Chapter 82: of Volume 1: That Will Surely Disappoint You

Rong Luoge brought Rong Xin and Que Cai to the Fengyi Palace of the Empress, while Han Xinglan left the palace today with people to investigate the whereabouts of that batch of goods; for the Virtuous Consort's birthday, it was enough that Rong Luoge attended.

Upon arriving at the Fengyi Palace, Yan Yin personally came out to greet after hearing the announcement, saying, "Servant pays respects to the Good Lady."

"Yan Auntie, please rise." Rong Luoge's impression of Yan Yin was good, "Your Ladyship, do you have time to see me now?"

"Good Lady, follow this servant; the Empress is currently free." Yan Yin led the way, smiling as she spoke.

Rong Luoge followed Yan Yin inside and indeed saw the Empress seated on the large couch by the window in the inner hall, drinking tea. She stepped forward and paid her respects, saying, "Concubine pays respects to Your Ladyship, may Your Ladyship enjoy myriad blessings."

"Rise, today you came for the Virtuous Consort's birthday?" The Empress looked at Rong Luoge and asked.

Rong Luoge had no intention of hiding, smiling and nodding, "Yes, exactly for this matter."

"Please sit." The Empress pointed to the rosewood stool before her.

Before sitting, Rong Luoge took the brocade box from Rong Xin's hand, smiled, and handed it to Yan Yin, saying, "This is a small token of respect from this concubine to Your Ladyship; please accept it with a smile."

The Empress was somewhat surprised, her stern expression easing slightly, "You have thoughtfulness."

Rong Luoge smiled, said nothing, then sat to one side, awaiting the Empress's orders.

"How has the Crown Prince been these days?" The Empress looked at Rong Luoge and asked.

Rong Luoge considered briefly and replied, "His Highness handles state affairs daily until late; his health is still fine, and the Imperial Physician comes every few days to take his pulse."

Upon hearing this, the Empress frowned slightly, "The Imperial Hospital is indeed diligent."

Hearing the Empress's displeased tone, Rong Luoge sensibly fell silent.

The Imperial Hospital's frequent pulse-taking for the Crown Prince must be at the Emperor's behest; the Emperor's concern for the Crown Prince's health may not be a good thing.

The Empress cannot blame the Emperor, so she can only vent her dissatisfaction on the Imperial Hospital.

When the time was about right, the Empress then looked at Rong Luoge and said, "Go to the Virtuous Consort's place and return."

Rong Luoge was somewhat surprised; the Empress's meaning was that she need not stay at Yongfu Palace to attend the banquet, which she had not originally planned, but she did not expect the Empress to give her a hint.

"Yes, I will follow Your Ladyship's instructions, go and return quickly." Although Rong Luoge did not know the Empress's intention, since someone reminded her, she was not oblivious.

"Go." The Empress said to Rong Luoge.

Rong Luoge departed with Rong Xin and Que Cai; after she left, the Empress then looked at Yan Yin and said, "She does not look like she bears good news."

Yan Yin replied, "The Good Lady has only recently entered the Eastern Palace; Your Ladyship must not be impatient, wait a few more days and see."

The Empress sighed, "Although I previously did not wish for Rong Luoge to bear the Crown Prince's eldest son, letting the Prince of Shou and the Prince of Liang get ahead is also not good. The Virtuous Consort has become much more obedient these years, but in earlier years she was not a docile person."

Yan Yin echoed, "What Your Ladyship says is correct; I also feel that if the Good Lady could bear the Crown Prince's eldest son, it would be a good thing for His Highness as well."

"I just don't know whether her womb will be cooperative or not." The Empress sighed.

Yan Yin also found it hard to say anything; bearing children is not something anyone can control.

Meanwhile, Rong Luoge was unaware that the Empress was scheming about her womb; she arrived at Yongfu Palace to pay respects to the Virtuous Consort, presented her gift, and came early, so Yongfu Palace was not yet crowded. Ling Yuying, as the Virtuous Consort's daughter-in-law, had entered the palace early, and seeing Rong Luoge made her happy.

In the Virtuous Consort's presence, the two could not say much; Rong Luoge exchanged a few words with the Virtuous Consort, hearing the Virtuous Consort's words hinting at probing the Eastern Palace, she pretended not to notice, giving vague replies to get by.

The Virtuous Consort found she could not get anything from Rong Luoge's mouth, felt a bit disappointed, and seeing Rong Luoge rise to take her leave, she offered a few polite words, then had Ling Yuying see her out.

After leaving Yongfu Palace, Ling Yuying looked around cautiously, then looked at Rong Luoge and said, "Did the Empress urge you to bear children?"

Hmm?

Rong Luoge thought urging was useless, she and the Crown Prince were not truly married, yet she shook her head, "No, did the Virtuous Consort urge you?"

Ling Yuying helplessly shook her head, "Yes, recently for this matter I have been summoned to the palace often; now whenever I enter the palace I get a headache."

Rong Luoge looked at her pitifully; urging marriage and childbirth is something one cannot escape anywhere.

"Then you should strive, hope to hear your good news soon." Rong Luoge said sincerely.

Ling Yuying looked at Rong Luoge suspiciously, "If your words were not utterly sincere, I would think you were mocking me; you cannot be unaware that everyone is now watching whose womb will produce the Crown Prince's eldest son."

Really?

Rong Luoge's expression pleased Ling Yuying, she snorted coldly, "You cannot escape either."

"Not necessarily, I am not the Crown Prince's consort."

"You… you how can you be so uncompetitive?" Ling Yuying said helplessly.

"What does being competitive have to do with this?" Rong Luoge did not understand.

"You are foolish; if you could bear the Crown Prince's eldest son before the Crown Princess, your position would be secured." Ling Yuying thought Rong Luoge was clever in other aspects, but on this matter she was a bit simple-minded; indeed, those without a mother do not understand these crucial things.

Rong Luoge: …

Seeing Rong Luoge's expression, Ling Yuying lowered her voice and said, "Now Consort Ming is anxiously selecting a consort for Prince Qi; you cannot be unaware of this, right?"

Rong Luoge truly did not know, but she looked at Ling Yuying and asked, "Wasn't it said earlier that this matter is not easy? After all, with Rong Dai present, which family would willingly send their daughter into a fire pit?"

"There are those unwilling, and naturally there are those willing." Ling Yuying gave a light hum, "In any case, you must be careful; best to strive, to bear the Crown Prince's eldest son in one go."

Rong Luoge thought that would truly disappoint you.

"Bearing the Crown Prince's eldest son would certainly secure your own position, and for the Crown Prince it is also a great benefit. Continuing the bloodline is what the royal family values; if the Crown Prince could bear the eldest son before Prince Qi, the officials' support for the Crown Prince would naturally be stronger."

Rong Luoge was quite surprised that Ling Yuying would say these things to her, her expression complex, as if she might have to disappoint Ling Yuying's good intentions.

She and the Crown Prince are not truly husband and wife; the two are pure and chaste, where would a child come from?

Ling Yuying could not delay long, after giving a few more reminders she hurried back to the Virtuous Consort's side.

Rong Luoge walked back from Yongfu Palace; halfway, she saw Rong Xin beside her wanting to speak but hesitating.

Rong Luoge's heart sank; others did not know, but Rong Xin and Que Cai knew she and the Crown Prince were completely innocent.

"What do you want to say?" Rong Luoge asked casually.

Rong Xin felt embarrassed and shook her head, "I also do not know; I just feel that such a good person as the Good Lady, the Crown Prince's treatment of you is truly unfair."