Chapter 209: Volume 1, Chapter 209 — Truly Too Vicious

Lady Zhou had always believed she had no grievances with Su Ying; ever since Su Ying entered the palace, she had treated her quite courteously. Who would have expected to be stepped on by her like this?

Rong Luoge curled her lips into a faint smile and looked at Lady Zhou, saying, "Miss Su was just joking with you. This tribute tea is sent to the palace every year; it's only because my appetite turned a little peculiar after I became pregnant that His Majesty brought it for me to drink. Today, having the rare chance to admire flowers with everyone, I was in high spirits and had someone fetch it."

Hearing Noble Consort Rong flaunt His Majesty's favor toward her, everyone found even this fine tribute tea tasteless.

Song Huihe and Su Ying exchanged a glance; the two had been somewhat displeased with each other earlier, but at this moment they were indeed united against a common foe.

Song Huihe suppressed her anger and looked at Noble Consort Rong with a smile, saying, "His Majesty has always held Your Ladyship in high regard; it is only natural that he dotes on you more during your pregnancy when you are feeling unwell. However, I have heard that the selection draft will open next year. By then, Your Ladyship will likely be too occupied to manage things, so you should still prioritize your health."

By the time of the selection draft, Noble Consort Rong would be in her confinement period after childbirth—how could she come out and show her face?

Song Huihe said this deliberately to put a thorn in Rong Luoge's side. What was there to be smug about now? Once new people entered the palace next year, this old wilted flower would have to step aside.

Rong Luoge seemed not to catch Song Huihe's barbed tone and said unhurriedly, "Lady Zhenshen is right. Although His Majesty has always prioritized court affairs, the Hou Gong should not remain empty either—some new people should be brought in."

Everyone had expected Noble Consort Rong to be angry upon hearing this; after all, if new people entered the palace, she would be the one most affected. Who knew she could still discuss the matter so composedly, looking as though she did not care in the least?

This was entirely a case of trying to put others in an awkward spot but succeeding only in blocking herself.

Rong Luoge's eyes shifted, and from the corner of her gaze they landed on Su Ying—she saw that Su Ying was thinking about something unknown, wearing a smile on her face but with cold eyes.

Her thoughts turning, she spoke in a leisurely manner: "I cannot speak for others, but Miss Su will certainly participate in the selection. With Miss Su's family background and looks, she will surely be chosen to stay. Fortunately, we are all already acquainted with Miss Su; when she enters the palace, it will be quite lively, won't it?"

Everyone knew in their hearts that Su Ying was to enter the palace, but no one would say it aloud—first, because there was no edict from His Majesty, and second, because the Empress Dowager had not breathed a single word about it either.

Now that Rong Luoge had said this, it was tantamount to tearing off most of the layer of skin Su Ying had been hiding behind. After all, Su Ying could hardly say yes or no to such a matter. If she said yes, she would inevitably be criticized for impure motives—since she would enter the palace sooner or later anyway, staying in the palace now was somewhat overstepping bounds.

If she said no, how would Su Ying still participate in next year's selection draft?

Oh. Unless Su Ying could have her rank settled before the selection draft, but clearly this path was unworkable.

Su Ying's face flushed red—from anger. She looked at Noble Consort Rong and said in a low voice, "Noble Consort, please choose your words carefully. In such matters, I only follow the elders of my family and have never dared to harbor presumptuous thoughts. Your Ladyship said it casually, but if it were to be spread by someone, what face would I have left?"

Hearing this hypocritical talk, Rong Luoge was so exasperated she laughed. She gave Su Ying a cool glance and spoke with even greater composure: "Miss Su, what you say—if you feared misunderstandings and gossip, you should not have entered the palace in the first place. Since you entered the palace to keep the Empress Dowager company, you should stay put in Funing Palace. I have never seen any young lady from any family who, under the pretext of keeping the Empress Dowager company, dared to associate so closely with His Majesty's consorts during the mourning period. If you want others not to misunderstand, perhaps Miss Su should reflect on her own conduct?"

