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

Chapter 218 The Legend of Zhen Huan, Consort Qi 31

A month later, summer was in full swing in the Forbidden City, and the scorching sun cast dappled shadows on the ground.

The peonies in the Imperial Garden were in full bloom, and the air was filled with a faint fragrance of flowers, mixed with the sandalwood scent unique to the palace walls, giving people a sense of tranquility and solemnity.

The Emperor officially issued an edict announcing that the Third Prince would marry his primary consort, Lady Dong'e, the daughter of Xierda, in mid-September. At the same time, Prince Guo, Yunli, was also betrothed to Meng Jingxian as his primary consort. These two marriages caused quite a stir in the palace.

Prince Guo's marriage was arranged by the late emperor, and eight years have passed since then, but Yunli has lost his memory due to an accident.

Wen Yuan "inadvertently" mentioned to the Emperor that Prince Guo was not yet married, implying whether the Emperor intended to suppress Prince Guo's marriage.

After a moment of contemplation, the Emperor decided to have Prince Guo marry before the Third Prince, setting the date for early September.

For Yunli, who only had memories of the first year, the emperor's authority made him dare not easily object, and he could only silently accept it.

At the same time, the Emperor also issued an edict to promote Consort Li to the rank of Consort Li and Consort Xin to the rank of Consort Xin.

As the emperor's eldest son, the marriage of the Third Prince was naturally highly valued. Prince Guo had just made a contribution, and the Imperial Household Department dared not be negligent in the slightest, and was making great efforts to prepare for the marriage between Prince Guo and the Third Prince.

All the trivial matters in the palace were put aside for this, and even the daily needs of An Lingrong, Zhenpin, Kang Changzai and others were postponed.

An Lingrong was filled with resentment but had no choice but to plot in secret. The Empress must have already become suspicious of her, which was why she was taking action against her.

A few days later, Bao Juan, a palace maid serving An Lingrong, suddenly developed a fever. At first, no one noticed anything unusual, since it was common for palace maids to fall ill.

However, Baojuan's condition did not improve and instead worsened. Eventually, she was transferred to the Imperial Household Department. An Lingrong knew that this was her first step in getting rid of the Empress.

Following his annual autumn visit to the Yuanmingyuan Garden, the Emperor once again brought a large entourage of concubines, including Wen Yuan, a favored concubine. The Sixth and Seventh Princes had many belongings, which were packed and arranged by the palace servants of Chuxiu Palace.

In the summer, the Yuanmingyuan Park has clear lake water that reflects the blue sky and white clouds, and the willows on the lakeside sway gently in the wind, bringing a touch of coolness.

Two months later, upon returning to the palace from the Yuanmingyuan, Wen Yuan heard from Xiao Lengzi that Bao Juan, who served Consort An, had passed away due to illness.

Wen Yuan gently plucked the strings of her zither, a meaningful smile playing on her lips: "Passed away? Consort An certainly has some tricks up her sleeve. Hasn't the Empress suspected anything?"

Xiao Lengzi smiled obsequiously, "Your Majesty is incredibly insightful. Although Consort An went to the Empress's palace to explain, the Empress does not seem to have been persuaded."

Wen Yuan chuckled lightly, a cold glint in her eyes: "It seems the Empress is nothing more than this, unable even to control her own people. Continue to sow discord, make sure Consort An and the Empress completely break ties. How is Consort Xuan doing?"

Xiao Lengzi whispered, "Consort Xuan has been frequently bothered by Consort An recently, and is planning to bribe the Imperial Observatory, seemingly wanting to take this opportunity to deal with Consort An."

A sly glint flashed in Wen Yuan's eyes: "The Imperial Observatory? Is she trying to use the name of 'ominous' to suppress Consort An? If so, let's add fuel to the fire." She whispered a few instructions to Xiao Lengzi, who nodded repeatedly and then quietly withdrew.

Inside Wen Yuan's palace, Fang Lan brought Hong Xi and Hong Xu to pay their respects.

Hongxi is almost five years old. He has almond-shaped eyes and looks very much like the emperor, but he is even more handsome than the emperor was when he was young.

Hongxu was only two years old, and he looked exactly like Wenyuan. He was at an age where he was full of curiosity about the world and was mischievous all day long, which made Wenyuan and the emperor both love and helpless.

"Mother, we've come to pay our respects." Hongxi, holding Hongxu's little hand, ran up to Wenyuan and looked up at her.

