Chapter 259: Volume 1, Chapter 259 — The Empress Dowager Finally Couldn't Hold Back Anymore

After the start of spring, the Emperor officially ended his mourning period, and the consorts of the Hou Gong also ended theirs along with him. Only the Dowager Consorts still had to continue mourning the Late Emperor for a full three years.

Before the new year, Dowager Consort Ming thought she would be able to leave the palace, and Rong Luoge also thought she could let Dowager Consort Ming leave the palace. Who knew that Prince Qi would not play by the rules — for whatever reason, he simply never submitted a memorial. With Prince Qi not submitting a memorial, how could the Emperor bring it up himself? And so it was delayed.

Dowager Consort Ming was still fine about it, but Zhao Qing was so furious she cursed her own brother to pieces inside the palace.

Dowager Consort Ming looked at her daughter and comforted her, "What are you rushing for? Your brother is now earnestly attending to his duties. The affairs of the Internal Court Office haven't been fully sorted out yet. I reckon he's still locked in a contest with His Majesty, unwilling to concede, and wants to get everything done thoroughly before he can submit a memorial with a clear conscience. By then, won't our mother and daughter also have face?"

Zhao Qing said heatedly, "Is his face really that important? It's so dull for us staying in the palace."

Dowager Consort Ming gave a light laugh. "It won't be too long either. His Majesty is going to hold a draft, and we need to make room."

At the mention of this, Zhao Qing looked at her mother and asked softly, "Mother, why do you think Noble Consort Rong isn't worried about the draft at all? Last time I ran into her in the garden, she was in an especially good mood, strolling through the grounds, chatting and laughing with Lady Xu and the others — not a trace of worry at all."

Dowager Consort Ming heard her daughter's words and looked at her. "Why should Noble Consort Rong worry? Right now she carries His Majesty's only heir in her womb, and she shares a deep bond with His Majesty. The new candidates entering the palace may not necessarily pose a threat to her. Besides, don't you know Noble Consort Rong's temperament? On top of all that, she most likely already has a plan in mind."

Zhao Qing didn't quite understand and looked at her mother. "What plan in mind?"

Dowager Consort Ming looked at her daughter and sighed. "It means Noble Consort Rong isn't worried about His Majesty transferring his affections."

Zhao Qing: ……

How could that be possible?

In this world, what man doesn't like a fresh face? When Father was still around, he doted on Mother greatly, but that didn't stop him from having other consorts.

She didn't believe it at all, but seeing her mother's expression, she didn't dare say anything to the contrary. The more she thought about it, the more frustrated she felt.

The Internal Court Office's overhaul was carried out from top to bottom by Prince Qi, who swept everyone clean — practically a total replacement of personnel. Every single official was purged, which could be said to have offended everyone to death.

During the New Year, Prince Qi's doorstep even had dog's blood splashed on it. Yun Shizhuang was so angry she was sick in bed for several days. She simply couldn't understand how the Prince seemed to have changed his nature entirely — this… wasn't like him.

Rong Dai was also somewhat overwhelmed lately, because with Prince Qi doing this, her father had sought her out several times. Prince Qi had even dealt with the people behind Anding Hou — weren't they all one family?

But she had only mentioned it in passing before Prince Qi and was scolded for it. This had never happened before — he had always doted on her and always let her do as she pleased. But ever since he took on the duties of the Internal Court Office, he had changed. He was no longer the smiling man he used to be; he wore a stern face all day long and was downright intimidating.

Moreover, her own life wasn't going very smoothly either. She had originally thought that after her mother returned and rightfully took the position of Duchess of the State, she would be able to hold her head high at the Qi Wang Fu. But what was even more infuriating was that Rong Luoge simply couldn't stand seeing them do well — she immediately had Rong Yan granted the title of Earl of Yong'an, and even Chu Ke started throwing her weight around. What's more, several times when she went out and ran into Rong Ling Shan, the latter would mock and ridicule her every time she saw her — it was enough to make her die of anger.

