flstandardbreds Chapter 179 Ling Huan and others work together to dispel rumors
Chapter 179 Ling Huan and others work together to dispel rumors
Zhen Huan frowned and sighed helplessly, "This rumor is so fierce that it seems to want to tear our friendship apart. What should I do?"
An Lingrong's eyes were firm as she held Zhen Huan's hand. "Huan'er, don't worry. We sisters are united and our strength is unbreakable. We will definitely find the person who spread the rumors and clear our names."
Zhen Huan nodded, thought for a moment and said, "Perhaps we should start with those palace maids and eunuchs who claimed to have seen us arguing. Perhaps we can get some clues from them."
An Lingrong agreed: "Huan'er, this is a brilliant plan. I will tell Baoque to investigate quietly."
A few days later, Bao Que returned to report, "My lady, I discovered that those palace maids and eunuchs were all from the Imperial Household Department, and that they had recently come into contact with the eunuchs in Concubine Jing's palace."
Zhen Huan's eyes glared, "It's Concubine Jing again! Even though she's been imprisoned in the cold palace, she's still secretly causing trouble."
An Lingrong sneered, "She thinks she can bring us down this way. She's just wishful thinking. Huan'er, let's go confront Concubine Jing."
Zhen Huan hesitated: "She is in the cold palace now. If we go there, will it give people something to talk about?"
An Lingrong said resolutely, "Huan'er, if this matter is not thoroughly resolved, these rumors will only intensify. We are acting in an upright and aboveboard manner, so what is there to fear?"
So, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong brought their attendants to the cold palace. The cold palace was cold and gloomy, and Concubine Jing was sitting in a corner in tattered clothes.
Zhen Huan said sternly, "Jing Fei, you are still restless in the cold palace, spreading rumors in an attempt to alienate Ling Rong and me. Do you know your crime?"
Concubine Jing raised her head, her eyes filled with resentment. "Zhen Huan, An Lingrong, you've brought me to this point. How can I accept this? This rumor is just a trick I used. If I can make you fall from favor, I'll feel relieved."
An Lingrong glared at her, "Jing Fei, you've committed countless evil deeds, yet you still refuse to repent. How long do you think this rumor will prevail?"
Concubine Jing sneered, "Hmph! As long as this rumor spreads in the palace, your favor will sooner or later fade. Rumors can melt gold, and you can't escape it."
Zhen Huan said, "Jing Fei, you are wrong. How can our sisterly friendship be broken by such a mere rumor? We will find evidence and let the emperor know of your evil deeds."
After coming out of the cold palace, Zhen Huan said to An Lingrong, "Lingrong, Concubine Jing has admitted that she was the one who did it. We still need to find evidence of how she manipulated this matter in the cold palace."
An Lingrong said, "Huan'er, I suspect she must have passed the message through the guards in the cold palace. We can start with the guards."
The two of them secretly investigated the guards of the cold palace and found out that the guards had accepted money from Concubine Jing's brother outside the palace, and that was why they helped Concubine Jing pass on information and spread rumors.
Zhen Huan and An Lingrong returned to see the Emperor with the evidence. After bowing, Zhen Huan said, "Your Majesty, Lingrong and I have investigated and discovered that the rumors in the harem were instigated by Concubine Jing from the Cold Palace. She bribed the Cold Palace guards and colluded with her brother outside the palace to deliberately destroy the friendship between Lingrong and me and disrupt the peace of the harem."
The Emperor was furious: "Concubine Jing is truly stubborn and unrepentant! I have forgiven her many times, yet she still refuses to repent."
An Lingrong presented the evidence: "Your Majesty, this is the evidence. Please examine it carefully."
The Emperor's face was gloomy. "I hereby order that the guards of the Cold Palace be severely punished. If Concubine Jing refuses to repent during her time in the Cold Palace, she will be demoted to a commoner and expelled from the Imperial Palace. She will never be allowed to enter the Harem again!"
Zhen Huan and An Lingrong thanked the Emperor and left the palace. Zhen Huan said with relief, "Lingrong, this time we have finally solved the problem of Concubine Jing. Perhaps the harem can have some peace for a while."
An Lingrong said, "Huan'er, I hope so. However, we have been through so many hardships, so we must cherish our friendship even more in the future."
However, before one crisis is over, another one arises. Mysterious talismans suddenly appear in the palace, inscribed with strange runes. Everyone says this is an ominous sign, bringing disaster to the harem. The concubines are in a state of panic, and Zhen Huan and An Lingrong are caught up in the storm. How can they uncover the truth behind these talismans and resolve this new crisis?