Chapter 54: Volume One, Chapter 54 His Highness Is Unhappy

Volume One, Chapter 54 His Highness Is Unhappy

The Empress was in a good mood, thought for a moment, and said, "I have no recollection of this Liu Yuniang in my palace, but I do remember Yu Liu; back then she was a striking presence beside Consort Ming."

The Empress, recalling this, couldn't help but remember that when Consort Ming was pregnant and sought to secure the Emperor's favor, she had even considered promoting Yu Liu to receive favor; unfortunately, at that time Zhong Meiren had just entered the palace, and His Majesty favored her for a spell, so Yu Liu naturally could not serve His Majesty as a result.

However, when Consort Ming gave birth to Prince Qi, she exhausted herself to win His Majesty's heart again and then dealt with the once-favored Zhong Meiren, so that even after all these years Zhong Meiren is still a beauty.

Yan Yin, looking at the Empress, said, "Your Majesty is right; it's just that later Consort Ming released her from the palace, and who could have imagined she became a concubine of the Great General." She added, "I truly cannot understand why Consort Ming would do this; the Great General's deep affection with Lady Ming also seems false."

The Empress looked at Yan Yin, "It is essential to investigate this matter thoroughly; Consort Ming certainly would not do this merely to trouble Lady Ming, since Lady Ming has always defended Consort Ming. There is no need for such tactics between sisters-in-law; I feel the matter is not that simple."

At this point the Empress again looked at Yan Yin, "Also, the person spreading rumors behind the scenes must be identified; whoever could leak such a matter is surely a rival of Consort Ming and might be useful to me. Consort Ming and her son had angered His Majesty over the divorce issue, yet they managed to pacify His Majesty in a short time, so we must not be careless."

"Yes, I will handle it at once. The people we placed in the Imperial Kitchen have remained idle; now they can be put to use," Yan Yin whispered.

"Be careful and don't let anyone notice," the Empress said, waving her hand.

"Yes," Yan Yin replied, bowed and stepped back.

After Yan Yin left, the Empress's smile gradually faded. She recalled that her son had not entered the palace for several days and worried about his health, so she sent someone to Dong Gong with a message.

Han Xinglan received the news and entered the palace; upon seeing the Empress, he stepped forward and saluted, "Mother."

The Empress assessed her son's complexion, found it acceptable, and let out a slight sigh, "Why haven't you entered the palace these past few days?"

Han Xinglan smiled and replied, "Father the Emperor said the son has been weary these days and let me rest properly."

The Empress's expression darkened, "It seems your father the Emperor does not let Prince Qi rest either."

The Empress, when in front of her son, showed a hint of her true temperament, her brows and eyes sharp, "I heard Consort Ming intends to deal with that leading consort of Prince Qi; do you know about this?"

Han Xinglan, expression unchanged, glanced at his mother, then said, "You know, I don't pay much attention to harem affairs and am unaware of this matter."

The Empress sneered, "That Rong family girl is also foolish; before the divorce dispute reached His Majesty, it certainly let her get what she wanted, but it offended both Consort Ming and Prince Qi. The Protector Duke is no benevolent father, so her future won't be easy. A brainless person like that would be a pity not to become Prince Qi's consort."

Han Xinglan's smile faded slightly at the words, then said, "Prince Qi's actions are indeed excessive; no girl could tolerate them. Still, the scandal is useful; Father the Emperor can now see what Prince Qi is like behind the scenes."

"Indeed." The Empress, not wishing to dwell further on the foolish Former Consort of the Qi Prince, turned to her son and raised the rumors about Liu Yuniang. "Investigate whether this is true. If Ming Zan truly kept a concubine, then Lady Ming's uproar would give us an opening; and if we could cause a fire in Consort Ming's family courtyard, that would also be a good thing."

Han Xinglan nodded slightly, "I understand, Mother. I will inform you after the investigation."

The Empress nodded, looked at her son and said, "Do you have any plans for your marriage? You can't keep postponing it forever; you must quickly marry the Crown Princess and produce an heir."

Han Xinglan said expressionlessly, "I do want to marry, but Father the Emperor is already suspicious of me. If I take a wife and have a son smoothly, do you think I could still secure my position as Crown Prince?"

The Empress's face darkened, "But feigning illness all the time isn't a solution. If you can't marry the Crown Princess, can't you take a few concubines in Dong Gong? Selecting two Good Ladies to enter the palace, I'm sure Father the Emperor wouldn't oppose. Moreover, His Majesty has been delaying your marriage; surely the court officials have opinions."

"Mother, so many years have passed; why must you rush now? If court officials advise Father the Emperor, do you think He would suspect his sons of secretly courting ministers and forming factions?"

The Empress's breath caught, she looked up at her son, "How can you speak such words so carelessly?"

"Then you'd better not bring up my marriage in front of Father the Emperor for now," Han Xinglan said.

The Empress, headache throbbing, "Your father the Emperor is obviously partial; Prince Qi can take a wife, so why can't you?"

Han Xinglan lowered his eyes in silence, thinking that not only Prince Qi, but several of his other brothers had already taken wives, while he remained the sole solitary one.

Nevertheless, he was not at all anxious.

"I know what I'm doing, Mother; you need not worry. When the time comes, I will naturally be able to take a wife."

The Empress's brows relaxed slightly, "As long as you have a plan, that's fine. Age adds up year by year; if Prince Qi fathers a son before you, your father the Emperor might think differently then."

Han Xinglan left the palace, hands clasped behind his back, strolling slowly along the long corridor.

The lingering glow of the setting sun bathed the imperial city; the glimmer on the glazed tiles remained dazzling. The cold yet opulent capital, a place many have dreamed of, hides countless skeletons beneath its foundations.

"His Highness." Shi An waited at the palace gate; when he saw the prince emerge, he hurried forward, cautiously assessing the prince's expression, which seemed fine, and breathed a sigh of relief.

His Highness's mood was never pleasant whenever he left the Empress's presence.

"Return then." Han Xinglan said lightly.

"His Highness, are you heading to Xi Cheng?" Shi An asked instinctively.

Han Xinglan's steps halted; Shi An thought he had misspoken, then heard the prince say, "Going."

The Crown Prince rushed to Xi Cheng, but did not find Rong Luoge; Shi An knocked on the neighboring gate and learned that Rong Luoge was not in the residence, having gone to the old mansion.

Han Xinglan entered the gate expressionlessly; Shi An thought his luck was poor, wishing he had gone straight to the old mansion instead of Xi Cheng.

It wasn't until night fell that Rong Luoge returned under the darkness; upon entering, she heard Jing Chu's reply and learned that the neighbor had knocked.

She thought the neighbor had business, didn't go into the courtyard, turned around and went out to knock on the neighbor's gate again.

Shi An opened the door, and upon seeing Miss Rong, he was overjoyed, "Miss Rong, come in quickly!"

His Highness must finally be happy this time?