Rong Luoge knew that Su Ying had never been idle in the Hou Gong, but unfortunately she was very cautious and Rong Luoge had no evidence; otherwise, she would have gone to the Empress Dowager long ago to demand justice.

But this did not prevent her from giving Su Ying a bit of embarrassment.

An unmarried young lady—did she not know how she ought to behave after entering the palace?

If she had no shame herself, she should not fear what people say!

"You…" Su Ying's face turned from dark to pale with anger. She had not expected Rong Luoge to slight her so thoroughly—it was simply sweeping away all her dignity, utterly humiliating.

Just then, Shi An's voice rang out: "His Majesty arrives!"

Everyone in the pavilion stiffened. They all hurriedly rose to receive him, secretly rejoicing in their hearts—they had not expected to encounter His Majesty today. Heaven knew how long it had been since they last beheld his face.

Rong Luoge slowly rose, leaning on Rong Xin's hand, with no intention of going outside the pavilion to receive him. Seeing Noble Consort Rong not moving, the others did not know for a moment whether they should go outside to greet him either.

While they hesitated, they saw His Majesty in a bright yellow dragon robe stride in.

Only then did Rong Luoge give a slight curtsy. "I greet His Majesty."

Han Xinglan immediately stepped forward and reached out to support her. "You are heavy with child; no need for such formality." Only then did he look at the others and say coolly, "You may all rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Only then did everyone rise in unison.

Su Ying's eyes still held a layer of tears; she thought that if His Majesty saw them, even for her aunt's sake he would surely ask what happened—giving her the perfect chance to apply some poison against Noble Consort Rong.

Who knew that instead of His Majesty's inquiry, she watched him carefully help Noble Consort Rong to her seat, and heard him ask with concern, "Did I not tell you to rest properly in Yuzhao Gong? If you wanted to go out for a walk, you should have waited until I was free to accompany you."

Hearing Han Xinglan—this drama king—begin his performance, what else could Rong Luoge do? She could only immediately play along and act the part of a dutiful favored consort. So, with an expression of coy bashfulness mixed with a trace of pride from being so favored, she said, "Your Majesty says this every day. I truly feel stifled staying in Yuzhao Gong day after day, so I came out for a walk. I was also lucky today—right after stepping out, I ran into several younger sisters, and we sat together chatting to pass the time."

Hearing Rong Luoge's cloyingly sweet voice, Han Xinglan's chest tightened—he knew he could never out-act her!

"Oh? What were you all talking about? From a distance it looked quite lively. Tell me, so I can have some amusement too," Han Xinglan said.

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's expressions shifted slightly, and glances flew everywhere.

Rong Luoge sighed softly, "Nothing much—just that everyone is very concerned about His Majesty's selection draft next year, and whether I will lose favor before the newcomers. As the saying goes, no flower stays red for a hundred days; everyone's worries are not without reason."

Everyone: …

Damn it, that was what they meant, but coming from Rong Luoge's mouth, the whole flavor changed!

How was this concern for her? It was clearly lodging a complaint before His Majesty, saying they were mocking her!

Truly too vicious!

"Is that so?" The smile on Han Xinglan's face faded. He reached out and took Rong Luoge's hand, cast a seemingly casual glance over everyone, and then said slowly, "The Noble Consort shares with me the grace of saving my life—how could I bear to let you be hurt? It is merely others spouting nonsense. Do not take it to heart."

After speaking, Han Xinglan swept his gaze over everyone. "Since you all have nothing to do, you shall copy Buddhist scriptures for the Empress Dowager to pray for blessings. Learn well how Buddhists calm the mind, regulate the temper, and treat others with kindness."

Everyone's vision went dark. Copy Buddhist scriptures?

Was this not tantamount to confinement in disguise?