Chapter 177: Volume 1, Chapter 177  Who Can Support Her?

Rong Luoge only sketched the outline of this plan herself, while Han Xinglan added details overnight, assigning a trusted aide to oversee the matter at the Inner Court Office; the two spouses joined forces to encircle the Inner Court Office inside and out.

The Ministry of Works unveiled paper armor; Xiao Shen led his men in overnight experiments, and the next day the court universally praised the practicality of paper armor—its weight, cost, and arrow resistance all posed a challenge to iron armor.

Its only drawback is vulnerability to fire, but Xiao Shen is currently focused on forming light cavalry, and who would, in idle time, gather light cavalry just to let the enemy burn them for sport?

This flaw is not yet evident, yet the other advantages already entice; the cost is extremely low, which will greatly ease the treasury's burden, and the Minister of Revenue's eyes reddened, nearly bringing him to tears.

One who doesn't run a household doesn't know the price of firewood and rice; the Minister of Revenue's job is not a menial task.

At this moment, the amount of redemption silver paid by the Inner Court Office had exceeded one million taels, and Han Xinglan's complexion turned pitch black. However, since they had already promised to pay the silver to clear their crimes, these people were naturally hard to deal with, and continuing to serve in the Inner Court Office was no longer possible.

To preserve some final dignity and exit smoothly, fearing His Majesty's wrath might again punish them, these individuals courteously submitted petitions to resign, earnestly expressing that they could save His Majesty's expenses and contribute to military funding.

If one were not familiar with them, one would surely be deeply moved by these capable officials.

Rong Luoge thought to herself that officials are truly formidable; the drama they stage—if she didn't know the truth, she would have believed it all.

The Emperor released the palace women, disbanded the Inner Court Office, cut back on clothing and food to supply the great army; the court rang with praise, and the sentiment quickly spread downwards, with officials beginning to live modest lives.

The Emperor has started being frugal; you still want to dress in brocade and feast on delicacies as before—aren't you just asking for a beating?

At this moment, Prince Liang stepped forward as the first to contribute two years' tax and salary from his princely mansion to support the army's needs; Prince Qi was not in the capital, and Prince Shou muttered that his younger brother was ungracious—how could such a matter not be announced in advance?

While Prince Shou was pondering how to express his sentiments, he heard that the Emperor had appointed Prince Liang to oversee the grain supplies, and he regretted so deeply his gut turned green.

Just two years' tax and salary can secure an official post—this money is well spent!

How could he not have thought of such a good idea? Prince Liang is truly scheming!

Prince Shou stomped in anger; at that moment, Prince Liang smiled at his own princess consort and said, "The princess consort's idea is truly excellent; she is indeed my wise inner aid."

Ling Yuying chuckled at her husband's words, then softly said, "Your Highness already intended to ease His Majesty's worries; I merely spoke first. Now that His Majesty has appointed you, I am also pleased for you."

When the Late Emperor was alive, his gaze, aside from the Crown Prince's position, poured paternal affection onto Prince Qi; although Prince Liang was the Late Emperor's youngest son, he was of little use, and the Late Emperor did not value him.

Although he was granted a princely title, he held no real power—just a decorative ornament.

Prince Liang, of course, was unwilling to be a useless ornamental prince, so when the princess consort offered a strategy to him, his heart was stirred.

If it fails, it's merely a loss of some money, but if it succeeds—just as now he has not yet secured an official post—so long as he performs his duties well, after this battle the Emperor will surely employ him again.

Prince Liang was overjoyed and held the princess consort in even higher regard.

Ling Yuying let out a sigh of relief, naturally feeling grateful to Noble Consort Rong for her counsel.

On the other side, the atmosphere in Prince Shou's mansion was not so pleasant, and Prince Qi's mansion was even dead‑dead.

Yun Shizhuang, upon receiving the news, showed no reaction; Prince Qi escorted the Late Emperor's coffin to the imperial tomb, and with everyone absent from the capital, any good ideas would be of no use.

Rong Dai hid in her courtyard, not showing herself; ever since Prince Qi left the capital, Yun Shizhuang has been putting on the princess consort's airs, constantly making things difficult for her.

Mother fled, father has now been reassigned, brother also ran away—who can support her?

These days Rong Dai has indeed endured many hardships, and she gradually realized one thing: with Prince Qi absent, she cries out to the heavens in this mansion to no response, calls upon the earth to no avail—she is simply in excruciating pain.

Thinking of Noble Consort Rong, she could even vomit a mouthful of blood; she has always competed with Rong Luoge, the legitimate eldest daughter—though she clearly held the upper hand, she never expected to fall into this predicament, while Rong Luoge sits on the noble consort's throne, flaunting her power.

Rong Dai recalled that she had received news that her brother went to look for their mother; she could no longer stay here, she also wanted to go. Yet she could not bear to abandon Prince Qi, torn and crying daily—how did her life come to this?

"Secondary Consort, the princess consort asks you to come over," the maid at the door pushed it open and bowed in reply.

Rong Dai: ……

I really want to grab a knife and end it together with Yun Shizhuang; this is too much bullying!

Rong Dai's tormenting days were never deliberately inquired about by Rong Luoge, nor did she know that Yun Shizhuang, taking advantage of Prince Qi's absence from the capital, was harshly tormenting Rong Dai; even if she knew, she would not meddle.

Border skirmishes erupted; swift horses galloped daily along the official road, rapidly transmitting the border's military intelligence into the palace, and the court's atmosphere grew increasingly tense.

Xiao Shen's great army set out; before that, Prince Liang had already dispatched the first batch of supplies ahead, while he remained in the capital to continue preparations.

Rong Luoge's morning sickness arrived a bit late but eventually came; she felt listless all day, and she had never known that pregnancy was so arduous for a woman—the feeling of her insides churning was utterly terrible.

Especially for the child in her womb, she could not skip meals; after vomiting, she rested a bit, then pinched her nose to force herself to eat.

Han Xinglan watched her suffering immensely but had no remedy, so he could only have Zhao Grandma and others tend to her, and even summoned people from the Imperial Hospital to devise a solution.

The Imperial Physician carefully prepared a medicinal diet prescription; after Rong Luoge took it, she felt better, vomiting less frequently, finally able to relax a bit.

The commotion at Yuzhao Gong was so great that others in the Hou Gong quickly noticed, and the news of Noble Consort Rong's pregnancy spread like wildfire.

Rong Luoge did not intervene; after all, it was only a matter of time, and the child was conceived before the Emperor's grand expedition, so she feared no impeachment from court officials.

When the news gradually reached the former court, the ministers' thoughts became increasingly complicated.

Noble Consort Rong is pregnant?

This is not good news; if she bears the Emperor's eldest son, His Majesty's favor would surely elevate her to Empress, and that cannot be allowed.

While the court was still abuzz with discussion, the first piece of news the returning Prince Qi received upon entering the capital was that Noble Consort Rong was pregnant.

Han Yifeng was startled, Rong Luoge pregnant?

The fatigue of the journey left his mind numb, a buzzing ringing, and his vision went black before he collapsed to the ground.