amaotonovel Chapter 209 Ling Huan's good governance leads to undercurrents
Chapter 209 Ling Huan's good governance leads to undercurrents
An Lingrong looked at everyone's reactions and whispered to Zhen Huan, "Huan'er, the problems in this palace have been accumulating for a long time. It will be difficult to change them. Look at what everyone is thinking. I'm afraid they will secretly try to make things difficult for you."
Zhen Huan frowned slightly. "Lingrong, I understand this, but if we don't start, there will never be peace in this harem. Even if it's difficult, we have to move forward."
Concubine Hua snorted, "What are you afraid of? With the three of us here, anyone who dares to stir up trouble will be punished! But Huan'er, what are you going to do next?"
Zhen Huan pondered for a moment: "I would like to start by reducing expenses in each palace. Nowadays, extravagance is prevalent in the harem, and many unnecessary expenses are draining the national treasury."
An Lingrong was a little worried: "But if this happens, I'm afraid it will affect the interests of many people. Those concubines who are used to enjoying themselves on a daily basis will definitely not agree easily."
Zhen Huan said, "I've considered that as well. So I'd like to gather all the concubines first and tell them the truth about the palace's financial situation. If I can reason with them, perhaps I can gain some support."
A few days later, Zhen Huan summoned all the concubines.
Zhen Huan stood in the hall and spoke slowly, "Sisters, the palace's expenses are enormous right now. If this continues, it will be detrimental to both the country and the palace. As members of the harem, we should share the emperor's worries and set an example for the world. Therefore, I suggest that each palace be frugal in its expenses. The money saved can be used for disaster relief or to replenish the national treasury."
Lipin was the first to speak out: "Noble Concubine Xi, the expenses of this palace are all allocated according to the rules, so how can you say it's extravagant? If the expenses are reduced, wouldn't it be disgraceful for us?"
Zhen Huan looked at her and said, "Lipin, do you know that the money spent on cosmetics in the harem in a year can support the expenses of the people in a small county for several years? Isn't this extravagant?"
An Lingrong also said, "Sister, the war on the border is still going on, and the people are suffering. We enjoy the glory in this palace, but we should also think about others."
Concubine Hua said loudly, "That's right! I am willing to cut down my expenses, what else do you have to say?"
The concubines were silent for a moment.
At this time, Xin Changzai said: "What Concubine Xi said is very true. I am willing to cooperate."
With Xin Changzai taking the lead, some concubines also expressed their agreement.
However, there were still a few high-ranking concubines, such as Concubine Qi, who were resentful.
Concubine Qi said, "Noble Concubine Xi, we can't just shoulder the responsibility of reducing expenses. There are so many eunuchs and maids in the palace, shouldn't their expenses be reduced as well?"
Zhen Huan nodded. "Empress Qi is right. I have instructed the Imperial Household Department to make adjustments in all aspects. The expenses of the eunuchs and palace maids will be adjusted reasonably, but they will not be left to suffer from hunger and cold."
Although a preliminary agreement was reached on the surface, Zhen Huan knew that there must be many people plotting countermeasures behind the scenes.
One day, a lot of low-quality spices suddenly appeared in An Lingrong's palace. The smell was pungent and unpleasant. An Lingrong's maid cried anxiously: "My lady, I don't know who did this. The beautiful palace has been ruined by this smell."
An Lingrong said angrily, "Someone must have done this on purpose to intimidate me!"
Zhen Huan rushed over, smelled the scent, and frowned, saying, "This method is too despicable. Lingrong, do you have any clues?"
An Lingrong said, "I suspect it was the concubines who opposed the reduction in expenses, but I have no evidence."
Concubine Hua also hurried over: "Humph! No matter who it is, if they dare to bully us, we will never let them go!"
Zhen Huan pondered, "Let's not panic yet. Lingrong, see if you can use your incense-making skills to dispel or improve this smell. Sister Hua Fei and I will go check it out."
An Lingrong nodded and began to mix the spices.
Zhen Huan and Concubine Hua secretly investigated and found that a young eunuch had been frequently entering and leaving Concubine Qi's palace in recent days, and his expression was panic.
Zhen Huan said to Concubine Hua, "Sister, it seems that Concubine Qi is quite suspicious. We might as well go and test her."
The two came to Concubine Qi's palace.
Zhen Huan smiled and said, "Empress Qi, I came here today to discuss matters in the palace. Have you discovered anything unusual in Concubine Qi's palace recently?"
Concubine Qi's eyes flickered. "What could I possibly have discovered? Concubine Xi, you're snooping around everywhere. Are you trying to find fault with me?"
Concubine Hua sneered, "Concubine Qi, don't feel guilty. If we find out that you're behind this, you'll be in big trouble!"
Concubine Qi angrily said, "Concubine Hua, please stop slandering me!"
Zhen Huan looked at her and said slowly, "Empress Qi, if you confess now, perhaps you can get a lighter punishment. If we wait until we find solid evidence, it will be too late."
Concubine Qi hesitated for a moment, but still insisted, "I didn't do anything. Don't try to wrongly accuse me!"
Zhen Huan and Concubine Hua returned empty-handed.
When he returned to An Lingrong's palace, he found that An Lingrong had already mixed a spice that dispelled a lot of the pungent smell.
An Lingrong said, "Huan'er, although I have temporarily dispelled the scent, this is not a long-term solution. We must find the mastermind behind this as soon as possible."
Zhen Huan said, "My sister Hua Fei and I have investigated. Qi Fei is the most suspicious, but she refuses to admit it. We have to start from other aspects."
At this time, Zhen Huan's maid Huanbi said, "My lady, I heard that Concubine Qi's personal maid Cuiguo has been secretly meeting with someone outside the palace recently. I wonder if this is related to this matter."
Zhen Huan's eyes lit up: "Perhaps this is a breakthrough. Let's send someone to keep an eye on Cui Guo and see what she does."
A few days later, Cuiguo sneaked out of the palace again. Zhen Huan and her companions followed her quietly and found Cuiguo talking with a mysterious man in an alley.
The mysterious man handed Cuiguo a package, Cuiguo took it and hurried back to the palace.
Zhen Huan and others intercepted Cui Guo and searched the package, and found that the ingredients were the same as those of the inferior spices.
Zhen Huan glared at Cui Guo: "Cui Guo, what else do you have to say?"
Cuiguo was so frightened that she knelt down and begged for mercy: "My Lady, spare my life! I was ordered to do this by Lady Qi. I dare not disobey you!"
Zhen Huan brought Cui Guo to Concubine Qi's palace.
Zhen Huan threw the bag of ingredients on the ground: "Concubine Qi, what else do you have to say now?"
When Concubine Qi saw that the truth had been revealed, her face turned pale. "Noble Concubine Xi, I... I was forced into this situation. I don't want to cut back on expenses and lose my position in the palace."
Zhen Huan said, "Concubine Qi, you resorted to such despicable tactics in the palace for your own selfish desires. This is truly despicable. I will report this matter to the Emperor, and he will make the final decision."
Concubine Qi collapsed to the ground, crying out, "Noble Concubine Xi, please forgive me!"
Zhen Huan remained unmoved and left Qi Fei's palace with An Lingrong and Hua Fei, preparing to report the matter to the emperor.
On the way to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Zhen Huan pondered the increasingly sinister struggles within the palace. What conspiracies and challenges would they face next? But no matter what, she would not back down. Together with An Lingrong and Concubine Hua, they would carve out their own path within the harem, moving resolutely forward toward an unknown future.