nashuaworldcup Chapter 189 Ling Huan explores the secrets of the cold palace
Chapter 189 Ling Huan explores the secrets of the cold palace
Zhen Huan and An Lingrong had just come out of the Empress Dowager's palace. They were exhausted both physically and mentally, but they dared not slack off at all.
An Lingrong sighed softly, "Huan'er, the turmoil in the harem is just one wave after another, and I don't know when it will end."
Zhen Huan frowned slightly. "As long as we sisters are united, no matter how great the storm, we can handle it. But now the situation is becoming increasingly complicated, so we must be cautious."
As he was speaking, Bao Que came hurriedly, holding a letter in her hand: "My lady, this is a letter from the Cold Palace. It was sent by Concubine Hua."
An Lingrong asked in surprise: "Hua Fei? Why did she suddenly send a letter from the cold palace?" As she spoke, she opened the letter and began to read. The more she read, the more solemn her expression became.
Zhen Huan hurriedly asked, "Lingrong, what did the letter say?"
An Lingrong raised her head and said slowly, "Hua Fei said that someone in Jing Fei's family has connections with someone in the palace. This person turned out to be one of Emperor Kangxi's concubines. They are plotting to murder the Empress Dowager, and it seems there are follow-up plots."
Zhen Huan's eyes widened. "Emperor Kangxi's concubines? How is that even possible? Why would they go to such great lengths?"
An Lingrong shook her head. "The letter didn't mention the reason. It only told us to be careful and cautious. If we can atone for our sins, Concubine Hua will pray for us from the cold palace."
Zhen Huan thought for a moment: "This matter cannot be taken lightly, but it cannot be completely ignored either. Let's go to the cold palace to see Concubine Hua and ask for clarification."
The two of them brought their attendants to the cold palace. The cold palace was still gloomy and cold. Although Concubine Hua looked haggard, she still showed a stubbornness.
Zhen Huan looked at Concubine Hua with a hint of doubt in her eyes: "Concubine Hua, is what you said in the letter true?"
Concubine Hua smiled softly, but it was filled with bitterness. "Zhen Huan, I am now in this cold palace. What else can I possibly lie to you about? Although I hate you for taking away my favor, I cannot tolerate anyone harming the Queen Mother like this and disturbing the peace of this harem."
An Lingrong asked, "Do you know which concubine of Emperor Kangxi it was? And what evidence do you have?"
Concubine Hua said, "I only know that the concubine lives in a remote palace and rarely appears in public. I learned about this by chance when I overheard a conversation between Concubine Jing's confidant and a palace maid. The palace maid mentioned that the concubine had frequent secret dealings with members of Concubine Jing's family and had seen some suspicious objects that seemed to be related to the poison that poisoned the empress dowager. As for evidence, I think if you go to the area near the concubine's palace and conduct a careful investigation, you will definitely find something."
Zhen Huan and An Lingrong looked at each other and saw worry in each other's eyes.
Zhen Huan said, "Hua Fei, if what you said is true, we will speak well of you in front of the Emperor. But if you lie even a little bit, we will not forgive you."
Hua Fei said coldly, "I, Hua Fei, disdain to lie! Just go and investigate."
After coming out of the cold palace, An Lingrong said, "Huan'er, I have a feeling this matter is suspicious, but we can't let go of any clues. Let's send someone to secretly monitor the concubine's palace first."
Zhen Huan nodded, "That's the only way. Lingrong, do you know anyone who can take on this task?"
An Lingrong thought for a moment and said, "Bao Que is clever. Let her take a few reliable palace maids with her and report back if there's any movement."
Bao Que took the order and left. Zhen Huan and An Lingrong returned to the palace to wait for news.
A few days later, Bao Que hurried back, looking flustered. "My Lady, Madam, I've noticed some strange eunuchs frequently entering and leaving the concubines' palace. They seem to be in a hurry, as if they're delivering something important."
Zhen Huan hurriedly asked, "Can you see clearly what it is?"
Bao Que shook her head. "They were wrapped very tightly, so I couldn't see clearly. But once, I saw a little eunuch accidentally drop a piece of paper. There seemed to be some strange patterns on it, like some kind of formation."
An Lingrong's mind stirred: "Formation? Could they be planning some kind of evil magic?"
Zhen Huan said, "No matter what it is, we must report it to the Emperor as soon as possible and let him make the final decision."
The two of them came before the Emperor. Zhen Huan bowed and said, "Your Majesty, Lingrong and I have recently received news that one of Emperor Kangxi's concubines seems to be colluding with members of Concubine Jing's family and is plotting to murder the Empress Dowager. We have also discovered suspicious individuals frequently entering and leaving the palace, and have seen some strange patterns that resemble formations. I'm afraid there may be a larger conspiracy. Please investigate, Your Majesty."
The emperor's face darkened upon hearing this. "Is this true? I will immediately send people to search the concubine's palace."
The guards quickly went to the concubine's palace and after a search, they found many suspicious objects, including some poisonous grass residues similar to those used to poison the empress dowager, and some papers covered with strange runes.
The concubine was brought before the Emperor and initially denied everything. But upon seeing the evidence, she finally revealed the truth: "Your Majesty, I was unwilling to be neglected in this palace, so I colluded with the people of Concubine Jing's family. I wanted to murder the Empress Dowager and cause chaos in the harem, so that I could seize the opportunity to ascend to the throne. They found the poisonous weed, and I was responsible for coordinating them in the palace. I obtained those runes from an expert outside the palace. I originally wanted to use them to cast evil spells and control everyone in the harem, but I didn't want Zhen Huan and An Lingrong to discover them."
The emperor was furious: "You vicious woman! I have always been tolerant of you because you were the concubine of the previous emperor, yet you are so unrepentant!"
The concubine cried and begged for mercy: "Your Majesty, I know I was wrong, please have mercy on me."
The emperor remained unmoved. "You have committed such a heinous crime, I will not forgive you lightly. Come, take her to jail and await your punishment!"
Zhen Huan and An Lingrong successfully resolved another crisis, and the harem temporarily returned to peace. However, they knew that this peace was only superficial, and countless challenges would await them in the future. They could only face them more bravely, protecting each other and the kindness and justice in their hearts in this harem full of calculations.