Chapter 165: Volume 1, Chapter 165: Willing? Not Willing

Consort Xu observed the expressions of the several people present without showing any change in her demeanor, thinking to herself that it was indeed as she had expected.

Back when they first entered the Dong Gong, Noble Consort Rong, who was then still a Good Lady, had never used her seniority of having entered the Dong Gong first to make them pay daily respects as a show of authority.

Moreover, all this time she had been secretly observing Noble Consort Rong and found her to be a rather interesting person—she would not actively seek trouble with others, but if someone came looking for trouble, she absolutely would not be soft-hearted.

Judging from the current situation, His Majesty truly favored Noble Consort Rong. If back in the Dong Gong, the Crown Prince's fondness for Good Lady Rong had been mixed with gratitude for saving his life, and was also done to project an image of benevolence and gratitude to the outside world and earn praise from court officials—

But what about now?

The former Crown Prince had already ascended the throne and become emperor. In truth, when it came to favoring which consort, he no longer needed to look at anyone else's expression, yet His Majesty was still the first to bring Noble Consort Rong into the Hou Gong.

Yuzhao Gong had indeed been a dilapidated palace before. Before they entered the Hou Gong, there had been many speculations, but now she surveyed the completely renewed Yuzhao Gong—every furnishing inside was luxurious and exquisite, the carpet spread on the floor, the curtains hung in the hall, and even the plain-colored silk worn by the Noble Consort were all tribute goods.

If His Majesty did not truly love Noble Consort Rong, why would he be so attentive and thorough in this place?

Was Consort Xu willing?

Of course she was not willing.

But to live well in the palace, imperial favor was not the only way out.

Since winning favor was hopelessly out of reach, she would rather forsake favor and carve out another path for herself.

Bringing Qin Zhaohua along today to pay respects to the Noble Consort was the first step in showing goodwill toward her. Now she knew it was also time for her to step forward.

"Her Ladyship the Noble Consort is so considerate of us; it is truly our good fortune. In that case, I shall respectfully comply rather than decline, and not waste Your Ladyship's kind intentions," Consort Xu said with a smile.

Rong Luoge turned to look at Consort Xu. She had felt something was slightly off all along, and now, looking at Consort Xu again, she understood—this was a show of loyalty.

She had not expected someone to pledge allegiance so soon, and was quite surprised.

But this could also be considered a pleasant surprise.

"Consort Xu, you overstate it. Since we shall all dwell together in the Hou Gong from now on, we naturally must look after one another," Rong Luoge said with a smile.

Song Huihe was about to go mad with anger, listening to Noble Consort Rong and Consort Xu echoing each other, but she currently had neither high rank nor favor, and truly could not contend against Noble Consort Rong. Even though she was dissatisfied, she could only swallow it.

Since that was the case, there was nothing more to say by staying here. Song Huihe had no desire to listen to Consort Xu flatter Noble Consort Rong, so she simply rose and took her leave.

Seeing this, everyone rose and took their leave as well. Only after they had exited Yuzhao Gong did Song Huihe look at Consort Xu and say, "I truly couldn't tell—some people have become so servile and obsequious that they haven't a shred of backbone left."

Hearing Lady Zhenshen's pointed words, Consort Xu did not take them to heart at all. She was the head of the Nine Consorts, and Lady Zhenshen was the last of the Three Ladies. Speaking of rank, the difference between the two of them was not much, so she was naturally unafraid.

But there was no need to bicker over unnecessary things—why give people a spectacle?

She pretended not to hear, and looked at Qin Zhaohua, saying, "Sister Zhaohua, another day I'll come to your place for tea."

Qin Zhaohua hurriedly squeezed out a smile. "Good, yes, that would be nice."

Consort Xu smiled upon hearing this and set off on the road to Guanju Palace. As for Lady Zhenshen, she naturally did not spare her a single glance.

Song Huihe was even more furious, but there was nothing she could do about Consort Xu. They were still within the great mourning period, and she did not quite dare to stir up trouble.

