Chapter 250: Volume 1, Chapter 250 Is There Any Difference With Such a Father?

"Are you not busy now? Why did you suddenly come over?" Rong Luoge nudged the tea toward Han Xinglan's hand and asked with a smile, the light in her eyes seemed to fall into tiny stars.

"I'm afraid if I don't come over and explain clearly, I'll have to sleep on the outer hall's couch tonight," Han Xinglan said teasingly, then pulled a booklet from his sleeve pouch and placed it on the table.

Rong Luoge's eyes flashed as she looked at the booklet, then she said confidently, "This isn't a booklet I made; I merely offered it as a tribute. After all, it's the Empress Dowager's kind intention, so His Majesty must not disappoint."

As she kept speaking, Rong Luoge couldn't hold herself any longer and collapsed into Han Xinglan's arms, laughing outright.

Han Xinglan pulled her into his embrace, sighed helplessly, and said, "So you dare to tease me like this, swapping for another… hm!"

"You still want to swap for another?"

Han Xinglan: …

Even saying it won't work?

Rong Luoge looked at his expression and grew even happier, speaking softly, "I think this booklet is fine; weren't we discussing the selection of a show woman before? Now it's perfect—no need for us to laboriously organize, we have a ready-made booklet, so you can start weighing and choosing people."

"Don't interfere in this matter; I'll handle it," Han Xinglan said, looking at Rong Luoge's slightly puffy face, reached out and gently pinched, "so that later the Empress Dowager won't bring this affair to you for reasoning."

The phrase "reasoning" was used oddly; Rong Luoge nodded solemnly, "You're right; I'm not one to reason with others. I've always been the type who resorts to action at the slightest disagreement."

There's no way to talk today!

Han Xinglan noticed Rong Luoge was especially cheerful today; rarely does she have such leisure to spar with him, so he smiled and asked her, "What's making you so happy? Tell me, so I can enjoy it too."

Rong Luoge couldn't stop smiling, so she recounted the farcical drama of the Protector Duke's mansion in vivid detail, and then, with a hint of regret, said, "It's truly a pity I couldn't see it in person; such a scene can't be replicated—what a waste."

Han Xinglan looked at Rong Luoge, both amused and exasperated; her deep concern over this matter stemmed from the fact that she still hadn't let go of the hurt Rong Heng caused her years ago.

"Don't be fooled by her usually carefree demeanor; after all, she's still a daughter, and Han Xinglan couldn't help feeling pity. He gently embraced her and said, 'Tomorrow I will issue an edict to reward Rong Yan for his merits, and since you recognize this brother as the Imperial Uncle, he should also be granted a title.'"

Rong Luoge asked in surprise, "Would that be against the rules?"

"Isn't Rong Yan now living with his mother, establishing his own household? Since he has set up his own branch, it's naturally within the rules," Han Xinglan said softly to Rong Luoge. "Speaking of which, ever since you became a consort, you've never used that status for anything. Now that Rong Yan's affairs are known to the court, you weigh heavily in my heart. Moreover, after you give birth, you'll be titled Empress; this is just a heads‑up for them now."

Han Xinglan had been holding his breath for a long time; he knew how wonderful the person he loved was, but others didn't. Once the Glass Kiln is completed, he will promote its true contributors, and the timing will perfectly align with the succession of the empress.

But he won't bother Rong Luoge with those details; he'll handle the preparations himself.

Rong Luoge knew Han Xinglan's temperament; since he said it was feasible, she replied cheerfully, "Alright, as long as it doesn't hinder you."

"Of course not," Han Xinglan said, looking at Rong Luoge. Others say he dotes on her, but they don't know why he likes her so much.

Look, listen—Rong Luoge puts him first in everything she does, even before considering her own mother's interests; she always thinks of his standpoint, which she never does for herself.

When he faces hardship, she immediately looks for solutions, whether it's the original projectiles or crossbows, the improved loom, the later military‑industrial bureau, the current Glass Kiln, and even the future grand market Rong Luoge plans, which will become a gathering place for merchants nationwide.

She does so much for him without expecting anything in return; his affairs are her affairs, everything he does is what she does, keeping him in her thoughts at all times. A person like that, how could he not be liked, not cherished? He even can't bear to see her a hint of sorrow.

This kind of feeling is hard to describe; Han Xinglan himself doesn't even realize that Rong Luoge's weight in his heart is heavier than he imagined.

This sincere heart is the hardest to come by.

Because he never received it from the Empress Dowager, the Emperor, or even his siblings, he now cherishes it all the more.

Rong Luoge was still pondering the Protector Duke's mansion affairs, unaware of the shifting emotions in Han Xinglan's eyes. The more she thought, the more amused she became. She looked up at him and said, "If you're going to grant Rong Yan a title, I think the initial rank shouldn't be too high; otherwise, later it becomes impossible to grant any further titles."

"You're right; Rong Yan is still young and will have many more chances to earn merit. How about initially granting him the title of Earl of Eternal Peace? I originally considered the title of Earl of Grace, but that would erase his battle achievements, which wouldn't be good," Han Xinglan mused.

Titles like "Earl of Receiving Grace" or "Earl of Grace" are all granted solely by divine favor, but Rong Yan is different; he has genuine military merit. Rong Luoge thought it acceptable, "You've thought this through thoroughly; I agree. Though the Earl of Eternal Peace is lower than the Protector Duke's rank, the capital's people aren't blind—they can see the distinction. Once this title is awarded, the Protector Duke's side will only be more embarrassed."

Not to mention divorcing his wife to marry Di Yue Nu, and even agreeing to let his wife take the children away, which effectively expels the children from the household.

Is there any difference with such a father?

Before Rong Yan is made a count, people would say Chu Ke and the child act impulsively, that giving up a title is a pity, but once Rong Yan earns the Earl of Eternal Peace through his own ability plus some favor, outsiders will surely change their narrative.

Rong Luoge can tell without much thought that people will say the Protector Duke is short‑sighted, picking at sesame while discarding a watermelon, thinking the eldest son useless, only to later grant him a countship.

Han Xinglan listened to Rong Luoge's words and gave a slight nod, "It's only an initial grant; after you bear a child, there will be another promotion, and then it will truly be glorious."

"Then the relationship between Rong Heng and Di Yue Nu as a couple is probably even more tense; on one side is a disgraced wife, on the other a promising eldest son—tsk, I feel sorry for Rong Heng, how can fish and bear's paw not both be obtained?"

Han Xinglan listened to Rong Luoge's words and laughed heartily, "You're right, fish and bear's paw truly can't both be had, let Rong Heng be tormented by it."