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

Chapter 223 The Legend of Zhen Huan, Consort Qi 36

At the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, palace lanterns were hung high, candlelight flickered, and singing and dancing filled the air, with the sounds of string and wind instruments filling the ears.

However, Zhen Huan had no interest in appreciating this magnificent scene. Her gaze remained fixed on Prince Guo, Yunli, her eyes filled with complex emotions.

Yunli sat at the table with a calm expression, occasionally talking in hushed tones with the princes beside him, but never once glancing at Zhen Huan.

Huanbi whispered a reminder from the side: "My lady, please take care of yourself and don't be too sad."

Zhen Huan forced a smile and said softly, "I'm fine, I'm just feeling a little sad."

When the toasting ceremony began, Empress Yixiu was the first to stand up and toast the Emperor.

Because of her pregnancy, Zhen Huan could only drink tea instead of wine. She picked up her teacup, but her gaze remained fixed on Yunli.

When it was the turn of the princes to offer a toast, Yunli rose and followed the others to the Emperor. Zhen Huan's gaze followed him intently, as if she wanted to etch his image into her heart.

Yunli felt a pang of discomfort at Zhen Huan's gaze. He quickly finished offering the toasts and returned to his seat, head bowed and silent. Zhen Huan stared at him blankly until Huanbi gently tugged at her sleeve, bringing her back to her senses.

"My lady, you can't continue like this. If someone finds out, the consequences will be unimaginable," Huanbi whispered a reminder.

Zhen Huan took a deep breath, suppressed her emotions, and said softly, "I know, but... I can't help it."

Halfway through the banquet, Yunli got up and left his seat, seemingly wanting some fresh air. Seeing this, Zhen Huan also made an excuse and quietly followed him out with Huanbi.

Moonlight streamed down the long corridor, casting dappled shadows on the bluestone slabs. Zhen Huan clutched her chest, wracked with pain. Yunli's unfamiliar gaze only intensified her anguish.

"My lady, are you alright?" Huanbi asked with concern.

Zhen Huan frowned slightly and said as she walked, "I always thought I could hold back, I always thought I could forget him, but I almost lost my temper just now. The thought of him looking at me coldly makes my heart ache unbearably."

Huanbi sighed and said in a low voice, "How could I not understand the affection between Your Highness and the Prince? It's just that the situation is complicated now, and Your Highness should prioritize the overall situation."

Zhen Huan gave a bitter smile, her tone resolute: "That's good. He must live well."

As the two were talking, they suddenly saw Yunli sitting at the other end of the corridor. Zhen Huan's heart tightened, and she said to Huanbi, "You may leave now. I have something I want to say to the Prince."

Huanbi hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded and stepped aside to keep watch.

Zhen Huan walked slowly towards Yunli and called softly, "Yunli..."

Yunli was filled with troubles. He couldn't stand the gaze of his brother's concubine. The way Consort Xuan looked at him made it seem as if they had some unknown past, but he had no memory of it.

Was he really that audacious and reckless in the past? Or did he have some special relationship with Consort Xuan? In any case, he has already forgotten it; let bygones be bygones.

The Emperor told him that as long as he got married and married his primary wife, he could bring his mother to live in the Prince's mansion.

His mother had been practicing asceticism at Anxi Temple for many years. As her son, he could no longer watch her suffer. So after returning to the capital, he went to ask the Emperor and the Empress Dowager for help. They agreed that once he got married, they would bring his mother to the Prince's Mansion to enjoy a life of luxury.

Zhen Huan's voice interrupted Yunli, who was deep in thought. Hearing the voice, Yunli looked up and saw that it was Zhen Huan. He frowned slightly, stood up and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Consort Xuan. If Your Highness wishes to rest here, I will take my leave."

Zhen Huan felt a pang of pain in her heart and quickly grabbed Yunli's sleeve, her eyes filled with grievance and reluctance: "Your Highness, how have you been lately?"

Yunli brushed her hand away without hesitation, took a few steps back, and said coldly, "There is a difference between men and women. Besides, Your Highness is my brother's concubine. I hope Your Highness will respect yourself."

