vrcanaries Chapter 303 Fear
Chapter 303 Fear
The Queen Mother listened quietly, her expression unchanged, but her eyes still revealed deep doubt and consideration. The atmosphere in the hall became increasingly solemn, as if the air had frozen.
"Since the Emperor wants you to return to the palace, I will not ask any further questions. From now on, you must remember not to become arrogant due to your favor and neglect your duties as a concubine."
"Chen and concubine dare not!"
"You don't dare, but your good sister is so brave that she even dares to plot against me!"
Zhen Huan was startled, but quickly composed herself. She bowed again and said, "Your Majesty, Concubine Wen is very outspoken. She speaks whatever comes to her mind. She has no intention of disrespecting you. Please understand."
"Hmph, what you said can only fool others. I have been in this harem for many years and have seen all kinds of tricks. She didn't just speak without consideration, she clearly did it on purpose." The Queen Mother snorted coldly and gently raised her hand to adjust the phoenix hairpin on her head. The pearls and jade on the hairpin swayed slightly with her movements, making a crisp sound, as if adding a bit of majestic accompaniment to her words.
Thinking of what happened that day, the empress dowager's face was filled with anger. She was too careless. She didn't expect that when she suddenly attacked, An Lingrong actually saw through her intention in advance and quickly thought of a response plan. Now, even if she realized the emperor's indifference towards her and wanted to repair the mother-son relationship, she was powerless!
Zhen Huan, kneeling on the ground, keenly sensed the murderous intent that flashed across the Empress Dowager's face and quickly defended herself, "Please calm down, Empress Dowager. Concubine Wen...she is just like that. She may have been a little thoughtless at times, but she meant absolutely no harm. I hope the Empress Dowager will forgive me. I will certainly advise her to be more careful with her words and actions in the future and never dare to anger the Empress Dowager again."
"Now that you've returned to the palace, I won't pursue the past. However, whether you or Concubine Wen, if you have any little thoughts, I advise you to keep them to yourself. The Queen is always the Queen, and no one can shake her!"
Although the Queen Mother's voice was low, every word was like thunder, echoing in the silent palace. Zhen Huan stiffened slightly. How could she not hear the warning and warning in the Queen Mother's words?
For a moment, anger flashed in Zhen Huan's eyes like flames, but her face remained respectful. "What the Queen Mother said, I will remember in my heart. I returned to the palace only to serve the Emperor and the Queen Mother, and I have no intention of overstepping my bounds. The Queen is the mother of the country, and her dignity is unquestionable. I will strictly abide by my duties and follow the palace rules."
"Okay, I'm tired, you can leave now!" The Queen Mother waved her hand lightly.
"Thank you, Queen Mother."
Zhen Huan then slowly stood up. Having knelt for so long, her legs were numbed and ached like a tide. The discomfort spread from her knees to her thighs, then up her calves to her ankles. Every muscle twitched, causing her body to sway uncontrollably.
Huanbi quickly supported him, her eyes full of heartache and worry, and whispered, "My Lady, please be careful."
Zhen Huan used the force to stand up, leaning slightly on Huanbi. She paused for a moment, waiting for the dizziness to subside a little, before slowly moving out of the hall step by step.
Huanbi always remembered An Lingrong's instructions and ordered the servants carrying the sedan chair to bypass Chuxiu Palace.
Back at Yongshou Palace, An Lingrong's slender figure was standing quietly in the corridor, her eyes fixed on the palace gate. When she saw Huanbi supporting Zhen Huan back, her brows, which had been relaxed, instantly twisted into a deep "chuan" shape. She hurried forward, her voice full of concern: "What's wrong?"
Huanbi carefully supported Zhen Huan while she replied indignantly, "The Queen Mother made my Majesty kneel for a long time, and my legs are a little sore."
After entering the hall, An Lingrong didn't care about anything else. She squatted down and gently lifted up Zhen Huan's trouser legs. She saw that the knees were slightly red, but fortunately there was no serious injury.
Seeing this, Zhen Huan raised the corners of her mouth slightly, revealing a comforting smile, and said softly: "It's okay, you don't have to worry. When I was chanting scriptures and worshiping Buddha in Ganlu Temple, I knelt for several hours. This is nothing."
An Lingrong slowly raised her head, her eyes darkening slightly as she met Zhen Huan's gaze. She asked in confusion, "What did the Queen Mother say to you? Why did she make you kneel for so long?"
Zhen Huan's smile faded, her expression becoming dignified and serious. She said solemnly, "Rong'er, it doesn't matter what the Queen Mother said to me. Go pack some underwear and move to Yongshou Palace right now. I'll report to the Emperor later and tell him that I want you to accompany me. He won't say anything!"
"Why?" An Lingrong blurted out, her eyes full of confusion.
Zhen Huan sighed softly and held An Lingrong's hand: "I think the Queen Mother is very wary of you. I'm afraid she will find another opportunity to harm you. If you move to Yongshou Palace, I can protect you a little more."
An Lingrong said no more and sat beside Zhen Huan. Her face appeared calm, but her heart was turbulent. She extended her index finger and gently pressed it against her temple, tapping it rhythmically.
"This method only treats the symptoms and not the root cause!"
"Then do you have any other solution?"
Now, she had completely angered the Empress Dowager, the harem's most powerful figure. Given the Empress Dowager's position within the palace, even if the Emperor still had some favor with her, Zhen Huan would have wanted to protect her. But if the Empress Dowager truly turned on her, how confident would these two be of protecting her? She had originally thought that the Empress Dowager was dying, her end near, and that she could just let things take their course. But now, the situation was pressing. If she didn't defeat the Empress Dowager, she would have to live in fear.
An Lingrong raised her chin slightly, reached out her hand solemnly, and pretended to stroke her nonexistent beard, her expression revealing a comical, pretentious air. Then, she composed herself and said seriously, "Sister Zhen, I have a plan, I just need your help!"
Zhen Huan was originally immersed in her previous worries. Seeing her such an interesting action, she was stunned at first, and then she couldn't help laughing and burst out laughing.
The laughter tore through the originally heavy and oppressive atmosphere, instantly making it feel a little lighter. Zhen Huan chuckled and looked at An Lingrong, responding sincerely, "All of this happened because of me. If you need me, I will definitely do my best!"
"Yes!" An Lingrong stopped playing tricks and ordered loudly, "Go find Xiao Luzi."
After a moment, Xiao Luzi stood in front of the two of them.
"Go ask Wei Lin for some beech juice."
"Yes!"
After he left, Zhen Huan asked, "Beech tree juice has the effect of clearing away heat, detoxifying, and cooling the blood. But what is the use of this thing?"
“It’s very useful!”