An Lingrong's Rebirth: I will not offend others unless they offend me

Chapter 543 Meizhuang Persuades the Girl

Zhen Huan returned to the palace on October 8th. The East Six Palaces, which had been quiet because three concubines were pregnant, suddenly became lively.

After dark, everything that happened in Zhongcui Palace reached An Lingrong's ears.

"Bao Que, Concubine Zhen is returning to the palace today. Is there any movement in the Yangxin Palace?"

Baoque replied with a smile.

"Master, I heard that the Emperor was busy with government affairs, and Concubine Zhen didn't stay there for long."

"Before I came here, I didn't hear any movement from the Yangxin Palace."

"Well, Your Majesty is diligent in his work and loves his people, which is truly a blessing to all the people."

An Lingrong thought silently in her heart: Although the emperor didn't say anything on the surface, he kept the matter of praying at Ganlu Temple in his heart.

He did not visit Zhen Huan tonight because he had doubts in his heart and had some opinions about her.

An Lingrong thought for a moment, called Baoque to her side, and whispered a few words to her.

"This matter must be done secretly, so that no one can catch us."

"Yes, the servant understands."

The similarities between Zhen Huan and Queen Chun Yuan were enough to make the emperor very tolerant of her.

All An Lingrong had to do was to break the emperor's fantasy about Zhen Huan step by step.

Otherwise, if Zhen Huan was killed all of a sudden, there would definitely be another person added to the emperor's list of people he misses.

As the night deepened, the palace fell silent again.

It was not until the sound of night watchmen's drums was heard in the distance that the palace lanterns in the main hall gradually lit up, adding a bit of vitality to the huge imperial palace.

Shen Meizhuang, who was resting in Chuxiu Palace, listened to the tiny noises coming from outside, but could not fall asleep again.

She stroked her bulging belly worriedly and gently pulled open the tightly closed curtain.

"Caiyue, will you please help me get up?"

Caiyue, who was guarding the door, heard this, came in quietly and asked in a low voice.

"Master, it's not your usual time to get up yet, but it's too noisy outside. I'll ask the palace maids walking around to keep their voices down."

Shen Meizhuang made up an excuse casually.

"I feel suffocated inside the curtains, so I'd better get up early."

In fact, before she went to bed, she kept wondering why she was so stupid as to bring Longyue to welcome Zhen Huan?

Longyue didn't show any special reaction towards Zhen Huan, but Shen Meizhuang didn't forget how ecstatic Zhen Huan was when she saw Longyue.

It was because of this that she was so worried that she couldn't sleep.

Caiyue quickly pulled open the curtain and hung it on the hanging carved hook.

"Master, there is some light and breathable material in the storeroom. How about I replace the curtain for you?"

Shen Meizhuang shook her head gently. "Those materials are worth a fortune. If the emperor hears about it and he misunderstands that I'm living an extravagant life, that would be even worse."

"After I go to bed, just leave an inconspicuous ventilation hole on the curtain."

By the time Shen Meizhuang had finished packing, the sky was turning pale and a human figure could be vaguely seen.

She ate a small plate of pastry and drank a glass of warm water.

"Caiyue, Longyue should be getting up soon. Please help me go and take a look."

Caiyue helped Shen Meizhuang walk to the backyard and persuaded her worriedly.

"Master, please don't listen to the gossip of the palace maids below. I once heard someone say that the grace of raising a child is greater than the grace of giving birth to a child."

"Everyone in the palace knows that Concubine Zhen abandoned the newborn Princess Longyue because she was angry with the Emperor. She has no face to compete with you for her."

"This servant believes that you are sincere to the princess, and she has feelings for you."

"Caiyue, don't say these words again in the future."

Shen Meizhuang was unable to express her worries, so she could only hold her stomach and open her mouth against her will.

"I'm so happy that so many people are kind to Longyue. How could I have any other thoughts?"

"I still remember how little Longyue timidly held my hand, as if she was afraid I would abandon her."

"At that time, I swore in my heart that I would cherish this child."

