The Queen has arrived: An Lingrong does not want to fight in the palace after her rebirth

Xiao Xia Zi secretly told Su Peisheng about the secret conversation between Concubine Hua and Noble Lady Cao today.

As night fell, the emperor came to Qingliang Palace again.

In the past, when the emperor came, Concubine Hua was always filled with joy, but this time her suspicions were constantly magnified, and her smile seemed forced.

The emperor noticed her expression but asked nothing. He only praised her for her extra care in preparing dinner today.

Concubine Hua really wanted to ask about her brother's situation, but she was worried that the Emperor would blame her for being suspicious, so she had to force a smile and responded with a restless heart.

The emperor's eyes flickered when he saw this, and he had no choice but to urge her to rest early and said nothing more.

The next day, everything in the harem was the same as before.

On the third day, rumors suddenly spread in the palace that Zhen Huan was dissatisfied with the emperor's frequent resting at Hua Fei's place. At a gathering with Jing Fei, Hui Guiren, Xin Changzai and others, she complained about Hua Fei, saying that Hua Fei was domineering and overbearing, and that she would bully the emperor. She also said that if she found the opportunity, she would definitely give her a lecture.

This rumor spread very quickly, and for a while everyone in the harem was waiting to see what Concubine Hua would do.

When Concubine Hua heard this, she was angry, but she had no evidence. If she rushed out rashly, she would be criticized and her reputation for being arrogant and domineering would be confirmed. So she had to endure it secretly.

On the fourth day, which happened to be the Chinese Valentine's Day, the emperor held a banquet at Jiuzhou Qingyan to celebrate. Except for An Lingrong, all the concubines dressed up for the banquet.

Before she sat down, Zhen Huan raised her eyebrows provocatively at Concubine Hua. Concubine Hua wanted to retaliate immediately, but was stopped by Concubine Cao who gently pulled her sleeve from behind.

Concubine Hua realized that today was a family dinner and all the clan members were there. If she got angry because of her look, she would be laughed at by everyone. She gave Zhen Huan a look that said wait and see, and then took Concubine Cao to take a seat.

Singing and dancing began, and the banquet began.

During the banquet, the Emperor repeatedly raised his glass and invited Hua Fei to drink with him. Hua Fei felt extremely satisfied to have the Emperor's favor in public. She drank up the wine in the glass every time, and soon felt a little drunk.

Zhen Huan, who was sitting opposite, watched the exchange of glances between Concubine Hua and the Emperor, and she began to feel uncomfortable. While the Emperor was taking a break, she picked up the wine on the table and said to the Emperor in grievance:

"Today is the Qixi Festival. Your Majesty is drinking with Concubine Hua alone. I will not allow you to do so. Your Majesty must drink the whole cup to live up to the beautiful scenery tonight."

The slight jealousy in Zhen Huan's tone made the emperor laugh. He first turned sideways and joked with the queen:

"Look, Wanpin is having a bad temper."

Then, without waiting for the Queen to reply, the Emperor turned around and said to Zhen Huan loudly:

"Today, I am drinking with Concubine Hua alone at the family dinner because she has been serving me wholeheartedly for many years, and her brother has made great military achievements for the Qing Dynasty. I appreciate the loyalty of her brother and sister, and I am expressing my gratitude in this way. You must learn this from Concubine Hua."

After saying this, she didn't drink. Zhen Huan felt uneasy when she raised her cup. She glanced at Concubine Hua who looked very pleased with herself and blurted out angrily:

"Your Highness, Concubine Hua has been with the Emperor for a long time, so naturally she pleases the Emperor more than I do. The sisters in the palace all want to learn from you, but they have never gotten the truth. However, after the Mid-Autumn Festival, it will be the time for the three-year selection. There will be new sisters in the palace then, so please teach us so that we can understand the Emperor's will and give birth to an heir as soon as possible."

