allonlinenovel Chapter 173 Ling Huan joins hands to break the crisis
Chapter 173 Ling Huan joins hands to break the crisis
Zhen Huan nodded slightly. "Lingrong, you are absolutely right. It's just that these turmoil have been truly exhausting."
An Lingrong patted Zhen Huan's shoulder gently: "Huan'er, don't be discouraged. You and I have been through many hardships together, and every time we didn't escape danger, we were safe."
As she was speaking, Concubine Chun came bounding over: "Sister Huanhuan, Sister Lingrong, what are you talking about? Chun'er heard that there are several new painters in the palace who want to paint portraits for the ladies!"
Zhen Huan forced a smile and said, "Chun'er, I'm afraid this portrait matter isn't that simple."
An Lingrong also said, "Yes, Concubine Chun, everything in this palace may have hidden mysteries."
Chun Changzai blinked his eyes. "No way? Chun'er thinks it's just a portrait, what could be wrong?"
A few days later, the news of the portrait spread throughout the palace. While Zhen Huan and An Lingrong were strolling in the Imperial Garden, they met a painter who had come to paint a picture.
Zhen Huan bowed and saluted, "How are you, painter? I wonder if there are any particular requirements for this portrait?"
The painter replied respectfully, "Empress Xi, I am only following orders to preserve the beauty of your faces. There are no specific requirements. I just hope that you can smile happily while being portrayed."
An Lingrong asked softly, "Painter, I heard this portrait will be presented to the Emperor. Will it affect His Majesty's feelings?"
The painter hesitated for a moment and said, "This... I dare not say anything rashly, but if my painting is good, perhaps it will gain the emperor's favor."
Zhen Huan and An Lingrong looked at each other and both felt that this matter was not simple.
Back in the palace, Zhen Huan said to An Lingrong, "Lingrong, I have a feeling that someone is behind this portrait incident, trying to use it to make someone gain or lose favor."
An Lingrong pondered for a moment: "Huan'er, why don't we take a look at the painting styles of these painters first? Perhaps we can find some clues."
So they secretly watched the painters at work and discovered that one of them, Painter Li, always deliberately highlighted the beauty of some concubines while downplaying the beauty of others.
Zhen Huan angrily said, "There must be something wrong with this painter Li! By doing this, isn't he trying to influence the Emperor's perception?"
An Lingrong said calmly, "Huan'er, don't worry. Let's go ask him and see how he responds."
Zhen Huan sent for Painter Li. She looked him straight in the eye and said, "Painter Li, why are you favoring one artist over another? Is there someone telling you to do that?"
Painter Li slumped to his knees and said, "Your Majesty, I am innocent! I was only painting according to my own vision, and I had no other intentions."
An Lingrong said slowly, "Painter Li, if you don't tell the truth, once it's verified, it will be a crime of deceiving the emperor."
Painter Li's forehead was sweating as he stammered, "Madam, I...I accepted money from a young lady. She asked me to make her stand out in the painting and make the other ladies look pale in comparison."
Zhen Huan pressed on, "Which young lady is it?"
Painter Li whispered, "It's...it's Concubine Cao."
Zhen Huan frowned, "It's her again! Why is she always restless?"
An Lingrong said, "Huan'er, Concubine Cao has always been very thoughtful. She must be doing this to gain more power with the Emperor."
Zhen Huan thought for a moment and said, "We can't let her succeed. Lingrong, do you have any ideas?"
An Lingrong thought for a moment and said, "Huan'er, we can find the other concubines who were plotted against by her, unite them, and explain this to the emperor."
Zhen Huan nodded: "That's the only way."
They found Concubine Jing, Concubine Xin, and other ladies and told them what had happened. Concubine Jing angrily said, "This Concubine Cao has gone too far! How dare she plot against us like this?"
Xin Changzai also said: "That's right, we can't just sit back and watch."
After everyone discussed it, they all came before the Emperor. Zhen Huan bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I and your concubines have come here today to denounce Concubine Cao. She has secretly instructed the painter to deliberately favor her when painting her portrait, belittling me and my concubines, and disturbing the peace of the harem."
The emperor frowned. "Is this true? Do you have any evidence?"
An Lingrong presented the evidence she had obtained from Painter Li: "Your Majesty, this is Painter Li's confession, as well as the money he received from Concubine Cao, which can serve as proof."
The emperor's face was gloomy. "I will handle it myself. If the situation is true, I will not show mercy."
