An Lingrong after rebirth

At noon on September 18, the sun was shining brightly and the weather was clear, but still a little chilly. An Lingrong was wearing a lavender cheongsam embroidered with delicate patterns, which made her look particularly elegant and charming.

She was holding a folding fan, walking lightly on the stone road, followed by Qiufang, holding a bundle in her hand.

They came to Noble Lady Fucha's door. An Lingrong looked up and saw that Noble Lady Fucha's door and windows were closed, and it seemed that there was no one inside.

She thought, "Is the noble lady not here?" Or has the noble lady gone to Jingren Palace to pay respects? According to the rules, concubines of lower ranks cannot ride in sedan chairs, so they can only walk. Thinking of this, An Lingrong couldn't help but quicken her pace.

An Lingrong and Qiufang walked hurriedly, fearing they would be late. Along the way, the autumn breeze gently brushed their cheeks, bringing a hint of coolness.

Although the scenery along the way was beautiful, they had no time to care about it. They only wanted to get to their destination as soon as possible. When An Lingrong arrived at Jingren Palace, she was sweating a little.

Many concubines had gathered at the gate of Jingren Palace. Two young eunuchs were guarding the gate. The young eunuch said, "My dear ladies, please wait a moment while I go and report to the Empress."

While waiting for the Queen to find her, An Lingrong also saw Noble Lady Fucha, Zhen Huan, Shen Meizhuang, Xia Dongchun and others.

An Lingrong nodded, Xia Dongchun snorted coldly and turned away! An Lingrong smiled, not taking Xia Dongchun's attitude to heart, and waited quietly!

One of the eunuchs came out and called out to the ladies, saying, "The Queen invites you!"

Ladies and gentlemen, please come in. Everyone lined up in two rows, with Noble Lady Fucha and Noble Lady Shen walking in the front, and then they walked slowly into Jingren Palace according to their position.

After entering Jingren Palace, the Empress said, "Today is the first time that all the sisters have come to pay their respects to me. Jianqiu, have you heard from the one from Yikun Palace? Why hasn't he arrived yet?"

Before Jianqiu could answer, she heard the eunuch shouting, "Empress Hua has arrived." The Queen said to Empress Hua, "All the sisters are here, they are just waiting for you!"

Songzhi helped Concubine Hua come over, and Concubine Hua said: "My Queen, I am not too late, am I?" Just right, the Queen smiled and said nothing.

Concubine Qi wanted to show her face in front of the newlyweds, so she asked, "Sister, why did you come so late? Are you not feeling well?"

Concubine Hua rolled her eyes and didn't even look at Concubine Qi. She said, "The Emperor was in Yikun Palace last night. I was busy serving him, so I got up late this morning."

After saying that, she glanced at Concubine Qi and said, "Your Majesty, don't you mind?" The Queen smiled and said, "The Emperor is the master of everything. How could I mind?"

The Empress said to Concubine Hua: "Sister, please sit down! Concubine Hua has just been reborn and is sitting down."

Zhen Huan took a step forward, bowed slightly, and said, "Your Highness, Concubine Hua, thank you for your hard work in serving the Emperor."

Concubine Hua chuckled, glanced at Zhen Huan, and said, "Concubine Wan is still good at talking, but her little mouth is quite sweet." Zhen Huan lowered her head and said nothing.

Seeing this, the Queen quickly tried to smooth things over, saying, "Since everyone is here, let's start paying our respects."

The Queen Mother looked at Jiang Defu, and Jiang Defu flicked his whisk and said, "Ladies, please kowtow to the Queen Mother."

Everyone responded in unison: "Yes!"

So, they followed the rules they had learned before, straightening their clothes, kneeling on the ground, and then prostrating themselves with their hands and foreheads touching the ground, performing the ritual of six bows, three prostrations, and three kowtows. This was the highest etiquette in the palace, and it showed respect and reverence for the Empress.

Jiang Defu said again: "The ladies pay their respects to Concubine Hua", and then the concubines knelt down one after another and said in unison: "Long live Concubine Hua".

Hua Fei pretended not to notice the people kneeling on the ground and chatted with the pine branches beside her: "The emeralds this year are not very green..."

When the Empress saw that Concubine Hua was deliberately ignoring everyone, she said, "Sister is so young, there is no need for such old-fashioned things as jade. It would be better to choose pink diamonds or rubies to highlight her beauty."

