0p0 Chapter 295: Secret War in the Palace and Foreign Conspiracy
Chapter 295: Secret War in the Palace and Foreign Conspiracy
Zhen Huan's eyes were calm as she spoke softly, "Now that the princess has revealed her ambition, she won't hold back for long. Let's keep an eye on who she associates closely with."
An Lingrong replied, "Huan'er is absolutely right. I have asked Baoque to secretly monitor the princess's palace and report back if there is any movement."
Concubine Hua couldn't sit still any longer: "What's the point of just staring at her? We have to think of a way to take the initiative and let her know that this harem is not a place where she can act recklessly!"
Mei Zhuang shook her head slightly: "Don't worry, Sister Hua Fei. We haven't figured out her cards yet. If we act rashly, we might end up in a passive position."
Chun Er blinked and asked, "Are we just going to wait like this?"
Zhen Huan smiled and said, "Chun'er, of course not. Sister Meizhuang has already ordered the concubines in the palace to be on guard against the princess, and Lingrong is also trying to find out her background. We can also start with the emperor."
Hua Fei asked doubtfully, "From the Emperor? The Emperor has been busy with state affairs lately and rarely comes to the harem. What can we do?"
Zhen Huan said confidently, "Although the Emperor is busy, he is not completely unaware of the affairs of the harem. We can casually mention the princess's affairs when we sleep with him to test his mind and see what he thinks of her."
An Lingrong nodded in praise, "Huan'er, this plan is brilliant. It won't appear that we're deliberately targeting the princess, and it will also allow us to understand the emperor's intentions."
A few days later, Zhen Huan went to the emperor's bedchamber. The emperor was in a good mood and chatted with Zhen Huan.
Zhen Huan said softly, "Your Majesty, the princess who married into the royal family recently entered the palace. I found her quite special. I wonder what your Majesty's impression of her is?"
The emperor paused for a moment and said, "The princess has come from afar, so I shall treat her with courtesy. If she abides by the rules of the harem, I will not treat her unfairly."
Zhen Huan said tentatively, "I heard that the princess seems to have done something in the palace that has caused a lot of discussion. Has the emperor heard anything about it?"
The emperor frowned. "I have heard a little about this. I have already warned her that once she enters the harem, she must abide by the rules of the Qing Dynasty and not cause trouble."
Zhen Huan had a plan in mind and returned to the palace to discuss it with everyone.
Zhen Huan said, "The Emperor has already warned the Princess, which shows he's not completely oblivious to her actions. We must expedite the pace of gathering evidence."
As she was speaking, Bao Que hurried over and said, "Your Majesty, the princess met with a minister in a secluded corner of the Imperial Garden today. I didn't dare get too close and didn't hear the conversation clearly, but I saw that the minister was acting furtively."
An Lingrong's eyes darkened. "This princess's private meeting with the minister must be something unspeakable. Perhaps she's plotting how to seize the throne."
Concubine Hua immediately stood up and said, "Let's go and see which minister is so bold!"
Zhen Huan stopped her: "Sister, don't be impulsive. Let's first find out the minister's identity and then make any plans."
Mei Zhuang said, "I'll go to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and ask around to see if I can find out who that minister is."
After Meizhuang left, Chun'er said with some concern: "Sisters, this matter is becoming more and more complicated. I'm a little scared."
An Lingrong comforted her, "Don't be afraid, Chun'er. We are here and will not let the princess succeed."
Not long after, Mei Zhuang returned with a serious expression, "I've found out that the minister is Lord Liu from the imperial court. He has always colluded with certain forces and has ulterior motives."
Zhen Huan thought for a moment: "This Lord Liu is colluding with the princess. I'm afraid he wants to make plans in both the harem and the front court to gain greater benefits. We must find evidence of their collusion as soon as possible and put a stop to their conspiracy."
An Lingrong said, "I have a plan. We can pretend to cooperate with Lord Liu and lure him into revealing his true intentions."
Hua Fei's eyes lit up: "This is a very good plan! I don't believe that I can't take him down even if I go out!"
