Chapter 21: Volume One, Chapter 21: The Visitor Is Not Benevolent

Volume One, Chapter 21: The Visitor Is Not Benevolent

Carved hollow jade ornaments scented with warm amber hung at the four corners, swaying slightly as the carriage moved forward; the bamboo curtains on the windows lowered, and the light inside the carriage dimmed a little.

Rong Luoge carefully considered her intersection with the Crown Prince, and after thinking she found no leverage in his hands; her mind suddenly settled, and she waited quietly for the Crown Prince to speak.

On the other side, Han Xinglan silently gauged Rong Luoge's expression, noting her calm composure without a hint of panic—truly different from how she appeared in the palace today.

"Miss Rong, how have you considered the matter I mentioned last time?"

Rong Luoge looked up at the person opposite her and said, "I'm simply curious why His Highness still wants to cooperate with me now; I could guess the reason before, but I don't understand it now."

Before, she was Princess Consort Qi; the Crown Prince might have sought her cooperation to obtain information about Han Yifeng, but now that she has divorced him, her value has shrunk to almost nothing, and she doesn't know why the Crown Prince still insists on cooperating with her.

Because she couldn't figure it out, Rong Luoge was especially cautious.

Han Xinglan, hearing this, remained composed, showing no hint; Rong Luoge only heard him say, "Miss Rong, although you have divorced Prince Qi, you are still linked to the Protector Duke's household. I suppose you need help severing ties with the Protector Duke's household; I can help you."

"Then what does His Highness need me to do?" Rong Luoge indeed needed to break away from the Protector Duke; otherwise, as long as the parent‑child relationship persisted, she would remain under that couple's control, leaving her very passive.

"I've heard that Miss Rong acquired a whole set of skills while at the manor, so with such ability, why confine yourself to the inner chambers?"

Rong Luoge had said that before just to fool Han Yifeng; she didn't know how the Crown Prince learned of it.

Seeing his stance, it would make sense that he had investigated at the manor and probably uncovered some clues; she, of course, hadn't learned from anyone, but if she persisted stubbornly, the Crown Prince couldn't do anything to her.

After all, she can't prove she learned from others, and the Crown Prince has no evidence to claim she didn't.

The original owner indeed often ventured alone into the mountains while at the manor, not to study anything but because she liked gathering herbs, and she also learned some basic medical techniques from a rural folk doctor.

"Your Highness, that statement is too vague; although I possess some abilities, they are merely superficial skills, nowhere near the multitude of talents surrounding you," Rong Luoge probed again.

Han Xinglan, aware that Rong Luoge was cautious and hard to handle, was surprised by her meticulous mind; he smiled and said, "Regarding today's palace affairs, I wonder how much Miss Rong already knows in advance?"

Rong Luoge answered honestly, "I only suspect that Han Yifeng and Rong Dai have set a plot to harm me, but I have no idea what the scheme is. Your Highness should know that I grew up at the manor and have no connections in the palace."

"That's exactly what I meant; what I value is your composure in crisis and your ability to turn a scheme to your advantage," he said.

Rong Luoge: …

"Your Highness wishes to take me as a staff officer?"

"That could be said." Han Xinglan nodded slightly, "If Miss Rong offers me counsel, I will ensure you a lifetime of peace; what about wealth and honor?"

Rong Luoge thought that she didn't need his protection for wealth; as long as she cleared herself from Han Yifeng, making money wouldn't be too difficult for her.

But she knew that Han Xinglan must have grown suspicious of her; offering such broad terms might be a bait to lure her in.

Nevertheless, she truly needed a patron now to intimidate the Protector Duke couple.

"Fine, since Your Highness is so sincere, Luoge will shamelessly accept," Rong Luoge, indeed a straightforward person, noted that having someone above her made all the difference.

At that moment the carriage stopped; Han Xinglan looked at Rong Luoge and asked, "We'll drop you off here; take this token."

Rong Luoge saw Han Xinglan's slightly pallid palm holding a round jade‑carved token, reached out to take it, recognizing it as his token of introduction, and said, "Luoge takes her leave here; thank you, Your Highness, for seeing me off."

"The divorce documents, I will have the palace send them as soon as possible."

Rong Luoge heard this and immediately smiled sincerely; the Crown Prince truly showed cooperative intent, "Then thank you, Your Highness."

After alighting from the carriage, Rong Luoge found that the Crown Prince had left her on a street outside the Qi Wang Fu; it was indeed a prudent placement, as getting off there wouldn't be seen by the Qi Wang Fu people nor force her to travel far.

She rode back to the Wang Fu, and Rong Luoge didn't intend to stay there even for a day; upon entering, she saw Cang Yun and said, "Pack our things; let's leave."

Cang Yun startled slightly, "Miss, where are we going?"