Concubine Hua chuckled: "Your Majesty is really good at joking. This jade was given to me by the Emperor, so of course I must cherish it." The two of them bickered back and forth, and the atmosphere was a little tense.

At this time, Concubine Hua seemed to have just noticed the people kneeling on the ground, and said with a smile, "This palace is chatting with the queen: "Why are all the sisters still kneeling?

Get up quickly!" After thanking Concubine Hua, the concubines stood up and took their seats one by one.

This is what Xia Dongchun complained about. Who is Concubine Hua doing this for? My legs are numb! Noble Lady Fucha was too lazy to pay attention to this idiot. It seemed that her previous reprimand had no effect.

Xia Dongchun poked Noble Fucha's arm again, and Noble Fucha moved aside a little. At this time, Concubine Hua sneered and said, "I heard that Concubine Xia has fair skin, beautiful face and long legs. Who is she?"

Xia Dongchun walked out, took a step forward, and knelt on the ground. The ceremony she performed was so weird that all the concubines covered their mouths and laughed secretly without realizing it.

I thought Hua Fei wanted to praise her and was very proud of herself. She often saw Hua Fei at Xia's. Hua Fei lazily leaned on the chair. It was really good!

Hua Fei spoke again: "I heard that there is a Wan Changzai who looks like the emperor's beloved. Who is she? And who is Shen Changzai who has an extraordinary temperament and conversation?"

Everyone looked at each other, not daring to speak, for fear of angering Concubine Hua. At this time, Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang, who were standing behind the two nobles, looked at each other, then slowly walked out and saluted, saying, "I pay my respects to Concubine Hua, and wish Concubine Hua good luck."

Hua Fei's mouth corners slightly raised, a trace of disdain flashed in her eyes, and jealousy in her heart was like a cat's claw. It really looks like that. Then she said: "Oh, so this is Wan Changzai and Shen Da Ying, they are really different."

Just as the two were about to stand up, Concubine Hua suddenly asked, "Who is the Concubine An who has a beautiful voice?"

Everyone was stunned, not understanding why Concubine Hua would suddenly mention some minor concubines. An Lingrong, who was named, was even more stunned. She didn't expect Concubine Hua to notice her. She couldn't help but feel a little nervous, but she hurried out and bowed, saying, "I pay my respects to Concubine Hua. May Concubine Hua be blessed."

Concubine Hua said, "Okay, everyone leave now." Concubine Hua said arrogantly, they are not that great!

After paying respects, the Queen chatted with Concubine Hua for a while, which was nothing more than some trivial matters in the palace. However, under the seemingly calm atmosphere, there was actually an undercurrent.

Each concubine has her own thoughts, calculating her own position and future in the harem.

The Queen Mother said, "Sisters, please leave if you are alright." The concubines bowed and left Jingren Palace one after another.

An Lingrong and Qiu Fang walked out of the palace together. She looked back at Jingren Palace and sighed in her heart: Life in this palace is indeed as complicated and changeable as the rumors said. I must be more careful in the future.

An Lingrong and Qiu Fang walked slowly, with a myriad of thoughts in their minds. All of this made her feel extremely tired and helpless.

"My lady, where are we going next?" Qiufang asked softly.

"Let's go for a walk in the Imperial Garden." An Lingrong thought as she walked. In this palace, every step is thrilling.

Everyone has ulterior motives and will do anything to win the emperor's favor. She, too, had once done anything to win the emperor's favor, but in the end, she ended up like this.

An Lingrong sighed deeply, her heart filled with endless sorrow and loss.

Arriving at the Imperial Garden, An Lingrong saw the lotus flowers in full bloom in the lake and went closer to admire them, but she happened to hear a quarrel not far away.

"How dare you, you slut, dirty my clothes!" Xia Dongchun angrily scolded a palace maid. Her voice was sharp and piercing, full of anger and dissatisfaction.

"My lady, please spare my life, my lady, please spare my life..." The maid knelt on the ground, kowtowed and begged for mercy. Her face was pale, and her eyes were full of fear and helplessness.

An Lingrong didn't want to meddle in other people's business, but when she saw that the maid was really pitiful, she couldn't help but feel a little sympathy. She hesitated for a moment, but finally walked forward.

