Legend of Zhen Huan: Zhen Huan is reborn

016 Night Exploration of Thousand Carp Pond

In recent days, Yinzhen has frequently stayed at Suiyuxuan, which made Hua Fei dissatisfied. She was still brooding over the last incident and could not let it go.

Therefore, she assigned Shen Meizhuang to go to Yiku Palace to copy and organize the accounts as a way to vent and divert her attention.

(Yikun Palace)

At this moment, Concubine Hua was lying elegantly on the chaise longue. Her charm seemed to penetrate the air, and every glance seemed to have a captivating charm.

"Noble Lady Shen, you're here." Concubine Hua opened her red lips slightly, with a barely perceptible hint of majesty in her voice.

"Your concubine greets Her Majesty Hua Fei. May Her Majesty be blessed with good health and longevity." Shen Meizhuang bowed respectfully.

"Get up." Concubine Hua waved her hand lightly.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Shen Meizhuang stood up, maintaining a respectful attitude.

"Noble Lady Shen, you seem to have lost a lot of weight. Are you feeling a little disappointed because the Emperor did not summon you today?" Concubine Hua smiled, but there was a sharp inquiry in her eyes.

"Your Majesty, you are joking. It's just that the weather has been hot these days and my appetite is poor." Shen Meizhuang answered calmly.

"Oh? Is that so? I heard that Concubine Wan has been quite favored recently, but why doesn't she know how to share some of the Emperor's favor with you, her good sister?" There was a hint of disdain in Concubine Hua's tone.

"I have kept in mind the rules and teachings for women that Your Majesty asked me to copy two days ago. The most taboo thing for concubines in the harem is jealousy, and I will naturally not commit this taboo." Shen Meizhuang's answer was both appropriate and firm, and there was nothing wrong with it.

"You are quite open-minded." Concubine Hua nodded slightly. "I asked you to come here today because I want you to learn more. Since the emperor intends to let you assist in managing the six palaces, I will naturally do my best to help you."

"I am extremely grateful and will follow your instructions." Shen Meizhuang bowed again to express her gratitude.

Caiyue, who was standing by, watched the conversation between her young mistress and Concubine Hua. Although she was anxious, she knew it was not appropriate to interrupt and could only stay by their side silently.

Concubine Hua nodded slightly and signaled Songzhi to hand the stack of accounts to Shen Meizhuang.

Songzhi followed the order respectfully, saying, "Mrs. Shen, please review these accounts."

Shen Meizhuang took the account, sat down slowly, opened the account book, and began to check it carefully word by word.

"These are the daily expense records of the harem. You need to check them carefully and make a complete copy." Hua Fei's voice was cold and calm, as if she was stating a fact.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Shen Meizhuang replied, and then devoted her full attention to the copying work.

Her pen tip moved quickly across the paper, and lines of neat handwriting gradually filled the blank paper.

When Concubine Hua saw that Shen Meizhuang was concentrating on copying documents at the desk, she couldn't help feeling a sense of satisfaction.

She knew that Shen Meizhuang's busyness and seriousness at the moment were a sign of her respect and execution of her orders.

This kind of respect and execution made Concubine Hua feel that her authority was maintained, and also brought about an indescribable sense of comfort in her heart.

(Smashed Jade Pavilion)

"Huanbi, do you know that Concubine Shen has been frequently going in and out of Concubine Hua's palace recently, busy copying accounts?" Zhen Huan opened her red lips slightly, with a hint of worry in her tone.

Huanbi nodded and replied, "My lord, I have indeed heard about this matter."

Zhen Huan's eyes suddenly became deep. She recalled everything that happened in her previous life and her heart was filled with ripples.

She remembered that Sister Mei was often summoned by Concubine Hua to copy accounts. Eventually, on a dark and windy night, she was pushed into the Thousand Carp Pond from behind. The cold water, the helpless struggle, and the final inconclusive ending all made Sister Mei suffer great grievances and pain.

"It may seem like everything is calm in Concubine Hua's palace, but in reality, things are turbulent." Zhen Huan's voice was firm, "We must be careful to avoid repeating the same mistakes."

"My lady, what should I do then?" Huanbi asked worriedly.

"Huanbi, you must pay special attention to the movements of Yikun Palace in the next two days." Zhen Huan solemnly instructed, "But you must be careful to avoid alerting the enemy."

"Yes, my lady." Huanbi responded, but Zhen Huan seemed to still have concerns.

"Hey, Huanbi, wait a minute." Zhen Huan suddenly stopped her, "Let Xiao Yunzi go. He is better at martial arts and more reliable."

