Chapter 118: Volume 1, Chapter 118: A Good Dog Doesn't Block the Way

Rong Luoge did not have to wait long; soon Yan Yin came over, and upon seeing her, Rong Luoge stood up. "Aunt Yan."

"This servant greets the Good Lady." Yan Yin curtsied. "Her Ladyship asks the Good Lady to come over for a chat."

Rong Luoge nodded and asked softly, "Aunt, what is the matter with that young palace maid outside?"

Yan Yin said in a low voice, "A traitor who bites the hand that feeds her. The Good Lady need not pity her."

Rong Luoge had already guessed as much, but hearing Yan Yin say so still made her sigh inwardly. Consort Ming was indeed not to be underestimated—she could even plant her own spy in Fengyi Palace despite the Empress being such a heavy-handed person.

She followed Yan Yin into the main hall, gathered her thoughts, and took a quick glance at the Empress seated in the place of honor; though she had applied powder to her face, her poor complexion was still visible.

"This concubine pays respects to Your Ladyship; may Your Ladyship enjoy ten thousand blessings." Rong Luoge stepped forward and bowed properly—at a time like this, she certainly could not let the Empress find any fault with her.

"Rise." The Empress rubbed her forehead and looked at Rong Luoge. "Sit."

"Thanking Your Ladyship for the seat." Rong Luoge expressed her gratitude before taking her seat. "Your Ladyship worries over His Majesty's health, but you must also take care of your own."

The Empress nodded slightly and said, "How was the Crown Prince after he returned last night? Is his health well?"

"His Highness is well; he only worried that Your Ladyship did not sleep a wink all night. Before leaving, he even instructed this concubine to come and pay respects to Your Ladyship today." Rong Luoge spoke with a face full of concern.

Putting on a surface show—she could do that too.

Hearing this, the Empress's expression indeed improved a little. She looked at Rong Luoge and said, "His Majesty is unwell. Today the other princess consorts have all entered the palace to attend to his illness; naturally, you must also be present."

Rong Luoge immediately assented, thinking to herself: no wonder she was asked to come.

Supposedly attending to the illness, she was only a Good Lady and did not even rank; having her come was merely so no one could seize hold of the Crown Prince's weakness.

Even if consorts like the Liang Princess Consort and Princess Consort Shou entered the palace, they could not truly attend to the Emperor's illness—being daughters-in-law, there were many inconveniences; it was nothing more than the appearance of fulfilling filial duty.

It seemed the various consorts in the Hou Gong each had their own calculations as well; currying the Emperor's favor was, of course, the more the better.

Speaking of this, the Empress looked at Rong Luoge again. "Prince Qi's wedding is coming soon. The Liang Princess Consort and Princess Consort Shou should both go to the Qi Wang Fu to help; you need not go."

Rong Luoge felt a bit awkward—as the Former Consort of the Qi Prince, she certainly could not go.

The Empress saying this now was, firstly, to let her avoid suspicion, and secondly, carried a note of warning.

Rong Luoge was of course unhappy about it, but she would not show it on her face; instead, she appeared relieved, saying softly, "Your Ladyship speaks rightly. This concubine is only a Good Lady—how could I go to the Qi Wang Fu?"

"As long as you know." The Empress said coldly, "There is nothing else for now; go back first. When there is something, you will naturally be summoned."

Rong Luoge rose to take her leave—she certainly had no wish to be an eyesore before the Empress. The Empress found her displeasing to the eye, and she found the Empress equally irksome; not seeing each other was naturally best.

As for the Empress's earlier mention of attending to the illness, since she was not needed to show her face for the time being, she would simply wait for the summons.

Rong Luoge made her way through toward the Dong Gong, but unexpectedly came face to face with Han Yifeng at the palace gate.

The two had not seen each other in a long time; meeting again now, Rong Luoge slightly frowned and, avoiding him, was about to walk straight past.

Han Yifeng had not intended to speak either, but seeing Rong Luoge's look of avoiding him as if he were the plague, somehow a surge of anger arose in him, and he subconsciously blocked her path.

Rong Luoge: …

"Han Yifeng, this is the palace. I advise you not to go too far, lest everyone end up unable to save face!" Rong Luoge said coldly.

Han Yifeng's heart seized; he had been about to say something, but his eyes inadvertently swept over Rong Luoge's neck, and he noticed faint red marks appearing and disappearing at the edge of her collar by the side of her neck. He was startled.

Rong Luoge saw him staring at her in a daze, followed his gaze, turned her head to look, and immediately yanked her collar shut, her face turning livid as she lifted her foot to leave.

"Rong Luoge, are you doing well in the Dong Gong?" Han Yifeng somehow suddenly wanted to ask this.

Only upon closely examining Rong Luoge at this moment would one notice that between her brows and eyes there was now the charming allure unique to a woman after her deflowering; for a moment, he could not articulate what he felt in his heart.

He kept feeling as though he was wearing a bright green hat, yet it also seemed there was no reason to think so.

"Han Yifeng, in what capacity are you asking me this? As my ex-husband?" Rong Luoge's expression turned even uglier. "Thanks to you indeed—since my divorce from you, my life has been getting better and better. In my heart, His Highness the Crown Prince is far superior to you."

"You…" Han Yifeng was so angry his face turned green. "I was only showing you kind concern."

"There is no need." Rong Luoge raised an eyebrow and looked at Han Yifeng. "I hear you are going to take a wife. I am truly surprised; I thought that with your devotion to Rong Dai, you would at least make her your proper wife. I never expected it—so the love you speak of is nothing more than this. How laughable."

Han Yifeng's expression stiffened, and he immediately flew into a rage out of humiliation. "What would you, a mere woman, understand?"

"True enough; as a woman, I am naturally no match for your thick skin and black heart. For your own selfish interests, you would rather marry and marry again someone who does not like you—what great capacity you have." Rong Luoge said sarcastically.

Han Yifeng looked at her suspiciously. "What do you mean?"

Rong Luoge put on a look of surprise. "My, you actually don't know? This is something everyone in the entire capital knows. Your future princess consort—she has her heart set on our family's Crown Prince."

Han Yifeng: …

"What did you say?" Han Yifeng could not bring himself to believe it—how could that be possible?

"Why would I lie to you? Do you think I can spread a rumor like this just by flapping my lips?" Rong Luoge gave a cold laugh. "Yun Shizhuang has admired His Highness the Crown Prince for years and has always hoped to become the Crown Princess."

Consort Ming wanted to join forces with Chancellor Yun; she was determined to throw a wrench in their plans.

Moreover, Yun Shizhuang had been hostile to her several times; she did not think that becoming the Princess Consort Qi would make her treat her any more kindly.

She was no great saint; at a time like this, of course she would press the other party down first and talk later.

As long as Prince Qi and his wife fell into internal strife, she and the Crown Prince could sit securely on the fishing platform and watch the show.

"Rong Luoge, I know you hate me in your heart, but there is no need to tell such a lie that falls apart at a poke…"

"Han Yifeng, you are as conceited as ever. I said it—go and ask around. If I utter a single word of nonsense, may I not meet a good end." Rong Luoge shoved him aside. "A good dog doesn't block the way—move!"

Han Yifeng stumbled from the push, both angry and annoyed. Watching Rong Luoge's retreating back striding away, and recalling her earlier words, his heart surged with uncertainty—could she really not have been lying to him?

But how could that be possible?