Chapter 161: Volume 1, Chapter 161: I'll Clear the Mines for You

Rong Luoge had always been attentive and clever; seeing Consort Hui's expression, she knew what she was worried about, and said, "If the Liao family is willing to take you back and provide for you, His Majesty certainly won't let you suffer any grievance."

Hearing this, Consort Hui understood everything—His Majesty would definitely issue a gracious decree. Looking at Noble Consort Rong, her emotions surged, and she steadied herself before saying, "This is Noble Consort's intention, isn't it?"

Rong Luoge paused, then smiled. "You've been in the palace for many years, always keeping to your place, holding a righteous heart—this is the dignity you deserve."

Consort Hui was no fool. She had always preserved herself wisely in the Hou Gong, and in fact was not particularly close to the Empress Dowager or the new emperor. Now that His Majesty was willing to grant her this dignity, it must be because Noble Consort Rong had spoken on her behalf.

"Thank you, Noble Consort." Consort Hui didn't know how else to express her gratitude; in the end, she could only manage this dry remark.

Rong Luoge simply felt that women shouldn't make things difficult for other women, and Consort Hui truly had no enmity with her—since she could lend a hand, she naturally would. She smiled and said, "Then you should first come to an understanding with your family. I'll wait for your news."

Consort Hui nodded quickly. At this moment, Rong Luoge recalled that Han Xinglan had been troubled by the matter of patrolling the borders, and Consort Hui's elder brother had once been the General Who Conquers the East. She lowered her voice and said, "His Majesty has been wanting to find a reliable person to patrol the borders. If General Liao is inclined, he ought to share His Majesty's burden."

Prince Qi had a Ming Zan on his side; if Liao Weijing could stand on His Majesty's side, Ming Zan's influence would inevitably be gradually weakened.

Though Consort Hui didn't involve herself in court politics, she wasn't ignorant of them. Her heart leapt at once—this... this was sending prosperity to their family.

Consort Hui felt she had truly misjudged Noble Consort Rong. That she could secure her footing beside His Majesty as a divorced woman meant she must have something extraordinary about her.

She took a deep breath, looked at Noble Consort Rong, and said, "I understand. Rest assured, Noble Consort Rong."

What would Rong Luoge not be assured of? Now that the new emperor had ascended the throne, countless people wanted to demonstrate their loyalty to him but had no opportunity. Now that the Liao family could obtain this chance, they would naturally prove themselves well.

Moreover, with His Majesty showing fraternal affection by graciously permitting Consort Hui to return home to be cared for in her old age, and General Liao expressing gratitude for His Majesty's grace by requesting to patrol the borders and share the sovereign's burden—this could be celebrated as a fine tale of harmony between ruler and minister.

In this way, the new emperor's reputation for benevolence would be firmly established, and military and political power in the court could gradually be divided and brought under control. As Han Xinglan's voice in court grew weightier, this would also benefit her greatly in the Hou Gong.

Multiple gains at once.

After handling these major matters one after another, Rong Luoge instantly felt much more relaxed. When Han Xinglan managed to find time to return and share lunch with her, she told him about everything.

Han Xinglan hadn't expected Rong Luoge to share his burdens to such an extent—that merely permitting Consort Hui to return home for honorable care could win the Liao family's support. This was truly unexpected.

Han Xinglan looked at Rong Luoge and smiled. "You truly are my understanding flower. How did I not think of this move?"

It wasn't just him—even the ministers he trusted hadn't thought of it.

Rong Luoge laughed. "Women and men see things from different angles to begin with. You look at affairs of state; we look at matters of the inner household. It's only natural that some things wouldn't occur to you."

Han Xinglan had always been an upright person; he certainly wouldn't think first of leveraging such bonds of kinship to strengthen his position.

But Rong Luoge was different—anything useful could be used.

This way, Consort Hui could enjoy her later years in the company of family, and the Liao family would be utterly loyal to Han Xinglan—why not do it?

Han Xinglan felt many emotions stirring within him. Looking at Rong Luoge, the more he looked, the more he liked her, and the more he liked her, the more dissatisfied he felt about not having made her empress, which left him feeling he had wronged her all along.

Han Xinglan held Rong Luoge and said softly, "Wait a while longer, and I'll legitimately make you empress."

Rong Luoge looked at him. She hadn't expected him to be so fixated on this matter, and said with a smile, "All right, but there's no rush—take it slowly. When your authority extends across the four seas and then you make me empress, won't that be even more glorious for me?"

Han Xinglan was immediately amused. "You really dare to say that, and dare to think it too."

"What's there not to dare think? You've always governed with the people in mind, and now you hold sharp weapons in your hands. Recovering lost territory is only a matter of time." Rong Luoge knew he had always been ambitious—back with the matter of Di Yue Nu, his arrangements hadn't been focused only on immediate gains and losses.

"To have one true confidante in life is enough, but that confidante is also the one I love—truly a life without regret." Han Xinglan thought that all the hardships of his first half of life were probably just to wait for her.

Rong Luoge looked at Han Xinglan and noticed that he was now far more open and candid when speaking of such things than before. Unfortunately, they were still in the mourning period, so the two of them couldn't do anything more.

Rong Luoge then brought up the matter of Liu Yingying. "Her raising the child together with Consort Zhong is a good arrangement. I reckon the Empress Dowager's relocation from the palace will come soon too—this also counts as a great merit."

Han Xinglan frowned slightly at the thought of the Phoenix Ceremony Palace, looked at Rong Luoge, and said, "Since the Empress Dowager refuses to hand over authority of the palace, let her keep the great seal—it doesn't matter. The affairs of the consorts shall be decided by the Empress Dowager. As for my Hou Gong, naturally you will continue to manage it. The Empress Dowager can't interfere in these matters."

Rong Luoge nodded. "Tomorrow the people of the Dong Gong will move into the Hou Gong. I know what to do."

Han Xinglan's brow furrowed tighter. "If the Empress Dowager deliberately makes things difficult for you..."

"I'm not someone who'll suffer losses. Don't worry," Rong Luoge said immediately.

Han Xinglan knew Rong Luoge wasn't someone who would suffer losses, but she would yield a few steps for his sake. After a moment's thought, he said, "Never mind, we'll see when the time comes. If the Empress Dowager truly does something excessive, I'll handle it."

Rong Luoge looked at Han Xinglan—was he stepping in front of her to clear the mines for her?

One had to admit, there was good reason why Han Xinglan could sometimes move people's hearts. Never mind that he was an emperor—even among ordinary families, even in later eras, those who could properly handle mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationships were few.

A man like this—with power and influence, wealth and devotion—how could you not be moved?

"All right, I know." Rong Luoge certainly wouldn't say anything about not needing him to do it for her—only a foolish woman would do that.

Outside, Shi An bent at the waist and entered, speaking through the curtain: "Your Majesty, Official Kang, Minister of War, requests an audience, saying he has an important matter to report to Your Majesty."

Minister of War?

Rong Luoge's heart tightened, and she quickly sat up from Han Xinglan's embrace. "You should go."

Han Xinglan nodded, stood up somewhat reluctantly, leaned down and lightly touched Rong Luoge's lips, and said softly, "Wait for me to return."

Shi An didn't dare lift his head at all—His Majesty was growing ever more doting toward Noble Consort Rong.

Han Xinglan strode out. For Kang Hualu to request an audience at this time, it must be something major.