This was an extreme overreach. It was the Queen's duty to teach her concubines. Moreover, Zhen Huan had severely touched upon Hua Fei's pain point of being childless. Hua Fei's dissatisfaction, which she had endured for many days, suddenly erupted:

"Your Majesty, Wanpin's words are too outrageous, Your Majesty doesn't care?"

Hua Fei's questioning made the emperor unable to step down, so he had to vent his anger on the queen:

"Empress, is this the Wanpin you always praised in front of me for being sensible and reasonable? Today, she dared to speak wildly in front of so many relatives, which shows her daily behavior. No wonder there are frequent disturbances in the harem, which makes me have no peace. If I don't punish her today, it will not be enough to rectify the harem's discipline."

The sudden change made the Queen's mind dazed for a moment. Before she could say anything, she heard the Emperor coldly say to Zhen Huan:

"Princess Wan, you have behaved inappropriately in front of the Emperor. I order you to take back your power in the palace and send you to Penglai Island to reflect on your mistakes. From now on, you are not allowed to leave without my permission."

Zhen Huan knelt on the ground and begged for mercy, but the emperor had a cold face and asked Su Peisheng to pull Zhen Huan away.

Seeing this, Shen Meizhuang stood up and pleaded: "Your Majesty, Penglai Island is remote and desolate. Wanpin has been in poor health since her last miscarriage. Please forgive Wanpin for her slip of the tongue."

Concubine Jing and Concubine Xin also pleaded for mercy.

Unexpectedly, this move made the emperor even angrier: "Do you think I have punished her wrongly? Anyone who pleads for mercy will go with her."

Concubine Jing and Concubine Xin were immediately speechless, only Shen Meizhuang stood up without hesitation:

"Your Majesty, please grant me permission. I am willing to go."

Zhen Huan was moved by Shen Meizhuang's sincerity, but she didn't dare to show it on her face, lest this night's performance would be in vain. She broke free from Su Peisheng's hands and begged in tears, "Your Majesty, I was wrong. I am willing to reflect on my mistakes. Please don't forgive Sister Mei."

The emperor's protection of her made Concubine Hua completely put aside her suspicion. She just wanted to send the two away and scolded them: "Wanpin, you really don't change your ways. How can you go back on your words?"

Seeing Concubine Hua speak, the emperor suppressed his reluctance and urged Su Peisheng: "Why are you still standing there? Since Concubine Hui is willing to accompany you, let's go together!"

Shen Meizhuang walked resolutely to Zhen Huan's side and smiled at her: "Huan'er, I'll accompany you."

Zhen Huan thought that it would be good to have Sister Mei join, as it would make the Nian family more convinced, so she resisted the urge to look at the emperor more and left with Shen Meizhuang.

When Zhen Huan left, the Emperor lowered his eyelids and couldn't bear to see her off.

The queen felt very cold when she saw his expression, it turned out that everything had been discussed beforehand by the two of them.

Concubine Hua had a very proud look on her face. It turned out that the Emperor's heart was always with her. All the grievances she had suffered because of Zhen Huan in the past two years disappeared in an instant.

The clan members discussed the situation privately, especially Prince Dun, who took advantage of everyone's unpreparedness and revealed a determined smile.

Only Concubine Cao keenly sensed that something was wrong, and her worries about the unknown future became even stronger.

It was a party that ended abruptly.

In Wufu Hall, after An Lingrong heard Xia Dongchun's story of tonight's events, she sneered. The big drama had finally begun.

"Rosewood, go quietly to Concubine Cao's residence and tell her not to be too smart and just wait and see."

In Taohuawu, the queen couldn't drink the calming soup brought by Jianqiu.

"I am married to the Emperor, but he first gave his favor to my sister and then to Concubine Hua. I can tolerate all of this, but now he has given power to Zhen Huan. I am really afraid that one day the Emperor will ask me to give up the throne to please her."

"Your Highness, you worry too much. The Emperor is a man who cherishes the past. This day will never come."

“It is always best to plan ahead.”

As he said this, he asked Jianqiu to come closer and whisper something to him.