Legend of Zhen Huan: Zhen Huan is reborn

161 Melon downgraded, Melon always there

In a blink of an eye, the grand day of the banquet arrived quietly. This banquet was carefully arranged in the beautiful Jiuzhou Qingyan place.

Yinzhen specially gave Zhen Huan several pieces of brand new silk fabrics, and Zhen Huan cleverly used the silk to sew new clothes.

Today, she was wearing a pure and elegant green Manchu dress, with a few lightly blooming lotus patterns cleverly dotted between her lapels, adding a touch of vitality and elegance to her look.

Her hair was carefully combed, and a peacock blue butterfly-shaped ornament was pinned on it, which was colorful and lifelike.

And between these butterfly ornaments, there is also a glittering hollow carved gold ornament cleverly inlaid, showing extraordinary taste and status.

On one side of the gold ornament, delicate tassels hung gently, swaying gently in the wind, which not only embellished her appearance, but also added a bit of agility and elegance.

Whenever the breeze blows, the tassels sway gently, making pleasant sounds, like the sound of nature, which makes people feel relaxed and happy.

At the banquet where all the concubines gathered, in terms of the gorgeousness of the costumes, apart from Queen Yixiu's extremely noble golden phoenix headdress and the sparkling oriental pearl earrings on her ears, Zhen Huan's outfit was undoubtedly the most dazzling.

(Jiuzhou Qingyan)

"Today is the date for a family dinner. You don't need to be formal. Just enjoy yourself." Yinzhen said gently.

"I have taken out the rose wine that I carefully brewed years ago today. I would like to share its taste with you sisters." Zhen Huan spoke gently, her words full of sincerity.

"I have been craving for the intoxicating taste of roses for a long time. Today, I am fortunate to have your company and Concubine Xi's generous gift. It is a double happiness." Yinzhen smiled and his words revealed his gratitude and admiration for Zhen Huan.

"Your Majesty's words really make me feel uneasy. If Your Majesty needs anything, I will do my best. Why should I be so polite?" Zhen Huan responded modestly, with a hint of playfulness in her tone.

"Then, let us start tonight's feast with this glass of Rose Wine." Yinzhen raised his glass and drank it first to show his congratulations.

Empress Yixiu followed closely behind, toasting to celebrate, with a gentle and constant smile on her face, and said softly: "I am here to wish His Majesty a long life, good health, and all the best."

Upon hearing this, all the concubines echoed in unison: "Your Majesty, I also wish you a prosperous Qing dynasty, good health, and a long life of blessings."

For a moment, the banquet was filled with an atmosphere of harmony and joy.

Zhen Huan and Concubine Xin Lu Yingfeng looked at each other and smiled, showing their tacit understanding.

Lu Yingfeng then turned to Noble Lady Yu Guaerjia Wenyuan, with a gentle smile on his face, and said softly, "The hairpin in my sister's hair is really unique. You can tell it's not an ordinary thing. It seems like you've seen it for the first time."

Wen Yuan heard this and a hint of pride appeared on her face. She fiddled with her hairpin and boasted, "Sister, you have a good eye. This hairpin is the latest exquisite product made by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. It is a complete set with my earrings and beads, and they complement each other very well."

Lu Yingfeng pretended to be surprised, her tone full of envy: "I see, no wonder it is so unique. Such a rare thing must be a gift from the emperor's love for my sister, right? The emperor really dotes on my sister."

Wen Yuan's smile froze slightly. She subconsciously looked at Li Changzai and Li Ying beside her. Seeing that they looked calm and nothing unusual happened, she forced a smile and responded, "Sister, you are absolutely right. The emperor's gift is certainly extraordinary. If you are interested, why not feel the delicate craftsmanship of this hairpin with your own hands?"

Lu Yingfeng smiled secretly in her heart, but her expression remained calm. She waved her hand gently, with a barely perceptible flash of disdain in her eyes: "Oh, this is the emperor's intention, how dare I touch it easily? If something goes wrong, it would be a great sin. Sister, you should keep it well for yourself."

These words not only showed her caution and humility, but also contained subtle irony towards Wen Yuan.

Zhen Huan sipped the fine wine in the glass leisurely and contentedly, her expression seeming to be immersed in the harmonious blend of the aroma of the wine and the elegant atmosphere around her.

