Legend of Zhen Huan: Zhen Huan is reborn

012 Always in Joy

(Jingren Palace)

That morning, Zhen Huan went to the Queen's palace to pay her respects as usual. She walked through the palace gate, as was her daily routine, to express her respect and greetings to the Queen.

All the concubines had gathered. Zhen Huan respectfully bowed to the Queen and nodded to Shen Meiyu and An Lingrong.

The queen smiled warmly and said, "Lady Wan, you are here. Please take a seat."

Concubine Hua showed sarcasm on her face and snorted, "Humph, the noble lady Wan is really enjoying great glory nowadays."

Zhen Huan quickly responded modestly: "You are too kind, Concubine Hua. I am where I am today because of your care in the past."

The Queen then said, "Now that Lady Wan has been promoted, she will surely give birth to many children for the Emperor in the future."

Hearing this, Concubine Hua rolled her eyes and turned away.

At this moment, Xia Dongchun suddenly couldn't help but retching a few times. Seeing this, the queen asked with concern: "Zichang, what's wrong with you? Are you feeling unwell?"

"Empress, I'm not feeling unwell, but I'm pregnant." Xia Dongchun covered her mouth and answered with joy on her face.

"Is that really the case? That would be a great happy event." A hint of barely perceptible displeasure flashed across the Queen's eyes, but then she returned to normal. However, all of this was keenly captured by Zhen Huan.

"Have you consulted the imperial physician?" There was a barely perceptible bitterness in Hua Fei's tone.

"Of course I asked the imperial physician to check it out. Doctor Zhang said that I have been pregnant for more than a month." Xia Dongchun replied proudly.

"Then you must take good care of yourself and pay more attention to your diet and daily life." The queen advised with a smile.

"Thank you very much, Your Majesty, for your concern." Xia Dongchun replied gratefully.

"Congratulations, Concubine Zi is still here." The concubines congratulated one after another.

However, Xia Dongchun looked down upon those people's congratulations. He just responded indifferently, then chatted with the queen for a few words, and then everyone went their separate ways.

(Smashed Jade Pavilion)

After greeting, Zhen Huan returned to Sui Yuxuan.

As soon as I reached the door, I saw Xiao Yunzi looking out anxiously at the door.

Zhen Huan asked, "But what happened?"

Xiao Yunzi showed a happy expression: "My lady, the Ministry of Internal Affairs just sent a message that there will be palace maids and eunuchs coming for you to choose from later."

Zhen Huan nodded and walked into the house.

Soon, people from the Ministry of Internal Affairs arrived at Suiyuxuan with several palace maids and eunuchs.

Zhen Huan looked carefully and finally selected two smart and clever palace maids and a loyal and honest eunuch.

After selecting the palace maids, Zhen Huan returned to the inner room and looked at the three new faces, thinking secretly in her heart.

She knew very well that the people in the palace had complicated minds and she had to act with caution, so she decided not to rush into opening up to them, but to slowly understand their character by observing their words and actions.

-

"Huanbi, go check if the snacks in the kitchen are ready. Sister Mei and the others should be here soon."

"My lady, don't worry, the heat is just right. I just saw Concubine Shen and Concubine An walking towards this side at the palace gate."

"Huan'er, we're here." The voices of Shen Meizhuang and An Lingrong came from outside the door.

"Speak of the devil and he will appear. Sister Mei, Lingrong, please come in and sit down." Zhen Huan came out to greet them with a smile.

"Huan'er, Concubine Hua has great power in the palace, and her personality is quite tricky. You have to be extra careful to avoid being troubled by her." Shen Meizhuang reminded with concern.

"Sister Mei, I understand. I will be careful." Zhen Huan nodded gratefully. She knew that Shen Meizhuang was truly thinking about her.

"Mm, it smells really good. The scent of roses is really refreshing." An Lingrong exclaimed with a smile.

"Sister Lingrong has a very sensitive nose. Knowing you were coming, I specially asked the kitchen to prepare rose curd and date and yam cake, both of which you like." Zhen Huan said with a smile as she led everyone into the house.

