The Legend of Zhen Huan: Rebirth of An Lingrong: Counterattack to Become the Queen Mother

Chapter 262: Battle of Wisdom in the Shadow Palace

An Lingrong frowned slightly, "Huan'er, if this fake news is to be convincing, it must have a reason. It can't just come out of nowhere."

Zhen Huan nodded slightly. "Lingrong is right. I've thought about it and decided to start with the long-lost secret palace fragrance. Rumor has it that the Shadow Cult has always coveted rare fragrances and treasures."

An Lingrong's eyes lit up. "Huan'er, this is a great idea! I can concoct a secret fragrance that seems real, but it's not. I can then deliberately spread rumors that this fragrance is related to a treasure, the secret of which can only be solved by the Shadow Cult."

Concubine Hua clapped her hands and laughed. "Haha, this plan is brilliant! It will definitely lure those rats into the trap. However, the concoction of this secret fragrance will require you, Lingrong, to put in more effort."

An Lingrong said modestly, "Don't worry, Sister Hua Fei, I will do my best. However, how to spread this news still requires careful consideration."

Zhen Huan paced back and forth, pondering: "I could send a trusted person to a place where the palace maids and guards frequently come and go, pretending to mention it casually. But the person must be reliable and keep their mouth shut."

Hua Fei immediately said, "Song Zhi in my palace is quite clever and can take on this task."

Zhen Huan shook her head: "Songzhi is always by my sister's side, and I'm afraid she'll be noticed. I think my palace's little Yunzi is quite clever, and he's often out and about, so he's less likely to arouse suspicion."

An Lingrong also agreed: "Huan'er has considered everything carefully. Xiao Yunzi is indeed the right person."

A few days later, Xiao Yunzi followed the plan and pretended to chat with a guard in a remote corner of the imperial garden.

Xiao Yunzi said mysteriously, "Brother, do you know that there is a strange thing happening in the palace recently?"

The guard asked curiously, "What's the strange thing? Tell me about it."

Xiao Yunzi lowered her voice and said, "I heard that Imperial Concubine An created a secret fragrance. The fragrance is very strange and seems to be related to a huge treasure. The secret of this treasure seems to be known only to the mysterious Shadow Cult."

The guard's eyes widened. "Is this really true? Don't try to deceive me."

Xiao Yunzi patted her chest and said, "How could I lie to you? This matter has spread quietly in the harem, and many people are secretly investigating."

The news spread like wildfire throughout the palace. Zhen Huan, An Lingrong, and Concubine Hua were quietly awaiting any movement from the Dark Shadow Cult in a secret room within the palace.

An Lingrong was a little worried: "Huan'er, what should we do if the Shadow Cult doesn't take the bait?"

Zhen Huan remained calm and composed. "Don't worry, Lingrong. They have many spies in the palace, and they won't let go of such tempting information easily. Let's wait patiently."

Concubine Hua also said: "Humph! I don't believe they can keep their composure."

Sure enough, a few days later, Xiao Yunzi came to report that several suspicious people were found wandering around An Lingrong's palace.

Zhen Huan's eyes glared. "It looks like the fish is about to take the bait. Give orders to increase vigilance, but don't alert the enemy."

An Lingrong clenched her fists nervously: "Huan'er, will they see through our plan?"

Zhen Huan comforted her, "Lingrong, don't be afraid. We have carefully planned this, and it won't be easily seen through. Let's wait and see what they do next."

Those suspicious people explored the area for several days but seemed to have found no flaws.

One night, a dark figure sneaked into An Lingrong's spice room. Zhen Huan, An Lingrong and Concubine Hua had already ambushed her in the dark.

The shadowy figure rummaged through the spice room, muttering to himself, "Where is the secret incense? What is the treasure?"

Just as the shadow was about to find the special secret fragrance, Zhen Huan shouted, "Catch it for me!"

The guards rushed forward, and the black shadow was terrified and fought back hard.

The shadow roared, "How dare you plot against me!"

