Chapter 219: Volume 1, Chapter 219 — This Is Not a Matter of Making Do

Before a good plan for dividing the Inner Court Bureau had been worked out, Xiao Shen's army was already about to reach the capital.

When the army arrived outside the city walls, Han Xinglan led the ministers to personally welcome them. Xiao Shen brought the army to pay respects to the Emperor. Though Rong Luoge did not go to see it, she could still imagine how magnificent the scene must have been.

The Emperor going out to welcome them showed the importance he placed on the soldiers of the Northern Expedition—a tremendous honor for them. Naturally, some courtiers objected, but Han Xinglan insisted on it single-handedly, and since the army was returning in triumph, it invisibly also bolstered the Emperor's weight in the court.

After the ruler and ministers met, Xiao Shen first reported the details of the battle against Qingxuan Kingdom, then presented the letter of state from the ruler of Qingxuan Kingdom proposing peace.

Han Xinglan had a clear idea in mind and did not open it in front of everyone. Instead, he waited until he returned to the palace before summoning the ministers anew to discuss matters.

In the Hou Gong, Rong Luoge could also see that the palace attendants coming and going all wore smiles on their faces and walked with light steps—winning a battle was naturally a cause for joy.

It so happened that she had some free time today, so Rong Luoge went to visit Dowager Consort Liu and Dowager Consort Zhong.

Dowager Consort Liu was quite surprised to see Rong Luoge and hurriedly ushered her in, saying with a smile, "Why has the Noble Consort come over? If there is anything you need, just send someone with a message."

Upon entering the main hall, Rong Luoge saw Dowager Consort Zhong, whose belly was similarly quite large. Her original rank had only been that of a Beauty; after the Emperor greatly ennobled the Hou Gong, and later considering that the child in Dowager Beauty Zhong's womb was the Late Emperor's posthumous child, she was additionally elevated to the rank of Consort.

Dowager Consort Zhong's expression was much more reserved. Her life had not been smooth; she had been suppressed by Dowager Consort Ming her entire life, which had cultivated a cautious and careful nature. Therefore, upon seeing Noble Consort Rong—the new Emperor's most cherished consort—she dared not put on airs and greeted her with the utmost care.

Seeing her like this, Rong Luoge, afraid of startling her, simply directed her words mainly toward Dowager Consort Liu.

The relationship between Dowager Consort Liu and Rong Luoge was much more harmonious. Rong Luoge looked at her and said, "I came mainly to ask about the winter clothes. I heard that the winter clothes have been uneven in quality. Have the two Dowager Consorts had any deducted by the Inner Court Bureau?"

Dowager Consort Zhong's expression stiffened, and she kept her mouth shut, not daring to speak.

Dowager Consort Liu did not have so many reservations. She looked at Rong Luoge and said, "The Noble Consort already knows about this? To call it deduction isn't exactly severe—they just swapped out the fabrics and furs. They're still wearable. We don't go out anyway, so making do is fine."

Dowager Consort Liu was actually quite content to have peaceful days now, especially since she was still waiting for the Liu family to enter the palace for the New Year—she still had to properly put on Dowager Consort airs.

So since they could make do for now, she was unwilling to cause trouble for Noble Consort Rong. If they really spoke of it, it wasn't a big deal anyway.

Hearing Dowager Consort Liu say this, Rong Luoge immediately replied, "For such a thing to happen is my own negligence to begin with—how could I let you be wronged? If His Majesty knew, he would certainly reprimand the Inner Court Bureau. This is not trouble; the rules are right there. I came to ask clearly what exactly is going on—hearing it from others, they always hem and haw."

Dowager Consort Liu looked at Noble Consort Rong's manner and it did not seem like she was lying. She thought for a moment and said, "Your Ladyship, wait a moment. Let me fetch something to show you."

Rong Luoge watched Dowager Consort Liu go into the inner hall. She soon brought out two garments, laid them on the table and spread them out, then said, "See for yourself, Your Ladyship."