Zhen Huan was a little worried: "Although this plan is good, it also has risks. If Lord Liu realizes our intentions and turns against us, it will be troublesome."
An Lingrong said, "Huan'er, we should proceed cautiously. We can let Sister Hua Fei come forward and interact with him first to test his strengths and weaknesses, and then we can observe from the dark."
Concubine Hua nodded: "Okay, let's follow this plan. I want to see what tricks this Lord Liu and the princess can come up with!"
Concubine Hua sent someone to deliver a message to Lord Liu, asking him to meet at a palace.
Lord Liu arrived as scheduled. Upon seeing Concubine Hua, he bowed and said, "Madam Concubine Hua, may I know why you summoned me?"
Concubine Hua sat upright on the throne and said in a cold voice, "Master Liu, I heard that you have been very close to the princess who was married to you recently."
Lord Liu was startled, but he still pretended to be calm: "Your Majesty has misunderstood. I am only following the Emperor's orders to discuss some matters concerning the exchanges between the two countries with the Princess."
Concubine Hua sneered, "Master Liu, don't lie to me. I know everything about your meeting with the princess in the Imperial Garden."
Lord Liu's forehead was covered with cold sweat. "Your Majesty, it was just a chance encounter. I have no other intentions."
Concubine Hua stood up and approached Lord Liu. "Lord Liu, if you tell the truth, I might spare your life. What exactly are you and the princess planning?"
Lord Liu hesitated for a long time and was about to speak when suddenly there was a noise outside the door.
It turned out that it was the princess who came with a group of guards.
The princess walked into the palace and saw Concubine Hua and Lord Liu. She angrily said, "Concubine Hua, how dare you meet with the ministers privately? What do you want to do?"
Concubine Hua refused to back down. "When will it be your turn, a foreign princess, to intervene in the affairs of this palace? You have secretly colluded with Lord Liu, attempting to disrupt the Qing harem. Today, I will expose your conspiracy!"
The princess and Concubine Hua were at loggerheads with each other and neither would give in.
Zhen Huan, An Lingrong and others heard the noise and rushed over.
Seeing this, Zhen Huan said, "Your Highness, Sister Hua Fei, please don't be impulsive. If there is anything, we can talk it out slowly."
The princess snorted, "Zhen Huan, stop being so hypocritical. You're clearly trying to frame me and Lord Liu."
An Lingrong asked, "Princess, if there is nothing wrong between you and Lord Liu, why are you so flustered?"
Seeing that the situation was not good, Lord Liu wanted to escape, but was stopped by the guards.
Zhen Huan said to Concubine Hua, "Sister, it seems that Lord Liu is guilty. Let's bring them both to the Emperor and let him make the final decision."
Everyone brought the princess and Lord Liu to the Yangxin Palace.
Upon hearing this, the Emperor's face darkened. "What are you doing? The harem and the former court are forbidden to collude privately. Don't you know that?"
Concubine Hua knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, I discovered that the princess and Lord Liu were meeting privately in the imperial garden. Their behavior is suspicious, so I have come to report this to Your Majesty."
The princess hastily defended herself, "Your Majesty, I am innocent. It was Concubine Hua who deliberately framed me. I was only discussing cultural exchange between our two countries with Lord Liu."
Lord Liu also kowtowed and said, "Your Majesty, I have absolutely no intention of collusion. This is all a misunderstanding."
Zhen Huan presented Bao Que's record of the time and place of the princess's meeting with Lord Liu. "Your Majesty, this is a clue discovered by me and others. This matter concerns the peace of the harem and the fate of the Qing Dynasty. I beg Your Majesty to examine it."
The Emperor looked at the clues and pondered for a moment: "I will investigate thoroughly. If there is collusion, I will not show any mercy."
The storm has subsided temporarily, but Zhen Huan and others know that the struggle with the princess is far from over. They still need to be vigilant at all times, continue to protect each other in this ever-changing harem, and write their own legendary stories. Every step is full of unknowns and challenges, but they firmly believe that as long as they work together, they will be able to stand firm in this palace struggle.