Legend of Zhen Huan: Zhen Huan is reborn

141 Concubine Xi fell out of favor?

Although Yinzhen did not explicitly confine Zhen Huan to the palace, she never set foot in Yongshou Palace again. It seemed as if there was an invisible wall between the two of them, quietly blocking their former affection.

Since that unhappy day, Zhen Huan has been staying at home, concentrating on taking care of her pregnancy. She keeps the palace gates closed and has little contact with the outside world. She even tries to avoid paying her respects at Jingren Palace as much as possible to avoid any trouble.

This incident spread quickly in the palace, and all kinds of rumors spread like wildfire.

Some people said that Concubine Xi was arrogant because of her favor and accidentally angered the emperor, causing him to hate her.

Some people even added fuel to the fire, extending the dissatisfaction to the Seventh Prince and the unborn child in Zhen Huan's belly.

For a time, the entire court was shrouded in suspicion and anxiety.

(Jingren Palace)

"Empress, the Emperor has already deprived Concubine Xi of the important task of co-managing the six palaces. You may feel a little relieved in this situation." Jianqiu said softly.

"Comfort? This is still a long way off. The emperor has not issued an order to restrict her actions. She just stays indoors." Empress Yixiu responded calmly.

"However, the emperor has not set foot in Yongshou Palace in recent days. Even if he went, he mostly visited the residences of pregnant Concubine Hui or Concubine Jing." Jianqiu continued.

"This is just the beginning. In the harem, once a woman loses power and the emperor's favor, her situation becomes particularly miserable, especially when she realizes that she is just a substitute for someone else. The inner struggle and collapse are probably imminent. I am really curious whether the fetus in Concubine Xi's belly can be born smoothly." There was an imperceptible coldness in Empress Yixiu's words.

"As the day of delivery approaches, I heard that Concubine Xi is depressed all day long. In this situation, the child's life is also in danger." Jianqiu's words were mixed with a hint of gloating.

-

At this moment, while they were talking, the Zhen Huan who was mentioned was sitting leisurely on the rocking chair in the courtyard. The surrounding scenery was peaceful and beautiful. Not only was there no trace of sadness on her face, but instead, she was filled with a kind of peace and indifference that transcended the world.

(Yongshou Palace)

Zhen Huan lowered her eyes, savoring the Yu Lu grapes in her mouth, each bite accompanied by a splash of crisp juice.

"Liu Zhu, please prepare a glass of water for me." She whispered.

"Yes, sir." Liu Zhu responded and left with quick movements.

"Your Majesty, I have recently learned some massage techniques to relieve leg soreness. I have come here specially to serve you. I want to see if I can make you feel comfortable?" Jin Xi asked gently.

"Well, the strength is just right. I'm very pleased that you have this thought." Zhen Huan nodded slightly to show her approval.

"Your Majesty, Concubine Hui and Concubine Rou have sent many gifts. I'm afraid our storehouse will be filled up." Huanbi reported from the side, with a bit of helplessness in her tone.

"It's okay. Just take a look at which ones you like and pick a few to share with the palace maids." Zhen Huan responded calmly.

At this moment, Shen Meizhuang walked into the room with a bit of joking rebuke, "Hey, look, I carefully selected the item for you, but you just gave it away. It really wasted my kindness."

Upon hearing this, Zhen Huan slowly opened her eyes, and with the help of Jing Xi, she sat up straight, and said with a smile, "Sister Mei, Rong'er, I didn't even notice when you arrived." Her words were full of surprise and intimacy.

"If you hadn't come here in person, we wouldn't have known that you were living such a leisurely and contented life." Shen Meizhuang smiled, her eyes met An Lingrong's, and the two of them understood each other tacitly.

"That's right, sister, you kept it a secret from us, and I was so worried that I almost lost my appetite." An Lingrong echoed with a playful smile on her lips.

"Look at you, your face has become a lot rounder. How can you look like you can't eat? If you really lost weight because of me, then I can't escape the blame." Zhen Huan pouted in a pretended angry manner, but her eyes were full of pampering and teasing.

