Chapter 184: Noble Consort Rong's Counterattack

Volume One, Chapter 184 Noble Consort Rong's Counterattack

Han Xinglan looked at Rong Luoge; although she was smiling, there was no mirth in her eyes, and she realized that this matter had truly angered her.

She gently pulled the person into her arms and said with a smile, "Alright, I'll leave the affairs of the Hou Gong to you."

She just wants to vent, and of course I'll go along with her.

Rong Luoge pressed against Han Xinglan's chest, slowly reached out to encircle his waist, and then said, "Don't worry, I won't make things difficult for you."

"It's fine if it's difficult; just do whatever you want," Han Xinglan knew that Rong Luoge was always a person of restraint—perhaps overly restrained—so for many matters she first considered whether it hindered herself, rather than acting on her own mood.

With her cleverness and tactics, she could execute anything flawlessly, then report back to herself.

When the time comes, even if I know what she did, I wouldn't blame her; but she wouldn't act that way. She has always been frank with herself—whatever she wishes to do or thinks, it is all centered on him.

He knew in his heart that, to some extent, she had been aggrieved.

Rong Luoge laughed, "You can't do that; if the court officials find out, they'll impeach me for acting like Daji, and the charge of spreading seductive rumors won't be avoided."

Han Xinglan smiled, "In my whole life, I'll only ever be a Zhou king for you alone."

Rong Luoge watched him smile; she didn't know what love truly was, but she knew she was happy now, enjoying her time with Han Xinglan, and there was no barrier between them.

It's like Grand Consort Ming, who during the Late Emperor's reign was the most favored in the Hou Gong, yet the Late Emperor still used the Empress Dowager to keep Grand Consort Ming in check; conversely, he lifted Grand Consort Ming to dominate the Empress Dowager. The two fought for decades without a clear victor.

Speaking of it, Han Yifeng isn't without talent, but unfortunately he fell straight into Rong Dai's trap; when dealing with Rong Dai, his mind becomes muddled. Otherwise, Han Xinglan's later actions wouldn't have been so smooth.

But Han Xinglan harbored no suspicion or guard toward her; that sense of spiritual resonance was incredibly comfortable.

"Set things up early; you shouldn't stay up late now, after all there's a little one in your womb," Han Xinglan said, looking at the faint teal in Rong Luoge's eyes with a touch of concern.

Rong Luoge nodded, "Then you accompany me."

"Alright, stay with you." Han Xinglan gently lifted Rong Luoge and carried her into the sleeping chamber, lying beside her and holding her hand, "What will you do with the list the Grand Consort Ming gave you?"

Rong Luoge, leaning on Han Xinglan's shoulder, said slowly, "Eliminating everyone is unrealistic; after all, many have already been released from the palace, and those left are basically one carrot per pit."

Han Xinglan, having just thought of a point, asked her, "Looks like you have a plan."

Rong Luoge closed her eyes and said slowly, "I intend to capture a few, pull a few, and gradually fragment them."

If everyone is dealt with, it might not be entirely bad for the Empress Dowager; with the people dead, there's no evidence left.

Rong Luoge would never do such a foolish thing; the Empress Dowager is always meticulous. She must keep a few as living mouths, leaving them in the palace so that when the Empress Dowager sees them, she remembers that she still has leverage. As long as she isn't absolutely certain she can suppress me, the Empress Dowager will be more hesitant to act later.

This also has an advantage: the Empress Dowager's hesitation will make her cautious about how to settle Su Ying, leading to minor mismatches with the Su family.

When that time comes, the initial results will appear.

"That's a good idea." Han Xinglan, knowing Rong Luoge had already reached a conclusion, said no more, and held her as they drifted into sleep.

Rong Luoge's sleep was sweet, and when she awoke the next day she received news: the former dynasty, due to the Imperial Court Physician's suicide, had indeed issued an edict impeaching the Noble Consort for misconduct, cruelty, and violating ancestral teachings—an extremely harsh stance.

Rong Luoge sneered, "If these censors could channel their corrupt motives into relieving the people's burdens, would they still fear not being promoted?"

Since Han Xinglan said she didn't need to worry, she ignored the former dynasty's matters, summoned Xu Shuyuan, looked at her and said, "Have the Shenxing Department scrutinize the people on this list, then deal with them."

Xu Shuyuan quickly took the list, glanced over it, and saw several people she had previously dealt with, not knowing what they had done; since the Shenxing Department was to act, it must be serious, so she readily agreed.

Rong Luoge, seeing her agree without hesitation, added, "These people are all the Empress Dowager's eyes."

Xu Shuyuan was startled; she hadn't expected Noble Consort Rong to be so decisive—this would cut off the Empress Dowager's wings. She steadied herself before saying, "Your Highness, if we do this, the Empress Dowager will surely be furious."

"So what? These people have been in the Hou Gong for years and are certainly not clean; whatever the Shenxing Department uncovers won't be fabricated. Acting according to law means even the Empress Dowager must obey the laws of the Owl Kingdom." Rong Luoge said calmly, without haste.

"Yes." Xu Shuyuan understood Noble Consort Rong had made up her mind; she dared not say anything else and would follow her orders.

Xu Shuyuan would coordinate with the Shenxing Department, sending people to investigate these individuals covertly, gather evidence before arresting them, so no mistakes could be exposed.

The Shenxing Department acted swiftly; they already oversaw the inner palace prison and knew a fair amount about inner palace affairs, so with the consort's decree they moved decisively.

As for whether the Empress Dowager would punish them, they simply followed orders and weren't afraid even if it reached His Majesty's presence.

Within a few days, the Shenxing Department began arresting people, and news from the Empress Dowager's side arrived quickly; Yan Yin's complexion darkened repeatedly.

Earlier she had advised the Empress Dowager not to act hastily, but the Empress Dowager's reasoning was unclear and insisted on proceeding; now, the palace's hidden posts have basically been cleared.

Yan Yin kept a composed face; such matters couldn't be hidden, so she had to report back to the Empress Dowager. Thinking this, Yan Yin gritted her teeth, lifted her foot, and walked away. After a few steps, she suddenly turned to look at the side hall where Su Ying and Miss Su lived, her expression showing a hint of unease.

She didn't know what Su Ying had told the Empress Dowager that led her to trouble Noble Consort Rong, but she didn't believe the current outcome was what Su Ying wanted.

"Since His Majesty is now staying in Yuzhao Gong, I don't believe Noble Consort Rong won't file a complaint."

Yan Yin took a deep breath, lifted the curtain and entered the inner hall, bowed, and then laid out the whole matter.

The Empress Dowager snapped her head up and stared at Yan Yin, "What did you say? Say it again!"

Yan Yin could only repeat it; looking at the Empress Dowager's dark face, she opened her mouth but didn't know how to persuade, slowly fell silent and closed her mouth.