The Empress of Zhen Huan Reborn

The emperor naturally heard about Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang's falling out. The next day, the emperor came to Chengqian Palace where Shen Meizhuang lived and asked casually, "I have heard rumors in the palace recently that you and Concubine Xi are no longer as close as before, and have even reached the point of breaking up. Is this true?"

Shen Meizhuang's heart tightened, but her face did not show any flaws. She pretended to be calm and replied: "Your Majesty, I have been busy taking care of the Sixth Prince recently, and I really have no time to interact with Concubine Xi. And Concubine Xi may also be busy with affairs and can't spare time." At this point, Shen Meizhuang deliberately paused, and then continued: "After all, as the queen, there must be a lot of things to worry about."

The emperor heard the irony in Shen Meizhuang's words, but he did not get angry. He just frowned slightly and continued to ask: "Then what happened between you? Why did you suddenly become so unfamiliar?"

Shen Meizhuang lowered her head and remained silent, as if she was hesitating about how to answer. After a while, she slowly raised her head, looked at the emperor with a firm gaze, and said, "There is nothing wrong between me and Concubine Xi, it's just a small misunderstanding. Please don't worry, Your Majesty. I believe time will prove everything."

The emperor snorted coldly, "If it was just an ordinary misunderstanding, how could it cause such a big uproar? Do you think I'm a fool?"

Shen Meizhuang knelt down quickly, "I dare not lie to the emperor. I and Concubine Xi really just had some minor frictions, nothing else. I hope your majesty can understand."

The emperor was a little dissatisfied when he saw Shen Meizhuang refused to tell the truth, but he couldn't say anything more, so he had to give up. He strode out of the gate of Chengqian Palace and fell into deep thought...

Shen Meizhuang returned to her bedroom, feeling a little heavy-hearted. She knew that although she had temporarily deceived the emperor this time, she would be hard to get away if she could not find out the truth in the future. She decided to discuss the next plan with Zhen Huan, so she sent a palace maid to invite Zhen Huan to come and have a chat.

Soon, Zhen Huan came to Chengqian Palace. The two of them talked behind closed doors and analyzed the current situation. Zhen Huan believed that the enemy would definitely attack again, and they needed to be more cautious. Shen Meizhuang agreed and revealed that she had arranged people to monitor secretly, so that they would be able to know quickly if there was any movement.

However, a few days later, the palace was as peaceful as before, with nothing unusual happening. Just as the two were getting anxious, something unexpected happened...

It was a sunny day, and the queen personally ordered the maids to welcome the women who had been prepared and were about to enter the palace for the selection. These women were dressed in gorgeous clothes, with beautiful faces and elegant temperaments. Everyone was full of anticipation and nervousness.

Among them, Tian Zhirou, the daughter of Tian Wenjing, was canonized as "Tian Changzai" for her gentle and moving appearance and intelligent character, and was granted to live in Xianfu Palace; Wen Yuan, who was from the Guwalgiya family, was canonized as "Wen Da Ying" and lived in Chuxiu Palace; Jinzhi, the daughter of Longkodo, was awarded the title of "Jin Guiren" for her outstanding talent and beauty, and was fortunate to live in Chunxi Palace.

However, the most eye-catching one was Xilinjueluo Ruoxi, the daughter of Ortai. It was said that she was extremely beautiful and the emperor fell in love with her at first sight. Therefore, the emperor was so pleased that he made an exception and directly named her "Pure Concubine" and allowed her to live in the Pepper Room, which symbolized the highest honor.

After this reward, there was an uproar in the palace. Everyone was full of curiosity and envy towards the new concubine, and speculated whether she would be able to receive more honors in the future. And the four new concubines also began to embark on their own ill-fated journey in the palace...

When Shen Meizhuang heard the news in her palace, she couldn't help but frown slightly, and a trace of anxiety surged in her heart. After all, the rumors in the harem about Zhen Huan murdering the Sixth Prince had not been thoroughly investigated, and at this time the Queen summoned the new people into the palace. If the Emperor was really dazzled by these new people and forgot about Zhen Huan, wouldn't the consequences be unimaginable?

Shen Meizhuang paced anxiously in the palace, thinking about how to deal with it. She knew that Zhen Huan was in a more difficult situation now. The emperor had not stepped into the Suiyu Pavilion for several days, which would have been impossible in the past. You know, in addition to doting on Concubine Hua, the emperor's most favored one was Zhen Huan.

At the same time, Nian Shilan also heard the news that the emperor favored Concubine Chun in the palace, and she was shocked. Is there going to be another person like "Wan Wan Lei Qing" in the palace?

Thinking of this, Nian Shilan immediately ordered Songzhi to prepare some valuable gifts and decided to visit them one by one in person to find out the true situation of Chunpin. In addition, she also wanted to take the opportunity to meet her old friend from her previous life - Wen Da Ying.

After dressing up carefully, Nian Shilan went to the bedrooms of the concubines with gifts. She smiled brightly on the surface, but her heart was full of vigilance and doubt. Wherever she went, she carefully observed the words and deeds of the other two concubines who had just entered the palace, trying to find clues from them.

However, when the two saw Nian Shilan, they trembled like frightened rabbits. Nian Shilan did not want to act too deliberate, so she just ordered Songzhi to put the reward down gently, and then turned and left like a proud peacock.

After arriving at Concubine Chun's palace, Nian Shilan's heart was suddenly shocked, as if struck by lightning. This person was so similar to Zhen Huan, and even more beautiful than Zhen Huan. No wonder the emperor doted on her as soon as she entered the palace. Presumably, this person was more similar to Queen Chun Yuan than Zhen Huan, so the emperor made an exception and gave her the title "Chun" and allowed her to live alone in the Pepper Room.

When Concubine Chun saw Nian Shilan, she bowed without arrogance or servility and said slowly, "I pay my respects to Her Majesty Hua Guifei."

Nian Shilan smiled like a flower, but beneath her bright smile, there was a hint of scrutiny and vigilance. She looked at Concubine Chun and said slowly, "Hurry up and get up. I heard about your entry into the palace today, and I thought that the sisters in the harem would serve the emperor together in the future, so naturally we should move around more often. So, I came to give you some rewards, and also to see if you have found anything unaccustomed after entering the palace."

Nian Shilan narrowed her eyes slightly, quietly listening to what Chunpin said, while carefully observing the changes in her expression. She keenly caught that when Chunpin mentioned the emperor, a hint of barely perceptible disgust quickly flashed across her eyes. This subtle expression did not escape Nian Shilan's eyes, and she secretly felt strange in her heart, but on the surface she remained calm and indifferent.

Nian Shilan opened her red lips and responded calmly: "The Pepper Room is a special honor bestowed upon you by the Emperor. This gift is not something I can control. Since the Emperor intends to grant you this room to live in, you should accept this favor with peace of mind."

Nian Shilan's voice was neither too loud nor too soft, just enough for people around to hear clearly, making her position clear.

When Concubine Chun heard what Nian Shilan said, she could no longer suppress the bitterness on her lips. She nodded slightly, her voice like a candle in the wind, "Okay, I understand."

Nian Shilan looked at Chunpin's series of chameleon-like expressions and couldn't help but murmur in her heart. She always felt that Chunpin's entry into the palace was full of strangeness. In order not to alert the enemy, she did not dare to stay for long. She left the Pepper Room as quickly as possible to meet her old friend, Wen Da Ying.