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

"Empress Wen is here."

Cai Xing came in hurriedly to report, and Wen Shichu also suddenly panicked, although he didn't know why he was panicking.

Shen Meizhuang's expression paused, but she quickly regained her composure and stood up from the couch to greet An Lingrong.

"I heard that Sister Shen was not feeling well again, so I came here specially to see her. Is Sister Shen feeling better now?" After An Lingrong entered the room, she greeted Shen Meizhuang and asked directly.

Shen Meizhuang felt a little guilty: "It's nothing, just an old illness. It's not worth it for Concubine Wen to come here specially."

Seeing Shen Meizhuang's rosy complexion, An Lingrong brought up the topic directly: "I have heard for a long time that Imperial Doctor Wen is an excellent doctor. I thought that a minor case of qi stagnation should have been cured by medicine long ago. Why is it so recurring and causing Sister Shen so much trouble? Is it because Imperial Doctor Wen is not diligent enough in his practice or does Sister Shen have other illnesses?"

Shen Meizhuang thought that An Lingrong had bad intentions, but she didn't expect her to be so sharp as soon as she opened her mouth. At this moment, she still couldn't figure out An Lingrong's true intentions, so she didn't want to escalate the conflict and just took the blame on herself:

"You are joking, Madam Concubine Wen. It is because my body is too weak that the symptoms keep recurring. It is not the fault of Imperial Doctor Wen."

An Lingrong glanced coldly at Wen Shichu who was standing next to her pretending to be a coward. She felt really disdainful in her heart. Was such a cowardly man worthy of Shen Meizhuang's protection? However, thinking of her past life and Shen Meizhuang's thoughts, she still patiently said meaningfully:

"I asked Vice Judge Zhou to look at Sister Shen's pulse. Overthinking led to liver qi stagnation. I thought that since it was overthinking, there must be a source. But Sister Shen is not like Lingrong. You have a good family background and parents who love you. This means that Sister Shen's worries do not come from the family but from the palace. Sister Shen, can you tell me what you are thinking? Lingrong also knows a little about medicine. Maybe he can help Sister Shen solve her problems."

When An Lingrong said this, Shen Meizhuang subconsciously glanced at Wen Shichu. The two of them saw each other's astonishment in their eyes. An Lingrong's words made them feel that there was a huge trap waiting for them, so Shen Meizhuang said very cautiously:

"Thank you for your concern, Empress Wen. Just as Empress Wen said, I have loving parents, and I am favored by the Queen Mother in the palace. The Queen is kind, and the sisters in the palace can live in harmony. I have nothing to worry about. It's just that I am weak and sad, so I have repeatedly asked the imperial physician for consultation. But today, I have been enlightened by your majesty. I will be more prudent in the future. I don't need to ask for doctors and medicine all the time."

Although she couldn't figure out An Lingrong's purpose, Shen Meizhuang still made a promise.

An Lingrong knew that she was too impatient. Anyone would be suspicious if she rashly intruded into Shen Meiyu's thoughts which had been hidden for many years without having any friendship with her. However, if she didn't make it clear now, it would be difficult to find the right opportunity in the future.

Three days later, the emperor will fall into a coma. When he wakes up, he feels that he will die soon, and begins to summon the military ministers to discuss what will happen after his death. During those days, both the court and the harem are in chaos, which is a good opportunity for Shen Meizhuang to escape. This is the best compensation that An Lingrong can think of for Shen Meizhuang.

Even though An Lingrong looked down on Wen Shichu and thought he was timid and irresponsible, he dared to have an affair with Shen Meiyu, but she did not dare to plan a future for the two of them. She did not think at all that if their affair was discovered by others, he would be the only one left in the Wen family, and his life or death would not matter. However, the Shen family had been passed down for hundreds of years, with hundreds of people including slaves. If he was beheaded, his property was confiscated, and he was exiled, who would he turn to for justice?

There is another thing that makes An Lingrong despise Wen Shichu even more. Since he doesn't dare to take responsibility, he should just stay away. After learning about Shen Meizhuang's thoughts, knowing that he can't give her a future, he should just cut off ties and stop treating Shen Meizhuang, instead of dragging it on and luring Shen Meizhuang, letting her fall deeper and deeper.

An Lingrong glared at Wen Shichu fiercely in annoyance, which made Wen Shichu's hair stand on end. He couldn't understand how he had offended Concubine Wen, who had been favored by him for so long.

An Lingrong seemed not to have heard Shen Meiyu's assurance: "After talking for so long, my mouth is dry. Ask Sister Shen for a glass of water." Then she sat down on the couch, as if she wanted to have a long talk with Shen Meiyu.

Shen Meizhuang was groaning in her heart. If An Lingrong had made it clear that she was embarrassed or Doctor Wen, she could still argue with her arguments. However, her soft yet firm attitude made it difficult for her to refuse for the time being, so she had to let Caixing go up to the water.

