Chapter 237: Volume One, Chapter 237  Whose Mouth Is So Cutting

Volume One, Chapter 237  Whose Mouth Is So Cutting

"I don't know either, I just heard someone say so," Ling Yuying said, looking at the Empress's expression and immediately understanding, "It seems the Empress hasn't received any letter here, so it should be inaccurate."

After all, the Empress currently has a good relationship with Chu Ke and his mother, so if Rong Yan truly took a wife, she would probably send the Empress a notice.

Rong Luoge found the matter a bit odd, looked at Ling Yuying and said, "I don't know who released the rumor, but Rong Yan's marriage shouldn't be settled now."

Chu Ke isn't foolish either; the Emperor hasn't granted Rong Yan any reward yet, so arranging a marriage for his son now would be a loss, and he wouldn't do it.

If Rong Yan isn't taking a wife, then who spread this rumor?

Ling Yuying, hearing the Empress speak, also found it odd and said, "It seems quite a few people are passing it on; it's strange for the Empress to say so. I can't tell the truth from falsehood in a moment."

"Let me go back and ask later; this matter is definitely not true. But we still need to investigate who deliberately released the rumor—it's somewhat interesting," Rong Luoge said with a light laugh.

"The Empress makes a good point; it should be investigated. Someone wants to stir the waters to fish, but we don't know which unlucky one it is," Ling Yuying said.

Rong Luoge considered and said, "This kind of thing is easy to guess. Either Di Yue Nu acted to deliberately anger the Protector Duke, making the Protector Duke more resentful toward Madam Chu, or the fake news came from Madam Chu's side, deliberately causing trouble for those two. Whether true or false, there's entertainment either way, and the capital is becoming more lively."

She looked at Ling Yuying, laughing heartily, and asked, "What are you laughing at? It's so funny?"

"The Empress may not know inside the palace, but the princess of Qingxuan Kingdom really has a grand style. Before anyone even entered Zhen Guo Gong Fu, she wanted to hold a banquet there, a so‑called embroidered ball banquet, sending notices all over the capital, yet only a handful showed up. Isn't that laughable?"

Rong Luoge: …

"Such a thing too?" Rong Luoge was surprised; she hadn't expected Di Yue Nu to do this, and with her temperament, how could she be so eager?

Isn't this just leaving a long laughingstock for people?

"Exactly. Nowadays, when the capital talks about this, everyone is privately delighted, and some even say that even though she's a princess, after being a concubine for over ten years, the little family's ways can't change. This time, each household sends out notices, and the petty person, once proud…"

Rong Luoge: …

Whose mouth is so cutting, yet she likes it.

Ling Yuying also couldn't sit for long; Consort Rong was pregnant, and staying seated wasn't good, so she rose to take her leave. Before departing she said, "The Empress can rest assured about the Glazed Tile Workshop; our Prince has said he will definitely not disappoint His Majesty or the Empress. Moreover, since His Majesty entrusted such an important matter to him, he will surely produce a result."

Rong Luoge, supporting her waist, rose to see Ling Yuying off, and upon hearing her words, smiled broadly, "His Majesty has great confidence in Prince Liang. When His Majesty ascended the throne, Prince Liang gave strong support, helping His Majesty stabilize the situation, and His Majesty is well aware. When such a good opportunity arises, of course we, our own family, feel more at ease using it. Moreover, my relationship with you is unlike any other; let me speak sincerely: tell Prince Liang not to be greedy, and only take what he rightfully deserves, and future gains will still come."

Ling Yuying's spirit tightened, and she immediately said, "I understand, Empress, rest assured; I will definitely convey it to the Prince."

"It's not that I don't trust you, but the more people keep an eye on His Majesty, the more people watch Prince Liang. Even if Prince Liang has no leverage, these people will likely create some and won't stop. Go back and tell Prince Liang to think about Xue Mingli."

Upon hearing this, Ling Yuying's expression grew serious, realizing the Empress truly regarded her as a friend, and she sincerely said, "Empress, rest assured, I will also assist the Prince and will not give anyone an opening."

Rong Luoge, of course trusting Ling Yuying, lowered her voice and said, "Xue Mingli's death is inseparable from the people around him. Have Prince Liang go through his close associates before sending anything to the Glazed Tile Workshop, and be careful not to steer the ten‑thousand‑year ship."

Ling Yuying nodded in agreement, then sighed, "Empress, you truly have it hard; now that your body is heavy, you must spend less energy and focus more on ensuring the pregnancy."

Rong Luoge nodded, "Alright, I remember your concern; be careful on the road."

After leaving the palace, Ling Yuying felt uneasy; the earlier excitement was all suppressed. Sitting in the carriage, she pondered the Empress's words and broke out in a cold sweat.

When she returned to the Prince's residence, she sent someone to summon the Prince, but Prince Liang was out on official business and hadn't returned, leaving her uneasy, so she went to consult De Tai Fei.

De Tai Fei has now become the senior lord of Prince Liang's residence; the everyday ease is truly far more comfortable than in the palace. With the doors of this residence closed, she is the biggest one there, but it's not comfortable.

De Tai Fei, after hearing her daughter‑in‑law's words, sighed after a while, "Consort Rong truly is… unexpected. No wonder His Majesty can't let go of her; such a person is exquisite and transparent, able not only to help His Majesty stabilize the harem but also to steady people's hearts, which is truly rare."

Ling Yuying also nodded, "Mother Consort is right; the Empress's words made the daughter‑in‑law break out in cold sweat on the way back. I'm just afraid the Prince might be careless; thinking of Xue Mingli gives me a lingering fear. The daughter‑in‑law's words are slight, Mother Consort, you must urge the Prince strongly."

De Tai Fei glanced at her daughter‑in‑law, unable to help but laugh and cry, "Don't play the victim in front of me; I didn't even know you two were so close. Previously, Yu Heng still had palace attendants serving him, but since you entered the door less than half a year ago, you sent them all away yourself. Could he not listen to your words?"

Ling Yuying blushed instantly, "Mother Consort, please don't mock me; how can it be the same? The daughter‑in‑law is young and has seen little of the world. My words are just a joke for the Prince to hear, but you are different; you have seen and known much in your life, and your words are what make the Prince take them seriously."

Regardless of truth, De Tai Fei felt pleased hearing this, looked at her daughter‑in‑law and said, "Alright, I'll speak to him later." Then, after a pause, "Has your father said anything about Xue Mingli?"

Ling Yuying shook her head, "My father, though a high official of the Ministry of Justice, did not receive the case of Xue Mingli's suicide for the Emperor to hand over to the Ministry. For now, my father has no concrete information; he told me not to be anxious, and that once there is news, someone will inform me."

De Tai Fei squinted slightly, sighing softly, "His Majesty employs risky tactics, letting Prince Qi take over the inner court residence; those people should be anxious. Xue Mingli's death is just a warning; in the end, this matter still hinges on Prince Qi. Did you, on this trip, manage to learn Prince Qi's movements?"

Ling Yuying shook her head, then looked at De Tai Fei and said, "No, there's no news from Prince Qi's residence. However, the Empress said Xue Mingli's death wasn't a suicide but that a traitor among his close circle was involved. Mother Consort, the people around the Prince also need to be examined. So many people are watching the Glazed Tile Workshop; just thinking about it makes me nervous."