Zhen Huan sneered, "Hmph! You, the Shadow Cult, have been committing evil in the palace. Today is your end."

An Lingrong also said: "You asked for this, trying to use us, what wishful thinking!"

Hua Fei said sternly: "If you surrender obediently, you will be spared from physical pain. Otherwise, I will not show mercy."

The shadow suddenly pulled out a smoke bomb and threw it on the ground, instantly filling the air with smoke. When the smoke cleared, the shadow was gone.

Zhen Huan stamped her feet: "Damn it! He actually got away."

An Lingrong said, "Huan'er, don't be upset. Even though he escaped, we know the Shadow Cult has fallen into our trap and will definitely come back."

Concubine Hua said in hatred, "If I catch him again next time, I will tear him into pieces!"

After this incident, everyone in the harem felt insecure, and there were rumors that the Shadow Cult was going to stir up a bloody storm in the palace.

Zhen Huan went to see the emperor and said worriedly, "Your Majesty, the Shadow Cult is so rampant in the palace, and I am terrified."

The Emperor frowned and said, "Don't be afraid, Huanhuan. I will strengthen the palace guards and thoroughly investigate the Shadow Cult."

Zhen Huan continued, "Your Majesty, I have heard that the Dark Shadow Cult seems to be colluding with the remnants of the previous dynasty, and their intentions are ill-conceived."

The emperor's face darkened. "If that's the case, I will not tolerate it. Huanhuan, do you have any clues?"

Zhen Huan lowered her head and thought for a moment: "I don't have any definite clues yet, but I will keep an eye out with Imperial Noble Consort An and Consort Hua. If we find anything, we will report it to the Emperor immediately."

The Emperor nodded: "Hanhuan is thoughtful. I will also instruct the ministers to keep an eye on this in the court."

After Zhen Huan returned to the palace, she discussed the matter with An Lingrong and Concubine Hua.

An Lingrong said, "Huan'er, we can't just rely on the Emperor. We have to find a way ourselves. I think we can start by investigating the route that the shadow escaped. Maybe we can find their lair."

Concubine Hua agreed and said, "Lingrong, this plan is feasible. I don't believe they can hide in the sky."

So, the three of them began a new round of planning and investigation. They sent their trusted men to inquire around the palace, looking for clues along the path the shadow might have taken to escape.

One day, Zhen Huan's maid Huanbi came to report: "Your Majesty, I found some strange footprints in a remote corner of the Imperial Garden. They seem to be left by the shadow that night."

Zhen Huan immediately stood up and said, "Take me to see it quickly."

Everyone came to the corner of the imperial garden and saw that the footprints led to an abandoned palace.

An Lingrong whispered, "This palace is rarely visited on weekdays. Could it be the Shadow Cult's hiding place?"

Hua Fei said: "No matter whether it is true or not, we will find out after searching in."

Zhen Huan stopped her, saying, "Sister, wait a minute. We must not act rashly. First, we must deploy personnel around the area, and then send someone in to investigate quietly."

Concubine Hua nodded: "Huan'er is still cautious. I will do as you say."

Everyone followed the plan and sent a few guards to sneak into the palace. A moment later, the guards came out and reported, "Your Majesty, there seems to be a secret room inside, but it is heavily guarded. We dare not go deeper."

Zhen Huan pondered for a moment: "It seems that there must be something fishy going on here. We need to come up with a foolproof plan to break into the dark room and wipe out the Shadow Cult."

An Lingrong's eyes suddenly lit up: "Huan'er, I have a plan. We can use the incense I made to make them unconscious, and then attack them."

Zhen Huan smiled and said, "Lingrong, this is a brilliant plan. However, the dosage and placement of the incense need careful consideration."

Concubine Hua also laughed and said, "With the help of Lingrong's incense, I think the Shadow Cult will be unable to escape even if they have wings."

The three of them discussed in detail outside the palace how to use the incense and how to arrange the manpower. A bigger operation was about to begin, and they were getting deeper and deeper into the vortex of palace fighting and conspiracy, but they were also more and more determined to protect each other and the peace of the harem.