Chapter 256: Volume One, Chapter 256  The Emperor Lavishly Extracts Wealth

Volume One, Chapter 256 The Emperor Lavishly Extracts Wealth

"His Majesty, why did you rush back?"

Han Xinglan suppressed his fluctuating emotions, strode forward and grasped Rong Luoge's hand, "As soon as I returned to the palace and heard you were here, I came to see you."

As a new emperor, he naturally couldn't say he was watching the Late Emperor's concubine give birth; that would sound bad if it spread.

But Rong Luoge still saw that he was lying; she suspected he only pretended because he knew she had personally come here to take charge, and he was worried about his own return.

She grasped Han Xinglan's hand with her other hand, looked at him and said, "Then His Majesty, sit down and rest first; the matter of giving birth can't be timed precisely. Rong Xin, serve tea to His Majesty."

Rong Xin promptly replied and left.

At this moment Han Xinglan realized there were others in the hall, cleared his throat lightly and said, "Everyone, rise." Then he looked at Liu Taifei and asked, "Taifei, how have you been?"

Liu Taifei replied, "Thank you, His Majesty, for your concern. The noble consort has been meticulous and caring, looking after us very well."

Han Xinglan was pleased with the answer; he remembered Liu Taifei—she had teamed up with Rong Luoge to help a lot back then, so later when she requested not to leave the palace, he did not make it difficult for her. She wanted to raise a child together with Zhong Taifei, and he agreed.

Now it makes sense why Rong Luoge often praises her; she truly is very capable.

Rong Luoge chuckled lightly, looked at Liu Taifei and said, "Taifei, you can sit and wait; a short while probably won't bring any news."

Rong Luoge guessed correctly; even with ginseng, the commotion in the adjoining hall was considerable. Giving birth is not a matter of a moment; sometimes it drags on, taking a day or two.

When the lanterns first lit up, the Eastern Bright Hall shone brilliantly inside and out, and at that moment a palace attendant from Funing Palace came over to ask a question.

Rong Luoge, with her belly protruding, had sat all day exhausted, and was slowly walking around the hall to stretch. Xu Shuyuan, Qin Zhaohua, and Liu Taifei had gone to have dinner; Shi An came holding a stack of documents to report to His Majesty, and Han Xinglan could only handle it on the spot.

Rong Luoge stopped, looked at Que Cai and said, "Go out and tell the people of Funing Palace that Zhong Taifei is all well; that will ease the Empress Dowager's mind."

The Empress Dowager only wanted a junior palace maid to come over, clearly not taking it to heart. Rong Luoge didn't intend to meet anyone herself, so she sent Que Cai out to dismiss her.

When Que Cai left, Rong Luoge let out a long sigh; in the past there had been a rivalry between Ming Taifei and the Empress Dowager, so while the Late Emperor was alive, the Empress Dowager at least performed well outwardly, otherwise she wouldn't have firmly secured the Empress's position.

But since the Late Emperor's death, Ming Taifei has been under his control, daring little to stir trouble in the harem, which has made the Empress Dowager's days increasingly comfortable; now she hardly regards the Late Emperor's concubines at all.

Rong Luoge grew to despise such an Empress Dowager; she knew Zhong Taifei had old grudges with both the Empress Dowager and Ming Taifei, but what of it? In this palace, who doesn't wish to live well and vie for favor and power?

The capable rise, the defeated fall; it's merely the victor and the vanquished.

They waited until the first watch, when the snow fell even heavier, and then heard a baby's wail.

Liu Taifei's face lit up, and she immediately rose to go out, paying no mind to etiquette, just as the messenger of good news arrived.

Zhong Taifei gave birth to a daughter; mother and daughter are safe.

Rong Luoge let out a long sigh, relieved that they were safe, and looked at the Emperor smiling, "His Majesty, this is a joyous occasion, and you are present; shall we grant a name to the princess?"

The Emperor is the little princess's brother, so granting a name is perfectly proper.

Han Xinglan glanced at Luoge and understood she wanted everyone to value this little princess, so that Zhong Taifei and her daughter might have better days ahead.

Han Xinglan solemnly nodded, "Your Highness, that is indeed fitting. Let Zhong Taifei choose a name herself; I will grant a title—let it be Yile."

"Princess Yile is a good name; His Majesty, you hope your sister will have lifelong happiness," Rong Luoge thought it fitting, and as the tension lifted, she truly felt weary.

Han Xinglan could no longer attend to others, and simply led Rong Luoge away.

In the soft sedan on the way back, Han Xinglan saw that she could barely open her eyes and couldn't help chastising, "Let Rong Xin come to watch over her; why do you insist on coming yourself?"

Rong Luoge, eyes closed, whispered, "Earlier we needed ginseng, but the Imperial Hospital lacked it. If I weren't here, Rong Xin would have to return to Yuzhao Gong to report, and that back‑and‑forth would waste so much time. Matters of life and death cannot be taken lightly."

"You… sigh, never mind, I knew you'd be like this," Han Xinglan was angry, amused, and pained.

Rong Luoge finally found a moment to say, "You came back as soon as you got the news, right? The glazed kiln matter must have been delayed."

Han Xinglan, hearing Rong Luoge's somewhat guilty tone, replied indifferently, "It's just opening the kiln, not a big deal; we can visit another day."

Rong Luoge understood why he was indifferent; how long had he planned the glazed kiln affair in advance? Today he couldn't go in person to take charge, and didn't know the situation there.

After returning to Yuzhao Gong, Rong Luoge washed up and went straight to bed; Han Xinglan still had to continue handling affairs, especially regarding the glazed kiln, and now finally had time to inquire carefully.

Shi An entered and replied, his face beaming, "His Majesty, Lord Xiao has been present overseeing; when the first glazed piece emerged from the kiln, everyone was astonished—the color was exceptionally beautiful, the material crystal clear, and it will be delivered to the palace tomorrow for Your Majesty to inspect."

Han Xinglan nodded satisfactorily, "Can the news be released?"

"Lord Xiao wishes he could beat drums and gongs to let the whole world know; as soon as the items emerge, he has people spread the news instantly. I have heard that Lord Xiao's gates are now clogged, with many people seeking information," Shi An laughed, teeth barely visible.

Han Xinglan was in high spirits, looked at Shi An and said, "That's good." Then added, "Tomorrow summon the court officials: Zhong Taifei has given birth to a daughter; confer the title Princess Yile."

Shi An immediately agreed, pondering that Princess Yile is fortunate to be born at such an auspicious time.

If the Dragon Heart were not delighted, a posthumously conceived princess could never receive such glorious publicity.

The next day, Rong Luoge was still asleep, while outside the two pieces of news turned the world upside down.

One was the birth of Princess Yile; Han Xinglan emphasized publicizing that Noble Consort Rong, heavily pregnant, personally oversaw and ensured Zhong Taifei's safe delivery of a daughter—a great achievement that must be celebrated.

The second matter was that the Emperor's private kiln produced glazed wares of superior color and exquisite craftsmanship, and moreover His Majesty intended to expand the glazed kiln.

That final point was what everyone paid most attention to: expanding the glazed kiln?

What does that mean?

It means that the Emperor's private kiln's output is unrelated to the state treasury, and yet he still intends to lavishly extract wealth.

The aristocratic families erupted instantly.

How could this happen?