An Lingrong after rebirth

Chapter 194 Conversation in Yikun Palace

"The emperor is the Son of Heaven, and his hands should not be stained by such filth. If one day you cannot do it, just come and tell me directly."

"The emperor's face was somewhat moved after hearing this, as if he remembered the painstaking planning and fearful life that the mother and son had gone through before ascending the throne."

"After taking a deep breath, the emperor stood up and bowed to the empress dowager. Thank you, Empress Dowager, for taking such care of me. My son..."

"Forget it. I am your own mother. I will not side with you but with anyone else." Without waiting for the emperor to sit down, she continued: "There is nothing else to do today."

"The emperor is busy with government affairs, please return to the Yangxin Palace as soon as possible!"

Yes, son, I’m leaving!

"As the emperor left, the queen mother's expression immediately darkened. Zhuxi, go and call Wanpin. The queen mother is very decisive in her actions. Since she has already informed the emperor, she will not hesitate any longer."

"Princess Wan went to Shoukang Palace and came out looking haggard. It even looked like her former glory had faded a little."

Perhaps the empress dowager took the emperor's feelings into consideration and did not punish Concubine Wan severely, and the matter was just over.

"While Wanpin was silent, An Lingrong quietly entered the Yikun Palace while everyone in the harem was staring at Suiyuxuan."

"But as soon as she entered the main hall, An Lingrong's expression changed. Concubine Hua always gave the emperor's rewards first, why didn't she even light the Huanyi incense now?"

I, your concubine, pay my respects to Empress Hua. May your Majesty be blessed with good health and happiness!

"Hua Fei was lying on the bed. When she heard An Lingrong's voice, a glimmer of hope appeared in her eyes, but she still had to swallow back the words in her heart."

"Shupin is here. Now my Yikun Palace is much quieter. I didn't expect you to be willing to come."

"When I first assisted in the management of the six palaces, it was Your Majesty who opened the door for me. Now, let alone Your Majesty sending someone to invite me, even if Eunuch Zhou doesn't come, I will come to see Your Majesty."

"You are so thoughtful. Please sit down!" An Lingrong was stunned. Concubine Hua pointed at her bedside.

After a brief thought, she walked to the bedside without hesitation and sat down. She looked up and said, "The things your majesty uses are indeed the best. This cloud brocade gauze curtain is something I have never seen before."

"This kind of good thing is hard to come by. My brother found it outside. There is only this one. Otherwise, I would have given it to you."

"This strange attitude of Concubine Hua makes An Lingrong feel confused! Your Majesty, you are joking. I dare not!"

"Hua Fei did not answer immediately. Instead, she looked down at An Lingrong's bulging belly. A hint of envy appeared on her face, but it turned sad in an instant."

"Shupin is so lucky. She gave birth to the Sixth Prince and is now pregnant again. I am really envious. An Lingrong knows Hua Fei's personality, but she can't tell the good intentions in her kind words."

So she didn't care, lowered her head and touched her belly, thank you! She didn't flatter Concubine Hua like others did, "Your Majesty is favored, you will definitely get pregnant in time."

"But she knew clearly in her heart that Concubine Hua never got her wish until her death. She didn't expect that Concubine Hua would speak as soon as this thought flashed through her mind."

If it were someone else today, they would definitely be hypocritical and say something like, "I am favored by the emperor and will definitely get pregnant one day. Concubine Shu is different from others."

"An Lingrong looked up and happened to meet Concubine Hua's gaze. Her heart skipped a beat and she subconsciously turned her eyes away. What on earth is wrong with Concubine Hua..."

Your Majesty, please forgive me. I...

"You're not wrong. What sin can be redeemed?"

When Concubine Hua raised her head and heard An Lingrong's words, her eyes flashed, "I just returned to the palace a few days ago and heard people below say that Concubine Xin got the spices from Concubine Shu, and she told everyone that my sister is a master of perfumery"!

