Legend of Zhen Huan: Zhen Huan is reborn

042 Return to the Palace for Mid-Autumn Festival

【Forbidden City】

In early August, the emperor returned to the palace, and the entourage returned gloriously to the magnificent Forbidden City.

Time flies, and the Mid-Autumn Festival is here in the blink of an eye. The palace is decorated with lights and is bustling with activity as they prepare for a grand Mid-Autumn Festival banquet.

(Qianqing Palace)

Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang meet again after a long separation. As soon as they meet, they start reminiscing about the past like old friends who haven't seen each other for many years.

"Sister Mei, how are you?" Zhen Huan said kindly.

Shen Meizhuang's face was filled with a joyful smile, and she responded: "Huan'er, I missed you very much, and I heard that Lingrong was pregnant, and I was really happy for her."

At this time, An Lingrong also joined their conversation, and she said softly: "Sister Mei is fine."

Shen Meizhuang smiled and shook her head, saying, "Lingrong, you and I are sisters, why should we be so polite? You are in a heavy body, you should rest more."

An Lingrong nodded gratefully, then took out a pair of exquisite sachets and said, "I have nothing to do during my pregnancy, so I thought of making some small items for my sisters. These two sachets, one is for Sister Zhen, and the other is for you, Sister Mei."

Shen Meizhuang took the sachet, examined it carefully, and praised: "Lingrong is really clever and skillful. This sachet is embroidered so delicately. You are thoughtful. I like it very much."

-

As night falls, the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet begins as scheduled.

As the host, the Queen gave the first speech, and the Queen Mother was also present, adding a bit of solemnity to the banquet.

"Who is Concubine An?" The Queen Mother looked around and her eyes fell on An Lingrong.

Upon hearing this, An Lingrong slowly stood up from her seat, bowed respectfully, and then replied softly: "In reply to the Empress Dowager, I am Changzai An."

The Queen Mother looked at An Lingrong carefully, nodded with satisfaction, and said, "It's a good child. Since you are pregnant, don't stand, sit down quickly."

After hearing this, An Lingrong was delighted and quickly thanked her: "Thank you for your concern, Queen Mother. I will obey your order."

After saying that, she slowly sat down with a happy smile on her face.

"Is Concubine Zi's due date approaching?" the Queen Mother asked with concern.

The queen replied respectfully, "In reply to the Queen Mother, Zi Chang will be due in a month. Considering that she is about to give birth, I did not allow her to attend the banquet tonight."

The Queen Mother nodded slightly to show her understanding, and instructed: "Then we must prepare early to ensure that nothing goes wrong."

The Queen nodded and said, "I have already ordered people to prepare everything, please rest assured, Madam."

The Queen Mother nodded with satisfaction, then turned her gaze to Prince Guo and asked warmly, "Old Seventeen, what have you been busy with lately?"

Prince Guo smiled and replied, "Your Majesty, I have been traveling around recently and have experienced the local customs and practices of various places."

The Queen Mother looked at Prince Guo with a worried look in her eyes and sighed softly, "Old Seventeen, you always make me worry. When can I have a companion to take care of you? Then I will have an explanation to your mother."

Prince Guo smiled and responded, "Please rest assured, Madam Queen. If I find someone I like, I will marry her. I will come to pay my respects to you, Madam Queen. However, it is really hard to find someone I like."

After hearing this, the Queen Mother turned to Yinzhen and said, "Emperor, you should also listen to this. The ladies from the civil and military families in the court can be selected by the Seventeenth Prince slowly. If none of them suits your taste, as long as they have good character, it doesn't matter if their family background is slightly inferior."

Prince Guo once again expressed his feelings: "I just want to be free and enjoy this unfettered time."

Yinzhen comforted the Queen Mother and said, "Don't worry, Madam. Maybe the Seventeenth Prince will have someone he likes tomorrow. Who knows."

After hearing this, the Queen Mother smiled helplessly and said, "I hope so. We can only let him be."

The queen opened her red lips and said, "Beile Shen, it's time to consider starting a family and building a career."

Shen Beile smiled and said, "Like Brother Seventeen, I must find a woman who shares my soul with me so that I can spend the rest of my life with her. At present, I have no such plan."

The Queen Mother heard this and said with a smile, "Look at these two, both big and small, they are so opinionated."

Yinzhen also chuckled and said gently: "Just let them be."

At this time, the Queen Mother gradually showed signs of fatigue. Zhu Xi immediately stepped forward to support her and said softly, "Queen Mother, it's late, let's go back to the palace to rest."

The Queen Mother nodded and slowly left the banquet hall with Zhu Xi.

-

After the Queen Mother left, the banquet continued lively.

Zhen Huan was sitting at the table, but she always felt that someone's eyes were falling on her from time to time, which made her feel a little uncomfortable and her cheeks slightly hot.

An Lingrong noticed Zhen Huan's abnormality and asked softly, "Sister, what's wrong with you? You seem a little absent-minded."

Zhen Huan came back to her senses, smiled awkwardly, and explained: "Ah? I'm fine, maybe I was a little drunk."

However, An Lingrong seemed to have noticed something. She whispered, "Sister, I think Huanbi is a little unusual."

Zhen Huan followed An Lingrong's gaze and realized that Prince Guo's eyes were on Huanbi. She couldn't help but smile at herself, realizing that she was just being too sentimental.

Zhen Huan responded calmly, "Oh, really? I didn't notice that."

She didn't want to say more on this topic, so she changed the subject and continued chatting with An Lingrong about other things.

However, Zhen Huan couldn't help but feel a ripple in her heart.

Although her relationship with Prince Guo happened in her previous life, she still felt a surge of emotion in her heart every time she saw him.

Zhen Huan shook her head, threw these distracting thoughts out of her mind, and continued to enjoy this rare reunion moment.

(Smashed Jade Pavilion)

It was late at night, and Yinzhen went to the Queen's Jingren Palace tonight.

At this moment, Zhen Huan was lying on the bed in her bedroom, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.

She called softly, "Huanbi."

Huanbi heard the sound and quickly entered the inner room, and asked with concern: "Young Master, why haven't you fallen asleep yet? Is there something troubling you?"

Zhen Huan looked at Huanbi, a complex emotion flashed in her eyes, and she slowly said: "Huanbi, have you been in contact with Prince Guo recently?"

Huanbi's cheeks flushed slightly when she heard this, and she replied softly, "My lady, last time in the Old Summer Palace, during the night banquet, I happened to meet Prince Guo at the Tonghua Terrace. He...he did treat me differently."

When Zhen Huan heard this, she understood everything.

She knew that there was no possibility for her and Prince Guo to be together, so she decided to help the lovers and asked, "Did the prince ever mention marrying you?"

Huanbi lowered her head and replied shyly, "My lady, I know that I am of humble status and feel that I am not worthy of the prince."

Zhen Huan gently held Huanbi's hand and said softly: "Huanbi, don't belittle yourself. In my heart, you have always been the best. You deserve the best, including Prince Guo."

Huanbi looked up at Zhen Huan, her eyes full of gratitude and respect. She said softly, "Thank you, my lady. I will remember your words."

"You are my sister, I will naturally protect you." Zhen Huan's tone was firm and gentle.

When Huanbi heard this, tears welled up in her eyes and she called softly, "Elder sister..." Her voice was full of gratitude and dependence.

Zhen Huan gently patted Huanbi's shoulder and comforted her: "Okay, don't cry, you deserve a bright future. No matter what the future holds, I will always be by your side to support you."

Huanbi wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes and nodded vigorously. She knew that with her elder sister by her side, she would have the courage to face the road ahead no matter how difficult it was.