Huanbi nodded in agreement: "My lady, you have thought it through. Xiao Yunzi is indeed good at martial arts. It would be more appropriate for him to go."

"Okay, let's do this." Zhen Huan finally decided, "You go and inform Xiao Yunzi, and ask him to pay more attention to the movements of Yikun Palace in the next two days, and report any abnormalities to me in time."

"Yes, my lady." Huanbi responded and left, while Zhen Huan continued to fall into deep thought.

She knew that Concubine Hua was a scheming woman and should not be underestimated, so she had to remain vigilant at all times to ensure the safety of herself and those around her.

In the evening, Xiao Yunzi came to Zhen Huan's residence carefully. He lowered his voice and reported to Zhen Huan: "My lady, I secretly observed the situation in Yikun Palace today. Concubine Shen is fine there, and I didn't find anything unusual."

After hearing this, Zhen Huan felt a little relieved and her tense nerves relaxed a little.

However, she was well aware of Concubine Hua's methods and had to be on guard against her.

So, she said to Xiao Yunzi, "Xiao Yunzi, you have done a good job. Continue to pay attention to the movements of Yikun Palace and do not relax at all."

Xiao Yunzi nodded in agreement, saying that she would continue to closely monitor Yikun Palace to ensure the safety of Concubine Shen.

(Thousand Carp Pond)

Xiao Yunzi was lurking near the Thousand Carp Pond early, waiting for any abnormalities that might occur.

As the night deepened, he saw Shen Meizhuang walking slowly towards him with Caiyue and Xiao Shi.

Shen Meizhuang admired the emperor's new lights and the Thousand Carp Pond in the night, while Caiyue looked a little worried.

"Cai Yue, look at the fish illuminated by the lights, aren't they exceptionally beautiful?" Shen Meizhuang said with a smile.

"My lady, it's getting late. Let's go back early." Caiyue advised softly.

"No hurry. I'm copying accounts for Concubine Hua and my eyes are a little sore. Now I just want to look at these fish and relax." Shen Meizhuang said, with a trace of fatigue in her eyes.

"My lady, I really feel sorry for you. It's obvious that Concubine Hua is deliberately making things difficult for you. There are so many accounts, and the numbers are so dense. She also deliberately makes the lights so dim. Isn't this intentional to make you suffer?" Caiyue couldn't help but complain, her tone full of concern for Shen Meiyu and dissatisfaction with Concubine Hua.

Shen Meizhuang sighed softly. She knew well the dangers and complexities of the harem, and she also understood Concubine Hua's intentions.

But she didn't want Caiyue to worry too much, and she didn't want Caiyue to be involved because of her.

So she gently comforted him, "Caiyue, stop talking. Be careful, there are ears on the other side of the wall. I know what Hua Fei is thinking, but since she wants me to suffer, I will take it as a tempering of my character. At this moment, I just want to quietly watch the fish and enjoy this moment of tranquility."

Caiyue was still dissatisfied when she saw Shen Meizhuang was so calm, but she had to give up.

"Then I will stay by your side and keep watch over you."

She stayed silently beside Shen Meizhuang, and the two of them admired the Thousand Carp Pond in the night. The fish looked particularly lively under the lights, adding a bit of vitality to the quiet night.

At this moment, Songzhi came over and bowed to Shen Meizhuang: "This servant greets Lady Shen."

"Aunt Songzhi, does Concubine Hua have any instructions?" Shen Meizhuang asked.

"Her Majesty has some good ink that she wants to give to Concubine Shen. Seeing that you left in a hurry, she asked me to tell you." Songzhi replied.

Shen Meizhuang hesitated for a moment, then said, "Then I'll go with you."

Songzhi waved her hands quickly: "How dare you trouble your Excellency to go in person for such a small matter? Just let the servants go and get it."

Shen Meizhuang thought about it and felt that it was true, so she said to Caiyue, "Caiyue, you should go with Aunt Songzhi."

Caiyue looked worried: "But my lady..."

"Xiao Shi is with me, you don't need to worry." Shen Meizhuang comforted.

"Then my lady, please wait for me here. I will be back soon." Although Caiyue was worried, she still followed Shen Meizhuang's arrangement and followed Songzhi to Yiku Palace.

A barely perceptible smile appeared at the corner of Songzhi's mouth, as if some plan was about to succeed.

Xiao Yunzi was observing all this silently from the side, and a sense of alertness arose in his heart.

He knew that something might happen tonight, so he observed the movements around him more carefully.