Chapter 75: Volume 1 Chapter 75 Going All Out to Suppress the Crown Prince

The Emperor's big banner has always been a weapon in Consort Ming's hand, after all she is always favored, using His Majesty to press others is her usual method.

In this Hou Gong, aside from the Empress who can use her position to suppress her, others such as the Virtuous Consort, the Worthy Consort, the Kind Consort, etc., are all a head shorter before her, so they are not to be feared.

Now Rong Luoge suddenly appears, and Rong Luoge is the Crown Prince's Good Lady, not directly belonging to the Hou Gong concubines; Prince Qi's relationship with the Crown Prince is complicated, and if Consort Ming dares to act directly against Rong Luoge, the veteran ministers in the court who support the Crown Prince would seize the chance to impeach her.

When the Emperor's big banner is used to strike others it feels imposing and exhilarating, but when it sweeps one's own face, the feeling is unpleasant.

Consort Ming's complexion flickers with anger, the suppressed fury cannot be released, she feels as if she could vomit blood.

The Empress is very surprised that Rong Luoge can be so formidable; recalling her days at Guo Gong Fu, she did not expect that once this person goes all out, she not only has clever schemes but also a bolder courage than others.

If it's good, it's good, like right now.

If it's not good, there are also drawbacks; should His Majesty be present one day, it likely wouldn't be as smooth as it is now.

"The time has come; let's go meet His Majesty as well," the Empress stood up directly, not wanting Consort Ming, once she recovered, to continue arm‑wrestling with Rong Luoge.

The Worthy Consort and the others breathed a sigh of relief; they also did not want to face such a battlefield scene, so if they could slip away they would, lest they become collateral damage, in which case there would be nowhere to cry.

The Empress led, Consort Ming followed, and the other concubines quickly chased after; Rong Luoge and a group of juniors fell behind, and the accompanying palace attendants marched in a grand, impressive procession.

Ling Yuying deliberately fell a step behind Rong Luoge, her mouth moving slightly, she said to her: "After three days apart, one should look at each other with new eyes; your courage today is truly immense."

Rong Luoge, like her, kept her gaze fixed on the distance, the corner of her mouth twitched slightly, and replied, "Do they let me off just because I lower my head and play the grandson?"

Of course not!

Ling Yuying clicked her tongue in her mind, "Thought through clearly, acted decisively, admirable."

Rong Luoge almost couldn't keep a straight face, and softly said, "Thank you for your concern."

Ling Yuying's mouth twitched slightly, the two still kept their distance; she lowered her voice and said, "Since you entered Dong Gong, the court has been in an uproar over the appointment of the Crown Prince's consort; you should be careful."

Rong Luoge's eyes shifted; Han Xinglan had foreseen this, indeed the court would bring up the Crown Prince's consort matter, but that issue would certainly have no outcome.

The Emperor was still thinking of using this legitimate reason to silence Han Xinglan, making Prince Qi the heir, and at this moment, Prince Qi had already separated from her, and Rong Dai acted as a roadblock; the imperial grandson seemed far away, and the Emperor would certainly not want to see Han Xinglan bear a legitimate son.

Therefore, the Crown Prince's consort matter is completely safe.

But in front of Ling Yuying she couldn't be so blunt, so she said tactfully, "I don't care about these; the Crown Prince's consort matter depends only on His Majesty's will."

Ling Yuying seemed thoughtful upon hearing that; Rong Luoge was indifferent—given her nature, she's not the type to let others push her down—so there is only one possibility: Dong Gong will not have a Crown Prince's consort for the time being.

In other words, His Majesty will not let the Crown Prince take a wife.

Ling Yuying, surprised yet feeling it was only natural, thought that after all His Majesty has always favored Prince Qi; everyone in and out of the court knows that.

She gave Rong Luoge a complicated look, thinking her luck was truly poor—her front foot stepped into Prince Qi's pit, her back foot fell into the Crown Prince's mire.

How pitiful.

Rong Luoge sensed Ling Yuying's strange gaze, but the Empress had already met His Majesty, and she had no chance to ask a question.

Everyone followed the Empress in bowing to His Majesty; the Emperor's mood was clearly high today, his expression pleasant, the Crown Prince and Prince Qi attended at his side.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, the Emperor hesitated slightly, torn between the Empress and Consort Ming's expressions, but finally let the Empress join him on the imperial carriage.

Rong Luoge let out a long sigh; although the Emperor favored Consort Ming, in such a setting, as long as the Empress appears, he is still willing to preserve some dignity for the Empress and the Crown Prince, preventing the situation from reaching the worst and allowing a turnaround.

Consort Ming's smile stiffened slightly, but quickly vanished as she boarded her luxurious carriage, and Princess Zhaoqing naturally followed.

The Crown Prince, Prince Qi and others rode horses beside the imperial carriage, escorting in a guarding formation.

Rong Luoge's carriage, together with several princesses, was at the rear of the procession; she boarded the Dong Gong carriage, and after taking her seat she finally let out a long sigh.

So tired.

Rong Xin and Que Cai looked at Good Lady and couldn't help but smile; Rong Xin whispered, "Good Lady will have to get used to days like this; it's nowhere near as easy as in Dong Gong."

Rong Luoge: …

She doesn't want to adapt; her journey is the stars and the sea, not the four‑cornered sky of the Hou Gong.

Que Cai also laughed beside her; after serving her master for a long time she knows her temperament, and now whispered, "When I was waiting earlier I specifically inquired: the dragon boat race is held on the moat, it takes over half a day to get there from here; Good Lady might rest a while, and when we arrive I will call you."

Rong Luoge nodded, "Fine, I'll restore my spirit first."

When they reach the place, not knowing what tricks Consort Ming will play, she will first replenish her spirit.

Rong Luoge closed her eyes for a short nap; Rong Xin and Que Cai knelt silently beside her, and through the carriage curtains could be heard the rolling of the carriage outside, the imperial street already cleared, with no trace of noise.

Upon leaving the imperial street, crowds of commoners gathered on both sides to bow and chant, occasionally shouting "Long live!", and the scene instantly became lively.

Rong Luoge listened to the chaotic sounds without opening her eyes; actually she didn't quite understand what emotion this was—the people's worship of imperial authority across the world, such belief is hard to label as good or bad.

The carriage swayed gently, the pace neither fast nor slow, and Rong Luoge actually fell asleep; when Que Cai woke her, she realized they had arrived.

Rong Xin hurriedly took out a comb and other items to fix her makeup; Rong Luoge looked at herself in the mirror, after a short nap she was full of vigor, cheeks flushed, clearly a radiant beauty.

At least in appearance, she has no obvious weakness to be exploited.

Holding Rong Xin's hand, she stepped down from the carriage, and Rong Luoge stared at the densely packed crowd outside, stunned by the sheer number of people.

Que Cai followed down, protecting Good Lady on the other side, supporting her forward to meet the Empress.

When passing Princess Liang's carriage, the two happened to meet; Ling Yuying whispered to Rong Luoge, "I just received news that Prince Qi seems ready to intervene personally."

Rong Luoge:?

This guy really went all out to suppress the Crown Prince!