An Lingrong after rebirth

Chapter 127 Rejection of Punishment

Chun Changzai nodded and said, "Okay." Then, "I will go to thank Sister Shupin another day. Yes, I will not waste your time. I will take my leave."

Yu'er, reward! The little eunuch took the reward and walked out with a smile.

"Chun Changzai looked in the direction of the main hall, and then retracted her gaze after a moment. Let's go in!" The master of the main hall, Hou Lian'er, retracted her gaze, curled her lips, and turned to leave.

Concubine Chun entered the side hall and exclaimed, "Suiyuxuan is not a proper palace, and the side hall is so small that it makes people feel a little uncomfortable living there."

She said, "But the Yanxi Palace is one of the six eastern and western palaces. It has an excellent location and is much more spacious! Even the side halls look almost as big as the main hall of Suiyuxuan!"

Seeing this, Yu'er also said, "My lady, I heard that when Concubine Shu first entered the palace, she lived in the west wing hall. Now she has become the main lady. My lady is favored and will become the mistress of a palace in the future!"

Chun Chang's face showed longing after hearing Yu'er's words. "Master of a palace" was not enough, he wanted more.

...............

Early the next morning, An Lingrong was supporting Qiufang as they were walking out of the palace gate. Just as they were about to go out, a voice came from the side, "Sister Shupin."

An Lingrong frowned, turned around and whispered, "Let Lian'er tell Jiaozi." As soon as she finished speaking, she turned around and saw Chun Changzai waiting by the side.

She smiled and said, "It's Concubine Chun. Why are you waiting here so early in the morning? It's very cold today." I moved to the Yanx Palace yesterday. Fortunately, my sister took care of me. Yes, I am busy with the move, so there is no need to pay my respects.

No matter what you say today, I will come to pay my respects to my sister! An Lingrong didn't mean to say anything more to Chun Chang. When she saw Qiu Fang approaching her, she smiled and said, "There are no such rules here in this palace, so Chun Chang Zai doesn't need to take it to heart."

It’s almost time to pay respects to the Queen. I’ll go first, and Concubine Chun will walk slowly.

"Madam Shupin, can't we be together?" Concubine Chun tilted her head, looking very puzzled. An Lingrong shook her head. Today, the Queen was not feeling well, and she had given birth to a child, so they were not together very often.

"I see. Then sister, please go first. I will be here later." An Lingrong did not say anything else. She helped Qiufang walk out of the Yanxi Palace and sat in the sedan chair that she had never sat in before.

Chun Changzai, who was standing behind, stared at An Lingrong's sedan chair for a moment and muttered something! "What was said? Even Yu'er beside him didn't hear it clearly."

"Zhen Huan is ill, so she will not come to pay respects today. Shen Meizhuang is also seven months pregnant, so the Emperor has granted her special permission not to come to pay respects."

With the two favored people gone and Concubine Hua being late every day, the atmosphere for paying respects seemed to have become much better, and the seat next to An Lingrong was empty.

Not long after, Jianqiu came out with Queen Jian. They greeted each other and sat down. The Queen's voice came, "Chun Changzai moved to Yanxi Palace yesterday. Are you used to it?"

Concubine Chun stood up and bowed. "Thank you for your concern, Her Majesty. I think it's great. The Yanxi Palace is much bigger than the Suiyu Pavilion. I like it more."

"Just as Concubine Chun finished speaking, she looked up and heard a sneer. Everyone turned around and saw Song Zhi supporting Concubine Hua walking in!"

"People's hearts are so cold and indifferent!" Concubine Chun devalued Suiyuxuan to nothing just the day after she moved out? This really opened my eyes! Concubine Hua rolled her eyes after saying this.

As Hua Fei spoke, she walked to the first seat on the left and sat down. She looked at Chun Changzai with mockery. Chun Changzai was stunned when she heard what Hua Fei said.

It took a long while before she reacted. She shook her head subconsciously and said, "Empress Hua, that's not what I meant. Sui Yuxuan and Sister Wan are both fine. I...

After hearing this, Concubine Hua sneered again and said, "Yes, that's all good, but it can't stand the criticism behind your back." I wonder what Concubine Wan would think if she knew you said that.

"Chun Chang is no match for Concubine Hua. She was speechless after hearing a few words from the other party. She could only lower her head silently and could not say anything for a while."

Although Concubine Chun now lives in the Yanx Palace, how could An Lingrong possibly offend Concubine Hua for Concubine Chun?

I just pretended not to hear or see anything, and sat quietly by the side, looking at my nails silently, wondering whether I should paint them this or that color.

The atmosphere in the palace was silent. When Concubine Hua saw that Chun Changzai didn't speak, she turned her gaze to An Lingrong and said, "It seems that Shupin is the most lazy one. Chun Changzai is someone in your palace." If she said the wrong thing, she wouldn't know what to do. Don't you know either?

An Lingrong had been sitting next to her for a long time, so how could she not know what Concubine Hua meant?

