An Lingrong's Rebirth: Red

Even though Bai Zhi waited outside the Natural Painting for a whole night, the emperor showed no intention of coming out. It was not until dawn the next day that there was some movement inside the Natural Painting.

Bai Zhi hadn't slept all night and was so sleepy that she felt a little dazed, but she still insisted on paying attention to the situation in the natural picture.

Fortunately, Zhen Huan didn't let her wait long. Soon, she came over with Fang Ruo.

Fang Ruo was the emperor's person, so she naturally knew what the emperor was thinking. Therefore, she kept comforting Zhen Huan along the way, telling her to remember that she was a member of the Niuhulu clan and not to break with the emperor for the Zhen family.

“Don’t worry, auntie, I am here to plead with the emperor, so how could I quarrel with him and make him unhappy?

Although I am nominally a member of the Niuhulu clan, I am still a daughter of the Zhen family. I cannot just stand by and watch my father anger the emperor and do nothing about it."

Fang Ruo sighed. She couldn't give much advice about the Zhen family's affairs, but she couldn't bear to watch Concubine Wan giving her favor so foolishly.

"My lady, it is better to take a long-term view on this matter. You should also trust the emperor. If what Lord Zhen did is not excessive, the emperor will not punish him."

In fact, Zhen Huan knew very well that the matter of Qian Mingshi was not as simple as writing a poem, but whether her father was loyal to the emperor or to Nian Gengyao and Prince Dun.

Now that my father is unwilling to write poetry, it indirectly proves that he is more inclined towards Nian Gengyao and others. Given the character of the emperor, he will definitely punish my father and let everyone in the court see how miserable the end of being disloyal to the emperor is.

It will be too late to plead at that time. The emperor will never change his order.

Therefore, it is necessary to shake the emperor's decision before he makes up his mind, even if it means losing my favor.

"Aunt Fangruo, as a child, you must not watch your father being punished. Even if it costs you your own life, you must fight for your parents."

"But my lady, the emperor may not punish Lord Zhen. Besides, it's just a poem. It shouldn't be difficult for Lord Zhen to write it, right?"

"Writing poetry is easy," Zhen Huan closed her eyes and let out a long breath after a while, "but character cannot be broken. Aunt Fangruo, if you knew my father, you would know why I said that."

"My lady, but going to the Emperor to ask for mercy without thinking will only let the Emperor know that you have connections with the previous dynasty.

The emperor is most afraid of the former dynasty and the harem being united, and having any thoughts of shaking the foundation of the royal family. If he were to take preemptive action, it would probably backfire."

“I have thought about everything that my aunt said, and I am even prepared to be punished by the emperor.

If I don't make any efforts because of the emperor's suspicion, I, as a daughter, would be wrong."

When they arrived at the door of Tianran Painting, Fang Ruo still advised, "My lady, aren't you afraid that the emperor may have no intention of punishing Master Zhen, but may be tempted by your plea?"

Zhen Huan stopped and turned to look at Fang Ruo, as if she had never considered this possibility.

Fang Ruo thought she had persuaded Concubine Wan, so she continued, "My lady, the emperor not issuing an order is the best outcome. Don't become the one who harms Master Zhen because of a momentary filial piety."

"Aunt Fangruo, I understand. I won't ask the emperor for mercy directly."

Zhen Huan softened her tone, but she still wanted to plead for her father. She just didn't want to listen to Fang Ruo's words of advice anymore.

Fangrong finally felt relieved. She smiled and walked over to wipe the sweat off Zhen Huan's face. "It's great that you can figure it out, young lady."

Zhen Huan didn't say much to Fang Ruo. After all, saying more was useless and even a waste of time. It would be better to use this time to think about how to plead with the emperor.

They finally arrived at the door of Natural Painting, just in time to see the emperor's sedan chair being carried out of the door.

Zhen Huan tidied up her appearance and was about to step forward when she was stopped by Xiao Xiazi, "My lady, the emperor is about to go to court. Please let me know if you have anything to say."

"Where is Eunuch Su? Has he ever helped me..."

"My lady," Xiao Xiazi nodded slightly, "Eunuch Su has already informed the emperor of your idea, and the emperor has also allowed Yu Wanfang to meet you after the court session.

Now it is time to go to court, please don't embarrass me, my lord."

Zhen Huan looked up at the Emperor, but unfortunately he had already boarded the sedan chair, leaving Zhen Huan with only his back.

