Chapter 45: Volume One, Chapter 45 The Fatal Disaster

Volume One, Chapter 45 The Fatal Disaster

Rong Luoge obtained the information she wanted, chatted a few words with Madam Luo, then rose to take her leave, and before departing she left that set of ancient books as a token of thanks.

Madam Luo naturally refused, so Rong Luoge tossed it aside and ran off.

Madam Luo is truly a good person, not at all putting on the airs of an official's wife; she greatly respects such a pure intellectual.

In any time or space, truly capable and cultured people are respected.

Rong Luoge learned the seal's origin, and became increasingly unable to figure out what was really happening.

If this seal is linked to the Qingxuan Kingdom, then Di Yue Nu's background must also be connected to Qingxuan Kingdom? Could Di Yue Nu even be a Qingxuan person?

Does the Protector Duke know about it?

It also brings to mind that Consort Ming and her son have gone to great lengths secretly searching for this seal; do they therefore know the seal's specifics?

If they know, what exactly are they seeking the seal for?

Rong Luoge suppresses her tangled thoughts; she finds the matter like a tangled skein, with no clue at all.

Also… the Crown Prince and Prince Qi have always been at odds; does the Crown Prince know about the deeds of Prince Qi and his mother?

The seal is extremely hot to handle; Rong Luoge thinks of Rong Ling Shan…

She immediately returns to send Cangyun to the Protector Duke's residence to deliver a message, inviting Rong Ling Shan to meet.

After pondering, any other place seems unsafe, especially since their topic is risky, so she directly asks Rong Ling Shan to come to the old house.

Rong Ling Shan arrives quickly, her complexion not looking great; upon seeing Rong Luoge's attire she is momentarily stunned, then says, "Big sister, you look very beautiful like this."

Rong Luoge, without waiting for Rong Ling Shan to say that, looks at her and smiles, "Sit down, I called you to ask how things are at the residence."

Rong Ling Shan's eyes brighten, "Big sister still cares about the family, right?"

"My mother is investigating evidence of my elder brother's downfall, but progress is slow," Rong Ling Shan says with a somewhat dejected expression, "If we don't find it quickly, I'm afraid Rong Dai siblings will have to acknowledge their lineage."

Rong Luoge's expression hardens; according to her estimate, Consort Ming and her son probably wouldn't push for Rong Dai to be entered onto the family register. Changing her thoughts, she looks at Rong Ling Shan and asks, "So quickly? Did Prince Qi act behind the scenes?"

Rong Ling Shan shakes her head, "I'm not clear on the details, but mother said there are some loosenings on father's side."

Since Prince Qi didn't appear directly, the chance it's her is low; if not Prince Qi, who else has the ability to make the Protector Duke relent?

For some reason, Rong Luoge suddenly thinks of Di Yue Nu; she looks at Rong Ling Shan and asks, "If Rong Dai siblings enter the residence, what about their birth mother? It can't be that the children go in while their birth mother remains outside."

Rong Ling Shan's complexion clearly worsens, "The day before yesterday that woman met Rong Dai siblings secretly outside the gate; it wasn't just secret, it seemed like a protest against the mother."

Rong Luoge's thoughts stir slightly upon hearing this; for so many years Di Yue Nu has endured staying hidden, as if willingly being kept outside by the Protector Duke, so her sudden emergence now suggests there must be some reason behind it.

Recalling Prince Qi's urgent search for this seal, could it also be related to the seal?

"If Rong Dai siblings enter the residence, Di Yue Nu certainly won't continue to be content being nameless and kept outside, because if her two children later appear on the family register while she remains outside, outsiders will inevitably look down on them. So even for the sake of her children, Di Yue Nu will definitely devise ways to enter the residence as a concubine."

"Big sister thinks the same? I think so too. I told mother, but she still says father won't bring that woman into the residence," Rong Ling Shan sighs.

Chu Ke is so certain?

Rong Luoge, after pondering, thinks that Chu Ke's confidence is probably because the Protector Duke gave her some promise years ago.

But she also doesn't consider that now Rong Dai siblings are about to make a final move into the residence; the promise the Protector Duke gave years ago is worth how many copper coins now?

Anyway, whether it's Rong Dai, Rong Lang, or Di Yue Nu, none can enter the residence, at least until she hasn't severed ties with the Protector Duke's household.

She can't intervene in the Protector Duke's affairs from outside; thinking of this, she looks at Rong Ling Shan and says, "One leads to another. Today, if Rong Dai siblings are entered onto the family register, tomorrow Di Yue Nu can enter the residence. Such a development must not be allowed to regress. Moreover, the fact that Di Yue Nu has managed for years to have her two children cause a stir in the Duke's residence shows she is exceptionally capable; the Duke's wife should have prepared for this long ago."

Rong Ling Shan strongly agrees, "But what if big sister's mother refuses to listen to me?"

"That's easy," Rong Luoge says with a smile, "Have the Duke's wife send someone to secretly investigate Di Yue Nu's recent whereabouts."

Anyone whose ambition swells will inevitably leave traces.

If Di Yue Nu wants to enter the residence, she will certainly operate on many fronts; as soon as she moves, Chu Ke will be able to uncover something.

Rong Ling Shan nods thoughtfully, "Indeed, if she were content, she wouldn't be pressing so relentlessly. I'll go back and tell mother, thank you, big sister."

"No need to thank me; you helped me last time as well," Rong Luoge says, looking at Rong Ling Shan. "By the way, the seal you gave me was stolen from my pouch when I went out last time; the thing is gone. I liked it a lot—could you find a way to make another one?"

Rong Ling Shan is startled, "How could I figure that out? I can't reproduce it; the characters on it are twisted like demonic scribbles, and I can't even remember a single one."

"That's truly a pity," says Rong Luoge, looking very disappointed. "Then think—could anyone else possibly make such a thing?"

Rong Ling Shan shakes her head, "I never showed it to anyone after I got it; who could create it from nothing? Big sister, if you like the seal, perhaps I could go to the Treasure Pavilion and buy a few for you to play with?"

"No need for that," Rong Luoge waves her hand, feeling relieved. She finds Rong Ling Shan quite clever, but the girl's experiences are so limited that she fell straight into her trap.

First, to let her know that the seal was lost; if she wants it back later, she has nothing to return.

Second, she also learned that Rong Ling Shan truly never showed the seal to anyone, so she can truly rest easy.

Watching the girl racking her brain to recall the seal's appearance, an inexplicable softness fills her heart; she says, "Ling Shan, this thing came from Di Yue Nu, its origin unknown. If people find out, it will tarnish your reputation, so don't speak of it outwardly."

Rong Luoge also fears that if someday Rong Ling Shan says it out loud, it could truly bring a death‑bringing disaster.

At least the girl looks fine now, and having helped her, Rong Luoge is also willing to protect her a bit.