Especially after she received a letter from home saying that His Majesty was currently dissatisfied with Marquis Ningyuan's estate—she still had to swallow her pride and play meek. She could only darken her face and walk away as well.

Once those two left, Qin Zhaohua held the highest rank, but she had always kept a low profile and avoided trouble. She smiled at Concubine Zhou and Consort Luo, then left as well.

That left Concubine Zhou and Consort Luo. The two exchanged a glance; since they already shared the same palace, they walked back together.

Both remained relatively silent along the way. After a good while, Consort Luo finally said, "What are we to do from now on?"

Right now it was obvious that Lady Zhenshen and Noble Consort Rong were incompatible as fire and water. She had chosen the wrong side last time, and this time was only granted the title of Consort Luo. But if she were to switch her allegiance to the Noble Consort now, the Noble Consort might not even look favorably upon her, and she would have offended Lady Zhenshen as well—so how could she still get by in the palace?

Consort Luo had never felt that living could be so difficult.

Concubine Zhou's expression was also not too pleasant upon hearing this. She looked at her and said, "Let's wait and see first. It's too early to tell."

Concubine Zhou did not dare to take sides easily either, but her concerns were the same as Consort Luo's. Standing at a crossroads, no matter which path she took, traps awaited her. She could only stay put and continue to observe.

After Yuzhao Gong quieted down, Rong Luoge pondered: since the consorts of the Hou Gong were all in place now, should she go pay her respects to the Empress Dowager tomorrow and make an appearance?

If consorts did not go to see the Empress Dowager after entering the palace, it would not seem quite right.

But right now the Empress Dowager had not released authority over the palace, and she herself was not the Empress—why should she do something so thankless?

If she went tomorrow and the Empress Dowager took it as her backing down, what if the Empress Dowager used this point to control her from then on?

She could not possibly bring these people to pay daily respects to the Empress Dowager to demonstrate filial piety—would that not implicitly signal that she conceded and acknowledged that palace authority rested in the Empress Dowager's hands?

It was not that she absolutely needed palace authority, but it could not rest in the Empress Dowager's hands. The Empress Dowager was so domineering; if palace authority fell into her hands as well, her own days ahead would certainly not be comfortable.

Rong Luoge would certainly not place her life and death easily in someone else's hands. Without palace authority, even if the Empress Dowager wanted to deal with her, she would still have to wait for His Majesty to nod in agreement.

But if palace authority were in the Empress Dowager's hands, the Empress Dowager could completely use palace regulations to act first and report afterward—then who could she appeal to for justice?

Rong Luoge would absolutely not allow such a thing to happen.

She thought it over and decided she still could not go. As for whether the Empress Dowager would be angry, that would have nothing to do with her.

When Han Xinglan returned in the evening, Rong Luoge first told him about the matter of Dowager Consort Hui.

Han Xinglan nodded. "Have Dowager Consort Hui send a message to the Liao family, and let the Liao family submit a memorial—that will do."

Rong Luoge understood. This kind of matter could not be initiated by Han Xinglan first. They had to wait for the Liao family to submit a memorial of petition, begging His Majesty to grace their Liao family by allowing them to take Dowager Consort Hui back to the estate to live in honored retirement. His Majesty could then approve the memorial and send Dowager Consort Hui out of the palace. Afterward, he could bring up the Second Prince who had died young, and on the grounds of cherishing sibling bonds, grant Dowager Consort Hui a measure of honor and bestow favor upon the Liao family, sending Dowager Consort Hui home with dignity.

In this way, Han Xinglan could earn a good reputation, Dowager Consort Hui could return home to live in honored retirement, and the Liao family could seize the opportunity to express loyalty to the emperor—truly killing three birds with one stone, each party getting what they deserved.

Rong Luoge noted the matter down; she would send a message to Dowager Consort Hui tomorrow.

Then she brought up the matter of arranging the Empress Dowager's relocation to another palace. Han Xinglan only nodded faintly, without any extra emotion, appearing as though he did not care much about this matter.

Rong Luoge had not expected the relationship between this mother and son to be so stiff. She recalled that it had not seemed this way before—it looked like something must have happened during the period when His Majesty was in a coma.