An Lingrong's Rebirth: Red

Hearing that it was the Queen Mother who spoke, Lingrong showed a rare look of surprise.

In her previous life, Shen Meizhuang pleased the Empress Dowager very much. Not only did she often mention her in front of the Emperor, but she even gave her love wine when Shen Meizhuang and the Emperor were estranged.

Although the wine did not end up with the emperor, it did result in the birth of a child.

It can be said that the Queen Mother had never been cold to Shen Meizhuang. Even in her previous life, she had reduced the standard dishes, but she just pretended that she had never seen it. But today, she directly bypassed the Emperor and the Empress and restored the standard dishes and the mung bean soup.

Could it be that this change happened because Shen Meizhuang was first confined to her room and then busy trying to get close to the Emperor, and had no time to serve the Empress Dowager?

Ling Rong didn't know how Shen Meizhuang had established a good relationship with the Queen Mother in her previous life. After all, she was of low family background and low position, so she couldn't get an audience with the Queen Mother, nor was she of high enough status to meet her.

And because of Zhen Huan, she is familiar with Shen Meizhuang but not close to her. Ling Rong thought of her past self and couldn't figure out why she was so repulsive to people who were close to Zhen Huan.

Shen Meizhuang is such a great help, so why don’t I get along well with her and try hard to become a “good sister” in her eyes?

"The Empress sent someone to inform us that we only need to pay respects every three days," Zhaoshui served Lingrong another bowl of iced soup, "and specifically instructed us to pay respects only in the evening to avoid the heat."

"That's good. We have more time to stroll around the garden." Ling Rong was happy to hear this. After all, the weather was too hot now. She would sweat profusely after walking for a while. Even though there were beauties in the harem, they would only feel irritated when they gathered together.

"I can pick lotus flowers and leaves for you, and take out the lotus pods and peel the lotus seeds." Unexpectedly, Zhaoshui still remembered this. Lingrong was also infected by her smile and immediately decided to go to Jianbi Pavilion to pick lotus by boat early the next morning.

The master and servant were chatting about tomorrow's outing when they suddenly heard Baoque report that Shen Meizhuang had brought Caixing and Xiao Shi to the palace.

"Please invite Sister Shen in." Ling Rong stood up and straightened her clothes so as not to be too lazy and rude.

Shen Meizhuang came in with a smile. Before Lingrong greeted her, Caixing knelt down with a plop, thanking Lady Xie An for saving her life.

"What are you doing? Caixing, get up quickly." Lingrong's expression remained unchanged. She waved her hand and wanted Zhaoshui to help Caixing up, but Caixing refused to do so. She kowtowed three times respectfully before she stood up obediently.

"My Lady An, if you hadn't asked Doctor Wei to diagnose me that day, I would have died long ago." Cai Xing said this with emotion. She raised her hands and rubbed her eyes hard twice, stammering to thank Ling Rong. Perhaps she felt it was not enough, and she actually knelt down to pay her respects.

Seeing that she was about to kneel again, Ling Rong stepped forward and directly held Cai Xing's arm to stop her, "Sister Shen, why didn't you stop Cai Xing? She just recovered not long ago, what will happen if she gets hurt?"

"When the girl knew that it was my sister who had someone rescue her, she immediately got out of bed to thank my sister. If Xiao Shi hadn't stopped her, I'm afraid she would have already gone to your Chengqian Palace to kowtow while she was still in the palace."

Lingrong patted Caixing's hand. She had her own purpose in saving her, but she was a maid brought from Shen Meizhuang's family and it was almost impossible for her to bribe her.

So he could only settle for the second best and leave a good impression on this little girl so that she could persuade Shen Meiyu from time to time and bring the two of them closer.

"It's just a small favor, don't cry. If you want to repay me, please ask your noble lady Shen to accompany me to Jianbi Pavilion to pick lotus tomorrow."

Cai Xing glanced at Ling Rong's hand, then turned to look at her own mistress. She couldn't agree on behalf of Shen Meizhuang, so she could only open her mouth hesitantly, "Mistress..."

"Sister An invited me to Cai Lian in such a roundabout way, and even instigated my maid to beg for mercy. Oh..." Shen Meizhuang stretched out her tone, and when she saw that she had attracted the attention of everyone in the hall, she burst into laughter, "It seems that I have no choice but to agree, but this cannot be regarded as Cai Xing repaying you a favor."

"Cai Xing has other things to do." Ling Rong smiled and gave Shen Mei Zhuang a mischievous look, "Tomorrow we will pick lotus pods by the water. Cai Xing will have to peel some for us."

Peeling lotus seeds is the most tiring task for one's fingernails. Ling Rong was embarrassed to let Cai Xing do this, but since she was giving Cai Xing a chance to repay the favor, she couldn't make it too easy.

Things that are too simple will make people feel that they will seek repayment for the favor later, which is not good.

Only something this exhausting and tiring can be justified.