Coming out of the Emperor's palace, Zhen Huan heaved a sigh of relief: "Lingrong, Concubine Cao should be punished this time."
An Lingrong said, "Huan'er, Concubine Cao won't let this go. We must be careful and on guard."
Not long after, Concubine Cao was demoted and fined for half a year. But Zhen Huan and An Lingrong knew that the struggle in the harem was still going on.
One day, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong were walking in the palace when they heard the melodious sound of a flute. Zhen Huan asked curiously, "Where does this flute sound come from? It's so pleasant."
An Lingrong's expression was solemn: "Huan'er, this flute sound may seem beautiful, but it seems to conceal a sense of sorrow and resentment. I always feel uneasy."
They walked in the direction of the flute sound and saw a woman in white playing the flute in the pavilion.
Zhen Huan stepped forward and asked, "Who are you? Why are you playing the flute here?"
The woman in white stopped playing her flute and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, my name is Bai Fu, and I'm a new musician in the palace."
An Lingrong said beside her, "Bai Fu, why is your flute music so mournful? Are you worried about something?"
Bai Fu lowered her head and said, "I just miss my hometown, there is no other intention."
Although Zhen Huan and An Lingrong felt that she was somewhat suspicious, they had no evidence.
Back in the palace, Zhen Huan said to An Lingrong, "Lingrong, this Bai Fu is no ordinary person. Her appearance will probably bring new waves to the harem."
An Lingrong nodded: "Huan'er, let's pay attention to her actions and see what her purpose is."
Afterwards, they discovered that Bai Fu often conversed quietly with some of the palace maids and eunuchs in secluded corners of the palace. Zhen Huan sent Jin Xi to inquire about her, and Jin Xi returned with a report: "Your Majesty, Bai Fu seems to be asking about your Majesty and Lady An's preferences and daily whereabouts."
Zhen Huan's eyes glared, "There's something wrong with her! Lingrong, we can't wait any longer. We have to take the initiative."
An Lingrong said, "Huan'er, let's set up a trap and lure her into it."
They deliberately spread the news in the palace, saying that Zhen Huan had obtained a precious spice that had magical effects and could keep her young forever.
Bai Fu was indeed moved after hearing this. She took advantage of the night to sneak into Zhen Huan's palace and try to steal the spices.
As she entered the spice room, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong appeared with their men. Zhen Huan sternly said, "Bai Fu, you are so bold! How dare you steal my spices?"
Bai Fu panicked: "My Lady, I...I am just curious and have no ill intentions."
An Lingrong sneered, "Bai Fu, stop quibbling. You've been secretly gathering information about us, and now you're stealing spices. Someone must have been behind this. Tell me, who is it?"
Bai Fu hesitated for a moment, then finally said, "It's...it's Concubine Xiang. She's jealous of the ladies' favor, and wants me to find an opportunity to frame you."
Zhen Huan angrily said, "Xiangpin! Why is she so cruel?"
An Lingrong said, "Huan'er, let's take Bai Fu and go confront Concubine Xiang."
Arriving at Concubine Xiang's palace, Zhen Huan told her what had happened, but Concubine Xiang flatly denied it: "Zhen Huan, An Lingrong, please stop slandering me! How can you believe what Bai Fu said?"
An Lingrong produced evidence: "Xiangpin, these are the letters between Bai Fu and the maidservants around you. They clearly describe your conspiracy. Do you still dare to quibble?"
When Concubine Xiang saw the evidence, her face turned pale. After a moment's silence, she said, "Zhen Huan, I simply refuse to be outshined by you. I have always been ignored in this harem, and I want to win the Emperor's favor."
Zhen Huan scolded, "Xiangpin, you are using such despicable means. It is truly despicable. Your actions have violated palace rules. We will report this to the Emperor and let him make the final decision."
An Lingrong said, "Xiangpin, if you had behaved yourself earlier, perhaps you wouldn't have ended up like this."
Coming out of Concubine Xiang's palace, Zhen Huan sighed, "Why are there always so many conspiracies and intrigues in this harem?"
An Lingrong held Zhen Huan's hand and said, "Huan'er, don't be afraid. As long as we sisters work together, we will be able to crush these conspiracies one by one."
However, unknown to them, a greater crisis is yet to come. A mysterious monk is invited into the palace to pray for blessings. He appears to be compassionate, but he is secretly colluding with some concubines, attempting to stir up greater trouble in the palace. How will Zhen Huan and An Lingrong cope with this new challenge?