Legend of Zhen Huan: Zhen Huan is reborn

150 The Eve of Yuanmingyuan

(Jingren Palace)

"Your Highness the Queen, we respectfully wish you good health and a long life." The concubines saluted in unison, their words full of respect and blessings.

Empress Yixiu sat on the phoenix chair, with a graceful manner. She raised her hand gently and said in a gentle but majestic voice: "Everyone, please stand up. There is no need to be polite, sisters."

"Thank you, Her Majesty, for your grace." The concubines stood up and stopped, their eyes flashing with awe and gratitude towards the Queen.

"Chengqian Palace has been renovated, and Concubine Hui can move into the new residence in the afternoon." Yixiu's words revealed her care and expectations for Shen Meizhuang.

Upon hearing this, Shen Meizhuang hurriedly stepped forward, bowed and said, "Thank you very much, Queen, for your careful arrangements and concern. I will remember your kindness in my heart."

"You are too polite, Concubine Hui. It is a blessing for the Qing Dynasty and for me that you and your sisters have given birth to children for the royal family." Yixiu's words seemed filled with joy and relief at the prosperity of her offspring.

Shen Meizhuang bowed again and said modestly: "I am a dull and stupid person, and it is only because of your Majesty's teaching that we can achieve success."

Yixiu nodded slightly, turned her gaze towards the concubines, and said in a slightly more serious tone: "Li Changzai is also pregnant with the Dragon Child, but she is weak and needs extra care. I hope that you sisters can learn from this, restrain yourself and return to propriety, and jointly maintain the harmony and tranquility of the harem. Don't go astray because of a momentary mistake."

"We, your servants, will follow your teachings and fulfill our duties, and live up to your high expectations." The concubines responded in unison, their words revealing their recognition and obedience to Yixiu's authority.

"The Emperor wants Concubine Hui to share the responsibility of governing the six palaces. However, he is concerned that the Eighth Prince is too young and that Concubine Hui may not be able to take care of both," Yixiu said gently.

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. The child has a wet nurse to take good care of him. I will work hand in hand with Concubine Xi and do my best to assist Your Majesty in handling the complicated affairs of the harem and ensure that everything is in order." Shen Meizhuang responded.

Although Yixiu was a little dissatisfied in her heart, she maintained a warm smile on her face, "This is very good, I can also rest for a while and relieve some of the burden."

Shen Meizhuang nodded and said, "I will live up to the high expectations of the Emperor and His Majesty, and do my best to assist His Majesty in managing the harem and ensure that everything is in order."

Yixiu nodded in satisfaction and said, "That's great. Then, if there is nothing else, you sisters can leave."

"Yes, we'll take our leave." The concubines bowed again, then slowly left the hall and returned to their respective palaces.

(Yongshou Palace)

Zhen Huan sat in the palace, holding a silver rattle in her hand, shaking it gently, teasing the pink-dressed, bright-eyed Princess Longyue in her arms. The mother and daughter were having a great time.

However, this tranquility was soon broken by Xiao Yunzi's slightly heavy words.

"Your Majesty, I have noticed recently that something seems to be wrong in our palace. The behavior of these new palace maids always makes people feel that they are not clean enough." Xiao Yunzi whispered, revealing a bit of worry in her eyes.

Zhen Huan smiled gently, her eyes never leaving Longyue, but her tone was full of authority that could not be ignored: "Oh? Tell me, how is it unclean?"

Xiao Yunzi bowed and reported: "Your Majesty, you know that the items in our palace have always been counted clearly, but recently, I found that some small items were inexplicably missing. Also, I happened to pass by the main hall that day and saw a palace maid moving mysteriously, looking around with a panicked look, as if she was looking for an opportunity to do something."

Zhen Huan frowned slightly, but soon regained her composure. She gently stroked Longyue's back to calm the child down, and instructed, "In this case, you have to pay more attention. Since you said that these palace maids came from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and there is no problem with them on the surface, you have to dig deeper into the relationship behind them. Go and find out who they usually interact closely with, especially in Jingren Palace."

Xiao Yunzi accepted the order, and a firm look flashed across his face: "I understand, I will do it right away, and I will definitely get to the bottom of this matter and not let the queen worry."

Zhen Huan nodded, her eyes gently falling on Longyue again, but her tone revealed an unquestionable determination: "Okay, you go, remember, the peace of the palace cannot be compromised."

As Xiao Yunzi left, Zhen Huan once again focused her attention on Longyue, but there was a hint of contemplation and alertness in her deep eyes.

-

As the sun grew hotter, Yinzhen came up with the idea of ​​leading everyone to the Old Summer Palace to find coolness.

It happened that on that day, when the concubines in the harem were paying their morning and evening respects to the empress in Jingren Palace as usual, Yinzhen also attended and joined in the morning and evening respects.

(Jingren Palace)

"A few days ago, I suffered from a headache. Fortunately, Concubine Xi and Concubine Hui helped me and took care of the affairs of the harem, which helped me to relieve some of my fatigue." Empress Yixiu had a magnanimous and gentle smile on her face, as if she really didn't mind having someone share her responsibilities.

Today, Zhen Huan was wearing a crimson purple Manchu dress, which was bright in color yet dignified. The large hairpins in her hair were inlaid with sparkling gold hairpins, which added a touch of luxury and attracted attention.

