Having witnessed this scene, they slowly withdrew their gazes.
Luo Wanling was particularly irritable, waving her hand sullenly. “You may leave.” Just seeing that useless look of hers made all plans and schemes lose their appeal. There was no mood to reprimand her or assign tasks. At the moment, she only wanted to send her away, as the sight was infuriating.
Truly a hopeless mess.
With tears in her eyes, Luo Shuran performed the farewell salute. As she slowly retreated, her steps faltered, and she nearly stumbled backward. Fortunately, Ming Xia behind her reacted swiftly and supported her.
Once they had completely left Yunhua Palace, Luo Shuran composed herself. Looking down, she saw her handkerchief was already soaked and stained with some makeup powder. It seemed she had cried too earnestly earlier, leaving her eyes red and uncomfortable.
Luo Shuran raised her head. As she blinked, tears clung to her lashes, shimmering like glowing pearls under the faint sunlight—a breathtaking beauty.
Walking along the path, her thoughts were many. The reason she had acted this way today was because she understood Luo Wanling’s nature—always wanting to use others as tools to achieve her goals.
This way, she could eliminate enemies without bringing trouble upon herself.
Luo Shuran had no intention of foolishly becoming their pawn. She needed to protect herself while also considering her future.
As for using others as tools, who would end up as the tool remained uncertain. If she could slowly turn them into her own blades, clearing this thorny path for her step by step, that would be ideal.
Back at Yunhua Palace, after everyone had left, Luo Wanling flew into another rage. Anything that didn’t align with her wishes was intolerable.
Yi Momo sighed helplessly. Sometimes, dealing with these outbursts was exhausting. After a while, perhaps noticing that Luo Wanling had tired herself out, she stepped forward to console her. “Your Highness, she is merely a sheltered illegitimate daughter who has suffered misfortune. Seeing how sickly and timid she looks, it’s clear her courage has been shattered. It’s normal not to expect much from her.”
Initially, they had summoned Luo Shuran with the intention of inciting her to seek revenge. If anything happened, they would cover it up, not only achieving their goal but also giving them leverage over the illegitimate daughter.
This way, they could vent their anger while firmly controlling Luo Shuran.
But now, looking at Luo Shuran, not only was she incapable of seeking revenge, but even if she wanted to, Luo Wanling and Yi Momo wouldn’t dare let her.
They couldn’t send her to her death, and there was a risk she might drag them down with her. That would truly be a loss outweighing any gain.
“Useless,” Luo Wanling cursed bitterly before suppressing her anger and turning to Yi Momo. “Momo, what Qi Zhaorong cares about most is the Second Prince.”
Yi Momo understood Luo Wanling’s meaning—harming the Second Prince would be the ultimate weapon to destroy Qi Zhaorong.
However, this was not as simple as dealing with a concubine. Acting against the Second Prince could not be done rashly; it required careful planning. If exposed, it would be a grave matter.
The crime of harming an imperial heir was not something anyone could bear.
Luo Wanling rubbed her temples, her eyes flashing with cold light. “Yu Fei has always been on good terms with the people in the palace. Let her take the lead and invite them to a flower-viewing gathering.”
As Consort Xian, she was the highest-ranking among the concubines after the Empress. For private banquets like these, arranging something untoward would be effortless.
Soon, Yi Momo made the arrangements. After waiting a while, she still came to Luo Wanling’s side and brought up Talent Luo. “This old servant was thinking, the Emperor still treats Talent Luo differently. Although Consort Shu frequently competes for favor with her pregnancy, the Emperor is, after all, a man and will always visit the rear palace.”
Upon careful thought, the Emperor preferred to choose his consorts himself and disliked others sending them to him. Yet Talent Luo had been summoned by the Emperor several times, even drawing Consort Shu’s hostility.
Luo Wanling felt restless and irritable, and hearing about Luo Shuran only annoyed her further. She immediately waved her hand dismissively. “If she can’t even hold the Emperor’s attention, then she’s utterly useless.”
