0p0 Chapter 216 Lingrong and Zhen Huan's Conspiracy
Chapter 216 Lingrong and Zhen Huan's Conspiracy
Concubine Jing spoke slowly: "Noble Concubine Xi, Noble Concubine An, there are undercurrents in the palace right now, we can't let our guard down even a little bit!"
Zhen Huan's expression was solemn. "Sister Jingfei is right. That dark force seems to be everywhere. Although the previous incident has been temporarily resolved, the aftermath is still there."
An Lingrong echoed, "Huan'er, we need to come up with some new ideas. I feel like it's not enough just for us to keep watch in the palace."
Concubine Duan coughed lightly a few times and said, "What Concubine An said is absolutely right. I heard that those people with evil intentions are also colluding with people outside the palace. If we can cut off their support outside the palace, perhaps we can make it difficult for them to act in the palace."
Zhen Huan's eyes lit up. "Sister Duanfei, this is a brilliant plan. However, it's not easy for us to interfere in matters outside the palace. I think we can ask my brother Zhen Yuandao to investigate further and see if we can find their lair outside the palace."
Concubine Jing nodded: "That's the only way. But during this process, we must be extremely careful and not put Master Zhen in danger."
An Lingrong said worriedly, "Huan'er, my uncle has risked his life for us many times. This time... I'm really worried."
Zhen Huan held her hand. "Lingrong, I am no different. But given the current situation, if we don't do this, we will never have peace in the palace. I will write a letter to my brother, telling him to be cautious and report any signs of trouble immediately."
A few days later, Zhen Yuandao sent a message saying that he had found a base of that force outside the palace, which seemed to be an abandoned manor in the western suburbs of the capital.
Zhen Huan looked at the letter and said to An Lingrong, Concubine Jing, and Concubine Duan, "Now that we've found the location, we can't just sit there and do nothing. I think we can secretly arrange some people to work with my brother inside and outside to destroy that stronghold."
Concubine Jing hesitated and said, "Isn't this too risky? What if they find out and bite back?"
An Lingrong pondered for a moment. "Sister Jingfei, although this is a risky move, the rewards are also great. If successful, we can significantly weaken their power. However, before we act, we must plan carefully and avoid acting rashly."
Concubine Duan agreed, "What Concubine An said makes sense. We can first send people to investigate the vicinity of that manor to find out their manpower deployment and daily activities before making a decision."
Zhen Huan nodded: "Let's do as Sister Duanfei says. I'll have Xiao Yunzi take a few smart eunuchs with him. They always do things in a safe and reliable manner."
Xiao Yunzi took the order and left. A few days later, he returned to report, "My Lady, my young master, the manor appears abandoned, but it's actually heavily guarded. Many people come in and out every day, transporting boxes and parcels, but I don't know what's inside them."
Zhen Huan frowned. "It seems there's something fishy going on here. Lingrong, what do you think they're planning?"
An Lingrong pondered and said, "Huan'er, I suspect they are either stockpiling supplies or passing on palace secrets. Either way, it's extremely disadvantageous to us."
Concubine Jing said anxiously, "Then we must act quickly! We can't delay any longer."
Zhen Huan said, "Sister, don't worry. Although we must act, we must wait for the right time. In the next few days, let's create some false impressions in the palace so that they will think that we have let down our guard."
So, Zhen Huan and others pretended that everything was peaceful and prosperous in the palace and no longer mentioned the dark force.
In secret, they were intensively preparing for the operation against the Western Suburbs Manor.
Zhen Huan selected some guards with strong martial arts skills and agreed with Zhen Yuandao on the date and time of the action.
On the day of the operation, Zhen Huan was restless in the palace.
An Lingrong comforted her, "Huan'er, don't worry. Uncle is a lucky man, and this operation will definitely succeed."
Concubine Jing also said, "Yes, Concubine Xi. We have been planning for a long time, and there will be no mistakes."
Just as everyone was anxiously waiting, news came from the Western Suburbs Manor that the operation had encountered some resistance, but with the strenuous attack of Zhen Yuandao and the guards, they had successfully destroyed the manor and captured some related people.
Zhen Huan was overjoyed: "Great! This is a great victory."
An Lingrong said, "Huan'er, don't be too happy too soon. This is just one of their strongholds. Who knows if they have any others?"
Concubine Duan nodded, "What Concubine An said is absolutely correct. We must continue our investigation until this dark force is completely eradicated."
Soon after, the captured people were brought to the palace. Zhen Huan personally interrogated them: "Tell me! Who else are your accomplices in the palace?"
