Chapter 215: Volume 1, Chapter 215: The Faint-Hearted Emperor

Han Xinglan had stayed up the entire night, and the morning court session had been especially taxing, so at this moment his energy was flagging. He looked at Rong Luoge and said, "I'm going to rest a bit. Wake me in one shichen."

Rong Luoge knew he was a workaholic, but even among workaholics, someone like him was rare. She quickly said, "Rest right away, I'll keep an eye on the time for you. Do you want to eat something first?"

Han Xinglan waved his hand, kicked off his shoes, and lay down to sleep.

Rong Luoge pulled the brocade quilt over him gently, then reached out to lower the bed curtains. She sat on the edge of the bed watching him, both heartbroken and helpless.

It was still these noble families pushing the emperor too hard; otherwise, how could he drive himself like this?

Han Xinglan sensed Luoge's gaze and opened his eyes, catching the tender concern in hers perfectly. He was startled for a moment, then couldn't help but smile, looking at her and asking, "Will you sleep with me for a while?"

Rong Luoge wasn't sleepy, but she went along with him readily and lay down beside him, saying softly, "Go to sleep, I'll keep you company."

Han Xinglan carefully drew her into his arms, closed his eyes, and said, "Don't worry, it's only occasional. I still want to grow old with you."

"Then you'd better keep your word."

"Mm, My imperial word is golden."

"Enough of your nonsense, go to sleep. You only have one shichen."

"Alright…"

Rong Luoge listened as Han Xinglan murmured his agreement and then fell silent. Before long, faint snoring arose…

He truly was exhausted to the extreme.

She also closed her eyes to rest. When the time was about right, she got up quietly, instructed Rong Xin to go to the kitchen to prepare a meal, then woke Han Xinglan right on schedule.

Han Xinglan opened his eyes, gathered himself, and only then sat up.

Rong Luoge sent him to wash up. By the time he came out, the table was already filled with food.

Han Xinglan smiled and said, "It's neither breakfast nor dinner—why lay out a meal?"

"When you get busy you forget about your stomach. Eat a little something first. I happen to be hungry too, so just treat it as keeping me company." Rong Luoge reached over and ladled him a bowl of seafood congee.

After the major mourning period ended, she could eat meat again. These past days of observing mourning plus the busy court affairs had taken a toll on her; she needed to nourish herself well.

Han Xinglan knew Rong Luoge said this just to get him to eat something, and he didn't want to disappoint her, so he sat down, picked up the bowl, and drank the congee. After one sip, he set it down and said, "I've read everything you wrote. I think it's worth a try, but it's not good to make it known right now. We'll have to deploy it gradually."

Rong Luoge nodded. "I know. Aren't we opening a private kiln to fire glazed glass? We can use that private kiln as the center and slowly radiate outward. His Majesty's private kiln won't be watched openly by those people. Given three to five months, it can reach a modest scale."

For an emperor to have to sneak around developing industry—it was truly bitter and helpless.

"We're thinking the same thing. I plan to have Hu Xi oversee this matter. He's always been meticulous in his work," Han Xinglan said.

Rong Luoge naturally remembered Hu Xi and said with a smile, "Lord Hu is indeed suitable. His Majesty just needs to make the decision. As for the news of the glazed glass kiln, I think it would be better to release it when Xiao Shen's army sends back good news."

Han Xinglan looked at Rong Luoge.

Rong Luoge met his gaze and subconsciously touched her face. "What is it?"

"Luoge, do you know? I was thinking the same thing. See, we really are meant to be husband and wife—our hearts are of one mind." The smile on Han Xinglan's face couldn't be contained.

Rong Luoge's face flushed slightly. She gave a soft cough and said, "Naturally. I wouldn't marry just anyone."

Han Xinglan was amused. "True. You're someone I worked hard to court."

Rong Luoge's mood was wonderful, her eyes seeming to sparkle with stars.

After Han Xinglan finished eating, he looked at Rong Luoge and said, "The weather is turning cold. I reckon news from Xiao Shen won't be long now. These next days will likely be quite busy. Take care of yourself."

"Busy" meant he'd be staying overnight in the front hall more often. Rong Luoge understood instantly.

"Then don't always stay up late. Take care of your health." Rong Luoge rose to see him off and reminded him.

"Mm, don't trouble yourself too much over Hou Gong matters. Leave things to Consort Xu to handle, and focus on nurturing your pregnancy."

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing." Rong Luoge fastened the cloak around Han Xinglan.

Han Xinglan squeezed Rong Luoge's hand, then strode away. Rong Luoge gazed at his retreating back, unable to articulate what she felt in that moment.

It was clearly only a couple of steps' distance, yet it felt like the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl—quite melancholy, actually.

With that thought, the wistfulness flew away, and she couldn't help but laugh.

Getting more childish by the day.

As expected, Han Xinglan came back less often. The weather gradually turned cold, and Rong Luoge didn't feel like going out either, simply staying in Yuzhao Gong to quietly nurture her pregnancy.

Unexpectedly, the first news she received was that Su Ying was leaving the palace. This was truly surprising—she had thought Su Ying would keep stubbornly pressing on. It seemed she was making a strategic retreat, planning for a long campaign.

When Su Ying left, Fu Ning Gong didn't make a big fuss about it. Only Yan Yin, representing the Empress Dowager, saw her out of the palace, which could be considered preserving her dignity.

With Su Ying gone, the others in Hou Gong became even quieter than before. Even Song Huihe's side went still. Rong Luoge's days became genuinely leisurely.

When the first light snow of winter fell, news finally arrived that Xiao Shen had decisively defeated the Qingxuan Kingdom's commander-in-chief, immediately followed by news that the Qingxuan Kingdom was sending a princess for a marriage alliance to sue for peace.

Even though Han Xinglan had anticipated this situation, now that it had actually happened, he still felt an indescribable irritation.

Han Xinglan returned to Yuzhao Gong with snowflakes on him, only to see Rong Luoge reclining on the warmed couch by the window reading a book. Hearing his footsteps, she looked up, and seeing it was him, began to rise.

Han Xinglan quickly took off his cloak and tossed it to Rong Xin and the others, then strode over to support Rong Luoge. "Stay seated. Your belly is getting heavier and heavier. No need to observe those empty courtesies—we don't need them between us."

Rong Luoge settled back down. Her belly had been growing larger lately, and she truly couldn't afford to tire herself. She sat propped against a soft cushion, looked at Han Xinglan, and said, "I heard the army is already on its way. How long until they return?"

"At most half a month; if fast, less than ten days." As Han Xinglan said this, a hand warmer was pressed into his hand—an exquisite white jade openwork warmer, only half the size of his palm yet toasty warm.

"Has the Qingxuan Kingdom's state letter arrived yet?" Rong Luoge asked again.

"How could it be that fast? Xiao Shen will bring the state letter back with him."

"Oh, that's even better. I'll send word to Madam Chu so she can prepare," Rong Luoge said with a smile.

"Handle it as you see fit." Han Xinglan left all matters concerning Zhen Guo Gong Fu entirely to Rong Luoge's discretion. After all, she was the one who had been wronged there, and how to reclaim that was up to her. "What are your thoughts on Rong Yan's rewards?"

"His Majesty should reward according to merit, without special favor that would invite criticism," Rong Luoge said unhurriedly. "When things at Zhen Guo Gong Fu reach an unmanageable point, I, as the favored consort, will step forward to plead for a grace on his behalf—asking His Majesty to bestow a residence so he can establish his own household."

Han Xinglan looked at Rong Luoge. "You're so afraid of me bearing the name of a faint-hearted emperor that you're trying every which way to shoulder it yourself."