Chapter 78: Volume 1, Chapter 78 – How Prince Qi Was Originally Blind

Han Yifeng returned in high spirits, intending to cleanse his previous image before everyone and have them regard him anew.

But who could have known that as soon as he returned he would encounter this scene, his heart went cold; it was clearly his moment to shine, yet why did such a commotion arise?

When Han Yifeng returned, everyone's gaze grew more subtle; at that moment, the previously silent Han Xinglan stepped forward, let out a soft sigh, but said nothing.

The Crown Prince let out a faint sigh—perhaps it would have been better not to speak at all. As a result, his sympathetic gaze toward Rong Good Lady only worsened everyone's perception of Princess Zhaoqing.

When Prince Qi finally figured out what was happening, his first thought was how could Zhaoqing be so impulsive?

But immediately after, he also felt that Rong Luoge was not the type to be taken advantage of, and he sensed that his sister was probably being framed.

Yet if Zhaoqing hadn't acted first, how could Rong Luoge have a chance to turn the tables?

Prince Qi stared with a dark expression at the weeping, heartbroken Rong Luoge. He had never seen her cry before; now, crying under everyone's gaze, her tears were truly priceless!

"Father Emperor," Han Yifeng could not let matters develop this way, and he stepped forward immediately, "In the end this incident stems from the son‑minister, Zhaoqing indeed acted wrongly; I will apologize to Rong Good Lady on her behalf."

Zhaoqing widened her eyes in disbelief, looking at her brother, "Imperial brother, I'm not at fault; she truly slandered me!"

Han Yifeng kept a composed face as he looked at his sister, "Apologize."

Zhaoqing cried even more sorrowfully; she had never endured such grievance before, and she turned and fled.

Everyone: …

The Empress let out a light sigh, "Zhaoqing is no longer a child; it's one thing to stay at home, but if she marries out in the future, will she be this unseemly? If so, which Heavenly Princess would dare to take her home?"

Anyway, the Empress has no daughter herself, so she naturally steps on Zhaoqing to embarrass Consort Ming.

Ever since the marriage of the Owl Kingdom Princess has been a real headache; the aristocratic families are unwilling to marry a princess, a Prince Consort cannot hold an actual office, and must spend his whole life placating the princess, like a second grandson. Any ambitious descendant in the family would never let a child become a Prince Consort.

But with a princess's status, she cannot simply marry anyone, so each time a marriage is arranged for her, it becomes a tug‑of‑war.

Princess Zhaoqing's reputation had been fairly good before; after all, Consort Ming knows how to behave, and Han Yifeng's reputation was also good before the separation, but now, it's hard to say.

Because of Rong Luoge, the number of times Consort Ming and the two children have capsized has multiplied.

Han Xinglan now cannot force himself into the spotlight; after all, if he steps forward for Rong Luoge, he might only make matters worse.

Yet, the more he stays out of the limelight, merely gazing at Rong Luoge with eyes full of pity and concern, this scene, when seen by others, only makes Rong Luoge seem more pitiful.

Rong Luoge and Han Xinglan have spent a long time idling in Dong Gong; even if they don't claim to share hearts, they can anticipate each other's thoughts to some extent. She is quite pleased with Han Xinglan's discernment and reactions—no wonder he's an old fox.

With the matter laid out before him, the Emperor was plagued with a headache; watching Zhaoqing run away in tears, he couldn't help feeling a pang of sympathy.

But Rong Luoge truly was innocent, and recalling that the incident started because of her, the Emperor couldn't help feeling displeased.

After a moment of contemplation, the Emperor finally said, "Zhaoqing shall return to the palace and be confined for half a month to reflect; the Rong family has suffered grievance, let the Empress grant a reward."

That's quite a cop‑out.

Rong Luoge knew the Emperor was biased, knew Han Xinglan's situation was precarious, but didn't expect it to be this terrible; even when matters reached this point, the Emperor only imposed a half‑month house arrest, which is hardly a punishment.

Damned Emperor!

Rong Luoge cursed inwardly, yet outwardly displayed extreme gratitude, saying to the Emperor, "Thank Your Majesty for upholding justice for this concubine."

The Emperor, having lost interest in staying, kept a composed face and rode back to the palace.

Consort Ming glared at Rong Luoge and wrote a note against her.

Only then did Han Xinglan step forward, take Rong Luoge's hand, seemingly unfazed by the surrounding group of women, lowered his head, and said softly, "I'm sorry you were wronged."

Rong Luoge, aware that Han Xinglan was putting on a show, immediately drew on her Oscar‑level acting, lifted her eyes slightly to meet the Crown Prince's, and gently said, "With His Highness here, how could this concubine feel aggrieved?"

Everyone: …

Han Yifeng, watching Rong Luoge's gentle demeanor, was momentarily dazed.

He had never seen her look at him like this; even back at Zhen Guo Gong Fu, her gaze toward him was different.

Could it be that Rong Luoge truly fell for the Crown Prince?

No way!

She's such a fierce woman!

The Crown Prince took Rong Luoge's hand and led her down from the imperial platform; the two walked side by side away, and as the crowd watched their backs, a hush fell over the onlookers.

His Highness the Crown Prince seems to like Rong Good Lady a lot.

But... Rong Good Lady was formerly Prince Qi's consort; does His Highness not mind?

Even if it's out of gratitude for saving a life, giving Rong Good Lady a place to stay counts as repaying the favor, right?

Someone whispered, "Rong Good Lady and Prince Qi never consummated their marriage; when she entered Dong Gong she was still a virgin, so how could His Highness mind?"

Indeed, although Rong Luoge is separated, she remains a virgin.

Han Yifeng could no longer stay, his face darkened as he lifted his foot and left.

In the Owl Kingdom, separation and remarriage are not unusual; it's only when such matters occur within the royal family that they seem extraordinary.

Han Yifeng felt that his reputation for this lifetime had been smeared onto Rong Luoge; his anger flared, and he couldn't help venting some onto his sister, wondering why he had bothered her for no reason!

From today onward, rumors spread through the capital that His Highness the Crown Prince harbors deep affection for Rong Good Lady; after all, there was a life‑saving debt, and Rong Luoge's striking beauty, plus her virginity, means any man who wins such a woman would surely be delighted.

So, how did Prince Qi originally become blind?

Upon hearing these rumors, Prince Qi was so angry he even flipped the table!

The next day, Rong Luoge in Dong Gong received a particularly generous reward from the Empress, indicating the Empress was quite pleased with her performance during the Dragon Boat Festival.

On the second day of the Dragon Boat Festival, Han Yifeng still hadn't devised a good way to make everyone forget the incident, and the Minister of Works promptly presented a patterned loom, causing a stir in the court.

The Minister of Revenue was the most excited, saying these would become tax revenue in the future.

The usually low‑key Ministry of Works suddenly stole the spotlight; the Minister of Works was practically riding high, unrivaled in prominence.

Rong Luoge and Han Xinglan were playing a board game in the study when they received the news; she looked at him and smiled, "What are Your Highness's plans next?"

Han Xinglan smiled lightly, "Where the people's hearts turn is the true destination."

Rong Luoge looked at him in surprise, "Your Highness, is this going to be a big move?"

"We can't let your drawings go to waste; they should finally be put to use," Han Xinglan smiled lightly. He had always felt unlucky, as if all his luck was spent waiting for her.

Fortunately, he had waited and arrived.