Legend of Zhen Huan: Zhen Huan is reborn

146 Keep your troops in place

(Yongshou Palace)

"Your Majesty, Concubine Zhen sent someone to tell you that she has hired a new chef with superb cooking skills in her palace, and she specially invites you and the Seventh Prince to attend the banquet together." Huanbi reported.

"Chun'er is a girl who always comes up with some weird ideas. I wonder what new and delicious dishes she has cooked up this time. It's really amazing. She has profound attainments in food and can always get the chefs to come up with new and fresh dishes." Zhen Huan smiled and shook her head, her eyes full of pampering.

"That's true. I still remember the taro balls and milk ice that Concubine Zhen sent to me before. It was a great way to cool down in the hot summer and it left a lasting impression on people." Liu Zhu echoed from the side, her face filled with longing for delicious food.

"Looking at the look on your face, I'm afraid you're drooling with greed, right?" Huanbi teased with a smile.

"Hey, don't just talk about me. The corners of your mouth are secretly rising, and you are obviously swallowing your saliva." Liu Zhu responded playfully.

As they were talking, Xiao Yunzi walked in and said, "Your Majesty, Miss Yu'er from the command of Concubine Zhen came to visit and brought some snacks."

"Please ask her to come in quickly." Zhen Huan ordered gently.

Xiao Yunzi withdrew in response, and Yu'er walked into the hall and bowed, saying, "Greetings to the Imperial Concubine. These are specially sent by the Imperial Concubine Zhen. There are fragrant durian cakes, soft and sticky taro cakes, and sweet red bean cakes. Please enjoy them, Imperial Concubine."

She explained them one by one, and then said with difficulty, "There is one more thing. The emperor suddenly decided to have dinner with my young master tonight, so he can't accompany the imperial concubine. Please forgive me."

Zhen Huan smiled and comforted: "It's okay, there is a long way to go, there is no need to stick to one or two meals, whether it is lunch or dinner, there will always be a time to get together."

"Thank you for your understanding, Your Majesty. I will not bother you any more." Yu'er said as she handed the snacks in her hand to Jinxi and Huanbi.

Zhen Huan nodded gently, "Well, you can leave now."

After she finished speaking, Yu'er bowed and quietly left the inner room.

"Your Majesty, this fragrance is truly refreshing. I have tried to replicate it privately, but always felt it was far inferior to the fragrance from Qixiang Palace." Liu Zhu said softly.

"Forget it, you greedy little guy, enjoy it quickly." Zhen Huan said with a smile.

Liu Zhu took a bite and before she swallowed it, she exclaimed: "My lady, this taste is absolutely wonderful and unforgettable."

"Look at you. You're eager to praise before the food is even in your mouth. Be careful not to choke yourself. You're looking more and more like a child." Zhen Huan reminded softly with a bit of doting.

Everyone looked at Liu Zhu's innocent and lovely appearance and couldn't help but smile at each other.

Zhen Huan turned to look at Liu Zhu and said gently, "If you really like these snacks, send someone to ask for some from Concubine Zhen later, and we can enjoy them together in the evening."

Upon hearing this, Liu Zhu's brows lit up with joy, and he quickly tasted a few more pieces, looking very satisfied.

Huanbi couldn't help laughing and joked, "Look at your greedy face, it seems like you have been hungry for hundreds of years."

Liu Zhu retorted unyieldingly: "You are an outsider who doesn't understand the inside story. The chefs in Concubine Zhen's palace are very skilled, and they are certainly not comparable to our small kitchen."

Upon hearing this, Zhen Huan shook her head slightly and laughed in her heart. This girl really spoke the truth without any concealment.

"My lady, I don't dislike our cook."

Seeing Liu Zhu looking at her nervously, afraid of being misunderstood, Zhen Huan quickly comforted her: "I didn't say that you dislike the chefs in our palace. I just saw that you were happy with the meal, so I was happy too."

Liu Zhu finally breathed a sigh of relief and quickly explained: "My lady, I have no intention of disrespecting you. I am just telling you the truth."

Huanbi covered her mouth and laughed even more happily: "Just eat it and see if this snack can block your mouth."