Rong Luoge smiled, "Cang Yun, your lady is free from today; I have divorced Prince Qi."

Cang Yun was taken aback, first shocked then delighted; knowing the lady had long wanted a divorce, she hadn't expected it to happen today, she asked nothing further and immediately began packing, and since the lady owned few belongings—her dowry had been sent directly to the old residence—she only needed to pack two chests.

"Shall I send a Jing guard to fetch the lady?" Cang Yun asked after packing.

Rong Luoge nodded, "Go ahead; we'll move straight to the old residence."

"Miss, aren't we returning to the Protector Duke's residence?" Cang Yun assumed she would go back to Guo Gong Fu.

"No." Rong Luoge replied.

Cang Yun hesitated briefly but offered no objection, merely nodding, "I'll go to the old residence now; please wait here, Miss."

Cang Yun hurried away, and Rong Luoge sat there thinking that the favor she owed the Crown Prince must be repaid; otherwise, each future meeting would feel like she owed him something.

The Crown Prince has wealth, power, and status; she cannot assist with those at all, but she can improve other aspects.

For example, she could help upgrade the Crown Prince's subordinates' weapons.

Rong Luoge sensed the Crown Prince's attitude toward her was odd; he seemed to know she harbored a secret yet was unclear what it was, which is why he proposed cooperation.

The Crown Prince is clever; she must also show sincere cooperation, and only by demonstrating her genuine ability will their partnership become stronger.

As for the future, Rong Luoge hadn't thought that far; this isn't a later era, and if life here is unhappy, she can simply move elsewhere. In ancient times one needs a household registration and a residence permit; without them, even a single step is impossible—being without registration makes one a rogue household, and being caught by officials would be disastrous.

Having made up her mind, Rong Luoge felt much lighter; while wondering why Cang Yun hadn't returned, she heard commotion outside, stepped out, and saw Cang Yun had been pushed and fallen to the ground; her expression darkened as she hurried over.

"What's happening?" Rong Luoge strode out, reached out to help Cang Yun up, then looked around and saw Rong Dai, fierce, leading people and blocking the courtyard entrance.

The visitor is not benevolent.

"Rong Dai, what are you doing?" Rong Luoge, shielding Cang Yun behind her, said angrily.

"Rong Luoge, you are satisfied now; I indeed underestimated you, never expecting you to be so ruthless. Did you anticipate that Consort Ming wouldn't consent to my affairs with the Prince?" Rong Dai, having lost face today and failed to achieve her goal, was later summoned by Consort Ming to the Guanju Palace for a scolding, feeling utterly aggrieved.

She was seething with anger, and after returning naturally sought to settle scores with Rong Luoge.

Rong Luoge sneered, "Rong Dai, you know full well why you act pretentiously; as long as you aren't listed in the Protector Duke's genealogy, how can you dare to expect Han Yifeng to marry you with such audacity?"

Rong Dai gritted her teeth, "If today hadn't been your nonsense in the palace…"

Rong Luoge, not one to be constrained by palace etiquette, heard Rong Dai still daring to slander her, and raised her hand to deliver a slap.

Slap! —the people present were all startled.

"Rong Luoge, you're no longer Princess Consort Qi, yet you still dare to strike me?" Rong Dai fumed, looking at the onlookers, "Why are you all standing still? Rong Luoge has already been divorced by the Prince; she's no longer Princess Consort Qi. Seize her for me!"

Rong Luoge stepped forward, her eyes fixed on Rong Dai, and said, "If you don't want to live, I will execute divine justice and take you. His Majesty's golden‑tongued decree granted me a divorce from Prince Qi, yet you dare to alter the sacred edict—are you growing weary of life?"

Rong Dai's face turned pale, her body trembling slightly; recalling the Emperor's gaze at her in the palace today, her anger and embarrassment deepened.

Rong Luoge glanced at the previously restless crowd; after hearing her words, they involuntarily took a step back. If they dared to charge forward, she wouldn't mind making the Qi Wang Fu lively.

"Eldest Miss, your subordinate arrived late." Jing Chu strode in with two estate guards. He was already tall, and the men he brought were no less imposing. Standing before Rong Dai, his eyes swept over the crowd, and the servants of the Qi Wang Fu couldn't help but retreat a step.

Rong Dai looked suspiciously at the people before her and couldn't help asking, "Who are you? What is your relationship with Rong Luoge?"

Rong Luoge looked at Rong Dai. "You took a slap and still haven't learned your lesson. Want me to give you another slap to wake you up?"

Rong Dai said angrily, "Rong Luoge, you are no longer the Princess Consort Qi, and the Zhen Guo Gong Fu can no longer accommodate you. What do you have to be so arrogant about? Your days ahead will be unimaginably miserable. If you beg me, perhaps I could look after you a little."

