An Lingrong's Rebirth: The Lock of Qingqiu

The emperor doted on An Lingrong, and everyone in the palace knew about it. An Lingrong was a little-known young lady in the palace, but she was low-key, introverted, smart, and deeply studied pharmacology, which won the emperor's favor. Although she was born in a humble family, she was considerate and could often soothe the emperor's heart with her singing. The emperor not only doted on her, but also gave her countless treasures. He also went to Yining Palace to accompany An Lingrong to eat and sleep at any time, just like an old couple, living an ordinary life.

However, the Queen Mother had a completely different attitude towards An Lingrong. She always disliked An Lingrong and despised her lowly birth, thinking that she was not qualified to be the Emperor's favorite concubine. Moreover, in the eyes of the Queen Mother, An Lingrong's appearance was ordinary and could not be compared with other concubines in the palace who were well-born, well-educated, and had outstanding appearances.

Especially when the Queen Mother wanted to order Jianqiu to execute Concubine Duan, and An Lingrong risked her life to save Concubine Duan with her own blood, the Queen Mother became even more resentful towards An Lingrong. Not only did she often ignore An Lingrong in the palace, she also often deliberately found fault with her to embarrass her.

An Lingrong knew it very well, but she was not discouraged. She knew her situation in the palace and understood the Queen Mother's dissatisfaction with her. But she did not resent the Queen Mother, but worked harder to improve herself.

As the days passed, many concubines in the harem began to take the initiative to make friends with An Lingrong. Although the empress dowager still had some prejudice against her, for the sake of the general trend, she no longer deliberately ignored her as before.

One day, the empress dowager fell ill in Shoukang Palace. An Lingrong learned the news from Huipin of Junhui Palace that the empress dowager was ill and bedridden. An Lingrong hurried back to Yining Palace, prepared the prescription, boiled the medicine herself, and handed it to Huipin to deliver to the empress dowager's bed. The empress dowager took a sip. Although the medicine tasted bitter, she felt comfortable soon after taking it. At this time, An Lingrong, who followed Huipin to visit the empress dowager, said in person that the prescription was prepared by her. Although the empress dowager remained silent, she still showed a slight approval look.

An Lingrong knew that if she presented the medicine to the Empress Dowager in person, she would definitely not drink it. However, after giving it to Huipin in one go and telling the Empress Dowager about it after she had drunk it, it would be impossible for the Empress Dowager to change her mind and spit out the medicine.

Next, the Queen Mother’s birthday would soon be here, and An Lingrong was thinking about preparing a careful gift for her.

On the day of the Empress Dowager's birthday, every corner of the palace was covered with gorgeous decorations. Orange-red lanterns were hung from the brackets, and curtains with dragon patterns covered the jade steps. All the dignitaries who could be present had arrived. Even Prince Guo, who was far away in Nanyang, brought Huanbi and Concubine Chen back to celebrate the Empress Dowager's birthday. The sounds of footsteps, laughter, gongs and drums, and fireworks intertwined to create a lively and peaceful picture.

The magnificent Shoukang Palace was crowded with people. Officials in gorgeous costumes, ministers in pairs, and concubines filled the spacious hall. Huge red silk curtains separated the seats so that the guests would not be disturbed when talking to each other.

Sitting on the first throne was the radiant Queen Mother, she was clad in a red robe, wearing a dragon crown on her head, with a string of sparkling gems hanging from her forehead. On both sides of the throne, Aunt Zhuxi and Aunt Fangruo stood by with their hands folded, waiting quietly.

Guests kept coming forward to present gifts. Flowers and treasures of various colors were piled up in front of the throne. The Queen Mother happily appreciated each gift and occasionally gave a knowing smile to the Emperor beside her, and the Emperor was also happy to cooperate and show a happy smile.

The entire Shoukang Palace was filled with joy. After Concubine Wan, Concubine Hui and others presented gifts to the Empress Dowager, An Lingrong also presented a gift that she had carefully selected for the Empress Dowager.

An Lingrong chose a painting, which she painted and inscribed in her spare time in the palace. In the painting, a phoenix spreads its wings and flies, symbolizing the dignity and glory of the empress dowager; and the inscription is a blessing poem, expressing her good wishes for the empress dowager's health and longevity.

However, when An Lingrong presented the painting to the Queen Mother with great expectations, she was immediately disliked by her. The Queen Mother only glanced at the painting indifferently and coldly, then frowned, revealing a look of dissatisfaction on her face. She opened her red lips slightly, revealing a hint of disdain in her tone: "This painting is crudely painted, and the inscription is also unoriginal. It is really hard for me to accept it."

An Lingrong's heart sank when she heard this, and her face turned pale. She had never expected that her feelings would be so disliked by the Queen Mother. She lowered her head and silently took back the calligraphy and painting.

Seeing this, the surrounding maids and eunuchs did not dare to speak out and could only watch the scene silently. They knew that An Lingrong had really hit a snag this time, and the Queen Mother's dislike was not a good thing.

However, just as An Lingrong was about to turn around and leave, the Queen Mother spoke again: "However, I still appreciate your kindness. It's just that this calligraphy and painting really needs more work. If you are interested, you might as well practice it more. Maybe you can come up with a better work next time."

When An Lingrong heard this, she looked up at the Queen Mother with a determined light in her eyes. She knew that she couldn't give up, but had to work harder to produce better works next time.

Zhou Liufu, who was still very young, saw that An Lingrong was ignored by the Queen Mother, so he went up to the Queen Mother and said that he would write a poem on the painting that An Lingrong gave to the Queen Mother to please her. The Queen Mother smiled happily, hugged Zhou Liufu in her arms, and showed him An Lingrong's painting.

Zhou Liufu stood in front of the calligraphy and painting, took a deep breath, calmed his mind, and began to paint. The ink jumped on the rice paper, and after a while, lines of poetry jumped from his pen on the painting. Everyone present was impressed by his talent and exclaimed in admiration.

The Queen Mother softly said:

The good years flow like flowing water, and longevity, happiness and joy last forever.

The years in the palace are like poetry and painting, and the scenery of the Jade Palace is like brocade.

The phoenix dances in the sky and sings of the prosperous times; the dragon soars across the sea and praises the eternity.

May you always maintain your youthful appearance, good health, longevity and happiness.

The Queen Mother could not help but exclaimed in praise: "It is great that you can write such a poem at such a young age! Fangruo, there is a reward!"

The Queen Mother stroked Zhou Liufu's hair and smiled with satisfaction, "It seems that Li Ronghua has put a lot of effort into you. Learning is not something that can be achieved overnight, but is the result of a long period of accumulation and tempering. You are a good seedling and it is worth cultivating."

An Lingrong's brows relaxed. Zhou Liufu not only won the favor of the empress dowager, but also won back respect for himself.