Chapter 179 An Lingrong 120
The Queen Mother is dying of illness.
Everyone in the palace had a premonition of this happening. However, the most anxious were not the emperor and the empress. One of them suspected that the empress dowager was resentful of him, while the other was only concerned about his own precarious position as empress.
So much so that even now, it was Zhen Huan, who had no blood relationship with him, who was the most anxious.
Of course, she was anxious for her sister.
The Emperor is now distracted by Shi Yingying, and Zhen Huan learns from Lingrong that Yu Rao seems to be interested in Shen Beile. Although she doesn't want to be involved any further, for the sake of her sister's lifelong event, she still finds a way to ask Yunli to get Shen Beile's attitude.
This was the best outcome she could imagine. For the sake of reputation and face, the emperor finally agreed to let his sister go. At least Yu Rao didn't have to be trapped by this square sky for the rest of her life like her.
A few days before her wedding, she finally met her elderly parents.
"Where's Huanbi? Didn't they say she's been serving our parents since her exile?" Zhen Huan's excitement subsided before she realized something was wrong. Hearing her question, Zhen Yuandao sighed, "Back in Ningguta, a local tyrant somehow came to our residence and insisted on forcing Yurao and Huanbi to be his concubines. Unable to bear the humiliation, Huanbi immediately committed suicide by hitting a pillar. Seeing someone had died, the tyrant stopped making trouble."
"My parents live in a remote, deserted place. How could such a thing happen?" Zhen Huan realized that she might have implicated her, and she felt guilty. "I'm afraid she died for me, too."
"Your Majesty, please don't think so. If you really want to say it, it's me, the old minister, who has implicated her." Zhen Yuandao said this, and then added cautiously: "She died in vain. When she left the palace that day, she was only recognized as an adopted daughter. Logically, she cannot be buried in the ancestral tomb and be worshipped by future generations..."
"I understand what father means. Our family owes her a lot. We can just tell everyone she passed away due to illness. We can't let her be alone and suffer in suspense."
After seeing her parents off, Zhen Huan became busy with her sister's wedding. Just after the wedding, the Queen Mother fell ill and passed away. Aunt Zhuxi, who had served the Queen Mother for many years, also passed away.
Although all these matters were led by Lingrong, after working non-stop for half a year, Zhen Huan fell ill despite her best efforts to take care of herself.
When she came to her senses, the palace had become a completely different world.
Shi Ying gave birth to a son, but the emperor did not give the child to Concubine Duan. Instead, he promoted Shi Ying to Shunpin in the past six months and moved her out of Yanqing Palace. Now she lives next to Lingrong, which is Zhongcui Palace.
For unknown reasons, Concubine Duan's health gradually deteriorated, and she was unable to even attend Concubine Zhen's funeral.
Yes, Concubine Zhen died, she died of complications during childbirth, resulting in two deaths. It was said that when she was riding in a sedan chair to the Queen's palace, it suddenly broke, and when she fell, it also dragged along Concubine Jin, who was passing by. Fortunately, she was with Concubine Xiang, and when Concubine Zhen pulled her down, Concubine Xiang cushioned her fall, causing her miscarriage.
After Concubine Zhen died, the emperor conferred the title of Concubine Xiang on her because of her contribution in protecting the heir.
Zhen Huan listened to the news in silence, then suddenly laughed sarcastically: "Jinxi, change your clothes for me and follow me to meet the Imperial Noble Consort."
Chengqian Palace is still as magnificent and lush as ever, just like this person. The favorite concubines in the palace have been replaced one after another, but she has always stood firm.
Not a queen, but better than a queen.
"I'm feeling better." Ling Rong was still sitting there. All the past years seemed to have left no trace on her, as if she had never changed.
Or maybe, she really has never changed, but I just couldn't see it clearly before.
"Is Shunpin yours?" Zhen Huan went straight to the point.
Lingrong stretched out her hand, and a slender bird landed on her delicate fingers. It was the bird named Sanbao.
"It's just a deal between us." Ling Rong stroked Sanbao's smooth wings and did not deny it.
"Using Shunpin to hold back Concubine Duan, preventing her from joining the game; then letting the Queen and I both suffer losses; conferring titles on the six palaces to sow the Emperor's suspicions in order to gain the title of Imperial Noble Concubine; and then using the Queen and Concubine Duan's sinister tactics of killing the mother and taking the son to propel Shunpin and Concubine Xiang to the throne."
The more Zhen Huan spoke, the more frightened she became. She even began to hesitate as she spoke. Could these things really be planned by the person in front of her?
Lingrong was also surprised. Although she only guessed part of it, that was only because Zhen Huan did not have enough information. The fact that she was able to piece together most of the truth from the limited information showed her intelligence.
"Is it so unbelievable?" Ling Rong looked at her wide eyes with amusement, and smiled brightly at her across the small table: "Well, my method is not bad, right?"
Zhen Huan hadn't expected this reaction and was momentarily stunned. She had already been through so many surprises with Ling Rong today that her usually bright mind couldn't help but stop working.
"Do you think I'll deny it? There's no need. We have the same goal, and that's enough."
Zhen Huan never thought that such a charming smile would appear on Lingrong's cold and aloof face, but for some reason, her heart trembled because of this smile.
"I've endured for a long time, and now it's time to reap the rewards." Ling Rong looked at her straight in the eyes: "We have the same enemy, don't we?"
"But how do I know that joining forces with you won't be like trying to get something from a tiger?"
"You're just courting disaster." Ling Rong spoke frankly again. Seeing Zhen Huan seemed to be choking, she laughed maliciously twice. "I only want two things. I know you don't care about them."
Zhen Huan really didn't care, but she also had her concerns. There were some things that you had to fight for, even if you didn't like them.
"It doesn't matter. After the matter is accomplished, it will depend on our own abilities. You don't have to worry." Ling Rong smiled and stretched out her hand. "We can swear an oath with three palms. Do you dare?"
"Are you plotting something openly?" Zhen Huan said, but she also smiled. Perhaps it was Ling Rong's frank attitude that touched her; perhaps it was because no matter how terrible Ling Rong's words were, her schemes never truly hurt her from beginning to end; or perhaps it was because Zhen Huan had a rebellious nature that didn't belong to this era. "Then it depends on your ability. If you die, I will take good care of your family."
Snap—Snap—Snap—
Crisp applause rang out from the inner room, scaring Wu Xue, who had just flown in, so much that his white fur exploded.
Lingrong stroked Wuxue's feathers soothingly and said to Zhen Huan beside her, "You've been ill these days, so I guess you haven't paid much attention to the Fourth Prince?"
"Hongli? What happened to him?"
"He's a very smart kid," Ling Rong said with a meaningful smile. "What do you think the Queen has left now?"
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