Chapter 71: Volume 1 Chapter 71 The gentleman

Rong Luoge is in charge of issuing the drawings, but for the later manufacturing, if any problems occur, she still has to check them, so she got busy.

Since Rong Luoge does not want to draw attention, she agreed with Han Xinglan not to appear publicly; any problems are brought back to her, she provides a solution, and then he takes it out.

The news from the Qiongchuan caravan takes months to go back and forth; for the time being, whether it's Di Yue Nu or Liu Yuniang, Rong Luoge has to put it on hold.

She is busy repaying the Crown Prince's favor, and the Empress in the Hou Gong is not in a very pleasant mood.

Although she does not want Rong Luoge to leverage the Good Lady status to get involved, when Rong Luoge truly does not show her face at all, the Empress's mood becomes even worse.

Yan Yin, who was by the Empress's side, saw that Her Majesty was in a bad mood and knew why, and smiled, saying: "Your servant heard that the Crown Prince has been busy with court affairs lately; it seems that having an extra Good Lady in Dong Gong might not be a bad thing. That Rong Good Lady is rather timid, knowing her status is not respectable, so she does not come to trouble Your Majesty."

The Empress snorted coldly at the words, "What do you mean by timid? The Rong family keeps causing trouble—first they publicly quarreled with Prince Qi before His Majesty, then later rescued Ling Shu; everything about this seems too coincidental."

Yan Yin knew the Empress did not like Rong Good Lady, but the Crown Prince had only this one person by his side for so many years, so she gently advised: "His Highness is clear‑minded; if Rong Good Lady has intentions, His Highness must understand. Your Majesty, your servant thinks it would be better for Dong Gong to have a child first; once the Crown Prince has a son, his standing with His Majesty will naturally be different."

The Empress's brows furrowed even tighter at the words, "The Crown Princess has not yet entered the palace; how can we let a Rong family member bear a child? If the Crown Princess later marries in, wouldn't that create a disaster?"

Because of Consort Ming, the Empress despises these concubines; there is no Crown Princess in Dong Gong yet, but that is not a reason to let Rong Luoge take the lead.

If Rong Luoge's first pregnancy yields a child, it would be the Crown Prince's first child, the emperor's eldest grandchild, whose future status would certainly not be low.

Yan Yin, of course, also knew this and sighed, "Your Majesty, the court has mentioned several times that His Highness should take a Crown Princess, but His Majesty has declined, citing His Highness's frailty. If Rong Good Lady can bear a child, wouldn't that prove His Highness's health is fine?"

The Empress was startled; indeed, she had overlooked that point. Upon realizing it, her expression became serious, and she turned to Yan Yin, "You make a good point; let me think about it."

Yan Yin, sensing the mood, stopped further discussion and instead spoke of matters in Consort Ming's palace, "These past few days many palace staff in Consort Ming's residence have been punished, showing her mood is not good. In a few days it will be the Dragon Boat Festival; Your Majesty could invite Rong Good Lady into the palace to show her face, which will surely aggravate Consort Ming even more."

The Empress nodded slightly, "Let's settle it that way."

Although she does not like Rong Luoge, she is pleased when Consort Ming is displeased.

"Your servant will send someone to Dong Gong to deliver a message, and as for the Dragon Boat banquet, Consort Ming will likely, like last year, clamour for His Majesty to take her out of the palace to join the people's festivities. If Consort Ming does so again this year, it will be very detrimental to Your Majesty," Yan Yin said anxiously.

Last year His Majesty only took Consort Ming out of the palace to watch the dragon boat race, leaving the Empress inside, claiming he was overseeing the overall situation, but it was merely for show.

The Empress, upon hearing Yan Yin's words, felt even worse; none of the matters were settling down. She thought for a moment and said, "If that's the case, then devise a way to prevent Consort Ming from accompanying the carriage."

At this point, the Empress's voice faltered slightly, then she sneered, "The matter of Rong Dai will not be suppressed by Consort Ming. Go, have someone spread throughout my palace the legendary love between Prince Qi and Rong Dai. One who disregards Rong Dai's status as a concubine, the other who seized his own brother‑in‑law; such a fated pair must be made famous."

If this matter blows up, see what face Consort Ming will have to accompany His Majesty out of the palace.

Yan Yin immediately nodded, "Your Majesty is indeed clever; this is truly a good plan. Your servant will have someone handle it right away."

"Go then," the Empress waved her hand.

Yan Yin bowed and stepped back, and once under the corridor eave, she let out a slight sigh of relief.

As His Majesty becomes increasingly impatient with His Highness, the Empress's actions have become somewhat restless, which is not a good sign.

Fortunately, His Highness is still there; Yan Yin recalled that His Highness had asked her to speak well of Rong Good Lady before the Empress, and she let out a faint sigh in her heart.

She does not like Rong Good Lady either, but His Highness seems different towards her; His Highness is also someone she has watched grow up since childhood, and these years have not been easy—if there truly is someone she likes…

Yan Yin is willing to make His Highness happy.

The Dragon Boat Festival is a major day; the palace began preparations early, and Rong Xin and a few others in Dong Gong also began preparations.

Rong Luoge, rare to have a day of leisure, watched them weaving ropes with multicolored silk thread and making five‑poison pouches; she suddenly recalled the ancient festival, became interested, and began learning alongside them.

Rong Xin and Que Cai taught earnestly, but unfortunately the Good Lady lacked talent, and everyone burst into laughter.

When Han Xinglan returned, he saw the tangled thread in Rong Luoge's hand and instantly laughed.

Dong Gong has always been desolate, but since Rong Luoge arrived, laughter is now common here.

"What are you doing?"

"Huh, you're back?" Rong Luoge shyly shook the multicolored silk thread in her hand, "I'm learning rope‑weaving from Rong Xin and Que Cai, but my mind gets it while my hands don't, so…"

Han Xinglan's mouth twitched; looking at the tangled thread, it was indeed a case of the mind understanding but the hands not.

Rong Luoge cleared her throat lightly, immediately handed the tangled thread to Que Cai, which slightly tarnished her lofty image in Han Xinglan's eyes.

"Why did His Highness return so early today?" Rong Luoge, seeing that the Crown Prince seemed not very happy, felt she should show concern as a collaborator. "Did something happen?"

Rong Xin and Que Cai hurriedly bowed their heads, tidied up what they were holding, and immediately bent down to leave.

They realized that Rong Good Lady is truly bold; the Hou Gong must not involve itself in politics, yet she often asks His Highness about matters of the former palace.

The important point is that His Highness did not reprimand Rong Good Lady for this, so there is nothing left for them to misunderstand; Rong Good Lady holds a different place in His Highness's mind.

Han Xinglan nodded, "If something comes up, on the Dragon Boat Festival the Father Emperor will celebrate with the people and watch the dragon boat races. This time you, as the only consort in Dong Gong, must also attend."

Rong Luoge's smile stiffened, "Do we have to go?"

She just wants to stay behind and be a salted fish.

Just thinking of such a large gathering, it's bound to be a battlefield of conflicts; even before going, she feels exhausted.

"You must go, so thank you for your effort," Han Xinglan said gravely, looking at Rong Luoge.

Han Xinglan's solemn demeanor made Rong Luoge a little embarrassed to decline, and she pinched her nose and agreed.

Who made her so soft‑hearted?