“Do you really think His Majesty has a special fondness for you?” the Imperial Noble Consort said. “Everything I have done to you has been with His tacit consent.”
“Otherwise, do you think I, powerless and without influence, could have made His Majesty take action against the Rong Household relying solely on my looks?”
“What His Majesty desires is the Rong Household’s military power, the Rong Household’s authority.”
“Unfortunately you fool mistook His Majesty's exploitation for affection. If not stupid, then what are you?”
“Of all the consorts in the three palaces and six courts, aside from you, none harbor true feelings for the Emperor.”
“I am no exception, of course.”
“It is only a pity that His Majesty is utterly disgusted by your sincere affections. Rong Hou, I truly feel immense sorrow for you.”
“You may as well resign yourself to this cold palace. On the day I am designated Empress, I will be sure to burn incense sticks for you, to comfort your spirit in heaven!”
After the Imperial Noble Consort finished speaking, she looked satisfied as she led her entourage away, leaving the woman clinging to life on the tattered bed.
The woman on the bed was filled with regret and resentment, but she was already drained. She could do nothing.
Scenes flashed by as if glimpsed from a galloping horse.
Clan kinsmen subjected to extreme punishment, screams shaking the heavens. Bodies tossed into the wilderness, becoming fodder for beasts...
“No!” Rong Dai awoke with a start in her hotel room, crying out loudly!
A few seconds later she realized it was just a dream.
Yet everything in the dream had seemed so real. She remembered every detail with perfect clarity.
She was drenched in cold sweat, breathing heavily with a hand clutched over her chest.
A dull pain throbbed in her heart, as if a boulder pressed down on it.
Rong Dai noticed her hands and feet were as cold as ice. She got up and poured herself some hot water, drinking two cups before her heart finally began to settle down from the terror and resentment.
But her hands still shook badly. Was the Rong Dai in the dream her or the Rong Dai of this time period?
She died in the cold palace. The Rong clan was exiled, with only her second brother allowed to remain in the capital due to his crippled leg and the pleading of some old retainers.
She had thought that by entering the cold palace, the Emperor’s heart would soften and he would spare the Rong clan.
But she never imagined the Emperor would be so ruthless, ordering the execution of all exiled members of the Rong clan who were then thrown into the wilderness as food for beasts!
Her child had died at the hands of the Imperial Noble Consort!
Rong Dai clenched the cup tightly until her eyes turned red. Boundless hatred and fury intertwined in her heart.
The Imperial Noble Consort’s words echoed clearly in her mind.
She had kept these matters locked deeply in her heart after entering the cold palace, unwilling and not daring to revisit them.
Because she felt she had failed the Rong clan.
The Imperial Noble Consort was right about one thing. Everything was due to her stupidity and stubbornness which brought disaster upon the Rong clan.
Old wounds carved deep into her heart were torn open and bled afresh as scenes from the past replayed vividly in her mind.
“I'm sorry... I was unfilial and harmed all of you.”
Rong Dai couldn’t help sobbing bitterly!
After a good cry, she finally felt like the long suppressed pain in her heart had been vented.
The fate of the Rong clan had always been a scar she was unwilling to touch.
But Xin Ziqing’s appearance had provoked her, forcing her to confront all this!
As dawn broke outside the window, Rong Dai wiped the tear tracks from her face.
Looking at the brightening sky, her eyes held an indescribable chill.
Since she still lived, even if this was not the Netherworld, those who deserved retribution would get their due.
She then went into the bathroom to wash up and carefully applied elegant makeup with her hair in a simple updo. She chose a floor length vintage dress with a hand-made sash around her waist.
Graceful and intelligent, tranquil and composed, she fully embodied Eastern beauty.
