The Legend of Zhen Huan: Year after year, we share the spring breeze

Chapter 300: Holding a grudge

The next morning, Jingren Palace was shrouded in a light morning mist. The golden sunlight struggled to penetrate the mist, shining on the vermilion palace walls and glazed tiles, reflecting hazy light and shadows.

Inside the main hall, palace attendants hurried along, their sleeves rustling softly. Chairs lined the sides of the hall like a winding dragon, covered in embroidered cushions. On the small tables between the chairs stood seasonal potted plants, emitting a delicate fragrance that permeated the entire hall, adding a touch of pleasant freshness to the solemn atmosphere.

Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang sat at the first seats on the left and right respectively, An Lingrong sat below Feng Ruozhao, and opposite her was Concubine Duan.

After a moment's silence, the Queen came in slowly and steadily, supported by Jianqiu. She was wearing a gorgeous brocade robe embroidered with a phoenix in gold thread, and a dazzling phoenix crown with eight-treasure beads on her head. However, even with the thick makeup on her seemingly carefully made-up face, it could not completely hide the fatigue and exhaustion in her eyes.

Upon seeing this, all the concubines immediately stood up, knelt and saluted, saying in unison: "Greetings to the Queen!"

The queen nodded slightly, forcing a dignified and gentle smile: "Everyone, get up."

After everyone sat down again, the Queen's gaze slowly shifted to Zhen Huan, a barely perceptible glint flashing in her eyes. She then feigned concern and asked, "Xi Fei just returned yesterday. Why didn't you get some rest today?"

Zhen Huan stood up and said calmly, "Your Majesty is kind and compassionate, but I dare not disobey the palace rules. I have come here today to pay my respects to you, Your Majesty."

As he said this, he stood up, lifted up his clothes and prepared to kneel down.

She had just returned to the palace and according to the rules she had to pay her respects to the queen.

Shen Meizhuang frowned upon seeing this, then stood up and said, "Empress, Concubine Xi is pregnant. The Emperor once said that everything should be prioritized for the heir, and that conventional rituals should be avoided if possible. The Emperor and the Empress are of one mind, so I think you can understand the Emperor's love for the heir!"

Hearing Shen Meizhuang say this, Zhen Huan also stopped.

The Queen's smile remained perfectly dignified and gentle, but it didn't seem to reach her eyes. She parted her red lips and spoke slowly, "Of course. Concubine Xi prayed for the country at Ganlu Temple and returned to the palace pregnant with the heir. She is a meritorious official. I will naturally understand. No need to be so polite!"

"Thank you, Empress. I, your majesty, will always remember your kindness while I am in Ganlu Temple. Therefore, I pray day and night, wishing you good health and eternal blessings."

Seeing the person in front of her with a face as white as jade and a rosy complexion, the Queen felt a little uncomfortable, and her words were also a little sarcastic: "Xi Fei is thoughtful! After a few years, I see that Xi Fei's appearance has not declined at all, but has become more charming. It is true that time flies, but he cherishes Xi Fei especially. No wonder the Emperor misses her so much. Now that the son has returned to the palace, I am also happy for you."

Zhen Huan seemed not to understand the meaning of her words, and her smile did not fade: "Your Majesty the Queen is the mother of the country, graceful and elegant, I can't even compare to her."

The Queen stopped talking to her and turned around and called out, "Concubine Wen."

An Lingrong, who was currently engaging in a stare-down battle with Concubine Duan, quickly snapped back to her senses and replied, "Your Highness is here!"

Feng Ruozhao, who was watching their "fight", also restrained his expression and listened to what the queen said.

"Your enthronement ceremony will be in a few days, you must prepare well."

"Thank you, Queen, for your concern."

Feng Ruozhao also said, "Don't worry, Your Majesty, I and Concubine Hui are already making arrangements. We will make sure everything goes well and there won't be any mistakes."

"it is good."

The Queen thought for a moment and then said, "Now that Concubine Xi has returned, Concubine Wen should also take Princess Longyue to Yongshou Palace more often. After all, Concubine Xi is Princess Longyue's biological mother. No matter how close you are as her foster mother, you are still no match for her biological mother!"

"I obey the decree!"

She did not tell anyone that Longyue stayed in Yonghe Palace, so that the Queen would have some thoughts!

After paying their respects, everyone filed out of Jingren Palace.

An Lingrong's eyes were fixed on Concubine Duan's receding figure, and she called out crisply, "Empress Duan, please stay!"

Qi Yuebin heard the voice and slowly turned around.

At the same time, An Lingrong had swiftly drifted to her side. Her lips curled up in a smile, yet with a hint of something else in it: "Empress Duan, now that Concubine Xi has returned, the palace is bustling with activity. If you have time, please visit Yongshou Palace and reminisce about the past."

As he spoke, a smug smile appeared in his eyes.

Qi Yuebin's chest seemed to be choked by something, and he was speechless for a moment. After a long while, he finally uttered a sentence: "Do you hold grudges like this?"

An Lingrong raised her eyebrows slightly, a sly look flashing in her eyes, "Your Majesty, that's not true. I still remember the instructions you gave me back then!"

She has not forgotten that when Zhen Huan left the palace that day, Qi Yuebin made her so angry that she almost vomited blood.

Qi Yuebin sighed: "Princess Wen, there is no irreconcilable hatred between us. On the contrary, we can be friends."

An Lingrong raised her lips in a meaningful arc, and looked up at Qi Yuebin's eyes: "Your Majesty is right. I have an agreement with you. I wonder if you still remember it?"

Qi Yuebin's eyes flashed, and he looked back at the high plaque of Jingren Palace, then smiled faintly: "Of course I remember!"

After saying this, he said no more and left holding the maid's hand.

After the two of them finished talking, Zhen Huan, Shen Meizhuang, and Feng Ruozhao came to her and asked, "What are you talking about?"

"Nothing, I just wanted to piss her off."

Feng Ruozhao couldn't help but laugh when he heard this: "Just now in the palace, when the Empress and Concubine Xi were talking, the looks between you two almost blew the roof off Jingren Palace. I felt nervous watching from the side, really worried that you would stand up and fight!"

An Lingrong had a playful look on her face. She gently took her arm and said coquettishly, "Oh, Sister Jingfei, please don't scare me. It's not as serious as you say. I'm such a gentle person!"

"Naughty!"

After a few people joked around for a while, Zhen Huan said with a smile, "Alright, alright, you haven't been to my Yongshou Palace yet. Let's go and have a seat together. Bring the children along, it'll be more lively."

Shen Meizhuang was about to agree when Xiao Shi stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, Chief Steward Zhao is waiting for you in Yonghe Palace!"

"Oh!" Shen Meizhuang spread her hands helplessly.

"I'll go with you!" Feng Ruozhao said.

An Lingrong nodded. "Okay, then you guys go and get busy. Sister Zhen and I will go to Yongshou Palace. I'll have Xiao Luzi take Wanwan, the Sixth Prince, and Princess Xinyue there. When we're done, you can go over for dinner."

After deciding these things, the group went their separate ways.