Legend of Zhen Huan: Zhen Huan is reborn

191 Happy Plum Moon

Concubine Mei Mei Yue is pregnant, and Imperial Physician Xu said she is more than a month pregnant.

After two months, she worked diligently at nightfall, studying new tunes every day, and finally won the heart and favor of Yinzhen again.

When Zhen Huan heard the news, she just smiled faintly, and then selected a pair of crystal clear white jade bottles and a painting of "Avalokitesvara Blessing" with auspicious meaning to give to Mei Yue, wishing her a peaceful pregnancy, a healthy fetus, and peace of mind to spend this time nurturing a new life.

(Yongshou Palace)

"Sister, you seem to be worried about something. Are you troubled?" Chunyi asked with concern.

"Maybe it's because of this hot summer, I toss and turn at night and can't sleep well." Zhen Huan sighed softly.

"It's cool here, sister, and much more comfortable than my Qixiang Palace." Chunyi looked around, with a hint of envy in her words.

"No wonder you've been staying here these days and unwilling to leave." Zhen Huan caressed Chunyi's cheek lovingly and said with a smile.

"Sister, are you saying this because you dislike my company too much? But I'm longing to be with you every day." Chunyi said with a coquettish smile.

"I'm afraid that if you linger here all day, Yilan will cry out of grievance when she wakes up and can't find you." Zhen Huan reminded gently.

"Yilan has grown up now, and she loves playing with Xiyou even more. Two days ago, she was pestering me, saying that she wanted to learn to read and write." Chunyi's eyes sparkled with pride when she mentioned her daughter.

"Isn't this a good thing? Learning more knowledge can cultivate your sentiments even though you are young, which will bring you many benefits." Zhen Huan encouraged.

"Studying is really boring to me. When I was a child, my mother always forced me to study. I could always think of various ways to escape, but I was caught every time and the punishment became even heavier." Chunyi couldn't help laughing when recalling the past.

"Look at you, you've been a naughty kid since you were little." Zhen Huan shook her head and chuckled, her words full of doting.

After saying that, Chunyi happily took a piece of milk and osmanthus sugar cake and put it into her mouth. The sweet taste melted between her lips and teeth.

-

As the pace of summer approaches, the heat becomes more oppressive. However, considering the hardship of the journey and Zhen Huan's health, Yinzhen is considerate and decides not to go to the Old Summer Palace to escape the summer heat this year, so as to save Zhen Huan from the fatigue of the journey.

Knowing that Zhen Huan could not stand the scorching heat, Yinzhen immediately ordered a large amount of ice to be added to the Yongshou Palace to relieve the scorching heat of the hot summer.

These ice cubes and the exquisite ice wheels complement each other, not only bringing a hint of coolness to the palace, but also creating a fresh and elegant atmosphere, making Yongshou Palace an excellent place to escape the summer heat, where Zhen Huan can enjoy the coolness, comfort and pleasure.

(Chengqian Palace)

"You're here." Shen Meizhuang said gently.

"I have learned that Princess Jinghe has unfortunately contracted heatstroke, so I have specially prepared this drink that can dispel the heat and nourish the body and mind. Considering the princess's young age and frailty, I have carefully adjusted the formula to ensure that it is mild and will not cause any discomfort to the princess's stomach." Wen Shichu explained in detail.

"Why should we be so formal between you and me?" Shen Meizhuang said softly, with a hint of intimacy in her tone.

Hearing this, Wen Shichu slowly raised his head and saw that Shen Meizhuang was wearing an elegant goose yellow Manchu dress with chrysanthemum patterns cleverly outlined with gold and silver threads, making it look lifelike.

The bun in her hair was adorned with a chrysanthemum-shaped hairpin, making her look gentle, refined and extremely charming.

"Why are you staring at me like that? Is there something wrong with my makeup today?" Shen Meizhuang asked softly, with a hint of curiosity and self-reflection in her tone.

Wen Shichu shook his head slightly, then lowered his eyelids and said softly, "I was just thinking about something, so I was a little absent-minded. Please don't blame me, Your Majesty."

Shen Meizhuang understood what he meant and knew that this matter could not be rushed, so she did not ask any more questions. She just watched Wen Shichu with a gentle look as he slowly walked out of Chengqian Palace after visiting Princess Jinghe, thinking secretly in her heart.

-

On this day, Zhen Huan was immersed in a sea of ​​books when she suddenly heard Jin Xi's gentle voice beside her: "Your Majesty."

Zhen Huan then put down the scroll in her hand, walked out slowly, and asked, "What's the matter?"

Jin Xi's face was solemn, and she spoke softly, "Lady Mei had a sudden abdominal pain in the afternoon. After struggling for a while, she was unable to save the baby in her belly and had a miscarriage."

"Miscarriage?" A hint of surprise flashed across Zhen Huan's brows.

"That's true." Jin Xi sighed, "Lady Mei really had a tragic life. The child was only two months old when she passed away in a hurry."

"Have you found out the reason?" Zhen Huan asked.

"After the Imperial Doctor Xu's examination, he believed that there seemed to be traces of musk residue on Concubine Mei's body. The Emperor was furious upon hearing the news and has ordered a thorough investigation." Jin Xi replied.

"We should conduct a thorough investigation." Zhen Huan pondered for a moment. "There are so many cases of children dying without reason in the palace. We should have cleaned up the mess long ago. Let's not talk about anything else. Can we just talk about Doctor Xu? Can he be completely free of responsibility?"

The afterglow of the setting sun fell on her gentle face, adding a hint of worry.

Just as Jinxi was about to comfort her, Jianqiu arrived with a smile that carried some meaning: "Greetings, Imperial Concubine."

Just at this moment, Chunyi heard the voice and came out, looking concerned: "What happened?"