From time to time, she turned her head and whispered with Concubine Hui Shen Meizhuang and Concubine Rou An Lingrong beside her, exchanging their thoughts and feelings with each other, and her words were filled with deep sisterly friendship.

However, even in this warm and pleasant conversation, Zhen Huan's eyes would from time to time, in a seemingly casual but actually sharp manner, gently glance at Wen Yuan's movements.

There was no particular focus in that gaze, but it seemed to be able to see into people's hearts, making people unconsciously feel a gentle and profound power.

"Everything in the world complements each other in the end. Good things should be matched with the right people. This is true. What do you think, Mrs. Li?" There was a hint of subtle provocation in Wen Yuan's words. She looked at Li Ying with a faint smile on her lips.

Li Ying was suddenly called out. Although she was surprised, her face quickly returned to normal. She smiled slightly and said in a gentle and appropriate tone: "Sister, you are right. Good things really need good people to match them, and you are the beautiful woman who can make them even more outstanding."

When Wen Yuan heard this, the smile on her lips seemed to freeze for a moment, and then turned into a light snort, as if she was both dissatisfied and helpless with Li Ying's answer.

She turned her gaze away and continued to whisper with the concubines around her, as if the previous episode had not affected her mood, but the slightly upturned corners of her mouth revealed a trace of unwillingness and arrogance in her heart.

Yinzhen's eyes inadvertently swept across this world, and happened to catch the details of the decorations on Concubine Yu Guaerjia Wenyuan's body. He couldn't help but feel a little puzzled: "These ornaments on Concubine Yu are quite familiar to me."

Upon hearing this, Concubine Xin Lu Yingfeng interrupted at the right time with a subtle smile: "Your Majesty has a really good memory. Isn't this exactly what you gave to Concubine Yu a few days ago? No wonder the Emperor felt it was familiar."

Having said that, even the dullest person could hear the sarcasm in the words. It was obvious that he was secretly making fun of Wen Yuan's arrogance and carelessness.

Wen Yuan's expression suddenly changed when she heard this. Her previous pride and arrogance were instantly replaced by panic. She quickly explained, "Your Majesty, you are mistaken. This is actually a recent masterpiece of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Although it has some characteristics, it is just an ordinary thing."

There was a slight tremor in her voice, and she was obviously frightened by Yinzhen's questioning.

Yinzhen's eyes were deep, as if he could see into people's hearts. He raised his eyebrows slightly, and his tone was full of imperceptible majesty: "Oh? Really? But why do I always feel that this material and color are similar to the chalcedony I gave to Concubine Xi?"

His words were like sharp arrows, piercing Wen Yuan's heart and making her even more anxious.

Seeing this, Yixiu immediately eased the atmosphere with her gentle smile and said softly, "Your Majesty, the craftsmanship of the Ministry of Internal Affairs is exquisite, and it is inevitable that many objects have similarities. This is also reasonable. You think it looks familiar, perhaps because of this similarity."

Yinzhen smiled slightly when he heard this, then turned to look at Zhen Huan and said, "Noble Concubine Xi, you have always been thoughtful and discerning, why don't you take a look at this item as well."

Upon hearing this, Zhen Huan gently put down the wine glass in her hand and gazed at the ornaments on Wen Yuan's body with gentle and deep eyes, as if she was trying hard to recall something.

After a moment, she slowly spoke, her tone gentle but firm: "Your Majesty, this object is indeed very similar to the chalcedony that I obtained in the past. However, I remember that I gave that chalcedony to Concubine Li. Your Majesty was also present at the time to witness it. I wonder if Your Majesty still remembers it?"

Upon hearing this, Yinzhen nodded slightly, with a glimmer of recollection in his eyes: "Yes, I do remember that you, Concubine Xi, did give the chalcedony to Concubine Li. So, how come this chalcedony is on Concubine Yu now?"

There was some confusion and doubt in his tone.

Wen Yuan answered first, "Your Majesty, it was Concubine Li who thought I liked this chalcedony and generously gave it to me. I didn't think much about it at the time and just thought it was her good intention, so I gladly accepted it. I really didn't know that it was Concubine Xi who gave it to Concubine Li."

There was a hint of grievance and innocence in her words, trying to win sympathy.

