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

Chapter 229 The Legend of Zhen Huan, Consort Qi 42

With An Lingrong pregnant, undercurrents surged in the harem. To save An Lingrong's face, the Emperor punished Consort Zhen and Consort Kang, ordering them to reflect on their actions in Zhongcui Palace.

On the surface, Yixiu also went along with the act, adding punishments by making them copy palace rules in order to demonstrate her virtue.

The next morning was another day of the routine morning greetings. Now that Yixiu had lost her power in the palace, she was particularly concerned about these greetings, requiring the concubines to come almost every day to maintain her remaining dignity. Wen Yuan hated getting up early, but as a concubine, she had no choice but to abide by the palace rules.

Wen Yuan stepped into Jingren Palace and quickly scanned the people present. She noticed that Zhen Huan had not yet arrived and couldn't help but think to herself, "It seems that Zhen Huan has become quite arrogant. She is becoming more and more like the domineering Nian Shilan of yesteryear."

"Greetings to Consort Jin." The concubines below the rank of consort all rose and respectfully bowed to Wen Yuan.

Wen Yuan nodded slightly in acknowledgment, then gave a polite bow to Consort Jing and Consort Duan, before casually asking, "Why hasn't Consort Xuan arrived yet?"

Feng Ruozhao immediately chimed in, her words laced with sarcasm: "Perhaps Consort Xuan is busy taking care of the twins."

Wen Yuan took her seat at the head of the table on the left, then turned her gaze to An Lingrong and said meaningfully, "Yes, Consort Xuan is truly blessed. I wonder if Consort An will have the same fortune."

An Lingrong was timid and cowardly. She quickly got up and said cautiously, "I'm afraid I won't be as lucky as Consort Xuan. I only hope to give birth to a little princess safely."

Wen Yuan smiled mysteriously, raised an eyebrow, and continued, "Yes, it's really not easy to give birth to a child in the harem. I just don't know if the Empress will agree..."

"How dare you, Consort Jin! You've overstepped your bounds by saying such things!" Yi Xiu's angry rebuke came from the inner room.

Yixiu originally planned to wait for Zhen Huan to arrive before showing herself, but Wen Yuan and the others' conversations became increasingly rude. If she didn't show herself, these disrespectful words would spread and be extremely detrimental to her.

"Greetings to Her Majesty the Empress." The concubines hurriedly rose and bowed. Wen Yuan gave a perfunctory bow, and before Yi Xiu could tell her to stand up, she sat down on a chair by herself.

A hint of malice flashed in Yixiu's eyes, but she quickly regained her gentleness and said, "Sisters, please don't stand on ceremony, rise!"

After Yixiu sat down, Wenyuan looked directly into her eyes without fear and said bluntly, "Is what I said not true? Your Majesty the Empress is really not virtuous!"

Wen Yuan appeared fearless, Consort Duan remained calm, Consort Jing and Consort Xin looked at Wen Yuan with worried expressions, Consort An lowered her head as if lost in thought, and the other ladies-in-waiting and concubines dared not utter a sound.

"How dare you! Consort Jin is becoming increasingly unruly. She should also learn to control her tongue. I punish you by making you copy the palace rules a hundred times. You can come out when you finish copying them..." Yi Xiu was enraged by Wen Yuan's words. She had been in a bad mood lately, and Wen Yuan's provocation made her break down immediately.

"I'm not late, am I?" Before Yixiu could finish speaking, she was interrupted by Zhen Huan's voice. Zhen Huan walked in with a smile on her face, looking smug.

After another round of greetings, Zhen Huan sat down opposite Wen Yuan. Zhen Huan now had three children, but unfortunately, being of Han Chinese bannerman origin, she couldn't outdo Wen Yuan, who was of Manchu bannerman origin.

"My sister was busy coaxing those two little ones this morning, so she's late. I hope Your Majesty won't be angry with me," Zhen Huan said with a grin, her nonchalant attitude clearly showing she didn't take Yi Xiu seriously.

Yixiu gritted her teeth in anger, but quickly composed herself and said gently, "Since it's about taking care of the child, I certainly won't blame you. After all, the child will call you 'Empress Mother' in the future. However, since Consort Xuan is working so hard, I would like to inform the Emperor so that Consort Xuan can get some rest. I believe the sisters in the harem would love to take care of the child."

