Chapter 15: Volume 1, Chapter 15: Questioning the Princess Consort Qi

Everyone present knew that Prince Qi did not like this Princess Consort Qi, and Consort Ming did not like this daughter-in-law either, mainly because although Rong Luoge was the legitimate daughter of the Zhen Guo Gong Fu, she had grown up on a country estate since childhood, and this alone drew endless contempt.

If the Zhen Guo Gong Fu had not had her as the only marriageable candidate, how could the marriage alliance with Prince Qi have fallen to her?

So although Rong Luoge was the Princess Consort Qi, no one took her seriously, especially since the original owner had a soft and timid nature, disliked arguing with others, and was all the more easily bullied and manipulated.

But now, that might not necessarily be the case.

Rong Luoge composedly found a seat and sat down; though she wore a smile on her face, that smile looked exceptionally not to be trifled with. He Wan had just been humiliated, and the others, still unclear about what had happened, were not foolish enough to throw themselves at her again.

Rong Dai felt a strangely exhilarating sense of satisfaction watching He Wan get rebuffed by Rong Luoge—see, see, she was not the only one who had come up short against Rong Luoge.

The room fell quiet all at once. After quite a while, seeing that Rong Luoge made no deliberately provocative moves, everyone was somewhat disappointed that they could not continue watching the spectacle, and only then began to chat in twos and threes.

Seated beside Rong Luoge was Ling Yuying, the Princess Consort of Prince Liang. Her father served as the Minister of the Ministry of Justice and held real power, and she herself had a steady temperament—intelligent and adept at reading the situation. Seeing He Wan get the worse of it, she looked at Rong Luoge with a smile and said, "Third Sister-in-law arrived a little late; perhaps you don't yet know—Fourth Sister-in-law is unhappy today because Fourth Brother is taking a secondary consort."

Ling Yuying's voice was not loud, just enough for Rong Luoge to hear clearly. She glanced at the Princess Consort of Prince Liang with some surprise, not expecting her to initiate conversation.

Rong Luoge's mind stirred slightly, and she looked at Ling Yuying and said, "So that's how it is. Thank you, Fifth Sister-in-law, for telling me. May I ask which family's daughter Fourth Brother intends to take?"

If the woman's status were low, He Wan certainly would not have been so unable to contain herself.

"The daughter of the Vice Minister of Rites."

Rong Luoge sifted through the original owner's memories: the Vice Minister of Rites, Ruan Weiguang. Though among the Six Ministries the Ministry of Rites was not exactly a coveted post, because it presided over various ceremonial gifts for both the court and the Hou Gong year-round, it still held a measure of prestige before His Majesty.

Rong Luoge put on a look of sudden realization and said to the Princess Consort of Prince Liang, "I have heard that the young lady of the Ruan family is accomplished in both talent and beauty. No wonder she caught the Prince of Shou's eye—even heroes cannot resist a beauty's charm."

Hearing these words, Ling Yuying looked at the Princess Consort Qi with some meaningful depth; after all, the previous her had never spoken so wittily and humorously—when she met people, she would often lower her head and seem disinclined to talk, and even when she did speak with others, she was somewhat timid, looking all too easy to bully.

But today's Princess Consort Qi truly surprised her. However, her maiden family was well-informed and knew certain things about the Zhen Guo Gong Fu, and seeing the woman who had followed the Princess Consort Qi into the palace, she understood somewhat in her heart, and for a moment felt that the Zhen Guo Gong Fu was truly despicable.

"Third Sister-in-law is right. I have met the young lady of the Ruan family once, and her appearance is indeed outstanding," Ling Yuying chuckled lightly. "However, she still falls short compared to Third Sister-in-law."

Rong Luoge paused in surprise at these words, then smiled and said nothing, merely changing the subject to ask, "How is it I do not see the two princesses?"

His Majesty had a total of five sons, but the Second Prince born to Consort Hui had died of illness before coming of age. In addition, there were two daughters: Princess Zhaoqing, Han Xiaoran, born to Consort Ming, and Princess Chang'an, Han Nanjin, born to Consort Xian.