After saying that, he turned and strode away as if a raging flood were behind him. Zhen Huan stood there, stunned, her eyes filled with disappointment and pain. Seeing this, Huan Bi quickly stepped forward to support her: "My lady, are you alright?"

Zhen Huan gave a bitter smile and murmured, "Back then, we had so much to talk about and so much to do, but now... we can't even say a single word to each other."

Huanbi comforted her softly, "Your Highness, the Prince has lost his memory. He didn't mean to do it. Please take care of yourself and don't be too sad."

Zhen Huan took a deep breath, suppressing her emotions, and said softly, "This is good, this is good..."

As the banquet drew to a close, Prince Guo returned to his seat, his expression still calm. Seeing him return, the Emperor smiled and asked, "Yunli, did you enjoy yourself today?"

Yunli replied respectfully, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am well."

The Emperor nodded, about to say something more, when suddenly a young palace maid carrying soup accidentally bumped into Yunli's chest. The purse in Yunli's arms fell to the ground, revealing a small elephant inside.

The young palace maid was so frightened that she immediately knelt down and begged for mercy: "Your Majesty, spare me! Your Highness, spare me! Your Highness, spare me! I didn't mean it, please forgive me, Your Highness!"

Yunli frowned, reached out to help the young palace maid up, and said gently, "It's alright, you can go now."

Seeing this, the Emperor waved his hand and said, "Since Yunli has spoken, then you may leave."

However, Empress Yixiu, with her sharp eyes, spotted the little elephant in the purse. She gave Jianqiu a wink, and Jianqiu immediately stepped forward, picked up the purse, and secretly opened it for a glance. Her expression changed drastically.

Seeing this, Yixiu was secretly delighted and quickly said, "Your Majesty, this little elephant looks a bit like Consort Xuan. The eyebrows and eyes are very similar..."

Upon hearing this, the Emperor's face immediately darkened. He took the baby elephant and examined it closely, his brows furrowing deeper and deeper. Seeing this, Zhen Huan turned pale, clutching her handkerchief tightly, her heart filled with panic.

"Your Majesty, this matter is too absurd. I urge Your Majesty to investigate it thoroughly," Yixiu said, taking the opportunity to press the matter.

The Emperor glanced coldly at Zhen Huan, then looked at Yunli, his tone questioning: "Prince Guo, what's going on here?"

Yunli quickly explained, "Your Majesty, this item does not belong to my brother. My brother lost his memory after returning from the Western Sea, so how could he be wearing such an old-fashioned item?"

The Emperor nodded, somewhat believing Yunli's explanation. However, Yixiu persisted, "Your Majesty, this matter concerns the reputation of Prince Guo and Consort Xuan. If word gets out, wouldn't it damage the royal family's honor?"

Upon seeing this, Zhen Huan immediately rose and knelt down, her voice firm: "Your Majesty, I am innocent! I beg Your Majesty to investigate!"

"Why bother refuting, sister? Everyone knows about your encounter with the Emperor back then, and how you mistook him for Prince Guo." An Lingrong couldn't stand seeing Zhen Huan doing well, and seized the opportunity to kick her while she was down, directly exposing Zhen Huan's past.

"How dare you, Consort An! You should really watch your tongue," Zhen Huan said authoritatively.

An Lingrong lowered her head in grievance, but her words reminded the Emperor, deepening his doubts.

"Insolence! Watch your words!" The Emperor rebuked him with a dark face. If this matter were to get out, he, as the Emperor, would lose all face.

Yixiu immediately took the lead in kneeling down to beg for forgiveness. Seeing this, the concubines followed suit and knelt down. The people who had been watching the show from the sidelines could only put down their sake and kneel on the ground in fear.

"Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

The Emperor glanced coldly at Zhen Huan, then at Yunli. After a moment's deliberation, he finally waved his hand and said, "This matter ends here. No one is allowed to mention it again."

Yixiu wanted to say something more, but the Emperor's cold gaze forced her to back down. She could only lower her head, gritting her teeth inwardly.