"Looking at you like this, there's really nothing I can do about you." Shen Meizhuang smiled and shook her head. The atmosphere between the three of them was warm and pleasant.

Suddenly, Zhen Huan's brows frowned slightly, her face changed slightly, and she felt a subtle but obvious tightness in her abdomen.

"Sister Mei, I... am afraid I am about to give birth." There was a barely perceptible hint of panic in Zhen Huan's voice.

Upon hearing this, Shen Meizhuang's expression immediately became serious. She responded quickly, "Quick, quick, Caiyue, go get Imperial Doctor Wen right away! The rest of you, be gentle and help Imperial Concubine Xi safely into the inner chamber."

Following Shen Meizhuang's order, Yongshou Palace suddenly became busy. The palace maids started to move one after another, and the atmosphere was tense yet orderly.

At the same time, An Lingrong signaled Ningxiang with her eyes. Without saying much, Ningxiang understood what she meant. She quietly left Yongshou Palace and went straight to Yangxin Palace, ready to inform the emperor of this important news.

The entire Yongshou Palace, inside and outside, was plunged into busyness and tension due to this sudden change.

-

Since this was Zhen Huan's second child, everyone in the palace seemed more calm and less flustered than with her first child.

Imperial Physician Wen Shichu also rushed over after hearing the news. As soon as he stepped over the threshold and was about to bow and greet, he was stopped by Shen Meizhuang with a gesture, and was urged urgently to check on Zhen Huan's condition first.

At this moment, Ningxiang hurriedly walked in from outside the door. Seeing this, An Lingrong immediately cast a questioning look at her.

However, Ningxiang just shook her head slightly, and that subtle movement revealed a bit of helplessness and uneasiness.

Seeing this, An Lingrong couldn't help feeling annoyed. She knew very well what this shaking head meant - the Emperor couldn't come right away, and Zhen Huan needed his company and support at this moment.

This anxiety and worry made her pace back and forth in the hall, appearing extremely uneasy.

(Hall of Mental Cultivation)

Yinzhen was sitting at the desk at this moment, with a complicated look between his brows, and it seemed that a fierce struggle was going on in his heart.

"Su Peisheng," he said slowly, his voice full of self-reflection and hesitation, "Do you think I am doting on Concubine Xi too much?"

Su Peisheng heard this, a trace of caution flashed across his face, and he replied respectfully: "Your Majesty, you are too serious. I am stupid, but in my opinion, the emperor is generous to every concubine, and there is no bias. As for Concubine Xi, she is deeply favored by the emperor, and that is because she is both virtuous and talented. She is truly a model for the harem."

Yinzhen sighed softly and looked out the window with deep eyes, as if he was thinking about something difficult to decide.

"Noble Concubine Xi is in labor. Should I go to Yongshou Palace to visit her in person?" His words contained both the majesty of an emperor and the tenderness of a husband. It seemed as if he was seeking answers from Su Peisheng, but it also seemed more like he was asking himself a question.

Su Peisheng knew the emperor's intentions very well, and he comforted him gently: "Your Majesty, your kindness is the most precious. In my opinion, it is a great blessing in life to have such a lovely person like your Majesty by my side. Whether it is the former Queen Chunyuan or the current Concubine Xi, they are the destined fate of your majesty. This love is like the spring breeze, moistening everything silently, making people yearn for it."

After hearing this, Yinzhen's confusion seemed to disappear in an instant. He stood up suddenly, with determination and tenderness flashing in his eyes.

"Go to Yongshou Palace!" he ordered in a resounding voice, his tone revealing unquestionable firmness.

"Yes!" Su Peisheng responded and turned around quickly, preparing to arrange travel arrangements for the emperor.

At this moment, the entire Yangxin Palace seemed to be filled with a warm and firm power, foreshadowing that what was coming was not only the joy of the royal family, but also the increasingly close dependence of two hearts over the long river of time.