Chapter 7: Volume 1, Chapter 7 Get Out Quickly

"Rong Luoge, you come out for me!"

Rong Luoge felt a fire building inside her; Cangyun went to the Zhen Guo Gong Fu to deliver a letter, and at this moment the courtyard had not even a gatekeeper, and hearing that voice she knew Han Yifeng had arrived.

Look at his bearing; coming to see her, he still has to let her go out.

However, she also happened to have something to tell him, so she simply walked out.

Stepping out, she saw Han Yifeng standing in the sunlight, tall and graceful like jade, his attire surpassing snow; the hidden patterns on his clothes shimmered in the light, the warmth of the sun sharply contrasting with his cool, aloof features.

Rong Luoge thought that this man's exterior was truly striking: black hair like ink, deep-set brows and eyes, thin lips bearing a hint of delicate beauty yet also a flash of allure.

Standing shoulder to shoulder with him was none other than Rong Dai, whose bright red garments exuded a provocative aura that seemed to confront her directly.

"Sister, from now on we sisters will see each other everywhere in this mansion; if I ever overstep, please be lenient with me, sister."

Rong Luoge lifted her eyes to look at her, "Your name is absent from the Protector Duke's family register, and also missing from the Prince's household jade tablets; who are you?"

Rong Dai's face darkened; the fact that her name could not appear on the Protector Duke's family register had always been a sore point for her. Though her father loved her, the Duchess Who Guards the State would not consent, so her father could never have her recognized as a legitimate descendant. Every time she thought of it she felt a crushing pain, and yet Rong Luoge still came to add insult to injury.

As for the Prince's mansion, Rong Dai felt more confident. She looked at Rong Luoge, trying to make her expression appear gentle and meek, and slowly said, "Sister, even if you refuse to acknowledge me, I am still your sister, a daughter of the same father; no one can change that."

"A stray beast can't understand human speech; why didn't you say that in front of the clan elders?" Rong Luoge said bluntly.

"You…" Rong Dai hadn't expected Rong Luoge to speak so harshly; even though she was thick‑skinned, she couldn't help feeling a burning heat, both suppressed and suffocated, her face ashen as she looked at the man beside her, her voice choked as she said, "Prince, I know sister has never liked me, but those words are too hurtful; am I supposed to be a concubine, and what right do I have to choose?"

Han Yifeng was already displeased; as he was about to reprimand Rong Dai after hearing her words, he heard Rong Luoge say, "Han Yifeng, I advise you to be kinder and think before you speak."

Facing Rong Luoge's cold and disgusted gaze, Han Yifeng forced the words in his mouth to swallow back, holding his breath, and finally said, "Rong Luoge, I am only here to inform you that I will grant Dai'er the title of side consort; you'd better be sensible."

"Ha, whether you ask or not has nothing to do with me; you and I will divorce sooner or later." Rong Luoge felt she couldn't rely on Han Yifeng to initiate a divorce, so she had to force him; she couldn't stand being a shield for such a pair of scoundrels. "If you're making a big fuss over such a trivial matter, then get out."

"Rong Luoge, do you really think I have no way to deal with you?" Han Yifeng's inner resentment surged; he felt that when confronting Rong Luoge he was constantly being stifled, he is a proper prince, how could he be controlled by her.

"Han Yifeng, do you want to fight, or go to the authorities to meddle in the Prince's household affairs? Honestly, if the deeds you did on your wedding night were to spread... moreover, you clearly love Rong Dai yet married me as a shield; given Rong Dai's status as a concubine, what would your supporting ministers think? You have many political enemies at court, right? With unclear righteousness, poor private virtue, chaotic domestic affairs, I'm not afraid if it gets out—just wonder if you are afraid!"

"One who is barefoot fears not those with shoes; she has nothing to fear, but Han Yifeng is different. He now must especially protect his reputation, since he is vying for the succession; any blemish would be unacceptable, otherwise why would that dog think of marrying the original bride as a shield and damaging the family?"