On her earlobes hung the oriental pearl earrings that Yinzhen had just given her a few days ago. Although the size was slightly smaller than the ones worn by Empress Yixiu, they also shone with a light that could not be ignored.

At this moment, she was leisurely sitting on the chair, with a humble smile on her lips, and she said softly: "Your Majesty, you are too kind. Everything I have done is in accordance with your teachings. How dare I compare myself with you with my meager strength?"

"I am well aware of your diligence and virtue. I will always remember your kindness. A while ago, I have ordered people to select a few rare treasures presented by the Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi and send them to your palace to show my appreciation." There was some deep meaning in Yixiu's words, but Zhen Huan took it lightly and did not speculate too much.

Zhen Huan smiled and responded gently, "I appreciate the Queen's kindness, but if I am the only one who enjoys this reward, I am afraid that the sisters will mistakenly think that the Queen is biased. I am willing to select some of the best things and give them to every sister in the palace to express my gratitude."

"You are so considerate and thoughtful, which is a blessing for the harem." Yixiu nodded with satisfaction, "In this case, I will also carefully select some gifts and give them to each sister to show fairness and care."

At this time, Concubine Jing Feng Ruozhao stood up first, followed by the other concubines, who bowed and thanked her one after another: "We are grateful for the generous gift from the Empress, and also for the generous donation from the Imperial Concubine."

His words were filled with gratitude for the kindness of the two ladies.

"It's really lively here. What are you all talking about here? Why are you so happy?" Yinzhen walked into the inner room with a smile on his face, and there was some joy in his words.

"Your Majesty, your servants, pay their respects to you. May your Majesty be in good health and have everlasting happiness." The concubines saluted in unison, their voices gentle and respectful.

Yinzhen raised his hand slightly, indicating that everyone should excuse themselves, and walked naturally towards his seat.

On the way, he helped Zhen Huan up and said gently, "Everyone, get up. No need to be polite."

When Yixiu saw this scene, her expression froze subtly for a moment.

But in a flash, she had returned to normal, with a gentle and generous smile on her lips. She stood up with everyone else and thanked Yinzhen again: "Your Majesty, we thank you for your grace."

Yinzhen sat steadily on the chair, playing with a string of emerald green beads in his hand, turning it slowly, as if he was in deep thought.

"The weather has become increasingly hot and unbearable in recent days. I intend to choose an auspicious day to go to the Old Summer Palace to escape the heat and cool down." He said softly, expressing his plan.

Upon hearing this, Yixiu immediately responded gently: "Your Majesty is right. Someone has already carefully arranged the Yuanmingyuan. Everything is ready and waiting for Your Majesty to arrive. If Your Majesty wants to leave, you can do so at any time."

Yinzhen nodded slightly, his eyes revealing his concern for Zhen Huan and Concubine Hui: "Let's set it for these two days. Concubine Xi has always been intolerant to the heat, and Concubine Hui has just finished her confinement and still needs to recuperate. I'm afraid she can't stand the heat either. Even I myself have lost my appetite due to the heat these two days."

"Your Majesty is so caring towards Sister Xi that I and others can't help but feel a little envious." Concubine Xin, Lu Yingfeng, said in a half-joking tone, with a bit of playfulness and amusement on her face.

Upon hearing this, Yinzhen was not annoyed, but laughed out loud, his laughter full of doting and tolerance, "I care about all of you. I am discussing with the Queen how to make sure everyone can spend this hot summer comfortably."

Yixiu took over the conversation at the right time and suggested: "In this case, why not set the itinerary for two days later, so that everyone has enough time to prepare, and it won't be too hasty and affect the mood of summer vacation."

Yinzhen nodded in agreement, "What the queen said is absolutely right, let's do as the queen says."

After saying this, his gaze moved among the concubines. His care and warmth made everyone present feel the emperor's great grace.

"Regarding this trip to the Old Summer Palace, the biological mothers of the princes are of course indispensable, but should Li Changzai and Mei Da Ying also go along?" Yixiu asked the question gently, with some consideration in her tone.

Zhen Huan smiled and replied, "Li Changzai is pregnant with the Dragon Offspring, so she should accompany you to ensure safety. Mei Yingying and Ping Changzai are both your favorites. Mei Yingying's pipa skills are superb, and Ping Changzai's dancing is even more graceful. In your spare time, having them accompany you will definitely add a lot of fun to your majesty. Your Majesty, don't you agree?"

Yinzhen nodded with satisfaction and praised: "What Concubine Xi said is very true. Mei Yingying's pipa music and Ping Changzai's dancing are both unique in the palace. It is really a great pastime to hear them occasionally."

Upon hearing this, Yixiu said, "In that case, I will immediately make arrangements to ensure that everything is in place."

Yinzhen stood up and prepared to leave. Before leaving, he said, "Well, today's business is over. I have to go back to the Yangxin Palace to handle government affairs. Concubine Xi, you will go with me and serve me with writing materials."

Zhen Huan responded "yes", and then Yinzhen took her hand and slowly walked out of the hall.

She turned around and nodded gently to Yixiu. Although Yixiu was a little upset, he could only maintain his calmness on his face and said nothing more.

After Yinzhen and Zhen Huan disappeared from sight, Yixiu sighed softly and told everyone to disperse and return to their bedrooms.

The discussion about the trip to the Old Summer Palace ended in a delicate atmosphere.