Legend of Zhen Huan: Zhen Huan is reborn

156 Taohuawu Late Night Talk

Recently, Yinzhen frequently stayed at the Yanyu Pavilion where Concubine Yu Guaerjia Wenyuan lived, and the Xianyue Pavilion where Concubine Mei Meiyue rested.

Originally, he often stayed in Fan Ruowan's Huifang Academy with Yu Ping, but a few days ago, because he came forward to plead for Concubine Hui Shen Meizhuang, he unfortunately angered the emperor and was ordered to concentrate on copying "Female Rules" and "Female Training" in Huifang Academy as a punishment, and his salary was reduced by one month as a warning.

Because of this incident, Fan Ruowan encountered cold treatment and alienation from many palace maids and eunuchs in the palace.

Fortunately, the matter was finally settled and the storm gradually subsided.

However, in recent days, Yinzhen seemed to be avoiding Zhen Huan intentionally or unintentionally. This subtle change did not make Zhen Huan unhappy, but instead made her feel a rare sense of ease and comfort.

Zhen Huan, An Lingrong and Shen Meizhuang often made an appointment to go to Changchun Fairy House to accompany the Queen Mother Wu Ya Chengbi, spend leisurely time together, and enjoy this rare tranquility and comfort.

(Eternal Spring Fairy House)

"In recent days, the three of you have visited my residence frequently, and you didn't find it boring at all. It's really rare." Wu Yachengbi said softly with a smile on his face.

"It is my honor to serve the Queen Mother. I also have a wish in my heart, which is to hope that the Queen Mother can witness and accompany my son to grow up healthily." Shen Meizhuang answered gently, her words full of expectation.

"Hongyang has been clamoring to accompany the Empress Dowager for two days in a row. I feel honored and happy." An Lingrong said, her words revealing her love for the child and her gratitude for the Empress Dowager's favor.

“I am very pleased to see that the friendship between you three is so deep. If everyone in the harem can live in harmony like this, I will have to worry less.” Wu Ya Chengbi spoke with a smile, and her words revealed her hope for a harmonious atmosphere.

"Hongzhou just learned a new poem two days ago, and he is excitedly wanting to recite it to you, the Queen Mother." Zhen Huan smiled like a flower, and her eyes sparkled with maternal radiance when she mentioned her beloved son.

"Hongzhou is a really well-behaved and lovely child. Every time I wake up from a nap, he always comes to accompany me. His filial piety makes me feel extremely warm and comfortable in my heart." Wu Ya Chengbi's words were full of love and admiration for Hongzhou.

"Your joy, Queen Mother, is our greatest achievement." Shen Meizhuang responded modestly, with a satisfied smile on her face.

"You've done a great job. Hongxian has been behaving particularly well in recent days. He's neither noisy nor naughty. The wet nurses are taking very good care of him. You can rest assured." Wu Ya Chengbi's words were full of affirmation for Shen Meizhuang and love for Hongxian.

"I am eternally grateful. Your care, Your Majesty, is like a gentle spring breeze that makes me feel warm." Shen Meizhuang expressed her gratitude again, her words revealing her deep respect and gratitude.

"When His Majesty returns to the palace in early August, you can move in and live with me. I have ordered people to clean and tidy up Chunxi Palace carefully, and you can move in directly then." Wu Ya Chengbi made the invitation, her tone full of cordiality.

"I will obey the Queen Mother's orders and thank her for fulfilling my wish." Shen Meizhuang expressed her gratitude again.

(Qingliang Hall)

"The emperor hasn't visited our Qingliang Palace for several days." Liu Zhu sighed softly.

"I heard that the emperor promoted Mei Da Ying's position two days ago, and now she has jumped to the position of Mei Chang Zai." Huanbi took over the conversation with some subtle emotions in her words.

"Come to think of it, the plum steward actually sent someone to deliver a plate of exquisite plum blossom cakes yesterday afternoon. However, plum blossoms are supposed to bloom proudly in winter against the frost and snow, so how could they be available at this time of year?" Liu Zhu frowned curiously.

"Perhaps she has some special way to make the plum blossoms bloom early. The color of this plum blossom cake is as smooth as jade, and it is pleasing to the eye just from the appearance. I just don't know how it tastes after eating it, and whether it can match it." Huanbi looked at the plate of cakes, curiosity and anticipation flashing in her eyes.

"Your Majesty hasn't tasted it yet, but I took a bite of the plum cake. It was so sweet that it was almost insoluble. It's hard to imagine that anyone would prefer this flavor. Even Your Majesty, who has always loved sweets, avoids it." Liu Zhu shook her head, looking puzzled.

Upon hearing this, Huanbi just shook her head slightly, indicating that she was also confused, "I don't know the reason behind this either."

Liu Zhu suddenly changed the subject and curiously asked about Huanbi's whereabouts: "By the way, where did you go yesterday afternoon? I didn't see you the whole afternoon."

Huanbi smiled and explained, "Oh, it was the Queen who asked me to collect some crape myrtle flowers and place them in the bedroom. The purple flowers set off the decoration of the room and have a unique flavor. The Queen also liked it very much."

Liu Zhu heard this and teased, "I see, I thought you were sneaking out for a tryst."

