Chapter 268: Volume 1, Chapter 268: What Does Her Ladyship Mean by This?

When the news spread that Rong Yan was leading the team, the people outside were truly envious and admiring—leading a merchant caravan out to sell glazed glass, what a plum job that was!

One trip out and back, even if you only skimmed off ten percent, it would be enough to live on for a lifetime.

Naturally, some people were dissatisfied with the Emperor's decision—how wonderful it would be if such an assignment fell to their own family?

Alas, His Majesty now had the air of making decisions by his own sole authority, settling such a major matter directly without putting it before court discussion, leaving those court officials both frustrated and aggrieved, yet with no recourse.

Rong Yan was the chief, and beneath him there would certainly be a deputy chief and several assistants appointed. He had not even returned home yet when the people around him told him that his house had a full queue of people lined up at the door, all waiting to see him.

Rong Yan immediately said to the driver: "Turn the carriage around. Send someone back to tell my wife that I won't be returning today."

The servant hastily agreed, jumped straight off the carriage, and slipped into the residence through the back gate.

Inside the residence, Chu Ke was speaking with her daughter. Upon hearing the servant's message, she acknowledged it and had him withdraw.

Rong Ling Shan smiled and said: "Brother has truly become impressive this time. Eldest Sister must have promoted him."

Chu Ke looked at her daughter. "Let's set that aside for now. As for your marriage, is there anyone you've taken a fancy to?"

"Mother, I've told you before—I'm not in any hurry at all. You should worry about Eldest Brother first. From what I can see, Eldest Brother has no intention of marrying at all. Aren't you eager to hold grandchildren?" Rong Ling Shan said hurriedly. She already had a plan in her heart—what could she herself judge? When the time came, she would just let Eldest Sister take charge and pick one for her.

Eldest Sister was so formidable; whoever she chose would certainly be no less than excellent.

Hearing her daughter say this, Chu Ke sighed and looked at her, saying: "Your brother has more and more ideas of his own, and it's not easy for me to make decisions for him. You're his sister—ask him later whether he has any young lady in mind. If he does, Mother will find someone to go propose."

Rong Ling Shan hurriedly shook her head. "I wouldn't dare ask my brother. I'm a little afraid of him even when I see him now. Eldest Brother's presence has truly become more and more formidable."

Chu Ke grew even more worried. Her son's persistent refusal to marry had nearly become a sore spot for her.

"Mother, I heard that my aunt wanted to come visit you, and you refused her?" Rong Ling Shan sounded much more cheerful bringing this up.

Chu Ke nodded casually. "Wasn't it you who didn't want to see her?"

"Because I didn't want to see her?" Rong Ling Shan looked at her mother and asked.

Chu Ke patted her daughter's hand. "Of course. You and your younger brother suffered grievances at the Chu family, and Mother knows you've always held onto that. Now that our days are better, your aunt wants to cozy up to us again—I wouldn't be willing either. Otherwise, wouldn't the grievances you suffered have been for nothing?"

Rong Ling Shan gave a light laugh. "I knew Mother is the best. I don't want to see Aunt at all. If it were Uncle coming in person, that would still be acceptable."

"Hmph, where would your uncle have the face to come?" Chu Ke said, lowering her head. "Enough of that. Send a card into the palace to your Eldest Sister. I've made clothes for the little prince with my own hands—it's a small token of my regard. If Her Ladyship permits you to enter the palace, you can bring them in."

Rong Ling Shan nodded in agreement. "Then I'll go write it now. But Eldest Sister is still in her confinement period, and the palace is also holding the draft—I wonder if she'll be free."

At the mention of the draft, both mother and daughter looked worried. Chu Ke looked at her daughter. "This is precisely the time to ask after her. With the palace draft underway, your Eldest Sister must be feeling uncomfortable in her heart as well. As her family, we should at least ask and offer her some comfort."

"I'll go right now." Rong Ling Shan immediately went back to her room to write the card.