As they talked, the atmosphere in the room became more warm and harmonious.

(Jingren Palace)

"Your Majesty, there is news that Concubine Li is pregnant." Jianqiu reported softly.

"Oh?" Yixiu frowned and glanced at Jianqiu sharply, "When did this happen?"

"It was confirmed by Imperial Doctor Xu who personally took my pulse yesterday afternoon. It is said that Concubine Li also gave Imperial Doctor Xu some money in private, hoping that he could keep the matter secret." Jianqiu reported in detail.

Upon hearing this, Yixiu gently stroked her hair with her fingers, a trace of deep thought flashed in her eyes, "Jianqiu, have I indeed been a little careless recently, so that I failed to notice such a big thing in time?"

Jianqiu's face turned pale when she heard this, and she quickly knelt down to apologize: "My queen, it is my fault for not reporting in time. Please forgive me, my queen."

Yixiu sighed softly, her expression softened, "Forget it, get up. This matter is not entirely your fault. Since Li Changzai is pregnant, let the imperial doctors take good care of her and make sure she has a safe delivery without any mistakes."

"Yes, I obey your command and will be careful." Jianqiu stood up in response.

Yixiu looked far away, as if thinking about something, and then whispered: "Go and make the arrangements. Remember, this matter must be done in secret and not publicized."

"I understand. I will act with caution." Jianqiu took the order and left, but her heart was filled with mixed emotions about the sudden change in the palace.

(Yongshou Palace)

Jing Xi hurried into the inner room, leaned close to Zhen Huan's ear, and whispered, "My queen, there's news from the Imperial Hospital that Concubine Li from Huanfu Palace is pregnant."

Upon hearing this, Zhen Huan smiled faintly and replied casually, "Oh? That is indeed a happy event in the palace."

Jin Xi's face was solemn, and she continued in a low voice: "But I noticed that Jingren Palace seemed to be making some moves, and I'm afraid that this matter will not go too smoothly."

Zhen Huan nodded slightly, with a shrewd look in her eyes: "Then let's hold our ground for now and wait and see what happens. Let Wen Shichu pay more attention and report to me immediately if there is any disturbance. As for the rest, don't intervene for now."

"I understand." Jin Xi responded, already having a plan in mind.

Zhen Huan paused for a moment, then added: "However, you must also be careful and leave some evidence to prove their behavior if necessary. These handles may come in handy in the future and help us."

"Yes, Your Majesty, don't worry. I will handle it properly." Jin Xi responded again and then quietly retreated.

(Chuxiu Palace)

Huanfu Hall.

The house was filled with a faint herbal aroma. Although it was not strong, it was vaguely discernible. If you were not an expert in this field, it would be difficult to detect its source.

"My lady, how long do you plan to keep binding your belly? What if it affects the fetus in your belly? Please take care of yourself and don't be careless." Yue Xin had a worried look on her face, and her concern was evident in her words.

Li Ying lowered her head and stared at her slightly bulging belly, a trace of helplessness flashed in her eyes: "It doesn't matter, it's only been more than two months, I just want to hide it for a while, the Queen has always been resentful about my pregnancy, otherwise she wouldn't secretly send someone to send those soups called tonic soups, but in fact the intentions are hard to predict."

"My lady, if the Queen finds out the truth in the future, won't she be furious?" Yue Xin said worriedly.

"By then, the baby in my belly should be five or six months old." Li Ying said firmly, "With the royal heir as my support, I naturally don't need to be afraid of her anymore."

Yue Xin was secretly worried, thinking that her mistress might be too optimistic. "My mistress, you should drink this pregnancy-preserving medicine while it's still hot. Fortunately, Doctor Xu accepted our kindness and kept it a secret, not leaking any information."

"Yeah." Upon hearing that, Li Ying obediently picked up the medicine bowl and drank it all in one gulp.

After drinking the medicine, she only felt a slight stuffiness in her chest. She guessed that it might be because she was wrapping her belly too tightly, so she didn't pay much attention to it.

Afterwards, with Yue Xin's careful service, she slowly lay down and prepared to go to bed, hoping that a good night's sleep would alleviate the discomfort.