The Empress of Zhen Huan Reborn

Nian Shilan looked at the woman in the portrait and found that she was indeed quite similar to herself. She secretly wondered in her heart, who is this woman in the painting? Why does she look so similar to herself?

At this time, little Yaoguang stretched out her chubby little hand, pointed at the portrait, and babbled.

Seeing this, the emperor smiled and said, "It seems that my little princess also likes this portrait."

After hearing what the emperor said, Nian Shilan also started laughing.

Nian Shilan calmed down, turned around and said to the emperor with a smile: "The woman in this painting is indeed somewhat similar to me. I believe the painter must be very familiar with me to be able to draw such a similar painting."

The emperor stroked Xiao Yaoguang's hair and said thoughtfully, "The woman in this painting was obtained by chance by me, and I don't know her identity. However, the person who can paint such a masterpiece must be extraordinary."

Nian Shilan nodded slightly in agreement. She looked at the portrait, but a trace of doubt rose in her heart. How could someone in this world know her appearance so well? Could it be that... she remembered an old friend, but that person had long gone, so how could he leave behind such a portrait?

While she was thinking, little Yaoguang started babbling again, and seemed to be very interested in the portrait. Nian Shilan decided not to think too much about it for the time being, so she picked up little Yaoguang, pointed at the portrait and said softly: "Yaoguang, does the person in this painting look like mother?"

Little Yaoguang blinked her bright eyes and waved her chubby little hands constantly, as if expressing her love.

The emperor was delighted when he saw this. He laughed and said, "My little princess is really smart! Someone, put this portrait away and enjoy it later."

As night fell, after Nian Shilan coaxed Xiao Yaoguang to sleep, she tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep. The portrait and the woman in the painting who looked so much like herself kept appearing in her mind. Who was this mysterious woman? What was her relationship with her?

Nian Shilan decided to investigate the matter secretly. She sent her trusted aides Nian Xi and Nian Wen to collect clues about the portrait, and also to keep an eye out for anyone who looked like her in the Old Summer Palace.

A few days later, Nian Xi brought back some news. It was said that this portrait was first created by a court painter. However, this painter mysteriously disappeared in the Summer Palace of Yuanmingyuan not long ago.

Nian Shilan's doubts grew even deeper, she felt there must be some secret hidden behind this.

At the same time, somehow the news of the portrait was leaked, and rumors began to spread in the Summer Palace, saying that Nian Shilan was the reincarnation of the woman in the painting, which caused a lot of controversy.

Nian Shilan was very angry when she heard these rumors, but she also knew that she had to find the painter as soon as possible to solve the mystery.

That day, Nian Shilan and Nian Xi quietly came to the painter's residence. They saw that the painter's room was full of various painting tools and works, but there was no sign of the painter.

Nian Shilan carefully examined each painting, hoping to find some clues. Suddenly, she found a painting pressed in a corner, which showed a strange man. Nian Shilan always felt that the man looked familiar, but she couldn't remember where she had seen him.

At this moment, Nian Xi discovered a line of small words on the wall, which read: "If you want to know the truth, go find it" followed by some strange scratches. Nian Xi gently called Nian Shilan and motioned for Nian Shilan to look at the words on the wall. After Nian Shilan looked at it carefully, she said nothing and quietly left the painter's residence with Nian Xi again.

After Nian Shilan and Nian Xi returned to Qingliang Palace, they dismissed everyone in the room, leaving only Nian Shilan, Nian Xi and Song Zhi. Nian Xi couldn't wait to say, "Your Majesty, this must have been planned by someone. It's definitely not accidental."

Nian Shilan nodded, thinking of the small words on the wall she had just seen, "I'm afraid that when the painter wanted to pass on the message, he was discovered and silenced."

Nian Xi was a little anxious at this time and said, "Madam, what should we do now? It seems that this matter is aimed at you."

Nian Shilan's mind was also in a mess. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Let's keep our troops in place for now. You and Nian Wen will lead the secret guards to search for clues in secret. As for Fang Zhongyi, is there anyone watching him now?"

After hearing what Nian Shilan said, Song Zhi quickly said, "To reply to your Majesty, Master Fang is now being guarded by Xiao Xiazi and his men."

Nian Shilan shook her head. "Xiao Xiazi and the others can't do it. Nian Xi, go find your brother and ask him to send some skilled people to monitor Fang Zhongyi in secret."

Nian Xi followed the order and left. Song Zhi looked at Nian Shilan in confusion and asked, "Why did Your Majesty suddenly start sending people to carefully watch Fang Zhongyi? But what did they find?"

Nian Shilan shook her head. "I didn't find any useful clues. It's just that the recent events are too fragmented and I can't find a clue. I have no choice but to keep a close eye on these people who have just arrived at the Summer Resort. I always feel that there is something strange about them."

"I understand. Your Majesty is very thoughtful." Songzhi suddenly realized.

Nian Shilan sighed, "I hope we can find the truth soon. By the way, we also need to strengthen the guard over Xiao Yaoguang, and we must not let her make any mistakes."

"Yes, your majesty. I will arrange it right away." Songzhi hurriedly retreated.

Nian Shilan sat alone in a chair, frowning. The more she thought about it, the more she felt that this matter was not simple, as if there was an invisible hand controlling everything.

In the next few days, Nian Shilan remained calm on the surface, but secretly sent more people to investigate. The disappearance of the painter and the mysterious words became the key clues for her to solve the mystery...

On this day, Concubine Duan suddenly came to Qingliang Palace. Upon hearing this, Nian Shilan hurriedly asked Qi Yuebin to come in. Qi Yuebin walked into the palace and said with a smile: "Now that you have become the queen, I should come to congratulate you."

Nian Shilan stepped forward quickly and said, "There's no need for us to be polite. Why did you want to come to my place today?"

Qi Yuebin quietly pinched Nian Shilan's hand. Nian Shilan looked at the servants in the palace knowingly and said, "I am here to talk to Concubine Duan. There is no need for so many people to serve in the palace. Songzhi is enough. You all can go down."

Upon hearing this, the servants in Qingliang Palace bowed and left the main hall.

After the servants had left, Qi Yuebin whispered, "Something went wrong in the border battle. Do you know?"

Nian Shilan was shocked when she heard Qi Yuebin's words, "How could it be? What happened?"

Qi Yuebin knew that Nian Shilan really didn't know when he saw this, and he sighed and said, "The Barbarian Tribe rebelled again, and Xiao Tao commanded the soldiers to attack the Barbarian Tribe, but the food and grass were burned. Now the soldiers can't even get enough food, let alone attack the Barbarian Tribe."