Chapter 13: Volume 1 Chapter 13 Can't Get Past This Point?

The first place we reach is Consort Ming's Guanju Palace; just by the name of the palace, Rong Luoge guesses that His Majesty must have truly liked Consort Ming back then, otherwise she wouldn't be the head of the Four Consorts as Consort Ming.

In this era, there is no title of Noble Consort; beneath the Empress are the four consorts of virtue and kindness—Consort Ming at the top, and Consort Hui at the bottom.

Guanju Palace covers a sizable area; the main hall is spacious and grand, its multicolored glazed tiles glittering with brilliant light, with carved beams, painted columns, soaring eaves and interlocking brackets, and palace staff come and go endlessly.

"Servant Bai Zhuo, may I have an audience with Your Highness,"

"Rise, Mother Consort, are you well?"

Rong Luoge watches Bai Zhuo step out; she is a lady‑official before Consort Ming, deeply trusted, and even Han Yifeng treats her with some leniency.

However, Bai Zhuo is not very friendly to the original owner; even after the marriage was arranged, when she entered the palace to meet Consort Ming, she gave the original owner plenty of embarrassment.

Just like now, she is Princess Consort Qi, yet this person only pays respects to Han Yifeng, clearly not taking her, Princess Consort Qi, seriously.

Looking down on others with a dog's eye, that's probably it.

"Consort, everything is fine, I'm just often thinking of the Prince; Prince, please go in quickly, Consort has been waiting since early morning." At this point, Bai Zhuo seemed only then to notice Rong Luoge, and the kindly, respectful smile on her face changed, taking on a slightly ambiguous tone as she said, "Consort wishes to speak with the Prince for a while; Princess Consort, please go to the side hall and wait."

Han Yifeng slightly frowned, recalling Rong Luoge's current petulance, fearing she might lose restraint and cause a scene; just as he was about to speak, he heard Rong Luoge say, "Consort's affairs are busy, so naturally I should not disturb her."

Bai Zhuo frowned slightly at those words; the tone was somewhat unpleasant, yet she could find no fault. She glanced at Princess Consort Qi, seemed no different from before, and no longer bothered her, leading Han Yifeng into the main hall.

As they left, Rong Dai looked at Rong Luoge and sneered, "It seems Consort Ming truly does not favor you, sister."

Rong Luoge walked calmly toward the side hall; whatever she intended, she could not be caught with any leverage in the open, so she naturally adhered to all protocols.

"At least they can still not favor me, yet you don't even have the right not to favor me; what's there to be proud of?" Rong Luoge sneered.

Rong Dai's face darkened with anger, recalling how Bai Zhuo had never even glanced at her before, and felt deeply suppressed.

Fine, the dog‑eyed servant who looks down on others; once she sits in the position of Princess Consort Qi, I'll see where those dog eyes look.

Rong Luoge went to the side hall; none of the palace staff in Guanju Palace came to serve tea, as if they had not seen her, Princess Consort Qi.

Such an attitude fundamentally reflects Consort Ming's stance; Rong Luoge felt not a hint of discomfort, but rather thought it was even better.

It will be even more exhilarating to tear it apart in the future.

Rong Dai's feelings differed from Rong Luoge's; she was excited that Consort Ming ignored Rong Luoge, yet also irritated that she herself was overlooked. In any case, Consort Ming could not be completely unaware of the matters concerning Prince Qi.

What does this mean?

Leaving me hanging like this, making me embarrassed?

Rong Dai sat silently with a composed face, and watching Rong Luoge's indifferent demeanor gave her a very complicated feeling.

Does Rong Luoge truly no longer like Prince Qi?

How could that be? How can someone just decide they don't like someone?

She clearly remembered that when Rong Luoge first saw Prince Qi, stars seemed to fall into her eyes; those dazzling pupils were blinding, so to humiliate her, she had plotted the events of the wedding night.

Who would have known… from the wedding night onward, everything seemed to change all at once.

"Sister, you really don't care?" Rong Dai, usually very patient, felt a restless agitation now, causing her to lose some composure.

Rong Luoge was too lazy to respond to Rong Dai, but recalling Rong Dai's earlier behavior, she deliberately set a trap, sighing, "What's the point of caring or not? No matter what I do, I won't be liked by anyone."

Rong Dai, upon hearing that, inexplicably felt a bit relieved, and couldn't help but say, "I've said it before: if you, sister, obediently listen, and the two of us join forces, your life will naturally be more comfortable than it is now."

Rong Luoge sneered; even now she hadn't given up brainwashing herself—this Rong Dai was truly persistent.

"Is that so?" Rong Luoge replied ambiguously, "I wouldn't dare trust a single word of yours. It was you who told me Prince Qi liked me, leading me to agree to this marriage. And the result? Rong Dai, one betrayal from you isn't enough; believing you would be foolish."

Rong Dai, hearing this, pressed her lips together and said, "Sister, whether I speak or not, it won't change the fact that Father and Madam want you to marry. What I say to you is only hoping you can be happy."

"The surprise on the wedding night was indeed quite joyous."

Rong Dai: …

Is this point impossible to get past?

"Sister, I know that day hurt you, but I didn't mean it. I was just… just jealous that you could marry the Prince openly, while I could only hide in the shadows and watch. I unintentionally did something wrong, I've already apologized to you; what more do you want, sister?"

To be so shameless, Rong Luoge also had her eyes opened.

"It's fine; when your future wedding night comes, I'll give you the same gift and say I'm sorry. Don't be angry, after all I've already apologized to you, haven't I?"

Rong Dai: …

Playing a lute to a cow!

Seeing Rong Dai so angry she could almost ascend to heaven on the spot, Rong Luoge felt satisfied.

Rong Dai shut her mouth, and the hall instantly fell silent; the two sat on opposite sides, and the atmosphere instantly became tense.

Rong Luoge, unbothered, quietly calculated the time; in half an hour she would go to the Empress Hall to pay respects, then wait for the birthday hour to wish His Majesty longevity.

Even the cold bench can't be sat on for long; Rong Luoge felt even more settled in her heart.

She was so composed; Rong Dai grew even more aggrieved, hating to the point of grinding her teeth.

After the time it takes to finish a cup of tea, Bai Zhuo entered with attendants, a forced smile on her face, and said, "Consort requests the Princess Consort and Miss Rong to come over and talk."

Rong Luoge stood up, glanced at Bai Zhuo, and then slowly said, "Much obliged."

Bai Zhuo curled the corner of her mouth in a smile, her demeanor tinged with a hint of arrogance, "I am merely following orders; Princess Consort, please proceed."

Rong Dai: …

Is she an invisible person?

But now she dared not lose her temper and followed behind Rong Luoge into the main hall, which was naturally far more luxurious than the side hall; Consort Ming sat at the head, dressed in splendid robes of woven gold and inlaid silver, with three phoenix hairpins of winged design inserted in her hair as if about to take flight, further emphasizing her nobility.

"Luoge pays respects, Consort." Rong Luoge stepped forward to salute, not calling herself a daughter‑in‑law to get close; after all, they would eventually divorce, so it's better to keep the boundaries clear.

"I, your servant, pay respects, Consort," Rong Dai followed closely, stepping forward to salute.