in2ebook Chapter 215 Ling Huan's Dilemma and the Shadow
Chapter 215 Ling Huan's Dilemma and the Shadow
An Lingrong nodded and said, "Huan'er is right, but there are so many guards in this palace. How can we be sure who we can truly trust?"
Concubine Hua raised her eyebrows and said, "Hmph! I will transfer some reliable people from my mother's family. It's better than waiting in this palace."
Zhen Huan thought for a moment and said, "Although this is a good move by Concubine Hua, it must not be publicized, so as not to alert the enemy."
A few days later, Hua Fei's men quietly entered the palace and scattered around the three people's residence. However, strangely, the spies who had been frequenting the palace seemed to have suddenly disappeared without a trace, and the palace seemed to have returned to peace.
An Lingrong said doubtfully, "This is so abnormal, Huan'er. Could it be that they are planning some bigger conspiracy?"
Zhen Huan also felt that something was fishy: "Lingrong, we can't be fooled by appearances. Sister Hua Fei, have your people investigate carefully again and don't miss any clues."
Concubine Hua agreed, but her people investigated for many days but found nothing.
One day, Zhen Huan was feeling bored in the palace when Chun Changzai came bounding over, "Empress Xi, Empress An, the chrysanthemums in the Imperial Garden are in full bloom today. Would you like to come with me to see them?"
Zhen Huan wanted to refuse, but looking at Chun Chang's innocent look, she couldn't bear to spoil her fun: "Okay, let's go out for a walk and relax."
An Lingrong also stood up: "Then let's go and take a look."
The three of them arrived at the Imperial Garden, where the chrysanthemums were in full bloom, a truly breathtaking sight. However, Zhen Huan could not relax, as she always felt that a huge danger lay hidden behind this tranquility.
Suddenly, Chun Changzai pointed at a patch of flowers and shouted, "My Lady, look, what is that?"
Zhen Huan and the others approached and saw that it was an exquisite sachet with strange patterns embroidered on it. Zhen Huan's heart moved, she felt that there must be something wrong with the sachet, but she couldn't put her finger on why.
An Lingrong leaned in and sniffed it: "Huan'er, the fragrance of this sachet is very unique, I have never smelled it before."
Zhen Huan said cautiously, "Don't touch it yet. Give it to the Imperial Household Department for inspection."
Chun Changzai, however, reached out curiously to take it: "My Lady, this sachet looks beautiful. Perhaps one of the sisters accidentally left it here."
Zhen Huan hurriedly stopped her, "Chun Changzai, don't be reckless. The situation in the palace is unclear right now, and anything could be dangerous."
Chun Changzai nodded, not quite understanding.
After Zhen Huan returned to the palace, she ordered Jin Xi to immediately deliver the sachet to the Imperial Household Department. Soon after, the Imperial Household Department's chief steward arrived with a report: "Empress Xi, this sachet contains a rare aphrodisiac fragrance. If inhaled for a long time, it can cause hallucinations or even coma."
Zhen Huan's face darkened. "There's something fishy going on. It seems the person behind this is trying to do something bad again."
An Lingrong angrily asked, "They are so sinister, what exactly do they want to do? Are they trying to murder us?"
Concubine Hua gnashed her teeth and said, "No matter what they want, I will never let them succeed!"
At this moment, the Emperor came to Zhen Huan's palace. Seeing the Emperor, Zhen Huan bowed and said, "Your Majesty, why are you here?"
The emperor looked slightly tired. "Huanhuan, I've been feeling uneasy in the palace lately. Are you hiding something from me?"
Zhen Huan told the Emperor everything about the sachet: "Your Majesty, the person behind this has been causing trouble time and again, and I am truly terrified."
The emperor angrily said, "When did my harem become such a filthy place? I will investigate this thoroughly."
Zhen Huan took the opportunity to say, "Your Majesty, I feel this is no accident. It may be related to certain forces in the court."
The Emperor pondered for a moment. "I have this suspicion as well. Huanhuan, you are always intelligent. Do you have any ideas?"
Zhen Huan said, "Your Majesty, I think we can start by looking at the manufacturing process of this sachet and the source of the spices. Perhaps we can find some clues."
The emperor nodded: "As you say. I will let Su Peisheng cooperate with you fully."
With the Emperor's support, Zhen Huan and the others began to investigate the matter of the sachet. They discovered that the spices in the sachet came from a mysterious spice shop outside the palace, and that this spice shop seemed to be backed by officials from the court.
