Legend of Zhen Huan: Zhen Huan is reborn

099 Zhi agrees

The news that Songzhi was promoted to a concubine spread quickly like a spring breeze to every corner of the Old Summer Palace, and soon everyone knew about it.

When this news reached Zhen Huan's ears, it was three days later.

During these three days, Yinzhen never set foot in her Bitong Academy, and she was happy and at ease.

In my spare time, I would play with Hongzhou and enjoy family happiness.

Then she sat side by side with An Lingrong, using needle and thread to embroider a child's bellyband together. Every stitch and thread on the bellyband was filled with deep affection.

(Bitong Academy)

"Sister, have you heard that Song Zhi, who was beside Concubine Hua, has now been promoted to a concubine?" An Lingrong asked softly.

"I know a little about this matter. What's the matter? Is there anything wrong with it?" Zhen Huan looked indifferent. She was already accustomed to such changes in the palace. There were not many ripples in her heart. After all, she had known about it for a long time, so she seemed quite calm.

An Lingrong shook her head slightly, a trace of thought flashing in her eyes, "I'm just surprised. A few days ago, the emperor frequently criticized Hua Fei's brother Nian Gengyao, but in a blink of an eye, the storm seems to have calmed down a lot. Could it be that there is really something subtle about Song Zhi's promotion?"

Upon hearing this, Zhen Huan smiled and said jokingly, "Why haven't you been so perceptive in the past, able to see through everything?"

An Lingrong pretended to be angry, turned around, and chuckled, "Sister, you are good at praising people, but you also add a hint of joking. If you continue like this, I will be really annoyed and will not talk to you anymore."

Zhen Huan hurried forward, took An Lingrong's hand, and said with a smile: "Oh, my dear sister, it's just a few jokes, why are you angry? I won't say anything. But speaking of it, although Song Zhi has been promoted, it is difficult for her to become a great person. We still need to act cautiously, so as not to be plotted against for no reason in this deep palace."

"Sister, speaking of Songzhi, she is the most capable confidant of Concubine Hua. Don't you have any concerns in your heart?" An Lingrong asked softly.

"Why worry? After all, no matter how powerful she is, she can't beat us. You should calm down and lend me a hand. Look at the embroidery on this bellyband. I always find it difficult to get it just right." Zhen Huan answered gently.

Hearing this, An Lingrong moved closer and gently added a few stitches, "Sister, take a look. Does it look more refined and appropriate after my touch?"

"That's true. If it weren't for your help, I really don't know what to do." Zhen Huan smiled, her gratitude beyond words.

(Tingfeng Lakeside)

Zhen Huan's words carried some traces of her memories from her previous life. She gently turned to Cao Qinmo and asked, "What Concubine Hua did is puzzling. If she wanted to recommend a talent, why did she choose the maid next to her?"

"Hua Fei has many concerns in her heart, and she is deeply afraid that she will fall out of favor again in the future. Since Li Fei left her, she has been secretly planning to build up her own power. However, she is wary of women of prominent family backgrounds, fearing that they will gain power in the future and take away her favor, or even make it difficult to control them." Cao Qinmo analyzed, "So, she chose Song Zhi, a person she is very familiar with and can completely trust, as her eyes and ears and helper, to ensure that she can still win in this harem."

"I'm afraid Songzhi is not capable of taking on such a big responsibility." Zhen Huan shook her head slightly, with a bit of disdain in her tone, "Although she is somewhat smart and pretty, she is too dependent on Concubine Hua and lacks her own opinions and courage. How can such a person achieve great things?"

Cao Qinmo nodded and agreed, "Your Majesty is right. Concubine Hua's move this time is indeed rash. Although Songzhi has her uses, she cannot escape the fate of becoming someone else's pawn. Her fear and obedience to Concubine Hua prevents her from acting independently, and she cannot become an effective tool to divide your favor with Concubine Rou. Concubine Hua's move not only fails to achieve her goal, but may also expose her own weaknesses. It is not a wise choice."

"I have never considered Song Zhi as a force that can compete with me," Zhen Huan sighed, revealing a bit of helplessness and sympathy for Hua Fei's current situation. "Hua Fei's move is just another manifestation of her struggle in the predicament. I am afraid that she has run out of tricks and can no longer continue."

"In the past, how could Concubine Hua allow a maid with a little bit of beauty to approach the emperor easily? She was always arrogant and cautious." Cao Qinmo said with emotion, "But today, she has to make a compromise. I'm afraid she herself didn't expect this helplessness and sadness."

