Chapter 247: The Consort Pays a Great Price for an Exchange

Volume One, Chapter 247 The Consort Pays a Great Price for an Exchange

The Empress Dowager gave Rong Luoge a roster, and she examined it carefully. Good heavens, that's impressive; essentially, the ladies in the roster come from distinguished families, have striking looks, and most importantly, their fathers still hold great power at court.

What is this for?

They want to uproot Rong Luoge's very foundation; the Empress Dowager is truly sparing no effort.

Rong Luoge tells herself not to get angry, but is this something she can simply not get angry about?

Why did she suppress her hatred and ally with Princess Dowager Ming back then, just to guard against the Empress Dowager?

Rong Luoge walked a few steps, stopped, and instead of heading toward Yuzhao Gong, she turned toward Jinhua Hall.

In Jinhua Hall, the atmosphere has been festive these days; Princess Dowager Ming's complexion has improved a lot, and she was rather surprised to see Consort Rong visiting. Princess Zhaoqing still feels awkward upon seeing Rong Luoge, but her attitude is much better than before.

Princess Zhaoqing had someone bring a soft pillow for the consort to place behind her waist. She felt a bit embarrassed, thinking she was currying favor with Consort Rong, and said sternly, "My mother says pregnancy is very arduous; Consort, don't push yourself, use the soft pillow for comfort."

Rong Luoge: ……

She had been stewing with anger at the Empress Dowager, but now, seeing the less awkward Princess Zhaoqing, she found her more pleasant than before. "Thank you, Princess; it is indeed very comfortable."

Princess Zhaoqing didn't hear Rong Luoge's sarcasm, breathed a sigh of relief, and sat aside without speaking.

She still feels very awkward facing Consort Rong, after all she was her former sister‑in‑law and someone she had bullied.

Princess Dowager Ming knows that Consort Rong never goes to the Sanbao Hall without a reason; normally she tries to distance herself from them, so her sudden arrival suggests something important—perhaps it's not a problem on her son's side?

Thinking that way, Princess Dowager Ming looked at Consort Rong and asked, "Consort, you came suddenly— is there something urgent?"

Rong Luoge looked at Princess Dowager Ming and smiled, "There is something I wish to ask the Princess Dowager."

Princess Dowager, seeing Consort Rong finish that sentence, fell silent, thought for a moment, then looked at Princess Zhaoqing and said, "Go to the kitchen and have them simmer a bowl of bird's nest soup; Consort's complexion doesn't look good, a little nourishment will help."

Princess Zhaoqing has become clever now; why would Consort Rong be eating and drinking here? It's because Mother is keeping her occupied. She stood up and also took the palace maids away.

The hall fell silent instantly. Rong Luoge looked at Princess Dowager and said, "Princess Dowager, you need not worry about Prince Qi; His Highness is doing fairly well in the Inner Court now. With Prime Minister Yun's assistance, a thorough investigation of the Inner Court is only a matter of time."

Realizing the issue wasn't her son, Princess Dowager Ming visibly relaxed, looked at Consort Rong and said with a smile, "We still have to thank you for your support; otherwise it wouldn't be so easy."

Rong Luoge looked at Princess Dowager Ming and thought, no wonder she enjoyed the Late Emperor's favor for so many years; the Empress Dowager's temperament, coupled with her legitimate status as Empress, gave her an edge—otherwise how could she compete with Princess Dowager Ming?

Princess Dowager is shrewd, willing to bow her head, and quite capable; she can advance or retreat, rise or fall, bend or stretch, so now she can protect her daughter and also safeguard her son.

"Princess Dowager, you're just joking; what does this have to do with me? It's all thanks to you," Rong Luoge gave a faint smile. "If the Inner Court progresses smoothly, perhaps before the year ends the Princess Dowager could leave the palace and reunite with the Prince's family."

Princess Dowager Ming's eyes brightened, and her smile deepened. "At my age, indeed I'm old, and I only hope for a family reunion, grandchildren at my knees. Consort, please don't take offense."