"Sister Xia, why are you so angry? It's just a piece of clothing." An Lingrong said softly. Her tone was calm and gentle, trying to calm Xia Dongchun's anger.

"Who do you think you are? How dare you teach me a lesson?" Xia Dongchun turned her head and glared at An Lingrong fiercely. Her eyes were full of hostility and disdain.

An Lingrong thought to herself: "This is really strange. Xia Dongchun was not like this before he entered the palace. Why has he become so arrogant and domineering now?" She frowned and shook her head in confusion, really unable to figure out the reason.

"I am just trying to persuade you with good intentions. I have no other intentions." An Lingrong responded neither servilely nor arrogantly. Her expression was firm, and she had no intention of backing down.

"Hmph, I think you are deliberately going against me!" Xia Dongchun raised her hand and was about to hit An Lingrong. Her movements were swift and fierce, as if she wanted to vent all her grievances on An Lingrong.

At this moment, a strong hand suddenly reached out and grabbed Xia Dongchun's wrist tightly.

An Lingrong looked back and saw Zhou Linhai, who was wearing a black robe and had a calm and reserved temperament.

Zhou Linhai frowned, looked at Xia Dongchun and said, "Xia Changzai, you are so domineering, do you really think you can do whatever you want? She is also a Changzai like you, what qualifications do you have to hit her?"

Hearing this, Xia Dongchun snorted disdainfully and said, "I can beat anyone I want. Even if I beat a little concubine with no family background, what does it matter?"

Zhou Linhai's face darkened, and he said in a cold voice: "She really can't do anything to you, but if this matter gets to the ears of Concubine Hua, do you think Concubine Hua will tolerate what you did?"

Xia Dongchun snorted disapprovingly and said, "The Queen didn't say anything, so what right does Concubine Hua have to say anything?"

When Concubine Hua, who was not far away, heard this, she became so angry that her eyebrows raised and a trace of anger flashed in her eyes.

She was sitting in the sedan chair, snorted coldly, and said, "Really? Don't I have the right to manage it? The emperor asked me to assist in managing the harem. Why, the emperor doesn't have the final say, but you, a little concubine, have the final say?"

Concubine Hua turned to Zhou Linhai and said, "I have seen that the maple leaves this year are not red enough. Let Concubine Xia help dye them red." As she spoke, a cruel smile appeared on the corner of her mouth, which made people shudder.

After hearing what Concubine Hua said, Xia Dongchun showed a look of horror on her face, as if she had been struck by lightning. Her lips trembled, and she couldn't utter a word. Suddenly, her legs softened, and she fell to her knees with a plop.

Xia Dongchun's forehead hit the cold ground heavily, making a crisp sound. Tears slid down from the corners of her eyes, soaking her cheeks.

Xia Dongchun's voice was filled with fear and despair: "Empress Hua, please spare my life! I know I was wrong, and I will never dare to do it again. Please be magnanimous and forgive me this time..."

Concubine Hua was not moved by Xia Dongchun's plea for mercy. Instead, she frowned and a hint of disgust flashed in her eyes.

She said coldly: "I have given you a chance, but you don't know how to cherish it.

In that case, don't blame me for being ruthless. Come, drag this ignorant woman away and give her a slash of red. "

As Hua Fei's order was given, two strong eunuchs immediately stepped forward, pulled Xia Dongchun up from the ground, and dragged her out.

Xia Dongchun's body was limp and she had no power to resist. Her eyes were full of helplessness and fear, as if she had foreseen her tragic fate.

The guards at the side immediately stepped forward and dragged Xia Dongchun away.

An Lingrong thought, here they come, the arrogant and domineering people will be punished.

Everyone present was silent, no one dared to say another word.

An Lingrong watched this scene, and a chill rose in her heart. She knew that in this harem, the slightest mistake could lead to death.

Zhou Linhai watched all this silently, with a hint of contempt in his eyes. He turned to An Lingrong and said softly, "Ladies, please learn to behave yourself in the future."

An Lingrong and others could only answer: "Thank eunuch for your instruction and nodded."

Empress Hua Fei looked at An Lingrong, Zhen Huan and others in the sedan chair, with a slight smile on her face, and said with disdain: "The water in the harem is deep..."

Everyone quickly bowed and respectfully sent Concubine Hua off.