Chu Ke took out the little garments she had finished making, one by one, and tidied them anew. Every one of them was made from the finest fabric she could buy. She knew the palace wasn't lacking in these things, but this was her heartfelt intention.

Inside the palace, Rong Luoge received Rong Ling Shan's card, thinking it was Rong Yan's matter that had the mother and daughter worried. After a moment's thought, she said to Rong Xin: "Have Lady Chu and Ling Shan come together tomorrow."

Rong Xin nodded. "Then this servant will make a trip to the Yong'an Earl's residence."

"Go ahead, quietly—don't draw attention," Rong Luoge said.

Rong Xin deliberately went back and changed into an inconspicuous outfit before leaving the palace.

Rong Xin had barely left when Que Cai walked in with a dark expression. "Her Ladyship, Lady Zhenshen has sent word that she wishes to come pay you a visit. Would you like to see her?"

Rong Luoge looked at Que Cai and laughed. "What are you angry about?"

Que Cai pressed her lips together and said: "Lady Zhenshen has truly been basking in the limelight these past few days. She says she wants to come pay her respects, but I'm afraid she's just coming to cause you aggravation."

Rong Luoge smiled even more happily. "Then I won't see her."

Que Cai was pleased to hear Her Ladyship say this. "Indeed she shouldn't be seen. Your health comes first, Her Ladyship. If seeing her just gives you a bellyful of anger for nothing, that would be a loss."

Rong Luoge could guess why Song Huihe was coming—probably to probe her intentions. She looked at Que Cai. "Send the people from Yunhua Palace away, then go to Lady Xu's side and tell her to come over a little later."

"I'm afraid today won't work, Her Ladyship. Have you forgotten that the seamstresses from the Inner Court Office are coming shortly to take your measurements?"

Que Cai said immediately.

Rong Luoge had indeed forgotten about this. Since she was to be enthroned as Empress, her empress phoenix robe had to be made first. Time was a bit tight, so the seamstresses at the Inner Court Office would have to work overtime to rush it.

"Then let it be tomorrow," Rong Luoge said.

Que Cai left right away. Before long, Mu Ling brought the seamstresses from the Inner Court Office in, and Rong Luoge rose to let them take her measurements.

There were a full dozen or so of them—a considerable show of force. Rong Luoge hadn't expected taking measurements to be so involved; they recorded dozens of figures. This was probably what it meant to be a top-tier tailor.

After sending the seamstresses off, she lay down to rest directly. Early the next morning, Lady Xu came to see her.

Rong Luoge was playing with her son. A child barely ten-odd days old had already changed dramatically—fair and tender, with no trace left of the red, wrinkled look from when he was first born. Especially those eyes, exactly like Han Xinglan's—Rong Luoge was delighted just looking at him.

Perhaps the happiest thing about continuing the family line was being able to see the shadow of the other half in the child.

This was Lady Xu's first time seeing the little prince, and she couldn't tear her eyes away. "The little prince will certainly be a handsome man when he grows up. How can he be this adorable? Her Ladyship, look—she's smiling at me!"

Every mother loves hearing others praise her child, and Rong Luoge was no exception. She smiled and said: "We'll only know when he grows up. This little rascal is terribly mischievous, and his voice is so loud—when he cries, it shakes the heavens and the earth."

Both she and Han Xinglan were reserved by nature; they had no idea who this little rascal took after.

After Lady Xu had seen the little prince, she finally asked the Noble Consort: "Did Her Ladyship summon me here for some instruction?"

Rong Luoge nodded and produced a list she had written long ago, handing it to her. "Look after these few selected maidens a bit more after they enter the palace. Don't alert Lady Zhenshen's side for now. Mm, just model it on Su Ying's situation."

Lady Xu was taken aback—what did Her Ladyship mean by this?

Model it on Su Ying—was Her Ladyship setting herself against the Empress Dowager?