Chapter 16: The Legend of Zhen Huan – An Lingrong
A single tray of pastries contained only five or six pieces. Zhen Huan ate one, leaving just enough for those around her to share. Huan Bi was about to step forward...
“Sister Huan, Sister Huan...”
Joyful voices came from outside. A delicate figure burst in, pushing Huan Bi aside.
Huan Bi clenched her teeth in frustration and shot a fierce glare at Fang Changzai, who was already seated on the couch.
Fang Changzai picked up a mung bean cake and began to eat happily, saying, “Delicious, really delicious! Sister Huan, I knew you had some snacks here, hehe.”
While munching on the treat, she flashed Zhen Huan a big, bright smile.
“If Chun’er likes it, she can eat,” Zhen Huan said affectionately. “It’s nothing precious. Next time you’re hungry, just come find me.”
“Mm, Sister Huan, you’re so kind.”
Fang Changzai grabbed another piece, took a bite, and her face lit up with satisfaction. “Sister Huan, I went to the Imperial Garden to play.”
Ignoring the expressions around her, she grabbed two pastries and ran off while eating.
Zhen Huan watched her flee and couldn’t help but call out, “Be careful.”
“I know, Sister Huan,” came Fang Changzai’s playful reply from outside.
Zhen Huan smiled and shook her head.
Huan Bi saw there was only one piece of pastry left and almost twisted her nose in anger.
“Miss, why are you so indulgent with her?”
Huan Bi couldn’t suppress her irritation. “You’re not like Noble Consort Shen who’s pregnant; you can eat as many snacks as you want. Should we be buying pastries with silver for her?”
“Huan Bi, it’s just a plate of snacks. Don’t fuss over a child like Fang Changzai.”
Thinking she was standing up for herself, Zhen Huan patiently advised.
Then she reached out and touched her belly, her expression resolute. “If Mei Jie can conceive, then I, your humble servant, shall conceive as well.”
“Let the Emperor favor me too.”
...
Unexpectedly, Huan Bi’s words hit the mark.
That very night, the Emperor did indeed favor Fang Changzai.
For several days afterward, it was Fang Changzai who attended the Emperor’s bedchamber.
The once quiet Cuiyu Pavilion became lively again.
“Such favor!”
Li Siqi said with a smile, “The mistress of Cuiyu Pavilion and her attendant are flaunting their confidence again. By the way, Zhen Huan is already pregnant. I wonder if her daily attendance will hold up the fetus, hahaha...”
“Master, Zhen Huan is the heroine with an iron womb. The child in her belly will be perfectly safe.”
“That’s true.”
Li Siqi nodded in agreement. “Except for the Empress, who’s notorious for causing miscarriages, it’s not easy for others to harm her child.”
“Master, Shen Meizhuang’s Cunjutang and Zhen Huan’s Cuiyu Pavilion both have large amounts of musk. Should I help clear it out for them?”
...
“No need.”
Li Siqi’s smile grew brighter. “Whether they keep their children depends on their own abilities. The same goes for Consort Hua and Lady Borjigit. It’s all up to them.”
“Master, the three ladies of Yanxi Palace are all pregnant. If others lose their children but you three give birth, won’t that draw too much attention?”
“What’s there to fear?”
Li Siqi sneered. “I want to shine. The whole palace treats us like fools, yet we three fools manage to conceive and raise children. By the way, Xia Dongchun and I are still hiding our pregnancies. The Empress will definitely keep an eye on Lady Fucha. You’d better be more attentive. Turn Yanxi Palace into a fortress—no one shall lay a hand on our ladies.”
“Rest assured, Master. I’ve already cleared out all troublemakers from Yanxi Palace.”
“Where are they?”
Li Siqi narrowed her eyes and ordered, “No matter who they serve, have them take the Puppet Pill. I won’t allow anyone to betray the ladies of Yanxi Palace.”
“All those with ill intentions have already been given the pill.”
“Whose people are they?”
“The Emperor’s, the Empress Dowager’s, the Empress’s, Consort Duan’s, Consort Jing’s, Consort Qi’s...”
“Oh dear, quite a lineup.”
Li Siqi chuckled lightly. “I don’t understand why these big shots always have people spying on each palace. When harm occurs or consorts have affairs, it’s as if they’re all blind and deaf, knowing nothing. It’s like they don’t need to report back to their masters.”
“Master, you’re taking this too seriously. Don’t forget this is just a spin-off world from a TV drama.”
“That’s true. I’m just overthinking.”
Li Siqi rubbed her belly and instructed, “There are already enough pregnancies to keep the Empress busy. Xia Huzi, go give the Emperor some contraceptives. Let’s wait three years before letting others conceive again.”
“Yes!”
Xia Huzi immediately slipped away.
...
Imperial Garden!
“Greetings, Lady Guan.”
Li Siqi calmly greeted Zhen Huan, who wore a proud expression.
After days of continuous favor, the power of the figurine was indeed formidable.
Before her pregnancy was revealed, the Emperor had already promoted her to Guiren (Noble Consort).
“Xin Changzai, no need for formalities!”
Zhen Huan smiled gently but unwittingly adopted a lofty tone. “I believe Xin Changzai will soon be promoted as well. Then we shall both be Noble Consorts.”
“Oh, and who might you be?”
Li Siqi bluntly retorted, “Is it the Empress Dowager or the Empress who has the authority to promote consorts?”
“Xin Changzai, what nonsense are you spouting?”
Zhen Huan’s face darkened suddenly, and she scolded, “I didn’t mean that. Don’t try to frame me.”
“You clearly said it yourself.”
Li Siqi rolled her eyes at her. “Can’t I just ask? If you say it but won’t admit it, you might as well shut your mouth.”
“Xin Changzai, you’re too presumptuous to disrespect Lady Guan.”
Huan Bi directly reprimanded her, “And you deliberately twisted Lady Guan’s words. Aren’t you afraid of punishment?”
“Who do you think you are?”
Li Siqi laughed scornfully. “What, do you want your servant here to speak for your mistress? When consorts talk, what right do you servants have to butt in? Believe it or not, I’ll have someone shut your foul mouth.”
“You...”
Huan Bi was about to retort indignantly.
Zhen Huan quickly intervened, “Huan Bi, step back.”
“Miss!”
“Step back!”
“Yes!”
Huan Bi felt deeply wronged but left, not forgetting to glare at Li Siqi.
“Idiot.”
Li Siqi couldn’t help but sneer, “Don’t you know your place? Dare to be arrogant in front of me—you really don’t know what’s coming.”
Before leaving, she gave them a look of contempt, as if they were fools.
“...”
Zhen Huan’s expression darkened.
Huan Bi showed a mix of shame and anger. “Miss, look at her...”
“Later.”
Zhen Huan ignored her and turned to leave.
Back at Cuiyu Pavilion.
“Miss, An Lingrong is really bullying you.”
Huan Bi’s eyes filled with tears, as if deeply wronged. “She’s merely the daughter of an eighth-rank county magistrate. How dare she treat you like this?”
“An Lingrong is just a fool. Why bother arguing with her?”
Zhen Huan herself felt uneasy.
She thought she could finally hold her head high before the other, but that fool refused to follow the script.
Instead, she ended up quite upset.
“Miss, your rank is higher than hers.”
Huan Bi couldn’t help but offer a vicious suggestion, “Next time she dares to disrespect you, it will be ‘insubordination.’ You can punish her directly and teach her a lesson.”