"Han Yifeng, anyone can boast. If you're a real man, then keep your word." Rong Luoge wished nothing more than to sever ties with them both, but based on the original owner's memories in her mind, she feared this marriage was not so simple.
Han Yifeng: …
Rong Dai stared at Rong Luoge, whose temperament had drastically changed, feeling a mix of shock, fear, and anger. She grabbed an outer robe and draped it over herself, her eyes reddening as tears fell. Sobbing, she said, "Sister, why must you say such things? Don’t you remember best how this marriage came about? Clearly, His Highness wanted to marry me, yet you insisted on stealing him away…"
"Rong Dai, with your status as an illegitimate daughter, do you think the Emperor and Empress would agree to you marrying Han Yifeng? Would Consort Ming agree?" Rong Luoge tore Rong Dai’s dignity apart and trampled it underfoot.
Hearing this, Rong Dai’s face instantly darkened. Of course, they wouldn’t agree—it was precisely because of this that she clung tightly to Prince Qi under the guise of true love.
"Sister, why must you insult me like this? We are both Father’s daughters. It’s just that my mother refused to enter the mansion. Calling me an illegitimate daughter—aren’t you afraid Father will be angry when he finds out?" Rong Dai gritted her teeth in hatred. When had Rong Luoge’s tongue become so sharp?
"Oh, how shameless. You and your mother wanted to enter the mansion, but would the Duchess agree?" Rong Luoge sneered.
Rong Dai covered her face with a handkerchief, turned, and threw herself into the arms of Prince Qi beside her, nearly knocking him over again as he had just managed to sit up.
Han Yifeng took a deep breath, feeling strangely uncomfortable being unclothed. Logically, shouldn’t it be Rong Luoge, the well-bred young lady, who felt awkward in such a situation?
Gritting his teeth, Han Yifeng helped Rong Dai up and grabbed his own clothes from the rosewood clothes rack to put on. He glared at Rong Luoge, his tone impatient. "I know you’re jealous of Dai’er, but…"
"Which eye of yours sees me jealous of her? Because you two engaged in an illicit affair? Or because you have no shame? Indeed, only the truly shameless would put on such a show in front of others." Rong Luoge had no desire to waste words on this despicable pair. With a cold expression, she said, "Han Yifeng, I’ll be waiting for your letter of divorce. You’d better send it to me quickly. From then on, we’ll go our separate ways and each find our own happiness."
Rong Luoge felt something was off. Earlier, she had thought the incense smelled strange, and now she was certain something was wrong. She couldn’t afford to delay any longer. After uttering these words, she turned to leave.
"Wait." Rong Dai grabbed Rong Luoge. "You can’t leave."
Rong Dai knew that, given her status, becoming Han Yifeng’s principal consort was out of the question. Having finally encountered someone as easily manipulated as Rong Luoge, she was unwilling to let her go.
All she needed was for Rong Luoge to hold the title of Princess Consort Qi. With her own relationship with Han Yifeng, she would still be the one calling the shots in Prince Qi’s mansion. So Rong Luoge couldn’t leave—she still needed her to occupy the position of Princess Consort Qi temporarily. Once she gave birth to the prince’s heir, Rong Luoge would naturally become useless.
Having long operated on the edge of danger, Rong Luoge’s reflexes were faster than her thoughts. As soon as Rong Dai grabbed her, she instinctively bent her elbow and struck out. A sharp, agonized scream echoed as Rong Dai collapsed to the ground.
"I have a cleanliness obsession. It's best not to touch me, or I can't guarantee what might happen." Rong Luoge felt as if a fire were burning inside her, her temper growing increasingly irritable. Her eyes fixed on Han Yifeng, she said, "Keep an eye on your woman, or I'll hit you too!"
Han Yifeng trembled with anger. Rong Luoge had hidden herself too well—this was no gentle lady from a boudoir, but a tyrant who resorted to violence at the slightest disagreement.
"Where are you going?" Han Yifeng, no longer concerned about Rong Dai, blocked Rong Luoge's path. "You can't go anywhere right now."
The room was filled with Warm Emotion Incense, a medicinal fragrance he often used when he was with Dai'er to enhance the mood. Rong Luoge herself hadn't noticed it, but one only needed to look at her face to see that the incense had already taken effect.
Although he didn't like her, she was still his princess consort. How could he let her leave like this?
With one after another trying to stop her, Rong Luoge could no longer hold back. In a flash, her right hand moved like the wind—grabbing and pushing—forcing Han Yifeng to step aside involuntarily.
In an instant, Han Yifeng regained his composure and immediately seized Rong Luoge's left arm. "When did you learn martial arts? I've never heard your family mention it. Rong Luoge, you truly are a deeply hidden villain!"
Rong Luoge sneered, "After my birth mother died, my father remarried. As soon as my stepmother entered the household, she found me a nuisance and sent me to a manor, where I lived for seven years. If I hadn't learned some martial arts, I would have died long ago."
Han Yifeng was stunned. He had never known about this—no one had ever told him.
Taking advantage of Han Yifeng's momentary distraction, Rong Luoge kicked him away, pushed open the window, and leaped out, disappearing in an instant.
Han Yifeng wanted to chase after her, but Rong Dai was unwilling to let him go. She threw herself forward, clinging to his arm, and sobbed tearfully, "Your Highness, now you see it, don't you? Every word I said was true, without a single lie. Sister really has deceived everyone in the family. I'm starting to suspect that her insistence on marrying you was also driven by impure motives. Your Highness, you must investigate thoroughly. Sister is so fierce now—it's truly terrifying. Perhaps we should go back and tell Father. Sister fears Father the most."
Rong Dai knew that Rong Luoge cared most about her father. As long as her father spoke, she would surely obey.
Once she obediently returned to Prince Qi's residence, Rong Dai would have her under control, and today's humiliation could finally be avenged.
Han Yifeng paused in his steps, thinking it over. Where else could Rong Luoge go besides returning to the Duke of Zhenguo's residence? He would simply go there to demand an explanation, and naturally, the Duke of Zhenguo would force Rong Luoge to kneel and apologize to him.
Rong Luoge had no idea what they were thinking, and even if she did, she wouldn't care. All she wanted now was to find a place to calm down.
Her wedding dress was far too conspicuous. After much thought, she remembered that her birth mother still owned a small house in the city—part of her dowry from back then. Gritting her teeth, she made her way there. Fortunately, it wasn't far, and she arrived in less than half an hour.
The house had only two courtyards, with no owner or gatekeeper. She climbed over the wall to enter. The long-neglected and uncleaned house was covered in dust. Staggering slightly, she pushed open the main door and stepped inside.
At that very moment, her sixth sense warned her of danger. Reacting instinctively, she took a step back and, with a forceful kick, slammed the door shut.
"Bang!" The door slammed against its frame, sending dust flying in an instant. Immediately after, Rong Luoge heard a faint, low cough.
Someone was indeed inside.
"Sir, you have entered this humble abode without notifying the owner. May I ask your intention?" Rong Luoge clenched her fists, unsure of how many people were inside. She instinctively took a step back, her peripheral gaze scanning for an escape route.
"Are you the owner of this residence? My apologies. Borrowing your home was a matter of necessity. I hope the host will forgive me."
A clear and sincere voice, tinged with weakness, came through the cracked door. Based on Rong Luoge's own experience, this person was likely injured.