Chapter 123: Volume One, Chapter 123 – Supporting You

Volume One, Chapter 123 Supporting You

In just a few short days, Prince Qi took a wife, Xiao Shen arranged a marriage, and with newcomers entering the Dong Gong, everything became dazzling; for a while, few people paid attention to His Majesty's health inside the palace.

Putting aside others, it was heard that on Prince Qi's wedding day, Yun Shizhuang and Rong Dai fought a fierce battle, causing pandemonium throughout the Prince Qi Mansion; some even said that when Prince Qi appeared the next day, a few people saw slight scratches on the side of his cheek.

Rong Luoge didn't know whether it was true, but she thought that given Rong Dai's temperament, she certainly wouldn't let Yun Shizhuang dominate her; the wedding night would inevitably be sabotaged.

But Rong Dai also didn't consider that Yun Shizhuang wasn't as easygoing as Rong Luoge; how could she allow a secondary consort to run wild over her?

Rong Luoge was right, only the actual situation was a few degrees more intense than she imagined.

On one side was true love, on the other a principal consort from an arranged marriage that had to be appeased; Han Yifeng, caught in the middle, was at a loss, and with his patient nature he eventually slammed the table and left, showing how fierce the uproar was.

Neither Rong Dai nor Yun Shizhuang came out well.

Many people also entered the Dong Gong; Rong Luoge only handled the Dong Gong's miscellaneous affairs and, not being the legitimate Crown Princess, of course she wouldn't meddle in others' matters.

However, although Rong Luoge wouldn't do much, she did assert a certain seniority, yet some people thought that because of her separated status, she lacked confidence before others.

Song Huihe thought so.

On her first day entering the Dong Gong, she sent those around her to gather information, but in the end did nothing; as a newcomer, she was clueless about Dong Gong affairs and, of course, could not act rashly.

But over the past few days, she observed some things.

For example, the five of them entered the Dong Gong, yet the Crown Prince still stayed overnight at Changxin Palace each day; this suggests the Crown Prince truly likes Rong Luoge, which made Song Huihe quite displeased.

So what does the Crown Prince like about Rong Luoge, a separated woman with a tarnished reputation?

Rumors about Rong Luoge abound; firstly, since she herself openly mentioned her separation before His Majesty, it shows her nature is not weak or easily bullied.

Secondly, after entering the Dong Gong, the Dong Gong's miscellaneous affairs were indeed in Rong Luoge's hands, yet she did not arrogantly proclaim authority over them because she wielded palace power; this shows she remains low‑key due to her separation.

Thirdly, after Song Huihe carefully compared herself with Rong Luoge, she felt her family background and reputation far surpass Rong Luoge's. Now the Crown Prince cherishes old feelings and treats Rong Luoge with deep affection; could the Crown Prince still refrain from approaching the others for Rong Luoge's sake?

Of course that's impossible.

Song Huihe remained composed, believing she still held a great advantage.

The palace staff in the Dong Gong also watched from the shadows, uncertain whether the once‑favored Rong Good Lady would face danger of losing favor after the newcomers arrived, but as the Crown Prince continued to reside in Changxin Palace for several days, a pattern gradually formed in everyone's mind.

Han Xinglan returned to the Dong Gong under the scorching sun; stepping into Changxin Palace, the cool air hit his face, instantly refreshing him. Not seeing Rong Luoge in the inner hall, he asked, "Where is the Good Lady?"

Que Cai quickly bowed and replied, "Your Highness, today Song Good Lady invited the master to Yaoguang Palace for tea."

Han Xinglan furrowed his brow and said, "Go fetch the Good Lady back."

"Yes, I will go at once," Que Cai said, hurrying out and turning toward Yaoguang Palace.

Changxin Palace lies adjacent to the Crown Prince's Jiqu Palace; passing the central axis of the Dong Gong, then heading north along the palace road, turning right at Long Alley, one finally reaches Yaoguang Palace.

Yaoguang Palace is not far from the Crown Princess's main hall, Yuzhang Palace, yet it is truly distant from Jiqu Palace; moreover, after walking from Changxin Palace, Que Cai's back was soaked with sweat upon arriving at Yaoguang Palace.

The day was indeed getting hotter.

Rong Luoge was not inside Yaoguang Palace; she wasn't a mud person who could be swayed by others' words.

Song Huihe invited her for tea, but she didn't go to Yaoguang Palace; instead she went straight to the garden's Waterside Pavilion. Song Huihe only invited her, and she immediately invited the others as well.

Song Huihe thought her slight scheming went unnoticed; both were Good Ladies, and although Song Huihe invited her for tea, to outsiders it still appeared that she voluntarily went to Yaoguang Palace. If this spread, people might think she had bowed to Song Huihe.

It must be said, Song Huihe's silent maneuver was even more cunning than Yun Shizhuang's or Rong Dai's.

Given that, Que Cai naturally found herself empty‑handed and turned back toward the garden.

Upon reaching the courtyard, she could see from afar palace staff bustling around the Waterside Pavilion, looking very lively.

Although Rong Luoge disliked scheming with others, it didn't mean she didn't understand the tactics among women.

For instance now, she sits on the main seat to receive guests, while Song Huihe, as a guest, can only sit on the guest seat; even if she feels unwilling, the two are of equal rank. Rong Luoge entered the Dong Gong earlier, has seniority, and also handles palace affairs.

Just looking at today's tea banquet, when Rong Luoge casually gave a command, the Dong Gong staff executed it immediately, showing great respect toward her; this alone made Song Huihe very wary.

Perhaps the situation is more severe than she imagined.

Before Que Cai arrived, Song Huihe was trying to steer the conversation toward the Crown Prince; they had been in the Dong Gong for nearly half a month, and couldn't keep stalling forever—they needed the Crown Prince to appear.

Even though Song Huihe was unwilling, she had to admit that now they could only convey through Rong Luoge.

The guards at Jiqu Palace were extremely tight; the people around them couldn't approach, let alone stage an accidental meeting with the Crown Prince.

Since the Crown Prince's outings required a clear path, these people would be escorted away by his guards before even seeing him.

This left them in a maddening limbo; Song Huihe never expected such a situation.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have proactively invited Rong Luoge for tea; yet Rong Luoge, not being kind, turned the tea banquet into the garden and invited everyone.

This made it hard for her to speak.

When Song Huihe again prepared to shift the topic, Que Cai entered at that moment, went into the Waterside Pavilion, and knelt before the seated master, saying, "Good Lady, the Crown Prince has arrived at Changxin Palace; allow me, your servant, to invite you back."

Rong Luoge was startled by the words, then felt a surge of joy; Han Xinglan was indeed thoughtful, deliberately having Que Cai invite her with fanfare—this was support for her.

She wouldn't lose anything, yet Rong Luoge was still delighted by Han Xinglan's actions.

She stood up, meeting Song Huihe and the others' complex expressions, and smiled slowly, saying, "Everyone, feel free; I shall depart first."

Song Huihe felt a surge of anger; though proper upbringing told her not to, the fury was unbearable, and she stood up, looking at Rong Luoge, and said, "We've been in the Dong Gong so long without having paid our respects to the Crown Prince. Choosing a day is worse than seizing the moment; what does Song Good Lady think?"