Chapter 120: Volume 1 – Chapter 120: The Emperor Bestows Beauties on Dong Gong

Han Xinglan accompanied Rong Luoge for a midnight snack, listened as she spoke of Prince Liang, and nodded thoughtfully, "You don't need to worry about this; I'll go ask Prince Liang for clarification."

Rong Luoge nodded, "Han Yifeng's burden is heavy, but I don't know whether he's involved in this."

Even if he were involved, if the Emperor chose to protect his son, the worst Han Xinglan could do by bringing the matter before the Emperor would be a few harmless scoldings.

Han Xinglan looked at Rong Luoge's heavy expression, smiled lightly, "It's fine, I know the situation in my heart. Rest well; I still have to go to the front hall for a council. If I'm late, just rest in the front hall, no need to wait for me."

Rong Luoge looked at their knee, "Take care of your own health."

Han Xinglan stared at Rong Luoge, then softly laughed and pulled her into their arms; no matter how the future's storms battered them, sharing the storm together made even hardship feel sweet.

Han Xinglan could not comprehend this feeling, but when they truly experienced it, they finally realized love is indeed wondrous.

You scoff if you haven't encountered it, but once you're deep in it you learn what "heart‑to‑heart resonance" and "sharing joys and hardships" truly mean.

Indescribable; only you can feel the warmth and cold yourself.

Rong Luoge was suddenly embraced, startled for a moment, then reached to hold Han Xinglan's waist, cheek pressed to their chest, listening to the strong, steady heartbeat, and only then felt at ease.

Han Xinglan gently patted Rong Luoge's back and whispered, "Be at ease."

How could I be at ease?

After seeing Han Xinglan off, Rong Luoge knew tonight was destined to be sleepless; lacking any drowsiness, she went straight to the study.

She pulled out the schematics she had drawn last time—some still unfinished, whether bows or bolts, the equipment of the Dragon Guard was sufficient, but if the Emperor truly passed the throne to Han Yifeng, she and Han Xinglan could not simply sit and wait for death.

The refined‑iron weapons captured from the Qiongchuan Caravan have not yet been completed; forging cannons is not easy, requiring repeated hammering, smelting, and experimentation.

Rong Luoge sat at the desk, lost in thought.

Meanwhile, Han Xinglan was discussing state affairs with Dong Gong officials; the signals from His Majesty's actions today indeed suggest a move to forcibly pave the way for Prince Qi.

How can Dong Gong simply sit and await death?

Not until dawn did the group finally disperse; Han Xinglan, still sleepless, stood by the window watching the sunrise about to blanket the earth, a new day about to begin.

Rong Luoge woke early, found no trace of having slept beside her—indeed Han Xinglan had not returned.

She got up to dress; outside, Rong Xin and Que Que Cai Que Cai heard a sound and hurried in to attend.

"Good Lady, do we still need to go to Fengyi Palace today?" Que Que Cai Que Cai asked Good Lady after fixing her hair bun.

Rong Luoge picked up a pair of silver hairpins and put them on, saying, "Waiting for the Empress's summons."

Didn't the Empress say that?

If there's business she'll naturally summon her; so she certainly won't rush up and annoy anyone.

However, today my eyelids keep twitching, feeling that something is about to happen.

Today still no court attendance; His Majesty fainted and needs recuperation, so the court is suspended.

Yet before the Si hour, someone from the Emperor's side came to deliver an edict; Han Xinglan hurried back to receive it, and Rong Luoge knelt with them, momentarily stunned after hearing the decree.

The Emperor actually bestowed five beauties upon Han Xinglan, each with a title; although there is still no Crown Prince's consort, there is now a Good Lady, a Fine Lady, and the positions of Chenghui, Zhaoxun, and Fengyi are all filled.

They stuffed Dong Gong to the brim.

Rong Luoge: …

I was so damn angry I laughed.

The Emperor probably wouldn't treat his son like this; it must be Consort Ming's low‑down trick disgusting herself.

The others are one thing, but another Good Lady is the second legitimate daughter of the Ningyuan Marquis's household, Song Huihe.

Rong Luoge has little interaction with Song Huihe; they only met once at a banquet before, but only observed from afar and didn't get to know her.

The Emperor's decree means even Han Xinglan cannot defy it; otherwise they'd be handing the Emperor a perfect leverage to punish them.

Han Xinglan's complexion wasn't good either, but in front of the edict‑bearer the two could show no discontent and had to thank joyfully.

After the others left, Rong Luoge looked at Han Xinglan and said, "It must be Consort Ming's idea; this person can't stand seeing me do well."

Han Xinglan looked at Rong Luoge, "No need to worry; once a person enters Dong Gong, Dong Gong decides. Even if Consort Ming's hand is long, she won't dare reach over."

Rong Luoge chuckled, "Indeed, we can't let Consort Ming have too much leisure, otherwise she'll just cause trouble for others."

Liu Yingying is such a good card; she can't be used once and then set aside.

Since the Empress now doesn't intend to push Liu Yingying forward, let her take over!

Rong Luoge originally hadn't planned to do this, but since Consort Ming forced her, she can't blame her.

Rong Luoge guessed correctly; indeed Consort Ming spoke before the Emperor, saying Prince Qi was to take a wife, the household still had a concubine, the Crown Prince's entourage was too small, and His Majesty should also grant the Crown Prince some beauties to continue the lineage.

If the Empress were to speak before His Majesty now, there might still be room to maneuver; at least it wouldn't bring so many at once.

But clearly the Empress doesn't want to, because Rong Luoge has fallen out with the Emperor, to go along and also gain the Emperor's praise.

Rong Luoge knows the Empress has always been cold to her, but didn't expect there's not even a sliver of plastic affection.

After great anger, Rong Luoge quickly calmed down.

Han Xinglan pulled Rong Luoge into their arms, holding her hand and saying, "No need to worry, I only have spare strength for you."

Rong Luoge: …

Seeing her expression, Han Xinglan smiled pleasantly.

"I'm not worried; isn't the one we should worry about the Crown Prince?" Rong Luoge retorted.

Han Xinglan smiled, "Indeed, I must worry properly—what if the new beauties steal your heart?"

Hm?

Rong Luoge was instantly speechless; what a backfire!

That's it.

Han Xinglan didn't go to the front hall tonight, letting her fully feel what passion like fire is.

Good Lady is also a consort of rank in Dong Gong, theoretically should enter Dong Gong with glory, but Consort Ming was too eager, forcing Song Huihe and others to arrive together.

The palace affairs of Dong Gong are now in Rong Luoge's hands; arranging residences for so many is a task, and just as she worries, Han Xinglan makes a sweeping move and arranges it.

Song Huihe held the highest rank and, as a Good Lady equal to Rong Luoge, was assigned to Yao Guang Palace; the Flower Dance Pavilion went to Zhou Liangyuan, the Step Autumn Courtyard to Xu Chenghui, the Moon Reflection Pavilion to Luo Zhaoxun, and the Mist and Rosy Pavilion to Qin Fengyi.

Interestingly, all of these are on the east side of Dong Gong's central axis, while on the west side Rong Luoge still lives alone in Chang Xin Palace, a solitary blossom.

Rong Luoge smiled at this arrangement, but she didn't know what expression the person Consort Ming had been yearning to place here would make upon seeing this result.