Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne Chapter 1046 - 108: Noble Princess Consort Rong Regains Imperial Favor

Noble Princess Consort Rong had come down with an illness. While it was neither critical nor minor, the Emperor made it a point to visit her at Yongxin Palace whenever his duties in court concluded or he found a spare moment.

With every visit, the Emperor brought forth not only various tonic medicines but also an abundance of gold, intricate jewelry, and fine silks. Since Noble Princess Consort Rong harbored a deep fondness for beauty—especially regarding attire and ornaments—the Emperor hoped these gifts would bolster her spirits and speed her recovery.

Although her status in the harem had slightly waned in recent years compared to the peak of her favor, she remained a significant figure, even if she currently stood in the shadow of Noble Princess Consort Ying.

Despite this shift in affection, the Emperor still held a lingering attachment to her. Her standard of living, including her provisions for clothing, food, and daily expenses, remained exceptionally high.

It is possible that the gravity of this particular illness stirred the Emperor’s old sentiments and a sense of guilt. The sudden outpouring of attention sparked immense jealousy and resentment among the other concubines, with Empress Xie standing as the most incensed of them all.

Throughout these recent years, Empress Xie had rarely felt threatened by Noble Princess Consort Ying, the most favored of the lot, simply because Ying had failed to provide the Emperor with any heirs. Without children, no matter how much favor Ying commanded, she was privately ridiculed by the other women as a hen unable to hatch an egg.

Now that Noble Princess Consort Rong had returned to favor, alarm bells tolled within the hearts of Empress Xie and her cohorts, plunging the harem into a state of heightened vigilance.

In days past, when Noble Princess Consort Rong held the peak of the Emperor’s favor, her arrogant and tyrannical behavior had made life difficult for everyone. As her influence faded, her temperament had eased, granting the other concubines a period of respite. With her sudden resurgence, those same women faced a mixture of dread, hatred, and deep unease at the prospect of her former cruelty returning.

While the return of Noble Princess Consort Rong spelled trouble for many, Lady Liang remained entirely unaffected. Since the departure of Lady Pan, she had resided alone in Kunde Hall. Though the solitude was palpable, she faced no interference, choosing instead to bar her gates and revel in a life of quiet freedom.

Aside from her mandatory respects to Empress Xie, Lady Liang rarely ventured out of Kunde Hall, eventually causing the other concubines to lose track of her existence entirely.

Last year, during the aftermath of Zhao Yao’s glass incident, Empress Xie, Noble Princess Consort Rong, and Princess Consort De had all descended upon Lady Liang, utilizing a mix of threats and coercion to force her to command her son to assist their own.

Lady Liang stood firm in her refusal, which naturally earned her their collective loathing. They attempted to harass her through various clandestine schemes, but once the Emperor uncovered their actions, he issued a severe reprimand. Consequently, Lady Liang was confined to Kunde Hall, forbidden from entry or exit without specific imperial decree.

Following the Emperor's rebuke, Empress Xie and Noble Princess Consort Rong ceased their direct meddling. They assumed that a woman under strict house arrest would eventually wither away. To their surprise, Lady Liang lived in rather comfortable conditions.

As for the rest of the palace staff, no one dared to withhold her provisions or take advantage of her plight. This restraint was not born of mercy, but of terror; Sun Kui had issued a stern warning that any mistreatment of Lady Liang would be punishable by death.

Any attempt to sneak into Kunde Hall to harm her was rendered impossible by the constant presence of the Dragon Guards. Any unauthorized person spotted near the hall was promptly apprehended and turned over to Sun Kui, where they were destined to face an agonizing end.

Beyond the protection offered by the Emperor’s hand-picked Dragon Guards, Lord Wei also kept a secret watch over her.

Several of the servants stationed within Kunde Hall were, in fact, Lord Wei’s agents, and he held sway over key departments like the Clothing and Food Bureaus. These associates worked from the shadows to shield Lady Liang from the schemes of the other concubines.

With both the Emperor’s guards and Lord Wei’s network watching over her, Lady Liang remained perfectly safe. This was precisely why Zhao Yao could depart for Lingnan with a tranquil heart.

Returning to the state of affairs at court, the resurgence of Noble Princess Consort Rong caused quite a stir, rippling through the corridors of power. For those aligned with Prince Dai, this development was a strategic victory that further cleared the path for his eventual ascension to the throne.