Legend of Zhen Huan: Zhen Huan is reborn

140 An Empty Dream

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The whereabouts of Yu Guiren Guaerjia Wenyuan have been "mysterious" in recent days. She has been walking around the streets all day, making friends with everyone, and it seems that she is hiding some unspeakable secret.

On this day, she actually stepped into the gate of Yongshou Palace for the first time, claiming that she was here to visit Concubine Xi, Zhen Huan, who was about to give birth.

Xiao Yunzi hurried in to report. At this time, Zhen Huan was just waking up leisurely from a nap, looking a little drowsy as if she had just woken up.

Upon hearing that Wen Yuan was coming to visit, Zhen Huan couldn't help but feel a ripple in her heart, and she secretly guessed her purpose.

She was well aware of the complicated mindsets in the palace, and Wen Yuan's action might not be as simple as a simple visit.

However, as a high-ranking concubine in the palace, she also needed to show due grace and composure, so she ordered Xiao Yunzi to prepare to receive the guest, while she herself tidied herself up and prepared to meet the guest.

(Yongshou Palace)

Wen Yuan was wearing a bright red Manchu dress. She walked into the inner room with a vigorous and proud step. She bowed to Zhen Huan and said, "I greet the Imperial Concubine Xi. I wish you good luck."

But that respect was mixed with a hint of arrogance that was barely noticeable.

Zhen Huan sat upright, her eyes calm and deep. She raised her hand gently and said calmly, "Get up."

However, Wen Yuan seemed to have not received any clear signal and still stood there, with a look of subtle grievance and unwillingness.

This situation was actually what Zhen Huan did on purpose.

In recent days, she had been feeling unwell as her due date was approaching, and Doctor Wen was busy taking care of Shen Meiyu's pregnancy, so she had been unable to provide adequate care.

But even so, she did not want to show the slightest weakness or inconvenience in front of Wen Yuan, so she deliberately did not let the palace maid arrange a seat for her, making Wen Yuan feel embarrassed and uncomfortable.

Wen Yuan could naturally feel this subtle atmosphere. She thought in her heart that Zhen Huan was "unkind", but she did not dare to get angry easily. She could only forcefully maintain a smile on her face and wait for Zhen Huan's next words.

Zhen Huan, on the other hand, observed Wen Yuan's reaction quietly with an aloof attitude, secretly thinking about how to deal with this sudden visitor.

Huanbi walked into the inner room lightly, holding a delicate teacup in her hand, and placed it steadily on the table. Then she bowed and said softly, "Please have some tea, my lord."

Seeing this, Wen Yuan sat down at the table, picked up the teacup, took a sip, and immediately the tea fragrance overflowed. She couldn't help but praise: "The things in the imperial concubine's palace are really extraordinary, and this tea has a unique flavor."

Zhen Huan smiled slightly upon hearing this, but the smile did not reach her eyes. She spoke slowly, with a tone of unquestionable firmness: "If you have something to say, please speak frankly. I don't like those roundabout words."

Wen Yuan put down her teacup, a meaningful smile appeared on her lips. She looked straight at Zhen Huan and said slowly, "If that's the case, then I'll be frank. Has your Majesty ever thought about how stunningly beautiful your face is?"

Zhen Huan gently stroked her slightly bulging belly, a gentle yet firm light flashed in her eyes, she said calmly: "Appearance is only skin deep, and will eventually age. I think I am still okay, but what I value more is the inner cultivation and character."

After saying this, she took a sip of tea, as if savoring the sweetness and bitterness of life.

Wen Yuan smiled lightly, as if with a hint of provocation, and continued, "Your Highness, do you know that Empress Chunyuan was the most beloved person in the emperor's life? Her kindness and beauty have made the emperor unable to forget her to this day. Today, I dare to say that your appearance is somewhat similar to that of Empress Chunyuan."

Zhen Huan heard this without showing any emotion. She shook her head slightly and said in a puzzled tone, "Empress Chun Yuan is indeed an admirable woman. Her kindness and beauty naturally win the emperor's favor, but what does this have to do with me? Although I have never seen a portrait of Empress Chun Yuan, I also understand that everyone is unique. I, Zhen Huan, have my own way of living and pursuits."

Wen Yuan was secretly surprised to see Zhen Huan so calm, but she did not give up and continued to test, "Your Majesty, you are wrong. Things in this world are often not as simple as they seem. Sometimes, a similar face can lead to countless storms and stories."

Zhen Huan gently put down the teacup in her hand and looked at Wen Yuan with deep eyes, as if she could see into people's hearts. She said slowly: "Noble Lady Yu, I'm afraid you didn't come here just to discuss these insignificant things with me? If you have anything to say, you might as well speak frankly. As for whether there are any similarities between me and Queen Chunyuan, that's all in the past. I care more about the present and the future."