Is the Princess Dowager old?

Actually, not at all.

If placed in later eras, the Empress Dowager and Princess Dowager Ming would be only in their early forties. Had the Late Emperor not been obsessed with wine and women, draining his body, and later indulged in alchemy that cost his life, he wouldn't have ascended to heaven so early.

In later times, many women in their early forties are considered in their prime; who would say I'm old just because I'm in my mid‑forties?

Indeed, ancient people had short lifespans; according to later scientific conclusions, the average life expectancy in the Tang was only twenty‑seven, the Song thirty, and even in the Qing just thirty‑three.

Of course, wealthy families tended to live longer, and the royal clan even longer than commoners, but this longevity still can't compare to later eras.

In the Owl Kingdom, a palace concubine in her early forties is indeed already old.

Thus, Princess Dowager Ming could still enjoy the Late Emperor's favor while he was alive; such ability is truly beyond ordinary people.

"The Princess Dowager's wish will naturally be fulfilled; if I can help the Princess Dowager leave the palace before the year ends…" Rong Luoge smiled, leaving the rest unsaid.

Princess Dowager Ming's heart leapt; although she hoped to return to Prince Qi's residence to celebrate the New Year with her son, the chance was slim. First, her son hasn't yet achieved any results in the Inner Court; second, the Emperor is extremely wary of them. In her plan, the earliest they could leave the palace would be before Consort Rong gives birth; if slower, they'd have to wait until her son fully reorganizes the Inner Court.

Now, as Consort Rong speaks, the Princess Dowager's thoughts race; what does Consort Rong want to take from her?

What else does she have that is worth Consort Rong paying such a high price to exchange?

Princess Dowager thought it over with no clue, and watching Consort Rong's calm demeanor, she slightly frowned, about to test her, when a flash occurred in her mind, her heart gradually steadied, and she slowly said, "If Consort can help, I would be immensely grateful. As for this departure, I fear that in this palace I may not have another chance in my lifetime. All things come to an end in time; when the time comes, I will still ask Consort to look after a few of the palace staff in Jinhua Hall, essentially to serve me for a while. When the appropriate age comes, Consort can send them out of the palace."

Rong Luoge laughed at the words; Princess Dowager was indeed clever, knowing that what she wanted was the consort's connections in the harem.

Princess Dowager had spent her life managing the harem; she and Han Xinglan have cleaned the harem several times, but they couldn't purge everyone completely, since they can't replace all the harem members. If this reached the court, it would cause a scandal.

Princess Dowager has always been like a cunning rabbit with three burrows, surely leaving herself a fallback; this is exactly what Rong Luoge wants now.

"Princess Dowager, you truly are kind‑hearted; this is no big deal. When the time comes for them to leave the palace, I will arrange for them to be released. Rest easy, Princess Dowager," Rong Luoge said, standing satisfied. "It's getting late; I should return. I will await your good news, Princess Dowager."

"Safe travels, Consort," Princess Dowager smiled and nodded.

After Rong Luoge left, Princess Dowager sighed lightly, and Bai Zhuo whispered nearby, "Princess Dowager, the Consort… this is… she wants your people, will you really give them?"

"What if I don't?" Princess Dowager looked at the sunlight spilling on the ground outside the hall. "Bai Zhuo, you are with me for life; I will take you away, don't worry."

"Princess Dowager…" Bai Zhuo's eyes were red.

"You're at this age, the Consort won't use you; I'll take you away, rest assured. As for the others, make a roster, explain to them clearly, and tell them the Consort only asks them to work. As long as they work sincerely, when they reach the proper age they'll be released from the palace; after leaving, if they have nowhere to go they can come to Prince Qi's residence to find me, and I'll always settle them." Princess Dowager paused, then added, "Explain everything to them clearly; don't be clever. Do exactly what the Consort asks, or else they'll only blame themselves for staying alive in the palace."