An Lingrong was surprised when she heard this, "Could it be those people who are against us again? Why are they so determined to harm us?"
Hua Fei sneered, "They can't stand seeing us in favor, and they're even more afraid that we'll threaten their interests. But the more they do this, the more I'll fight them to the end!"
Zhen Huan said calmly, "Don't worry, sister. Let's find solid evidence first, and then bring them down in one fell swoop."
So, Zhen Huan sent Jin Xi and Hua Fei's people to disguise themselves and go out of the palace to investigate the spice shop.
A few days later, Jinxi returned to the palace to report, "Your Majesty, the spice shop appears to be doing normal business, but in reality, they are secretly connected with some people from the underworld. We also discovered that they are developing a poison that seems to be targeting people in the palace."
Zhen Huan was shocked: "This is terrible. We must stop them as soon as possible."
An Lingrong said worriedly, "But we have limited manpower. How can we stop it?"
Zhen Huan thought for a moment and said, "We can unite with other trustworthy people in the palace to fight against this force. For example, Concubine Jing and Concubine Duan. They have extensive experience in the palace and will definitely be able to lend us a hand."
Although Hua Fei was somewhat reluctant, she knew that this was not the time to argue: "Okay, this is the only way."
Zhen Huan and the others went to visit Concubine Jing and Concubine Duan respectively and informed them of the whole story. Concubine Jing pondered and said, "It has been a long time since the palace has been so turbulent. Since this concerns everyone's safety, I will naturally help."
Concubine Duan also nodded: "Although I am not in good health, I will not sit idly by."
With the addition of Concubine Jing and Concubine Duan, Zhen Huan and the others' power increased greatly. They made a detailed plan, preparing to first take down the spice shop outside the palace and then find out the officials behind it.
On the night of the operation, Zhen Huan and others led their confidants and guards, quietly left the palace, and surrounded the spice shop. But when they rushed into the shop, they found it empty, with only some tools for making spices and poisons left behind.
Zhen Huan frowned and said, "Oh no, we're a step too late. They must have gotten the news and fled early."
An Lingrong said anxiously, "What should we do? We've finally found this place, are we going to fail again?"
Concubine Hua angrily said, "Someone must have leaked the news. I will find out who it is!"
Just when everyone was frustrated, they suddenly heard a sinister laugh: "Do you think you can find me? You are too naive!"
Zhen Huan shouted, "Who are you? Why are you against us?"
The voice replied, "It doesn't matter who I am. What matters is that you're blocking my way. Don't even think about getting away with it!"
At this moment, a group of men in black suddenly rushed out from all around and attacked them. Zhen Huan and others immediately started fighting with the men in black.
During the fight, Zhen Huan discovered that these men in black were highly skilled in martial arts and well-trained, and were definitely not ordinary people from the underworld. She felt more and more that the power behind them was not simple.
Concubine Jing shouted, "Everyone be careful, these people are not easy to deal with!"
Although Concubine Duan was weak, she still managed to deal with the men in black.
An Lingrong used her knowledge of spices to create some smoke bombs, temporarily blocking the attack of the men in black. She shouted, "Huan'er, let's retreat first and find a solution later!"
Zhen Huan nodded: "Okay, let's retreat to the palace first and discuss it later."
The crowd fought and retreated, finally getting rid of the pursuit of the men in black and returning to the palace in embarrassment.
The failure of this operation made Zhen Huan and others realize that the enemy they faced was far more powerful than they had imagined. However, they were not discouraged, but reorganized their thinking and prepared to face the next round of challenges.
After returning to the palace, Zhen Huan said to An Lingrong, "Lingrong, although we failed this time, we are not completely unsuccessful. We know that they are developing poison and have the help of people from the underworld. We must be more careful of their hidden harm from now on."
An Lingrong said, "Huan'er, I will prepare some antidotes and protective spices, just in case."
Concubine Hua also said: "I will ask my family to continue to track down the whereabouts of those men in black and make sure to find their lair."
Concubine Jing and Concubine Duan also expressed that they would keep an eye out for any suspicious people and things in the palace.
In the face of these crises, Zhen Huan, An Lingrong and others continue to fight tenaciously against the forces of darkness in this invisible battlefield in order to protect themselves and the peace of the harem. What kind of storms will be waiting for them in the future is still unknown.