"I happen to have brought a fine painting today, and would like to present it to the Imperial Concubine for her appreciation." After Wen Yuan finished speaking, she gently called Jingtai who was standing beside her, and motioned him to unfold the scroll she was holding tightly.

The scroll slowly unfolded, and a woman who looked 70% similar to Zhen Huan came into view. She was wearing gorgeous auspicious clothes. It was undoubtedly Queen Chun Yuan!

Zhen Huan was already familiar with this painting, so she didn't feel the slightest ripple in her heart.

She calmly asked, "Noble Yu has gone to great lengths to get to this point with me. Is it just to show you the portrait of Queen Chunyuan? Now that you have finished viewing, Noble Yu may take your leave."

Wen Yuan heard this and slammed the table in anger, then stood up suddenly, "Your Highness, aren't you wondering why the Emperor loves you so much?"

"Not curious at all." Zhen Huan responded calmly.

"You have won the emperor's favor only because you look like Empress Chunyuan. This favor is like stolen property. Why should you be proud of it?" Wen Yuan said sharply.

"It is my fortune to have a look similar to that of Empress Chunyuan." Before Zhen Huan finished speaking, Yinzhen's voice came unexpectedly, adding a lingering feeling to the conversation.

"Hanhuan." Yinzhen walked into the hall, his eyes as sharp as torches, falling on Wen Yuan, as cold as a poisonous snake in winter.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to Your Majesty." Wen Yuan was startled and quickly knelt on the ground, performing her great ceremony.

"Lady Yu's etiquette was extremely pious. It is completely different from how you treated the Imperial Concubine just now." Zhen Huan said sarcastically with a slight smile.

"Oh? Really?" Yinzhen raised his eyebrows and turned to Su Peisheng, "Su Peisheng!"

"Your servant is here." Su Peisheng quickly bowed and responded with a humble attitude.

"Pass on my decree. Concubine Yu has behaved inappropriately, committed treason and offended the imperial concubine. Effective immediately, she will be demoted to a maid and ordered to reflect on her mistakes at home. She is not allowed to go out without my order." Yinzhen's voice was emotionless and as cold as iron.

"Yes." Su Peisheng accepted the order and turned to Wen Yuan, making a gesture of invitation, "Lady Yu, please follow me."

Wen Yuan was burning with rage, but she didn't dare to lash out. She could only glare at Su Peisheng fiercely, and then left Yongshou Palace angrily with a heart full of resentment and unwillingness.

After all the other palace servants in the room had left, Zhen Huan opened her mouth, her voice mixed with a barely perceptible tenderness: "Silang, is what Noble Lady Yu just said true? Is it only because my face resembles that of Empress Chunyuan that I have been granted His Majesty's grace?"

She stared at Yinzhen, only to see that he remained silent and just looked at her deeply.

Zhen Huan sighed softly and continued, "Your Majesty, I dare not have any resentment towards you. I can only blame myself for being born with such a face."

Yinzhen's expression changed slightly when he heard this, and he finally spoke slowly: "Huanhuan, why don't you call me Silang anymore?"

Zhen Huan heard this and smiled bitterly: "I'm afraid that the word 'Silang' originally belonged to Queen Chunyuan. Could it be that what I saw in my dream that day was Queen Chunyuan's figure? Then, what position do I hold in the emperor's heart? Am I just a shadow of Queen Chunyuan, a substitute?"

Yinzhen's face darkened, and his tone became more severe: "Noble Concubine Xi, you are too serious and too presumptuous."

"Your Majesty, I was wrong, and you were wrong too. We were both extremely wrong. The love and affection we had over the years ended up in vain." There was a hint of sadness and determination in Zhen Huan's voice.

Upon hearing this, Yinzhen frowned, and his tone was filled with unquestionable majesty: "Don't think that my favor and indulgence towards you is the capital for you to act recklessly."

Zhen Huan smiled bitterly, her eyes full of helplessness: "How dare I? You are the emperor, and I only have awe and obedience in my heart, but..."

There was a hint of bitterness in her words. "Your Majesty, please move. I have been ill recently and am afraid that I will not be able to follow the proper etiquette. I am also afraid of disturbing your majesty."

Yinzhen looked at Zhen Huan, with a complex emotion flashing in his eyes, as if he was wavering between struggle and reluctance.

Finally, he said in a deep voice: "Well, you should rest here and wait until you have calmed down and thought everything through, then let Huanbi tell me."

After saying this, Yinzhen turned and left. His back looked particularly heavy and his face was terrifyingly gloomy.

Su Peisheng followed closely behind, expressing his concern, but Yinzhen remained silent in response, as if all his emotions were swallowed up by this cold palace.