Legend of Zhen Huan: Zhen Huan is reborn

100 Tit-for-tat in the Garden

Nian Shilan took several beauties to Yujing Mingqin Pavilion to watch a play, but the world played tricks on them and Zhen Huan was leisurely strolling along the path in the garden at that time.

The two met unexpectedly, and their eyes met. For a moment, they looked at each other in confusion, and there was a subtle sense of embarrassment and surprise in the air.

(Tingfeng Lakeside)

"This scorching heat is unbearable. It is thanks to Her Majesty that you brought us here to enjoy the opera. It is truly a timely relief." Songzhi gently waved the round fan in her hand, her words full of gratitude.

Hearing this, Nian Shilan smiled and responded gently, "It's not my credit. It's the emperor who is considerate and knows our love for opera. He made this arrangement. It's really thoughtful."

Her smile is even brighter and more charming in the summer sun.

Liu Zhu carefully supported Zhen Huan, who gently brushed her cheek with a handkerchief, frowned slightly and sighed: "I already feel the heat at the beginning of the morning, and I'm afraid it will be even more unbearable in the afternoon."

After saying this, she seemed to be imagining that scene, and her brows showed even more worry.

"Your Majesty has always been very sensitive to heat, so why don't we go back early, take a bath and change clothes to feel cool and refreshed..." Liu Zhu suggested considerately. Before she finished her words, she saw Nian Shilan and his group walking towards them, interrupting their conversation.

The two groups met unexpectedly, and a subtle atmosphere instantly filled the air.

"May Empress Hua be blessed with long-lasting fortune and long life." Zhen Huan bowed respectfully, and her words were measured.

However, Nian Shilan had her own pride in her heart, and she did not take Zhen Huan, the Concubine Xi, seriously. She thought to herself that even though she was the Concubine Xi, the emperor still loved her the most.

So, she deliberately paused for a while, letting Zhen Huan keep squatting for a while, then she casually picked up the handkerchief in her hand and said lightly: "Forget it, you can stand up now."

Seeing Zhen Huan slowly straighten up, Nian Shilan opened her red lips slightly, speaking with a bit of pride and provocation: "Did you ever foresee that the day would come when I would regain the emperor's favor and be restored to the throne?" Her words revealed a condescending attitude.

Upon hearing this, Zhen Huan raised a faint smile and responded, "Your Majesty is blessed with great fortune, and her future blessings are endless. Such a noble matter is not something that a mortal like me can easily guess or predict. I am ashamed to say that I have not yet offered my congratulations in time, but at this moment, I would like to express my most sincere congratulations to Your Majesty on her restoration to the throne, and I wish Your Majesty good health and a long life."

Her words were appropriate, expressing her approval of Nian Shilan's restoration without losing her own dignity and demeanor.

"No thanks. I really cannot accept such a great gift from Concubine Xi. You are now the honorable Concubine Xi." Nian Shilan's words revealed a bit of contempt. "The more humble and submissive you are, the more disgusted I feel in my heart."

"Your Majesty, what you said is wrong. Could it be that Your Majesty favors me and I am disrespectful to you, or even speak rudely to you? How dare I intentionally offend Your Majesty's majesty." Zhen Huan responded gently.

"Even if you didn't mean to offend me, you have angered me. I will remember everything that happened in the past and will never forget it." Nian Shilan's tone was cold, revealing unquestionable majesty.

"I will naturally remember your teachings, Your Majesty. I am willing to reflect on myself at all times and listen to your wise advice." Zhen Huan answered modestly.

Hua Fei looked at Zhen Huan's submissive attitude. Although she was very dissatisfied, she could not find any fault. She became even more angry and said coldly: "Although you are willing to listen to me all the time, I don't want to face your face like this all the time."

Just as Concubine Hua was still furious, Song Zhi suddenly stepped forward and said softly, "Your Majesty, calm down. Your Majesty is in good health. How can you get angry over a humble concubine and hurt your body? Isn't that too much? Everything in the world has its own order of superiority and inferiority. How can a noble body care about a lowly body? Wouldn't that be lowering your status and letting that villain get the upper hand?"

These words were exactly what Nian Shilan wanted. Her face brightened up and she was obviously in a much better mood.

Seeing this, Liu Zhu was filled with indignation and her face suddenly changed. She wanted to step forward to refute Song Zhi's words on behalf of Zhen Huan, but was gently pushed back by Zhen Huan.

