperor was in a good mood at the moment, and if she mentioned her mother, there might be a chance for the emperor's people to go and take a look.

"In spring, mother likes to take me to pick peach blossoms and use the peach blossom petals to make peach blossom soup. In a few days, I will make it for the emperor, too, okay?"

The emperor saw Lingrong taking the initiative to prepare soup for him, so he naturally agreed. "Then I will try Rong'er's cooking skills."

"It's not that easy to eat. Your Majesty, help me make it together. This peach blossom soup will taste better."

"Hmm..." The emperor looked at Lingrong thoughtfully, and seeing her expectant eyes, he agreed, "Rong'er, you missed your mother, so you wanted me to accompany you to make this peach blossom soup."

Seeing the emperor taking the initiative, Lingrong was so happy. She carefully touched the emperor's hand on the table, "Mother's hand is also like this, making me feel warm and at ease. I haven't seen mother for a long time, and I don't know how mother's eye disease is."

Because of that poem, the emperor had carefully checked the An family and naturally knew about her mother Lin's eye disease. "Ask Bai Jin, go visit Rong'er's mother in the next few days. She will serve you and it will be more convenient for you to answer."

Lingrong got a satisfactory answer, and her eyes suddenly lit up with joy. She held the emperor's hands with both of hers, and looked directly at him with her bright eyes.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

The emperor couldn't help but smile when he saw this look, and he patted Lingrong's hand.

"These are all small things. It is most worthwhile to make Ronger smile."

Lingrong smiled even more brightly when she heard that. He was worthy of being the emperor. He was the best at controlling people's hearts with words. How many concubines would not be tempted by the coaxing of the ruler of the world?

With the emperor's order, Bai Jin rushed back to the Forbidden City that day, but due to the long journey, Ling Rong could not get any news for a while.

Fortunately, these things were done behind the Queen's back. Even if the Queen knew about it now, it would be too late to stop Bai Jin.

In a good mood, Lingrong changed her clothes and prepared to attend the Queen's night bathing banquet in Tangquan Palace.

Although it was a night bathing banquet, the Queen would not use the same bath as ordinary concubines like Ling Rong. The Queen had her own Bifeng Soup that suited her status.

When Lingrong arrived at the Qingluan Bathing Area, she suddenly remembered that Concubine Hua had also accepted the invitation for this night bath.

...Could it be possible that when I opened the door, I would see the beautiful and graceful Concubine Hua bathing in the pool?

Inexplicably, Lingrong felt a surge of heat on her face. She stood at the door and was too embarrassed to take another step. After all, she was not really ready to meet Concubine Hua frankly.

"What are you doing standing here like an idiot?" Concubine Hua's voice suddenly sounded from behind. She held Songzhi's arm and walked gracefully.

"Long live Empress Hua." Lingrong bowed immediately. Empress Hua was too lazy to argue with this little eunuch, so she raised her chin and called out.

Knowing that this young concubine had never been to Tangquan Palace, Concubine Hua pointed out with rare kindness, "Qingluan Tang has more than one room. Concubine An can choose a suitable one."

"Thank you, Empress Hua." Ling Rong didn't dare let Empress Hua know what she was thinking. She chose a hot spring bath on the inner side and left in a hurry.

As soon as the door was opened, the hot steam filled her face. Ling Rong stepped on the water carefully and ran in. Before she could enjoy it for long, she heard the door of the hot spring behind her being opened.