Legend of Zhen Huan: Zhen Huan is reborn

166 Newly appointed Ye

(Yongshou Palace)

Imperial Physician Wen had just returned from Chunxi Palace and reported to Zhen Huan in detail the latest situation regarding An Lingrong's pregnancy.

"Your Majesty, recently I have noticed something strange in Concubine Jing's pregnancy-maintaining medicine. After careful investigation, I confirmed that someone has secretly tampered with it, and this behavior has been going on for about three months." Wen Shichu said solemnly.

"Three months? That child..." Zhen Huan stopped talking halfway, her eyes filled with worry and pity.

"Your Majesty is right. I'm afraid this fetus cannot be saved." There was a hint of helplessness in Wen Shichu's voice.

"She may still be immersed in the joy of becoming a mother, looking forward to the birth of a healthy child." Zhen Huan felt a pang of sadness in her heart, "Can this child survive to full term?"

"I have carefully studied and determined that the drug will silently cause the fetus to lose its vitality in the mother's body. Even if the birth is forced, it will be mistaken for a normal death." Every word of Wen Shichu's was as heavy as a thousand pounds, hitting Zhen Huan's heart.

Zhen Huan chewed over these words carefully, and felt that this method seemed familiar, but it was difficult to pull it out from a corner of her memory. She could only sigh and said, "This sinister plan seems familiar, but the impression is blurred."

Then, Wen Shichu seemed to remember something important and whispered to Zhen Huan, "Your Majesty, I have some good news to report."

"Oh? What's the matter?" A hint of curiosity flashed in Zhen Huan's eyes.

"Empress Hui is also pregnant with a dragon offspring, but it's less than a month yet, which is roughly the same period as Empress Rou's." Wen Shichu's words were filled with some relief.

Upon hearing this, although Zhen Huan was delighted, she could not hide a subtle sense of uneasiness, but she did not show this doubt outwardly.

"The Emperor visited Chunxi Palace last month and stayed overnight. I guess it must have happened at that time." She thought to herself.

"Lord Wen, please take extra care of Sister Mei's fetus. Both Concubine Rou and Concubine Hui depend on you, so please be cautious." Zhen Huan advised earnestly.

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. I will do my best. Also, my apprentice Wei Lin is very intelligent and can assist me to ensure that everything goes well." Wen Shichu smiled with confidence, which made Zhen Huan feel a little relieved.

"That's great." Zhen Huan nodded in agreement, glanced at the cold tea on the table, and then told the maid to replace it with new tea.

"Then I will not disturb your Majesty's rest and will take my leave first." Wen Shichu stood up, bowed, and turned to leave.

Just at this moment, Yu Rao walked into the hall and met Wen Shichu unexpectedly.

Wen Shichu smiled and bowed to Yu Rao, then slowly left Yongshou Palace.

-

Two days ago, Yunxi and Yunli agreed to go to the Imperial Garden for horse racing. Unexpectedly, the horse suddenly went wild, causing Yunli to fall off the horse. He also became seriously ill and had a high fever. His condition was quite critical.

Huanbi was extremely anxious upon hearing the news. She almost ran into the inner room, her face pale and full of worry. Before she could catch her breath, she called out, "Eldest sister!"

Seeing this, Zhen Huan was also worried, but she remained calm and told Huanbi, "Go find Eunuch Su Peisheng quickly. He will handle this matter properly and make arrangements."

"Thank you, elder sister, for your thoughtful consideration." Huanbi responded gratefully and turned to leave.

"Wait a minute," Zhen Huan stopped her and added, "Go to the Imperial Hospital again and ask Dr. Wen to come. He has superb medical skills and may be able to bring a turnaround for Prince Guo's condition."

When Huanbi heard this, a glimmer of hope flashed in her eyes, and she quickly responded, "I'll go right away."

After saying this, she turned around almost impatiently and walked out quickly.

-

On this day, Huanbi had just sent the Cai Ping from Prince Guo's mansion back to report that Prince Guo's fever had subsided, but he still needed to rest for a while.

Therefore, Huanbi needs to stay in the mansion for a few more days before returning to the palace.

Jingxi whispered the news to Zhen Huan, who nodded gently, her fingers unconsciously stroking the delicate rose hairpin in her hair, with a faint bitter smile and sigh on the corner of her mouth: "Sometimes, I really envy Huanbi."

Yu Rao was sitting on a small stool nearby, concentrating on weaving an apricot-yellow emerald feather shuttlecock with gold thread. When she heard Zhen Huan's words, she raised her head and rubbed her aching neck, smiling brightly in response, "Sister, are you envious of Huanbi for being able to leave the palace so often? Although Yongshou Palace is spacious and magnificent, when you look up, the sky is always cut into squares by the palace walls. How can it compare to the vastness and freedom outside the palace?"

Zhen Huan heard this and smiled slightly, with a glimmer of longing in her eyes: "Yes, I really hope to go out and take a walk occasionally like Huanbi."

Seeing this, Yu Rao rolled her eyes, smiled slyly, and quickly lowered her head to continue the work in her hands, saying softly: "Don't misunderstand me, elder sister, I am not a playful person. I am willing to stay here with you, please don't chase me away."

Zhen Huan was amused by Yu Rao's witty words and scolded her with a smile, "You naughty ghost, how can I bear to drive you away."

As they spoke, the sisters' laughter filled the entire room, and it seemed that even the sky outside the window became especially bright because of this warmth.

(Hall of Mental Cultivation)

Yinzhen had just finished reviewing the memorials and felt extremely tired both physically and mentally, as if he was being crushed by a heavy stone.

"Su Peisheng, why do I feel so powerless and exhausted these days?" Yinzhen asked softly.