"An Lingrong's eyes narrowed, and she was finally certain in her heart that Concubine Hua must have known the secret of Huan Yi Fragrance. What An Lingrong gave to Concubine Xin was just a spice for summer use, and she had mixed some mint into it."

"Let it burn, unlike ordinary spices, which make people feel stuffy. The reason why An Lingrong did this naturally has nothing to do with Concubine Hua."

"Now the other party suddenly sent me a message, and the topic was directly about the spices. If he didn't know about the problem with Huan Yi Xiang, what else could it be?"

"But An Lingrong was very puzzled. Considering Concubine Hua's personality, it was strange that she didn't make a scene immediately after noticing the abnormality of Huan Yi Xiang."

"Your Majesty, that's a great compliment. My family used to be in the spice business, and the incense I gave to Sister Xinpin was just an ordinary one. I can't be considered a master!"

"Shupin is pregnant now, otherwise I would like to ask you for a favor! An Lingrong was talking to Hua Fei with her body turned sideways, and when she heard this, she clenched her hands at her side!"

"What exactly does Concubine Hua want to do? Is she not sure that there is something wrong with Huan Yi Xiang and wants her to confirm it? An Lingrong's mind was also a little confused, but she couldn't say anything more!"

"I can only twitch my lips. If your Majesty has any problem, I will be responsible for it!"

"Songzhi!"

"As soon as An Lingrong finished speaking, Concubine Hua suddenly called out to Songzhi! Your Majesty, I'm here!"

"I have something to say to Concubine Shu, take everyone out!"

"Yes! Songzhi agreed, but Lian'er was a little hesitant. An Lingrong felt that Concubine Hua would not do anything to her. She was just arrogant and domineering, not crazy."

"Looking up at Lian'er, only Concubine Hua and An Lingrong were left in the palace. Concubine Hua didn't speak, and neither did An Lingrong."

"They sat quietly for a while, but Concubine Hua still couldn't hold her temper. I still remember the first time you came to Yikun Palace, it was the Queen who asked you to organize the palace banquet! You came to let me inform Huang Guiquan not to interfere. I wonder if Concubine Shu still remembers this?"

I will never forget your kindness, Your Majesty!

"When you first came, I didn't notice anything, but now that I think about it carefully, your expression was very strange!"

"An Lingrong didn't understand what Concubine Hua meant, and she didn't have any more thoughts! She took a deep breath, raised her head and said, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I don't know what you mean by this."

"You must have noticed something unusual about Huan Yi Xiang! Concubine Hua stared at An Lingrong closely, but what she said made An Lingrong's expression change slightly."

"When Concubine Hua saw this, she smiled bitterly. As expected, you had discovered it a long time ago?" An Lingrong's body trembled slightly. What exactly was Concubine Hua going to do?

"Your Majesty, I don't know what you are talking about. If you have nothing else to say, I will take my leave."

"You don't have to worry. Although Concubine Hua told An Lingrong to say this, she had no intention of getting up. She also understood what she was thinking."

"Then go on; I asked someone to invite you here today because I really have something to ask of you. You might as well listen first. If you really don't dare to wade into this muddy water, I won't blame you."

Your Majesty, please speak!

Hua Fei folded her arms across her chest and said, "When I was in the garden, I felt a little unwell, so I asked my brother to find a divine doctor from Qinghai to check my pulse."

"I was just thinking about conditioning my body, but after this diagnosis, I found that my body actually had traces of long-term contact with musk. But for so many years, I have only used one kind of spice in my palace!"

"I showed the Huan Yi Xiang to the doctor, and he blurted out that a large amount of Dang Men Zi was mixed into it. Concubine Shu is well versed in spices, so she should know what Dang Men Zi is, right?"

"Empress Hua is so frank that An Lingrong has no scruples anymore. I know!"

"Now that you know, I have something to ask of you. If you are willing to help me, I will go through fire and water to help you if you need any help in the future!"

