Chapter 248: Volume 1 Chapter 248 The Great Wedding Chaos

Rong Luoge, in a good mood, returned to Yuzhao Gong; Rong Xin had not yet returned, so she could not go to Zhen Guo Gong Fu herself to watch the excitement, and she still felt a bit regretful.

If she were not pregnant, she would definitely sneak out to see it with her own eyes, but now, for the little one in her womb, she has to endure it.

Que Cai brought in a bowl of bird's nest, "Madam, have some bird's nest first; this is blood bird's nest sent by His Majesty, very nourishing."

Rong Luoge actually doesn't like these, but for the child she lifted the bowl and drank slowly, always feeling a strange taste.

Que Cai turned her head, saw Mu Ling waving from outside the window, and quietly went out to ask, "What's the matter?"

Mu Ling whispered, "Someone from Guanju Palace, a person of Xu Shuyuan, came to deliver a message. Xu Shuyuan wants to come to see you, Madam. Do you have time?"

"Wait a moment, I'll go tell the Madam," Que Cai turned and entered the hall, then relayed Mu Ling's words.

Rong Luoge set down the small doucai bowl in her hand, smiled and said, "Go and invite Xu Shuyuan over; I also have some matters to ask her."

Que Cai hurriedly turned and told Mu Ling, "You go to Guanju Palace yourself and ask Xu Shuyuan to come over."

Mu Ling replied and ran off. Que Cai smiled at her. The little palace maids of Yuzhao Gong are happy every day; the Madam has an easygoing nature, never unjustly punishes the palace staff, which makes them feel increasingly at ease.

Xu Shuyuan arrived quickly; Rong Luoge, upon seeing her, smiled and said, "I was just planning to have you come over in the next couple of days to chat, and you happen to be here now."

Xu Shuyuan performed a bow before sitting down, smiled and said, "Madam is carrying a child; a concubine would not dare to disturb you without cause. It is truly because of the matters in the Inner Court Office that I am at a loss, so I came to ask for your guidance."

"Oh? What matter?" Rong Luoge asked with a smile, "The Inner Court Office is currently conducting a thorough investigation; I fear the coordination with the Hou Gong is not smooth. Have they encountered any difficulties?"

"Not exactly; after Xue Mingli hanged himself, a man named Jiang Yin was appointed to oversee the General Storage Department. Now the department has come to request instructions regarding the recent winter clothing issue, wanting to know whether we should remake the winter garments or what. The concubine doesn't know how to reply, so she asks you, Madam," Xu Shuyuan said.

"Wasn't this matter already handled by Hu Zongxi at first?" Rong Luoge asked.

"I heard Hu Zongxi was also taken down by Prince Qi, so now no one is handling it."

Rong Luoge: …

"Prince Qi acted quickly; he also took down Hu Zongxi?"

"Not only that, the concubine specifically inquired; this time the Inner Court Office is in complete chaos. Prince Qi holds a secret ledger, said to be the hidden accounts Xue Mingli has secretly kept for years, recording many of the Inner Court Office's accounts. Following the trail, many have been imprisoned. Someone impeached Prince Qi in the court, but Prime Minister Yun strongly supported Prince Qi's reform of the Inner Court Office. The concubine is not clear on court affairs, but knows that because of this, the Inner Court Office has essentially come to a halt."

At this point Xu Shuyuan sighed, "The Inner Court Office is in disarray, and the Hou Gong is heavily affected; many supplies are delayed. Madam Zhen Shen took the opportunity to vent a few times, saying the tea leaves that should have arrived at the beginning of the month are nowhere to be seen. The concubine can do nothing."

Rong Luoge's supplies come from Han Xinglan's imperial provisions, so she hasn't felt any impact. She didn't realize the Hou Gong was so affected. After thinking, she said, "Don't worry for now; I'll handle this. Apart from Madam Zhen Shen, who else has come to you to complain?"

"Only Zhou Jieyu said a few words; Luo Ronghua didn't even show her face," Xu Shuyuan laughed. "Although the Hou Gong has only a few people, we can't keep ignoring it forever; after thinking it over, I can only trouble you, Madam."

"That's to be expected," Rong Luoge smiled, "Thank you for your effort; don't worry, you know the Inner Court Office matters won't be resolved in three or five days. So, what do you think of Jiang Yin?"

"His attitude is much better than when Xue Mingli was around; Xue Mingli was arrogant, dealing with him was both tiring and annoying."

Rong Luoge laughed heartily, "Really, thank you. Since Jiang Yin is competent and was newly promoted by Prince Qi, tell him the current situation in the Hou Gong, have him handle it quickly, and also see how he manages the tasks."

Xu Shuyuan, reassured, said, "Alright, I'll do as you say and handle it right away."

The Hou Gong's affairs concerning the imperial kitchen's firewood, rice, oil, and salt are not her responsibility; all other trivial matters come to her. She is swamped alone, but fortunately Qin Zhaohua helps.

Xu Shuyuan left in a hurry, and Rong Luoge looked at her back and wanted to laugh. Back when she was in Dong Gong, Xu Shuyuan was a renowned lady of a distinguished family; her walking skirt rippled like waves, very beautiful. Seeing her now scrambling like a Third Sister, indeed people are forged by experience.

Xu Shuyuan reminded Rong Luoge, and looking at Que Cai said, "Send Yuan Bao to inquire about the situation in the Inner Court Office; the more detailed, the better."

"Yes, I will go right away," Que Cai bowed and left, then went to the front to find Yuan Bao and pass the message to him.

Yuan Bao had just returned from the front hall when he heard this, turned and walked out, saying as he went, "I heard the Inner Court Office is both busy and chaotic; I might not be able to find out much. I'll go take a look first."

Prince Qi took over the Inner Court Office, and with the covert support of Prime Minister Yun's men, in just a few days he overturned the entire office. Holding the secret ledger of the Inner Court Office, he examined each entry; now there are a dozen or two dozen people awaiting trial in prison, led by Fan Mingzhang. Hu Zongxi could not escape, while Fan Tinglin, seeing the situation turn unfavorable, immediately defected and clung to Prince Qi's side.

With Fan Tinglin, Prince Qi handled matters even more smoothly, stirring up the Inner Court Office like cutting up a melon or vegetables, creating utter chaos.

Rong Luoge stared at the information Yuan Bao brought back, unable to speak for a while. She hadn't realized that Prince Qi, who is a soft, clingy man in front of women, actually possesses some resolve when handling serious matters; no wonder the Late Emperor liked his son back then.

Hmph!

So what? It's not like I'm running errands for Han Xinglan now!

Rong Luoge hadn't sorted out the Inner Court Office matters yet, but she returned to the palace with excitement and gossip. Upon entering, she looked at the Noble Consort and smiled, "Madam, it's such a pity you didn't go today; you missed how lively the wedding at Zhen Guo Gong Fu was today."

Rong Luoge immediately set aside the Inner Court Office issues, her eyes shining as she stared at Rong Xin, "Quickly, tell me how lively it was. It seems Liu Yuniang really caused a ruckus; I wasn't wrong to have Cang Yun specifically look for her."

"Madam, it's not only Liu Yuniang who caused a stir; you didn't see that Madam Xiao also went, her belly supporting Liu Yuniang as a witness," Rong Xin said excitedly.

Ming Yuhua also went?