A Crossover of Film and Television: Miao Miao's Life Transmigration

Chapter 238 The Legend of Zhen Huan, Consort Qi 51

Zhen Huan is single-mindedly searching for someone to take revenge on the Zhen family, while Yi Xiu has reached her limit and is eager to find something to use against Zhen Huan. The two sides are fiercely clashing in secret, but neither is aware of the other's methods.

A month before the twins' first birthday celebration, Zhen Huan suddenly realized that Hongzhan still couldn't crawl, and an ominous premonition welled up in her heart.

She secretly summoned the imperial physicians she knew and trusted. After a discreet examination, they discovered that Hongzhan had a leg disability and might never be able to stand or walk normally again.

The imperial physician Wang speculated that the twins might have been premature, resulting in incomplete development of the children. However, he could not determine the specific reason and needed to consult with more imperial physicians.

Upon learning this news, Zhen Huan was completely distraught and devastated. She couldn't accept this cruel reality; the child she had gone to so much trouble to save had developed such a serious problem.

Zhen Yurao tried to comfort Zhen Huan, but at this moment, any words of comfort seemed so powerless. Zhen Yurao said softly, "Sister, perhaps the imperial physician has made a mistake in his diagnosis. Let's ask a few more imperial physicians to take a look; Hongzhan will surely be cured."

Zhen Huan was in a state of turmoil. She knew this matter was far too important to be revealed. If the Emperor knew that the "dragon" in the twins had a disability, rumors of misfortune would surely spread.

Moreover, the Emperor had always been indifferent to the twins. Zhen Huan had always worried that the Emperor would notice that the twins looked different from her and the Emperor, so she had always avoided letting the Emperor have too much contact with the twins.

"Is this retribution?" Zhen Huan murmured to herself, her expression dazed.

However, one problem after another arose. Yixiu had intended to instigate a conflict between Wen Yuan and Zhen Huan, but after almost a year, Wen Yuan showed no signs of making a move. Unable to find any fault with Wen Yuan, Yixiu turned her attention to Zhen Huan.

During a morning audience with the emperor, Yixiu sat at the head of the table with a solemn expression and said sternly, "Consort Yue, what is it that you must accuse Consort Xuan on the day of the morning audience?"

Consort Yue entered the palace in the fifth year of the Yongzheng Emperor's reign and remained unknown until Zhen Huan returned to the palace. Seeing the growing influence of Consort Jin and Consort Xuan, Consort Yi Xiu promoted Consort Yue.

Consort Yue was foolish and easily misled by the Empress, eventually siding with her. However, for the past two years, Consort Yue had still not seen any advancement. Empress Yixiu, wanting to find fault with Zhen Huan, naturally wouldn't act personally, but instead planned to send Consort Yue, her "little brother," to lead the charge.

Consort Yue rose and bowed, her face full of resentment, and said, "This concubine wants to accuse Consort Xuan of having an affair and defiling the inner palace, a crime deserving of death."

Upon hearing this, Zhen Huan's heart tightened, but she remained outwardly calm. However, the way she gripped the table tightly betrayed her inner tension.

Upon hearing this, Wen Yuan's eyes widened, and she thought to herself: What? I didn't arrange this. You see, it's not time to bring down Zhen Huan yet. The Emperor won't tolerate a single powerful woman in the harem. A three-way balance of power is the equilibrium the Emperor most desires.

Yixiu slammed her hand on the table and shouted, "Palace rules are strict. Consort Yue cannot speak nonsense!"

Provoked by Yixiu's words, Consort Yue immediately swore an oath: "If I have uttered even half a lie, may I be struck by lightning and never be reincarnated."

An Lingrong looked up at Yue Changzai, her eyes filled with schadenfreude. She had never been able to stand to see Zhen Huan doing well.

Wen Yuan remained silent, as did Zhen Huan. Seeing this, the other concubines dared not speak. Yi Xiu, realizing the charade was about to break down, quickly asked, "Since you say Consort Xuan is having an affair, who is the lover?"

Yue Changzai said confidently, "Prince Guo."

"How dare you! How dare you speak so casually about a prince!" Yixiu rebuked sharply.

