Chapter 106: Volume One, Chapter 106: Diligent Advancement Paves the Way for You

Volume One, Chapter 106: Diligent Advancement Paves the Way for You

"So these past few days, has the Protector Duke been lodging at the manor, or does he still go to Di Yue Nu's place?"

Rong Ling Shan thought for a moment and said, "I'm not really sure; Father is often away, and I've gotten used to it. However, lately Father hasn't been arguing with Mother much; sometimes he even dines with Mother."

Rong Luoge frowned slightly; from here she couldn't tell whether the Protector Duke knew that Di Yue Nu had already disappeared.

Thinking of that, Rong Luoge looked at Rong Ling Shan and said, "Please convey a message to the Duchess for me: Di Yue Nu has fled. I now suspect the Protector Duke may know about it. Be extra careful in the manor."

Rong Ling Shan was startled, "Fled? What did she run away for? Why would she run, just because she can't enter the manor?"

The only reason Rong Ling Shan could think of was that, and she immediately said angrily, "She thinks using a fake escape trick will force Father to let Mother concede and let her into the manor? Dream on!"

Rong Luoge looked at Rong Ling Shan, realizing she was mistaken, thought for a moment, and said, "It's not because of that. There are some reasons I can't tell you right now. Just tell the Duchess what I instructed; she'll know what to do."

When Rong Ling Shan heard that she couldn't know, she fell silent and didn't ask further, but her expression was sour. No wonder Father is kind to Mother—did he again conspire with Di Yue Nu on some scheme against Mother?

Rong Ling Shan felt a pang of sorrow; indeed, people can't do evil deeds. Back then Mother had taken the place of the elder sister's mother, and now it's Mother's turn again. Her eyes welled up, almost shedding tears.

Rong Luoge looked at her slightly reddened eyes, feeling a certain affection for this younger sister, and advised, "Why are you crying? You are the second legitimate daughter of the Protector Duke's household. The family you will marry into is a renowned noble house in the capital. In both background and future, you'll be better off than Rong Dai. You should be happy."

Rong Ling Shan listened to her elder sister's counsel; she felt not only grievance but also deeper guilt toward her elder sister.

The elder sister is still the legitimate first daughter, yet her marriage turned out that way. Her mother bears some responsibility. Now the elder sister sets aside past grievances to help them, and she doesn't know how to repay her.

"I understand, I won't cry; I'm just a little sad," Rong Ling Shan forced a smile. "Elder sister, you treat us well; we remember it. In the future I'll treat you well too. Though I'm of little use, if the Crown Prince ever treats you poorly, my brother and I will stand up for you."

Rong Luoge chuckled lightly, "Alright, then you must make Rong Yan diligent; only a high‑ranking, influential position can truly back me up."

Rong Ling Shan nodded, "I will definitely urge my elder brother to improve himself."

Rong Luoge's mood instantly brightened; these days aren't completely hopeless. When she first arrived, she was completely ostracized, with no relatives around.

Now things are gradually improving. Although Rong Luoge doesn't need familial affection, having it now does feel nice.

Rong Ling Shan cleared her throat lightly, lowered her voice, and said, "My mother asked me to ask you, elder sister…" As she spoke, her face reddened further, and she glanced shyly at Rong Luoge's belly, "Ask if there's any good news."

Rong Luoge: …

She hadn't expected Chu Ke to still be concerned about this. Remembering Chu Ke's nature, she looked at Rong Ling Shan and asked, "Has the Duchess heard anything from anyone?"

Rong Ling Shan immediately nodded, "People outside are saying that the Empress has taken a liking to a girl from the Yun family and wants to make her the Crown Prince's fiancée. Mother thinks it's best for the elder sister to be in the Eastern Palace and have a son before the Crown Princess enters, so her status will be secure."

Fearing Rong Luoge might misunderstand, she quickly added, "My mother has no other intention; she just wants me to ask this one question."

Rong Luoge nodded, "Thank the Duchess for her concern; there's nothing yet. When there's good news, I'll tell her."

Rong Ling Shan's eyes lit up, eager to tell them, "Has the elder sister really forgiven them already?"

"Then we'll wait for the elder sister's good news," Rong Ling Shan said immediately. "But… elder sister, aren't you worried about the Crown Princess matter? I heard Mother say that lately the Prime Minister's wife has been traveling around, visiting many families."

She knows Yun Shizhuang's feelings toward the Crown Prince, but under the current circumstances, Prime Minister Yun might not marry Yun Shizhuang to the Crown Prince, especially since Prince Qi serves as deputy commander of the Dragon Guard.

"Can my worry change such a thing? Since it can't be changed, the only thing to do is to focus on oneself," Rong Luoge said.

Rong Ling Shan thought that was true; the elder sister is just a good lady, and when the Crown Princess enters the Eastern Palace, the elder sister's days may not be easy either. She immediately said, "Elder sister, rest assured, I will make my elder brother diligent, strive for promotion soon, so he can be a support for you."

Rong Luoge looked at Rong Ling Shan and smiled, "Alright, I'll be waiting." She stood up and said, "You wait a moment."

"Okay," Rong Ling Shan replied obediently.

Rong Luoge got up and went to the study, flipped through a stack of blueprints, and finally took out a design for an improved crossbow.

The earliest crossbows were for city defense, massive in size, cumbersome to move, and very heavy.

Through successive dynasties the design improved; although crossbows became portable, they still required oxen or carts for transport. The version she now improved is more refined than the one Han Xinglan had seen before, can be carried by a single person, its lethality surpasses that of wrist darts in penetration, and it is a repeating crossbow.

This weapon, when offered by Rong Yan to Commander Xiao Shen, replicates the path Han Xinglan laid for Xiao Shen. Xiao Shen, being clever, upon seeing the blueprint and knowing Rong Yan's connection to him, will surely speculate about the design's origin; what she wants is Xiao Shen's suspicion.

Rong Yan, by being diligent and having the blueprint paving the way, will certainly advance in the Dragon Guard faster than others.

There is no such thing as fairness in this world; some are born in Rome, others never reach Rome in a lifetime. One must first look after oneself before having the capacity to help others.

She sealed the blueprint and handed it to Rong Ling Shan, "Give this to Rong Yan; he should open it and study it carefully. If he can understand it, that's best; even if not, he should at least grasp its gist, so that when he presents it to Commander Xiao and is asked, he won't be clueless. Losing face is one thing, but losing his future would be irreparable."

Rong Ling Shan didn't know what it was, but the elder sister's solemn tone made her nervous. She took it, carefully slipped it into her sleeve pocket, and said, "Elder sister, rest assured, I will keep an eye on my elder brother as he studies it."

Rong Luoge smiled, looked at Rong Ling Shan and said, "Having lunch with me first isn't too late; I also have some other things to ask you."

Rong Ling Shan immediately agreed, "Elder sister, whatever you want to know I'll tell you. Lately Rong Dai seems busy with who knows what, always running out, and Rong Lang too; my brother and I suspect their siblings might be up to something secretive."