“What can I do? Just getting by,” Huo Rou replied, expressing her resentment that Liu Yi had implicated her. “Don’t come again in the future. If someone discovers me, I’ll be finished.”
Unaware of her dissatisfaction, Liu Yi hugged her and said: “A Rou, I’m preparing to go to the Yiyuan.”
Huo Rou frowned. “Weren’t you locked up? How can you go?”
“I’m going to seek revenge,” Liu Yi declared, clenching his fist. “Chu Yuan and Ning Ruan harmed me like this. I swear I won’t rest until I kill them!”
Huo Rou was startled and instinctively wanted to dissuade him but held her tongue. Having incurred the Emperor’s displeasure, and knowing the Emperor favored Chu Yuan, she realized that informing the Emperor of Liu Yi’s plan might jeopardize her own chances.
She subtly inquired, but Liu Yi was only acting on impulse with no real plan, leaving Huo Rou disappointed as she couldn’t extract useful information.
After talking for half the night, Liu Yi reluctantly left. Huo Rou, unable to sleep, eagerly awaited dawn to find an opportunity to join the winter hunt.
On the first day of the twelfth lunar month, the Emperor set out for the Yiyuan Palace with a large escort. Behind the imperial carriage was the Crown Prince’s carriage, and beside it rode Chu Yuan. Those present noticed the woman in black sable fur and a snow cap, recognized by some as Ning Ruan, the daughter of the Ning Minister, whom he had privately married.
Chu Yunzheng’s expression darkened. He said quietly, “Prince of Ning, there are servants present. You need not bring one, especially dressed so presumptuously.”
Chu Yuan responded loudly, “Your Majesty, she is my royal consort, Lady Ning, and has not overstepped.”
Those who had been watching quickly averted their eyes, but excitement brewed over the Prince’s evident devotion. Would the Emperor relent?
Chu Yunzheng suppressed his anger, countering, “Without an imperial decree of enfeoffment and a formal wedding, how can you claim her as such?”
“I have married Lady Ning and reported it to my father and late mother,” Chu Yuan replied calmly.
