Legend of Zhen Huan: Zhen Huan is reborn

194 "Love and Passion"

"As the saying goes, if you don't want others to know, then don't do it. When my personal maid Xia He went to Yongshou Palace to deliver plum blossom cake to Concubine Xi that day, she saw with her own eyes that Doctor Wen's hand lightly rested on Concubine Xi's wrist, and his behavior was quite unusual." Mei Yue spoke with certainty, trying to further substantiate her accusation.

After hearing this, Ye Lanyi rolled her eyes in disdain and retorted: "Maybe he was just taking my pulse as a routine. How can you jump to conclusions based on your own opinion?"

Mei Yue was displeased by Ye Lanyi's interruption. She glared at her fiercely and continued, "What's even more suspicious is that Doctor Wen actually rolled up his sleeves at the time. If he was just taking the patient's pulse, why would he go to such great lengths to do so?"

Upon hearing this, Yinzhen's doubts grew even stronger, and he almost believed it.

I can't help but ask Zhen Huan: "Imperial Concubine Xi, what's your explanation for this?"

Zhen Huan looked calm and said firmly, "I have a clear conscience and have never done anything that violates palace rules. I beg Your Majesty to look into my details and clear my name."

At this time, Qi Yuebin slowly spoke, her voice gentle but powerful: "Your Majesty, I have seen that Imperial Concubine Xi has been working hard day and night recently. She has to take care of the heirs, manage the affairs of the harem, and often worry about your health. I feel your deep affection. You see, Imperial Concubine Xi seems to have lost a lot of weight. How can she be someone who would do such a treasonous thing?"

Fan Ruowan also echoed, "Yes, Your Majesty, we have all witnessed the hard work and dedication of Concubine Xi. She works tirelessly and diligently every day. How could she do such a shameful thing?"

"You are all deceived by her gorgeous appearance. I have witnesses in my hands that are enough to reveal the truth." Mei Yue clapped her hands and gestured to the side. Xia He responded quickly and hurried out.

Soon, Xia He led a woman dressed in simple coarse cloth into the hall.

Zhen Huan glanced at her and immediately recognized that it was Yin'er who used to serve her mother.

"Yun'er? Is it really you, Yun'er?" Zhen Huan asked in a gentle voice.

"Imperial Concubine Xi has a very good memory. I am the former maidservant of the Zhen Mansion, Ying'er. A month ago, I was betrothed to the son of an old acquaintance of mine from the neighboring uncle's family." Mei Yue continued, and then turned to Ying'er with a sharp look and said in a stern voice: "Why don't you tell me everything you know!"

Ying'er raised her head slightly, then quickly lowered her eyes, her voice trembling with fear: "Your servant greets the Emperor, the Empress, and all the ladies, I wish you the best of luck and happiness."

Yinzhen frowned slightly, showing a bit of impatience: "No need to be polite, raise your head and speak frankly."

Yu'er slowly raised her face, fear and anxiety flashing in her eyes.

Zhen Huan recalled the past. Yin'er was not like this when she got married. Her family had prepared a generous dowry for her. But now she has ended up like this. She couldn't help feeling sad.

She wanted to reach out to help Ying'er up, and said softly, "Ying'er, please stand up and answer the question first."

However, Ying'er's hand suddenly retracted, and she took a half step back, lowered her head again, and said in a voice as thin as a mosquito: "I dare not, I am guilty."

Mei Yue turned around impatiently, with a stern tone in her voice: "Don't waste time! Tell me everything you know clearly. I just want to know, when you were in the Zhen Mansion, did Wen Shichu ever ask for marriage from the eldest daughter of the Zhen family, that is, the Concubine Xi in front of you?"

Ying'er's eyes shifted between Mei Yue and Zhen Huan, her expression filled with sadness.

She finally avoided Zhen Huan's eyes that were full of tenderness and care, and uttered a few words in a thin voice: "No...well, no."

She shook her head, but seemed to want to nod, which made Mei Yue even more annoyed.

Mei Yue was furious and shouted, "You must answer loudly in front of the emperor and the queen! Didn't Chen Si teach you the rules?"

When she heard the name "Chen Si", Yin'er trembled all over, tears flashed in her eyes, and she quickly replied: "Half a month before the selection of the concubines of the Concubine Xi, the Imperial Doctor Wen did come to the mansion to propose marriage, but he did not meet the master and the mistress directly, but expressed his feelings to the concubine privately."

Upon hearing this, Yinzhen immediately asked, "How did Concubine Xi respond?"

Ying'er quickly shook her head and said repeatedly: "No, no, she didn't agree. Concubine Xi..."

Having said this, her eyes met Mei Yue's sharp gaze again, and she suddenly fell silent, swallowing the rest of her words.

After listening to this, Yinzhen's facial muscles relaxed slightly and he seemed to feel a lot more relaxed.

Feng Ruozhao responded with a gentle smile: "In my humble opinion, if Imperial Concubine Ruoxi and Imperial Doctor Wen really have feelings for each other, they may have already transcended the constraints of the Forbidden City, so why would they come to the palace? But facts have proven that Imperial Concubine Ruoxi has a noble character, and there is no private entanglement between the two."

