Chapter 60: Volume 1 Chapter 60 Assassination of Rong Luoge

Rong Luoge didn't expect her luck to be this bad; it seems that after the report to the authorities about Di Yue Nu last time, the night patrols were indeed tightened.

She could only turn and run, and the patrol squad immediately lifted their feet and gave chase.

Rong Luoge set a stone‑cold face, took a running start, planted her feet on the wall to spring forward, grabbed the wallhead and with a "whoosh" flipped over, not even caring that she startled the household owner, then turned and vaulted over the rear‑yard wall to escape.

Fortunately she had memorized the surrounding terrain in her mind; otherwise a day‑trip to the government office would have been truly embarrassing.

Rong Luoge couldn't go straight home; after running around long alleys and narrow streets for more than half an hour she finally shook off the pursuers, leaning on a wall and gasping for breath.

What kind of trouble is this?

Just as she was still shaken, a long spear suddenly thrust toward her; in panic Rong Luoge leapt backward to dodge, staggered a few steps before regaining her footing, cursed, and, still reeling, saw the masked opponent on the other side raise his spear and keep striking at her.

Rong Luoge barely had a moment to breathe, instantly turned and sprinted, weaving in a Z‑shape to move from the spear's front to its side‑rear, seized the slight advantage, reached for the assailant's back of the neck, and hurled him away with force.

The man, seeing his strike miss, used the momentum of being thrown to lift his foot and flee.

Rong Luoge, having taken such a loss, naturally refused to stop and immediately gave chase.

Not only was Rong Luoge familiar with the area, the opponent was evidently more familiar; after a chase that lasted as long as an incense stick burned, she still lost him.

Rong Luoge kept a composed face, walked back cautiously, avoided the patrol squad, and returned to the old residence.

She didn't know what kind of person had attacked her that night, but it was clear the assailant had been waiting for her; she thought carefully and, aside from the fallout with Rong Heng, she hadn't recently made any larger enemies.

Could it be someone from Consort Ming's side?

Probably not; Consort Ming is currently swamped dealing with Liu Yuniang's affairs, too busy to pay attention to her for the time being.

It probably isn't from Di Yue Nu's side either, since Di Yue Nu doesn't even know about the threatening letter she sent in secret.

Then who could it be?

Han Yifeng?

Rong Luoge couldn't be sure it was him; mainly because she had never seen anyone as deft by Han Yifeng's side.

She felt the opponent was vaguely familiar, but couldn't recall where she had seen him, so it was probably not someone from Han Yifeng's circle.

Then who exactly is it?

Rong Luoge changed into nightclothes, washed up, entered the tent, and tossed and turned unable to sleep.

Cang Yun slipped in carefully, turned off the lights, and, hearing the girl's movements, whispered, "Miss, it's time to rest. You have to go out tomorrow; if you stay up too late you'll be lacking spirit and won't look good."

Rong Luoge: …

"What have you learned here at the old residence?"

She teased, "Is it pretty or not? This girl used to never care about such things."

Cang Yun replied immediately: "I used to know nothing when I first came up from the village; lately I've been studying diligently with a master. Miss, there are countless things I need to learn. I never knew that incense should be chosen by the four seasons, by morning or evening, and that some refined families even change incense according to the master's mood. Thinking back, I realize I have been so harsh to you before; I, a rough servant, never understood how a lady of the boudoir lives. You have truly been wronged."

Rong Luoge: …

"Cang Yun, who did you learn from?"

"Sister Fang Rui, the daughter of Madam Dong next door, I heard she's serving in Dong Gong. She knows a lot. She fell ill recently and asked the steward to bring her back to recuperate; once recovered she'll return to her post. Madam Dong has always looked after me, so she let Sister Fang Rui teach me."

Rong Luoge wasn't foolish; when she heard about serving in Dong Gong, she sensed the matter couldn't be simple—such coincidences don't happen.

She inhaled deeply, still surprised at how thorough Han Xinglan was; it seemed he had planned this in advance.

Hmph!

She couldn't say she was angry, just felt uneasy—does Han Xinglan not fear that I might refuse him?

He puts so much effort into molding those around him, yet doesn't fear the plan backfiring.

Rong Luoge couldn't see through Han Xinglan; although he always seemed gentle when they met, she constantly felt he was dangerous and instinctively wanted to keep her distance.

But, in the end, she kept getting closer.

Now the two have settled the terms; her future freedom is not far off, and with hope she feels highly motivated.

Isn't it just playing mind games with people?

Even if you've never tasted pork, you've seen pigs run; all those palace intrigue, conspiracy, and historical dramas aren't just for nothing.

Rong Luoge closed her eyes and decided to sleep.

Whatever, when soldiers come we block them, when water comes we dam it, when earth comes we cover it!

If the future is equally uncertain, then we should just do whatever makes us happy; isn't life just about enjoying oneself?

Rong Luoge still harbored resentment over last night's assassination attempt, but had no clues; fortunately she remembered the opponent's silhouette and technique, so if she saw them again she could certainly recognize them.

The morning meal was far richer than before; Rong Luoge sipped mixed porridge, ate steaming shrimp dumplings, and listened to Cang Yun outline today's schedule.

Rong Luoge nodded slightly as she listened; today she would go out to probe Di Yue Nu's situation—night patrols are heavy, but daytime should be better.

Besides that, she only awaited news from the Crown Prince.

Everything on the Crown Prince's side is arranged; she just needs to play a cameo role. According to Han Xinglan, she won't be needed at any point; she only has to enter Dong Gong splendidly as Good Lady.

The Good Lady position is perfect—it allows her an easy escape later, and she has no Crown Princess as a direct superior; as Han Xinglan said, in the Dong Gong rear courtyard she would be the boss.

Of course, she doesn't want the Crown Princess role either, but honestly, given her status as a concubine, she couldn't even sit in it; if Han Xinglan forced her into it, not even the emperor—let alone the old‑fashioned ministers—could tolerate it.

Just imagining that scene is simply too wonderful.

Rong Luoge left Cang Yun to watch the house, changed into a simple plain dress, and decided to first go to Di Yue Nu to gather information, then visit Madam Wang.

Last time, thanks to Madam Wang's help they could identify that character, and Rong Luoge enjoys talking with her; Madam Wang can calm a restless heart—she is truly a talented lady.

Riding in a carriage to the location, Rong Luoge disembarked and pretended to approach Di Yue Nu's residence casually, but found the main gate tightly shut, with no gatehouse in sight, which felt off.

She bought a few skewers of candied hawthorn, handed them to a few street children, chatted with them, and learned that the family hadn't come out since yesterday.

Yesterday?

Rong Luoge suddenly recalled her severed ties with Rong Heng and wondered if that was related.