Rong Luoge's eyes stared coldly at Han Yifeng; as soon as he says even a single "yes", she will immediately expose him to the world!

Han Yifeng had never in his life met anyone who made him feel so suppressed; his complexion turned pale and green, as if he had opened a dye workshop.

Rong Dai looked at the assertive Rong Luoge, her brow slightly furrowed; the previously innocent face had changed a bit. After thinking it over, she turned to Han Yifeng and said, "Prince, because of my matter you have been wronged; I know you act for my sake, but I cannot let you be criticized because of me."

"Dai'er..." Han Yifeng also felt a pounding headache; had he known Rong Luoge's thoughts were so deep and her skill at deception, using him to escape the Protector Duke's mansion, he would never have married her into his house.

"Prince!" Rong Dai interrupted Han Yifeng, her face gentle and soft, speaking in a tender voice, "I will explain clearly to sister; I think she will understand us. I cannot let you be implicated by me. Prince, you hold many offices and are so busy; this small matter need not distract you."

Han Yifeng is her only reliance; she cannot allow any trouble for him.

Rong Luoge felt a sourness in her teeth, turned and headed back inside; she had no time to watch their lovey‑dovey antics, she had many tasks to attend to.

Han Yifeng looked at Rong Luoge's demeanor, truly feeling choked, gritted his teeth and turned to leave.

He had never been rejected like this before; fine, Rong Luoge, you've made a name for yourself, he wants to see who would still marry her after she forces a divorce!

"Rong Luoge, let's have a proper talk."

As soon as Han Yifeng left, Rong Dai stopped pretending; the expression on her face lost some falseness and gained a hint of probing and impatience.

"What good is there for me to talk with you?" Rong Luoge said with disgust, "Get out quickly!"

Rong Dai clenched her teeth, swallowed a breath to calm herself, and said, "I know you care deeply about your mother's dowry; how about I help you retrieve the dowry with principal and interest?"

Rong Luoge looked at Rong Dai with suspicion, "Would you really be so kind?" She sneered, "You would be so kind? Besides, I can get it back myself without your help."

"At most you'll retrieve the principal; after all these years your mother's dowry must have accrued a lot of interest. If you don't want it, you can only give it cheaply to the Duchess Who Guards the State. I know you despise me, but on this point I think our positions are the same, aren't they?"

Whenever Rong Dai recalled how the Duchess Who Guards the State had the courtyard where her mother and brother lived smashed, a fire boiled in her heart; now isn't this the perfect opportunity?

Using Rong Luoge to deal with the Duchess Who Guards the State, causing her to bleed heavily once, after which she would naturally have no spare money to trouble them.

Rong Luoge has nothing to care about; after the Prince discards her, she'll be a castaway, and it's uncertain whether she'll remarry. Moreover, when that time comes, she'll be Princess Consort Qi, and dealing with her will be a piece of cake.

For now, endure a bit longer and first deal with the Duchess Who Guards the State.

Rong Luoge needs no thought to know why Rong Dai acts so; surely it's because she previously sowed discord in the Protector Duke's mansion, fearing that Rong Dai's family would be bullied by the Duchess Who Guards the State, and she wants to use her own hand against the Duchess.

Indeed she is clever; otherwise someone like Han Yifeng wouldn't have been swayed by her.

"How could my position be the same as yours?" Rong Luoge, not caring about her intentions, stared coldly and said word by word, "The Duchess Who Guards the State is clever; since she promised to return the dowry, it should be with both principal and interest."

Even if that wasn't the original plan, once she reveals to her that Rong Dai wants to join forces, Chu Ke will naturally know what to do.

Let them dogs bite each other while I watch the fun, isn't that even better?

Rong Dai still tried to persuade, but Rong Luoge had slammed the door shut, making her heart race with anger, how could there be such an impenetrable person!

Thinking of Rong Luoge's current state, Rong Dai felt a heavy weight settle in her heart.