The man trembled and said, "Your Majesty, I am only following orders. I really don't know who else is in the palace. I only heard that there is a master who is directing everything, but I have never seen his true face."
Zhen Huan angrily shouted, "How dare you treat me so perfunctorily! Take him away and give him twenty lashes of the cane. Let's see if he will tell me!"
An Lingrong stopped her, "Huan'er, don't be impulsive. I'm afraid he won't be able to say anything after being beaten and scolded like this. I have a way that may make him tell the truth."
Zhen Huan asked doubtfully, "Lingrong, what do you have in mind?"
An Lingrong took out a bag of spices and said, "This is a special spice I made. It can help people relax their minds. While they are in a trance, they might be able to ask something useful."
Zhen Huan nodded: "Then let's try it as you say."
An Lingrong lit the incense, and the smoke slowly rose. As the person being interrogated inhaled the incense, his eyes gradually became blurry.
An Lingrong asked softly, "Think carefully, is there anything special about that gentleman?"
The man murmured, "I only remember once hearing someone around him call him Lord Zhao. Their voices were a little hoarse, as if they were old..."
Zhen Huan and others looked at each other and had some clues in their minds.
Zhen Huan said, "It seems we have to search for this Lord Zhao in the court. However, there are so many officials in the court, so finding him won't be easy."
Concubine Jing said, "Noble Concubine Xi, we can start with the officials who have had ties with that force and investigate them one by one. Perhaps we can narrow down the scope."
Zhen Huan and the others then began to investigate the court. While keeping an eye on the palace, they secretly tracked down the mysterious Lord Zhao.
During this process, Zhen Huan discovered that there was a Lord Zhao Qinian, who usually kept a low profile, but had close contacts with some officials who were suspected of having connections with dark forces.
Zhen Huan said to An Lingrong and the others, "Do you think this Mr. Zhao is the person we are looking for?"
An Lingrong said, "Huan'er, it's hard to be certain based on this alone. We need to find a way to test him further."
Concubine Duan said, "We can set up a trap to lure him out of his shell. For example, we could deliberately reveal some false information about the dark forces to him and see how he reacts."
Concubine Jing agreed, "This plan is feasible. However, the false news must be made cleverly so that he won't notice anything unusual."
Zhen Huan thought for a moment and said, "I think we can say that a list of names of some court officials was seized in the Western Suburbs Manor. One of the surnames was blacked out, with only the beginning of the character 'Zhao' faintly visible. Let's see if he feels guilty."
After everyone had made up their minds, they began to act.
Zhen Huan arranged for people to deliberately spread the news in the palace, while they secretly observed Zhao Qinian's reaction.
After hearing the news, Zhao Qinian was indeed panicked and frequently met with some officials in private.
Seeing this, Zhen Huan sneered, "It seems that there is something fishy about this Lord Zhao. However, we still need to find solid evidence to bring him down."
An Lingrong said, "Huan'er, I have a plan. We can send someone to eavesdrop on his next meeting. Perhaps we can hear some crucial words."
Concubine Jing said worriedly, "This is too dangerous. If we are discovered, it will be disastrous."
Concubine Duan said, "That's fine. We can find some people who are good at light martial arts and concealment, such as the guards who participated in the destruction of the Western Suburbs Manor last time. They are very experienced."
Zhen Huan nodded: "Let's do it. We must be careful and cautious in everything we do. We must not let our efforts go to waste."
The guards took the order and lurked near the place where Zhao Qinian was meeting with others.
Not long after, the guards returned with a report: "Your Majesty, Young Master, we heard Zhao Qinian say that the incident at the Western Suburbs Manor has been exposed and that we must urgently find a way to remedy the situation. He also mentioned that some important items should be moved to prevent them from being discovered."
Zhen Huan angrily said, "This Zhao Qinian is indeed the dark forces' accomplice in the court! Let us report this to the Emperor now and let him make the final decision."
An Lingrong hesitated: "Huan'er, our evidence is not yet conclusive. Will the Emperor believe us?"
Zhen Huan said firmly, "At this point, we must give it a try. We will tell the Emperor everything we know, and with the testimony of the guards, I believe the Emperor will see clearly."
So, Zhen Huan, An Lingrong and others took the guards to the Yangxin Palace to ask to see the emperor.
After hearing their intentions, the Emperor pondered for a moment and said, "I will send someone to investigate this matter in detail. If Zhao Qinian truly has any ill intentions, I will not let him off lightly."
Zhen Huan and the others thanked En and withdrew. They knew that the fight against the forces of darkness had taken another step forward, but the road ahead was still full of unknowns and dangers, and they still needed to muster up the courage to move forward.