"Huan'er, you are always so considerate and thoughtful, making us feel really warm." Shen Meizhuang said softly, her eyes full of gratitude.

"We are sisters, it's only natural." Zhen Huan responded with a smile, and then asked everyone to sit down and taste the carefully prepared snacks.

Shen Meizhuang sighed softly and mentioned again: "Speaking of which, this Concubine Zi has only been in bed with me for a short two or three days, and she has received the good news of having a child. This blessing is really enviable."

Zhen Huan smiled gently and said in a calm tone, "Everything in the world has its destiny, and so does fate. When fate comes quietly, no one can stop it. Besides, you are deeply loved by the emperor, so why worry about not having the opportunity to give birth to a prince in the future?"

"Huan'er, the emperor will probably summon you to sleep with him tonight, right?" Shen Meizhuang turned to Zhen Huan and asked.

Zhen Huan nodded slightly, her expression looking quite indifferent.

At this time, An Lingrong stepped forward, holding two sachets in her hands, and said with a smile: "Sister Zhen, Sister Mei, these are two sachets I made by myself, I hope you don't dislike them."

Zhen Huan took the sachet, sniffed it, and praised, "It smells so good. Lingrong, you are so thoughtful. The pattern on it is a crabapple, which is exactly what I love. Your craftsmanship is really exquisite."

Shen Meizhuang also picked up another sachet and said with a smile, "Mine is embroidered with chrysanthemums. I'm afraid there's no one else in the palace that can compare to yours."

An Lingrong was filled with joy when she heard such praise, but she said modestly, "Thank you, sisters. I am not that good."

Zhen Huan then suggested: "I am not exaggerating, Lingrong, why don't you embroider a nightgown for the emperor? It is intimate and comfortable, so that the emperor can think of you often."

An Lingrong hesitated: "Can I really do this?"

Shen Meizhuang immediately encouraged: "Of course you can do it. If you can't do it, who else can do it?"

An Lingrong was encouraged and decided to give it a try: "Then I will give it a try. When I finish the embroidery, please give me your approval."

"it is good."

The three chatted for a while before leaving Shuiyuxuan.

(Yanxi Palace)

An Lingrong returned to the Yanxi Palace and happened to run into Xia Dongchun who was taking a leisurely walk in the yard.

She quickly stopped and bowed respectfully to Xia Dongchun: "My sister greets you, Mrs. Zi."

Xia Dongchun glanced at her with a disdainful smile on her lips: "Are you back from Suiyuxuan again? You just hang around those favored concubines all day long. You are really from a small family and have no experience."

An Lingrong's heart tightened, but she still tried to remain calm: "My sister just went to visit a few sisters, and she didn't have any other intentions."

"Okay, I'm too lazy to argue with you about this." Xia Dongchun waved his hand and said impatiently, "Go back quickly and don't hang around in front of me. It makes me upset just looking at you."

An Lingrong retreated silently and returned to the inner room.

Sitting in the chair, she felt aggrieved in her heart and tears welled up in her eyes.

She didn't understand why she was always looked down upon and ridiculed.

Seeing this, Ningxiang hurried forward to comfort her, "My lady, are you frightened? Zichang is always outspoken and rude. It's my and Manxiang's incompetence that we failed to protect you from the wind and rain in time."

An Lingrong shook her head slightly, "I'm fine. I feel very warm having you two accompany me."

Ningxiang's eyes flashed with determination, "My lady, you are our benefactor. If it weren't for you and Lady Wan, we would still be freezing and starving in that dirty and messy woodshed. We will do our best to protect you."

An Lingrong gently stroked the backs of their hands and said softly, "Since you have protected me so much, I should also be strong and never let others look down on me."

Afterwards, An Lingrong recalled Zhen Huan's instructions in Sui Yuxuan, and asked Ningxiang to get needle and thread and cloth, and started sewing pajamas.