nashuaworldcup Chapter 263: Troubles in the Imperial Palace
Chapter 263: Troubles in the Imperial Palace
Zhen Huan brushed her hair gently from her forehead, her eyes determined. "Although the incense is helping, the situation in the palace is complicated. The remnants of the Shadow Cult may have other tricks up their sleeves. We still cannot afford to slack off."
An Lingrong nodded slightly. "Huan'er is absolutely right. This incense can subdue the enemy, but if it's noticed by someone with ulterior motives, it could become a weapon of opportunity."
Hua Fei's beautiful eyes flickered as she snorted softly, "Hmph! Who dares? With me here, they wouldn't dare act rashly. But Ling Rong does have a point. We need to be more careful in our actions."
Zhen Huan pondered for a moment. "I've thought about it, and I think the timing and location of using this incense are crucial. If we can quietly apply it when they gather to discuss matters, we can capture them in one fell swoop."
An Lingrong continued, "Huan'er, I am most familiar with the properties of this incense. I can first investigate their possible gathering places and then decide how to administer the incense."
Concubine Hua patted An Lingrong's shoulder and said, "Thank you for your hard work, Lingrong. I will arrange for the personnel to capture those remaining evildoers in one fell swoop."
A few days later, An Lingrong returned to the palace, her face solemn. "Huan'er, Sister Hua Fei, I've heard that the remnants of the Shadow Cult seem to be planning something in an abandoned palace in a remote corner of the Imperial Garden. However, the area is heavily guarded, making it difficult to approach."
Zhen Huan frowned, "What should we do? Breaking in by force might alert the enemy."
Hua Fei's eyebrows shot up, and she angrily said, "What are you afraid of? I don't believe that even if I bring some highly skilled guards with me, I still can't break through that defense line!"
Zhen Huan quickly shook her head: "Don't worry, sister. We can devise a plan first to distract some of the guards, and then take the opportunity to sneak in."
An Lingrong's eyes lit up. "Huan'er, I have an idea. Have the kitchen prepare some exquisite snacks, mix a small amount of incense into them, and send them to the guards nearby. Once they're unconscious, we can take action."
Zhen Huan praised, "Lingrong, this plan is brilliant. Let's do it."
Everything was ready. Snacks were served. The guards smelled the aroma of the snacks, but without raising any suspicion, they ate them. A moment later, they collapsed.
Zhen Huan, An Lingrong, and Concubine Hua quickly sneaked into the abandoned palace with their guards. Inside, they saw the remnants of the Shadow Cult discussing how to stir up trouble again.
Concubine Hua shouted, "You traitors, today is your end!"
Everyone was startled and drew their swords. However, Zhen Huan and her companions were well prepared, and the guards engaged in a fierce battle with the remnants of the Shadow Cult. An Lingrong, seizing the opportunity, released a spellbinding incense, filling the hall with smoke and gradually overwhelmed the remnants of the Shadow Cult.
After the battle, Zhen Huan breathed a sigh of relief: "Finally, this storm has been temporarily calmed down."
An Lingrong, however, was filled with worry: "Huan'er, I'm afraid this is just the beginning. The Shadow Cult has been operating in the palace for many years, and it will not be destroyed so easily."
Hua Fei said, "What are you afraid of? If they dare to show their faces again, I will deal with them once again!"
But within a few days, rumors spread in the palace that Zhen Huan and An Lingrong used witchcraft to subdue the Shadow Cult. The rumor spread so widely that even the emperor heard about it.
The Emperor summoned Zhen Huan and An Lingrong to the Yangxin Palace. His expression darkened. "Huan Huan, Concubine An, I heard you used sorcery when fighting the Shadow Cult. Is that true?"
Zhen Huan quickly knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, I am innocent. We only used tricks and spices, not sorcery."
An Lingrong also knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, please understand. What we do is for the peace of the harem. There is absolutely no sorcery involved."
The emperor looked at them carefully. "What kind of spice is it that has such an effect?"
Zhen Huan explained, "Your Majesty, that is a special spice that Lingrong and I developed. It can help calm the mind and can also stun the enemy at a critical moment. It is definitely not a sorcery."
The Emperor frowned slightly. "Even so, using such spices in the palace could easily cause panic. I order you not to use them carelessly in the future."
"Your Majesty, I obey." Zhen Huan and An Lingrong responded in unison.
When Concubine Hua returned to the palace and learned about this, she rushed over angrily: "This must be a deliberate frame-up! They want to use this to suppress us."
Zhen Huan sighed and said, "Sister, we are now in the open, and the enemy is in the dark. This palace fight is becoming more and more difficult."
An Lingrong gritted her teeth and said, "Huan'er, Sister Hua Fei, we can't just sit there and wait for death. I want to find out the source of this rumor."
Zhen Huan nodded: "Lingrong, be careful. If there is any danger, come back immediately."
An Lingrong secretly investigated and discovered that the rumor originated from the Queen's palace. She hurried back to the palace and informed Zhen Huan and Concubine Hua.
Concubine Hua was furious: "The Queen is under house arrest and still restless! How dare she plot against us like this!"
Zhen Huan sneered, "She thinks she can bring us down like this? She really underestimates us."
The three of them discussed and decided to give the queen a taste of her own medicine. They collected evidence of some illegal activities of the queen's maids and eunuchs and presented it to the emperor at the right time.
When the emperor learned about this, he was furious and ordered that the maids and eunuchs around the queen be severely punished, and the expenses of the queen's palace be reduced.
When the Queen learned of this, she smashed things in the palace: "Zhen Huan! An Lingrong! How dare you treat me like this! I will not let this go!"
Zhen Huan, An Lingrong and Concubine Hua temporarily have the upper hand in this round of palace fighting, but they know that the fighting in the harem will never stop. They must always be vigilant, guard each other's status and peace in this palace full of conspiracies and intrigues, continue to write their own legendary stories, and move forward step by step towards an unknown destiny in this bottomless palace. Each step is full of hardships, but also full of determination.