Chapter 52: What Kind of Bond Could We Have?

Rong Luoge has thought about it, but she also has other plans. "It's fine; once I sever the ties and obtain my own household registration, I intend to leave the capital. By then, if they try to make trouble for me, they probably won't be able to find me."

Han Xinglan was startled. "You want to leave the capital?"

"I have that intention. The capital is under the emperor's foot; if I stretch my hand, eight out of ten have official caps on their heads, making everything inconvenient." Rong Luoge said helplessly, "So it's better for me to leave here and go to a small place; that would actually be easier to live."

Han Xinglan lowered his eyes slightly, then lifted his head; his black eyes returned to normal. He said, "Consort Ming is narrow‑minded and sees no room for compromise. Even if you leave the capital, as long as there is a road lead, it won't be hard to trace your whereabouts; at most it will take some detours."

Rong Luoge frowned. "I'm only separated from Prince Qi; Consort Ming shouldn't go so far as to exterminate me, right?"

Is she just idle?

"The separation made His Majesty displeased with Prince Qi, and Consort Ming was reprimanded by His Majesty because of it."

Rong Luoge: …

So, will this go on forever?

"Running away won't help," Han Xinglan said, his tone slightly heavier with helplessness.

Rong Luoge's face darkened. "At worst I could just find someone to marry."

"Given your current situation, the influential families in the capital will likely avoid you; arranging a marriage won't be easy."

Rong Luoge: …

"Your Highness, you're being too polite; it's not just difficult—probably no one dares to marry me." Rong Luoge sneered. After all, she was now seen by everyone as a woman who had been separated; which family would bet their unmarried son on her?

If she were to become a step‑mother in someone's household or marry an old widower, she would rather stay single.

Even though Rong Luoge once told His Majesty that she and Han Yifeng had not consummated their marriage, that isn't the main issue. What matters is that those families value reputation and wish to avoid antagonizing Consort Ming and Prince Qi.

After all, she is the Former Consort of the Qi Prince; marrying her would embarrass Han Yifeng.

She has no ties with others and offers no benefit, so people naturally won't risk offending the emperor's favored consort and beloved son because of her.

Han Xinglan looked at Rong Luoge's dark complexion and said softly, "It would be best to arrange your marriage as soon as you sever ties with the Protector Duke's household; otherwise Consort Ming will have an opening. Moreover, the man you marry should be someone Consort Ming cannot touch, so you can be protected."

"Your Highness, you really love to joke. Where could I find such a person? Even if I did, why would anyone offend Consort Ming and her son on my behalf?" Rong Luoge laughed bitterly. "Still, I appreciate your reminder; I'll figure something out."

There's always a path through the mountains; she refuses to believe she can't get out of the pit created by Han Yifeng and his mother.

Han Xinglan pursed his lips; even his smile seemed forced. He had explained everything so clearly—did she not understand?

Rong Luoge is now fully ready for battle; after finishing her meal she stood up to take her leave. She still has many tasks and enemies watching her like tigers; she can't indulge in pleasure.

Han Xinglan watched Rong Luoge leave with a complicated expression, then after a while let out a light laugh.

Indeed, if Rong Luoge were an ordinary woman, she wouldn't need to point things out herself; she'd probably have already been used as a pawn.

It's precisely because she's different that he entertained other thoughts.

Fine, I mustn't act too hastily; I'll proceed gradually. But I must never let her leave the capital—if she's released, retrieving her will be difficult.

On the other side, Rong Luoge had no idea what Han Xinglan was thinking. She didn't return to Xi Cheng; instead, as if strolling, she slowly approached the area where Di Yue Nu lived, holding some snacks she bought, chatting with children and old women in the alleys to gather information.

The matter was more complicated than she thought; she didn't expect that last night the whole city was searching, and Di Yue Nu, as the victim, even filed an official case. Using that as a pretext, Yi Qing went early morning to block the Protector Duke, crying out her panic and fear.

Rong Luoge truly didn't expect Di Yue Nu to seize the opportunity so well; it was a miscalculation.

So last night she inadvertently gave Di Yue Nu a hand, allowing her to play the victim before the Protector Duke?

It's maddening; she was somewhat reckless. One must not underestimate ancient wisdom, nor think that being a transmigrator grants any intellectual superiority.

Speaking of it, competing with others in another time and space still requires self‑improvement. One can't be killed by a single shot and feel honored; even if she died, she'd be so angry she'd jump out of the coffin and fight another three hundred rounds.

As for Consort Ming…

She is in the inner palace; I truly don't have arms long enough to reach the palace, but she can greatly aid Ming Yuhua.

Rong Luoge decided to stir things up; before Consort Ming can kill her, she'll make that mother‑son pair roll away smoothly.

After probing for news, Rong Luoge really went to find Ming Yuhua, had someone deliver a message to General Ming's mansion, and in a short while Ming Yuhua rushed out.

Rong Luoge waited for her at a corner; when she emerged, she stepped forward and waved at her.

Ming Yuhua immediately ran over, panting slightly, and said, "What do you want with me? How unusual."

"A place to talk?" Rong Luoge ignored her sarcastic tone; this miss always throws fits, she couldn't stand her.

Ming Yuhua snorted, but still took Rong Luoge to the tea house she frequented; their family has a private room there.

"What's your problem, always insisting on a tea house for conversation? You love tea so much—why don't you open one yourself?" Ming Yuhua couldn't help teasing.

"No money," Rong Luoge retorted. She's constantly spending; opening a tea house isn't hard, but with Consort Ming and Prince Qi around, she'd just become a target.

"I don't believe that; you're holding your own dowry and your mother's dowry—how could you be broke?" Ming Yuhua rolled her eyes.

"You know all this so clearly—do you want to be my accountant?"

Ming Yuhua, hearing that, almost choked, "You're still so annoying. Why did you call me here?"

"Of course I'm here to gather information."

Ming Yuhua felt like she was having a heart attack, glared at Rong Luoge, "Only you would say that; if anyone else said it, I'd have slapped them away."

"Don't talk about how deep our bond is—if you could beat me, wouldn't you dare to reach out?"

"Fine, you're ruthless." Ming Yuhua raised her hand surrendering, "I can't argue with you. Are you asking about Liu Yuniang's matter?"

Rong Luoge nodded, "There's something you might not know; I saw Prince Qi go to see Liu Yuniang, so I'm curious, that's why I came to ask you."

Ming Yuhua was stunned. "Cousin, you went to see Liu Yuniang? Rong Luoge, you can't slander him just because you dislike him; what could he possibly have with Liu Yuniang? When Liu Yuniang followed my father, how old was Cousin? He was too young to be involved in that matter."