Chapter 66: Volume 1 Chapter 66 — Not Because You Scared Me

Rong Luoge's sleep was uneasy; in her dream flickered luminous shadows—one moment the image of her death in a previous life, the next the scene of herself shielding the Crown Prince from a blade at a relay station—these two images intertwined, making it hard for her to breathe.

"Rong Luoge, Luoge… wake up…"

Rong Luoge snapped her eyes open and met the urgent yet startled gaze of Han Xinglan before her; cold sweat streamed down her forehead, slipping into the hair at her temples, and the cold, clammy feeling brought her back to herself.

"Your Highness, what are you doing here?"

Rong Luoge's hoarse voice carried a hint of irritation; Han Xinglan turned calmly, lifted his hand, poured a cup of warm tea from the small table beside the cot, and handed it to Rong Luoge.

Seeing Han Xinglan's obvious intention to feed her, Rong Luoge was startled, sat up instantly to take it, and with a sudden movement her shoulder was pulled, causing her to cry out in pain.

Han Xinglan's handsome brows and eyes twitched slightly, "Why are you in such a hurry?"

Rong Luoge: …

It's because you scared me!

Han Xinglan met Rong Luoge's strange gaze, cleared his throat lightly, and said, "You were injured because you saved me, so looking after you is only natural. But since you can drink by yourself, that's enough."

"I thank you, you scary one."

Rong Luoge took the warm water with her uninjured hand and drank it, feeling her dry, sore throat become a bit more comfortable; after catching her breath, she recalled the earlier plan and asked, "Is everything going smoothly?"

Han Xinglan's dark eyes stared at Rong Luoge, and he nodded slightly, "It's fairly smooth; the Emperor has already agreed to let you enter Dong Gong as Good Lady, and the imperial decree will arrive soon."

Rong Luoge nodded slightly, "That's good, at least the effort wasn't in vain."

Han Xinglan began to say something, then swallowed it back, and changed the subject, looking at her as he spoke slowly, "In Dong Gong's rear hall, your arrival means there's a master. Apart from the main hall, any other area is at your discretion; live wherever you like."

Rong Luoge nodded; the main hall is reserved for the Crown Princess, so she obviously cannot overstep, lest Han Xinglan be made to vomit blood by those old‑fashioned ministers.

Thinking of that, Rong Luoge couldn't help but laugh.

"What are you laughing at?" Han Xinglan didn't understand why Rong Luoge was laughing.

Rong Luoge voiced her thoughts, and Han Xinglan chuckled, "For now you can't stay, but perhaps later you can."

Rong Luoge, frightened, waved her hands, "Don't make that joke; if your future Crown Princess finds out, she'll surely cause trouble with you."

Han Xinglan's smile faded slightly, and he asked, "Is there anyone you wish to bring in?"

Rong Luoge thought for a moment and asked, "Are the rules in Dong Gong strict? Does breaking them mean you might lose your head?"

If that's the case, the Cangyun members should stay out; otherwise they'd be putting themselves in danger.

"Dong Gong is fine; after all, you are in charge of the rear hall, so it's no problem," Han Xinglan said in a gentle, reassuring tone. "However, if you were to enter the palace proper, it's hard to say. You know Consort Ming will keep a close eye on you, making it difficult to act against you, but if someone close to you slips up, that could be another matter."

In the end, the Cangyun members have never studied palace protocol, and the intricate rules cannot be mastered in a short time.

Han Xinglan gave no threat.

"Then that's that," Rong Luoge sighed lightly, "Don't let my injuring them be for nothing; let them serve me once, and see it through to the end. Besides, the manor outside still needs someone to look after it."

Han Xinglan remained noncommittal; he simply hadn't expected Rong Luoge, who seemed not easily soft‑hearted, to care for those around her in this way.

Indeed, if she weren't the kind of person who is tough on the outside but soft inside, she wouldn't have stepped in front of him at the relay station, and she wouldn't have been the one injured.

"Then I'll send a few people to you; you can assign them any tasks you need."

"Fine, then I'll trouble you with that," Rong Luoge replied cheerfully. Now that she and Han Xinglan were in the same boat, she wasn't afraid he would scheme against her.

"What is Consort Ming's reaction to this matter?" Rong Luoge asked curiously; she truly disliked the contemptuous look on Consort Ming's face.

"Before the imperial decree arrives, she will try her hardest to obstruct, but it won't change anything," Han Xinglan said.

Rong Luoge thought it over and found it interesting. Looking at Han Xinglan, she said, "Your family's domestic affairs are rather odd; His Majesty shows favoritism toward Prince Qi, yet Consort Ming seems to be hindering him, as if she doesn't understand that His Majesty's actions will ultimately benefit Prince Qi."

Han Xinglan understood Rong Luoge's point, and with a hint of sarcasm said, "Knowing is one thing, but in some matters not all reason can prevail. Especially since you are the former Princess Consort of Prince Qi, both Consort Ming and Han Yifeng are strongly opposed to this. Long‑term benefits are far outweighed by the immediate embarrassment."

Rong Luoge seemed thoughtful, then looked at Han Xinglan and said, "I understand."

Outside, the pearl curtains rustled slightly, and a female voice came in, "Your Highness, Miss Rong should take her medicine now."

"Bring it in," Han Xinglan said.

Soon a tall, fair‑skinned palace maid entered, followed by a junior maid, both carrying a tray on which rested a medicine cup.

"I, servant Rong Xin, am here to administer medicine to Miss Rong,"

Rong Luoge saw Rong Xin lift the medicine cup from the tray and hand it to her, gently placing it at her lips.

Rong Luoge paused briefly, took it, and swallowed it in one gulp.

Bitter!

Immediately after, a piece of candied fruit was placed in her mouth, and Rong Xin whispered, "Miss Rong, have a bite of the fruit preserve to settle it."

After swallowing the preserve, a cup of warm water was brought for rinsing; she rinsed, cleaned her hands, washed her face, while a long line of palace staff carried towels and basins, the incense burner emitting a faint fragrance.

"Miss Rong, which kind of incense do you prefer?"

"The scent of fresh flowers."

"Then may I light rose‑scented incense powder for you?"

"Fine."

Rong Luoge watched the entire house of palace staff circling around her alone, as if there were endless tasks, attending to her from head to toe, which was exceedingly comfortable.

In contrast, the few maids in her own manor were like a rough shell compared to a golden palace.

Han Xinglan, watching from beside, couldn't hide the smile in his eyes; recalling that she had grown up on Zhuangzi, he felt a touch more pity, and his dislike for Protector Duke deepened.

"From now on, Rong Xin, Que Cai, and a few others will serve you; how does that sound?" Han Xinglan asked Rong Luoge.

Rong Luoge looked at the two senior palace maids leading the group, who immediately turned to her, bowed slightly, and awaited her answer.

"Very well." Rong Luoge truly could find no flaw; she was more than satisfied.

Rong Xin and Que Cai breathed a quiet sigh of relief, fearing that the Good Lady might disapprove of them; if they weren't kept, they'd have to return to the miscellaneous affairs room on standby.

Thinking of this, her gaze toward the Good Lady changed.

Rong Luoge: …

She hurried, suddenly feeling a bit of pressure.

The people of the Dong Gong are completely unlike what she imagined.

Han Xinglan couldn't help but laugh in his heart; seeing Rong Luoge like this is truly a rare sight, and for her face he can only endure it.

It's too exhausting.