Legend of Zhen Huan: Zhen Huan is reborn

064 Sacrifice Ceremony

(Smashed Jade Pavilion)

On this day, Zhen Huan was teasing the newborn prince in An Lingrong's west side hall. The laughter and the baby's crying intertwined into a warm picture.

However, at this moment, Xiao Yunzi came hurriedly with a look of panic on her face.

"My lady, the emperor is here and is waiting for you in the main hall." Xiao Yunzi said.

Zhen Huan was stunned for a moment, then reacted and asked in confusion, "Why is the emperor here?"

Xiao Yunzi shook his head and said, "I don't know either, but the emperor has come suddenly, so please go over quickly."

Zhen Huan nodded, turned to An Lingrong and said, "Rong'er, the emperor is here, I have to go over first."

An Lingrong smiled and said, "Sister, please go quickly. I am a little tired and want to sleep for a while."

Zhen Huan gently patted the prince's small quilt and said softly, "Then I will come to see you later."

Afterwards, Zhen Huan hurried back to the main hall under the guidance of Xiao Yunzi.

-

Yinzhen was already sitting on the couch with a book in his hands. When he saw Zhen Huan coming in, he gently put the book down, stood up, and called out with a smile, "Huan Huan."

Upon seeing this, Zhen Huan hurriedly bowed and saluted, "Your Highness, I pay my respects to you."

However, before she could completely lower herself down, Yinzhen quickly stepped forward and gently supported her.

"Get up. I told you not to be so polite. You are heavy now. What if you accidentally slip?" Yinzhen's voice was full of concern. His eyes looked at Zhen Huan carefully, fearing that she might be in any discomfort.

Zhen Huan was helped by Yinzhen to sit on the couch. She smiled and shook her head and said, "Your Majesty is over-worrying. I am not that delicate."

Although she said this, her face was filled with a happy smile, and she was obviously very touched by Yinzhen's concern.

Yinzhen looked at Zhen Huan's smile and felt a warmth in his heart.

He reached out his hand and gently stroked Zhen Huan's belly, as if he could feel the little life beating inside.

"Are you okay these two days?" Yinzhen asked with concern.

Zhen Huan smiled and replied, "I just felt sore in my waist and weak these past two days, but the imperial physician has checked it out and said that it is normal to feel particularly tired since it is the first pregnancy."

After hearing this, Yinzhen nodded and spoke in a softer tone: "That's good. You must take good care of yourself. I will instruct the Imperial Hospital to be on standby at all times to ensure the safety of you and your child."

Zhen Huan felt warm in her heart, she knew that Yinzhen's concern was sincere.

She gently stroked her belly, her eyes full of maternal love: "Don't worry, Your Majesty, I will pay attention."

When Yinzhen looked at Zhen Huan's appearance, his heart was filled with joy.

Then, Yinzhen's tone became serious, and he said, "Huanhuan, the Queen and I will go to the Temple of Heaven to preside over the sacrificial ceremony. During this period of time, all the affairs of the palace will be handled by Concubine Hua. I know that there has always been some discord between you and her, but during this special period, you must be more tolerant and do not conflict with her."

Zhen Huan nodded gently and responded, "I understand, and I will definitely do as the emperor orders." Although there was a hint of helplessness in her tone, there was more determination and trust.

Yinzhen looked at Zhen Huan, feeling both relieved and a little guilty.

He knew that Zhen Huan was a sensible person who knew when to advance and when to retreat, but he could not provide her with more protection.

He sighed softly and continued, "If you have any grievances in the palace, or if it is inconvenient to conflict with Concubine Hua, you can wait until I come back and tell me. I will make the decision for you."

Zhen Huan smiled slightly, with a hint of gratitude in her eyes: "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I will be more careful and not let Your Majesty worry."

Her words were full of tenderness and trust, which slightly alleviated Yinzhen's guilt.

Yinzhen paused again, as if he remembered something important. He said seriously, "There is one more important thing. In order to avoid disturbances and accidents, it is best not to go to Yikun Palace when you are pregnant."

Zhen Huan's heart moved, and she remembered the matter of Huan Yi Xiang. She understood Yin Zhen's worry, so she answered obediently: "I understand, and I will be careful. Your Majesty, don't worry."

Yinzhen looked at her and sighed, "I am worried, so I specifically reminded you. Although Shilan is a bit stubborn and unforgiving, she is actually not a bad person."

After hearing this, Zhen Huan felt a little jealous, but she also felt more understanding for Yinzhen.

She said coquettishly, "Your Majesty is worried about this and that, so just take in fewer women. It's hard for me to see you split your heart into so many pieces."

Yinzhen looked at her with a smile in his eyes. He gently held Zhen Huan's hand and said softly, "If I were not the emperor, but a rich and noble prince, with the queen as my virtuous wife, and you and Shilan as my two beautiful concubines, that would be enough."

After hearing this, Zhen Huan felt both moved and helpless. She knew that this was Yinzhen's promise and expectation to her, but as an emperor, how could he only have these?

She just smiled and didn't say anything, but her eyes were full of affection and understanding for Yinzhen.

-

The next morning, the sun shone all over the palace, adding a touch of solemnity to this solemn and sacred moment.

The emperor and the empress, dressed in gorgeous auspicious robes, walked slowly to the gate of the Zhai Palace.

The concubines in the palace had already been waiting here. They were dressed in colorful costumes, some graceful and elegant, some dignified and beautiful, adding a touch of bright color to this solemn scene.

"Noble Concubine Hua." Yinzhen's voice echoed in the morning air, sounding particularly clear.

