Chapter 279: Volume 1 Chapter 279: Is the brain supposed to fall to the ground?

Han Xinglan looked at Rong Luoge, who didn't seem at a loss, and said, "What is there between us that we can't speak of? Just say whatever comes to mind."

"It's not that I can't say it; I just haven't figured it out yet. After all, this matter is somewhat shocking." Rong Luoge smiled calmly. Having transmigrated this once, she didn't really want to just stay in the inner palace as empress.

Even if the empress's title is glorious, she is merely a gilded cage bird—just the most luxurious cage bird in the world.

She wanted to go out and see, to use her knowledge to do something feasible in this era. She wanted to fight side by side with Han Xinglan—not as emperor and empress, but as true comrades-in-arms.

When others mention her, they won't say, "Oh, she's the divorced one."

When they speak of her, she hopes they will say, "Empress Rong is someone who has made great contributions and driven progress for society and the people, someone qualified to stand beside His Majesty."

After playing with his son, Han Xinglan took the wet nurse to the side hall to feed the baby, then he sat down to eat with Rong Luoge.

"Shocking?" Han Xinglan continued his earlier words, smiling at her. "Which of the things we've done isn't shocking? Tell me, and I'll think of an idea for you too."

Han Xinglan very much enjoys being with Rong Luoge; when they are together they don't seem like emperor and empress but like an ordinary couple—free to say or do whatever they want, without worrying that their pillow‑mate might have ulterior motives.

This life of sincerely trusting each other makes him feel especially relaxed and content.

Rong Luoge nodded. "That works—one mind is short, two minds are long. I remember you telling me you made a deal with the officials to get their daughters into the palace, right?"

Han Xinglan nodded. "That's only natural—you can't expect others to work for you for nothing; you have to offer something they want in exchange."

Rong Luoge looked at Han Xinglan. "You've thought of everything, but you haven't considered whether these women are willing. Are they just going to guard empty chambers in the palace for life?"

Rong Luoge certainly wouldn't be so saintly as to share her husband, even if he is the emperor; but they had made a promise earlier, and as long as he hasn't changed his heart, they will live well together.

Therefore, in this situation she cannot accept his physical infidelity, even though such behavior is considered proper in this era.

Who made Han Xinglan promise her that they had an agreement?

"What do you mean?"

"As a woman myself, I naturally don't want them to suffer so much." Rong Luoge isn't a saint, but she is willing to help them wherever she can.

"I once made an agreement with them: after a few years I would quietly let them leave the palace, which would also return their freedom," Han Xinglan said.

Having grown accustomed to his father's licentiousness with women, and seeing that no one truly cared for him in the end, he does not want to be like his father; he feels fortunate to have met someone he likes and wants to cherish.

Rong Luoge was a little surprised, yet not entirely so. After thinking, she said, "Then what identity would they have leaving the palace? They could only sneak out, and even if they left, their lives wouldn't be easy."

No one dares to marry an imperial consort, and sneaking out of the palace means giving up one's former status; if they change identity and place of residence, they must leave their homeland and endure the inconveniences of that change—this is also far from a perfect solution,

"Equivalent exchange: their families gain the benefits they want, and any other losses they must accept themselves." Han Xinglan said to Rong Luoge; the words may sound harsh, but they are true.

One can't expect him to consider everything for them; they themselves should bear what they ought to, and when they seek benefits they should be prepared.

Rong Luoge sighed lightly. "What you say is correct, I just feel it's a bit pitiful. Even if Consort Kang Shufei and Lady Qiongzhang are willing to sacrifice themselves for their families, they are still in the prime of life, so I want to help them find another way out."

Upon hearing this, Han Xinglan looked at Rong Luoge and said, "You have a way to do this?" After speaking he smiled. "Fine, as long as you have a method—after all, those people in the inner palace are under your jurisdiction; I won't interfere."

"That won't work; this matter still needs your support," Rong Luoge laughed.

"What matter? Tell me." Han Xinglan casually ladled a bowl of porridge for Rong Luoge and added a bowl of rice for himself.

When the two eat together they like to talk, so they don't enjoy having someone attend them nearby; gradually this became a habit.

"I want to take over the weaving workshop—what do you think?"

"The weaving workshop?" Han Xinglan was a bit surprised. "How do you intend to take it over?"

"Take it out separately and set it up not far from the imperial city, or have His Majesty temporarily lend me the Eastern Palace—after all, Kang Kang will be going to the Eastern Palace for many more years." Rong Luoge spoke while thinking. "Which of these ladies hasn't learned needlework in her chambers? One principle covers all; I will lead them to expand the workshop and make it a signature of our inner palace. In that way, after a few years they will have a reputation and remain of pure virtue; if they wish to leave the palace, His Majesty can proudly marry them off."

Han Xinglan:?

"Marry them off?" Han Xinglan hadn't expected Rong Luoge to come up with such an idea; he was truly shocked, fearing he had misheard. "In history there has never been an emperor who married off his own consorts to others—it's unthinkable."

"Does His Majesty only get to do what others have done, and cannot be the first to blaze a trail?" Rong Luoge said. "Whether letting them change their status and leave the palace, or letting them linger in the palace wasting their youth, it's unfair to them. Their families have gained benefits, but they themselves have gotten nothing."

Han Xinglan had never heard of such a thing; at first it made him feel embarrassed, but upon reflection he thought it also made sense. He looked at Rong Luoge and said, "This is just what you're saying—if it were someone else…"

Their brains hit the floor!

Rong Luoge gave a faint smile. "So let's discuss this with you—you and I want to grow old together, and we don't want to have to go through a sham selection every three years. This year we couldn't avoid it because we're too weak, but must we always do it? If you truly intend to stay with me till old age, you naturally need to tell the officials clearly to stop the selections; I think sending the consorts off to marry is an excellent plan."

This time Han Xinglan thought seriously; Rong Luoge's meaning was that the inner palace would take over the weaving workshop, she would lead the palace ladies to achieve results with it, and then let the people on the ship gain fame.

Moreover, he himself dotes on the empress exclusively; these consorts have never shared his bed, so if they gain fame abroad, marrying them off in the emperor's name… well, it might not be impossible.

In that way, this emperor could actually boost his own reputation through the affair.

Win-win.