Farm Tough Girl
Chapter 557 - 557 558 As Expected_1

Chapter 557: Chapter 558: As Expected_1 Chapter 557: Chapter 558: As Expected_1 “Your Majesty, Lady Rong has been kneeling outside since early this morning, and now it has been more than an hour. Lady Rong, being of delicate health, I’m afraid she can’t withstand this—how about you take a look…” Eunuch Li tentatively asked.

A trace of distress flickered through Long Yi’s eyes, but recalling Lady Rong’s willful temperament last time, he ultimately remained indignant: “If she wishes to kneel, let her kneel. I have no time to bother with her.”

Eunuch Li had no choice but to awkwardly withdraw, touching the silver pouch that had just been stuffed into his pocket by Lady Rong’s young maid, and sighed inwardly that he was unable to help this time.

Who knows how long had passed, when suddenly, the sky darkened and a drizzle began to fall. Yet Lady Rong still knelt there unwaveringly, without moving an inch, even as the rain grew heavier. The young maid at Lady Rong’s side couldn’t bear it any longer, she held up an umbrella to shield her: “My Lady, please don’t kneel any longer. Just now I asked Eunuch Li to speak on your behalf, but His Majesty paid no heed. Be careful not to catch cold from the rain.”

But Lady Rong cast a chilling and fierce glance at her, whispering harshly: “Get out of my sight, you brainless thing!”

The young maid’s heart skipped a beat. She hesitated to leave but was deeply concerned, stammered: “Then, this umbrella…”

“Go away!”

The maid quickly retreated.

Watching the young maid’s flustered departure, Lady Rong let out a scornful snort. She had fought her way out from among the dead since she was young; what was there to fear from a little rain? At this moment, the rain was actually aiding her. The drizzle harms the body? It wasn’t her body it was harming, but the heart of the Emperor.

If this act still couldn’t win back the Emperor’s heart, then there was no point in her living. With that thought, Lady Rong’s complexion turned even paler.

Since the Emperor had already scolded Eunuch Li before, naturally, Eunuch Li didn’t dare to mention Lady Rong’s kneeling again. But suddenly, Long Yi inquired: “Is Lady Rong still outside?”

“Your Majesty, she is,” replied Eunuch Li, with a start.

Long Yi looked out of the window to see the rain pouring down ever harder, and, remembering Lady Rong’s frail constitution, he feared she might not bear it.

Long Yi naturally still had feelings for Lady Rong; after all, she had been the sole favorite for a year, and that wasn’t a lie.

Deep in thought, Long Yi stepped out of the room. At the bottom of the long stairs, Lady Rong’s delicate petite frame curled up in the rain, her lips already white from the cold, her face full of a pitiful look, and her enchanting eyes now with an added touch of sympathy that made her even more deplorable. He then saw her thin dress became transparent with rain, revealing glimpses of her milky white skin, which made Long Yi’s mouth go dry.

A beauty is indeed a beauty, Huamei always knows how to display her loveliness just right, and how to use her beauty to her advantage.

Long Yi coughed lightly and proceeded outside, where Eunuch Li was already holding an umbrella, and opened it up to shield Long Yi.

“You are so stubborn. If I refuse to see you, would you really kneel here for three days and nights?”

Lady Rong replied with grievance: “This consort would kneel in the rain for three years just to catch a glimpse of Your Majesty.”

This petulant statement now sounded exceedingly coquettish, stirring something inside Long Yi.

“Do you realize where you were wrong?”

“This consort certainly does. Your Majesty has neglected me for three days; what is there that I don’t understand? It’s just that this consort has come to understand, yet Your Majesty refuses to give this consort a chance, how can I not feel wronged?”

“You still feel wronged!” Long Yi couldn’t help laughing: “You can’t stand being neglected for three days, yet there are countless consorts in the harem. Why don’t you say how much they must feel wronged?”

“It’s the small-mindedness of this concubine, ever since entering the palace, I have never left Your Majesty’s side. I thought I could stay by Your Majesty’s side for life, but now Your Majesty is unwilling to give me a chance. Your Majesty knows I am afraid of the dark, you would come to my chamber every night, no matter what. These last few nights, as I slept alone in my room, I felt lonely and desolate, my heart trembling with fear, as if I have no future to speak of.”

Long Yi, moved by her words, was not so much touched by Lady Rong’s actions—there had been many kneeling outside his door, begging for his forgiveness—but Lady Rong somehow remained in his heart.

He had feelings for Lady Rong, too. Remembering the past, the promises he had made to treat her well, seeing her like this now, his heart ached with compassion.

“Since you’ve recognized your mistake, let this be a lesson. Though I favor you on normal days, don’t think you can be willful and petulant. Do you understand?”

Lady Rong nodded pitifully: “This concubine understands.”

Long Yi, looking at Lady Rong’s beauty, simply couldn’t harden his heart. With a strong pull, he brought her into his embrace and ushered her into the room.

Lady Rong had fallen from favor, but in just three days, she regained it. However, for the average concubine, angering the emperor could mean a lifetime of disgrace.

The other concubines naturally burned with resentment, having finally seen this woman fall, only for her to rise again so soon!

This was within Muniang’s expectations. If Lady Rong could not regain favor, she might as well have been declared dead. Nangong Qian’s methods were always ruthless.

He Fangfei said indignantly, “That witch has turned the tables! Such a cruel and ruthless person, she killed Su Qing, and now she wants to kill me. How can I bear this?!”

Muniang spoke softly, “You must bear it, her identity, you must not reveal.”

“Why?!”

“Do you think anyone will believe you? Stop dreaming. No one from the Rong Family has denied Lady Rong’s identity, and with only your claims, the entire Rong Family will protect her. Her parents recognize this daughter; if you insist otherwise, the emperor will think you’re only stirring up trouble.”

He Fangfei gritted her teeth with hatred.

“Besides, the person behind her, you cannot afford to offend,” Muniang paused before adding.

He Fangfei felt a chill in her heart, gripping Muniang’s hand and asking, “Muniang, when you agreed to help me, what was it really for? Who is behind Lady Rong?”

“You don’t need to know so much. Knowing too much only leads to an early grave.”

He Fangfei was stunned, rendered speechless.

“Trust me, since I’ve placed you by the emperor’s side, you are my person. I will naturally protect you.”

He Fangfei, dumbfounded, nodded and hurriedly said, “Muniang, you’re the only one I can trust, you must help me.”

“Though Lady Rong has recaptured the emperor’s heart, you’ve also established a place in the emperor’s heart. Be assured, he won’t neglect you. Now, only you have the qualifications to compete with Lady Rong.”

“Yes!”

“Have you brought up the matter I asked you to?”