coobybook Chapter 296 Ling Huan's Outsmarting Foreign Strategies
Chapter 296 Ling Huan's Outsmarting Foreign Strategies
Zhen Huan returned to the palace and said to An Lingrong and Concubine Hua, "Although the Emperor has agreed to investigate, there are many variables involved. We cannot place all our hopes on the Emperor."
An Lingrong nodded. "Huan'er is absolutely right. The princess is very thoughtful and must have a plan in place. We must find another way."
Concubine Hua frowned: "Humph! This princess is so abominable. How dare she be so arrogant in our territory."
At this time, Chun Er came running over, panting and saying, "Sisters, I found that the princess often sent people out of the palace at night. Her whereabouts are very suspicious!"
Mei Zhuang also followed: "There must be something fishy about this matter. I'm afraid he is passing the message to someone outside the palace."
Zhen Huan thought for a moment and said, "Sister Meizhuang, please arrange for a few reliable people to secretly monitor those who leave the palace and see where they go and who they meet."
Mei Zhuang replied, "Okay, I'll arrange it right away."
An Lingrong whispered, "Huan'er, I think the attendants the princess brought with her are quite significant. They might know something about the princess's plans."
Zhen Huan's eyes lit up. "Lingrong is right. Sister Hua Fei, you have always been so majestic. You can find an excuse to go to the princess's palace and intimidate those servants. Maybe you can get some information out of them."
Concubine Hua readily agreed: "Okay, I want to see how long those servants can keep their stubbornness!"
Concubine Hua came to the princess's palace with several palace maids.
Concubine Hua said loudly, "Your Highness, I came here today to discuss the palace rules with you. I heard that many of your servants are ignorant. Please don't let them corrupt the atmosphere of this palace!"
The princess came out and said, "Empress Hua, are you accusing me of being a poor teacher?"
Concubine Hua sneered: "If Your Highness can't manage the servants, I don't mind doing it for you!"
The princess's face turned red with anger: "How dare you!"
Concubine Hua approached the princess and lowered her voice: "Do you think I dare not? If I find out about your dirty deeds, you will be severely punished by the emperor!"
The princess was startled, but she still pretended to be calm: "Empress Hua, please don't slander me!"
After Hua Fei returned to the palace, she said to Zhen Huan and the others, "Although the princess pretended to be calm, her eyes flickered, which shows that she must be guilty."
A few days later, Mei Zhuang came to report: "Zhen Huan, An Lingrong, the people I sent out have found that those who left the palace have frequent contacts with a minister in the court, and this minister has secretly communicated with other countries."
Zhen Huan exclaimed in shock, "How could this happen! It seems the princess is planning to ally with foreign officials and interfere in government affairs. This is a serious taboo!"
An Lingrong said, "Then we must present the evidence to the Emperor as soon as possible to stop their conspiracy."
Zhen Huan was a little worried: "But our evidence is not sufficient yet. If we present it to the Emperor now, I'm afraid he won't be convinced."
Concubine Hua said, "Then let's keep looking. We'll eventually find solid evidence. I don't believe we can't find evidence against her!"
While everyone was discussing, a young eunuch came up and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, the princess wants to see you. She says she has something important to discuss."
Zhen Huan and the others looked at each other, and Zhen Huan said, "Let's go and see what tricks this princess has up her sleeve."
When they arrived at the princess's palace, the princess smiled and said, "Dear sisters, there have been many misunderstandings before. I specially invited you sisters here today to resolve the conflicts."
Zhen Huan said, "It's a good thing that Your Highness has this intention. But I don't know how to resolve this conflict."
The princess rolled her eyes. "I've heard that Imperial Noble Consort An is skilled in spice making, and I'm quite interested in spices myself. If Imperial Noble Consort An can create a unique spice for me, I'll forgive the past and live in harmony with my sisters."
An Lingrong was suspicious. "Your Highness, this spice blend is not easy, and the spices required are precious. It will take a while to complete."
The princess's face darkened. "Is Imperial Noble Consort An unwilling to prepare the drink for me?"
Hua Fei said, "Your Highness, please don't embarrass Ling Rong."
The princess said angrily: "You don't take me seriously!"
Zhen Huan hurriedly said, "Don't worry, Princess. Lingrong is not unwilling, she just needs some time to prepare."
The princess snorted, "Then I'll give you three days. If you don't have the spices after three days, don't blame me for being rude!"
Back in the palace, An Lingrong said, "Huan'er, this princess is clearly trying to make things difficult for me. I'm afraid she has some conspiracy."
Zhen Huan said, "Whatever her conspiracy is, we will accept it first. We will also speed up the search for evidence in the next three days."
Three days later, An Lingrong came to the princess's palace with a spice.
The princess took the spice and smelled it. "This spice is quite good. However, I have changed my mind. Although this spice is good, it is not enough to make up for your disrespect to me."
Zhen Huan angrily said, "Princess, how could you go back on your word?"
The princess laughed and said, "I've gone back on my word. What can you do about it?"
At this moment, Mei Zhuang arrived with her men: "Your Highness, your collusion with foreign officials has been investigated and the evidence is irrefutable. What else do you have to say?"
The princess turned pale: "You... you dare to secretly investigate this princess!"
Zhen Huan said, "Your Highness, you are attempting to collude with foreign ministers and disrupt the harem and government of the Qing Dynasty. This is an unforgivable crime. We will not sit idly by!"
Afterwards, Zhen Huan and others presented the evidence to the emperor.
The emperor was furious: "This princess is so bold! Come, put the princess under house arrest and wait for your punishment!"
This fierce struggle with the princess ultimately came to a temporary end with the victory of Zhen Huan and her companions. But Zhen Huan knew that the harem's peace was only temporary; new challenges could loom at any moment. She and An Lingrong, hand in hand, would continue to forge ahead in this harem rife with intrigue and calculation, writing their own legend. No matter how many difficulties and obstacles lay ahead, they would not retreat, for they shared a common faith and a determination to protect each other. This friendship, like a beacon within the harem, illuminated their path forward. Amidst the unpredictable turmoil of imperial power, they remained unshaken, always ready to face new trials and tribulations.