Chapter 182: Volume 1, Chapter 182: Death by Hanging

Han Xinglan stepped forward and drew Rong Luoge into his arms. "Are you worried?"

Hearing that Han Xinglan actually sounded pleased, Rong Luoge asked in return, "What are you so happy about this time?"

Han Xinglan smiled and said, "I always felt I couldn't hold on to you, that you could leave at any moment. But now I suddenly feel I can hold on to you too. This feeling makes me very happy. I wanted to make sure."

Rong Luoge: …

Had he gone silly from reviewing memorials?

Han Xinglan looked down at Rong Luoge and saw her speechless expression. The smile between his brows and eyes deepened. He stopped reviewing memorials, pulled her to sit down again, and only then said, "I've never told you this before, but the relationship between me and Mother has always been a bit tense."

Rong Luoge had seen it long ago, but since Han Xinglan didn't want to talk about it, she hadn't asked. Was there anything interesting about peeling back someone's scars?

Now that Han Xinglan had brought it up himself, she figured it was probably because of Su Ying's matter, so she said, "In this world, some people have their parents' love, while others don't have much affinity with their parents. Just like how my birth mother died early, and my birth father ignored me for years, and later arranged a marriage just to use me as a stepping stone for his illegitimate daughter. As long as you can let it go, nothing else matters."

Han Xinglan's fingers gently held Rong Luoge's fingertips, his thoughts drifting slowly. After a long while, he said, "From as far back as I can remember, Mother never put much care into me. A phrase she often said was why I was so useless, not as good as Prince Qi at pleasing Father. Back then I was still young and didn't understand much, and every time Mother said that about me, I was very sad. Later, as I gradually grew up, Mother rarely said such things anymore, because I had already started studying, understood reason and human relations, and she knew that saying such things would hurt the bond between mother and son."

Rong Luoge felt very uncomfortable listening to this. This kind of verbal violence had always existed, but coming from one's own parents made it all the more heartbreaking and sorrowful.

"Although Mother has restrained herself considerably, every time things didn't go her way in her clashes with Noble Consort Ming, she couldn't fully hold back her emotions when she saw me." Han Xinglan recalled those years—he hadn't been without resentment, nor had he been completely indifferent. He cared very much.

"And then?" Rong Luoge asked. She only wanted to know when Han Xinglan had become thoroughly disappointed in the Empress Dowager.

Han Xinglan paused, his grip on Rong Luoge's hand tightening slightly. "Once I went to pay my respects to Mother. That day, for some unknown reason, everyone in the palace hall had been sent away. I entered the hall and, behind the soft curtain, heard Mother complaining to Yan Yin, saying I didn't know how to be flexible, didn't know how to please Father, and even resenting that I couldn't help her win favor, because Prince Qi could help Consort Ming. From her words I only sensed dissatisfaction, indignation, and disgust—I couldn't feel any motherly love at all. From then on, I gave up hope."

Rong Luoge's expression immediately turned ugly, and she gripped Han Xinglan's hand in return.

Han Xinglan felt Rong Luoge's movement and said with a smile, "It's fine. I stopped being sad a long time ago. It's all in the past."

"We have each other. We don't need anyone else's care and love," Rong Luoge said.

Han Xinglan smiled, his gaze toward her exceedingly gentle. "So you can rest easy about Su Ying's matter."

Rong Luoge raised an eyebrow. "What would I not be easy about? The promise you and I made back then, I've always kept in my heart. Naturally, you do the same."

"Yes." Han Xinglan let out a long sigh. "I've always remembered it too."

Rong Luoge's temperament was both cold and stubborn. If he were to one day break his word, he didn't even need to think to know what choice she would make.

She had never been one to wrong herself. Back then, she had decisively divorced Prince Qi and severed her familial ties with the Protector Duke—what wouldn't she do?

That night, both of them were somewhat restless. Rong Luoge tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Beside her, Han Xinglan pulled her into his arms. "Sleep. Whatever it is, think about it tomorrow."

Rong Luoge gave a murmur of assent. Knowing that Han Xinglan still had to rise early for court, she nestled in his arms and stopped moving. She didn't know when she fell into a deep sleep, but by the time she woke, the sun was already high in the sky.

She had woken late.

At her movement, Rong Xin and Que Cai immediately came in to attend her. She rose and dressed, looking at the two as she asked, "Has anything happened?"

Rong Xin said, "Nothing major. Only Lady Xu from the other side sent word saying that if you have time, she would like to come pay her respects today."

Rong Luoge nodded. "Let her come."

Lady Xu was surely coming because of some matter. Rong Luoge figured it was probably about the Inner Court Bureau—after being busy for so long over there, it was about time to wrap things up.

"This morning, I received a piece of news," Que Cai said. "Miss Su from Funing Palace went out for a stroll this morning and encountered Lady Zhenshen. The two even sat down for a chat in the imperial garden for a while."

Rong Luoge's eyes narrowed slightly. Lady Zhenshen?

She hadn't expected her to be the first to jump out. She looked at Que Cai. "No need to interfere. As long as Lady Zhenshen doesn't do anything out of line, let her be."

As long as things didn't blow up, Rong Luoge would sit steadily on the fishing platform. If Lady Zhenshen dared to join forces with Su Ying to cause trouble, she wouldn't show any mercy either.

Que Cai nodded in acknowledgment upon hearing this, then added, "My lady, Lady Zhenshen has been in more frequent contact with her family lately. You should be careful."

"Has the Lady of Marquis Ningyuan not submitted a calling card to enter the palace, but is instead communicating with Lady Zhenshen through letters?" Rong Luoge wasn't a cruel and heartless person, so of course she wouldn't stop the people in the Hou Gong from corresponding with their families.

"Yes, the letters have been rather frequent lately, which is why I came to report it to you, my lady," Que Cai said with some concern. Su Ying had entered the palace—though nominally to keep the Empress Dowager company, everyone could actually guess a few things about what the Empress Dowager was thinking.

However, since they were currently in a mourning period, it wasn't appropriate to ask His Majesty to take a new consort. Once the mourning period passed, the Empress Dowager would surely keep Su Ying in the palace.

One Su Ying was troublesome enough, and now Lady Zhenshen was starting to get restless too. If those two joined forces, she feared her lady would end up at a disadvantage.

Rong Luoge thought it over, then looked at Que Cai and said, "Have Yuan Bao keep an eye on Su Ying's movements. In particular, watch whether Su Ying has any contact with the Su family, and whether, apart from being close to Lady Zhenshen in the Hou Gong, she has dealings with anyone else."

"Yes, I'll tell Yuan Bao later," Que Cai said.

Rong Luoge nodded. Once she was properly dressed and ready, she went to have breakfast. After finishing her meal, she had someone summon Lady Xu.

Lady Xu arrived quickly. Upon entering the door, she curtsied and bowed. "I pay my respects to the Noble Consort. May you be well."

Rong Luoge waved her hand. "Rise. There's no one else here, so there's no need for so much ceremony. Sit and speak. What brings you here this time?"

"My lady, a director from the Inner Court Bureau has died by hanging."

Rong Luoge was taken aback. "Died by hanging? When did this happen?"

"Just last night. I felt uneasy, fearing that the court officials might use this matter to attack you in the court. You must be prepared, my lady." Lady Xu spoke with a face full of worry.