0p0 Chapter 279 Ling Huan is determined to guard the harem
Chapter 279 Ling Huan is determined to guard the harem
Zhen Huan relaxed her brows slightly and said softly, "It is a blessing that the issue of the medicinal materials can be successfully resolved this time."
An Lingrong nodded in agreement, "Huan'er, the conspiracy behind this is so interconnected. If it weren't for the Emperor's wisdom, we wouldn't be able to resolve it so easily."
Concubine Hua snorted softly, "Hmph! Those traitors deserve to be hacked into pieces! How dare they set their sights on the harem's medicinal herbs? How audacious!"
Chun Er blinked her big eyes and said, "Sisters, I'm really scared this time. I'm afraid that the bad guy will succeed and hurt you sisters."
Mei Zhuang smiled and comforted: "Don't be afraid, Chun'er, we are here and we will never let this harem be harmed by treacherous people."
Zhen Huan turned to look at everyone: "Although this crisis has passed, we must not let our guard down. There must be someone secretly coveting us in the harem. We need to take precautions early."
An Lingrong pondered for a moment. "Huan'er, I think we can start by examining the expenses and personnel exchanges within each palace to see if there are any anomalies."
Zhen Huan praised, "Lingrong, this is a very good plan. Sister Meizhuang, you have always been very attentive. I would like to ask you to pay more attention to the account books and records of personnel entering and leaving the palaces."
Mei Zhuang replied, "Okay, I'll check it carefully."
Hua Fei said: "I will also have the people around me keep an eye on it. If there is any movement, they will definitely know."
A few days later, Mei Zhuang came to report, "Huan'er, when I checked the account books, I found that Concubine Xin's spending on spices in the palace was a bit unusual, much more than usual."
Zhen Huan asked in confusion, "Concubine Xin? She's always been very low-key, so why would her spice expenses suddenly increase so much? There must be something fishy going on."
An Lingrong asked, "Could it be that someone is secretly plotting something using Concubine Xin's name? We need to ask Concubine Xin."
Zhen Huan nodded: "Let's go to Concubine Xin's palace."
Arriving at Concubine Xin's palace, Zhen Huan asked directly, "Concubine Xin, I checked the account books and found that the cost of spices in your palace has increased significantly. Why is this?"
Xin Chang looked bewildered: "Empress Xi, I don't know. I didn't use too much spices. Someone must have been playing tricks on me."
An Lingrong asked, "Have you noticed anything unusual about the people in the palace?"
Xin Chang thought for a moment and said, "Recently, my young eunuch Xiao Fuzi has been acting suspiciously. When I asked him about it, he just stammered and couldn't explain it clearly."
Zhen Huan's eyes glared: "Where is Xiao Fuzi now?"
Xin Changzai said, "I'm cleaning the backyard."
Zhen Huan and the others came to the backyard, and Zhen Huan said sternly: "Xiao Fuzi, do you admit your guilt?"
Xiao Fuzi slumped to her knees and said, "Your Majesty, I know I was wrong. It was Eunuch Wang from the Imperial Household Department who asked me to over-report the cost of spices in the palace. I don't know what he was trying to do."
An Lingrong pressed on, "What else did Eunuch Wang say?"
Xiao Fuzi trembled and said, "Eunuch Wang only said that he would give me a sum of money after the matter was completed. I really don't know anything else."
Zhen Huan said, "Take Xiao Fuzi away and call Eunuch Wang back."
After being brought in, Eunuch Wang initially denied everything, but under Zhen Huan's questioning, he revealed the truth: "Your Majesty, it was Madam Liu, who was beside Concubine Hua, who instructed this servant to do so. She said she wanted to teach Concubine Xin a lesson, but I don't know the specific reason."
Zhen Huan and the others were shocked, and Concubine Hua was even more furious, saying, "When did I allow that Madam Liu to act like this? She must have acted on her own initiative, trying to sow discord between me and the other sisters."
Zhen Huan said, "Don't worry, Sister Hua Fei. This matter needs to be investigated thoroughly. Bring Madam Liu here."
When Madam Liu was brought in, she saw that the matter had been exposed and said in a panic, "My ladies, it was my fault for a moment. I thought that Concubine Hua was dissatisfied with Concubine Xin, so I resorted to this desperate measure. I know I was wrong."
