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

Chapter 172 Ling Huan's wits against the dark night conspiracy

Zhen Huan frowned slightly, her eyes filled with uneasiness. "Lingrong, if this mysterious organization is really behind this, where should we begin our investigation?"

An Lingrong pondered for a moment, then said slowly, "Huan'er, don't worry. Let's start with that clown. He must know something about the inside story."

So, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong went to the prison. The cell was dark and damp, and the clown huddled in a corner. Zhen Huan approached and asked softly, "If you tell the truth now, you might still have a chance of survival. Who ordered you to do this?"

The clown raised his head, his eyes filled with fear. "My Lady, I only saw that gentleman once, and he was wearing a mask. I really don't know who he was. I only remember he had a jade pendant with strange patterns engraved on it."

An Lingrong pressed on, "What does the pattern on the jade pendant look like? Please describe it in detail."

The clown tried to recall: "The pattern looked like a blooming peony, surrounded by clouds and mist."

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong exchanged a glance, and Zhen Huan said, "This pattern is very special. We'll definitely be able to find some clues."

On the way back to the palace, An Lingrong said, "Huan'er, I think this may be related to a certain family. The peony is a flower of wealth and honor. To have a peony pattern engraved on a jade pendant, they must be from an extraordinary family."

Zhen Huan nodded. "That makes sense. We can have Jinxi secretly inquire whether any of the concubines in the palace have any family connections to this peony jade pendant."

A few days later, Jinxi came to report: "Your Majesty, I have found that Concubine Qi's family seems to have had a similar jade pendant pattern, which is their family symbol."

Zhen Huan was surprised, "Concubine Qi? She has always kept a low profile, how could she be involved in this?"

An Lingrong shook her head. "Huan'er, don't be fooled by appearances. Perhaps she has been plotting something in secret. We need to talk to her."

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong arrived at Concubine Qi's palace. Zhen Huan bowed and said, "Your Majesty Qi, I came here today because I have something to ask you."

Concubine Qi asked doubtfully, "Empress Xi, what's the matter?"

An Lingrong looked directly into Concubine Qi's eyes and said, "Your Majesty, have you ever seen a jade pendant engraved with a peony and cloud pattern?"

Concubine Qi's expression changed slightly, but she quickly regained her composure. "I've never seen it before. Why are you two ladies suddenly asking about the jade pendant?"

Zhen Huan said, "Your Majesty, please do not feign ignorance. This jade pendant is connected to someone who attempted to assassinate me and Sister Lingrong."

Concubine Qi angrily said, "Zhen Huan, please stop slandering me! I have nothing to do with that."

An Lingrong sneered, "If your Majesty has nothing to hide, why do you look so flustered?"

Concubine Qi stood up and shouted, "I have always behaved well in this harem. Please stop slandering me!"

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong, realizing they couldn't get the truth from Concubine Qi, said goodbye and left. Zhen Huan sighed, "It seems Concubine Qi won't admit it easily. We need to find more evidence."

An Lingrong said, "Huan'er, I heard that Concubine Qi has been in close contact with a maid outside the palace recently. Perhaps we can find some clues from her."

So they sent someone to secretly follow the nanny. A few days later, the person who followed her reported back, "Madam, the nanny went to a remote house. I saw some people in black inside, seemingly discussing something."

Zhen Huan's eyes flashed, "It seems there's something wrong with this house. We have to find out."

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong disguised themselves and quietly approached the house, hiding in the shadows and eavesdropping.

Only a man's voice was heard: "Empress Qi has ordered that Zhen Huan and An Lingrong must be eliminated as soon as possible. We can't let them ruin the plan."

Another person said, "But those two ladies are not easy to deal with. Their last assassination attempt failed."

The man said, "This time we must plan carefully and use the spices to poison them without them realizing it."

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong were horrified. An Lingrong whispered, "Huan'er, they're actually trying to make a fuss about the spices. We need to hurry back and think of a solution."

After returning to the palace, Zhen Huan asked, "Lingrong, you are good at spices, do you have any way to break it?"

An Lingrong pondered for a moment. "Huan'er, I need some time to develop a spice that can counteract this poison. But we still have to be on guard against them attacking in the meantime."

Zhen Huan said, "Then we should first send more people to protect ourselves. In the meantime, you should develop the spices as soon as possible."

An Lingrong worked day and night to develop the spice, and finally succeeded. She held the spice and said to Zhen Huan, "Huan'er, this spice can cure all kinds of poisons. Let's carry it with us."

However, just when they thought they were on guard, they discovered that many concubines in the palace suddenly fell ill, with symptoms similar to those of poisoning.

Chun Changzai came running over and said anxiously, "Sister Huanhuan, Sister Lingrong, many of the sisters are sick. What should we do?"

Zhen Huan's heart sank. "That mysterious organization must be responsible. They want to confuse the public."

An Lingrong said, "Huan'er, we can't panic. Let's go check on the concubines' conditions first. Maybe we can find some clues."

They came to the palace of the sick concubines. An Lingrong checked carefully and found that these concubines had some spices of unknown origin around them.

An Lingrong said to Zhen Huan, "Huan'er, it seems they have spread the poison incense throughout the palaces in an attempt to pin the blame on us."

Zhen Huan said angrily, "They are so vicious! We must expose their conspiracy."

An Lingrong said, "Huan'er, we can use their trick against us. Announce to the public that we have also been poisoned and are bedridden. Then, secretly investigate, find out where they are hiding, and capture them all in one fell swoop."

Zhen Huan nodded: "This is a very good plan. However, we must be extremely careful during this process."

So, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong pretended to be poisoned and stayed indoors, while secretly sending Jin Xi, Bao Que and others to investigate.

A few days later, Jinxi reported back, "Your Majesty, we've found it! The mysterious organization's lair is in a cave in the mountains behind the palace."

Zhen Huan and An Lingrong smiled at each other, and Zhen Huan said, "Lingrong, it's time for us to close the net!"

They led the guards and quietly came to the cave in the back mountain. They saw that the cave was filled with various poisons and spices, as well as some men in black and the nanny who had been with Concubine Qi.

Zhen Huan stood at the entrance of the cave and shouted, "Your conspiracy ends here!"

Seeing this, the men in black drew their swords and attacked, but the guards were well-trained and quickly subdued them.

The maid cried in horror, "Your Majesty, spare us! This was all ordered by Concubine Qi. She wanted to dominate the harem, so she asked us to frame you."

Zhen Huan sneered, "Concubine Qi, she will eventually reap what she sowed."

Afterwards, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong presented the evidence before the Emperor. Zhen Huan bowed and said, "Your Majesty, this is evidence that Concubine Qi had others frame me and An Lingrong. For her own selfish desires, she disturbed the peace of the harem and even attempted to poison numerous concubines."

The emperor looked at the evidence with a gloomy expression: "I really misjudged Concubine Qi. Her evil deeds are unforgivable."

An Lingrong presented the antidote spices: "Your Majesty, this is the spices I developed. It can cure poisons for all the concubines."

The Emperor nodded. "Thanks to you, this crisis was resolved. Concubine Qi was banished to the cold palace, and her family was also punished."

Coming out of the Emperor's palace, Zhen Huan breathed a sigh of relief: "Lingrong, this time we have finally completely solved this major problem."

An Lingrong said, "Huan'er, in this harem, the conspiracies and intrigues will never cease. We must remain vigilant at all times."