Zhen Huan took over the conversation, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes: "Hua Fei naturally understands that times have changed and everything is no longer the same as before. In the harem, the rise and fall of power often happens overnight."

Cao Qinmo continued, "Your Majesty is right, especially your father, who took the lead in pointing out the various illegalities of Nian Gengyao and his followers. Every memorial he wrote was like a sharp blade, piercing the heart of the Nian family."

(Jiuzhou Qingyan)

On the first night of early July, the Forbidden City was brightly lit and a grand banquet was held.

The Queen sat on the honorable seat on the left, Zhen Huan and Ling Rong stood side by side on the lower right, Concubine Hua was on the opposite side, and Yinzhen sat high in the middle, all immersed in this joyful atmosphere of singing and dancing.

The aroma of wine, the melodious music and the graceful movements of the dancers added infinite charm to the night.

Just when the banquet was in full swing, the eunuch who was specially sent by Yinzhen to visit the empress dowager hurried back and reported with joy that the empress dowager was in good health.

This news was like a spring breeze blowing on his face, making Yinzhen very happy. He praised repeatedly: "The Queen Mother is in good health, which is a blessing for our Qing Dynasty. I am very relieved."

After saying this, he wanted to reward the imperial physician Wen Shichu, who had made great contributions to the diagnosis and treatment, to commend him for his dedication and efforts in ensuring the empress dowager's health.

Zhen Huan smiled, raised her glass gently, and said gently: "The Queen Mother is getting healthier and healthier. In addition to rewarding Imperial Doctor Wen, the Emperor should also remember and reward another meritorious official generously."

Upon hearing this, Yinzhen tilted his head slightly and asked thoughtfully, "Oh? Who is that?"

Zhen Huan smiled and reminded, "Your Majesty, have you forgotten that it was Concubine Shen who was always by your side, taking care of the Queen Mother meticulously and attentively?"

After saying this, she turned her gaze to the young eunuch standing beside her, who immediately responded respectfully, "Mrs. Shen has been taking care of the Queen Mother with all her heart and soul, often working day and night without taking off her clothes, and even testing the medicine herself to ensure that it is foolproof. The Queen Mother was deeply moved by this and repeatedly praised Ms. Shen for her filial piety and righteousness."

After hearing this, Yinzhen narrowed his eyes and fell into a brief contemplation. Then a glimmer of enlightenment flashed in his eyes, and he smiled happily and said, "What Huanhuan reminded you of is that Concubine Shen has served day and night and has indeed worked hard. She should be rewarded. How about this, I will grant her a title to show my great grace."

Upon hearing this, Yixiu smiled gently, and her words were full of caution and humility: "Your Majesty is wise and enlightened. This reward is truly a blessing for Concubine Shen. I just wonder if Your Majesty has made up his mind, what title do you want to bestow upon Concubine Shen?"

Yinzhen smiled widely, his eyes sparkling with joy. He pondered for a moment, then said aloud, "The word 'Hui' is very good. Concubine Shen is gentle, virtuous, and well-mannered. She is the epitome of the word 'Hui'. She deserves this title."

After saying this, Yinzhen turned to look at Zhen Huan, his eyes full of gratitude, and said in a gentle voice: "This suggestion is really Huan Huan's contribution. I will keep it in mind. Thank you for your reminder."

Zhen Huan smiled like a flower and said softly, "Your Majesty, I have something to say just now. In fact, it was Concubine Rou who first suggested this idea. I dare not take all the credit for it."

Upon hearing this, Yinzhen raised his eyebrows slightly and asked with interest, "Is that really the case?"

Zhen Huan nodded in confirmation, with a sly gleam in her eyes, and said with a smile: "Your Majesty is wise, and you must reward Concubine Rou for her thoughtfulness and wisdom."

After hearing this, Yinzhen laughed out loud and said to Lingrong, "Rong'er, you are not only gentle and humble, but also so well versed in the ways of the harem. You have also made an invaluable contribution to the birth of the sixth prince Hongyang for our Qing dynasty. You have been a noble lady for a long time. Today, I will promote you to a concubine, and the title will still be 'Rou' to show your gentle and virtuous character."

Ling Rong was filled with surprise and gratitude when she heard this. She quickly stood up and bowed respectfully: "I thank the emperor for his grace. I will definitely fulfill my duties and live up to his kindness."

After sitting down again, Lingrong quietly cast a grateful look at Zhen Huan and whispered, "Thank you for your kind words in front of the emperor. I am very grateful."

Zhen Huan smiled back, and their eyes met. That tacit understanding and friendship needed no words, as they were already deeply engraved in each other's hearts.