Han Xiaoran need not be mentioned—she had always detested the original owner and never showed a pleasant face at every meeting. As for Princess Chang'an, the original owner had only met her once and had little interaction with her.

"His Majesty dotes on the two princesses and has taken them to the front hall," Ling Yuying said with a smile, but there was a particular nuance behind that smile.

Rong Luoge had a good sense of the situation now. From the corner of her eye she caught sight of Rong Dai, who had been very well-behaved all along, and wondered what her plan for today actually was—but seeing her still sitting there obediently, she suspected there would be no movement for the time being.

The others had not expected the Princess Consort of Prince Liang to chat so warmly with the Princess Consort Qi; they had never seen the two particularly close before, and for a moment glances flew every which way, while He Wan's expression grew even uglier.

He Wan and Ling Yuying had not gotten along well in their maiden days, and after marriage they continued to vie with each other. For Ling Yuying to befriend Rong Luoge today—was that not a slap to her face?

As more and more titled ladies entered the palace, young ladies from various families gradually increased as well, and the outer hall grew somewhat crowded.

Rong Luoge sat in her seat as steady as a mountain, firmly resolved that without a summons she would absolutely not leave this place, giving anyone the opportunity to harm her in secret.

Rong Dai kept up an obedient appearance staying at Rong Luoge's side, and seeing her sit there without moving, could not help feeling anxious in her heart. But the appointed time had not yet come, so she could still hold steady.

Soon several more young noblewomen entered; Rong Luoge found their faces quite unfamiliar, with only vague memories and no real familiarity.

However, listening to the greetings around her, she gathered the identities of the newcomers: Su Mingshan, daughter of the Chancellor Su Mubai and niece of the Empress; Yun Shizhuang, daughter of the Minister of Revenue Yun Jing; and the last one she recognized—Ming Yuhua.

Ming Yuhua looked rather displeased, but when she saw Rong Luoge, the corner of her mouth twitched.

Su Mingshan and Yun Shizhuang appeared to be on good terms, standing close together. When they paid their respects to Rong Luoge as the Princess Consort Qi, no one could find fault with their manners. By contrast, Ming Yuhua's demeanor was somewhat subtle.

But what was even more unexpected was that Su Mingshan glanced at Rong Dai, then said with a smile, "The Princess Consort Qi and your younger sister share such a close bond, to bring her along even when entering the palace to offer birthday congratulations. Speaking of which, it has been quite a long time since I last saw Miss Rong Dai."

Rong Luoge could not figure out what Su Mingshan meant. Su Mingshan was of the Empress's faction, while she herself was still Consort Ming's person—it looked as if Su Mingshan was somewhat trying to pick a fight.

Rong Dai's eyes lit up. She offered Su Mingshan an inscrutable smile and said softly, "It is rare that Eldest Miss Su still remembers me. It is my honor."

Su Mingshan's gaze swept past Rong Dai, but her eyes settled on Rong Luoge. She seemed casual, yet carried a sharp edge as she pressed, "I recall that Rong Dai has not been entered into the Zhen Guo Gong Fu's genealogy. May I ask on what status she entered the palace today, Princess Consort Qi?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the previously bustling outer hall fell silent all at once, and everyone's eyes converged on Rong Luoge.

But Rong Luoge seemed entirely oblivious, raising her eyes to look at Su Mingshan. "And on what status does Miss Su question me, a Princess Consort?"

By rank, Rong Luoge was a Princess Consort and Su Mingshan was merely a minister's daughter, but the matter could not be viewed that way—Su Mingshan was the Empress's own niece and the Chancellor's pampered daughter. With these layers of weight added, Rong Luoge, this disfavored Princess Consort, was instead at a disadvantage.

But now, hearing these words from the Princess Consort Qi, everyone was no longer certain whether the rumors of the Princess Consort Qi being disfavored were true or false.

Otherwise, how could she have such confidence?