amaotonovel Chapter 223 An Lingrong and Zhen Huan work together to break the dilemma
Chapter 223 An Lingrong and Zhen Huan work together to break the dilemma
An Lingrong sat beside Zhen Huan's bed, holding her hand tightly, and whispered, "Huan'er, just focus on recuperating. Concubine Hua and I will take care of the rest."
Zhen Huan smiled weakly, "Lingrong, I'm sorry for dragging you down this time. My illness seems to have thrown me off balance."
An Lingrong scolded, "What are you talking about, Huan'er? You and I are sisters, we should share the joys and sorrows. Those who are plotting evil will never succeed."
Concubine Hua walked in and looked at Zhen Huan, a trace of worry flashing in her eyes: "Noble Concubine Xi, take good care of her. We have been in this harem for many years and have seen all kinds of storms. I don't believe that those rats can turn the world upside down!"
Zhen Huan said gratefully, "Sister Hua Fei, it's all thanks to you and Ling Rong. But I really don't know who is behind this."
An Lingrong pondered and said, "Huan'er, judging by what happened to Xiao Jin, there must be someone powerful behind him. But now that Nian Gengyao's property has been confiscated and the Empress is under house arrest, who could have such courage and ability?"
Concubine Hua frowned, "Hmph! Could it be that the Queen is still restless during her confinement and is secretly instructing others?"
An Lingrong shook her head. "I sent people to keep an eye on the Queen, but didn't detect any unusual activity. But if it's not the Queen, who else could be connected to Xiao Jin?"
At this moment, Zhen Huan suddenly remembered something: "Do you remember that Xiao Jin said he was forced into the palace by a powerful figure. Could this powerful figure be some important official in the court, who wanted to plant spies in the harem for personal gain?"
Hua Fei's eyes lit up: "What Xi Guifei said makes sense! Then we must thoroughly investigate the ministers in the court to see if anyone has been close to the harem recently, or if anyone has behaved unusually."
An Lingrong said, "I'll ask the people at the spice shop outside the palace to keep an eye on it. They're often in the market, so they might have more information."
A few days later, news came from An Lingrong's spice shop: "Your Majesty, I've heard recently that the court minister An Bihuai has been meeting frequently with a mysterious person. That mysterious person seems to have come from the palace."
An Lingrong was shocked. "An Bihuai? Isn't this my good-for-nothing father? How could he be involved with someone in the palace?"
Zhen Huan said, "Lingrong, don't panic. Perhaps there's a misunderstanding, or perhaps someone is deliberately using your father's name to confuse people. Let's investigate first."
Concubine Hua said disdainfully, "Humph! Regardless of whether it's a misunderstanding or not, if An Bihuai really has evil intentions, he can't be forgiven so easily."
An Lingrong decided to meet her father in person, and she met An Bihuai at a villa outside the palace.
When An Bihuai saw An Lingrong, he smiled broadly and said, "My daughter, you are now enjoying great success in the palace, but don't forget your father."
An Lingrong said with a cold expression, "Father, have you had any contact with anyone in the palace recently?"
An Bihuai's eyes flickered. "How could this be true? My daughter, please don't believe the rumors."
An Lingrong angrily cried, "Father, you'd better tell the truth! This matter is of great importance. If you tell even a single lie, not only will you be in danger, but I in the palace will also be implicated!"
An Bihuai hesitated for a moment, then spoke again, "Daughter, I...I did meet with a young eunuch in the palace. He gave me some money and asked me to help find some special spice recipes."
An Lingrong pressed on, "Who is that young eunuch? What does he want the spice recipe for?"
An Bihuai said: "I only know his name is Xiao Shunzi, I really don't know anything else."
After An Lingrong returned to the palace, she told Zhen Huan and Concubine Hua about this.
Zhen Huan pondered, "Who is this Xiao Shunzi? Why does he need a special spice recipe? Could it be related to Xiao Jin's situation?"
Hua Fei said: "No matter who he is, we must find this little Shunzi first. Starting with the eunuchs in the palace, we will definitely be able to find some clues."
So they began to secretly investigate Xiao Shunzi. Finally, they found out that Xiao Shunzi was a young eunuch working in the imperial kitchen, who kept a low profile.
An Lingrong planned to "accidentally" run into Xiao Shunzi in the Imperial Garden. She pretended to be casual and said, "You are Xiao Shunzi, right? I heard that you are a good cook."
Xiao Shunzi bowed quickly and said, "Your Highness, I am so kind. I am only doing rough work."
An Lingrong smiled and said, "I've been wanting to develop a new spice lately. I heard you asked my father for the recipe. Do you have any ideas?"
Xiao Shunzi's face changed drastically: "My lady, this servant...this servant doesn't know what you are talking about."
An Lingrong's face darkened. "Xiao Shunzi, if you don't tell the truth, you know the consequences!"
Xiao Shunzi fell to his knees and said, "Your Majesty, I was confused. It was Eunuch Zhao from the Imperial Household Department who instructed me to ask Master An for the spice recipe. I really didn't know what they were going to do."
Zhen Huan was surprised when she heard about this: "Who is this Eunuch Zhao? And why does he want the spice recipe?"
Concubine Hua said, "It seems that Eunuch Zhao is highly suspicious. Let's go directly to the Imperial Household Department to confront him!"
When they arrived at the Imperial Household Department, they found that Eunuch Zhao had died in his room with a letter beside him.
The letter read: "The truth has been revealed, and the only option is death. The mastermind behind this is unfathomable."
Zhen Huan looked at the letter, her brow furrowed. "Who is the mastermind behind this? Why would Eunuch Zhao rather die than reveal it?"
An Lingrong said, "It seems the person behind this is extremely powerful, enough to make Eunuch Zhao so afraid. We can't just give up like this. We must start by investigating the people around Eunuch Zhao and find out who is behind this!"
Concubine Hua clenched her fists: "Alright! Even if the harem is turned upside down, I will definitely find this person and give us peace!"
They know very well that the closer they get to the truth, the greater the danger, but for each other and for the peace of the harem, they can only continue to explore firmly. In this harem full of conspiracy and calculation, the friendship between Ling Huan and Hua Fei becomes more and more indestructible through repeated tests.