Wen Shichu looked at An Lingrong and then at Shen Meiyu, feeling torn. It seemed that Concubine Wen had something to say to Concubine Hui, so it seemed inappropriate for him to stay here. But if he left, what would happen if Concubine Wen made things difficult for Concubine Hui? Faced with this dilemma, he chose to stand aside quietly.

An Lingrong looked at the two men who were facing a formidable enemy and smiled:

"Sister Shen, there's no need to be so defensive. The main reason I came here tonight is because I got a great book and I want to share it with you."

Shen Meizhuang was even more suspicious, but still agreed:

"Please speak directly if you have anything to say, Madam Concubine Wen."

An Lingrong glanced around the room and smiled without saying anything. Shen Meizhuang had no choice but to ask the servants to leave first. When she saw Wen Shichu, she asked:

"Doctor Wen, do you want to stay?"

An Lingrong nodded: "It's better to listen to it together, Rendong, you were the one who asked for this, why don't you say it yourself."

Now Shen Meizhuang and Wen Shichu both understood that An Lingrong was coming for them, but the two of them had never left any evidence in their relationship. They wanted to see how An Lingrong would frame them and what purpose she wanted to achieve by using them.

When Shen Wen and the other two were in a state of panic, Ren Dong had already started to speak:

"What I want to tell you today is a strange story in the harem. It is said that in an unknown dynasty, an old emperor had a young and beautiful concubine trapped in the palace. After a long time, she was inevitably depressed. It happened that a new imperial physician came to the Imperial Hospital at this time. He was born with a delicate heart and was very good at comforting people. The young concubine often summoned this imperial physician to the palace for treatment. After a few visits..."

As soon as Ren Dong said this, Shen Meizhuang immediately became unhappy:

"Where did Concubine Wen hear these low-brow stories? She actually came to my palace to tease me. Do you think I'm easy to bully?"

An Lingrong calmly spoke to comfort him:

"Sister Shen said these words just for fun, so why bother to speak harshly? Life in the palace is boring, so why not listen to it patiently?"

In fact, Shen Meizhuang regretted her words as soon as they came out of her mouth. By rushing forward like this, wasn't it obvious that she was feeling guilty? She smiled awkwardly at An Lingrong and motioned for Rendong to continue. No matter what, she couldn't show her weakness.

Honeysuckle's voice rose and fell like a storyteller outside, and she told the following events in an immersive way:

"They fell in love, and it should have been a beautiful story of mutual affection, but they met in the palace. There are parents and relatives behind them, and servants around them. These are all human lives. If the old emperor knew about it, these lives would be in danger."

"It was so dangerous that anyone who was sober would not dare to take a step further. However, the two of them could not control their emotions and were confident that they were invincible. They actually took the last step, resulting in a secret pregnancy. The concubine was also resourceful. At this critical juncture, she actually asked the emperor to take the blame. A month later, she colluded with the imperial physician to tamper with the pulse diagnosis and recorded the child as the royal bloodline."

"I thought it was a perfect plan, but the concubine's every move was seen by the opponent. The opponent was patient and did not take any action when he first discovered it. He would expose it when the time was right. Alas, defiling the harem and confusing the royal bloodline, each of these crimes is punishable by death. Even if the concubine's father was a general with great military exploits, he could not escape the fate of being implicated by his daughter. It's really tragic."

Rendong told her everything that An Lingrong had taught her. These things were the truth that An Lingrong had carefully filled in based on Shen Meiyu's performance in her previous life and Wen Shichu's self-castration on the night of the blood recognition. In this life, she was just reminding Shen Meiyu in a different way. After all, many things have gone off the original track. Shen Meiyu's emotions were too exposed when she met Wen Shichu, and she was not the only meticulous person in the palace. The situation would be difficult to handle.

Shen Meizhuang's face was as pale as paper, and Wen Shichu's forehead was covered with cold sweat. Although the above story was just hearsay, could the unspoken feelings of the two really be flawless to the outside world?

Shen Meizhuang has been in the palace for many years. She knows very well that if rumors about her and Wen Shichu really spread in the palace one day, the emperor or the empress dowager will not really investigate whether these things really happened. They will only consider the royal family's face and let her die suddenly or Wen Shichu die accidentally to cover up what they think is a royal scandal.

Shen Meizhuang twitched her lips a few times, quickly sorted out her thoughts, and promised again:

"What Concubine Wen said is really brilliant, but hearsay from the people is not real. After all, the harem has strict rules and the emperor has majestic power. No one is stupid enough to do something that would destroy their family."

Looking at Shen Meizhuang's pale face, An Lingrong knew that she had misunderstood. She was not anxious but continued to perform a double act with Rendong:

"Rosewood, I heard there is another version of this story. Don't keep it to yourself. Why don't you tell me all at once?"