Mei Yue chuckled and said sarcastically, "Noble Concubine Jing is really kindhearted. Noble Concubine Xi has lofty ambitions, how could she be satisfied with being the wife of an imperial physician? Naturally, she wants to enter the palace to give it a try. However, since Imperial Physician Wen dared to propose marriage in private, how could he be so bold if the two of them had not already had feelings for each other? How could outsiders easily guess the childhood sweetheart relationship between them?"

Upon hearing this, Zhen Huan smiled calmly, turned her gaze to Yinzhen, and said firmly: "I never believe that childhood sweethearts can decide everything. I only believe that marriage is destined by heaven. No matter how many twists and turns they go through, the destined people will eventually get together. It is not something that can be forced or changed by human power."

Although Qi Yuebin was weak, she still managed to force out a gentle smile and agreed, "What Imperial Concubine Xi said is very true. The relationship between His Majesty and Imperial Concubine Xi has become stronger after all the twists and turns. This is the best proof that marriage is destined by heaven. Others' groundless speculation is nothing but futile."

Mei Yue's face turned cold and her words were sharp: "Noble Concubine Xi is naturally blessed with great fortune. Mortals like us naturally cannot reach that. But since we are blessed, we should cherish it even more, instead of getting more and more. She is entangled with Doctor Wen in private and doing those shameful things. It can be seen that she is 'infatuated with love'."

Feng Ruozhao's face straightened when he heard this, and he said sternly: "Lady Mei, I have heard about the grievances between you and Concubine Xi, but in the palace, you should be more careful with your words and actions, and you should not casually slander others' innocence. Verbal disputes are the easiest to cause trouble, so I hope you will think twice before speaking."

Lu Yingfeng covered his mouth with his hand, as if he was disgusted by Mei Yue's words, and spat: "How can such a shameful word as 'adultery and passion' come out of your mouth? Even if it is true, it should be resolved privately, rather than slandering others without any evidence in public. Aren't you afraid that you will be punished one day for doing this?"

Mei Yue's contempt was evident in her words. She didn't care about Lu Yingfeng's rebuttal and continued, "The truth will eventually come out. Can Concubine Xi's shameful behavior be covered up by sweet words? Naturally, people should be treated according to their words. Concubine Xin said she wanted to cover it up, but the matter was not exposed until today. Maybe someone has been covering up for Concubine Xi all along."

There was provocation in her words, and her eyes moved between Shen Meizhuang, An Lingrong, Fan Ruowan, and even Qi Yuebin, making everyone present feel uncomfortable.

Yinzhen sat beside the queen, his face suddenly changed, his anger could not be concealed: "Noble Lady Mei, you only need to tell the truth you know, why involve innocent people! I will judge the character of Noble Concubine Xi, when is it your turn to comment!"

There was unquestionable authority in his voice, forcing Mei Yue to restrain herself a little.

Although Mei Yue was reluctant, she still reluctantly said "yes".

Then he continued, "It is true that Imperial Physician Wen has always taken care of Imperial Concubine Xi. Imperial Physician Wen has personally taken care of all matters, big or small, and has shown great concern for her. However, because of this, their private meetings in the palace have become more frequent, not only in the Yongshou Palace that the Emperor specially renovated for Imperial Concubine Xi, but also in Imperial Concubine Duan's palace. They have no reservations about it."

Qi Yuebin was helpless when she heard that she was implicated, and she quickly stood up to explain: "I really don't remember such a thing happening. I am in poor health, how can I stand such unwarranted accusations?"

She tried hard to stand still, but she was swaying slightly due to her weak body. Jixiang quickly stepped forward to support her.

Seeing this, Yinzhen softened his tone a little: "Since you are not feeling well, just sit down and answer. I believe in your innocence. You don't have to worry about this matter."

Mei Yue clapped her hands twice with confidence, and then a palace maid walked out from behind the palace pillar. She glanced at Zhen Huan coldly, then nodded to Mei Yue.

Mei Yue sneered and said, "Regarding whether Imperial Concubine Xi has an affair with someone, the palace maids around her are naturally the most clear. However, Imperial Concubine Xi's confidants will mostly choose to conceal it for her. But if they do it too much, there will always be a time when they are exposed. This little palace maid Feiwen has seen it several times with her own eyes."

After that, she turned to Feiwen and ordered, "Tell the emperor and the empress everything you saw and heard exactly. Don't hide anything."

Feiwen's gaze stayed on Zhen Huan for a moment. She shrank involuntarily, then kowtowed and knelt, her voice trembling slightly.

Yinzhen recognized her as the maid in charge of cleaning Zhen Huan's palace, and his doubts deepened.

He said in a deep voice: "Feiwen, you must tell me exactly what you saw and heard, when and where, without exaggerating, omitting a single word, or making any false statements."

Feiwen lowered her head and clenched her hands, as if trying to calm her inner fear and tension, and then began to slowly narrate everything she had "witnessed".

Zhen Huan, on the other hand, had a calm expression and deep eyes, as if she was examining every detail, while also thinking about how to deal with this sudden change.