Legend of Zhen Huan: Zhen Huan is reborn

091 Questioning at Shoukang Palace

(Smashed Jade Pavilion)

Zhen Huan opened her red lips and said, "This is this year's early spring tea. You may want to taste it and feel its unique flavor."

Upon hearing this, Shen Meizhuang and An Lingrong both elegantly picked up the porcelain cups, taking sips and savoring the drink carefully.

"It really smells intoxicating." An Lingrong praised with a gentle smile on her face.

Shen Meizhuang responded in a gentle voice: "It tastes very good. It's rare that you still care about us."

Zhen Huan heard this, her eyes sparkled with warmth, and she smiled: "Sister Mei, you are wrong. If I didn't have you in my heart, why would I worry so much? In this deep palace, the friendship between you and me is irreplaceable."

Sensing that the atmosphere around her was a little bit subtle, An Lingrong skillfully changed the subject and said gently, "I heard that Sister Mei has won the Queen Mother's favor in recent days and has often accompanied her at Shoukang Palace, working tirelessly. Her filial piety is truly commendable."

Shen Meizhuang shook her head gently and responded modestly: "It's just that the Queen Mother is kind and doesn't mind my clumsiness. It's getting late, I should go and pay my respects to the Queen Mother, so I won't stay with you for long today."

After saying this, she gently stood up and prepared to leave.

Seeing this, although Zhen Huan was reluctant, she had to agree gently and let Shen Meizhuang leave first.

-

Afterwards, Zhen Huan received a formal summons from the Queen Mother, asking her to go to Shoukang Palace immediately to pay her respects.

She carefully settled Hongzhou down, and after making sure everything was safe, she said goodbye to An Lingrong gently.

Afterwards, accompanied by her personal maid Jing Xi, Zhen Huan got on the sedan chair and went to Shoukang Palace.

(Shoukang Palace)

Zhen Huan walked into Shoukang Palace with steady steps, then bowed and saluted, saying earnestly: "I have come to pay my respects to the Queen Mother. I wish her a long and healthy life."

The Queen Mother raised her hand gently and said in a gentle tone: "Forget it, stand up and answer."

"Thank you, Queen Mother." Zhen Huan slowly stood up as she was told, with a dignified posture.

"Please sit down and talk." The Queen Mother spoke again, motioning Zhen Huan to sit down.

Zhen Huan sat down obediently, and the Queen Mother immediately started the topic: "These days, we seem to have fewer opportunities to have deep conversations. What have you been busy with recently?"

Zhen Huan responded with a smile, her tone somewhat relaxed: "I have no important matters to attend to. I am just looking for some fun to kill time in this palace."

"In that case, why not share a few things with me? Perhaps it can help us relieve our boredom." The Queen Mother's tone was gentle, without any hint of blame.

Zhen Huan's eyes turned slightly when she heard this, and she said with some joy: "Speaking of which, the Ministry of Internal Affairs recently added two cranes to the Imperial Garden. They have pure white feathers and elegant postures. They are very beautiful. When Hongzhou saw them, he was so excited that he babbled. They complement the two sika deer in the garden, which really fulfills the auspicious meaning of 'deer and cranes live forever', and makes people happy."

The Queen Mother took a sip of the medicine, frowned slightly, and sighed, "This medicine is so bitter that it makes my tongue numb."

At this moment, Shen Meizhuang walked into the hall holding a bowl of carefully seeded and attractively colored sweet and sour hawthorns and called softly, "Empress Dowager."

She looked between the Queen Mother and Zhen Huan, her expression was slightly stagnant, and then she regained her gentleness and said softly, "Queen Mother, this is the hawthorn I made recently. It has the right taste of sour and sweet, and it is appetizing and helps relieve greasiness. You just took the medicine, so this is the most suitable thing for you to eat."

The Queen Mother smiled when she heard this and praised, "You are a thoughtful child who knows how to be considerate."

After saying that, she picked up the silver chopsticks, gently picked up a small piece of hawthorn and put it into her mouth. After savoring it carefully, she nodded with satisfaction and said, "It really tastes very good, sweet and sour, just what I want."

Seeing this, Shen Meizhuang was delighted and continued to explain, "I thought that although the medicine soup is bitter, it would make the mouth feel even more uncomfortable if it were eaten with sweet food. Therefore, I specially prepared this sweet and sour hawthorn, which can not only alleviate the bitterness of the medicine, but also stimulate the appetite and promote salivation. It is indeed the best choice."

The Queen Mother's face was solemn at this moment, and her tone was full of unquestionable majesty: "Empress Xi, do you know how great a crime you have committed?"

Upon hearing this, Zhen Huan quickly stood up and squatted respectfully, her tone full of fear: "I am really terrified. I don't know how I have offended the Queen Mother. Please be careful and give me an explanation."

The Queen Mother looked at Zhen Huan with a sharp gaze and said in a deep voice, "How dare you, as a concubine, interfere in the affairs of state without authorization? This is a taboo in the harem. How could you not know it?"

"Empress Dowager, she..." Shen Meizhuang was extremely anxious when she saw this. She was about to speak to defend Zhen Huan, but was interrupted by the Empress Dowager: "I am asking Concubine Xi right now, why are you so flustered?"

Zhen Huan raised her head, her eyes clear and firm, and she answered sincerely: "I really don't know what the Queen Mother means by this. Although I am stupid, I also know the rules that the harem cannot interfere in government affairs, so how dare I break it so easily?

Please understand, Queen Mother, I have absolutely no such intention, and I dare not commit such a capital crime."

The Queen Mother's eyes were like torches, and her tone was a bit scrutinizing: "Concubine Xi, I will give you a chance to explain clearly what role you played in the matter of posthumously conferring the title of Concubine Dowager."

