0p0 Chapter 174 Ling Huan breaks the Zen
Chapter 174 Ling Huan breaks the Zen
Zhen Huan frowned slightly, her eyes filled with confusion and worry: "Lingrong, this eminent monk came to the palace to pray for blessings, how could it be connected with conspiracy? It is really puzzling!"
An Lingrong shook her head slightly and said softly, "Huan'er, everything in this palace often hides hidden mysteries beneath the surface. Don't be fooled by appearances."
Chun Changzai came skipping over and, after hearing what they were saying, asked innocently, "Sister Huanhuan, Sister Lingrong, what high monk? Are you here to tell us a story?"
Zhen Huan smiled faintly and patted Chun Changzai's head: "Chun'er, this monk is here to pray for blessings, but the sisters are worried that someone will use this as an excuse to cause trouble."
An Lingrong also echoed, "Chun Changzai, if you see that monk behave in any unusual way while you're playing in the palace, be sure to tell my sisters."
Chun Changzai nodded obediently: "Chun'er knows!"
A few days later, a blessing ceremony was held in the palace, and all the concubines attended. The eminent monk had a solemn appearance and recited scriptures.
Zhen Huan and An Lingrong looked at each other and both felt that this monk seemed peaceful, but exuded an indescribable aura.
After the ceremony, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong were walking in the garden, but they saw the monk whispering with Lipin in the corner.
Zhen Huan whispered, "Lingrong, look at them. They're having a private conversation, so there must be something they can't tell anyone."
An Lingrong narrowed her eyes: "Huan'er, let's go closer and listen to what they say."
The two of them approached quietly, and Concubine Li said, "Master, can the method you describe really help me regain the emperor's favor? My life in this palace is truly unbearable."
The monk clasped his hands together and murmured, "Amitabha, female donor, as long as you follow my instructions and spread the special spices throughout the palace, combined with my magic, you will succeed. However, the spice formula is unique and requires careful preparation."
Zhen Huan was shocked and said to An Lingrong, "Lingrong, this is another conspiracy to harm people with spices!"
An Lingrong gritted her teeth and said, "Huan'er, we can't just sit there and do nothing. Let's go back and start with this spice formula and find out."
Back at the palace, An Lingrong, with her expertise in spices, began to ponder the possible formula. She said to Zhen Huan, "Huan'er, I think this spice must contain hallucinogenic substances such as datura, which could confuse the emperor's mind."
Zhen Huan nodded: "Then we must find evidence as soon as possible and stop them."
An Lingrong thought for a moment and said, "I have a plan. We can pretend to ask for advice on the spices and test the monk."
Zhen Huan agreed: "This plan is feasible."
So, An Lingrong took Baoque and went to the monk's residence. An Lingrong bowed and said, "Master, I heard that you are also knowledgeable about spices, so I came here today to ask for your advice. I once made a spice, but for some reason, the smell of it makes people dizzy. I wonder why?"
The monk glanced at her and said slowly, "My Lady An, the art of spices is vast and profound. Perhaps it's due to the incompatibility of the ingredients, or perhaps it's due to improper dosage. I wonder what ingredients are in your spices?"
An Lingrong deliberately said, "I used some Datura, having heard it could calm the mind, but I didn't expect this consequence."
The monk's expression changed slightly. "Although Mandrake can calm the mind, the dosage must be used with extreme caution. If you are not careful, it will cause hallucinations. How can you use it so casually, Young Master An?"
An Lingrong was secretly delighted, but pretended to be apprehensive: "I didn't know. Thank you for your guidance, Master."
Back at Zhen Huan's palace, An Lingrong excitedly said, "Huan'er, that monk is indeed guilty. He is so sensitive about the matter of Mandragora, there must be something wrong."
Zhen Huan asked, "So what should we do next?"
An Lingrong said, "We can quietly search for traces of that special spice in the palace. If we find it, it will be irrefutable evidence."
A few days later, Zhen Huan's maid found a package behind a bush, which contained the special spice.
Zhen Huan took the spices and said to An Lingrong, "Lingrong, we've found evidence! We'll report this to the Emperor right away."
Zhen Huan and An Lingrong came before the Emperor. Zhen Huan bowed and said, "Your Majesty, Lingrong and I discovered that someone in the palace was using spices to plot against Your Majesty. This is the spice. Please take a look."
The emperor took the incense, sniffed it, and his face darkened. "This scent is strange. There must be something fishy going on. Who is so bold?"
An Lingrong said, "Your Majesty, it was that newly arrived eminent monk who was secretly colluding with Concubine Li, intending to use this spice to seduce Your Majesty in order to regain His Majesty's favor and seize power."
The emperor was furious: "I asked him to come to the palace to pray for blessings, and he dared to act so recklessly! Concubine Li is also unrepentant and keeps causing trouble!"
Zhen Huan took the opportunity to say, "Your Majesty, the harem is in turmoil because of these conspiracies and intrigues. I beg Your Majesty to punish them severely and correct the harem's atmosphere."
The Emperor nodded, "I will take care of it myself. Expel that eminent monk from the palace and never allow him to set foot in the capital again! Lipin will be demoted to the rank of concubine and confined to the palace to reflect on her mistakes!"
Zhen Huan and An Lingrong thanked the emperor and left the palace. Zhen Huan breathed a sigh of relief: "Lingrong, this time we have averted another crisis."
An Lingrong said, "Huan'er, the strife in the harem is like this endless night. We don't know when peace will finally come. We must remain cautious."
However, before one crisis is over, another one arises. A foreign princess comes to marry the emperor. She is extremely beautiful, talented in singing and dancing, and immediately attracts the emperor's attention. This brings Zhen Huan and An Lingrong into a new challenge and crisis.