Wen Yuan gently stroked Hongxi's head and then tidied Hongxu's frizzy hair, smiling as she said, "Hongxi, the Emperor mentioned sending you to the Imperial Study to study a few days ago. Your mother would like to ask for your opinion."

Hongxi said in a serious tone, "Your subject knows Mother's good intentions, but your subject wants to study. Studying can help one understand principles, and your subject also enjoys studying."

"Read, read!" Hongxu chimed in with his childish voice.

Wen Yuan couldn't help but chuckle, reaching out to pinch Hongxi's little face. Hongxi struggled a few times, but ultimately could only helplessly let Wen Yuan "torture" him. Wen Yuan smiled and said, "Alright, Mother will go and tell the Emperor."

Meanwhile, rumors about Zhen Huan intensified in the palace.

Since returning from the Yuanmingyuan, rumors have circulated in the palace that Zhen Huan's pregnancy is abnormal, as she appears to be nine months pregnant despite being only five months along.

Empress Yixiu had feigned illness when the rumors first began, handing over power in the palace to Consort Duan and Consort Jing, while she herself stayed behind the scenes to fuel the flames.

However, Zhen Huan already had a plan in place.

She allowed the rumors to fester for a month before having Wei Lin publicly announce that she was pregnant with twins. Upon learning this, the Emperor's initial doubts vanished, replaced by overwhelming joy. He even promised to make Zhen Huan a concubine after she gave birth.

Zhen Huan did not let her guard down. She knew the dangers of the harem and that there were always people behind the rumors. Zhen Huan was not one to suffer losses.

The day after the rumors were clarified, the Imperial Observatory announced that Consort An was "unlucky," followed by rumors that Zhen Huan was pregnant with "auspicious signs."

Zhen Huan's alarm bells rang, and she immediately ordered Xiao Yunzi to investigate the source of the news. If An Pin's "ominous" omen was her counterattack, then who spread the "auspicious omen"?

When Xiao Yunzi returned, he respectfully reported: "Your Majesty, this servant has investigated and found that it was Li Yuanji, the deputy judge of the Imperial Observatory, who spread the word, saying that it was to create a favorable impression for the baby in Your Majesty's womb."

Zhen Huan frowned, her tone tinged with doubt: "Are you sure no one else is involved?"

Xiao Yunzi shook her head: "No, there really isn't."

Huanbi laughed from the side, "My lady, this is a truly auspicious omen! You are so blessed!"

Zhen Huan, however, did not relax her vigilance. Instead, she became even more cautious and said coldly, "Even so, we must not act rashly. Send down the order to suppress the news of the 'auspicious omen' and not mention it again."

Huanbi asked, puzzled, "My lady, isn't an auspicious omen a good thing? Why suppress it?"

Zhen Huan picked up her teacup, slowly took a sip of honey water, and a hint of coldness flashed in her eyes: "Being too ostentatious will only attract more schemes. Better safe than sorry."

Jinxi walked in carrying the medicine to prevent miscarriage and said softly, "My lady, it's time to drink your medicine."

Zhen Huan took the medicine bowl, but her heart was still not at peace. Ever since Yunli was betrothed, her mood had become increasingly heavy. Overthinking had caused her pregnancy to become unstable. Wei Lin prescribed her medicine to stabilize the pregnancy, but she did not tell anyone else about this. She told others that she had been hurt by the rumors.

The autumn wind blew gently, swirling up the fallen leaves on the ground and rustling them. Inside the Imperial Hospital, Wei Lin stood in front of the medicine cabinet, holding a small packet of herbs soaked in realgar powder in his hand, a resolute glint in his eyes.

Ever since Consort Xuan's pregnancy was entrusted to his care, he has been restless. His master, Wen Shichu, was even expelled from the Imperial Hospital. Recently, he has been unable to sleep peacefully even after taking his medicine.

Wen Shichu was not afraid of death. He had an elderly family and young children to support, and he was only afraid that the emperor would discover the abnormality of Consort Xuan's unborn child.

Two months ago, a young eunuch suddenly appeared and said he could help him. He promised to protect Wei Jia'er's life and property as long as he did as the nobleman said.

He knew he was on a dangerous path, but he had no other choice but to protect his family.

He gently mixed the medicinal herbs into Zhen Huan's pregnancy-stabilizing medicine, silently praying: "Consort Xuan, please don't blame me. You forced me to do all this."

Then he ground some strange pill powder and added it to Zhen Huan's medicine.