Chapter 217: Volume 1, Chapter 217 — Noble Consort Rong Channels a Drama Queen

Rong Luoge naturally understood Chu Ke's concern, so she said with a smile, "Madam, you seem to have forgotten—Rong Yan's military merits from this campaign will be considerable. But let's keep it quiet for now. After you and he separate and divide the household, His Majesty will naturally reward Rong Yan according to his military service."

Chu Ke was overjoyed. "Your Ladyship, truly?"

"Naturally. By then Rong Yan will establish his own household, and you will go there and be the one in charge. Once Rong Yan takes a wife through the door, you simply live peacefully and wait to become an honored dowager." Rong Luoge smiled as she spoke.

Chu Ke could hardly believe her ears. Looking at Rong Luoge's expression, her eyes reddened. "Your Ladyship, you must have thought this through long ago, haven't you? Thank you, Your Ladyship, for planning a way out for us mother and children."

After saying this, Chu Ke truly knelt down and kowtowed—this time with genuine sincerity.

Rong Luoge, being physically inconvenienced, had Rong Xin help the woman up and said, "Madam, what are you doing? These past days you've done no small amount of running around for my affairs, and Ling Shan has been kind to me as well. I remember this debt of gratitude."

Chu Ke pressed a handkerchief to her face and wept. When she had cried enough, she said with some embarrassment, "I'm not as good as Your Ladyship says. Right now I wish I could turn back ten years to atone for my offenses."

Rong Luoge understood her meaning and couldn't help smiling again—the original host would have found some comfort hearing these words too. So she said, "What's past is past. Madam, please don't bring it up again."

Chu Ke nodded quickly. "Rest assured, Your Ladyship. I will handle this matter properly for you. I know full well the properties in Rong Heng's hands. This time I won't stop until I've peeled a layer of skin off him."

Rong Luoge laughed. "Madam, mind your measure. Don't push him to the point where he truly won't let you go—it isn't worth it."

"I understand. Your Ladyship can leave it to me." Chu Ke rose to take her leave. She still had so many things to attend to. Her heart was truly brimming with energy—just thinking about the days ahead, her whole body felt lighter.

If her eldest son could establish his own household, and they had a good relationship with the Noble Consort, plus His Majesty's regard for her son, then even without a husband, their family's standing could still be upheld. She wouldn't have to go back to her maiden home and endure her sister-in-law's looks—perhaps down the line her sister-in-law would even have to curry favor with her.

Ling Shan's marriage prospects could also be properly reconsidered, and her youngest son Rong Yu could study in peace and eventually take the imperial examinations to pursue an official career.

Everything would get better.

Rong Luoge watched Chu Ke's retreating figure, her own mood quite pleasant as well.

Had it been her temperament from her past life, she would certainly have repaid every grudge and settled every score—she would never have accommodated and compromised like this.

But now she found that sometimes taking a step back wasn't a bad thing.

Come to think of it, the turning point in her relationship with Chu Ke and her children was that seal Ling Shan had given her back then.

It was also that seal that had made her hesitate—and now, looking back, it had indeed been worth it.

Though she didn't covet familial affection, if it truly existed, she wouldn't reject it either. Anyway, she quite liked the way Ling Shan looked at her and called her "Sister," and she liked hearing Ling Shan confide her troubles.

Sisters were probably something like this.

Rong Luoge's good mood lasted until the Empress Dowager sent someone to summon her over. Su Ying had already left the palace. The Empress Dowager inviting her over at this time—she didn't need to think to know what it was about.

Rong Luoge changed into a fresh set of clothes before heading to Funing Palace.

Yan Yin was already waiting at the gate. Seeing Rong Luoge, she immediately came forward. "Peace to Her Ladyship the Noble Consort."

"Aunt Yan Yin, please rise. Has the Empress Dowager been well lately?" Rong Luoge said.

Yan Yin nodded quickly. "Her Majesty the Empress Dowager's health is fair. Many thanks also to Your Ladyship for having the Imperial Hospital come every three days to check her pulse."

"That is only proper." Rong Luoge didn't claim credit. Han Xinglan was busy with court affairs, so of course she had to manage matters in the Hou Gong well on his behalf.

At this time, the Empress Dowager had to be kept in good health—absolutely no letting the Emperor be saddled with the label of unfilial.

After entering, she indeed saw that the Empress Dowager had grown considerably plumper lately. She supported her waist and stepped forward to pay her respects. "This concubine greets the Empress Dowager."

"Quickly, get up. You are with child—no need for formalities. Sit and speak." The Empress Dowager spoke hastily upon seeing Rong Luoge's already quite prominent belly.

Though she didn't care for Rong Luoge and previously hadn't been fond of the child in her womb either, this child was, after all, His Majesty's first.

Rong Luoge spoke first, expressing her concern for the Empress Dowager, then said, "His Majesty now mostly sleeps in the front hall, busy with state affairs. Even I rarely get to see him. Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, please do not blame His Majesty."

The Empress Dowager thought to herself that she certainly knew the son she had borne, but while thinking this she said, "He has just ascended the throne—it's right that state affairs keep him busy. I'm old in years, recuperating peacefully in Funing Palace—what need is there for the Emperor to worry? It's you, carrying a child, with him so busy that sometimes he can't attend to you—you must keep an open mind about it."

Truthfully, Rong Luoge was quite surprised. What had gotten into the Empress Dowager? It was as if she'd become a different person—surely she hadn't been possessed.

Her mind worked fast. The estrangement between the Empress Dowager and Han Xinglan as mother and son hadn't been built in a day. For the Empress Dowager to show such goodwill, she must be after something significant. She grew cautious at once.

When the Empress Dowager chatted about domestic matters, she simply chatted along—under no circumstances would she bring up anything else on her own.

After talking for a good while and finishing a cup of tea, the Empress Dowager finally asked in a leisurely, seemingly casual manner, "I've heard the court has raised the matter of next year's draft. What does the Noble Consort think?"

So this was where she had been waiting for her—it was indeed still about Su Ying.

Rong Luoge's heart settled at once. Knowing what the Empress Dowager was after, what was there to worry about? So she said with a smile, "I had been thinking of waiting a while before mentioning it to you, but I didn't expect Your Majesty the Empress Dowager to already know. Since I haven't yet raised the matter with His Majesty, I wasn't sure for a moment how to broach it with Your Majesty."

The Empress Dowager glanced at Rong Luoge. From the sound of her words, she didn't seem to reject the draft at all—how was that possible?

What favored consort liked a draft? New beauties entering the palace was no good thing for the existing ones.

"Is that so? It seems the Noble Consort has already made plans. Then what are you thinking? After all, this is the first draft since the Emperor's ascension—there must be a proper framework." The Empress Dowager probed again.

Rong Luoge and Han Xinglan had long since reached an agreement. With a clear idea in mind, she wasn't flustered. Looking at the Empress Dowager with a face full of sincerity, she said, "Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, I think there are still too few people in the Hou Gong. The first draft after His Majesty's ascension should naturally be a grand affair. Don't you agree?"

Empress Dowager: …

She couldn't quite read Rong Luoge's intentions. Could she really be this magnanimous?

The Empress Dowager thought this to herself, but a broad smile appeared on her face. "It's best that you think this way. You are a magnanimous child. I didn't misjudge you back then."

Rong Luoge smiled inwardly, then heard the Empress Dowager ask again, "Regarding the choice of Empress, what are you thinking?"

Oh ho—Rong Luoge's interest was piqued at once. Channeling a drama queen, she knew the Empress Dowager was playing Xiang Zhu's sword dance after all.