"I still remember that at the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, a small elephant that looked very similar to Huanbi, who was by Consort Xuan's side, was seen peeking out from Prince Guo's sleeve. At the time, there were rumors that it was Zhen Gege's (Huanbi's) elephant. Only then was Zhen Gege able to marry into Prince Guo's mansion," Consort Kang said unhurriedly.

“That’s right. Some time ago, there were rumors that Huanbi was Consort Xuan’s half-sister. So it seems that the little elephant probably doesn’t look like Huanbi, but rather like Consort Xuan,” Yue Changzai added.

“So, what Consort Yue said seems to make some sense,” Consort Zhen agreed.

Consort Duan naturally did not want anything to happen to Zhen Huan, after all, Zhen Huan was Princess Longyue's birth mother, and if something happened to Zhen Huan, Princess Longyue would definitely be implicated.

"What nonsense are you spouting here? What evidence do you have?" Consort Duan stood up to speak for Zhen Huan.

Consort Yue said confidently, "Of course I have evidence. When Consort Xuan was outside the palace, she was 'protected' by the Emperor's men."

Zhen Huan breathed a slight sigh of relief upon hearing the mention of the person monitoring her. Back when she was with Yunli, she would always try to get rid of the person monitoring her, as they didn't spend much time together to begin with, and so many years had passed since then.

At this moment, a palace maid, led by Huichun, entered Jingren Palace and said tremblingly, "This servant greets Her Majesty the Empress."

Yixiu said softly, "Raise your head and speak."

"This servant is Qin'er. The Emperor sent me to Ganlu Temple to protect Consort Xuan," Qin'er said timidly.

"If you have something to say, stand up and say it." Zhen Huan tried her best to make her tone sound friendly, as she still remembered Qin'er.

"This servant wouldn't dare," Qin'er said guiltily, lowering her head.

"Stop rambling. I'm asking you, back at Ganlu Temple, did Consort Xuan frequently meet with Prince Guo?" Consort Yue asked directly.

"I didn't see them meet, but every few days, Prince Guo would appear at Ganlu Temple. Once, I even saw them very close together. Prince Guo could have gone to Anqi Temple to see Abbess Chongjing by another route, without having to pass by Ganlu Temple. There must be something going on here." Qin'er grew up in the palace, and although she was timid, she knew that it was best to speak ambiguously.

"Looking at it this way, the timing and location of their appearance are indeed quite coincidental," Yue Changzai remarked.

"I am here to cultivate myself, how would I know about these things?" Zhen Huan immediately retorted.

“Yes, anyone can say such vague things,” Consort Duan said gently.

"If you don't want others to know, then don't do it in the first place. If you do too many things, you'll eventually slip up," Yue Changzai continued.

Then, a young, unfamiliar palace maid walked in. Zhen Huan frowned slightly, looking at the maid, confirming that she had no recollection of her.

"You, tell me everything you've seen and heard, in detail." Yi Xiu's gaze held an undeniable authority.

“This servant is Lizhi, a palace maid in the Qianqing Palace. Last year at the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, I was on duty outside the palace when I saw Prince Guo leave first, followed by Consort Xuan. Curious, I followed them and unexpectedly stumbled upon them talking intimately. Consort Xuan…”

At this point, Lizhi looked up at Consort Xuan and continued, "Consort Xuan was holding Prince Guo's hand, and the two of them were standing quietly, talking about something. I was far away and didn't hear what they were saying. Then, Consort Zhen (Huanbi) was guarding outside. I had to do my work, so I didn't pay much attention. Who knew that such a thing would happen at the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet? That's when I realized something was wrong, and I felt really guilty, so I'm telling you all about it today." After Lizhi finished speaking, she knelt there quietly.

"Hmph, you're just a lowly palace maid, yet you've seen all this. What about all the things you haven't seen?" Consort Zhen mocked.

Zhen Huan glanced coldly at Consort Zhen, then lowered her eyes. She knew in her heart that she had been too excited when she saw Yunli, and hadn't expected to be seen by others.

Yixiu said solemnly, "This matter is of great importance. Please summon the Emperor and Prince Guo to Jingren Palace immediately for questioning."

This matter involved a prince, so naturally the Emperor needed to handle it personally. As for the consequences, Yixiu was completely disregarding them at this moment. The Emperor didn't have much affection for her to begin with; as long as she could bring down Zhen Huan, everything was worthwhile.