Chapter 243: Volume 1, Chapter 243 – Don

Di Yue Nu took a deep breath to calm herself; she examined Rong Luoge closely. Indeed, having become the noble consort had changed her entirely. How could she have done such things before, say such words—where was the courage!

"The noble consort truly is scheming. I, the princess, came today only at the request of the Protector Duke, hoping to ease the father‑daughter relationship with you, but I didn't expect the consort to be so overbearing; it's truly disappointing." Di Yue Nu, having calmed herself, realized she could not let Rong Luoge lead her by the nose, could not let her seize the initiative, so she steered the conversation back and, in passing, placed a big label on her.

Rong Luoge could not do as Di Yue Nu wished. Looking at her, she said, "If Princess Nan Kang truly had such goodwill and kindness, she should not have repeatedly destroyed other families and persecuted other children. Having committed such ruthless deeds, she should not be chanting Buddhist sutras aloud."

Di Yue Nu: …

Rong Luoge gave no ground, left no opening at all. Di Yue Nu realized she had come here in vain today, but she had entered the palace once; what she says after leaving is naturally her own matter.

If news spreads that Consort Rong refuses to reconcile with her biological father, it would surely damage her reputation.

With that in mind, Di Yue Nu's mind settled, and unwilling to stay and listen to Rong Luoge's sarcasm, she immediately said, "In that case, I, the princess, will not trouble the consort any further. Farewell."

Rong Luoge looked at Di Yue Nu and smiled, "Princess Nan Kang, take care."

After Di Yue Nu left, Rong Luoge turned to Rong Xin and said, "Go at once to Mrs. Chu and convey what Di Yue Nu said here to her; with Mrs. Chu's cleverness, she will naturally know what to do."

Di Yue Nu's mouth has always been the one that can make the dead speak; letting her ramble after leaving the palace would be unacceptable.

Rong Xin nodded and left the palace directly.

Rong Luoge supported Que Cai's hand as they returned to the bedroom, thought for a moment, then let out a light laugh.

"Your Highness, what are you laughing at?" Que Cai, not knowing why the consort suddenly laughed, asked.

Rong Luoge looked at Que Cai and smiled even wider, "I was thinking that some people set up stones only to smash their own feet."

Rong Heng would not be thinking of mending ties with herself; she fears that the explanation for this palace visit is something Di Yue Nu decided on her own, and if so, she will publicize it.

"Que Cai, go find Cang Yun; I have a task for her." Rong Luoge waved Que Cai over and whispered.

Que Cai, hearing this, quickly nodded, "Yes, I will go at once."

"Go then." Rong Luoge waved her hand.

Que Cai left the palace and headed straight for Xi Cheng. Cang Yun was startled when she saw Que Cai; after hearing Que Cai's words, she quickly nodded, "Please rest assured, Your Highness; I will see to it that the matter is handled properly."

After delivering the message, Que Cai hurried back to the palace to report. Cang Yun, however, stood in the courtyard for a while before heading straight east.

Not far east, there was a two‑courtyard small residence; who lived there?

It was Liu Yuniang.

Indeed, the Liu Yuniang who ran away earlier has returned. She doesn't have a brother like Di Yue Nu who could become emperor. Back then, Ming Zan divorced his wife, and it seemed she could ascend, but then Ming Yuhua suddenly married Xiao Shen, and Ming Zan reunited with his wife; she, the chief cause of their divorce, got no good outcome.

There was no place for her in the Grand General's Residence, and her son could not be taken out. Lady Ming held her son hostage to blackmail her; Liu Yuniang had no means. She wanted to petition Princess Dowager Ming for a decision, but at that time the Late Emperor was still alive, and the palace affairs were too busy for Princess Dowager Ming to attend to her.

Having nowhere to go, Ming Zan gave her this residence to settle, and life truly became increasingly unbearable.

Cang Yun knocked on the door; an elderly woman opened it, and upon seeing her immediately smiled, "So it's Mrs. He; what brings Mrs. He here?"

He Huai, though without official rank or position, manages the dowry for the currently celebrated Consort Rong; in Xi Cheng everyone knows him. Consort Rong also gave her longtime maid to He Huai, and this couple in Xi Cheng is untouchable.

Cang Yun smiled, "I have something to discuss with Madam Liu; I wonder if it's convenient."

Liu Yuniang, an unnamed concubine without status, being called 'Niangzi' was already a favor.

"Convenient, convenient; Madam Liu spends her days at home with nothing to do, so Mrs. He's visit is a good thing." The elderly woman hurriedly opened the door and invited them in.

Cang Yun followed the woman inside, passed through the screen wall, stepped onto the stone steps, and arrived under the eave of the corridor.

The woman directly ushered Cang Yun into the room, then went into the inner chamber to bring Liu Yuniang out.

Liu Yuniang pulled aside the curtain, saw Cang Yun, and smiled, "Mrs. He, why are you in such a mood today? Is there some good news?"

Her words were neither overtly hostile nor friendly, making it rather uncomfortable.

Cang Yun, unconcerned with such niceties, focused on business, and said to Liu Yuniang, "I have something to tell you, Madam Liu, which I think will greatly interest you."

Liu Yuniang currently had no interest in anything; Ming Zan hadn't visited for ten days, and she heard Lady Ming had brought two beautiful concubines into the house, which made her so angry she felt like vomiting blood. She couldn't see her son; she wanted a meeting, yet even the Grand General's Residence gate was inaccessible.

She, uninterested, casually asked, "What matter?"

Cang Yun glanced at the elderly woman, who instantly slipped out cleverly; only then did Cang Yun lower her voice, "Back then Madam Liu was just one step away from becoming a person of high standing; I imagine you are still unwilling to accept that now."

Liu Yuniang's heart stirred, and she said to Cang Yun, "You need not test me; I will not do anything for you."

Cang Yun is a follower of Consort Rong, while Ming Zan is Prince Qi's uncle; she dares not wade into these murky waters, lest she lose her life.

"How can it be a test? Madam Liu is truly fond of jokes. I merely heard some interesting news and thought you might also want to know, so I told you. Since you don't wish to know about Princess Nan Kang, then never mind."

"Who is Princess Nan Kang?" Liu Yuniang couldn't recall any connection to this so‑called Princess Nan Kang.

"Of course it's your old acquaintance, the Protector Duke's former concubine."

Liu Yuniang was startled, looking at Cang Yun suspiciously, "Is it her? Isn't she about to marry the Protector Duke?"

"Yes, but whether she marries or not is still undecided." Cang Yun smiled lightly, "Speaking of it, if Princess Nan Kang had kept her promise and taken you and your son away together back then, perhaps you wouldn't now be separated from your child and could be living peacefully in Qing Xuan Kingdom. Unfortunately, Princess Nan Kang only deceived you; now she may be marrying gloriously, but you were left with mother and child separated. If given a chance, wouldn't you want to speak up for yourself?"