"Huan'er and I are like sisters, but I'm afraid someone will try to sow discord between us."

Shen Meizhuang had long known what kind of person Zhen Huan was. After meeting her yesterday, she had been observing her every move.

She was very sure that Zhen Huan returned to the palace with a heart full of hatred.

This time she came back to target the deposed Queen and Concubine Qi, and even enemies she didn't know about.

In her letters home, her mother repeatedly told her to be patient for the time being and not to break up with Concubine Zhen too soon.

Her mother had been staying at her maternal grandparents' house for over seven months, and when she was eight months pregnant, she would be able to enter the palace to assist her in the birth.

With her mother's guidance, Shen Meizhuang will definitely be able to occupy a place in the palace.

The master and servant talked all the way and soon arrived at the main hall in the backyard.

The nanny guarding outside was about to bow when she saw her master, but was quickly stopped by Shen Meizhuang.

"Children sleep a lot, don't wake Longyue up."

"I'll go in and take a look, then come out."

Because Longyue was afraid of the dark, even when the weather turned cold, thick curtains were still hung on both sides of the bed.

Seeing that the candle had already burned out, Shen Meizhuang lit another one with her own hands.

The warm yellow light instantly illuminated the entire bedroom.

The little person on the bed was lying straight, with his hands placed neatly on his abdomen and his mouth slightly open.

Shen Meizhuang subconsciously gave her evaluation: Longyue is young, but her manners are acceptable!

Let's wait until she grows up to correct her habit of resting with her mouth open.

She had never seen Longyue sleeping soundly before, and for a moment she was mesmerized by her gaze.

If the child had been born safely, he would have slept peacefully like Longyue.

It’s a pity that she and the child were not destined to be together and failed to become mother and child.

Shen Meizhuang glanced at Longyue, then glanced at her bulging belly.

How great it would be if Longyue was her biological daughter!

Longyue opened her eyes drowsily and saw someone sitting beside the bed.

She shouted in surprise.

"Mother, why are you here?"

"The weather is getting colder, and mother was afraid you'd get cold if you kicked off the quilt, so she came to check on you."

Shen Meizhuang picked up the clothes placed aside and put them on Longyue who had just emerged from the quilt.

"My little Longyue sleeps soundly. But I see you have a lot more needle holes on your hands. Are you doing embroidery behind my back again?"

Longyue's personality is the same as her mother's. If she feels that she has not done something well, she will hide away and practice repeatedly in private.

Shen Meizhuang had said countless times that she was still young and there was no need to rush into needlework.

This strong-willed child never listened.

Longyue buried her head in Shen Meizhuang's arms embarrassedly.

"Mother, Mammy said your baby brother will be born in two months, and I want to make him a set of clothes."

Shen Meizhuang gently embraced Longyue and comforted her with a smile.

"Longyue, no matter whether the baby in my mother's belly is a boy or a girl, it will never be better than you."

"Now that your biological mother, Concubine Zhen, has returned to the palace, you will have your mother and her to love you. You no longer have to worry about the emperor sending you somewhere else."

Long Yue lowered her head and remained silent for a moment. After a moment, she whispered, "Mother, I heard that you and Empress Zhen had a deep sisterly love, and that you were raising me on her behalf. I was afraid that after you gave birth to my brother, you would send me back."

Longyue felt that the woman in the light purple palace dress yesterday did not like her as much as she had imagined.

Shen Meizhuang felt a pang in her heart and gently lifted Longyue's head, "Look into mother's eyes!"

"Since you and I are destined to be mother and daughter, I will never give you up to anyone else."

She extended her little finger in front of Longyue and said, "Come on, let's pinky promise!"

Shen Meizhuang once saw the Eighth Prince coaxing the dull-witted Seventh Prince in this way, and it seemed to be quite effective.

Longyue smiled and made an agreement with Shen Meizhuang. She leaned close to the person and whispered in his ear.

"Mother, I know you are good to me. Longyue will be your daughter for the rest of my life."