Zhen Huan maintained a warm smile and said gently, "Isn't this Sister Songzhi who has been favored by the Emperor recently? What Sister said just now is very insightful. The hierarchy in the world is a truth. Sister is so talented, but she is only a concubine. It is really a pity. I will definitely advise the Emperor that Sister's talent should not be fully utilized unless she is a concubine or even a noble lady, so as to highlight her noble status."

When Songzhi heard this, her cheeks flushed and she glared at Zhen Huan angrily, but had no words to say.

At this time, Cao Qinmo stepped in to ease the atmosphere and said softly, "Your Majesty, the Emperor has invited you and the sisters to the Yujing Mingqin Pavilion to watch a play, and has specially ordered your favorite piece, "Niangziguan". With such a generous invitation, why should we engage in unnecessary verbal disputes in this hot summer?"

Although Nian Shilan was unhappy, seeing that Zhen Huan was greeting her with a smile, she had to suppress her anger and continued walking forward.

After Nian Shilan left, Zhen Huan also turned around and walked into her own residence, Bitong Academy.

(Bitong Academy)

"I noticed that the sun was shining brightly outside, but the Empress had not returned yet. I was worried, and was about to send someone to look for her." In Huanbi's hand, a cup of fragrant tea that had just cooled to a just right temperature was steadily held.

Zhen Huan slowly sat down, her tone revealing a hint of indifference: "It's just a stroll in the garden, enjoying a moment of peace, why is there any need to be so nervous, you will be safe."

Liu Zhu was fanning Zhen Huan, muttering to herself, "How could you know? I was so angry that I ran into Concubine Hua and the newly favored Concubine Zhi. Our queen has suffered so much injustice for no reason."

"What do you mean? Your Majesty is currently favored by the Emperor, and has given birth to the Seventh Prince, making her one of the concubines. How could they be so unrestrained and have no scruples?" Huanbi frowned slightly, her words filled with indignation.

"It has always been common for Concubine Hua to make things difficult for the Majesty. What's hateful is that Nazhi Daying, a mere palace maid, dares to speak sharply to the young lady, and every word is full of thorns." Liu Zhu said indignantly.

"Zhi Da Ying was originally a subordinate of Concubine Hua, so naturally she has to rely on Concubine Hua's power and take advantage of the power of the other side." Huanbi took over the conversation, her tone full of disgust and helplessness about the matter.

Liu Zhu leaned closer and said in a low voice, "The Queen's temper is too good. It's fine if we don't bother with Concubine Hua, but how can we let Song Zhi be so arrogant? If it were me, I would definitely teach her a lesson, give her a few loud slaps, and then report to the Emperor and let her go to the Xinzheku to have a taste of her pain."

As he spoke, Liu Zhu raised his fist in the air. He looked angry yet a little playful, which made him look particularly cute.

"Look at Liu Zhu's words, she is getting more and more eloquent. It seems that she will be the best at managing the household in my house in the future." Zhen Huan changed the subject, restrained her smile, and said to Liu Zhu seriously: "You are too impatient. Can you succeed just by being impatient? I have warned you many times not to confront Concubine Hua head-on. Now I reiterate that even the people around her should avoid her edge, be tolerant for the time being, and just deal with it perfunctorily. There is still a long time to go, so why worry about not having the opportunity to fight back?"

Liu Zhu bit her lower lip tightly and said indignantly: "This... Song Zhi is so rude to the Queen, how can the Queen forgive her so easily?"

Upon hearing this, Zhen Huan looked deep in her eyes and asked, "Huanbi, what do you think?"

Huanbi hesitated for a moment and responded gently: "I think maybe I should be patient for now so that I can plan for the future."

"Patience is what we must do at this moment. Needless to say, how could I easily take action against a person like Songzhi? My tolerance for Songzhi does not mean that I am helpless against everyone. The reason why Songzhi dares to be so arrogant is entirely because she relies on the power of Concubine Hua. Do you think that she can do such a thing by her own strength? She is just a pawn under Concubine Hua, insignificant." Zhen Huan said.

"What do you mean, Madam?" Huanbi asked doubtfully.

Zhen Huan smiled and asked, "Do you still remember what the sixth poem of Du Fu's "Before the Frontier" says?"

Liu Zhu thought for a moment, then slowly said: "To shoot a person, shoot the horse first. To capture a thief... capture the leader first?"

At this point, Liu Zhu's eyes suddenly lit up, as if she understood the deep meaning of Zhen Huan's words.