Chapter 293: Volume 1, Chapter 293 — She Could No Longer Endure It

The Empress Dowager listened to Rong Luoge's pointed words and was naturally displeased in her heart, but the current Rong Luoge was not someone she could easily manipulate, so she looked at her and said, "There are many matters to attend to throughout the Weaving Workshop, and I think it would be good to send a few more people over to help you. The Virtuous Consort has always been capable since her days in the maiden's chambers. What do you think?"

The smile on Rong Luoge's face faded as well, and she would no longer be polite when looking at the Empress Dowager. "Empress Dowager, it is not that I disagree, but rather that I cannot make the decision on this matter. The Weaving Workshop was His Majesty's idea; I am merely managing it on His Majesty's behalf."

The Empress Dowager naturally did not believe this, knowing it was Rong Luoge's excuse, so she suppressed her anger and said, "The Emperor has always trusted and valued you. He will consider your words."

Rong Luoge rarely saw the Empress Dowager engage her so condescendingly. Though she found it somewhat amusing, she did not want to waste time on these trivial matters, so she said directly, "Empress Dowager, I fear this is inappropriate. I have always been straightforward by nature, so this time I will lay everything out in the open. Speaking of which, the Su family is His Majesty's maternal family, and by all rights they should be very close, but Prime Minister Su has always opposed His Majesty in court. You are His Majesty's birth mother — I wonder whether Empress Dowager sides with her son or with her brother?"

The Empress Dowager slammed the table. "Empress, how dare you!"

Rong Luoge rose to her feet and looked at the Empress Dowager with a cold expression. "I dare not accept Empress Dowager's words. I am merely speaking the truth. Empress Dowager has devoted herself entirely to paving the way for her maiden family, without once considering how others would mock His Majesty when Prime Minister Su caused him difficulties time and again. What right do you now have to demand that His Majesty do things for you? I have other matters to attend to, so I will take my leave first. Empress Dowager, please forgive me."

Rong Luoge curtsied with a bend of her waist, then turned and departed.

The Empress Dowager was so furious that she swept her teacup onto the floor, where it shattered with a piercing crack.

Rong Luoge's stride did not falter for a moment. She no longer needed to live at the mercy of others' moods, and it would not be easy for the Empress Dowager to manipulate her.

Yan Yin led the palace servants in cleaning up the mess on the floor, then stood silently to one side.

The Empress Dowager looked at Yan Yin. "Do you also think I am in the wrong?"

Yan Yin listened to the Empress Dowager's words and replied with her head lowered, "To answer Empress Dowager, this servant has not thought so; I only feel pained on Empress Dowager's behalf. You have exhausted yourself for the Su family within the palace, but… Your Ladyship, there is one thing the Empress said that is right. With the Prime Minister making things so difficult for His Majesty, should you not also send word to the Su family? If the Prime Minister were willing to take a step back, things would naturally be easier for you to navigate."

The Empress Dowager looked at Yan Yin and said, "Take one step back, and you must retreat at every step. Would the son I bore not know that? He would love nothing more than for his own maternal uncle to retire from office."

Yan Yin was helpless at this, and for a moment did not know what to say.

The Empress Dowager looked at Yan Yin and continued, "The Empress is growing more and more arrogant by the day. If this continues, will I not be left without even a place to stand in Hou Gong?"

"Empress Dowager, the Empress manages Hou Gong, so naturally she must have some authority. This servant knows that you do not truly care about such things, so why make things unpleasant with the Empress now? If His Majesty finds out, I fear that… at that point, how would you explain it to His Majesty? Empress Dowager, you must think of yourself."

The Empress Dowager's temper was unsettled, and she could take in nothing; she waved her hand and dismissed Yan Yin.

Yan Yin had no choice but to bow and withdraw.

On the other side, Rong Luoge was indeed seething with anger. After returning to Fengyi Palace, she looked at Rong Xin and said, "Go to Virtuous Consort Su's place and tell her that the matter of the Weaving Workshop was decided by His Majesty — let her stop her wishful thinking. Ask Virtuous Consort Su: Prime Minister Su opposes His Majesty in court, so what gives her the audacity to still seek face before His Majesty? I feel embarrassed on her behalf!"

Su Ying had always been one to scheme from behind the scenes, but this time Rong Luoge refused to give her any face, directly stripping off her skin and trampling it on the ground!

The more Rong Luoge spoke, the angrier she became. She looked at Rong Xin. "There is no need to enter Yongfu Palace — question her right outside Yongfu Palace. I want to see who else in Hou Gong dares to jump about so brazenly!"

Rong Xin's heart tightened. She could tell that the Empress was truly angry, and immediately said, "This servant will go at once!"

Rong Luoge could not do anything to the Empress Dowager, but could she not manage a consort?

The Empress Dowager pressured her, so she would press Su Ying to the ground and trample her!

She wanted to see who would be the first to crack!

Rong Xin led people to Yongfu Palace to reprimand Virtuous Consort Su — this was the first such occurrence in the new Emperor's Hou Gong. Su Ying was utterly dumbfounded, her face alternating between red and dark, so furious she could not even speak, her complexion unspeakably ugly.

Rong Xin conveyed the Empress's decree, then bowed to Virtuous Consort Su. "Your Ladyship, if there are no further instructions, this servant will take her leave."

Su Ying was so angry that her hands and feet trembled. What could she do to Rong Xin?

She could do nothing.

If she behaved improperly, it would only add another charge against her where Rong Luoge was concerned.

Rong Xin led the palace servants of Fengyi Palace away in a grand and conspicuous manner, truly without the slightest concealment. The sight only fueled Su Ying's fury.

She turned and returned to Yongfu Palace, and in her extreme anger, smashed everything in sight!

You've got nerve, Rong Luoge!

Just listen to those words — not only did she not leave her any face, she was practically mocking her to her face!

Humiliating — utterly humiliating!

In all her years, Su Ying had never been so humiliated!

Su Ying, eyes reddened, headed for Funing Palace, but to her surprise, she did not see the Empress Dowager at the palace gate — instead, she was stopped by Yan Yin.

"Aunt Yan Yin, what is the meaning of this?"

Yan Yin said respectfully, "Your Ladyship, Empress Dowager has just rested. As you know, Empress Dowager is growing older and needs her rest on ordinary days. You had best go back for now."

Su Ying was taken aback. She carefully scrutinized Yan Yin's expression, unable to tell whether these words were Yan Yin's own decision or the Empress Dowager's, but she could not force her way in either, so she left with a dark face.

Su Ying no longer had the mindset she had before entering the palace. Before entering, she had told herself to endure, to be steady, and not to be rash.

But now, she could no longer endure it!

If Rong Luoge did not die, she would absolutely have no chance to rise above others.

Su Ying returned to Yongfu Palace. Because she was the Empress Dowager's niece, she had not entered the palace empty-handed like others; her two personal maids had been brought in as well.

She called Qing Cha over and looked at her. "Leave the palace immediately and deliver a letter to my father for me."

Qing Cha assented, and Su Ying finished writing the letter and handed it to her. "Go, and be careful — do not let anyone discover this letter. If anyone asks what you are doing, just say you are going out to buy a few things."

"Yes, whenever I have left the palace before, I have always known how to respond. Rest assured, Your Ladyship." Qing Cha tucked the letter close to her person, turned, and left.

Only then did Su Ying let out a breath of relief. She had been in the palace for some time now — how could she know what her father had been doing outside? She needed to ask clearly, and also discuss with her father about her affairs in the palace.

But Su Ying had not expected Qing Cha to return so quickly. She looked at her and asked, "Why have you come back?"