jdhmnovel Chapter 199 Ling Huan is in trouble and seeks help
Chapter 199 Ling Huan is in trouble and seeks help
An Lingrong gritted her teeth and said angrily, "Huan'er, this spice shop is the hard work of my mother, Aunt Xiao, and me. It must not be destroyed!"
Zhen Huan nodded slightly, calmly analyzing the situation. "Lingrong, don't worry. The most urgent thing is to send someone to the spice shop to investigate what the so-called evidence is. I will immediately have my brother expedite the placement of Aunt Bai and your sister to ensure that nothing goes wrong."
An Lingrong burst into tears of gratitude: "Huan'er, if it weren't for you, I really don't know how I would have coped with all these difficulties."
Zhen Huan held her hand and said firmly, "We are sisters. We should share the joys and sorrows. As long as you and I work together, we will definitely be able to make a living in this palace."
A few days later, Zhen Huan's brother Zhen Yuandao entered the palace and replied, "Sister, Miss Lingrong, Aunt Bai, and the two young ladies have been properly accommodated. I have assigned additional personnel for protection, and I believe no one will be easily disturbed."
An Lingrong breathed a sigh of relief: "Thank you, Brother Zhen. I feel much more at ease now."
Zhen Huan said, "Brother, you've worked hard. Now the matter of the spice shop is becoming more and more difficult. Have you found any clues?"
Zhen Yuandao's face was solemn. "The person who reported it was very cunning. The so-called evidence seems to be forged, but it is so realistic that it is difficult to completely refute it. I have sent people to investigate the spice shop carefully. They found that several suspicious people were lingering nearby recently, as if they were keeping watch."
An Lingrong exclaimed in shock, "It must be the work of someone behind the scenes! They want to kill me!"
Zhen Huan pondered for a moment: "It seems we need to speed up. Jinxi, how is the account book review going?"
Jin Xi replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, my lady, the account book is very complex and will take some time to process. However, we have discovered several key suspicious points that seem to be related to several important officials in the court."
Zhen Huan's eyes lit up. "Very good, let's continue investigating. Lingrong, we can't just wait for news, we need to take the initiative. Do you have any ideas?"
An Lingrong pondered, "Huan'er, I'd like to visit a few shopkeepers who have business dealings with my spice shop. Perhaps they know something about the inside story and could help us."
Zhen Huan nodded: "This plan is feasible. But it is too dangerous for you to go alone. I will let Xiao Yunzi go with you."
An Lingrong and Xiao Yunzi visited several shopkeepers. They all expressed their dismay at the recent events at the spice shop, but were hesitant to speak out. Only one elderly shopkeeper pulled An Lingrong into an inner room and whispered, "My lady, I've heard it's Concubine Hua's mother's family behind this. They're unhappy with your spice shop's booming business, and because you're favored in the palace, they want to use this opportunity to suppress you. They also want to bring down both you and Lady Zhen Huan in the matter of the prince's command of the army."
An Lingrong was shocked. "So that's the case! Thank you so much for telling me, shopkeeper. I will definitely repay you for your kindness."
On the way back to the palace, Xiao Yunzi worriedly said, "My lady, Concubine Hua's family is very powerful. How should we deal with it?"
An Lingrong clenched her fists. "No matter what, I will protect the spice shop and Huan'er. Let's go back to the palace and discuss this with Huan'er before making a final decision."
Back at the palace, An Lingrong hurriedly informed Zhen Huan of the news. Zhen Huan frowned. "Hua Fei's family? No wonder they're so arrogant. Lingrong, we must be careful and not act rashly. I've been thinking about it, and perhaps we can enlist the help of the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager always pays close attention to palace rules. If she knew Hua Fei's family was acting recklessly outside the palace, she would certainly not sit idly by."
An Lingrong hesitated. "But the Queen Mother lives deep in the palace. How can we let her know about this? And will she be willing to intervene?"
Zhen Huan said calmly, "I have my own way. The Queen Mother has been unwell recently. I can use the pretext of visiting her to inform her of this matter in a tactful way. You can rest assured for now. I will see the Queen Mother and then we will decide what to do."
Zhen Huan carefully prepared some nourishing foods and went to the Empress Dowager's palace. After greeting her, Zhen Huan said gently, "Your Majesty, you have been feeling unwell lately, and I am deeply worried. I have specially prepared some nourishing foods and hope to be of some use to you."
The Queen Mother raised her hand slightly: "Hanhuan is very thoughtful. You have always been well-behaved in the palace. I heard that you were close to that young lady An Lingrong?"
Zhen Huan replied respectfully, "Your Majesty, Lingrong and I are like sisters, supporting each other. However, recently someone maliciously falsely accused the spice shop outside Lingrong's palace of selling prohibited spices. I know that the spice shop has always strictly adhered to palace rules, and I'm afraid someone deliberately wanted to suppress Lingrong and even disrupt the peace of the palace."
The Queen Mother's eyes glared. "Is this really true? It is strictly forbidden for anyone to stir up trouble in this palace. Please tell me in detail."
Zhen Huan explained the entire story, including how Lord Li had spread the rumors, the spice shop had been framed, and the possibility that Concubine Hua's family was behind the plot. The Queen Mother remained silent for a moment. "I will send someone to investigate this matter. If anyone dares to act recklessly under my watch, I will not let them off lightly."
Zhen Huan was delighted and bowed quickly, "Thank you, Queen Dowager, for your wisdom. Your actions will surely restore peace to the palace."
After Zhen Huan returned to the palace, she told An Lingrong what the Queen Mother had said. An Lingrong was overjoyed: "Huan'er, thanks to you! If the Queen Mother is willing to intervene, this matter may be able to turn around."
Zhen Huan smiled and said, "It remains to be seen. We still need to be cautious and wait for news from the Queen Mother."
However, a few days later, news arrived that the people who had gone to investigate the spice shop had been mysteriously murdered. Upon hearing this, Zhen Huan and An Lingrong were horrified. An Lingrong trembled and said, "Huan'er, what should we do? They even dared to touch the Queen Mother's people. They're determined to destroy us!"
Zhen Huan's face was solemn. "It seems we have underestimated the ruthlessness of our opponents. But the more so, the more we cannot retreat. Lingrong, we must quickly find more powerful evidence to expose their conspiracy, otherwise we will be doomed."