Zhen Huan instructed Liu Zhu to pack more snacks for Chun’er to take back. Chun’er was as happy as a child, repeatedly thanking Sister Wan.

In the few days since entering the palace, with all the comings and goings, Zhen Huan had not yet had the chance to dig up the “dirty thing” beneath the begonia tree.

Now that all the rewards had been distributed to the various palaces, Zhen Huan thought it was time to hurry and dig up that thing before it caused harm to the women in the palace due to the passing time.

Zhen Huan knew that Xiao Yunzi was meticulous in his work and had some skills.

So, after Chun’er left, she had Huan Bi call for Xiao Yunzi.

She told him that she had seen many ants crawling around the roots of the begonia tree and suspected something had been buried beneath it. She asked him to avoid others and dig to see what it was.

Before long, Xiao Yunzi came back to report that he had dug up a jar, and Zhen Huan immediately knew what was inside.

After reminding Xiao Yunzi several times that this matter must not be known by others, she sent him on his way.

Zhen Huan then instructed Huan Bi to go to the Imperial Medical Bureau the next morning and ask for Wen Shichu to come and check her pulse for safety.

She also reminded Huan Bi that it had to be Wen Taiyi.

She then instructed Liu Zhu to go to Xianfu Palace and bring Shen Meizhuang over.

An Lingrong was timid and had a good knowledge of fragrances, so something like musk would never escape her nose.

As for An Lingrong, Zhen Huan preferred to avoid alarming her, so she had not asked for her to come over.

As for why she asked for Shen Meizhuang, Zhen Huan wanted to use this matter to remind her to be cautious and not to be the first to stand out or risk becoming a target.

When Wen Shichu heard that Zhen Huan was looking for him, he didn’t hesitate for a moment and rushed to Suoyu Pavilion.

Wen Shichu moved so fast that even Huan Bi couldn’t keep up.

This time, Zhen Huan was not startled, so Wen Shichu did not find any issues with her health.

When Shen Meizhuang arrived, Zhen Huan slowly said, “I saw something I shouldn’t have.”

Shen Meizhuang was about to ask what Zhen Huan had seen when she heard Wen Shichu say:

“Then we must find a way to forget those things.”

This time, Zhen Huan did not ask if Wen Shichu’s promise from outside the palace was sincere. She also didn’t want to use Wen Shichu’s feelings anymore.

In this life, she only wanted to regard him as a confidant and a brother.

Zhen Huan had Huan Bi hand over the object Xiao Yunzi had dug up the previous night to Wen Shichu.

Wen Shichu looked at it and said, “How could the young mistress have such a thing?”

Zhen Huan explained that the begonia tree at Suoyu Pavilion had not bloomed this spring, and yesterday, by coincidence, she had dug up this object beneath the tree.

She mentioned that the person who used to live here, the noble Lady Fang, had suffered a miscarriage for no apparent reason, which was likely due to these things.

It was evident how fierce the palace intrigue was; perhaps Lady Fang still didn’t know who had caused her downfall.

Wen Shichu said this was musk seed, the strongest type in musk, and that if it had been discovered any later, the women in Suoyu Pavilion might have suffered greatly.

He also suggested that the young mistress should not keep it nearby and that it would be better to hand it to him, so it could be used for medicine in the future, thus cleansing a sin.

Shen Meizhuang wasn’t exactly timid, but hearing Zhen Huan and Wen Shichu’s words, she turned pale with fear and kept twisting the handkerchief in her hands.

“Huan’er, I knew the harem was dangerous, but I didn’t realize it could be so deadly. It’s a good thing you discovered it today, or else…”

Zhen Huan went up and took Shen Meizhuang’s hand, saying:

“Sister Mei, the reason I called you over today was so you could see these evil methods with your own eyes. In the future, if we’re ever framed, at least we’ll be aware!”

Shen Meizhuang nodded, tightening her grip on Zhen Huan’s hand as she said, “This matter, Lingrong…”

“Living with Lingrong in the manor, I know her to be timid. Sister Mei, you were already scared when you first heard it, so what about Lingrong?”

“I think we shouldn’t tell her about this for now, so she doesn’t panic and lose her composure.”

Shen Meizhuang patted Zhen Huan’s hand, saying, “You’re thinking of her, Huan’er.”

“Huan’er, I don’t know who harmed Lady Fang, but they almost harmed you too. We must be cautious from now on.”

Zhen Huan said, “In the palace, there are countless eyes watching. When we’re not yet strong enough, we mustn’t stand out too much. Otherwise, others will see us as a thorn in their side and quickly want to remove us.”

Shen Meizhuang agreed with Zhen Huan’s reasoning and kept it in mind.

Zhen Huan knew that Shen Meizhuang always had her own thoughts and perspectives, so it was better to drop hints early on to avoid damaging their future relationship.

The next day, Shen Meizhuang and An Lingrong arrived at Suoyu Pavilion.

The three sisters sat down together to chat.

Shen Meizhuang said she lived in Xianfu Palace, where the main lady, Jingpin, was easygoing. Zhen Huan, not sharing a residence with others, had the peace and quiet she needed.

When asked about An Lingrong’s situation, An Lingrong said it was alright.

Lady Fucha didn’t seem like one to stir trouble, but that Summer Chang’an was hard to get along with.

At this moment, Huan Bi came over with tea: “Then, Lady An, you should come to our palace more often.”

During her time in Zhen’s manor, Huan Bi had gotten to know An Lingrong’s preferences. Knowing that An Lingrong didn’t like Li’an tea, she specially switched to a fragrant tea blend.

“I thought Liu Zhu was clever, but this Huan Bi’s mouth is even more skillful, and her heart is finer!”

Shen Meizhuang complimented Huan Bi while saying it was natural for someone who had served since childhood to be better.

Zhen Huan noticed An Lingrong’s discomfort, so she said to have Jinxi return to the Empress and send Juching to serve An Lingrong in Yanxi Palace.

Shen Meizhuang said a few new bolts of silk she’d gotten recently would suit her, and when they returned, she would have Caiyue send them to Yanxi Palace.

An Lingrong was so touched by the help from Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang that she almost cried.

Zhen Huan could see that An Lingrong truly appreciated both her and Shen Meizhuang, and genuinely wanted to become sisters with them.

As for all the things in her past life, they felt like fleeting memories now.

Zhen Huan hoped that this life, with her memories from the previous one, she could keep An Lingrong close to her and Shen Meizhuang.

“You, me, and Sister Mei, we all entered the palace together, and we are the most familiar with each other. It’s only natural we take care of one another.”

“I hope that no matter what our status is in the future, the three of us can help each other and never forget our original intentions.”

After Zhen Huan finished speaking, the hands of the three sisters were tightly clasped together.

Looking at the scene before her, Zhen Huan thought that if they could stay like this forever, it would be perfect.

Three days later, the time for the court’s morning greetings arrived.

Early in the morning, Pei’er brought many pieces of jewelry for Zhen Huan to choose from. Zhen Huan glanced at them and told Huan Bi to just do her hair in a simple style.

“A bird that stands out gets shot.” With her face already resembling that of Chun Yuan, which made the Empress wary of her, if she stood out even more, wouldn’t that be courting death?

She still wanted to follow the path of low profile, like in her past life.