Honeysuckle clapped her hands and said, "Oh, look, I almost forgot. Another version says that although the two of them had feelings for each other, they always stopped at etiquette and never crossed the line. One day, the old emperor was seriously ill, and the concubine went to take care of him. Unexpectedly, she caught the disease and became seriously ill. She passed away a few days later. Because she died of a serious illness, the palace was worried that it would be contagious, so they had to cremate her."

Upon hearing this, Shen Meizhuang's brows twitched, and Wen Shichu's eyes also kept twitching. An Lingrong looked at their expressions carefully and signaled Rendong to continue.

Honeysuckle took a breath and said, "After the concubine died, the imperial physician was so grief-stricken that he died of depression soon after. The two of them died to show their loyalty to the emperor and repay their parents' filial piety. In the process, they also saved countless lives. It can be considered a great deed. God has a good eye and let them turn into wild geese to accompany each other for a long time and travel between heaven and earth."

After finishing the story, Ren Dong sighed: "My queen, I prefer this ending. It's called lovers finally getting married, and it doesn't involve anyone else."

An Lingrong did not make any comment. Instead, she put down the cup in her hand, stood up and said goodbye to Shen Meizhuang:

"Sister Shen, this story is really interesting, but it's getting late, I have to go back."

She was just a storyteller. If Shen and Wen really dared to give up the wealth and glory in the palace, then she would also dare to take the risk and fulfill Shen Meiyu's wish. If they were reluctant, then this story was a warning. She had done what she should do, and Shen Meiyu's future fate would have nothing to do with her.

An Lingrong came quickly and left decisively. It all depends on how Shen and Wen decide.

After she left, the atmosphere in the room became very ambiguous for a moment, and neither of them spoke.

At this moment, Shen Meizhuang's heart was like a naughty wild cat, stretching out its claws from time to time to scratch her, making her feel itchy. An Lingrong's words made her eager to act. She had never thought that there could be another way out. She shyly glanced at Wen Shichu, only to see that he was also looking at her. Her face flushed and her heart beat like a drum. Perhaps Wen Shichu's eyes were too straightforward, so she actually said:

"It is better to be an idle bird than a canary."

Wen Shichu's mood was even more unstable. He had not had a smooth time in the Imperial Hospital in the past few years. When he was young, he had thought about using his medical skills to benefit the people. However, after entering the palace as an imperial physician, his medical skills could only serve the powerful and wealthy. It would be fine if he could concentrate on practicing medicine. When he had collected enough symptoms, there would always be a day when he would write a book and pass on what he had learned throughout his life.

But now he understood that he was involved in the power struggle and ended up in such a situation. As long as the powerful interfered for one day, he could not concentrate on practicing medicine. But if he left, what would happen to Zhen Huan? And what about Concubine Wen's irresponsible words? Could it be a trap?

Shen Meizhuang saw that Wen Shichu's expression changed in just a moment, and she didn't understand anything at that moment, so she said resentfully:

"My family arranged for me to learn music, chess, calligraphy and painting since I was young, saying that I would be the emperor's woman one day and would have to enter the palace to bring honor to the family. Huan'er is the same. She is more ambitious and always wants to marry the best man in the world. But the world belongs to the royal family, and the best man can only be the emperor. But you have seen it in the past few years. We are full of enthusiasm, but we are treated coldly in return."

"I have been in the palace for eight years. I have repaid my family's kindness. What Concubine Wen said may be a trap or a vague and helpless one, but I always want to give it a try. Not for any reason, I just want to live according to my heart for once."

Wen Shichu still had concerns: "I..."

His hesitation made Shen Meizhuang very sad: "I know you are worried about Huan'er, but can you give her what she needs now? She wants her family to come back safely, and you can't help her. You can't live your life like this for her."

Seeing that Wen Shichu didn't say anything, Shen Meizhuang said resolutely: "Forget it, it's always my wishful thinking. Go away and don't come again." After saying that, she turned away and no longer looked at Wen Shichu.

Wen Shichu looked at her back, and suddenly felt choked up in his heart, as if if he didn't say something, he would never see her again. He thought for a while and said slowly: "It's not a delusion, but this matter is too shocking, and Concubine Wen's purpose is unclear, so I have to think carefully before I act. I know a kind of powder..."

Before he could finish his words, a figure suddenly threw himself into his arms. Wen Shichu was so frightened that he was at a loss. After a moment, he reached out and hugged the person tightly.

As consultation time was limited, the two agreed to come back the next day to discuss the feasible details of their escape.

In Wufu Hall, An Lingrong had already instructed Rendong to tell Dahu, who had just returned from Henan after investigating the grain market, to wait in Beijing for a few days before going south of the Yangtze River.

Three days later on the morning, the emperor was indeed seriously ill, and all the concubines in the palace went to attend to him.

At night, the Queen drove all the concubines back to the palace on the grounds that there were too many people and it was too chaotic, leaving only Zhen Huan and her to serve the Emperor at Jiuzhou Qingyan.

Late at night, Shen Meizhuang slipped into An Lingrong's Wufutang.