flstandardbreds Chapter 176 Ling Huan's Clever Plan to Turn Difficulties into Trouble
Chapter 176 Ling Huan's Clever Plan to Turn Difficulties into Trouble
Zhen Huan sipped her tea and spoke slowly, "Mei Zhuang's graceful dance today has indeed made that foreign princess curb her arrogance a little."
An Lingrong nodded slightly. "Huan'er, even so, I'm afraid the princess won't let this go. She has foreign powers behind her, and she won't let this go easily."
Shen Meizhuang gently put down her teacup and said, "Lingrong is right. Judging from the princess's expression, she seems to be planning her next step."
As they were talking, Chun Chang came bounding in. "Sister Huanhuan, Sister Lingrong, Sister Meizhuang, what are you talking about? Chun'er heard that today you sisters are having a dance battle with a foreign princess. It's so exciting!"
Zhen Huan smiled and pulled Concubine Chun over: "Chun'er, this is not as simple as a dance battle. There are many interests involved."
Chun Changzai blinked: "Chun'er doesn't understand. But Chun'er feels that as long as Sister Huanhuan and Sister Lingrong are here, there is nothing to fear!"
An Lingrong was amused: "Chun Chang's innocent spirit has dispelled a lot of the dull atmosphere in the harem."
A few days later, the foreign princess made another move. She sent someone to give Zhen Huan a painting of a lone goose.
Zhen Huan looked at the painting and was startled. "This princess is so scheming. By giving me this painting, is she secretly mocking my loneliness and helplessness in the palace?"
An Lingrong examined the painting carefully and said, "Huan'er, she is openly provoking us. We cannot show weakness."
Shen Meizhuang thought for a moment: "But if we respond with a sharp tone, I'm afraid we'll be accused of not knowing how to entertain guests."
Zhen Huan paced the halls, her eyes suddenly lighting up. "I have a plan. Lingrong, you're skilled with spices and can create a unique fragrance. Meizhuang is a skilled dancer. When the princess returns, Meizhuang will dance in the fragrance, and we can overcome hardness with softness."
An Lingrong smiled and said, "Huan'er, this is a brilliant idea. I'll go prepare the spices right away."
After An Lingrong prepared the spices, Shen Meizhuang also carefully choreographed the dance.
Soon, the foreign princess arrived. Zhen Huan said with a smile, "Princess, Sister Meizhuang has choreographed a new dance today, especially for you to enjoy."
Shen Meizhuang danced gracefully amidst the fragrance, which was soothing and calming. Everyone was captivated by it, and the foreign princess was also slightly stunned.
After the dance, the princess snorted coldly: "Although this dance is beautiful, it is nothing more than this."
Zhen Huan smiled faintly and said, "Princess, don't worry. Sister Meizhuang's dance is choreographed based on the artistic conception of the painting you gave me. The lone goose may be alone, but it possesses tenacity. Just like us in this harem, although we may encounter difficulties, we will not give in."
The princess's expression changed: "Are you teaching me a lesson?"
An Lingrong whispered softly, "Princess, you've misunderstood. Sister Huan'er was simply expressing her feelings. We in the palace also hope to establish friendly relations with other nations. How could we possibly lecture the princess?"
At this time, the emperor also heard the news and rushed over. The emperor looked at everyone and asked, "Why is there so much noise?"
Zhen Huan bowed and said, "Your Majesty, Sister Meizhuang danced for the princess and I don't want to cause any misunderstandings."
The emperor looked at the foreign princess and said, "Princess, I hope you can get along well with the other concubines in the palace and avoid causing any more trouble."
Seeing the emperor speak, the princess had no choice but to bow and say, "Yes, Your Majesty."
After the princess left, Zhen Huan breathed a sigh of relief: "Finally, I've managed to deal with it for the time being."
An Lingrong said, "Huan'er, this is just the beginning. She will definitely find ways to make things difficult for you again."
Shen Meizhuang nodded: "We still need to make preparations early."
After some time, rumors spread in the palace that Zhen Huan and others were extravagant and wasteful in the palace, which was unbecoming of a concubine.
Zhen Huan said angrily, "It must be that princess who is secretly plotting this! If these rumors reach the ears of the Emperor, it will definitely be detrimental to us."
An Lingrong said calmly, "Huan'er, don't worry. We can investigate the source of this rumor. Someone in the palace must have spread it deliberately."
So, Zhen Huan, An Lingrong and Shen Meizhuang acted separately and questioned the palace maids and eunuchs.
Zhen Huan asked a palace maid in the imperial garden, "Do you know where this rumor came from?"
The maid trembled and said, "Your Majesty, I heard that it was spread by a young eunuch in the West Side Hall."
Zhen Huan immediately went to the West Side Hall and found the young eunuch. Zhen Huan sternly asked, "You young eunuch, why are you spreading rumors about me?"
The young eunuch plodded to his knees, "Your Majesty, it was...it was the foreign princess's maid who gave me money and asked me to tell you."
Zhen Huan returned to the palace to discuss the matter with An Lingrong and Shen Meizhuang. An Lingrong said, "It seems we must find a way to let the emperor know that this is the princess's conspiracy."
Shen Meizhuang said, "But if I complain directly to the Emperor, he might not believe me."
Zhen Huan pondered for a moment. "I have an idea. We can hold a frugal banquet in the palace and invite the emperor and the concubines. At the banquet, we can demonstrate frugality and then subtly expose the princess's hidden evil deeds."
An Lingrong and Shen Meizhuang both nodded: "This is a very good plan."
At the frugal banquet, Zhen Huan and others were dressed simply and the dishes were extremely simple.
Zhen Huan stood up and said, "Your Majesty, I, your concubine, and I in the palace, are well aware of the scarcity of resources. I have recently heard rumors that I and my concubines are extravagant and wasteful, but in fact, it is a deliberate false accusation."
The emperor asked, "Who is so bold?"
Zhen Huan glanced in the direction of the foreign princess and said, "Your Majesty, I cannot speak openly. I only hope that there will be more sincerity and less conspiracy and scheming in this harem."
The emperor seemed to understand: "I understand. I will handle it myself."
The foreign princess saw that the situation was not good and tried to defend herself: "Your Majesty, I am innocent."
The emperor waved his hand and said, "Princess, I hope you can abide by the palace rules and stop causing trouble."
The storm seems to have subsided, but Zhen Huan and An Lingrong know that their fight with the foreign princess is still going on, and other conspiracies and challenges may arise at any time in the harem.