Jianqiu bowed and smiled: "So the Empress Zhen is here too. The Empress wants to invite the Imperial Concubine to go to Zhongcui Palace."

A trace of worry flashed across Chunyi's eyes, and then she straightened her clothes and said gently, "I happen to be free, Aunt Jianqiu, please wait for a moment."

After that, she took Zhen Huan's hand affectionately and said, "I'm sure you're tired at this hour. Chun'er will chat with you to relieve your fatigue."

Although Zhen Huan had no idea what was going on behind this summons, she felt no guilt in her heart, so she ordered people to prepare a sedan chair, and dressed up carefully, so as to go to Zhongcui Palace in the best possible manner.

(Zhongcui Palace)

Inside the Zhongcui Palace, two different styles intertwine: the Hewan Hall of Concubine Fan Ruowan demonstrates its nobility with its grandeur, while the Qingming Hall of Concubine Mei Yue is known for its smallness and exquisiteness.

Chunyi stepped into this quiet space, looked around, and could not help but nod and praise: "The layout here is simple yet elegant. It can be seen that Concubine Mei is indeed a person who understands the fun of life."

Zhen Huan agreed with a smile: "It is this unconventionality that has won the emperor's favor."

Before he finished speaking, Su Peisheng appeared at the right time, breaking the silence in the room. He respectfully announced: "Hello, Imperial Concubine. The Emperor has been waiting in the inner room for a long time."

After saying this, he subtly glanced at Zhen Huan and then led her into the inner room.

Su Peisheng stood quietly beside Yinzhen, holding a whisk in his hand. His arrival made the room more solemn.

At this moment, the atmosphere in the room was a little depressing, and it seemed that even the afterglow of dusk was a bit heavy, making people feel a little suffocated.

Mei Yue curled up in a corner of the couch, her face as pale as paper, her eyes red and swollen, and her face without makeup looked even more haggard.

Her long hair was uncombed and casually draped over her shoulders, adding a sense of weakness and helplessness.

She was casually wrapped in a moon-white embroidered nightgown, which made her look even more slender and charming.

Her narrow and charming eyes were lowered at this moment, as if she was afraid of meeting anyone's gaze, or as if she was avoiding the pain in her heart.

The sadness and fear that remained on his lips were like lingering clouds of smoke, which made people feel pity.

In this quiet room, Mei Yue seemed to have become a breathtaking painting, making it impossible to ignore her presence.

Yinzhen was sitting gently beside the couch, comforting Meiyue in a soft voice, trying to soothe the pain in her heart.

Zhen Huan entered the inner room and knelt down to pay her respects according to etiquette: "May Your Majesty be blessed with good health."

Yinzhen looked away from Meiyue and asked Zhen Huan with concern, "In previous summers, you always suffered from summer heat stroke, loss of appetite, and weight loss. How are you this year?"

Zhen Huan smiled and replied, "It's still the same. I can't eat much, but I'm used to it so I don't mind it anymore."

Yinzhen nodded slightly after hearing this, and then asked about the children's condition: "Are Hongmian and Lingxi okay? They didn't worry you too much, did they?"

Zhen Huan replied: "They are all very well behaved, and I don't have to worry about them."

Chunyi bowed aside and said playfully, "I see the Imperial Concubine every day, but I don't think she has lost much weight. Perhaps it's because the Emperor hasn't seen the Imperial Concubine for a long time, so he feels that she has lost some weight."

This sentence made the atmosphere in the room a little more relaxed.

However, at this moment, Mei Yue suddenly burst into tears, her cry was so shrill that it penetrated the entire room, making Zhen Huan feel a headache and stuffiness, and fine beads of sweat seeped out of her back.

Yinzhen showed a look of pity, patted Meiyue's back and comforted her: "I will definitely seek justice for you."

Mei Yue's crying gradually turned into soft sobs. The incessant sobs were like fine needles, slowly piercing into everyone's heart. Even Zhen Huan couldn't help being moved.

She said sternly, "Noble Lady Mei is so sad, it shows that the loss of her child has been a great blow to her. The Emperor must make a decision for her and give her justice."

"In that case." Upon hearing this, Yinzhen's face darkened, and he put away his previous gentleness. He called Jianqiu over coldly: "Show the painting to the imperial concubine."

Jianqiu stepped forward and slowly unfolded a scroll on the yellow pear wood table. A painting gradually appeared in front of everyone.

Yinzhen's eyes were deep. He motioned Jianqiu to unfold the scroll completely, and then said in a deep voice: "This painting is the "Avalokitesvara Blessing Picture" that you gave to Concubine Mei. It was meant to be auspicious, wishing her a son soon, but the problem lies with this painting."

Upon hearing this, Zhen Huan frowned slightly and took a few steps forward to examine the scroll carefully.

The Guanyin in the painting is compassionate and solemn, holding a child in her arms. Her face is lifelike, the folds and texture of her clothes are clearly visible, and the brushwork is exquisite and impeccable.

She asked in confusion: "I don't see anything unusual in this painting. I wonder what the emperor is referring to?"

Yinzhen sighed and explained, "The problem is not with the painter, but with the pigment and paper used in the painting. Someone hid musk in the painting. Although musk can refresh the mind, long-term contact with pregnant women can easily lead to miscarriage."

There was a subtle hint of anger in his words, "After Lady Mei got this painting, she couldn't let it go and looked at it every day, but she didn't expect that she would lose her unborn child because of it."

Upon hearing this, Zhen Huan was horrified. She never expected that her good intentions would harm Mei Yue.

She hastily explained, "When I gave you the painting, I had no intention of harming you. I didn't know there was musk in the painting."

Yinzhen nodded, indicating that he believed in Zhen Huan's innocence, but the incident had already happened and it had to be investigated thoroughly.