Legend of Zhen Huan: Zhen Huan is reborn

013 Hua Fei's Framedness, Witchcraft

(Smashed Jade Pavilion)

That day the Emperor went to Shuangrui Hall and did not come to Suiyuxuan, so Zhen Huan studied ancient books in a dimly lit place.

Suddenly, there was a slight noise outside the window.

Huanbi looked at Zhen Huan, and Zhen Huan made a "hush" sound, signaling her not to act rashly and alert the enemy.

She put down the book in her hand, walked to the window, gently lifted the corner of the curtain and took a peek. She saw a figure wandering quietly under the courtyard wall, looking extremely suspicious.

Zhen Huan immediately became suspicious and secretly guessed that this might be some evil person in the palace.

So she quietly returned to the inner room, called Xiao Yunzi, and whispered to him to investigate the matter secretly.

Xiao Yunzi took the order and left. Not long after, he returned and respectfully reported to Zhen Huan: "My lady, I have found out that the man is Xiao Dezi, from the palace of Concubine Hua."

After hearing this, Zhen Huan had some understanding in her mind. She realized that this must be Concubine Hua secretly monitoring her.

She pondered for a moment and decided to secretly monitor Xiao Dezi to see what his plans were.

"You need to pay more attention to him these days and observe his movements." Zhen Huan said to Xiao Yunzi.

"I will definitely follow your orders, my master." Xiao Yunzi replied respectfully.

After Xiao Yunzi left, Huanbi quietly walked to Zhen Huan's side. She said with confusion on her face, "Eldest sister, you asked me to study the poetry collection more recently. There is one sentence in it that I have read over and over again, but I still don't understand its meaning."

Zhen Huan put down the work she had just done, looked at Huanbi with a smile, and said gently: "Which sentence confuses you? Why not bring it out and we can discuss it together."

Huanbi immediately took out the poetry collection from her sleeve, turned to the marked page, and handed it to Zhen Huan.

The two of them then bent their heads over the lines of poetry and began an in-depth discussion and analysis.

-

In the next few days, Xiao Yunzi remained highly vigilant and kept a close eye on Xiao Dezi's every move.

He noticed that Xiao Dezi often sneaked into Zhen Huan's room when no one was paying attention and carefully looked through her things. Xiao Yunzi knew that there must be something fishy going on.

Late one night, Xiao Yunzi found Xiao Dezi wandering around the yard stealthily, as if looking for something. He suddenly realized that this might be an important clue.

So, under the cover of night, he carefully walked to the place where Xiao Dezi had just stayed and started digging.

After a while, Xiao Yunzi dug out a doll with his birth date written on it.

He was startled and immediately realized that this was a common witchcraft in the palace. He carefully took out the puppet and buried it again with soil to avoid leaving any traces.

Afterwards, Xiao Yunzi hurried back to Zhen Huan's residence.

At this time, Zhen Huan was unable to sleep at night because of her anxiety.

Hearing Xiao Yunzi's voice, she immediately stood up and let Xiao Yunzi into the room.

"My lady, I found this." Xiao Yunzi handed the doll to Zhen Huan.

Zhen Huan took the puppet and examined it carefully, sneering in her heart: "Witchcraft? You really think highly of me."

She thought for a moment and told Xiao Yunzi: "Bury this jar of rose wine. Remember, don't destroy its original appearance. As for this doll, burn it."

Xiao Yunzi took the order and soon buried Rose Drunk at the place where the doll was dug out before, and burned the doll to ashes.

(Jingren Palace)

On this day, Zhen Huan, Shen Meizhuang and An Lingrong went to Jingren Palace to pay their respects to the Queen in accordance with the rules.

The three of them bowed in unison: "Your Highness, I pay my respects to your Majesty the Queen."

The queen nodded slightly and motioned for them to stand up: "Everyone, stand up."

"Thank you, Queen." The three answered in unison.

The Queen glanced at the crowd and saw that Concubine Hua was still not here. Although she was used to it, she still felt uncomfortable.

Concubine Qi complained, "This Concubine Hua is here so late again, it's always like this."

Noble Lady Fucha complained in a low voice, "Isn't it? She relies on her prominent family background and doesn't take the Empress seriously."

Sang'er on the side gently pulled Fu Cha Peiyun's sleeve, signaling her to be careful with her words. Fu Cha Peiyun also knew that she had said the wrong thing and said no more.

Zhen Huan had some guesses in her mind. Xiao Yunzi had just found a doll in the basement of Sui Yuxuan last night, and Concubine Hua had not come yet so late today. There must be something fishy going on.

As expected, Zhou Ninghai from the Yikun Palace limped in and saluted, saying, "Your servant greets Her Majesty the Queen."

When the queen saw him coming, she couldn't help but ask, "Zhou Ninghai? Why are you here? Where is your queen?"

Zhou Ninghai bowed his head and replied, "In reply to the Queen, my Queen has been feeling unwell since she woke up this morning. Her heart aches as if it were stabbed by needles, and the imperial physician is helpless."

Upon hearing this, Concubine Qi muttered in a low voice: "Why are these symptoms so similar to..." She stopped talking halfway when she realized something was wrong.

The queen glanced at her and asked Zhou Ninghai, "What did the imperial physician say?"

Zhou Ninghai answered hesitantly: "Doctor Jiang said... maybe someone in the harem was practicing witchcraft, so this happened."

When these words were spoken, Concubine Qi showed horror on her face, and Xia Dongchun also subconsciously protected her belly.

The queen frowned in thought, then ordered: "The palace rules are strict, Zhou Ninghai, do you have any evidence?"

Zhou Ninghai lowered his head and said, "In reply to the Queen, why not ask the Imperial Observatory to come and take a look."

The queen thought for a moment and nodded in agreement: "Okay, Jianqiu, go and report to the emperor."

"Yes." Jianqiu took the order and left.

Not long after, Yinzhen personally visited Jingren Palace, followed by Gong Chang, the official historian of the Imperial Observatory, who also hurried over.

Gong Chang knelt down and saluted, saying respectfully: "I, Gong Chang, the official historian of the Imperial Observatory, kowtow to the emperor. May the emperor be well."

Yinzhen raised his hand slightly and signaled: "Get up."

Gong Chang stood up and answered respectfully: "Thank you, Your Majesty."

Yinzhen said solemnly: "I summoned you here today because I have something important to ask you. I hope to understand the current astronomical situation."

Gong Chang pondered for a moment and replied, "Your Majesty, I have been observing the stars recently and found a strange star flickering, sometimes bright and sometimes dim. This astronomical phenomenon is an ominous sign."

Yinzhen frowned and asked, "Is there any way to resolve this ominous sign?"

Gong Chang thought for a moment and replied, "Your Majesty, according to the stars, we only need to completely remove and burn the unclean things in the northwest to resolve this bad luck."

Yinzhen asked, "What are the unclean things you are referring to?"

Gong Chang bowed his head and replied: "Your Majesty, I have calculated that someone in the northwest is using evil witchcraft, which has produced unclean air and affected the celestial phenomena."

When Yinzhen heard Gong Chang's words, his brows furrowed and his eyes became deep.

He turned to Su Peisheng and asked in a low voice: "Which palaces are located in the northwest direction of the harem?"

Su Peisheng's heart trembled, but he remained calm on the surface and replied: "Your Majesty, to the northwest of the harem, there are palaces such as Yikun Palace, Xianfu Palace, Changchun Palace and Suiyuxuan."

So Yinzhen ordered a thorough investigation of these palaces.