"Rong Dai, I think you've been daydreaming too much. You don't even have a proper title yet, haven't even sat securely in your seat, and already you're throwing around the authority of the Princess Consort Qi. Has Consort Ming agreed to that?" Rong Luoge felt that even arguing with her was beneath her dignity. This was a textbook case of self-deception.

"Jing Chu, gather our things, we're leaving." Rong Luoge had no patience for more nonsense with her and turned to walk out.

Rong Dai stared blankly at Rong Luoge, who didn't even look back. She just left like that?

She really just left?

How could she be so decisive?

She dreamed of the position of Princess Consort Qi. Did Rong Luoge really not care about it at all?

The people of the Qi Wang Fu watched as Jing Chu brought men to carry away the former princess consort's trunks. Seeing Rong Dai looking utterly dazed, no one dared to court bad luck here, and in an instant everyone dispersed completely.

Rong Dai grew even more upset. She had spent her whole life searching for her own place. She dreamed of entering the Zhen Guo Gong Fu's family registry, but Chu Ke blocked her from getting in.

She wanted to be the Princess Consort Qi, but couldn't fulfill that wish because of her status.

Now she had finally driven Rong Luoge away, but she didn't know where her own way out lay.

Just then, Rong Luoge, who had already reached the inner gate, suddenly turned back and looked at the somewhat dazed Rong Dai. She "kindly" reminded her, "Rong Dai, don't blame me for lacking sisterly affection. If you want to marry Prince Qi legitimately, the first thing you must do is be recognized into the family lineage. I think the Protector Duke loves you so much, he can surely persuade the Duchess Who Guards the State. Good luck."

Let Rong Dai and Chu Ke fight it out. Those two dogs tearing at each other would free her hands to do some proper business.

Rong Dai's eyes lit up at Rong Luoge's words. Yes, if her father could let her be recognized into the family lineage, she would have a legitimate identity and could naturally marry Prince Qi with dignity.

But Chu Ke still carried some weight with her father. How could she get her to relent?

Rong Dai couldn't think of a good solution for the moment. She only hated that her birth mother had aged and lost her looks. If she still had her youthful beauty, why would she need to look at Chu Ke's expression now? Thinking of this, she also hated her father for his callousness and fickleness—he had fathered them as brother and sister yet refused to give them a proper origin.

Right, her brother!

Thinking of this, Rong Dai recalled Chu Ke's two sons. The younger son was still young, but what if Chu Ke's eldest son couldn't inherit the Guo Gong Fu in the future?

Then the most suitable candidate at present would naturally be her own brother. If her brother could be entered into the family registry, couldn't she as well?

Rong Dai gritted her teeth. Since Chu Ke was so heartless and unreasonable, then don't blame her for being ruthless.

Rong Dai took a deep breath. Since she wanted to marry Prince Qi openly and honorably, she couldn't continue living in the Qi Wang Fu. If word got out, it would be bad for her reputation. She would wait for Prince Qi to return, bid him farewell, and then move back to her birth mother's newly settled house.

However, before Rong Dai could move out, she unexpectedly received Madam Ming and Ming Yuhua.

Rong Dai was familiar with Ming Yuhua. Ming Yuhua had deliberately brought her mother to intercept her, and naturally caught her every time.

Madam Ming saw that Rong Dai was actually living in the Qi Wang Fu and trembled all over with rage. Back then, for the marriage alliance between Prince Qi and the Zhen Guo Gong Fu, she had even suppressed her own daughter. Now someone had exploited the loophole—so how would the grievances her daughter suffered be accounted for?

Madam Ming suppressed her fury and didn't vent her anger at Rong Dai. She simply sat in the main hall of the central courtyard and waited for Prince Qi to return.

The calmer Madam Ming acted, the more panicked Rong Dai felt inside. What kind of day was this—how could it be so wretched!

Rong Luoge still didn't know that Rong Dai had been intercepted by Madam Ming. She returned to the old residence and felt delighted seeing the house freshly repaired inside and out. This would be her own nest from now on.

From now on she would have her own home. In her joy, she rewarded the household servants with three months' wages, and the entire courtyard became lively.

Rong Luoge saw how happy everyone was and felt happy herself.

How wonderful. Today was the most beautiful day since her transmigration. From now on, she would be her true self.

Supporting this many people was quite a lot of pressure. Developing some side businesses was very necessary.

Rong Luoge entered the study, sat at the desk, and thought for a long time before picking up a brush and beginning to draw diagrams.

To make a stunning impression with the Crown Prince, the very first thing she presented had to be dazzling enough to establish her position.

Then she would make a repeating crossbow—portable, highly lethal, long range—an absolute premier weapon for self-defense and assassination.

The Crown Prince should be satisfied.