Seeing that her mistress was in no mood to listen, Yi Momo did not press further. She certainly had her own thoughts on the matter—if Luo Shuran had any ambition, she shouldn’t be defeated. Instead, she should strive with all her might to win favor and make life difficult for Consort Shu.
Returning to Xianyun Pavilion, Luo Shuran went back to her room to rest. In the side chamber, Xi Chun saw Ming Xia approaching and, surprisingly, did not give her a cold look. Instead, she smiled amiably and began asking Ming Xia what had been said at Yunhua Palace.
Xi Chun had gone to Yunhua Palace to complain to Consort Xian, exaggerating Qi Zhaorong’s arrogance and disrespect toward Consort Xian, while also slandering Consort Shu in the process.
She was filled with resentment. If not for Qi Zhaorong, her face wouldn’t have swollen up like this, preventing her from going out every day and keeping her from staying close to her mistress. She could only watch as Ming Xia grew closer to their mistress.
Ming Xia remained tight-lipped. Regarding her mistress’s affairs, she would only speak if her mistress permitted or requested it. As for others asking, she would always claim ignorance.
Seeing her mouth sealed shut, Xi Chun grew furious. With her swollen face, she stood up and swung her hand at Ming Xia’s face.
But Ming Xia was no fool and wouldn’t stand there to let her succeed. She stepped back, but Xi Chun didn’t give up. Ming Xia had no choice but to raise her hand and firmly grasp Xi Chun’s arm. “Xi Chun, you and I are both our mistress’s personal maids. There is no distinction of rank between us. I won’t always yield to you.”
After saying this, she didn’t linger any longer and walked outside. Inside the room, Xi Chun was frantic, wanting to cover her face but not daring to touch it.
Inside her room, Luo Shuran was unaware of what had happened outside. She leaned against the bed, flipping through a book of poetry, but her thoughts drifted elsewhere.
She knew Luo Wanling was not one to accept defeat and would surely seek revenge—but by what means?
Including another important matter: the Emperor’s favor. She understood better than anyone that no matter how fresh the attraction might be at first, over time, a ruler’s affection would fade like mist and smoke.
The next day, news arrived that Yu Fei had invited some consorts to admire flowers in the afternoon, mostly high-ranking consorts she was on good terms with.
Consort Shu was also invited, but since becoming pregnant, she had refused all gatherings, focusing on her health and fearing someone might plot against her.
Consort Xian arrived and naturally took the seat of honor. Under her guidance, Yu Fei paid attention to who had come and who had not. Only Qi Zhaorong was conspicuously absent.
Yu Fei instinctively glanced at Consort Xian in the upper seat, hesitating to speak. Since the invitation had been issued in her name, Qi Zhaorong’s absence wasn’t necessarily a major offense.
Luo Wanling’s expression remained calm, as if she didn’t care. Those familiar with her would recognize this as the demeanor she wore when she was confident and in control.
The flower appreciation banquet had already begun when Qi Zhaorong arrived unhurriedly, though her demeanor was somewhat disheveled. There was mud on the hem of her skirt, and the hairpins in her bun were slightly askew.
“Qi Zhaorong, you’re late—we’ve been waiting for you,” remarked Zhen Fei, her tone casual and teasing, devoid of any particular emotion.
Qi Zhaorong’s expression darkened slightly, but since everyone present held higher ranks than her, she still approached with a smile to offer her greetings.
It wasn’t that she had been late; just as she was about to arrive, she had encountered an unexpected mishap outside—a pothole, of all things—that nearly caused her to fall from her sedan chair.
She had initially considered returning to her palace, but remembering that this flower appreciation banquet was attended mostly by those of higher rank than her, especially with Consort Xian present, and since no one had witnessed her disarray, she had simply freshened up her appearance at a nearby waterside pavilion.
Luo Wanling watched as Qi Zhaorong approached but did not invite her to take a seat. Instead, she remarked with a faint, ambiguous smile, “Qi Zhaorong, it seems you hold neither the company nor this palace in any regard.”