Concubine Hua scolded her, "How dare you, a wicked slave, make decisions on your own and ruin my reputation."
Zhen Huan looked at Madam Liu: "Madam Liu, you have been in the palace for many years. You should know the consequences of such behavior. Why did you do this?"
Matron Liu hesitated again and again: "Your Majesty, in fact, before the Empress was confined to her house, she secretly instructed this servant to stir up disputes among the Empresses if she had the chance, so that the harem would not be at peace. This servant thought that there was a rift between Empress Hua and Concubine Xin, so..."
Zhen Huan and the others suddenly realized what was happening. An Lingrong said, "This queen is really haunting. Even under house arrest, she still tries to stir up trouble."
Zhen Huan said, "This matter must not be tolerated. We will go see the emperor again and tell him everything."
Upon seeing the Emperor, Zhen Huan bowed and said, "Your Majesty, there has been another conspiracy in the harem. Someone is trying to stir up trouble. I have investigated and found that it was the Empress who secretly instigated this before she was confined to her house."
The Emperor raged, "The Empress has refused to change despite repeated admonitions. I will not forgive her lightly. Madam Liu, who sowed discord, shall be beaten to death! Eunuch Wang and Xiao Fuzi, who aided and abetted the tyrant, shall each be given fifty lashes and banished from the palace."
After dealing with this matter, Zhen Huan and others returned to the palace.
Chun Er muttered, "This queen is so evil. Fortunately, my sisters are smart and didn't fall for it."
Mei Zhuang said, "In this harem, we must always be vigilant and not be exploited by treacherous people."
An Lingrong said, "Huan'er, after this incident, I feel we must unite even more. Only by working together can we cope with this endless conspiracy."
Zhen Huan held An Lingrong's hand and said, "Lingrong is right. Together, we sisters will be able to protect the peace of the harem."
However, troubles arose before one settled. One day, news of ghosts haunting the palace spread. It was said that a female ghost in white could often be seen wandering around the imperial garden at night, frightening many palace maids and eunuchs.
Zhen Huan frowned after hearing this: "How can there be ghosts in this palace? Someone must have done this on purpose to create panic."
An Lingrong said, "Huan'er, let's go to the Imperial Garden tonight and take a look. Maybe we can find some clues."
Hua Fei said, "I will go too, to see who is playing tricks on me."
At night, Zhen Huan, An Lingrong, and Concubine Hua quietly came to the Imperial Garden with a few guards. The moonlight sprinkled in the garden, making it gloomy and eerie.
Suddenly, a white figure floated by, and the guards immediately chased after it, only to find that the female ghost in white disappeared behind a wall.
Zhen Huan said, "There must be something fishy behind this wall. Let's go and take a look."
The crowd walked around the wall and found a small house. Faint voices could be heard coming from the house.
Zhen Huan signaled everyone to speak quietly and approached the house. She heard someone inside say, "This ghost thing has scared them a lot. The next step is to take advantage of the opportunity."
Another voice said, "That's right. As long as we create chaos in the harem, we can benefit from it."
Zhen Huan and others rushed into the room and saw several young eunuchs and palace maids sitting together.
Zhen Huan shouted angrily, "How dare you pretend to be a ghost and disturb the harem."
When the young eunuchs saw that it was Zhen Huan and the others, they knelt down in fear and said, "Your Majesty, please spare us. It was Concubine Li who asked us to do this. She said she wanted to take revenge on the other concubines, so she came up with this idea."
Zhen Huan asked in surprise, "Princess Li? Hasn't she been banished to the cold palace?"
An Lingrong said, "It seems she is still restless in the cold palace and wants to stir up trouble."
Concubine Hua said, "Humph! This Lipin is really asking for her own death. I will go to the cold palace right now and let her know how powerful I am."
Zhen Huan stopped Concubine Hua and said, "Sister, please don't worry. Let's report this to the Emperor first and let him make the decision."
After the emperor learned about this, he ordered that the eunuchs and palace maids around Concubine Li who were involved in the incident be severely punished, and further downgraded Concubine Li's treatment in the cold palace, forbidding anyone to visit her.
Zhen Huan and others successfully resolved the crisis again. They knew very well that in this harem, as long as they adhered to kindness and justice and supported each other, no matter how many conspiracies and tricks there were, they could all be solved one by one. They would also continue to write their own legendary stories in this palace.