Rong Luoge looked at the two garments—one was moon-white with folded paper flowers, the other deep blue with clustered floral patterns. At first glance they looked quite fine, but the moment one handled them, the fabric was noticeably thin, and the fur trim set into the edges was fine and soft. These were winter clothes, yet when she reached into the sleeves, the thickness was insufficient. Her brows furrowed tightly, and a hint of anger showed on her face.

Dowager Consort Liu saw Noble Consort Rong's expression and said with a smile, "It doesn't matter if the clothes are a bit thin—we don't really go out in the dead of winter anyway. The fur being a bit finer is no issue either; as Dowager Consorts, we're not competing in beauty. The only shortcoming is that the fabric is too thin. Material like this can't be washed—once washed, it would be even less wearable."

Rong Luoge nodded. "These are indeed no good. Are all the winter clothes like this?"

"More or less. Winter fabrics are generally chosen to be thick and sturdy silk satin, wind-resistant and durable, unlike summer garments where thinner is cooler and better."

"I'll have someone take these back. Does Dowager Consort Liu know whether it's only like this for you two here, or is it the same everywhere else?" Rong Luoge asked further.

Dowager Consort Liu then said, "All I know is that Dowager Consort Ming's quarters don't have this problem."

Rong Luoge sighed. "You should have told me when you encountered such things. It's my negligence too. Don't worry—I'll have new clothes sent over to you afterward."

If the masters' clothes were already like this, then the winter clothes distributed to the palace attendants serving in the Dowager Consorts' palace were probably even more unsightly.

"The Noble Consort is with child and should avoid taxing herself. We still have clothes from past years that we can wear."

"This is not a matter of making do or not." Rong Luoge stood up. "I'll have someone take these clothes away."

Dowager Consort Liu had someone wrap up all the winter clothes she and Dowager Consort Zhong had received and bring them out. Rong Xin led several palace maids forward to take them, and only then did Rong Luoge leave with her people.

Once she was gone, Dowager Consort Zhong finally let out a soft breath of relief.

Dowager Consort Liu saw this and immediately said, "How are you getting more timid as you live? What is there to be afraid of? Noble Consort Rong is a reasonable person."

Dowager Consort Zhong said with a bitter face, "I've only been in the palace a short time. How would I know how formidable the Inner Court Bureau is?"

Hearing this, Dowager Consort Liu said, "Formidable or not, that was during the Late Emperor's time. You've seen His Majesty reorganize the Inner Court Bureau several times since his enthronement. Perhaps the Noble Consort has other plans this time—otherwise, why would she work so hard while so heavily pregnant?"

"You mean…"

"Just watch." Dowager Consort Liu gave a scoff. "Yesterday, the attendants from Dowager Consort Ming's side deliberately made snide remarks in front of us. Perhaps Dowager Consort Ming had a hand in this too."

"I think she wouldn't, actually. Doesn't Dowager Consort Ming still rely on His Majesty to find a good husband for Princess Zhaoqing? How would she dare cause trouble?" Dowager Consort Zhong said slowly. "I've been suppressed by Dowager Consort Ming for so many years—I know a thing or two about her temperament. She is best at seeking advantage and avoiding harm."

Dowager Consort Liu fell into thought for a moment upon hearing this, then said, "It would be best if the people in the Hou Gong weren't involved. If they were, they might be in for bad luck this time. You and I should just live with peace of mind. You've seen that the Noble Consort treats you very well. Don't let your imagination run wild all day—giving birth to the child in your belly safely is what truly matters."

Dowager Consort Zhong hurriedly nodded. "I know Noble Consort Rong is a good person. I hope the Noble Consort gives birth to a prince—that way, perhaps she might still have hope of ascending to the position of Empress."

Dowager Consort Liu also felt a bit wistful. "Let's hope so. Good people always get good returns. The Noble Consort is such a good person—she deserves good fortune."

Unlike her—she had already plunged both feet into the mire. If not for Noble Consort Rong, she would have gone to the underworld long ago. She hoped for the Noble Consort's well-being more than anyone else.