"Your Majesty, you have been locking yourself up in the depths of the Yangxin Palace for the past two days, burying yourself in a mountain of memorials. I see your hard work and it hurts my heart." Su Peisheng responded respectfully, his words revealing his deep concern for his master.

"Both Concubine Hui and Concubine Rou are pregnant with royal descendants. This is a double blessing and a great omen for our Qing Dynasty." Yinzhen's joy was beyond words.

"That's true. Concubine Hui and Concubine Rou have always been as close as sisters. Now they are sharing the joy of pregnancy. This is truly a rare joy in the palace." Su Peisheng echoed with a smile on his face.

"I feel a little tired at the moment." Yinzhen sighed softly.

"How about I ask Concubine Mei to play a piece of music for His Majesty to help him relax his mind?" Su Peisheng suggested cleverly.

"I've listened to those songs too many times recently, and they've lost some of their freshness." Yinzhen shook his head slightly, looking a little bored.

"I dare to say that I have heard that there are several fine horses raised in the Hundred Horses Garden in the Old Summer Palace. Why don't Your Majesty go there? On the one hand, you can watch the horses and enjoy the scenery. On the other hand, you can take the opportunity to stroll in the garden and stretch your muscles." Su Peisheng rolled his eyes and came up with a new idea.

"This is a very good idea." Upon hearing this, Yinzhen's eyes flashed with interest and he immediately agreed.

So Su Peisheng immediately began to prepare a sedan chair so that Yinzhen could go to the Hundred Horses Garden in the Old Summer Palace.

-

Not long after, a secret rumor quietly spread in the palace. It was rumored that the emperor favored a horse trainer in the Hundred Horses Garden in the Old Summer Palace, and even made an exception to grant her a promised position. She would soon be welcomed into the Forbidden City.

This news spread quickly to every corner of the palace like a spring breeze, causing many concubines to discuss it privately, each with their own thoughts.

Some concubines secretly speculated that this new concubine might have unusual talent or beauty to win the emperor's favor; some were jealous and worried that their own favor would be affected; others took a wait-and-see attitude, wanting to see how this woman who was born a horse trainer would gain a foothold in the harem.

In short, this news undoubtedly threw a stone into the peaceful palace, causing ripples.

(Jingren Palace)

Gua Chang was in Guaerjia Wenyuan, and after two months of house arrest, she was finally granted freedom by the grace of Empress Yixiu.

She did not dare to delay for a moment and went to Jingren Palace immediately, her heart filled with urgency and dissatisfaction with the new developments in the palace.

"Empress, I have just learned that the Emperor is particularly fond of a female horse trainer and even made her a concubine. This is such a strange thing and it is unprecedented." Wen Yuan's words revealed a bit of reluctance and surprise.

Upon hearing this, Yixiu's face darkened. She had just learned of the news and was quite dissatisfied with Yinzhen's confidentiality work.

"It is normal for the emperor to favor palace maids occasionally, but if this can be used to distract Zhen Huan's favor, it might not be a bad idea." Although Yixiu said this, she could not hide her displeasure in her tone.

Wen Yuan continued to exaggerate, "Madam, do you know what Ye Da Ying looks like? He is very rough and his every move shows the habits of a servant. Compared with the gentle beauties in the palace, there is a world of difference."

Yixiu gently waved her hand and interrupted Wen Yuan's words: "Forget it, you have just been released from the ban, so you should focus more on yourself and how to regain the emperor's favor. As for those trivial matters, it is better not to talk about them."

Wen Yuan looked a little anxious when she heard this. She knew very well that her position in the palace was precarious. Especially when she saw Concubine Rou and Concubine Hui became pregnant one after another, she felt even more pressured.

"Your Majesty, I am finally free, but now both Concubine Rou and Concubine Hui are pregnant with the heir. I beg Your Majesty to lend me a helping hand so that I can also have the opportunity to meet the Emperor. Perhaps there will be a glimmer of hope."

Yixiu sighed, her eyes deep: "I have helped you many times, but you always failed to achieve your wish, and instead were repeatedly grounded. This time, I will help you again, but you must be doubly careful and not make any mistakes again."

When Wen Yuan heard this, a hint of joy flashed in her eyes, and she knelt down quickly and said, "I will definitely remember your kindness, and do my best to live up to your expectations. Thank you very much, Queen, for your love!"

After saying that, she slowly stood up and left Jingren Palace with a hint of determination and hope.

"Jianqiu, please give the prescription to her. As for whether she will adopt it or not, it all depends on her own choice. I have done this much, and it can be regarded as my utmost effort and kindness." There was a hint of helplessness and determination in Yixiu's voice. She knew very well that she had reached the limit of what she could do.

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will do it right away." Jianqiu agreed respectfully, but in her heart she couldn't help feeling a little sad about the complicated situation in the harem.

"Look at this harem, it's almost dominated by the Han people now." Yixiu sighed lightly, her tone revealing her dissatisfaction and helplessness with the current situation.

Although she was the queen and held a high position, she found it difficult to fully control the changes in the harem, especially when facing the growing power of Han concubines.

Upon hearing this, Jianqiu hurriedly comforted her, "Your Majesty, you are the master of the six palaces. The concubines in the harem, no matter what their backgrounds are, will eventually be in your hands. As long as Your Majesty makes plans, you will be able to sit firmly on the Diaoyutai in this harem."

Yixiu nodded slightly, with a hint of complicated emotions flashing in her eyes.

She knew very well that what Jianqiu said was true. As the queen, she did have advantages and power that others could not achieve.

But how much unknown bitterness and suffering are hidden behind this power?

She sighed softly and said no more, only looking into the distance, as if she was looking for some answer, or perhaps just silently enduring the loneliness and heaviness.