Chapter 164: Volume 1, Chapter 164  Malicious to the Extreme, Consort Rong

Qin Zhaohua was evidently a bit doubtful, but she had always thought she was overthinking; now hearing Xu Shuyuan say the same, she realized she wasn't overthinking. She fell silent for a moment, then said, "Why does the Consort show us favor?"

Xu Shuyuan said, "Did you forget what happened last time in the Dong Gong?"

Remembering the previous incident, Qin Zhaohua was still a little shaken, but she understood at once, so she didn't stand with Zhen Shen, which brought her this good fortune?

Qin Zhaohua looked at Xu Shuyuan hesitantly, "Sister Shuyuan, you mean we should stand on the Consort's boat from now on?"

Xu Shuyuan thought that Consort Rong might not require them to be of one mind; as long as they don't share a boat with Zhen Shen, that's enough.

She looked at Qin Zhaohua and said, "Zhen Shen's father previously leapt and scrambled in the court for the Crown Prince's consort position, angering His Majesty. This time the rewards didn't even reach the four consorts. Under such circumstances, you and I must be doubly cautious."

Qin Zhaohua understood Xu Shuyuan's meaning: whether or not they board Consort Rong's boat, they must not board Zhen Shen's boat.

She felt grateful for Xu Shuyuan's warning, grew a bit closer to her, and couldn't help to complain, "His Majesty's reward decree reached the Dong Gong; Luo Ronghua saw my eyes not as eyes, my nose not as a nose, and I was still fuming."

"Her anger is understandable; after all, in the Dong Gong she was a head taller than you, and now in the Hou Gong she's a head shorter, so she naturally feels uneasy," Xu Shuyuan said softly.

"That's not my problem; it's unreasonable for her to lose her temper at me," Qin Zhaohua thought, feeling aggrieved, "Since I entered the Dong Gong, I've always gotten along with her, except for that one time the Consort had the roster checked and I shut the doors and turned away guests; other than that I haven't offended her."

Xu Shuyuan chuckled lightly, "What does that have to do with what you did? Now our stance differs from hers, and we won't be harmonious in the future."

Qin Zhaohua's complexion turned slightly pale; after a while she said, "I always feel uneasy inside. Sister Shuyuan, you said entering the Hou Gong—I actually think it's not as comfortable as being in the Dong Gong."

"When we first entered the Dong Gong, weren't we the same? Later we got used to it, and the same will happen in the Hou Gong; we'll eventually get used to it," Xu Shuyuan said softly.

Qin Zhaohua thought that as long as she behaved, there should be no problem; with that thought she relaxed a bit, looked at Xu Shuyuan and said, "Sister Shuyuan, you said once His Majesty's mourning period ends, there will be a selection, right? Then when newcomers enter the palace, we who haven't received favor yet— what will we do later?"

Xu Shuyuan couldn't answer the question either; after a moment of silence she said, "His Majesty has just ascended the throne, and now is close with Consort Rong; it's not certain that a selection will start right after the mourning period."

Qin Zhaohua opened her mouth, but swallowed the words that were at her lips.

Even if there's no selection, will people like them, who have endured from the Dong Gong to the Hou Gong, still have a chance to receive favor?

Xu Shuyuan looked at Qin Zhaohua's expression and could guess some of her thoughts, but she herself didn't know the answer. The two sat in silence for a while, then Xu Shuyuan said, "Since we've entered the palace, we must go pay respects to the Consort. Will you go with me?"

"I'll go." Qin Zhaohua, of course, replied, then hesitated and asked, "Should we inform Zhen Shen and Luo Ronghua?"

"What do you think?" Xu Shuyuan retorted.

"Probably not." Qin Zhaohua sighed, saying that since they must side with the Consort, they should keep distance from Zhen Shen; it's already hard to endure, how will the days ahead be?

The two set a time; Xu Shuyuan returned to Guan Ju Gong, changed into a plain formal attire, waited for Qin Zhaohua, and then the two went together to Yuzhao Gong.

Rong Luoge was somewhat surprised to hear the two arrived together; after a moment she had them invited inside.

"Your servant pays respects to the Consort, may you be well," Xu Shuyuan and Qin Zhaohua stepped forward to salute.

Rong Luoge smiled and said, "No need for formalities, stand up. There are many matters when you first enter the palace; whatever you're busy with, first settle yourselves."

Xu Shuyuan, more articulate than Qin Zhaohua, smiled and said, "Sister Zhaohua and I are grateful for the Consort's kindness, so we came to thank you. Without your support, how could we have such prospects?"

Qin Zhaohua hurriedly nodded.

Rong Luoge looked at Xu Shuyuan, thinking that she probably invited Qin Zhaohua to come together; if she came alone the aim would be too conspicuous, but coming with Qin Zhaohua was less ostentatious.

Though she had a slight ulterior motive, it was not malicious; Rong Luoge smiled and said, "This is His Majesty's decree; later you can thank His Majesty."

Xu Shuyuan smiled and said, "If the Consort hadn't spoken for us before His Majesty, how would He know what kind of people Qin Zhaohua and I are? We will forever remember your recommendation."

While speaking, Rong Xin entered and reported, "Consort, Zhen Shen, Luo Ronghua, and Zhou Jieyu have arrived."

Hearing this, Qin Zhaohua instinctively looked at Xu Shuyuan, saw her still sitting calmly, her expression unchanged, and couldn't help admiring her; she herself gradually steadied.

Zhen Shen and the two others entered, their faces evidently displeased, especially Zhen Shen's gaze at Xu Shuyuan and Qin Zhaohua was rather sharp.

"Your servant pays respects to the Consort, may you be well," Zhen Shen said as she stepped forward, feeling nauseous inside but unable to show it on her face, lest Rong Luoge catch a flaw.

"Stand up." Rong Luoge, seeing the deep resentment in Song Huihe's eyes, curled her mouth slightly, "Sit down. I didn't expect you to come today; I had planned to summon everyone tomorrow to talk. Since you're here today, it's a good chance to say what I have."

Zhou Jieyu's complexion was the worst; she slightly lowered her head, making her face hard to see. Luo Ronghua, however, lifted his head, his face showing a hint of grievance, evidently dissatisfied with his rank.

Rong Luoge didn't ask further, "Why are you feeling aggrieved?"

She looked at everyone and said directly, "Now the position of Empress in the Hou Gong is vacant. Though I humbly hold the Consort's seat, I have no intention of overstepping. Therefore, you need not come daily to pay respects. In the future, if there is business, I will convey His Majesty's orders; if not, each may live peacefully in your own palaces."

With those words, the others' expressions changed noticeably; Qin Zhaohua let out a slight sigh of relief, while Xu Shuyuan's smiling face revealed nothing deep.

Only Zhen Shen and her two companions wore extremely sour looks; although paying respects to Rong Luoge made them feel embarrassed, not coming would mean even less chance to see His Majesty.

Consort Rong's words seemed very tolerant, but her true intention was malicious to the extreme!