Chapter 246: Volume One, Chapter 246 – Consort Rong Is a Petty Person

Volume One, Chapter 246  Consort Rong Is a Petty Person

Rong Xin shook her head, looked at the Consort, and said, "There's nothing in particular, just asking you to come over for a moment."

Rong Luoge thought for a moment but couldn't think of anything, so she simply said, "I'll have my morning meal first; after I finish, I'll go take a look."

She now has to eat eight meals a day, each time she can't eat much; if she eats too long she feels bloated, if she eats little she gets hungry quickly. Han Xinglan had Yuzhao Gong set up a small kitchen, dedicated to her daily food and drink.

While Rong Luoge was eating, she suddenly recalled, "Is today the day the Protector Duke is marrying Princess Nankang?"

"Yes." Que Cai nodded and said.

Rong Luoge lightly smiled, "Then it must be quite lively."

As long as Liu Yunu starts a commotion, Di Yue Nu's old secrets will be exposed; whether she's a princess or a concubine, she'll have no face, and we'll see how she can still flaunt her status to act tyrannically in the future.

The thought made her laugh; she said to Rong Xin, "Disguise yourself and go see the excitement, then come back and tell me all about it. Unfortunately, I can't go and see it myself."

Rong Heng, such a scumbag, paired with someone like Di Yue Nu is truly a perfect match; if these two are locked away, they won't harm anyone else.

Once their marriage is settled, Rong Yan's reward should be granted, and she'll see whether Rong Heng is surprised, whether it's unexpected, whether he'll regret later!

After finishing the meal, Rong Luoge headed to Funing Palace, and halfway there she unexpectedly ran into Song Huihe; evidently Song Huihe also didn't expect to meet her here, and both looked a bit surprised.

Because Song Huihe's rank was low, she came forward to pay her respects, "Your Consort, I, the concubine, have seen you."

Although it was a polite greeting, Song Huihe's eyes fell on Consort Rong's belly, and a knot formed in her heart, making her so angry she wished the belly were her own.

"Lady Zhenshen, no need for formalities, please rise," Rong Luoge said calmly, "At this early hour, Lady Zhenshen is already eager to stroll the garden."

Song Huihe forced a smile, "Having nothing to do, just standing around is boring; better to go out and walk."

Rong Luoge nodded slightly, "I'm going to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager; Lady Zhenshen may do as you wish."

Song Huihe watched Rong Luoge, leaning on a palace attendant's hand, walk away; the smile on her face faded, and she turned toward Yunhua Palace. If it weren't the mourning period, we concubines wouldn't dare approach His Majesty, let alone be as powerless as now.

The more she thought, the more depressed she became; Song Huihe's expression could not become cheerful.

Guo Yin said beside her, "Madam need not be upset; once the annual selection opens and the newcomers enter the harem one by one, at that time Consort Rong won't be as relaxed as now. You must keep your composure; the Marquis said we must not be impatient—after the selection, opportunities will arise."

Ningyuan Marquis often stumbled over the matter of establishing a queen on the court, but the emperor's stance remained unclear; this was another source of Song Huihe's irritation.

The selection—it's not a good thing for Rong Luoge; could it possibly be good for her?

We concubines who have never been favored—won't the arrival of newcomers further reduce our chances?

But Song Huihe also knows her father is right; even if opportunities are fewer, it's still better than none.

If she were pregnant now, the empress's position would already be hers; thinking that, Rong Luoge wouldn't find it so eye‑catching. Even if she were titled Consort while pregnant, what of it? His Majesty still hasn't made her empress.

A woman who has already divorced cannot easily sit on the throne of empress.

Song Huihe had a terrible headache, unwilling to think yet unable to avoid it; each time she encountered Rong Luoge, her spirits dropped to the bottom of a valley.

Meanwhile, at Funing Palace, Rong Luoge was speaking with the Empress Dowager; the Empress Dowager's complexion looked truly good, seeming to have spent these days comfortably and healthily, much better than when Han Xinglan first ascended the throne.

"I have summoned you for no great reason; there is something I wish to tell you," the Empress Dowager said with a smile, looking at Rong Luoge.

Rong Luoge looked at the Empress Dowager's smile and sensed something was off; she said, "If the Empress Dowager has something, just give the instruction directly."

Whether to do it or not is up to her.

"Yan Yin, hand the list to the Consort."

Rong Luoge looked up at Yan Yin, saw Yan Yin pick up a booklet from the desk, gently place it on the table before her, then step back.

"What is this…?" Rong Luoge thought, but still asked a question.

"This is the list of next year's capital selection of elite ladies; have a look," the Empress Dowager said kindly.

Rong Luoge casually took it, flipped through, and said, "The selection is slated for March next year; it's still before the New Year, so Empress Dowager must be cautious. If this leaks to the former court, those old ministers might impeach His Majesty again."

The Empress Dowager's smile faltered for a moment, then she said, "It's just talk here in Funing Palace; it won't spread. Isn't that right, Consort?"

"What the Empress Dowager says is true; as a concubine I must not let His Majesty's reputation be harmed." Rong Luoge flipped through the list; essentially all the still‑unmarried elite ladies of the capital were on it, so the Empress Dowager truly intended to capture them all.

The drunkard's intention is not in the wine.

But she didn't care.

"What do you think of this list?" the Empress Dowager asked Rong Luoge.

"The list the Empress Dowager drafted is excellent; it would be hard for a concubine like me to be as thorough. Perhaps I should take this back to His Majesty for him to see; maybe he'll be interested." Rong Luoge replied with a smile.

The Empress Dowager, seeing Rong Luoge's nonchalant demeanor—completely different from her expectations—and hearing her proactively bring up the matter, felt a bit stifled because she couldn't unleash her subsequent moves.

"Very well, after all it's His Majesty who selects, he must choose those he likes." The Empress Dowager naturally approved, though she didn't believe Rong Luoge truly didn't care.

Rong Luoge told Que Cai to put the list away, then looked at the Empress Dowager, "If the Empress Dowager has nothing else, I will take my leave. These days are getting longer; I truly can't sit, can't stand, so I won't disturb you further."

What else could the Empress Dowager say? She let her go.

After Rong Luoge left, Yan Yin finally spoke, "Empress Dowager, why must you? This way, I fear for the Consort's side…"

It displeases the Empress Dowager even more.

The Empress Dowager let out a light snort, "Yan Yin, look at her now, still bearing a child, don't be fooled by her current pride; there will come a day when she weeps."

If her son were loyal to her, this mother wouldn't act so timid; rather, she would be like a consort, which makes me angry.

Yan Yin could no longer persuade her; her heart grew increasingly unsettled.

After leaving Funing Palace, Rong Luoge looked at Que Cai and said, "You don't need to follow me. Go to the Front Hall now, deliver the list to Shi An, have him pass it to His Majesty, saying it's the Empress Dowager's goodwill."

She wanted to see how Han Xinglan would negotiate with the Empress Dowager after seeing this list, letting the Empress Dowager herself gauge the emperor's temper.

She really is a petty person; she can't stand even a little grievance.