Chapter 55: Volume 1, Chapter 55: How You Enter the Eastern Palace

Rong Luoge smiled at Shi An and said, "I heard you went to knock on the door today; is there something you need?"

Shi An hadn't expected the lady Rong to be so straightforward; he couldn't just say, "Let them come and see the Crown Prince," could he?

Racking his brain, Shi An spoke solemnly, "Lady, I recall you like the braised lion's head the kitchen prepares. The kitchen happened to make some today, so I'd like to invite you to dine. Our Crown Prince usually eats alone; it's rare to have someone to chat with."

Shi An thought to himself it wasn't easy; he even resorted to playing the poor.

But he mustn't let the Crown Prince hear that.

Shi An lowered his voice, "Lady, please don't tell the Crown Prince what I said earlier, or my life won't be safe."

Rong Luoge burst into laughter, looked at Shi An and said, "You're certainly loyal."

Shi An smiled at the lady, felt a sudden relief, and laughed along, "Indeed, I've served our Crown Prince for over a decade; no one can match my loyalty."

Rong Luoge followed Shi An inside, saying as they walked, "Over a decade? So you were by the Crown Prince's side when you were still very young?"

Shi An nodded, "My family was poor; I was sold into the palace at six, and at seven I was by the Crown Prince's side. Back then I was clumsy, broke a few of his treasures, but he didn't punish me and even covered for me; otherwise I'd be dead by now."

Rong Luoge fell silent for a moment, then looked at Shi An's sincere smile and said, "The Crown Prince is a good person; you're fortunate as well."

"Of course," Shi An said, leading the lady into the front courtyard, then fell silent, no longer speaking of the past, and guided her into the main hall. "Lady, please wait here for a moment; I'll go report to the Crown Prince right away."

Rong Luoge nodded, "Much obliged."

Shi An cheerfully went to the study; Rong Luoge watched his back and couldn't help but smile as well.

Soon Han Xinglan arrived, wearing a simple ink‑blue robe that was slightly loose, not as formal as official attire.

Facing this Han Xinglan, Rong Luoge felt unusually relaxed. She smiled and rose, "I heard the Crown Prince's kitchen prepared delicacies, so I took the liberty of disturbing you; please forgive my intrusion."

Shi An listened to the lady's words, his favor for her rose sharply; the lady truly is a good person.

Han Xinglan was a bit surprised; earlier he had said Rong Luoge could come to dine anytime, but he knew that although she agreed, her temperament meant she would never come easily.

He didn't expect her to actually come this time.

Han Xinglan found it hard to describe his feelings at that moment, but his smile deepened.

"It's perfect; I'm bored eating alone. I'm so glad the lady could come, I can't even keep up with my joy."

Shi An hurried to have the kitchen send the meal, and taking the chance, he laughed beside them, "The Crown Prince has a vat of Apricot Blossom Wine hidden here; shall I fetch it for you?"

"Go ahead," Han Xinglan said with a smile, nodding.

Shi An went at once.

Rong Luoge, hearing this, looked at the Crown Prince, "Does the Crown Prince often enjoy a few drinks?"

"When one is alone it can be dull, so I sometimes have a few drinks," Han Xinglan said, looking up at Rong Luoge. "I forgot to ask, can you drink?"

Rong Luoge could, but she wasn't sure of the original host's tolerance. She thought and said, "I can share a modest sip with the Crown Prince; more than that I fear I'd lose decorum."

"One cup is fine," Han Xinglan replied happily, noting that this meant Rong Luoge's guard against him wasn't that strong; otherwise, with her temperament, she'd refuse any wine.

The dishes were quickly set on the table, and Shi An brought over the Apricot Blossom Wine; indeed it was a huge vat.

He filled a white‑jade wine vessel, took out two white‑jade cups, placed them, set the vessel on the table, and then bowed and stepped back.

Han Xinglan reached for the vessel, poured a cup for Rong Luoge, then filled his own, saying, "Apricot Blossom Wine moistens the lungs; a little is good for the body."

Rong Luoge nodded; she knew little about wine, took a gentle sip, feeling a spicy bite followed by a faint sweetness, and hurried to tuck in the food.

Han Xinglan couldn't help laughing, "Looks like your tolerance isn't great."

Rong Luoge smiled, "Tolerance is something you train; a maiden like me rarely drinks."

"Indeed," Han Xinglan nodded, then, looking at Rong Luoge, suddenly asked, "The Empress summoned me to the palace today; do you know why?"

Rong Luoge looked at the Crown Prince in surprise; could the Empress, seeing her son, possibly know what we're talking about?

But seeing Han Xinglan's slightly forlorn expression, she couldn't help asking impulsively, "What is it?"

She felt a bit annoyed as the words left her mouth; indeed, after drinking she becomes impulsive.

Han Xinglan seemed pleased by her question, looked at her and said, "It's about my marriage."

Rong Luoge suddenly understood, "The Crown Prince should indeed take a wife, so why hasn't he married a Crown Princess yet?"

Han Xinglan lowered his eyes slightly, a hint of melancholy and helplessness in his gaze, and sighed, "It's not that I don't want to marry; I simply can't."

Rong Luoge instantly imagined a grand palace intrigue, recalling the secret histories of the inner court, and felt a strange pity for Han Xinglan.

As the heir apparent, what can one do? As long as one isn't the emperor, one is subject to others' control, living in constant fear.

"But the other princes have already taken wives; His Majesty can't keep the Crown Prince single forever," Rong Luoge thought, believing the emperor cares about appearances and wouldn't let the Crown Prince remain unattached.

"They'll probably let me take a Good Lady and concubines, but those sent into the Eastern Palace have impure motives and varied intentions; I'd rather keep things as they are."

Rong Luoge agreed; if even the person beside one's pillow can't be trusted, one must constantly scheme, making life truly stifling.

"The Crown Prince doesn't have it easy either." After a few sips, Rong Luoge felt her cheeks warm, her mind less sharp than usual, and said, "There's nothing we can do; being of the heavenly family, consider this a life trial. One day the Crown Prince will spread his wings and be free of restraints."

Han Xinglan watched Rong Luoge's flushed cheeks; when sober she would never have spoken such words, yet now she had.

He tightened his grip on the wine cup slightly, looked at her and said softly, "If there were a way to resolve your predicament and also ease my danger, Luoge, would you help me?"

Rong Luoge turned her head slightly to look at the person opposite, her mind a bit sluggish, and asked, "What method?"

"What if you entered the Eastern Palace as a Good Lady?" Han Xinglan said word by word, "If you join the Eastern Palace, I'll protect you fully, preventing Consort Ming and her son from harming you. In return, you safeguard the peace of my rear quarters; at least until I seize power, you'll keep the Eastern Palace's affairs in your hands, preventing outsiders from intervening."