It seemed like she was trying to embarrass Chun Changzai, but in fact, she wanted to take the opportunity to disgust herself, the person who had shared some of her favor.

Suppressing her irritation, An Lingrong did not stand up and spoke: "Your Majesty Hua Fei's words leave me confused. Concubine Chun mentioned Concubine Wan of Sui Yuxuan. What does she have to do with me?"

Moreover, Concubine Chun has only moved to the Yanx Palace for one day. Even if I am the mistress of the Yanx Palace, how much influence can I have on her?

"You mean, everything Concubine Chun did has nothing to do with you?" Concubine Hua's eyes became dangerous, and there was a bit more dissatisfaction in the look she gave An Lingrong?

"Your Majesty is wise. I am a lowly person and my words carry little weight. It is said that Chun Changzai has only moved to the Yanx Palace for one day. I am sure that even if she has moved to the Yikun Palace for one day, even if Your Majesty is good at governing her subordinates." It is impossible to really make Chun Changzai change immediately.

An Lingrong was very respectful when she spoke, but it was just that it made people feel uncomfortable. Hua Fei naturally heard the sarcasm in An Lingrong's words.

With a few cold laughs, Concubine Hua leaned back and said, "I didn't know that Concubine Shu could be so sharp-tongued. She hid it very well in the past."

Madam Hua Fei is joking. Madam Hua has been managing the harem for many years. Who in the harem doesn't know about Madam Hua's grace? I just told you the truth. Madam Hua, please don't take it to heart.

Watching the two of them talking endlessly, Chun Changzai standing behind with a look of grievance on his face, Yixiu finally seemed unable to bear it anymore.

Then she smiled and said, "I came to pay my respects to you so early in the morning. Why did you feel so disgusted? Well, Concubine Chun is still young, so it's inevitable that she won't be able to speak well sometimes."

Hua Fei, please don't bother with her.

"The harem is not an ordinary family, so there are naturally rules to be followed. If everyone is as outspoken as Chun Chang, and uses age as an excuse, where are the rules?"

Hua Fei responded to Yi Xiu's words without flinching, making the other party's flawless face finally move slightly? But Hua Fei had no intention of stopping.

Then she said, "Sui Yu Xuan is a proper palace no matter what. Concubine Chun is speaking disdainfully. Could it be that she is not satisfied with the palace I arranged for you?"

"You are using the palace as an excuse to vent your dissatisfaction with me? Concubine Hua's words stunned Concubine Chun. For a moment, she didn't know how to respond."

"Empress Hua, I don't have any..."

Yes or no, it is not something that can be changed by just one word from you. In my opinion, you speak like this because you have this thought?

"Hua Fei sneered and interrupted Chun Changzai's words," and then said: Chun Changzai's words were disrespectful and offended me, so I will punish you by confining you to your home for half a month to serve as a warning to others.

"Chun Changzai glanced at her quickly, but did not get the response she wanted, so she could only bend her knees in grievance. Yes, I thank you, Empress Hua Fei. In the future, I will be careful with my words and actions and will not make mistakes again."

Hua Fei ignored Chun Chang Zai and turned her eyes to An Lingrong, "Shupin, Chun Chang Zai is still your palace staff after all. If she made a mistake, you can't escape responsibility. I will punish you for half a month..."

"My Lady Hua Fei, it's a pity that An Lingrong interrupted Hua Fei before she could finish her words. It was always Hua Fei who interrupted others. How could she have encountered such a thing before?

She was stunned for a moment, then reacted in a moment, "Why can't I even speak? Concubine Shu, is this the rule for you as the head of a palace?"

"Your Majesty is getting old. I am very confused. How can I say that I cannot absolve myself of responsibility? I have just said that Concubine Chun has only been in the Yanxi Palace for one day."

"That's still a long story. If you put it in a shorter way, it was just one night. Your Majesty wants to blame me for her mistakes. I really don't agree with it."

After saying that, she stood up and knelt down towards Yixiu, "Empress, I feel really wronged." Please, Empress, please help me!

An Lingrong knew that she really couldn't confront Concubine Hua. Who couldn't play weak and innocent? She didn't believe it. She had personally appointed Yixiu, so could she just sit back and watch and let Concubine Hua run wild in Jingren Palace?

"Hua Fei," a hint of smile flashed across Yi Xiu's lips. She didn't expect that Shu Fei could be so courageous!

Hua Fei kept making enemies in the harem, which was naturally what she wanted to see.

"What Shupin said makes sense. After all, Chun Changzai moved to the Yanxi Palace for one night for nothing. How can it be implicated in her because of what Xiaoyi said. This move is inappropriate!"

"Having said that, even if Concubine Hua is unwilling, there is nothing she can do. She cannot go against the Queen!"

Concubine Hua was so angry that her body tilted and she stopped talking.

Yixiu became furious upon seeing this, and then added: Chun Changzai is young and has no bad intentions, and confinement for half a month is too harsh.

