Chapter 348: Volume One, Chapter 348  Favored Concubine Destroys Wife

Volume One, Chapter 348  Favored Concubine Destroys Wife

Rong Luoge was truly surprised, and looking at Consort Xu Xianfei she asked, "Even if a divorce is desired, first there must be a clear reason, and secondly, didn't she discuss it with her natal family?"

She remembered Grand Scholar He, though somewhat liberal and pedantic, was not completely unreasonable; if a divorce were truly wanted, shouldn't the first step be to discuss it with the natal family?

He Wan also didn't seem to have a natal family, as if she had none.

Consort Xu Xianfei looked up at the Empress, "Princess Consort Shou told me that Concubine Ruan caused her to lose the child in her womb; Prince Shou not only failed to uphold justice for her, but also favored Concubine Ruan. Moreover, she has discussed this with her natal family, but her family does not strongly support her divorce. Her situation in the Shou Prince's Mansion is very difficult. First, Concubine Ruan has Prince Shou's backing, which is a great disrespect to her as a princess consort; second, she is utterly disappointed with Prince Shou and does not wish to continue living in such a muddled state."

Rong Luoge thought for a moment and asked, "Isn't Concubine Ruan the daughter of Minister of Rites Ruan Weiguang?"

"In answer to Your Majesty, she indeed is," Consort Xu Xianfei nodded.

Rong Luoge felt the matter was a bit prickly; looking at Consort Xu Xianfei she asked, "Does the Virtuous Imperial Noble Consort not intervene?"

Consort Xu Xianfei replied, "Since the Virtuous Imperial Noble Consort moved to the Shou Prince's Mansion for retirement, she no longer handles the affairs of the mansion and lives alone in a small courtyard, not involving herself in matters." She paused, "However, Princess Chang'an gets along well with Concubine Ruan."

Rong Luoge: …

For a moment she didn't know what to say; the Princess Chang'an she remembered was the quiet little girl who followed Princess Zhaoqing, usually not talkative, with a shy smile whenever she saw anyone.

"Since this is a family matter of the Shou Prince's Mansion, I cannot make a unilateral decision; I will invite the Virtuous Imperial Noble Consort to the palace for inquiry," Rong Luoge said, noting that she could not simply ignore Princess Consort Shou, but the facts needed to be verified.

If the matter is true, she would certainly support Princess Consort Shou's divorce.

Consort Xu Xianfei replied, "Your Majesty is right; it should be clarified before proceeding."

Rong Luoge told Consort Xu Xianfei to attend to her own matters, then thought and said to Grandma Zhao, "Go to the Shou Prince's Mansion and say that I am greatly concerned for the Virtuous Imperial Noble Consort, and have sent you to pay a visit. Once inside, discreetly observe and investigate the situation."

Grandma Zhao's expression hardened. "Yes, I will certainly see to it," she replied.

"Go, and have Rong Xin prepare a gift for the Virtuous Imperial Noble Consort," Rong Luoge said.

Grandma Zhao took the order and left. Rong Luoge sighed at the thought of He Wan, noting that she was a talented woman, her father a Grand Scholar, with a deep family education, yet her marriage was so difficult.

Compared with the loving marriage of Ling Yuying and Prince Liang, He Wan truly had bad luck meeting Prince Shou.

If she also ignored the matter, He Wan would likely have nowhere to turn, and her days in the Shou Prince's Mansion would become even harder; after all, she is from a later era, and in a divorce situation, if she truly faced a scoundrel, she would naturally support it.

The only worry was Grand Scholar He, but how to negotiate with the natal family? Since Princess Consort Shou has asked her for help with the divorce, she must already have a way.

Grandma Zhao did not delay long; she returned after an hour and, upon entering, first bowed, "I, your humble servant, salute the Empress."

"Rise," Rong Luoge told Grandma Zhao to stand, looking at her and asking, "How is it?"

Grandma Zhao replied, "When I arrived at the Shou Prince's Mansion, it was not Princess Consort Shou who greeted me but Concubine Ruan. According to Concubine Ruan, Princess Consort Shou is ill and bedridden. Concubine Ruan also took me to see the Virtuous Imperial Noble Consort, and I even met Princess Chang'an."

Hearing this, Rong Luoge's brows furrowed; He Wan could still go to the inner court to wait for Consort Xu Xianfei, so how could she be bedridden with illness?

It seemed that the head of the Shou Prince's Mansion was no longer He Wan but Concubine Ruan.

Her expression darkened slightly.

Grandma Zhao, seeing the Empress's displeased look, steadied herself before continuing, "When I saw the Virtuous Imperial Noble Consort, I found her spirit also lacking. Upon asking, I learned that she contracted a cold two months ago; after the cold, her health has never recovered. Now she confines herself to her own courtyard, focusing solely on recuperation. From my conversation, it seems the Consort may not be well informed about the mansion's affairs."

Rong Luoge disagreed, looking at Grandma Zhao and asking, "Since Concubine Ruan took you to see the Virtuous Imperial Noble Consort, did the Consort ask why?"

"She did," Grandma Zhao nodded. "Concubine Ruan told the Consort that Princess Consort Shou is ill, so she temporarily handled the mansion's affairs, and once the princess recovers, she will naturally return the responsibilities to Princess Consort Shou."

Rong Luoge scoffed, "If the Virtuous Imperial Noble Consort is ill, how could Princess Consort Shou, as her daughter‑in‑law, not attend to her? Since she must attend, the Consort could not be unaware of whether Princess Consort Shou is truly ill."

Grandma Zhao was startled. "Your Majesty, you mean the Virtuous Imperial Noble Consort is aware?"

Rong Luoge thought that was the case, but could not be certain now; if the Virtuous Imperial Noble Consort, Princess Chang'an, and Concubine Ruan were colluding, it would explain why He Wan had to go to such lengths to seek her own justice.

She truly could no longer live happily in the Shou Prince's Mansion.

"Grandma Zhao, take my imperial edict to the Shou Prince's Mansion and say that I have heard Princess Consort Shou is highly skilled in embroidery, and that the Weaving Workshop now needs someone of her talent to assist for a few days. Please have her temporarily reside at the workshop to help," Rong Luoge said, then thought and added, "Go to the Weaving Workshop, convey this to Kang Shufei, and if Kang Shufei is free, have her accompany you to the Shou Prince's Mansion."

Grandma Zhao, not expecting the Empress to act so swiftly, hesitated, "Your Majesty, is this perhaps too hasty?"

Rong Luoge shook her head. "The speed doesn't matter; I think if the Virtuous Imperial Noble Consort is already aware, her intelligence should let her sense something. I fear it may be too late; He Wan's life is at risk, so we must first get her out before dealing with the divorce."

Although there were many concerns, Rong Luoge now was no longer hampered as before and could truly act.

Seeing that the Empress had made up her mind, Grandma Zhao immediately said, "I will go at once. Your kindness means that Princess Consort Shou has truly come to the right person for help."

Grandma Zhao hurried to the Weaving Workshop. Meanwhile, in the Shou Prince's Mansion, He Wan, upon learning that the Empress's attendant had come to visit the Virtuous Imperial Noble Consort, felt her heart race.

She did not expect the Empress to act so quickly; the visit to the Consort was a pretense, likely to verify whether her statements were true.

Thinking this, He Wan's heart pounded even more; suddenly she heard a commotion outside, frowned, and rose to go out.