Zhen Huan was shocked when she heard this, but she remained calm. She replied respectfully, "The Queen Mother is wise. Although I am young, I have known since childhood that the harem should not interfere in government affairs."

"Your Majesty is a wise and enlightened ruler, and he has his own ideas in mind. He has naturally made a decision on such a major matter as posthumously conferring the title of Concubine Dowager, and it is definitely not something I can influence.

I am ignorant and initially thought that posthumously conferring the title of Dowager Consort was a matter of the imperial harem, and it concerned the royal family's reputation and etiquette, so I dared to express my opinion, but I would never dare to go beyond the limit and get involved in the affairs of the court."

"I know the boundary between the harem and the former court, and I dare not easily get involved. I hope the Queen Mother will understand."

"Even if you have no enthusiasm for state affairs, can you honestly admit that you have not mixed any personal desires in this matter?" said the Queen Mother.

"I really don't dare to have the slightest intention of deceiving the Empress Dowager. Your Majesty is the supreme ruler, and he works day and night on state affairs, neglecting sleep and meals. I am favored by your Majesty and am able to serve you closely. If I have to say selfishly, I only wish that your Majesty will be in good health and live long. I can also benefit from his good fortune and live out my life in peace." Zhen Huan responded gently.

"Which concubine in the harem can be free from such thoughts? Well, you can stand up." The Queen Mother's tone was slightly tolerant.

"I thank the Queen Mother for her grace." Zhen Huan opened her red lips and slowly stood up.

"You all have the same thoughts. The emperor is the center of attention. With him in the harem, everyone, regardless of whether they are favored or not, has a glimmer of hope and reliance.

If the emperor passes away, the empress will be promoted to empress dowager and hold a respected position. You and Noble Lady Rou will still have someone to rely on because you have the Sixth Prince and the Seventh Prince. Noble Lady Cao and Concubine Xin will also have their beloved daughter to comfort them.

However, for concubines like Mei'er and those childless concubines, even if they are enjoying great glory now, they will probably face a miserable old age in the future. In the final analysis, they are just waiting for time to pass. Therefore, the only one you can rely on is the emperor. "The queen mother spoke slowly.

"I heard that the Emperor mentioned that he wanted to restore Concubine Hua to the throne as soon as possible. It was you who proposed it." The Queen Mother changed the subject and asked about this matter.

As soon as these words were spoken, a hint of surprise flashed across Shen Meizhuang's eyes, and her gaze involuntarily turned to Zhen Huan.

Zhen Huan stroked her hair gently and said in a deep voice, "Yes."

"You are quite open-minded." The Queen Mother nodded slightly, speaking meaningfully.

"The Queen Mother is wise. Just now, the Queen Mother mentioned the words of going against the will of Heaven. Although I am not talented, I can understand the Queen Mother's deep meaning. I beg the Queen Mother to be discerning. In the current situation, the former court needs to appease the people, and the harem is no exception. I dare not hinder national affairs for my own selfish reasons.

In this matter, someone has to be willing to bear the grievances, and I am willing to take on this responsibility." Zhen Huan spoke sincerely and expressed her determination.

The Queen Mother was pleased when she heard this. She gently beckoned Zhen Huan to come closer, took her hand and said softly, "What a sensible child. I never expected you to have such a broad mind and bearing. No wonder the Emperor favors you and allows you to enter such a confidential place as the Imperial Study."

"Your Majesty, you are too kind to praise me. I really don't deserve it." Zhen Huan replied modestly.

"I originally heard from the Queen that when you accompanied the Emperor in the Imperial Study, your words and actions were quite appropriate. Although I had my doubts, after all, the Imperial Study is not a place that concubines can easily set foot in.

You are extremely intelligent, and I am afraid that if this intelligence is not used in the right way, or if it induces the emperor to handle state affairs based on personal preferences, or even to be partial in personnel appointments and punishments, it may become the root of national disaster. I will not sit idly by and watch. "The Queen Mother said earnestly.

"I know my limits very well and would never dare to overstep the mark." Zhen Huan hastily expressed her opinion with a sincere attitude.

"Serve the emperor wholeheartedly and continue to expand the royal family." the empress dowager instructed.

Upon hearing this, Zhen Huan bowed and said gratefully, "I thank the Queen Mother for her kindness."

The Queen Mother turned to Shen Meizhuang and praised her, "Mei'er is calm and reliable, and you are smart and intelligent. Since the death of Queen Chunyuan, the Emperor has indeed lacked a caring person.

If you two can assist the emperor wholeheartedly, he can handle state affairs with peace of mind without any worries.

Shen Meizhuang agreed calmly: "I understand."

The Queen Mother then informed them that it was time for a nap, and the two of them wanted to leave.

Before leaving, the Queen Mother suddenly called out to Zhen Huan: "Concubine Xi." This call seemed to contain more expectations and profound meaning.

Upon hearing this, Zhen Huan took a step forward and listened to the Queen Mother's teachings: "The ancients said, 'A woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent', I think this is wrong.

However, those who are extremely talented may also be envied by God and have a bad fate, which is really a pity. Only those who are talented and know how to advance and retreat, and cultivate both blessings and wisdom, are rare and valuable.

Although you are women in the harem, your every word and action can affect the situation of the previous dynasty, so you must act with caution and do not take it lightly.

At this moment, Zhen Huan suddenly realized that the Queen Mother's words had already contained an implicit warning, reminding her to always reflect on herself and be careful with her words and actions.

Unfortunately, she had not paid close attention in the past. She was only thinking about how to comfort Shen Meizhuang, so that she lost her composure in her joy and did not realize the Queen's plot behind the scenes, and finally fell into the trap.