Just punish her to go back and watch, and if she is a girl, she will be scolded twice. Chun Changzai had been silent for a long time, but after hearing this, he immediately knelt down.

"Yes, thank you very much, Queen. I will read it carefully when I go back and will not make mistakes again." Seeing that the Queen rejected all her decisions with just a few words, Concubine Hua's face suddenly became very unhappy.

"I stood up and flicked my handkerchief. I still have things to do in the Ministry of Internal Affairs. If the Queen has no other instructions, I will take my leave first."

Yixiu felt pleased when she saw Concubine Hua was so angry that she couldn't keep her composure.

"Nodding, it's getting late today, you all should go back!" After hearing this, Concubine Hua immediately turned around and walked outside. When she passed by An Lingrong, she glared at her hatefully and strode out of Jingren Palace."

An Lingrong raised her head and met Concubine Hua's gaze, with a hint of a smile on her lips, but without any sign of retreat.

"The meeting ended hastily with Concubine Hua's defeat. An Lingrong still ignored Concubine Chun and got on the sedan chair after leaving Jingren Palace. After a while, she returned to Yanxi Palace."

Lian'er had prepared breakfast early. An Lingrong took the bowl of porridge and had just taken a sip when Yan Gui's voice came from outside. "Your Majesty, Concubine Chun is here. She said she wants to see you?"

"Tell her I'm not feeling well. Let her go back." Yan Gui responded and left. Qiu Fang peeled an egg and placed it on the plate in front of An Lingrong.

"Your Majesty, Chun Chang is here. I wonder who is supporting her behind the scenes?" After hearing this, An Lingrong looked up at Qiu Fang.

Qiufang said this, and she must have some guesses in her mind. Whether it is right or not, it is a good thing to have ideas! Speak your mind.

Qiu Fang wiped the moisture off her hands and responded, "Your Majesty, if we talk about factions in the harem, I can only see Jingren Palace and Yikun Palace."

"Just look at how Concubine Hua made things difficult for you and Concubine Chun today, and you'll know that Concubine Hua is not the one standing behind Concubine Chun."

"Because Concubine Hua" acted boldly and impulsively, she didn't seem like the type of person who would make such a plan. An Lingrong nodded after hearing this. Although Qiufang didn't explicitly say that Concubine Chun was receiving special care from the Queen.

But it's no different than saying it directly, I have the same idea as you.

"Your Majesty, Jingren Palace is flourishing, and she may have followers in every palace and courtyard. It is not an exaggeration to say that she is the largest force in the harem."

"More importantly, there is a bigger backer behind us. If Chun Changzai is really someone from Jingren Palace, then we must be more careful in the future!"

"An Lingrong knows what Qiufang means. Isn't the Queen Mother her biggest backer? But An Lingrong already had an idea about this."

"I still have to save face for the Queen. I don't have the capital to confront the Queen right now. But as a concubine, I don't even know that the Queen is taking so much trouble to take care of me."

"It's just a chess piece. If the Queen really wants one, she can easily arrange eight or ten of them. After finishing the egg, An Lingrong took the handkerchief and wiped her hands. Concubine Chun is nothing to be afraid of."

I have said before that it is easy to enter the Yanx Palace but difficult to exit. Let's wait and see. But there is one thing that you and Yan Gui should be vigilant about.

A trace of doubt flashed across Qiufang's face, but she recovered after a moment and asked in a puzzled state, "Please enlighten me, Madam?"

An Lingrong raised her hand and stroked her chest. She had eaten a little too anxiously just now. "The methods of Jingren Palace have always been to act behind the scenes. But today I am facing off against Concubine Hua, with Concubine Hua's mind and bearing."

Next, we have to deal with Concubine Hua's revenge. Qiu Fang nodded and said, "Your Majesty, what you said makes sense, but you are now the head of a palace, and she has no leverage over you." I don't think you are afraid of that.

"Moreover, there has been no news coming out of the Yangxin Palace since Her Majesty held the New Year's Eve banquet. Her Majesty does not have any palace power now, so even if Concubine Hua wants to find fault with her."

The only thing she could do was to look for it from Concubine Chun. But today, she didn't know that the Empress and Concubine Chun were no longer close. Even if Concubine Hua wanted to start with her, she didn't have enough reason.

"You are right, Concubine Hua does not have such ability, but you overlooked one person." An Lingrong's words made Qiufang frown, and she asked the queen for advice.

At this point, An Lingrong finished her breakfast and helped Qiufang stand up. "Cao Moqin!" Qiufang suddenly realized that this was a poisonous snake that could bite people.

Concubine Hua was impulsive, but Cao Moqin was shrewd and calculating. To put it bluntly, most of the evil things done by Concubine Hua were probably caused by her, and they were all in accordance with her plan.

So now that she hasn't found any fault in me, she might take the initiative to petition the emperor and try to get some palace power from Concubine Hua.