"Your Majesty..." Zhen Huan called out as if she was mumbling to herself, and even Xiao Xiazi couldn't hear it clearly.

He slightly widened his eyes and tilted his ears slightly, "My lord, do you have any other instructions?"

After a long while, Zhen Huan finally came to her senses. She shook her head and said, "Nothing. Sorry to bother you, eunuch Xia. I will go to Wanfang Anhe to ask for an audience with the emperor later. I will leave this little money for you to have tea."

Zhen Huan waved her hand, and Fang Ruo took out a purse from her sleeve and stuffed it into Xiao Xiazi's hand.

Xiao Xiazi weighed the purse and pretended to be greedy for money, "Thank you, Miss Wan. I will follow you and serve the emperor."

Only after watching Xiao Xiazi walk away did Zhen Huan let go of her strength. Bai Zhi stepped forward to support Zhen Huan, but she didn't know how to comfort her.

Fang Ruo was also a little hesitant, but fortunately the emperor did not have time to listen to Concubine Wan's plea, otherwise there would be a worse result.

“It’s good now, young master. We have more time to discuss how to plead with the emperor.

Of course, it is also possible that Master Zhen has already submitted his poem, and the Emperor is very pleased, so he will naturally not punish Master Zhen."

"hope so."

Zhen Huan was a little discouraged, but she quickly cheered up and thought about how to plead with the emperor.

But before she left, Concubine Qi sent someone out to call Concubine Wan in, and found an excuse to have dinner with her.

Zhen Huan naturally wanted to refuse, but the maid refused to leave and kept begging Concubine Wan, hoping that she would not make things difficult for her.

Seeing the maidservant cowering, Zhen Huan knew that if she didn't go, she would inevitably be punished by Concubine Qi or even beaten and scolded. Zhen Huan couldn't bear to see others suffer because of her, so she followed her after a little hesitation.

As soon as she entered the room, she found that Concubine Qi was not there. Only Jingtai was waiting in the main hall to pay his respects to Zhen Huan.

"I pay my respects to the noble lady Wan, may the noble lady be blessed with good health and good fortune."

"Don't be so polite. Where is your lady?" Zhen Huan woke Jingtai up and glanced around the main hall. "Is she feeling unwell?"

Jingtai shook his head and served the tea, "Don't worry, my lady is not feeling unwell, but she is heavy and needs to be careful when moving, so she was a step slow just now.

Please sit down for a moment, my lord. I will bring the young lady here right away."

Sitting in someone else's palace, Zhen Huan naturally couldn't rush him. She could only drink her tea without any taste, thinking about how to defend her father in her mind.

It would be great if we could contact someone from the previous dynasty, and it would be best if they could say a few words for my father, so that he would not be left alone and helpless in the court.

My father didn't have many friends, and one of them was Guaerjia Emin, who was very close to him. However, he turned out to be a vicious villain who framed my father.

Now his daughter has invited him to have dinner with Tianran Tuhua. I don’t know what her intention is. It can’t be that she is trying to atone for the wrong things her father did.

Just as she was thinking, Concubine Qi was helped to sit down by Jingtai. She looked at Zhen Huan's tired face and pretended to be surprised, "Concubine Wan, did you not sleep last night? I see that you are tired and your eyes are dark. You should have a good rest."

"Something happened at home, so naturally I can't sleep well." Although Zhen Huan was smiling, there was not much smile in her eyes. She looked at Concubine Qi, "Concubine Qi should know about this matter, and she must understand my feelings."

"I do know some information about this matter, but the emperor has already given Lord Zhen a chance, so Lady Wan doesn't need to worry too much."

"Opportunity? If there is no betrayal from a close friend, there is no need for such an opportunity, isn't it right, Lady Qi?"

Concubine Qi naturally knew that Zhen Huan was behind her father's denunciation of Zhen Yuandao's actions, but she did not feel any shame. After all, it was Zhen Yuandao who did the wrong thing, not her father.

"From what Lady Wan said, we should indulge or even protect Master Zhen. Exposing him would destroy our so-called close friendship, right?"

Without waiting for Zhen Huan to answer, Concubine Qi continued, "It is precisely because we are close friends that we cannot bear to see him make the same mistake over and over again. Concubine Wan, don't you think you don't understand this?"

This logic sounds correct, but the premise is that you have done something unscrupulous or immoral.

But his father was maliciously framed like this just because he collected a collection of poems and helped a good friend who used to be an official in the same dynasty. How could this behavior be justified?

