Chapter 143: Volume 1, Chapter 143 She Too Grew to Hate It

Grandma Zhao had her own set of procedures: she had people bring the original personnel register of the Misty Cloud Pavilion, and then gathered the current members of the Misty Cloud Pavilion to check them one by one.

Qin Fengyi watched Grandma Zhao's stern expression, a line of palace maids behind her, each with a solemn face; the sight made her heart pound, she didn't dare utter even a single "no", and obediently let Grandma Zhao verify the list.

Even the maid she had brought as a dowry was handed over for questioning, asked about where her family lived, how many members, who they were; even the families her sisters married into were queried, and if she had brothers they were asked about the sisters‑in‑law or younger sisters who had entered the household.

This stance made Qin Fengyi turn pale; thinking carefully, she realized that since entering the Dong Gong she hadn't caused any trouble or broken any rules, and she slightly relaxed.

After more than an hour passed while Grandma Zhao completed the inspection, she watched her lead the group toward the front, to the Moonlight Pavilion where Luo Zhaoxun was, and only then let out a sudden sigh; as she relaxed, she felt her legs grow weak and almost fell.

Sang Yun, who was by Qin Fengyi's side, hurried forward a step and steadied the young lady, whispering, "Fengyi, go inside and rest for a while; it should be fine for now."

Qin Fengyi, her face pale, nodded, and, leaning on Sang Yun, entered the room, asking with trembling fear, "What is this for? How could such a thing happen out of the blue?"

If she had any favor, she would have some face before the Crown Prince Hall, so why be so afraid of a managing grandma?

Sang Yun, just a little maid, couldn't possibly know these matters, yet with worry on her face she whispered, "I don't know either, and Grandma Zhao said it was by order of Good Lady Rong Good Lady; Rong Good Lady hadn't acted before, so why suddenly take charge now?"

Qin Fengyi couldn't figure it out either; the more she thought, the more uneasy she felt, and she said to Sang Yun, "Sneak out and take a look; see if the situation over at Moonlight Pavilion matches ours."

Although a bit frightened, Sang Yun nodded and agreed, "I'll go right away."

Qin Fengyi watched Sang Yun leave, then let out a small sigh; sitting there she still couldn't figure out what was going on, her heart all over the place.

Sang Yun slipped to Moonlight Pavilion, intending to peek outside its gate, but found two stout grandmas standing at the entrance, their eyes cautiously scanning the surroundings; she dared not approach, circled around and had to return.

She returned and reported the situation to Qin Fengyi; the master and servant stared at each other for a while in silence.

After a while, Qin Fengyi said, "Close the door; we won't inquire about what's outside. As long as they're not people of Rong Good Lady, we won't open the door for anyone who knocks."

Sang Yun nodded and hurried to close the door.

The situations at Misty Cloud Pavilion and Moonlight Pavilion spread quickly; Xu Chenghui of Autumn Steps Courtyard and Zhou Liangyuan of Flower Dance Pavilion didn't know what had happened. When they found they couldn't inquire at Moonlight Pavilion, they turned their attention to Misty Cloud Pavilion.

Both sides sent people to Misty Cloud Pavilion to investigate, but the main gate was tightly shut and wouldn't open.

This stance left people uneasy, not knowing what had occurred.

Zhou Liangyuan and Xu Chenghui met quickly, thinking of going to see Song Good Lady to find out what she knew about the situation.

Song Huihe evidently also knew the matter; looking at the visitors Xu Chenghui and Zhou Liangyuan, she said, "Rong Good Lady is just a Good Lady; she couldn't commit such a transgressive act. It seems we need to ask her directly. Come with me; our numbers will boost morale."

Upon hearing they would confront Rong Good Lady, Xu Chenghui balked; she realized that now the Crown Prince was favoring Rong Good Lady, so why clash with Rong Luoge at this moment and bring trouble upon herself.

Her mother was right; flowers don't stay red forever, can Rong Good Lady keep the favor forever?

As long as they endure this year and a half, when the Crown Prince's interest in Rong Good Lady wanes, it will naturally be their turn to rise.

She doesn't need to bear a grudge against Rong Luoge, nor do anything else; just wait for the man's interest to fade.

Thus, thinking this, Xu Chenghui said hesitantly, "From what I see, nothing major seems to be happening at Misty Cloud Pavilion; maybe they just have something to ask. There's no need to quarrel with Rong Good Lady, right?"

Song Huihe's expression darkened at the words, and she looked at Xu Chenghui, saying, "Since you say that, why did you come to me? To shirk?"

The remark was harsh; Xu Chenghui's face flushed, but she forced a smile and said to Song Huihe, "Since Song Good Lady said so, this concubine dares not anger you; I will take my leave now."

"Hold still!" Song Huihe stared at Xu Chenghui, "Xu Chenghui, what do you mean?"

Upon hearing that, Xu Chenghui's impression of Song Good Lady dropped sharply; although Song Good Lady's rank was higher than theirs, they were all unloved, so what difference did it make?

Now using the Good Lady's stature to press down on herself, it's as if she can't defeat Rong Good Lady who is cutting herself.

"I have no ulterior motive; I simply believe that as long as one acts justly, there's nothing to fear. I have thought about it—since I entered the Dong Gong I've always followed the rules, never transgressed. So if Rong Good Lady wants to investigate, let her investigate; my conscience is clear," Xu Chenghui said. Though her words showed some weakness, her attitude was firm; she would not follow Song Huihe to seek Rong Luoge's bad luck.

Song Huihe let out a cold laugh at Xu Chenghui's anger, looked at her and said, "Since you intend to align with Rong Good Lady, why come to me? In that case, you may return."

Xu Chenghui's expression changed slightly, "Song Good Lady, I never said I was aligning with anyone; I merely expressed my thoughts."

Seeing the two about to clash, Zhou Liangyuan hurried out to mediate, "We still don't know exactly what's happening; we should first investigate the matter properly. We can't just keep waiting like this; it's really unsettling."

She wouldn't take a stance to go find Rong Good Lady, yet wouldn't fall out with Song Good Lady either; she could only muddle both sides.

Xu Chenghui lowered her head slightly, and hearing Zhou Liangyuan's words, she sneered inwardly, "I never saw it coming; now I'm actually stepping on myself to flatter Song Good Lady."

If that's the case, then there's nothing more to say.

Xu Chenghui, no longer polite, rose and took her leave.

Although Song Huihe was a Good Lady, she had been in the Dong Gong so long without ever meeting the Crown Prince, lacking confidence; she couldn't deal with Xu Chenghui properly, and this resentment lingered, neither coming nor going.

When Xu Chenghui left, Zhou Liangyuan also grew restless and quickly found an excuse to leave as well.

Stepping outside, she felt regretful; had she known it would turn out like this, she shouldn't have come with Xu Chenghui. Now it's too late; she fears Song Good Lady may also have grown to hate her.