Chapter 117 The Legend of Zhen Huan: An Lingrong 27
It's summer season again at the Old Summer Palace, and this time An Lingrong is staying in Xinghua Village to enjoy the pastoral scenery.
That day, seeing that the weather was fine, An Lingrong had the idea of going boating on the lake. Since she had this idea, An Lingrong did just that.
"Lotus can be picked in Jiangnan, its leaves so lush and green. Two carp play among the green waves. The fish play among the lotus leaves to the east, the fish play among the lotus leaves to the south. Deep in the lotus leaves, whose daughter is she, laughing as she tosses a lotus branch across the water?"
As An Lingrong picked lotus flowers, she unconsciously began to softly sing a lotus-picking song.
"Your Majesty sings so beautifully. I haven't heard you sing since you entered the palace," Siyun said, with a hint of regret.
"Once I entered the palace, I became one of the emperor's concubines, and naturally I had to be dignified, so I gave up this hobby. Today, I just suddenly felt like humming a few lines."
As the boat docked, An Lingrong lifted her skirt and stepped off, just in time to see Consort Wan walking in her direction.
Consort Wan curtsied and said, "This concubine greets the Imperial Noble Consort."
"Get up." An Lingrong looked at Consort Wan with a complicated expression.
How should I put it? She's not herself anymore, not like the person she was when she first entered the palace. Every move she makes seems a bit deliberate.
As for the reason? Considering that Aunt Zhuxi was sent by the Empress Dowager, she was probably being deliberately groomed to resemble Empress Chun Yuan.
Looking at Wan Pin's lifeless eyes, An Lingrong couldn't help but advise, "The harem is incredibly boring. You always have to find ways to make yourself happy in order to live more comfortably."
Consort Wan gave a bitter smile, "How can I be happy when I'm like a puppet on a string?"
She wanted to annoy the emperor, so she kept making a scene and causing trouble.
As a result, the Empress Dowager saw through her thoughts and sent Aunt Zhuxi to teach her, persuading her with the family's honor and threatening her with her beloved.
She finally compromised and started to learn to be more like her aunt. How could she be happy living like that?
How ridiculous! She should be calling the current emperor her uncle, since she was originally engaged!
Did Aunt Rou feel the same way as her? She clearly had a fiancé, but in the end, she was forced to marry someone else.
Oh, no, I'm more pitiful. I'm just a substitute for Aunt Rouze.
They talk a big game about love, but in reality, they've found substitutes to pamper and love, calling it "reminiscing"—it's disgusting!
"This servant greets Her Highness the Imperial Noble Consort." Aunt Zhu Xi's voice interrupted their conversation.
Aunt Zhuxi seemed to have something on her mind at first, but she only came to Consort Wan's side now.
From the moment they arrived, they subtly protected Consort Wan, watching An Lingrong warily, as if afraid that An Lingrong would harm Consort Wan, especially the child in Consort Wan's womb.
"Alright, I'll be leaving now. Consort Wan, please continue enjoying the scenery."
Under such scrutiny, An Lingrong was unwilling to linger, as if she could devour Consort Wan in public.
"Respectfully seeing off the Imperial Noble Consort."
After taking one last look at Consort Wan, An Lingrong leisurely departed.
Looking at Consort Wan like this, she still felt a little sorry for her. She should have gotten rid of the Empress Dowager first before dealing with the Empress.
In that case, Consort Wan and Noble Lady Shen would not enter the palace, especially Consort Wan. In that case, Consort Wan would probably marry the person she loves, right?
However, while they felt pity for her, they felt no remorse whatsoever. It was the Ulanara family and the Empress Dowager who forced Consort Wan into the palace.
Although the Empress died because of An Lingrong's scheming, the Ulanara family could choose not to let Consort Wan enter the palace.
It was their greed that led them to break off the engagement and send Consort Wan to the palace; it had nothing to do with An Lingrong.
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