Chapter 201: Volume 1, Chapter 201 Noble Consort Rong Truly Isn

Yan Yin's complexion was pale and wan; although Noble Consort Rong's words sounded gentle, every phrase directly accused the Empress Dowager of disrespecting the Late Emperor and said she had betrayed His Majesty's trust. But what could she do?

Yan Yin felt torn, her eyes slightly reddened, and after a brief pause she said, "The Empress Dowager is also helpless; I merely cannot stand by and watch her be put in a difficult position."

Rong Luoge was not at all surprised to hear this; she looked at Yan Yin and said, "Aunt, you understand the Empress Dowager's difficulty, but why can't you understand His Majesty's difficulty?"

Now Prime Minister Su and Marquis Ningyuan are colluding, leaping and diving in the court; I don't believe Yan Yin is completely unaware—she probably knows, yet she still chooses to stand by the Empress Dowager.

Rong Luoge cannot say she is disappointed, only that she feels a bit regretful; in truth she remains grateful to Yan Yin, but unfortunately, from today onward there will likely be no trace of affection between them.

Yan Yin shivered at the words, looking at Noble Consort Rong, not expecting her to say such things; her expression turned both awkward and embarrassed, and after a brief pause she whispered, "Your Highness, that's what you said, but I am merely a servant; my voice carries little weight."

"Since that's the case, I'll speak plainly: Aunt need not wait for His Majesty's decree; please return and report to the Empress Dowager. His Majesty holds deep filial devotion to the Late Emperor; although the year of great filial mourning has passed, he still wears simple clothes and eats plain food. His Majesty once told me that he would observe at least a year of great filial mourning for the Late Emperor."

Yan Yin's face turned pale; she abruptly looked up to meet Noble Consort Rong's calm yet slightly fiery gaze, and the words she had ready could no longer be spoken.

A year of great filial mourning?

When Noble Consort Rong's child is safely born, and a year later the postpartum period is complete, by then she will have a son at her side and her health fully restored; after His Majesty's filial mourning ends, with a consort present, who could approach His Majesty's person?

The Empress Dowager's worries are not unfounded; Noble Consort Rong is not only scheming, but also capable of harmonizing with His Majesty.

Yan Yin knows that saying anything more is futile; in truth she harbors no malice toward Noble Consort Rong, but if the consort continues to monopolize the emperor's favor, keeping His Majesty's attention impermeable, disaster will eventually occur.

She truly cannot bear to see that day, lowers her head and whispers, "Your Highness, Imperial Concubine Ming once greatly favored the harem; even so, the Late Emperor's side was still in full bloom. Flowers do not stay red for a hundred days; you should think about your own future. I overstep, please forgive my transgression."

Rong Luoge sighed, looked at Yan Yin and said, "Aunt, have you ever considered leaving the palace? I could find you a peaceful place to enjoy your later years; it would be better than worrying about danger inside the palace."

Yan Yin protects the Empress Dowager, but this suggestion is also well‑meaning; she cannot bear to see Yan Yin become a pawn in the clash between herself and the Empress Dowager.

Yan Yin forced a bitter smile, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness, but the Empress Dowager has done me a great favor; I will not leave."

Then there is nothing we can do.

Rong Luoge looked at Yan Yin and gave a final reminder, "Aunt Yan Yin, since that's the case, I'll only remind you of this: as long as you stay out of Su Ying's affairs, I can certainly keep you safe. If you cannot do so, there is nothing I can do; take care, aunt."

Yan Yin was startled, pondering the Consort's pointed words, lifted her head to look at the Consort, only to find her lowering her head to sip tea.

Tea for sending off guests.

Yan Yin performed a kneeling salute, "Thank you, Your Highness; I will keep it in mind."

When Yan Yin left, Rong Luoge felt somewhat down; a loyal servant is rare, but regrettably she is devoted to the family, leaving her with lingering regret, and can only hope she understands the gravity and does not disregard her own life.

On her way back to Funing Palace, Yan Yin kept thinking about Noble Consort Rong's words—getting involved in Miss Su's matters. Could Miss Su have done something that Noble Consort Rong discovered?

But Miss Su has been well‑behaved in Funing Palace; she herself hasn't noticed doing anything, so what is going on?

Yan Yin's mind filled with doubt; returning to Funing Palace, she saw Qing He emerging from the main hall and hurriedly waved her over.

Qing He saw Aunt Yan Yin hurrying over and offered her respects, "Aunt, what orders do you have?"

Yan Yin, after a brief pause, smiled and said slowly, "It's nothing major; I've been busy lately and haven't asked much about Miss Su. Is Miss Su accustomed to living here? Are there any tasks you're asked to do daily, without any neglect?"

Qing He, thinking she understood the matter, breathed a sigh of relief and laughed, "Miss Su has a gentle temperament, is kind to us servants, and she has two maidservants attending her, so we aren't needed daily."

Yan Yin found this quite normal, but suddenly felt a stir in her heart and continued with a smile, "That's good. How are the two maidservants beside the Miss? Do they ever get bullied when they come and go? After all, they're not palace staff, and some palace lackeys can be short‑sighted."

Qing He replied, "I haven't heard Qingqing or Rui Xue mention this, but they usually stay with Miss Su; they only occasionally leave the palace, and haven't caused any trouble for the short‑sighted."

"Leaving the palace?" Yan Yin's heart tightened at this. "Indeed, even though Miss Su entered the palace, she still needs to keep in touch with her family. Yet freely entering and exiting the palace gates isn't easy; don't let people gossip behind our backs."

"How could that be? Miss Su is the Empress Dowager's niece; others will only give her a wide berth, there's no difficulty. Aunt, you needn't worry," Qing He said with a smile.

Yan Yin nodded, took two steps forward, then turned to Qing He, "When the people around Miss Su leave the palace, where do they get their waist tokens? No one here has answered me."

Qing He, somewhat surprised, replied, "I haven't asked either; it seems those around Miss Su truly haven't inquired about the waist tokens. Should I go ask?"

Yan Yin, recalling Noble Consort Rong's words, felt a flutter of anxiety and feared being discovered, so she pretended indifference and said, "No need to ask; perhaps the Empress Dowager gave them. It would look nosy if we pry, so let's leave it at that." She then paused, "If next time anyone from Miss Su's entourage leaves the palace, quietly let me know, so I'll have a clear picture and can answer the Empress Dowager if she asks."

Qing He promptly agreed, watching Yan Yin's aunt disappear into the great hall, musing that Miss Su truly is favored by the Empress Dowager, and even Aunt Yan Yin treats her with such caution and respect; fortunately she herself has never offended her.

If she truly remains in the palace, her status alone will ensure she never holds a low rank in the future; of course she dares not offend her.

When Yan Yin entered the main hall and saw the Empress Dowager, she relayed Noble Consort Rong's words, phrasing them as gently as possible, attributing them to His Majesty rather than the Consort, as that was the only thing she could do for the Consort.

The Empress Dowager listened to Yan Yin's words in silence for a long while; Yan Yin thought the Empress Dowager might have let it go, but then she heard the Empress Dowager speak again, "Observing a year of mourning, that year is truly good. I have indeed underestimated the Rong family; she is truly cunning, and keeping her by His Majesty's side is indeed not a good thing."

Yan Yin's brow twitched, and her whole body tensed.