It shouldn't be like this.

Clearly, after her mother returned, their days should have been getting better and better.

Rong Dai felt frustrated. Although His Majesty had ended his mourning period, Prince Qi — for some unfathomable reason — actually insisted on continuing to observe mourning for the Late Emperor, for a full three years!

While observing mourning, one could not indulge in female company. So how was she supposed to whisper in his ear and make Prince Qi rekindle his fondness for her?

It was simply a bolt from the blue.

Rong Dai felt that these days were truly unbearable, so she couldn't help but go back and pour out her grievances to her mother, hoping she could help her think of a solution.

But although the Zhen Guo Gong Fu was still a ducal estate, unfortunately Rong Heng's official position showed no sign of advancing any further. Not only that, but he had previously failed to handle his duties well and was publicly reprimanded by His Majesty in court. He had bottled up a belly full of anger and took it out on everyone in the estate after returning home.

However, Di Yue Nu was a princess who had come from afar for a marriage alliance — her title sounded impressive enough, but she had been branded with the stigma of being an outside mistress in the State of Xiao and had no foundation whatsoever. She couldn't help him at all.

She even faintly heard that Rong Heng had actually said to the people around him that if Chu Ke were still here, she would surely have contacted the Chu family to intercede on his behalf!

The two naturally had a fierce quarrel — this was perhaps the first time such a thing had happened between them in all these years. Their relationship had always been good before; let alone quarreling, Rong Heng had never even spoken a harsh word to her.

The commotion at the Zhen Guo Gong Fu also reached Rong Luoge's ears. She looked at Rong Xin and said, "What's so strange about this? Before, when Di Yue Nu was an outside mistress, she only needed to dress up beautifully and serve the Protector Duke well. But being the principal wife is not so simple. Never mind the social connections and worldly affairs that need to be maintained and navigated — even the relationships between officials need to be constantly reinforced. When the former Lady Chu was the Duchess of the State, the Chu family would naturally step forward on behalf of this daughter. But now that Chu Ke is no longer the Duchess, the Protector Duke naturally lost this helper."

Rong Luoge gave a scoffing laugh. "Where in this world is there such a bargain — getting everything you wish for and having your cake and eating it too?"

Rong Heng himself didn't have much ability; he relied on his ancestors' shelter, and the marriage to Rong Luoge's birth mother brought him a large dowry that helped the Zhen Guo Gong Fu out of its difficulties and restored its fortunes. His second wife, Chu Ke, came from a powerful family and also gave him considerable support. Even if he made some mistakes in his duties, a bit of maneuvering would usually smooth things over.

But now no one was a fool. Rong Heng, in order to marry Di Yue Nu, had not hesitated to divorce his wife, and astonishingly hadn't taken a single legitimate child with him. In the eyes of the noble houses, this inevitably branded him as heartless and ungrateful.

On top of that, she herself, as Noble Consort, had fully supported Rong Yan, and Rong Yan himself was bold and daring in battle. His military achievements were solid, real merits. Although his Earl of Yong'an title came about partly because of her, it was also due to Rong Yan's own accomplishments.

Under these circumstances, everyone could see that the Zhen Guo Gong Fu was on the decline, and naturally they kept as far away as possible.

This was still just the beginning. Later on, his days would only get harder and harder to endure.

"You speak the truth, My Lady. From now on, you need only watch." Rong Xin said with a hurried smile. "The draft palace register has been finalized. Would you like to take a look, My Lady?"

Rong Luoge wasn't particularly interested. She suddenly recalled something and asked, "Has the Empress Dowager seen it yet?"

Rong Xin nodded. "She has. Moreover, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager even made revisions and added a few people."

Rong Luoge gave a light laugh. The Empress Dowager had endured for so long. All winter long, there had been nothing to offend the eye. Now, she finally couldn't hold back anymore.