Chapter 188: Volume One – Chapter 188 Acting on Imperial Command

Volume One – Chapter 188 Acting on Imperial Command

After Cangyun left, Chu Ke and her daughter were already waiting, and Rong Luoge then saw them as well.

Chu Ke felt somewhat uneasy entering the palace this time; after seeing Rong Luoge behaving properly, she bowed and said, "Your Imperial Concubine, I, your humble wife, pay my respects."

"Elder sister, are you well?" Rong Ling Shan also stepped forward to pay her respects, her eyes full of joy.

Rong Luoge smiled and said, "Madam, no need for formalities. Ling Shan, stand up as well; please have a seat."

Rong Luoge surveyed Chu Ke and realized that Chu Ke had aged considerably; gray strands were faintly visible at the temples, which gave her a start.

Chu Ke noticed the Imperial Concubine's gaze on her temples, instinctively reached out to brush them, and gave a wry smile, "I have made the Lady look foolish."

In Rong Luoge's memory, Chu Ke had always been high‑spirited, so she asked, "Madam, have you encountered some trouble? It can't be just because of Di Yue Nu that you look like this, can it?"

Di Yue Nu has been around for many years; Chu Ke could tolerate it before, so there is no reason she couldn't now.

"Your Lady sees even the finest details; indeed it isn't only because of that matter," Chu Ke nodded and said, "Rong Lang also fled, and the household has not a single eyesore left; how could it be a matter concerning that mother and son?"

Rong Luoge nodded; she thought the same, "Whatever the reason, if the Madam finds it inconvenient to speak, she may keep silent; no need to be anxious."

Before Chu Ke could speak, Rong Ling Shan suddenly interjected, "Elder sister, you don't know—Father has taken another concubine, a secondary daughter from a branch of the Ningyuan Marquis family, and that's what has infuriated Mother. The legitimate daughter of the Ningyuan Marquis serves as the Chaste Consort in the palace, yet Father has taken a secondary daughter from the Song family branch; isn't that a direct affront to you? Mother argued with Father over this matter, and he even struck her with a palm."

Rong Luoge: …

She truly had no idea; she never expected the Protector Duke to be so despicable now.

Seeing the Imperial Concubine's surprised expression, Chu Ke sighed, "I thought that although Your Lady has severed ties with her husband, the father‑daughter bond cannot be wrong. Even if the relationship is cut, as long as you do not openly act against the Protector Duke's household, everyone will still respect the Protector Duke's household. Moreover, your relationship with the siblings Rong Yan is good; others can see that."

Chu Ke's first half of life had been smooth sailing, her luck spent in her early years; now that she is middle‑aged, everything goes awry, with one obstacle after another in her life.

Rong Luoge's matter aside, she had done some things wrong and received her retribution, but she did not expect her husband, without remorse, to still ally with the Ningyuan Marquis. The hard‑won reconciliation now threatens to fall apart again.

It was at this moment that she truly realized her husband no longer cared about them, the mother and children. Their youngest son now lives permanently at the academy; she dares not let him return to the household, fearing the atmosphere there would frighten him and ultimately harm him.

Recalling this, Chu Ke couldn't help but have reddened eyes; she clenched her teeth, refusing to embarrass herself or shed tears before the Imperial Concubine.

"Ningyuan Marquis?" Rong Luoge sneered, "He's been hopping about joyfully lately for his daughter."

Rong Ling Shan pinched her handkerchief and said, "The young lady from the Ningyuan Marquis's household recently handed me a note inviting me out to play; I didn't even dare to accept and turned it down outright."

Rong Luoge hadn't expected that her involvement would make Chu Ke and her daughter's situation so difficult; after a moment she asked, "What about Rong Yu?"

Rong Ling Shan, hearing her elder sister ask about her younger brother, said gloomily, "Mother keeps the younger brother at the academy and rarely lets him return home; I haven't seen him in a long time."

"At the academy?" Rong Luoge frowned, "He is still young; if someone deliberately lures him, it may not be easy to stop. The academy isn't suitable. How about sending him to the Imperial Academy. The teaching assistant Wang Shi at the Imperial Academy is erudite and talented; let him study under Assistant Wang, and he can be safer at the Imperial Academy."

Chu Ke was delighted, "The Imperial Academy originally had a quota for the Protector Duke's household, but back then Rong Yan used one, and another was given to Rong Lang. He had promised to find a way once Yu'er grew up, but now…"

Rong Luoge said, "It's not a big deal; I'll handle it. After you return, Madam, first bring them back to the household, and we'll wait for news."

Chu Ke quickly agreed, her face full of smiles. Rong Luoge could tell at a glance that she had been worrying about this matter all along, but was surprised that Chu Ke didn't let Rong Ling Shan speak to her.

Rong Ling Shan said beside them, "Now it's settled; with elder sister's help we can rest easy. Mother and I were also worried about the younger brother's situation at the academy, but we had no better solution."

"You should have told me about this," Rong Luoge said, looking at Rong Ling Shan.

Rong Ling Shan made a grimace, "I wanted to, but Mother wouldn't allow it, fearing it would trouble elder sister."

"What trouble is that?" Rong Luoge shook her head, "With my current rank, I can already shield my family; sending a child to the Imperial Academy does not violate any rules."

Chu Ke listened to Rong Luoge's words, feeling a confusing mix of emotions; she had always believed she could rely on her husband, but now he had become unrecognizable. The Rong Luoge she had never liked and had schemed against was now lending them a hand.

In this lifetime, until the moment one closes one's eyes, one truly cannot tell who is good and who is bad.

Chu Ke mustered her spirit, looked at Rong Luoge and said with a smile, "Thank you, Your Lady, for Yu'er's matter; I am truly worried about my son, so I won't decline. This time you summoned me to the palace—what instructions do you have for me?"

Rong Luoge nodded, "There is a matter, it involves the Su family and the Ningyuan Marquis's household."

"Please tell me, Your Lady," Chu Ke immediately rallied, "No matter how difficult, I will accomplish it for you."

"Madam, you haven't been going out to visit guests lately, have you?" Rong Luoge said with a smile.

Chu Ke, overwhelmed by household and child matters, had no mood for outings, so she shook her head, "I'm not afraid of your ridicule; I haven't attended a banquet in a long time, truly I have no inclination."

"Then starting tomorrow, Madam, go out, dress brightly, and make a proper appearance," Rong Luoge said with a smile.

Chu Ke was startled, "What do you mean, Your Lady?"

"The fact that Madam entered the palace today will inevitably spread like wildfire. Although I have completely severed ties with the Protector Duke, I have no grudges with Ling Shan, nor with Rong Yan or Rong Yu. You may say that publicly, and Rong Yu's admission to the Imperial Academy can also be widely publicized. Moreover, Ling Shan's marriage should not be rushed; wait a little longer."

Chu Ke listened, stunned, "The Imperial Concubine wants me to broadcast her imperial decree?"

"This… is rather unexpected."