"An Lingrong's gaze did not flinch at all, and she looked straight at Concubine Hua. Since Your Majesty knows the secret of Huan Yi Xiang, you should also know that if I interfere in this matter, I will be doomed if I am not careful."

"If that happens, even if Your Majesty is of noble status and has the support of the Nian family, she will not be able to save me. This is too risky. Hongzhao is still young, how can I dare to get involved so easily?"

"An Lingrong's straightforwardness made Concubine Hua stunned. She moved her lips and found that she had no way to refute An Lingrong's words."

"Yes, I have already been treated like this by the Emperor, why should I drag another person into this?"

"A bitter smile flashed across Concubine Hua's lips. That's all. I was just imagining things. It's really inappropriate for a mere palace banquet to say such things to you."

"When An Lingrong saw Concubine Hua's appearance, she didn't feel the slightest bit of emotion. She and Concubine Hua are already in a relationship of interest, isn't it?"

"Why would I put myself and my child in danger because of this relationship? But when I think about it, I feel a little weird."

"The other party asked me to come here and pointed out that I know something about fragrance. It was nothing more than asking me to find a way to remove the musk in Huan Yi incense without affecting the smell."

"But how many years has Concubine Hua been using this Huan Yi Xiang? What's the point of returning it now? Is there any hope that she can get pregnant now?"

Once these ideas come out, they grow wildly like weeds in the spring breeze!

"If that's the case, then I can't help Concubine Hua. The emperor's actions may be wrong, but his concerns are right."

"If Concubine Hua really gives birth to a son, who else in the palace will have that chance? No..."

"An Lingrong frowned slightly, and some thoughts emerged in her mind. Nian Gengyao must die, but he has been in the army for many years. Even if he dies, will all his forces disappear?"

"In her previous life, An Lingrong followed the Queen and she mentioned Nian Gengyao a lot. She has some understanding of him."

"If Nian Gengyao died and Concubine Hua didn't die, who would be the final winner? An Lingrong's heart was pounding when she thought of this."

"It's also because the Emperor is wary of the Nian family. Even if Concubine Hua can pay respect and give birth to a child, she still..."

She turned her eyes and met Hua Fei's gaze. "Your Majesty has also said that I am proficient in spices, but now there is one thing I don't understand. Please enlighten me, Your Majesty."

"After hearing this, Concubine Hua felt a glimmer of hope in her heart. If Zhou Linhai hadn't searched for a long time and couldn't find someone she could trust, who wouldn't pass the information to Qinghai and who was proficient in spices."

"It's not the case that Concubine Hua is so strapped for cash now. When she hears An Lingrong's words, she should speak up immediately. You say!"

"Although I have not been in the palace for a long time, I have heard that this Huan Yi incense is exclusively used by Her Majesty, and it must have been several years. Her Majesty now asks me for help with something, which is nothing more than removing the main ingredient in Huan Yi incense so that its original scent will not be affected."

"If that's the case, I have a question. Could it be that the Majesty has found a way to recover?"

"Looking at the panic on Concubine Hua's face, An Lingrong smiled and continued, "Your Majesty, don't worry about your thoughts being known to others. I just know the role of being a concubine."

"I am just curious. If Your Majesty feels it is inconvenient to talk about it, I will not force you."

"If I don't force you to say it, I naturally won't think of helping you. What to do is entirely up to Concubine Hua. This is what An Lingrong didn't say."

"In my previous life, I used Xiji Pills many times, but after many attempts, I couldn't get rid of the effects. The child I was pregnant with was destined not to be born."

"An Lingrong was naturally curious about what method Concubine Hua had to find a way to remove the effects of musk."

"Hua Fei looked at An Lingrong silently, and finally shook her head. Although I have found a way to reduce the effect of musk, I cannot guarantee that I can recover as before. Child, I am afraid that I will never be able to do that in this lifetime."

"An Lingrong breathed a sigh of relief at Concubine Hua's words. That's right. Isn't the medicine that the Queen gave her to force her to get pregnant also a temporary solution and not a permanent cure?"