coobybook Chapter 292 Ling Huan's Love Breaks the Danger
Chapter 292 Ling Huan's Love Breaks the Danger
Zhen Huan breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Although we have encountered another unexpected event this time, fortunately the Emperor is wise and has not been deceived by the concubine's sophistry."
An Lingrong nodded slightly: "Yes, Huan'er, if we hadn't noticed it early and collected evidence, I'm afraid she would have plotted against us again this time."
Concubine Hua came over and sneered, "Humph! That concubine doesn't even know her own limitations. How dare she play tricks in front of us? This time, let's teach her a lesson!"
Chun Er clapped her hands and cheered: "That's right, she should be punished severely so that she won't dare to do evil again!"
Mei Zhuang frowned and said worriedly, "Although this matter has calmed down temporarily, I always feel that there are more undercurrents surging in this harem."
Zhen Huan's expression was solemn. "Sister Meizhuang is absolutely right. We must not take this lightly. Lingrong, do you have any ideas?"
An Lingrong thought for a moment and said, "Huan'er, I think we should start with the person who is always by her side. Maybe we can find some new clues to see if she has accomplices or someone behind the scenes."
Zhen Huan agreed: "This is a very good plan. Sister Hua Fei, can you arrange some people to secretly monitor the palace of the promised concubine?"
Hua Fei replied, "That's not difficult! I'll give the order right away, and I'll make sure not even a fly can get out. Report back if there's any movement."
A few days later, Hua Fei's maid came to report: "Your Majesty, the maid who was demoted to a concubine has been behaving well these past few days, but her personal maid secretly left the palace and her whereabouts are unknown."
Zhen Huan's eyes glared. "There must be something fishy about this maid leaving the palace. Could she be delivering a message?"
An Lingrong said, "It's very likely. We must find a way to find that palace maid and find out why she left the palace."
Mei Zhuang suggested, "How about we ask the Emperor to come forward and have the guards in the capital help find the whereabouts of that palace maid?"
Zhen Huan shook her head. "The Emperor is very busy. Without solid evidence, it would be inappropriate to alert him. We should first send our own people to investigate around the capital."
So, Zhen Huan and others sent their trusted servants to search secretly in the capital.
Two days later, the attendant returned with a report: "Your Majesty, we have found the palace maid. She is meeting a mysterious man at a manor outside the capital."
Zhen Huan hurriedly asked, "Do you know who that man is?"
The attendant said, "I didn't dare to get closer. I only saw from a distance that the man was dressed in gorgeous clothes and looked like a young man from a wealthy family."
An Lingrong speculated, "Could it be the son of a high-ranking official? Could this be linked to events from the previous dynasty?"
Zhen Huan said, "No matter what, bring that maid back for interrogation first."
The attendant took the order and left, and soon brought the palace maid back.
Zhen Huan looked at the maid and said sternly, "How dare you leave the palace without permission and meet with a mysterious man! If you don't want to be tortured, tell me the truth. Who was that man? What did you say?"
The palace maid frightened herself to her knees, "Your Majesty, I know I was wrong! That man was the son of Minister Li. He gave me money and told me to keep an eye on the ladies in the palace, especially Noble Consort Xi and Noble Consort An, and to cause trouble whenever I could."
Zhen Huan angrily asked, "Why is Minister Li targeting us?"
The maid trembled as she spoke, "I only heard from that young master that Minister Li has a feud with the spice shop owned by Imperial Noble Consort An. He wants to use the harem incident to suppress the concubines and make the spice shop unable to operate."
An Lingrong suddenly understood: "So that's how it is. I had no idea Minister Li was so sinister."
Zhen Huan said, "We can't just let this go. We must make His Majesty aware of Minister Li's evil deeds."
Hua Fei said: "Yes! The emperor will definitely make the decision for us and severely punish such treacherous people!"
Zhen Huan and others took the palace maids to see the emperor and reported the whole story one by one.
Upon hearing this, the Emperor was furious. "How dare Minister Li interfere in the affairs of the harem and disrupt the palace! I decree that Minister Li be demoted three ranks, fined three years' salary, and his son be confined to his home for six months, forbidden from leaving the house!"
After expressing their gratitude, Zhen Huan and others came out of the Yangxin Palace.
Chun Er smiled and said, "That's great! The Emperor has done justice for us!"
Mei Zhuang said, "This is just one of the hidden dangers. I wonder how many pairs of eyes are secretly watching us in the harem."
Zhen Huan held An Lingrong's hand and said, "Sister Meizhuang is right, but as long as we sisters work together, we can handle anything. Lingrong, no matter what happens in the future, we must not be swallowed by the darkness of this harem."
An Lingrong nodded firmly: "Huan'er, don't worry, I will always fight alongside you."
Not long after, news spread in the palace that a concubine had suddenly fainted in the imperial garden and strange red spots appeared on her body.
When Zhen Huan heard this, she and An Lingrong hurried to check it out.
I saw the fainted concubine lying on the ground, her face pale and the red spots on her arms were shocking.
Zhen Huan squatted down and asked softly, "Sister, what's wrong with you?"
The concubine opened her eyes weakly and said, "Your Highness, I don't know what happened. I was just walking in the Imperial Garden when I suddenly felt dizzy and then passed out."
An Lingrong examined the red spot carefully, her brow furrowed. "This red spot looks like some kind of poison, but how could something like this suddenly appear in the palace?"
Concubine Hua also rushed over and said, "This must have been done deliberately to cause panic in the palace."
Zhen Huan stood up and said to everyone, "First, carry this sister back to the palace and ask the imperial physician to treat her. Then we will make a long-term plan and find the person who poisoned her!"
Everyone nodded. In this harem full of crises, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong once again faced severe challenges, but they were not afraid, because they knew that the friendship and trust between each other was their most solid support in this harem. They would continue to rely on their wisdom and courage to explore the truth in this harem full of conspiracy and intrigue, guarding the peace and beauty in their hearts, and writing their own legendary chapter. No matter how rugged the road ahead was, they would never give up, always sticking to kindness and justice, becoming a unique bright spot in this harem.