Cai Xing didn't expect it to be such a simple thing. Seeing Shen Meizhuang nodded in agreement, she immediately agreed happily.

"I don't know who can peel lotus seeds for me tomorrow." Shen Meizhuang snorted deliberately, which made her look particularly charming. Lingrong had never seen her in such a state. After all, Shen Meizhuang had always been calm, dignified, generous and decent.

"I wonder if I have the chance to peel lotus seeds for Lady Shen." Ling Rong lowered her voice and deliberately imitated the playboy to tease Shen Meiyu.

Shen Meizhuang was so amused that she wanted to twist her mouth. The two of them laughed and joked for a long time before they separated and collapsed on the reclining chair, enjoying the evening breeze blowing from the lake.

"It's really cool here, sister. There's no need for ice."

"My sister's Bitong Academy is so much better than this place." Ling Rong had never been to Bitong Academy in this life. She thought that Zhen Huan lived there in her previous life, so it should be not bad.

"It's surrounded by mountains and dense forests. It's a quiet place. But it's a bit far from my sister, so it's not convenient to be with her every day."

"I haven't read much. If I see you every day, you'll be bored." Ling Rong likes to be alone in a corner to avoid being ridiculed by people who look down on her. Although Shuimu Mingse is a little strange, she is suitable for her.

"You have your own merits, why belittle yourself?"

Ling Rong was speechless for a moment. She felt that these words were very familiar, as if the emperor had said them before.

But she always felt that she was not as good as others, that she was not good-looking, nor had any talent, and even her temperament was a little twisted, and she often got angry to death over trivial matters.

This is not good. Ling Rong secretly warned herself, you also have something that others can't compare to, right?

"You are too cautious." Shen Meizhuang saw that she did not reply for a long time, and knew that she was starting to think about things again, "We have advantages that you cannot match, and you also have talents that we cannot learn.

Think positively, Lingrong, you are also unique in this world."

Ling Rong didn't know what mood she was in when she sent Shen Meizhuang away. She sat at the table in a daze, looking at the handkerchief embroidered with lotus flowers in her hand.

She always felt that she was inferior to others. Was she envious of their beauty, talent, and elegance, or was she envious of their ability to win the emperor's favor with these?

Why do I have to use the emperor's favor to measure whether I am good or not?

After thinking all these things through, Lingrong suddenly felt as if a huge stone pressing on her heart had been lifted. She looked around at all the things in Fenglexuan, which were no worse than those in Chengqian Palace, and were even better than those used in the palace.

No matter it was the emperor's order or the gift from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, it proved that I am worthy of using these good things now.

Lingrong was smiling happily. When Zhaoshui saw it, he thought that she was looking forward to boating and picking lotus tomorrow, so he secretly made up his mind to pick the most beautiful lotus to present to the young lady tomorrow.

After much difficulty, they made it to the next day. Zhaoshui prepared a lot of things early in the morning, just waiting for Lingrong to wake up so that he could take her to the Jianbi Pavilion.

Therefore, as soon as Lingrong woke up, Zhaoshui helped her clean her face and eat. It was not until Zhaoshui held up an oil-paper umbrella to shade her from the sun that she was finally sure that she had walked out of the cool Shuimu Mingse.

"Noble Lady Shen won't arrive so early." Ling Rong had made an appointment with Shen Meiyu to go to Jianbi Pavilion together yesterday. Now seeing that it was still early and the weather was hot, she felt a little hesitant.

"It's getting late, young lady. I have prepared the utensils for making tea and I want to make some lotus leaf tea for you to try."

Lingrong wanted to say that there was nothing to do with it, but seeing that Zhaoshui was fully prepared, she was happy to enjoy it.

I thought going to Jianbi Pavilion was just a boat ride, but I didn't expect that when I was about to cross the only bridge leading to the pavilion, I saw Prince Guo talking with Shen Meiyu.

Prince Guo was fanning himself and looked a little anxious.

Could it be that they were asking about Zhen Huan? Ling Rong was standing too far away, so she couldn't hear clearly what they were talking about. She could only hear some words of usurpation occasionally.

"Although this is not the palace, the prince is a foreigner after all. Please forgive me for not being able to talk to him."

"Lady Shen, please be patient. I just want to ask why Concubine Wan didn't come to the Old Summer Palace. Are you feeling unwell?"

Shen Meizhuang took two steps back, avoiding the greeting of Prince Guo. "After all, Zhen Changzai is the emperor's concubine. As a subject, Your Majesty should not ask too many questions."

"Zhen Changzai?!" When Prince Guo heard that Zhen Huan was demoted, he immediately raised his voice, but soon realized that his voice was too loud and disturbed Shen Meizhuang, so he lowered his voice and patiently asked, "What did Zhen Changzai do wrong? The emperor obviously dotes on her, how could she..."

