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

Chapter 252: Ambush in the Royal Garden

Zhen Huan hid behind the flowers in the Imperial Garden, her eyes determined: "This time, we must capture that mysterious eunuch and pry the truth out of him!"

An Lingrong nodded slightly: "Huan'er, although this plan is brilliant, the eunuch will surely be on guard. We must not be careless."

Concubine Hua whispered, "What are you afraid of? I have arranged many guards to make sure he can't escape!"

Not long after, Xiao Yunzi came to report: "Your Majesty, the mysterious eunuch has walked towards the Imperial Garden, accompanied by only two followers."

Zhen Huan said softly, "Don't make any noise, just follow the plan."

The mysterious eunuch slowly walked into the imperial garden, seemingly admiring the scenery, but his eyes were actually alert.

When he approached, Zhen Huan gave a wink, and the guards rushed out instantly and surrounded him.

Zhen Huan walked out and said coldly, "Eunuch, where do you want to go?"

The mysterious eunuch was startled, but still pretended to be calm: "Empress Xi, what do you mean? Why did you send people to surround this old slave?"

Concubine Hua sternly said, "Hmph! You little dog slave, stop pretending in front of me! I've already discovered everything about you secretly causing trouble in this harem and colluding with Prince Shen!"

The mysterious eunuch knelt down hurriedly: "Your Majesty, you are wronged! I am loyal to the Emperor, how could I be colluding with Prince Shen? Someone must have deliberately framed me!"

An Lingrong said, "Eunuch, even now, you still refuse to tell the truth? You frequently go in and out of Prince Shen's mansion, passing on information. We already know all of this."

Cold sweat broke out on the mysterious eunuch's forehead. "My Lady, this old servant was just interacting normally. There's nothing wrong with that."

Zhen Huan asked, "Then what is that thing in your arms? Why are you so sneaky?"

The mysterious eunuch subconsciously covered his chest and said, "My Lady, these are just some of my personal belongings. They have nothing to do with anyone else."

Concubine Hua shouted, "Search!"

The guards searched the eunuch's arms and retrieved the letter. Zhen Huan took it, unfolded it, and her face changed. "Eunuch, this handwriting was written by an important official in the court? How dare you say it has nothing to do with them?"

The mysterious eunuch, seeing the truth exposed, simply stopped hiding it: "My Lady, I am forced into this situation. Prince Shen and that important official in the court have something on me. If I don't obey, my life will be in danger."

An Lingrong asked, "What exactly are they planning? Tell the truth."

The mysterious eunuch trembled and said, "They want to use the matter of Prince Duan to spread rumors in the harem, causing chaos, and then take the opportunity to force the emperor to abdicate and usurp the throne."

Zhen Huan was shocked: "Prince Duan's matter? How can they use it?"

The mysterious eunuch said, "They have found the formula for the hallucinogenic spices used back then. They plan to light them in certain corners of the palace, causing the emperor and the others to hallucinate. They will then falsely convey the imperial decree and control the situation."

Concubine Hua angrily said, "How bold they are! This is simply treasonous!"

Zhen Huan thought for a moment: "Where are they now? Who are their accomplices?"

The mysterious eunuch hesitated for a moment. Seeing this, Concubine Hua stepped forward and said, "If you dare to hide even a word, I will immediately tear you into pieces!"

The mysterious eunuch said fearfully, "Your Majesty, please calm down. They have a secret base in an abandoned farm outside the palace. As for their accomplices, I only know that there are a few ministers in the court. I really don't know who they are."

Zhen Huan, An Lingrong, and Concubine Hua exchanged a glance. Zhen Huan said, "First, take this eunuch away and keep him under strict guard. We must discuss countermeasures immediately and must not let their conspiracy succeed."

The three of them returned to the palace's secret room. Zhen Huan said, "The situation is becoming increasingly critical. We must act quickly to stop them from producing spices."

An Lingrong said, "But that abandoned manor must be heavily guarded. We'd be in trouble if we tried to force our way in."

Hua Fei said, "Then we can't force our way in. We can start with their spice raw materials. If we can cut off their supply, they will be helpless."

Zhen Huan nodded: "Sister, this plan is feasible. But where will they get the raw materials for the spices?"

An Lingrong said, "I've heard that the hallucinogenic spices contain several special flowers and herbs that can only be found in the Misty Forest on the border. If they want to produce them in large quantities, they must be shipping them from there."

Zhen Huan said, "Then we should immediately send people to the border to intercept the goods. At the same time, we should strengthen defenses in the palace to prevent them from taking any action in advance."

Hua Fei said, "I will arrange for the guards to patrol the palace, especially the emperor's residence, to ensure that nothing goes wrong."

An Lingrong said, "I'll go prepare some antidotes for the spices, just in case anyone accidentally inhales them, they can be treated promptly."

Zhen Huan looked at them and said, "This operation concerns the life and death of the harem and the court. We must be cautious and cooperate with each other."

Afterwards, Zhen Huan sent her trusted people to the border. In the palace, they kept an eye on the movements of Prince Shen and the important officials.

A few days later, the people sent to the border reported: "Your Majesty, our servants have successfully intercepted a suspicious shipment at the border. Upon inspection, it turned out to be the raw material for the hallucinogenic spice."

Zhen Huan breathed a sigh of relief: "Very good. But we still can't let our guard down. Keep watching."

However, Prince Shen and important officials in the court did not panic when they learned that the raw materials had been intercepted.

Prince Shen sneered in his mansion, "Do they think everything will be fine after they intercept the raw materials? I have a trick up my sleeve."

An important official in the court said, "Your Highness, we need to speed up our pace and find another way to create chaos."

Zhen Huan and the others also knew that this struggle was far from over and that the other side would certainly attack again. They had to be on high alert and stand firm to the end in the turbulent times of the palace to protect everything they cherished.