"Mr. Qi, you and your father should know very well that my father has never done anything against the will of heaven and earth. All his actions were just acts of kindness.

Such a well-intentioned act was misunderstood by a good friend, and even brought to the emperor's attention without any private communication. Such behavior is really disheartening."

"An act of kindness? If it was really an act of kindness, the emperor would not punish Lord Zhen, and might even reward him," said Lady Qi, with a sarcastic expression on her face, and her words were like thorns. "In this case, why does Lady Wan have to worry so much and send people to guard outside the Tianran Tuhua Gate all night?"

After Concubine Qi said this, Zhen Huan could finally be sure that she came here not for breakfast but to humiliate her intentionally.

But she still maintained her dignity and did not directly quarrel with Concubine Qi. "I didn't expect that Concubine Qi has the same temperament as your father, and her words are also cold and chilling."

"It's the height of summer now, how can it be so cold? I'm afraid Concubine Wan is sick and unwell." Concubine Qi deliberately covered her mouth and nose with a handkerchief, "Why not ask Aunt Fangruo to go to the Imperial Hospital to invite an imperial physician to diagnose the disease, so as to avoid infecting other people. Then there will be no one to take care of you."

Concubine Qi looked very irritating. When she saw Zhen Huan looking at her, she raised her hand and fanned deliberately, "Jingtai, please open the window and let some fresh air in. The room is very stuffy. I feel a little uncomfortable."

"My lady..." Even Fang Ruo couldn't stand seeing Concubine Qi's attitude. She called Zhen Huan in a low voice, "You didn't get a good rest last night. Why don't you go back to Yuedi Yunju to rest earlier?

What's more, the Fourth Prince said yesterday that he wants you to take a look at his new article today."

"That's fine. You can't break a promise no matter what. Even if it's a promise to a child, you should keep it."

Zhen Huan glanced at Concubine Qi. She was actually speaking to Concubine Qi. If anyone had a sense of shame, they should find a way to make amends now.

But unfortunately, Guwalgia Emin originally wanted to overthrow Zhen Yuandao and pave the way for his daughter, so how could he have any "sense of shame"?

The same was true for Concubine Qi. She gave Zhen Huan a rude look and spoke when Zhen Huan was about to leave, "The Emperor said yesterday that Zhen Yuandao would be severely punished.

But Lady Wan is the daughter of Niuhulu, so it is better not to ask for mercy rashly."

Zhen Huan hesitated for a moment, she didn't look back, and left Natural Painting on her own.

After finally waiting until the time for the court to end, Zhen Huan did not even have time to rest, but immediately sent someone to inquire about the emperor's verdict. However, everyone in the imperial court was tight-lipped, and even Fang Ruo did not get an answer from Su Peisheng.

In desperation, Zhen Huan could only go to Wan Fang Anhe to ask for an audience with the emperor. She wanted to test the emperor's attitude first, and then prepare to plead for her father depending on the situation.

However, as soon as she arrived at Wan Fang Anhe's door, she was stopped by Su Peisheng - Lord Fang Jia was currently discussing matters with the Emperor and was temporarily too busy to see Zhen Huan.

The emperor would not meet anyone during the meeting. Zhen Huan was very clear about this, so she did not continue to embarrass Su Peisheng. Instead, the group strolled around Wanfang Anhe.

After a series of setbacks in her requests to see the Emperor, Zhen Huan felt a little tired. She sat in the pavilion, slowly rubbing her forehead.

Fang Ruo went to inquire about the news again. Now she was the only person around Zhen Huan who had acquaintances in the imperial court, so Zhen Huan had to believe her.

After a long time, Fang Ruo hurried back. As soon as she saw Zhen Huan, the first thing she said was "Oh no."

"Aunt Fangruo, please speak slowly, what exactly happened?"

Fang Ruo let out a long sigh, "Your Excellency, I just went to the Imperial Court to inquire and learned that Lord Zhen still hasn't written a poem, which has angered the Emperor, who immediately demoted him.

He was also fined one year's salary to be used to publish a collection of poems criticizing Qian Mingshi."

Hearing this, Zhen Huan felt relieved. "As long as the person is fine, it's fine. It's just some money and an official position. Father will always find a way."

"My dear, it's not just this matter. I just heard two old eunuchs talking about how Lord Zhen secretly took the daughter of a criminal as his concubine and gave birth to a child in secret.

Compared with the private collection of poetry, this is definitely not a trivial matter!"