Chapter 130: Volume 1, Chapter 130: No Chance to Cross Swords Even If You Wanted To

Rong Luoge fell silent for a moment upon hearing this, then spoke: "Mother Empress, I reside in the West Hall while the others all live in the East Hall, separated by a large garden. Moreover, I do not like going out, nor have I inquired about such matters, so I truly do not know."

The Empress frowned slightly. Song Huihe and the others all lived in the East Hall?

The Empress still had some understanding of her own son. Her thoughts shifted, and she recalled that these people had all been sent to the Dong Gong because Consort Ming had whispered pillow talk to His Majesty. There was no guarantee whether any of them were Consort Ming's people.

At this thought, the Empress felt some regret. She should not have summoned Rong Luoge just because she listened to Madam Song, but matters had already reached this point, and the Empress could not slap her own face.

Suppressing her inner irritation, the Empress looked at Rong Luoge. "I know you have always been one who knows your place and keeps to yourself. The Crown Prince's health is of utmost importance, and you must also devote yourself more to this. Go back first."

Rong Luoge had thought the Empress would ask her to persuade the Crown Prince to share his favors evenly, but this was it?

Just letting her go like this?

She was a bit incredulous.

However, not being scolded was a good thing for her, so she immediately rose. "Yes, I will certainly do my utmost to serve His Highness. If Mother Empress has no further instructions, I will take my leave first."

"Go ahead," the Empress said with a smile.

Rong Luoge rose, curtsied, and took her leave. Before departing, she did not even glance at Madam Song. Since the Empress had not said who this person was, she naturally could not overstep her bounds to ask.

However, she would probably find out soon enough.

After Rong Luoge left, the Empress looked at Madam Song and said, "You heard as well, Lady. Good Lady Rong does not meddle in the affairs of the Dong Gong. Moreover, the Crown Prince's health truly is not suited for excessive exertion. Good Lady Song must still be patient and wait a while longer."

The smile on Madam Song's face could barely hold any longer. She understood the meaning behind the Empress's words—that she did not intend to force His Highness the Crown Prince to favor her daughter.

Madam Song's skin was not quite that thick. She gave a forced smile and said, "Your Highness speaks rightly. Naturally, His Highness the Crown Prince's health is of utmost importance. Today I was merely anxious for a moment, fearing that petty people might sow discord. Since it was a misunderstanding, I beg Your Highness to forgive my presumptuous actions."

"Madam Song, you are too harsh on yourself. Worrying about your daughter is a mother's natural instinct," the Empress said in a gentle, soft voice. "The child is young and does not know how to do certain things. As parents, we still need to guide her more."

Madam Song: ……

She forced a smile and agreed. Only after leaving Fengyi Palace did the smile on her face fade away.

Today was also her first time meeting Rong Luoge. She had to admit that the woman did indeed have fine features. His Highness the Crown Prince was also a man, and a man would like a beauty.

Otherwise, the Empress had an outstanding family background and an elegant bearing, so why did His Majesty still favor Consort Ming the most?

Of course, it was because Consort Ming was more beautiful and her temperament better suited His Majesty's preferences.

This Rong Luoge was not only beautiful, but she also handled herself appropriately before the Empress, and her words carried reverence and submission toward the Empress. Moreover, Good Lady Rong had even saved His Highness the Crown Prince, so the Empress naturally would not be too averse to her.

Madam Song felt she had miscalculated and should not have rashly come to seek an audience with the Empress.

The key to resolving her daughter's predicament still lay with His Highness the Crown Prince, but Madam Song could not extend her reach into the Dong Gong. For now, she had no good plan and could only think of whether there were other methods.

After Rong Luoge returned, she changed clothes and left the Dong Gong. This time, she went directly to the old residence and sent someone to deliver a message to Rong Ling Shan.

Rong Ling Shan had been idle at home as well. Upon receiving her eldest sister's message, she immediately followed the person over. Seeing her eldest sister, she ran over happily. "Eldest Sister, how do you have time to look for me?"

"There is something I need to ask you." Rong Luoge had Rong Ling Shan sit down. "How are things at the residence lately?"

Rong Ling Shan curled her lips. "Rong Dai became Prince Qi's side consort, but on the day of Yun Shizhuang's wedding, the two of them got into a fight and ruined Princess Consort Qi's wedding chamber. The Yun family cannot do anything to Rong Dai, but Chancellor Yun has been targeting Father lately. Now Father loses his temper as soon as he gets home, so I avoid him. Eldest Brother is also at the Imperial Dragon Guard and rarely comes home."

Rong Luoge: ……

"Is there any news of Di Yue Nu?"

"No, but Rong Lang is keeping his composure and still living in the residence. I figure you were right, Eldest Sister. Rong Lang and Rong Dai definitely know what Di Yue Nu went off to do."

"Since there is no news for now, just keep a close watch on them. Do not act rashly and alert them." Rong Luoge instructed.

"I understand. Don't worry, Eldest Sister." Rong Ling Shan agreed with a smile. "Did you look for me just to ask about this?"

"Besides this matter, there is something else." Rong Luoge looked at Rong Ling Shan and asked, "Have you had any dealings with Song Huihe?"

"Song Huihe?" Rong Ling Shan then recalled—wasn't this the one who had entered the Dong Gong as a Good Lady?

She shook her head and hurriedly said, "Eldest Sister, did Song Huihe cause trouble for you?"

"Not at all. I am simply not familiar with her, so I wanted to ask you about her," Rong Luoge said.

Rong Ling Shan then breathed a sigh of relief. She thought for a moment and said, "I have met Song Huihe a few times as well. Sometimes we inevitably run into each other at banquets. But Eldest Sister, you know I am a bit younger, so I have not encountered her many times. However, I did hear people say before that this second young lady of the Ningyuan Marquis's residence is steady and thorough in her conduct, and is quite well-liked by the elders in the marquis's household. Her reputation outside is also quite good."

Rong Luoge thought to herself that this was probably true. Song Huihe complained to her family about her grievances, and Madam Song went straight into the palace to ask the Empress to uphold justice. It was clear that her family did indeed dote on her.

Generally speaking, in a family with many children, the second-born tends to receive less attention. After all, there is the parents' first child above, and younger siblings below. The one caught in the middle is easily overlooked.

But Song Huihe was able to be quite favored at home, which meant she was not only clever but also had some means, able to compete for her parents' affection among her siblings.

"Alright, I understand." Rong Luoge nodded. "Help me look into Song Huihe's affairs. The more the better, but do not alert anyone. Do it quietly."

"No problem." Rong Ling Shan agreed with a smile. This was not a difficult task for her.

Rong Luoge smiled and looked at Rong Ling Shan. "You seem to have grown a bit taller, and thinner too. How are things at the residence?"

"Really taller?" Rong Ling Shan was quite happy. "Things at home are just so-so. Father has been losing his temper lately because of Chancellor Yun's targeting. But I heard Rong Dai is not having an easy time at the Qi Wang Fu either."

"Is that so?" Rong Luoge was now interested. She had entered the Dong Gong and Rong Dai had gone to the Qi Wang Fu. Between the two of them stood the Emperor's two sons. Even if they wanted to cross swords, there was no opportunity.

She very much wanted to know—Rong Dai had gotten her wish and entered the Qi Wang Fu, but the position of Princess Consort Qi had gone to Yun Shizhuang. What must she be feeling right now?