Upon hearing this, Yinzhen turned his gaze to Li Ying, and asked with a scrutinizing tone: "Li Changzai, is what Concubine Yu said true?"

Li Ying felt Yinzhen's gaze and her heart tightened. After hesitating for a moment, she finally nodded: "Your Majesty, it is indeed as Concubine Yu said."

Although her voice was small, it revealed a bit of helplessness and struggle.

"Young master..." Yue Xin, who was standing by, became extremely anxious upon seeing this. She was about to speak to defend her young master, but was stopped by Li Ying's eyes.

However, Yinzhen was so sharp that he would not miss such a subtle point. He smiled and said, "It seems that Li Chang's words are a little dishonest. In this case, why not let your maid Yuexin speak the truth for you?"

Upon hearing this, Li Ying's face turned even paler. She knew Yinzhen's majesty and insight very well, so she could only lower her head silently and dared not say anything.

Yue Xin walked out slowly, knelt on the ground, and said respectfully: "Your Majesty, this jewelry was actually taken by Concubine Yu. That day, I went to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to retrieve this set of precious jewelry. On the way, I ran into Concubine Yu and her close maid. I wanted to avoid them, but they called me. I immediately bowed and greeted them, but Concubine Yu's eyes were instantly attracted by the things in my hand."

"You're talking nonsense! It's obvious that your master gave it to me voluntarily!" Wen Yuan saw that her lie was exposed and her panic was evident in her words.

"Every word I said is true. Not only did I refuse to hand it over, but I was pushed by Jingtai, who was beside Concubine Yu, which caused my wrist to be injured. The scar is still there." After saying this, Yue Xin gently raised her arm. Although the abrasion on her wrist had scabbed over, it was still clearly visible as evidence.

She continued, "I once said that this was a gift from Concubine Xi to you, but when Concubine Yu heard this, she not only did not restrain herself, but became even more arrogant. She took the jewelry and left."

"So that's the case. No wonder you were so evasive when I asked you about the origin of this item. It turns out you got it by illegal means." Lu Yingfeng sighed softly at the side.

Wen Yuan's face turned pale. She walked heavily into the center of the hall and knelt down. There was an imperceptible tremor in her voice: "Your Majesty, it is not like that. This ornament was actually given to me by someone else."

Jingtai followed closely behind, kneeling down and pleading: "Your Majesty, my young master has a kind heart and would never do such an improper thing. I hope Your Majesty will see through it."

Yinzhen looked solemn and sharp, staring directly at Li Ying: "Li Changzai, is what you said about the maid true?"

Li Ying saw that it was hopeless to hide it, so she simply answered frankly, stood up and bowed, and replied: "Your Majesty, this is indeed the case, but I was coerced by Noble Yu, and I am pregnant with the Dragon's descendant, and my position is low and I have no title to protect me, so I endured it and did not speak out. I know I am wrong, but I hope Your Majesty will understand my helplessness."

Before he finished speaking, Wen Yuan was shocked, her eyes widened with anger, and she pointed at Li Ying: "You!"

Li Ying remained calm and continued, "Your Majesty, I know this matter is insignificant and should not be disturbed, but today I dare to ask Your Majesty to make the decision for me and clear my name."

Her tenacity and courage at this moment are somewhat similar to the Shen Meizhuang in memory.

Yinzhen pondered for a moment, and finally said: "It seems that the previous confinement did not make you deeply repent. From now on, Concubine Yu will be stripped of her title, demoted to a concubine, and confined for three months, and fined half a year's salary as a punishment."

Then, he turned to Li Ying, and added a bit of tenderness in his tone: "As for you, Li Changzai, I have been promoted to a noble lady, and I have specially granted you the title of 'Jing'. I hope that you can live up to the title's meaning, be quiet and self-restrained, and keep your original intention."

"I am grateful for your great grace." Li Ying's eyes were filled with tears as she bowed to express her gratitude.

Wen Yuan was horrified when she saw this scene, and she begged, "Your Majesty, I have repented. Please forgive my mistake this time for our old friendship."

Yinzhen waved his hand gently, signaling Su Peisheng, who immediately stepped forward and said to Wen Yuan, "Gua Changzai, please follow me."

With the support of her maid, Wen Yuan retreated in tears, her heart filled with resentment and regret.