Hearing this, Huanbi pretended to be angry and stretched out her hand as if to pull out Liuzhu's tongue. "You are becoming more and more outspoken. If you keep talking nonsense, be careful or I will be rude to you."

"Oh my, I was just making a few harmless jokes with you, why are you so angry? Could it be that what I said came true?" Liu Zhu said with a smile.

"Look at you, talking nonsense." Before Huanbi finished speaking, she wanted to step forward to capture Liuzhu, but she saw Liuzhu's figure flash and escape.

She ran and laughed, "Come on, come on, let's see if you can catch up with my sprinting legs."

After saying that, he made a playful face, which was very funny.

Seeing that there was no hope of catching up, Huanbi stamped her feet lightly and said angrily, "I don't want to bother with you anymore."

"Oh my, my lady, please be magnanimous and don't bother with me. I will personally make those mouth-watering pearl meatballs for you later as an apology." Liu Zhu quickly apologized with a smile.

"Then it has to be double the quantity," Huanbi requested.

"Okay, okay, okay. Double servings of pearl meatballs, plus a pot of fragrant iced milk tea. I'm sure you'll be satisfied." Liu Zhu agreed readily.

"That's more like it." Huanbi raised the corners of her mouth slightly, which was considered as agreement.

(Taohuawu)

"Congratulations, Queen, you have finally gotten rid of a huge rock in your heart. The emperor has not even stepped into the threshold of Qingliang Palace in recent days." Concubine Yu Guaerjia Wenyuan said softly, "At present, there are only two left, the Sixth Prince and the Seventh Prince. Although the Sixth Prince has a gentle temperament, his talent is mediocre, so there is no need to worry about him. As for the Seventh Prince, you must pay more attention to him, Queen, he is indeed an enemy that cannot be underestimated."

"I know the pros and cons of this." Empress Yixiu responded calmly, "Fortunately, the Eighth Prince's path has been blocked, otherwise I would really be unable to sleep and eat, and would be full of worries."

Yixiu gently stroked the porcelain cup. The delicate touch transmitted by her fingertips seemed to be a reflection of her delicate inner strategy. Her eyes were deep, as if she could see through every scene of the future chess game.

The flickering candlelight in the hall added a subtle hint of weariness and determination to her face, which were the traces left by the long-term palace struggle.

"Seventh Prince Hongzhou has shown extraordinary wisdom and deep scheming since he was young. He is indeed a powerful rival that I cannot ignore." She whispered. Although her voice was light, it revealed a power that could not be ignored.

Speaking of this, she slightly tilted her head, her gaze penetrating the window lattice, as if she had passed through the palace walls, staring at the unknown and complicated situation in the harem.

"The harem, this seemingly peaceful water is actually full of turbulent waves. Under every calm ripple lies an unknown undercurrent."

"Although the Sixth Prince Hongyang has a gentle temperament, his talent and knowledge are limited, and it is difficult for him to become a great man; while the Seventh Prince Hongzhou is like a lurking dragon, wise and brave, and ambitious. He is an enemy that we need to guard against, but he may also be a weapon to help us."

When Concubine Yu Guarjia Wenyuan heard this, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, and then she returned to her usual respectful attitude.

"Your Majesty is extremely wise, and it is I who have not thought it through. However, I don't know how to make the Seventh Prince surrender, or..." Her words revealed some hesitation and curiosity.

Yixiu smiled calmly, and that smile contained both the majesty of a queen and unfathomable strategy.

"Submission? Human hearts are ultimately just a game of exchanging interests. I have my own way to make Seventh Prince see the benefits of working together with me, and make him willingly become a chess piece in my hands. As for the specific means, you don't need to ask, just watch how I plan and lay out the world."

"Your Majesty is right. It is indeed a far-reaching concern." Wen Yuan frowned slightly, revealing her inner worry, "But Concubine Xi is still the emperor's favorite after all. What if one day the emperor recalls his past feelings and rekindles his old love, how should we deal with it?"

Yixiu smiled gently, and that smile showed her understanding of Wen Yuan's worries, and also revealed her confidence in the situation.

"Her father was once prominent, but now he is far away from the court and has lost his former power and influence. As for Concubine Xi, even if she is still favored, she is just a floating duckweed without a foundation, with an empty title but no real power. In this harem, without the support of family power, how long can she last with the emperor's temporary favor?"

Wen Yuan heard this and suddenly understood. She nodded and said, "Your Majesty, your opinion is great. I have learned from your advice. Now it seems that Concubine Xi is indeed not to be feared. I will follow your steps and work together for the overall situation."

Yixiu nodded with satisfaction, then she waved her hand, signaling Guarjia Wenyuan to leave, and she herself immersed herself in deeper thinking.

She knew very well that in this vortex of power struggle, only by taking every step carefully could she consolidate her position; only by careful planning could she ensure that her son would inherit the throne.

She will use her clever wisdom and ruthless methods to remove the stumbling blocks that hinder her progress one by one, and dye the sky of the Forbidden City into the color that belongs to her and her son.

As the night grew darker, Yixiu's eyes grew brighter and more determined.

She believed that as long as she persisted and planned carefully, one day she would stand at the pinnacle of power, overlooking the entire harem and becoming the one and only queen mother.