Chapter 16: Volume One, Chapter 16  Waiting to See a Good Show

Volume One, Chapter 16  Waiting to See a Good Show

Su Mingshan was slightly startled, then looked at Rong Luoge with a solemn expression, thought for a moment and said, "Each household has its own rules, each country its own regulations; Miss Rong Dai's status is in doubt. I'm merely asking a few customary questions. Why must Princess Consort Qi be so overbearing? Could it be that she's insecure?"

Rong Luoge looked at Su Mingshan, thinking that this person was indeed much smarter than Ming Yuhua, speaking and acting with appropriate poise, seizing the crux and not letting go.

"Since you, Miss Su, are so curious about other families' affairs, it would be a shame not to become a broker." Rong Luoge is not one to indulge people; she can't just smile and welcome them when they knock on her door.

"Broker" isn't a flattering term; it's a trade only the lowest ninth‑rank folk would take, people who do business with just their lips. The sarcasm is harsh enough.

Ming Yuhua couldn't hold back a laugh, looked at Su Mingshan and said, "Miss Su is accustomed to sarcastically mocking others; I didn't expect her to stumble today as well. Ah, it's truly entertaining."

Everyone: …

Rong Luoge's mouth twitched; indeed, this is something Ming Yuhua would say, and only she would so brazenly embarrass Su Mingshan, since the Empress and Consort Ming are rivals, and the Su and Ming families have long been at odds.

Moreover, Rong Luoge is now Princess Consort Qi, and Ming Yuhua is the Prince's cousin; they're in the same boat, so Ming Yuhua speaking up for Rong Luoge isn't at all out of place.

Yun Shizhuang slightly frowned, then stepped forward with a warm smile and said, "It's only a joke; Princess Consort Qi need not take it seriously. As for Miss Rong Dai's status, since it's a matter of the Protector Duke's household, the Protector Duke has always valued propriety and rites, so I expect it will be handled properly."

Rong Luoge felt that only now had she truly encountered normal people of this era; these two were indeed well‑bred ladies educated in illustrious families, smiles hiding knives, each blade dripping blood.

Rong Luoge looked at Yun Shizhuang and gave a hypocritical smile, "Miss Yun says it, after all your esteemed household has plenty of experience with such matters."

Minister Yun has no other faults except a lecherous, flower‑loving nature; his household is full of illegitimate children, and it's said he also has offspring from concubines outside.

Yun Shizhuang wielded propriety and etiquette to suppress Rong Luoge, but Rong Luoge countered with an ultimate move.

Yun Shizhuang's smile wavered, and she gave Princess Consort Qi a deep look.

Who said Princess Consort Qi is a fool? That really does a lot of harm.

So many people couldn't get anything good out of Rong Luoge's hands; everyone now has a new perception of Princess Consort Qi—rumors that mislead!

Rong Dai vaguely sensed that things were off, but she wasn't foolish; having been short‑changed by Rong Luoge many times, she was especially cautious now, and when she saw Ming Yuhua again, she felt her luck had turned.

"Miss Ming, long time no see." Rong Dai knew Ming Yuhua liked Prince Qi, and she herself had not shied away from working on that connection; the relationship was still viable, and now she could use it to turn the tables.

Ming Yuhua, seeing Rong Dai's face, recalled something Rong Luoge had once said, and she wanted to tear her apart. Seeing her still dare come before her, if it weren't for today's setting being unsuitable for a fight, she would have slapped her. But now she didn't intend to let the other have it easy; she frowned and said, "Who are you? Stop trying to make connections; I don't know you."

Rong Dai: …

Rong Luoge almost couldn't suppress a laugh at those words; she had to admit that Ming Yuhua's temperament was oddly endearing.

Ming Yuhua, still bitter, looked at Rong Luoge and said, "You're just too soft‑hearted; stop carrying all the dirty, stinky things with you."

Rong Luoge: …

She felt that Rong Dai at this moment must be desperate to clash with Ming Yuhua, so she nodded solemnly; although she was speaking to Ming Yuhua, it was tantamount to explaining to everyone, "It was only a command from the Prince."

Ming Yuhua's face darkened further, recalling that Rong Luoge had previously said Rong Dai's relationship with her cousin was far from shallow, and seeing that today's setting allowed Rong Luoge to bring people in, she concluded she was indeed being heavily favored.

The others, hearing this, began to speculate even more: "Was it the Prince's order?"

Why would the Prince do this, and what relation does Rong Dai have with the Prince?

Rong Luoge wanted exactly this effect—to lead everyone to doubt Rong Dai's connection with Han Yifeng, laying groundwork for her eventual divorce.

The original host had been short‑changed by this pair of scoundrel man and despicable woman; she would gradually help her reclaim what was lost, and this was only the beginning.

Rong Dai didn't expect Ming Yuhua to be so overbearing, nor did she expect Rong Luoge to be truly ruthless; now, faced with the crowd's mocking and doubtful gazes, even her thickest skin was starting to crack.

Ming Yuhua didn't even look at Rong Dai, grabbed Rong Luoge and led her to a corner, asking, "What do you mean, bringing her here for what, to disgust people?"

"Your cousin insists on bringing her into the palace; what can I do about that?" Rong Luoge sneered, "He's constantly yearning to legitimize his little lover, yet he won't make any effort to let her show her face in public."

She intends to stir up Miss Ming's anger; Ming Yuhua has a foothold in the palace, and if she wishes, she can certainly uncover something.

But she can't; the original host had only just returned to the capital, lacking any foundation or connections, her eyes clouded with darkness in the palace, making her a passive defender; however, with Ming Yuhua involved, that may change.

"That scoundrel must have been coaxed by her cousin to do this; can you just watch her be so overbearing?" Ming Yuhua felt heart‑wrenchingly bitter; her cousin had never done anything like this for her.

"I'm just a powerless, bald Princess Consort; what can I do after entering the inner palace?" Rong Luoge sighed lightly, seeing Ming Yuhua's imminent fury, lowered her voice and said, "However, before entering the palace, I vaguely heard that Rong Dai seems to have some scheme today, hoping to make a splash before His Majesty."

Ming Yuhua was startled, "Really?"

"I can't be certain, but if she had no purpose, why would Rong Dai risk entering the palace?" Rong Luoge said.

Ming Yuhua thought it made sense; Rong Dai was cunning and must have a motive, "You're truly useless; you can't even figure this out."

"Of course I can't compare with Miss Ming; so I'm counting on you." Rong Luoge cooed lightly with a smile, "Ming Yuhua's temperament really can't be provoked; if no one watches, disaster will eventually happen."

Considering she's helped her, she'll reluctantly keep an eye on things.

Ming Yuhua gritted her teeth, "I'll be right back; don't wander around the palace where you know no one." She added, "The Empress and my aunt are at odds; be careful on Fengyi Palace's grounds."

"I understand, thank you." Rong Luoge said with a smile.

Ming Yuhua gave an awkward hum, pinched a handkerchief and turned to leave.

Rong Luoge waited until she left, then returned to her seat, thinking, "Now it's time for the show to begin."