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

Chapter 187 Ling Huan's Dilemma Welcomes the Dawn

Zhen Huan nodded slightly, her eyes firm. "Lingrong, you are right. However, the situation in the palace is becoming increasingly treacherous. We must be careful at all times."

As he was speaking, Huanbi, the personal maid, hurried over, looking panicked. "Your Majesty, Young Master, this is terrible! Many flowers in the Imperial Garden have withered for no apparent reason today. Everyone is saying it's a bad omen. There are even rumors that your spices have offended the flower god, causing this."

An Lingrong's expression changed. "This is completely nonsense! My spices are all carefully blended, how could they offend the Flower God?"

Zhen Huan thought for a moment and said, "Someone must have done this deliberately, wanting to use this opportunity to suppress you. Lingrong, let's go to the Imperial Garden first."

The two rushed to the Imperial Garden, only to see the concubines gathered together, whispering. Seeing Zhen Huan and An Lingrong approaching, Concubine Xia said sarcastically, "Oh, isn't this Miss An Lingrong? Your spices are truly powerful. You've made this beautiful Imperial Garden a mess."

An Lingrong angrily cried, "Xia Changzai, please stop slandering me! My spice shop has always been an honest business, and this has absolutely never happened."

Zhen Huan also said coldly, "Xia Changzai, there is no evidence, please do not make false accusations. There must be something fishy going on here, and we will get to the bottom of it."

At this time, an old maid stepped forward and said, "I have been in the palace for many years and have heard some things about spices. Miss An's spice formula is unique. I heard that some of the herbs in it are quite rare and may really have an impact on flowers."

An Lingrong explained anxiously, "Mammy, although I used some unique herbs, they were all carefully prepared and will not cause any such harm."

Zhen Huan said to An Lingrong, "Lingrong, words alone are not enough. We need to find someone who knows about flower arrangement to check it out."

An Lingrong's eyes lit up: "Huan'er, the eunuch in charge of the flower room might know something."

The two hurried to the flower room. Seeing the eunuch in charge, Zhen Huan asked, "Eunuch, do you know about the withering flowers in the imperial garden? Some say it's because of Lingrong's spices. What do you think?"

The eunuch in charge replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, Young Master. This wilting of the flowers is strange to me, too. I haven't studied Young Master An's spices in depth, but common sense suggests that normal use of spices shouldn't have such a significant impact. I suspect someone may have tampered with the roots of the flowers and then blamed the spices."

An Lingrong asked, "Eunuch, could you please help us check it out?"

The eunuch in charge nodded and said, "I will do my best. However, my own strength may be limited, and I will need a few capable assistants."

Zhen Huan said, "Don't worry, Eunuch. I will arrange for the right people to assist you."

After coming out of the flower room, Zhen Huan said to An Lingrong, "Lingrong, it seems that the person behind this is not simple. Not only does he want to frame you, he also wants to cause panic in the palace."

An Lingrong clenched her fists: "Huan'er, no matter who it is, I will never let him go."

A few days later, the eunuch in charge came to report, "Your Majesty, Young Master, I've checked everything. It turns out someone poisoned the roots of the flowers, causing them to wither. The spices have nothing to do with it. Furthermore, I've discovered some clues, suggesting it was one of Yu Dancing's maids who was sneaking around the flowers."

An Lingrong angrily said, "It's Yu Da Ying again! Why does she always go against me?"

Zhen Huan said in a deep voice, "Let's not alert the enemy yet. Find solid evidence and then report to the Emperor."

So, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong secretly sent people to monitor Yu Ying and her maid. Finally, they discovered that the maid was meeting with a mysterious person in a secluded corner. The mysterious person handed the maid a package, and the maid whispered, "This time, we've done it. Yu Ying will definitely reward us handsomely."

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong appeared with their guards, and the palace maid and the mysterious man were panicked.

Zhen Huan said sternly, "What are you doing? Tell the truth!"

The palace maid was so frightened that she knelt down and begged for mercy: "Your Majesty, my lady, it was Yu who promised us to poison the roots of the flowers and then framed An Lingrong. It was all Yu's idea."

An Lingrong asked, "Why do you do this?"

The maid cried and said, "Yu Ying is jealous of your favor, my lady, and because your spice shop is famous, she wants to take this opportunity to make you fall out of favor."

Zhen Huan said, "You will definitely be punished for such evil deeds."

Afterwards, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong brought the evidence and the maids before the Emperor. Zhen Huan bowed and said, "Your Majesty, the withering flowers in the Imperial Garden were the result of Yu Ying's deliberate attempt to frame Lady An Lingrong. She instructed the maids to poison the roots of the flowers and then falsely attributed the cause to the spices, disturbing the peace of the harem. Please investigate."

The emperor's face was gloomy: "How dare Yu promise to be so bold!"

An Lingrong presented the evidence: "Your Majesty, this is the evidence. Please make the decision for me."

The emperor angrily declared, "I agree to be demoted to a palace maid effective immediately and sent to the Xinzheku, never to be promoted again! The accomplices, the palace maids, and that mysterious individual will also be severely punished."

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong thanked the Emperor and left the palace. Zhen Huan said, "Lingrong, the truth has finally come out. You are now innocent."

An Lingrong breathed a sigh of relief. "Thanks to Huan'er, otherwise I really don't know how to deal with it. But when will the fighting in this palace end?"

Zhen Huan comforted her, "As long as we stick to kindness and support each other, we can get through any storm safely."