Chapter 359: Volume One, Chapter 359 A Barely Even Match

Volume One, Chapter 359 A Barely Even Match

The Virtuous Imperial Noble Consort scours everywhere for her son, but to no avail.

His Majesty's stance is firm; even the aristocratic families now dare not lightly pull the tiger's whisker, since the matter in Suizhou is right before their eyes, and the entire court is awaiting Suizhou's outcome.

The Marquis Ningyuan's defection is, for the capital's aristocratic families, nothing less than a slap, and that slap lands with a noticeable echo.

Suizhou's city walls are tall and sturdy, yet they cannot even withstand His Majesty's artillery barrage; what of the other cities?

And the aristocratic families within the other cities?

One could say the Song family of Suizhou is the chicken used to set an example; everyone waits to see when His Majesty's knife will fall, and also watches the Song family's final choice.

The New Year is only a few days away, yet everyone feels as if time drags a year; under such circumstances, who would still risk rescuing Prince Shou Gan, especially since Prince Shou Gan's affair is truly unscrupulous.

Aristocratic families opposing the emperor—such things have occurred throughout the ages.

Yet the Prince of Longevity was once heavily favored by the emperor; in the end, he secretly colluded with the aristocratic families. What he did cannot be said to be beyond description, but it certainly caused the emperor to lose face.

In terms of losing face, the aristocratic families and the emperor barely broke even.

Rong Luoge methodically prepares the New Year grand banquet; last year, due to mourning, no palace feast was held, but this year is different—she intends not only to hold it but to make it splendid.

She personally oversees every dish, every performance, every decoration at the imperial banquet, especially the banquet roster; she deliberates repeatedly, determined not to embarrass Han Xinglan.

In the blink of an eye the year draws to a close; on New Year's Eve the palace holds a year‑ending banquet. Rong Luoge invites the Empress Dowager and two consorts to attend. Consort Zhong and Consort Liu both decline; the Empress Dowager hesitates, then ultimately refuses to appear.

Rong Luoge is not angry this time; she understands the two consorts' absence, but if the Empress Dowager does not come, can His Majesty's face remain respectable?

It is to mourn the Late Emperor, but isn't the new emperor no longer the Empress Dowager's son?

The Empress Dowager does not attend, and Rong Luoge offers no persuasion, simply accepts.

The Empress Dowager is inevitably a bit irritated; she thought Rong Luoge would, regardless, try to coax her a few words so she could step down the stairs, but Rong Luoge offered no counsel, and the Empress Dowager is not left without even a retreat.

Rong Luoge will not indulge the Empress Dowager, not indulge this one who constantly causes trouble for Han Xinglan; to indulge her further would be like reaching for the heavens.

At the New Year's Eve year‑ending banquet, the palace concubines gather together, and unintentionally they split into three camps.

One camp is the pro‑imperial faction, led by Kang Shufei and Consort Xu Xian; they chat and laugh merrily. Another is led by Su Ying, and another by Song Huihe.

Although Marquis Ningyuan caused trouble, Song Huihe remains Consort Hui, and His Majesty does not seem inclined to take it out on her; thus Song Huihe's days in the harem have become considerably better.

Now Song Huihe no longer opposes the Empress, nor joins Kang Shufei's group; she simply sits there. Ruan Shurong, however, does not avoid conflict and continues to speak with Consort Hui as usual.

Amid chatter, everyone sees His Majesty stride in, hand linked with the Empress, cradling the Crown Prince in his arms; the sight of the three of them silences the hall instantly.

Han Xinglan, with his wife and children, strides toward the throne; only then does everyone recover, rising at once to bow.

"Concubine: I pay my respects, Your Majesty, Empress."

"Stand relaxed," Han Xinglan says casually.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Everyone stands and sits down, yet any way they sit feels awkward.

Han Chong sits quietly in his father's lap; he watches the many people in the hall with obvious curiosity, his big eyes darting from one to another.

Su Ying has never seen the Crown Prince before; now, suddenly seeing the Crown Prince with a face almost identical to His Majesty's, her emotions waver, and her smile disappears.

Song Huihe watches the Crown Prince, a bit dazed; having been in the palace so long without bearing a child, she remains a virgin.

She then looks at the smiling Empress beside His Majesty and the Crown Prince in his arms, and Song Huihe slowly lowers her head.

She knows she will never be favored in this life, nor have a child of her own.

Given what her father has done, merely preserving a life and the Song family is enough for her.

Rong Luoge listens as Han Xinglan utters a few official pleasantries, then orders the banquet to begin; she gestures for the dancers to perform, and the music swells in the hall, finally breaking the awkward heaviness.

Consort Xu Xian sits beside Kang Shufei; the two exchange a glance, lightly clink their cups, and enjoy song, dance, fine wine and delicacies—how delightful this life is.

After three rounds of wine, Han Xinglan rises and departs to the front hall; his leaving instantly livens the room, and the Crown Prince, a bit weary, is taken down by his nanny to rest.

Consort Xu Xian is the first to step forward and offer a toast; Kang Shufei and the others quickly follow, and the area around Rong Luoge instantly becomes bustling.

Su Ying sits there in a daze; beside her, Song Huihe casts a sideways glance and snorts inwardly, thinking this one is still dreaming of grand ambitions.

At a banquet like this, His Majesty's gaze is fixed solely on the Empress and the Crown Prince from start to finish; he doesn't spare them a glance, so what hope remains?

She is resigned, but this person still doesn't know.

Su Ying notices Song Huihe's gaze, lifts her head, and meets her eyes.

Their gazes clash, sparks flying.

Su Ying, irritated, can no longer hold back and says to Song Huihe, "Sister Consort Hui, I have no idea how things are in Suizhou; it's truly worrisome."

Song Huihe snorts inwardly, then looks at Su Ying without mercy and says, "Why should Suizhou concern Virtuous Consort? Yet the Prince of Longevity is imprisoned; Virtuous Consort should worry more about the Su family."

"What do you mean by that?" Su Ying asks, staring at Song Huihe.

Song Huihe smiles leisurely, "Oh, look at my memory—since Virtuous Consort entered the palace I haven't been able to leave, so naturally I'm unaware of outside news. The Prince of Longevity colluded with aristocratic families to sell offices and titles, embezzle land, suppress illegal households; I heard Prime Minister Su might be involved in this matter."

Su Ying looks at Song Huihe, unable for a moment to tell whether she is deliberately deceiving her or if the matter is true; before entering the palace, Su Ying also did not know whether her father had any connection with the Prince of Longevity.

But how could she concede before Song Huihe? She steadies herself and says, "Consort Hui, you need not provoke me with words. Whether true or not, the Su family is His Majesty's external clan; we judge by the Buddha's face, not the monk's. The Su family will always fare better than the Song family."

That remark truly pierced Song Huihe's heart; her expression turns cold as she says lightly, "Is that so? Then let's wait and see. Virtuous Consort Su, do you have any basis for that claim? You can lie to me, but can you lie to yourself? At today's year‑ending banquet, the Empress Dowager refuses to attend; what do you think His Majesty is thinking in his heart?"