"Your Highness! If you continue, you will be committing an act of presumption!" Shen Meizhuang couldn't help but frown when she heard that Prince Guo cared so much about Zhen Huan. After all, she had the best relationship with Zhen Huan, and she had never heard that Zhen Huan and Prince Guo had such a close relationship.

To put it nicely, it's mutual admiration; to put it bluntly, it's a secret connection.

Shen Meizhuang's face flushed with anger. She didn't want to suspect that Zhen Huan took the initiative to have a private relationship with Prince Guo, so she thought that he was deliberately seducing Zhen Huan. Therefore, her face instantly turned cold and she wanted to leave immediately.

Seeing Shen Meizhuang wanted to leave, Prince Guo immediately stopped her. He had not received any news about Zhen Huan, so he naturally did not want to let Shen Meizhuang leave. He raised his voice, "Noble Lady Shen, isn't Concubine Zhen your best friend? How could she be so cruel and leave her alone in the palace!"

The sound was so loud that even Lingrong, who was eavesdropping from a distance, could hear it clearly. She sighed silently, this Zhen Huan is really beautiful and passionate, the emperor and his brother are both completely devoted to this talented woman.

No, there is also Doctor Wen whose future belongs to Shen Meizhuang.

On the other side, Shen Meizhuang looked around in panic, fearing that her conversation with Prince Guo would be seen by others. If it were reported to the emperor, she would never be able to clear herself even if she jumped into the Yellow River.

She suppressed her anger and took several steps back to distance herself from the annoying Prince Guo. "Zhen Changzai plotted to murder the heir in Noble Lady Tian's womb, and was demoted and confined by the Emperor, so she never came to the Old Summer Palace.

I have repeatedly reminded you that Zhen Changzai is the emperor's concubine, and your concern for her is too much!"

After saying this, Shen Meizhuang did not stay any longer and quickly turned around and ran towards Jianbi Pavilion, fearing that Prince Guo would shout behind her and attract the palace servants to come and see.

There are more than a hundred people in her Shen family, and she doesn't want to be destroyed by Prince Guo's betrayal.

Prince Guo was stunned for a moment, obviously not believing that Zhen Huan was such a vicious person, but Shen Meizhuang dodged so quickly that he could only sigh and leave reluctantly.

When Lingrong saw him coming over here, she hurriedly pulled Zhaoshui to another place. After Prince Guo had left for a while, she walked onto the bridge with Zhaoshui, chatting and laughing.

She deliberately waited for a long time before appearing, just to make Shen Meizhuang think that he did not see her talking with Prince Guo.

After all, this is considered a secret meeting with a man outside of her relationship. Even if Shen Meizhuang temporarily believes that she will not tell other people, no one knows what will happen in the future.

Instead of doubting each other, it is better to pretend ignorance from the beginning.

"Sister, you came so early." Ling Rong saw that the redness on Shen Meizhuang's face had not yet faded, and knew that she was really mad at Prince Guo. "We clearly agreed to meet at 3:45 pm."

"It's Caixing, the girl. She's in a hurry to pick lotus pods and peel lotus seeds for you." Shen Meizhuang didn't show any strangeness on her face. She pulled Lingrong to sit down and asked casually, "Did my sister meet anyone along the way?"

"Sister Shen." Ling Rong pretended to be serious. She pushed away Shen Meizhuang's hand and turned her head away from her. "Why are you always thinking about the emperor? You clearly made an appointment with me to go boating on the lake today."

When Shen Meizhuang heard Lingrong mentioned the emperor, she felt relieved. It was good that she didn't meet Prince Guo, otherwise she really didn't know what to do.

"I'm just chatting with you, not asking the emperor." She patted Lingrong's shoulder patiently and handed her a mutton-fat jade bracelet from behind. "Look, this is a gift for my sister. Do you like it?"

Lingrong took the bracelet and took a look at it. It was as delicate as fat, pure and white, and obviously of top quality.

Without any hesitation, she put it on her wrist without hesitation, then turned around and handed it to Shen Meizhuang to see, "Does it look good on you?"

"It looks beautiful and suits sister's skin tone very well." Shen Meizhuang exclaimed. She had been preparing this bracelet for a long time and finally gave it away today.

This sister has helped me a lot. Even though the gifts she gave me are just some material things, being able to make her happy is a reward in itself.

"The scenery here is really nice. Next time, you can invite Sister Jing to come over. It will be a wonderful thing for the three of us sisters to drink tea and appreciate the lotus together." The Jianbi Pavilion is surrounded by water. It feels very cool when the breeze blows. It is not inferior to Shuimu Mingse.

"Sister Jing must be busy these days," Shen Meizhuang sighed, "I proposed cutting down the regular dishes a few days ago, which not only caused complaints from the palaces, but also caused me to be pushed into the water by Huanbi. Now, Sister Jing has been implicated, and the Queen Mother has called her in every day to reprimand her."

...Being reprimanded by the Queen Mother is not necessarily a bad thing, Sister Shen.