Chapter 117: Punishment of Kneeling

Rong Luoge's heart fluttered; she knew this was a signal.

This proved that the Emperor's health had already begun to falter, especially since he had lately become increasingly enamored with women, even calling off court sessions every few days.

The two sat opposite each other, and the room fell silent for a moment.

"His Majesty, are you awake now?" Rong Luoge asked Han Xinglan, "Since you aren't staying by His Majesty's side, might people criticize you?"

Han Xinglan shook his head, "The Empress Dowager is present; if I were also here, people would inevitably suspect that mother and son were controlling the Emperor's condition. To avoid suspicion, I was outside the hall with Prince Qi when I received news of the Emperor's recovery, and only just returned."

Rong Luoge was actually pleased; Han Xinglan dragging Prince Qi at a time like this would surely infuriate Consort Ming. She let out a light sigh, "Then that's fine, what did the Imperial Physician say?"

Han Xinglan's face showed a hint of sarcasm, "He only said that the Emperor fell ill from overwork and should rest more."

Rong Luoge's mouth twitched; she thought that the Emperor needed proper rest, but with his nightly revelry, achieving longevity would be truly difficult.

"Then does His Majesty have any orders now?" Rong Luoge asked softly.

Han Xinglan shook his head slightly, sneering, "No. The Emperor is wary of me; I doubt he'll ever allow me to act as regent."

Rong Luoge looked at Han Xinglan's somewhat despondent expression and immediately said, "You are the rightful Crown Prince; if His Majesty won't let you be regent, Prince Qi certainly wouldn't have this chance, otherwise the ministers would surely turn the court into chaos."

Han Xinglan listened to Rong Luoge's words, and the tightness in his chest eased slightly. He said softly, "I just don't understand why the Emperor is so biased. Since childhood I've studied hard, strived to improve, tried to be perfect, never daring to give the Emperor any disappointment, but…"

"There's no logic in favoritism; fortunately, although the Emperor is biased, he still dares not act willfully against ancestral law. As long as His Majesty never catches a fault to depose you, you remain the Crown Prince," Rong Luoge said softly, "Moreover, having come this far, we have no way to retreat."

Han Xinglan naturally knew this; he had been preparing for a long time. Today he deliberately tried to play the victim in front of Rong Luoge, and the effect turned out better than expected.

Han Xinglan recalled what she had gone out for today and asked, "How did today's matters go?"

Rong Luoge sighed, "It really was a bit beyond my expectations."

"What happened?" Han Xinglan asked concernedly.

Rong Luoge recounted the matter in detail, then looked at Han Xinglan, "Do you think this matter has any room for maneuver?"

Han Xinglan looked at Rong Luoge, "Do you firmly believe Ming Yuhua isn't colluding with Consort Ming?"

Rong Luoge thought for a moment and said, "Eight out of ten chance."

Han Xinglan nodded, then smiled suddenly, "If so, it's truly a heaven‑sent opportunity, with a ready candidate. What do you think of Xiao Shen?"

Rong Luoge was startled, "Xiao Shen?"

Han Xinglan chuckled lightly, "Finding him was as easy as breaking iron shoes; he just stumbled right into it."

Rong Luoge gradually understood Han Xinglan's meaning: in outsiders' eyes Xiao Shen isn't a Crown Prince's man but a loyalist to the Emperor; if Xiao Shen now marries Ming Yuhua, Consort Ming and others would surely think Xiao Shen has boarded their ship, while in fact he remains truly the Crown Prince's man.

That was indeed interesting.

Rong Luoge hadn't expected Han Xinglan to devise such a counter‑plot so quickly; after thinking she said, "Are you sure Xiao Shen has no issues?"

"Don't let Consort Ming and the others turn him."

"No issues." Han Xinglan said with a smile, "Xiao Shen was raised by me personally back then; he's extremely loyal."

"You also know Ming Yuhua's situation; it's a case of abandoning darkness for light. Though the marriage isn't glorious, I still hope you can explain it to Xiao Shen. If they can get along, please treat Ming Yuhua kindly." Rong Luoge said.

Han Xinglan nodded, "I'll tell him, but you know marriage isn't that simple; we can't intervene too much, it also depends on the two's fate."

Han Xinglan had also heard rumors of Ming Yuhua's past willfulness; if she remains like that after marriage, he would naturally side with Xiao Shen.

Rong Luoge nodded, "That's natural."

It's like her and the Crown Prince; they were originally brought together like a contract, and now they've become a proper union, so if the two truly match in temperament, they'll eventually become a perfect pair.

"Sleep early; tomorrow we'll likely have to hustle again." Rong Luoge said, looking at Han Xinglan's dark‑eyed face, "He's been busy by day and sometimes undisciplined at night; his body can't keep bearing this forever."

Han Xinglan seemed to read Rong Luoge's gaze, was both amused and exasperated, yet didn't reject her goodwill; after washing up the two entered the tent together to rest.

That night Rong Luoge barely slept, constantly thinking about what would happen after Ming Yuhua married Xiao Shen, drifting off in a hazy state at an unknown time.

She was woken by Rong Xin, opened her eyes and asked, "What's wrong?"

"Good Lady, the Empress has summoned you." Rong Xin said hurriedly.

Rong Luoge was startled for a moment, then cleared her mind, " This early?"

It was only the hour of Chen (around 7 am).

Rong Xin and Que Cai hurried to help Good Lady get up, saying, "The servant heard that last night Consort Ming cried and argued with the Empress all night; His Majesty still favored Consort Ming, apparently scolding the Empress a few times."

Rong Luoge frowned slightly, quickened her pace, and after she finished dressing, ate a simple bite of something to stave off hunger, then headed straight for the Fengyi Palace.

Upon entering the Hou Gong, she sensed an atmosphere unlike usual; even the air was tense, and every palace attendant hurried with bowed heads, making everyone involuntarily tense as well.

Arriving at Fengyi Palace, as soon as she passed the gate she saw a young palace maid kneeling outside, trembling all over, with a small wound on her forehead that looked rather frightening.

Rong Luoge glanced at her briefly, then walked straight in, her heart heavy.

Yan Yin did not come out this time; instead the senior palace maid Qing He, who served the Empress, appeared. Upon seeing Rong Luoge, Qing He immediately stepped forward, "The servant greets Good Lady."

"Rise quickly; the Mother Empress may have a moment to see me now?" Rong Luoge asked Qing He, lowering her voice to appear gentle and virtuous.

Qing He lowered her head and voice, "Good Lady, please first go to the side hall and sit briefly; the Empress is currently angry. I'll go in and announce, and if I see Good Lady, I'll ask you to come to the side hall."

"Thank you." Rong Luoge nodded in acknowledgment.

Qing He hurriedly said she dared not linger and turned to enter the main hall.

Rong Luoge was intimately familiar with the side hall; she entered, sat on the chair by the window, and could see the outside scene through it.

Her eyes fixed on the kneeling young maid; at a time when the Empress could still punish someone, it was clear this maid must have done something to anger the Empress.

In such a critical moment, she could not think much else.