When Nian Shilan heard the emperor's call, she immediately walked to Yinzhen's side and bowed slightly in salute.

She had a decent smile on her face and her demeanor revealed a noble and elegant temperament.

Yinzhen looked at Nian Shilan with a serious and earnest expression: "All the affairs of the palace are handed over to you, you must take good care of them."

Nian Shilan raised her head, with a determined light in her eyes: "I will obey the emperor's orders and do my best to live up to the emperor's trust." Her voice was crisp and powerful, revealing confidence and determination.

Yixiu watched this scene from the side. Although she understood that this was the emperor's decision, she couldn't say much.

Then she withdrew her gaze and turned her attention to the upcoming sacrificial ceremony.

Yinzhen and Yixiu walked side by side to the Emperor's sedan chair. The eunuchs and palace maids around them were already ready.

Following Su Peisheng's loud "Push the sedan chair", the two of them slowly got into the sedan chair.

The interior of the sedan chair is decorated magnificently, showing the royal style.

"Lift the sedan!" Su Peisheng shouted again. With this order, the eunuchs worked together to lift the sedan.

The sedan moved slowly, making a slight creaking sound, as if adding a solemnity to this solemn moment.

"Your Majesty, the Queen is getting ready!" Following Su Peisheng's announcement, the sedan chair began to move slowly forward.

Upon seeing this, all the concubines squatted down and saluted respectfully, "Farewell to the Emperor. Farewell to the Empress." Their voices were in unison, full of respect for the Emperor and the Empress.

The sedan chair went farther and farther away and finally disappeared from everyone's sight.

Nian Shilan stood up slowly, her eyes revealing a complex emotion.

Then, she spoke softly, with a barely perceptible jealousy in her voice: "This time, the Emperor only brought the Empress with him to pray. I'm afraid it's not just for the sake of rain. If he could pray for a prince, the Empress would be truly satisfied."

As soon as she finished speaking, the concubines around her fell silent at the same time.

In this palace, the prince is of great significance to the queen and the entire royal family, and this is something everyone knows.

Nian Shilan seemed not satisfied with this silent atmosphere. She turned to look at Zhen Huan, with a hint of provocation in her tone: "Wanpin, is that so?"

Zhen Huan smiled slightly. Her answer was neither humble nor arrogant, and her voice was indifferent: "If the Queen is really pregnant, it would naturally be a blessing for the royal family. The Imperial Concubine would also be happy about it, wouldn't she?"

Nian Shilan glanced at Zhen Huan, a scornful smile appeared on the corner of her mouth. She said slowly: "Of course, I think Concubine Wan will be happy too." Her words revealed her disdain and provocation towards Zhen Huan.

Zhen Huan smiled slightly and responded appropriately, "Your Highness is the mother of the country. If you give birth to a legitimate son, it will be a great joy for the Qing Dynasty. Naturally, no one will be unhappy about it."

After hearing Zhen Huan's answer, Nian Shilan could not help but snort coldly, with a hint of displeasure in her tone, "Wanpin's articulation is getting better and better."

She glanced around and suddenly asked, "Why is Concubine Rou not here?"

Zhen Huan replied, "To answer your Majesty, Concubine Rou has just given birth and is still very weak, so the Emperor has allowed her to rest in the palace."

When Nian Shilan heard this, a hint of thought flashed across his eyes, and he seemed a little dissatisfied with Concubine Rou's situation.

At this time, Feng Ruozhao spoke, "Wanpin is pregnant, and it is not appropriate for her to stand outside for a long time. She should go back to the palace first." Her voice was full of concern and consideration.

Feng Ruozhao and Zhen Huan smiled at each other and were about to continue their conversation when they were suddenly interrupted by Nian Shilan.

Nian Shilan spoke coldly, her voice revealing unquestionable majesty: "Although Concubine Jing and I share the power to assist in managing the six palaces, a concubine is a concubine, and a noble concubine is a noble concubine. Just one word difference makes them inferior." Her eyes were sharp, and she looked at Feng Ruozhao as if provoking her.

Nian Shilan went on to say, "If you are of a lower status, you must submit and obey, and not disobey. Concubine Jing, do you understand?" Her tone was full of unquestionable authority, which made everyone present feel a chill.

After listening to Nian Shilan's words, Feng Ruozhao was dissatisfied, but he also understood the rules and hierarchy in the palace.

She could only lower her head and answer respectfully: "Yes, I understand." Although her voice was calm, there was a hint of unwillingness and helplessness in her eyes.

Seeing Feng Ruozhao bow her head and surrender, Nian Shilan did not let her go. Instead, she continued to sneer, "I served the emperor first, and you came later. When I was a concubine, you were just a princess in my room. Even if you are lucky enough to be on an equal footing with me in the future, you must remember that you are someone in my room. In front of me, you have no right to speak until I speak. Do you understand?"

Her voice was cold and sharp, like a sword piercing Feng Ruozhao's heart.

Although Feng Ruozhao was resentful, she knew that to survive in the palace, she had to learn to be patient and humble. She nodded, her voice trembling slightly, "I understand."

Nian Shilan smiled with satisfaction, as if she had won a battle. She waved her hand and said to everyone, "It's getting hot, sisters, please go away." After that, she turned around and returned to the palace with her maids and eunuchs.

Seeing this, Zhen Huan hurriedly pulled Feng Ruozhao's hand, signaling her not to take it too seriously.

Feng Ruozhao tried to signal with his eyes that he was fine, but his expression still did not look very good.