Zhen Huan's eyes were unfriendly, and she replied in a firm tone, "I'm sorry to trouble Your Majesty for thinking of me. It's just that the child is still young and can't be separated from his mother for a while, so he's just making a fuss. Your Majesty hasn't raised a child for a long time, so you've probably almost forgotten about it."

The atmosphere became extremely awkward. Consort Li (Li Jingyan) wanted to speak up to ease the tension, but when she caught a glimpse of the old nanny behind her gently shaking her head, she gave up the idea. She knew that the old nanny bestowed by the Emperor would not harm her.

An Lingrong could have said a few words to ease the tension, but she really didn't want to help Yixiu, after all, she knew the Empress's character well.

The atmosphere remained tense for nearly a minute before Zhen Huan broke the silence, feigning curiosity as she asked, "I arrived late just now, and I haven't asked what the sisters were saying yet?" Wen Yuan didn't believe that Zhen Huan hadn't heard their conversation; she was clearly trying to annoy her and the Empress by bringing it up now.

Consort Duan quickly stepped in to smooth things over: "It's nothing, my sister is late, we're just chatting casually." Consort Duan knew in her heart that Wen Yuan had two sons, and the Sixth Prince was studying in the Imperial Study, with a promising future ahead of him. She didn't want to offend Wen Yuan.

Yixiu originally wanted to establish her authority, but Zhen Huan interfered. Now, bringing up the matter of punishing Wen Yuan again would not achieve the desired effect, so she could only let it go for the time being. However, she resented Zhen Huan and Wen Yuan even more and wished they would disappear immediately.

"Consort An has served His Majesty for many years and is finally pregnant. This is truly a joyous occasion. After the child is born, His Majesty and I will surely reward her handsomely." Yi Xiu stared at An Lingrong, her tone gentle, but anyone with eyes could see the coldness in her eyes.

An Lingrong rose tremblingly and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty and Your Majesty the Empress."

Wen Yuan couldn't stand Yi Xiu's hypocrisy any longer and said casually, "If the Empress had any good intentions, she would have simply exempted Consort An from paying her respects. Why bother with this pretense?"

Yixiu's lips stiffened, and she suppressed her anger, continuing to speak gently: "Of course I hope that His Majesty will have many children. Since Consort Jin has brought it up, I will excuse Consort An from paying her respects. Consort An should take good care of herself and give birth to a healthy little prince for His Majesty."

An Lingrong's face lit up with joy, and she quickly stood up to express her gratitude: "Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress."

After sitting down, An Lingrong gently stroked her belly. Her blissful expression stung Yixiu's eyes and reminded Zhen Huan of the past. A trace of pain flashed in her eyes. Her first child was killed by the Empress and An Lingrong working together.

Zhen Huan didn't want to look at An Lingrong anymore, fearing she would feel nauseous and vomit on the spot.

Yixiu turned to look at Wen Yuan, and seeing her provocative expression, she sneered, "Consort Jin is arrogant and presumptuously speculates on the Empress's intentions. I have no choice but to punish you. Consort Jin shall copy the palace rules one hundred times."

Yi Xiu didn't dare to punish her too severely, after all, Wen Yuan hadn't committed any major offense; it was just a verbal conflict. For the past few years, Wen Yuan had always acted like she was fearless.

Wen Yuan stood up and said perfunctorily, "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty." She knew in her heart that she definitely wouldn't copy it; at worst, she would have a servant do it for her, or simply not copy it at all, and the Empress couldn't do anything about it.

After chatting for a few more minutes, Yixiu dismissed everyone.

Zhen Huan was the second to leave Jingren Palace. She deliberately stopped next to An Lingrong and said softly, "Consort An is indeed blessed, but it's a pity that this child is not born into the right family."

An Lingrong turned pale with fright at these words, clutching her handkerchief tightly, and said, "Sister, why say such things? I know how powerful gossip can be."

Zhen Huan said slowly, "As the saying goes, good deeds are rewarded and evil deeds are punished. It's not that retribution won't come, it's just that the time hasn't come yet. Do you think this child will receive retribution? I feel sorry for this child, it's a pity that he has a mother like you."

After saying this, Zhen Huan got into her sedan chair and rode away, leaving An Lingrong standing there in a daze, her expression terrified.

"Your Highness, are you alright?" Chunzhu hadn't dared to speak until now, but seeing An Lingrong's unwell expression, she quickly asked with concern.

"Let's go back to Yanxi Palace," An Lingrong said weakly, her face pale.