Chapter 363: Force Can Sweep Everything

Ming Yuhua nodded and, a little uneasy, began, "When I entered the palace I happened to meet the deputy general beside my husband; seeing his flushed face, it must be good news."

Rong Luoge thought that anyone Xiao Shen sent back must be highly trusted, and if, as Ming Yuhua said, his face was flushed, it was certainly good news.

The two exchanged a glance, and Ming Yuhua couldn't help but laugh first, "Good news at the start of the new year; this year the Consort and His Majesty will surely have everything go smoothly."

"Borrowing your auspicious words." Rong Luoge was truly delighted; after all, she and Han Xinglan had waited so long, and finally good news arrived. After saying that, she looked at Ming Yuhua and added, "Back then the two of us really met by chance; who could have imagined we'd have a chance today to sit together, chat and laugh."

Ming Yuhua's face turned red, "Oh dear, please don't bring up the old matters of my Empress; even my thick skin can't endure this during the big New Year."

Rong Luoge let out a light laugh, and, looking at Ming Yuhua, said softly, "The fact that you're doing well now only proves the original choice wasn't wrong. I heard General Ming and his spouse went to see you again?"

"Nothing can be hidden from the Consort; they did go, but only out of regret." Ming Yuhua's expression softened, "Isn't it funny? Back then my father did so much for Princess Ming, and then she suddenly left the water, while my father's whole family is still soaking in it."

Rong Luoge, hearing Ming Yuhua's words, couldn't help but laugh, "Come to think of it, does General Ming's actions mean he's serving the court?"

Ming Yuhua indeed intended to plead for her father today; she sighed, "I'm really hitting myself in the face; I truly can't open my mouth, but …"

"I understand; people always have things they can't let go of. General Ming's choices back then have, over these years, atoned for his sins, and I haven't heard of him colluding with any noble families."

"When my aunt defected, my father became listless, staying locked behind the mansion's main gate all day, not even stepping through the side door; I go out shopping more often than he does."

Listening to Ming Yuhua's rant, Rong Luoge truly couldn't hold back her laugh, "Do you really speak of elders that way?"

"I'm only saying this in front of the Consort, because you know best the feud between my father and me. It was thanks to the Consort pulling me up during my darkest days that I have the glory I enjoy today," Ming Yuhua said sincerely, "Unfortunately, I'm just a blockhead, good at eating, drinking and having fun; in other matters I'm truly clueless. Not causing the Consort any trouble is my greatest merit."

Rong Luoge truly felt she could die of laughter today, "I also like your frankness; if you can, you can, if not, you can't. Moreover, Xiao Shen is campaigning abroad, and you taking good care of his household is the greatest merit. When your child grows older and you can step back, you can learn whatever you wish; the workshop matters aren't difficult at all."

"Really? I'm jealous of Yun Shizhuang. You said she was so annoying back then, and now she can serve the Consort. It just shows the Consort's broad mind; otherwise any other person would be enough to make her drink a cup." Ming Yuhua truly doesn't get along with Yun Shizhuang, and can't help looking down on her.

Rong Luoge, forced into a corner, had no choice; there are only a few useful people, and turning even one is like gaining an advantage. Right now the goal is to unite every force that can be united, present a united front outward, resolve external threats, then address internal conflicts.

However, given Han Xinglan's military strength is rising sharply, these internal contradictions may resolve themselves without further action.

To put it bluntly, when force reaches its pinnacle, it truly can sweep everything away.

There's also the saying that authority springs from the gun barrel.

Rong Luoge's happiness today came entirely from Ming Yuhua; in this good mood she laughed and asked, "Great General, what are your requests? I'm feeling great now, you may speak."

Ming Yuhua cleared her throat lightly and tentatively asked, "Consort, I don't know what my father can do; it depends on where His Majesty can employ him, just don't let him idle at home. Actually, when my husband led troops to Suizhou, my father thought of finding me, but never lowered his face. Now that the Suizhou campaign is over, my father's clinging to a warm position can't keep up, and I truly have nothing to say; I can only boldly come before the Consort to plead for him, and he now truly regrets."

Ming Yuhua's smile faded, "Consort, it's been years since I've seen my father; if I let you see him now, you might not even recognize him." She pointed to the side of his hair, "He's already got white hair. I used to hate him so much that I swore never to see him again in this life. But Consort, I'm truly useless; seeing my father's white temples made me… I cried then, unable to stop recalling how kind he was to me as a child, remembering sitting on his shoulders as he carried me around the courtyard…"

Ming Yuhua inhaled and quickly lifted her head, "You can't cry during the big New Year; it's inauspicious. I've embarrassed the Consort; now that I've become a mother myself, I truly understand how hard parenting is."

Rong Luoge looked at Ming Yuhua and said softly, "It's only natural; even if parents have faults, they once truly loved you. With that feeling still there, now that they're willing to change, you'll naturally soften. I'll report back to His Majesty later and see how he arranges it; I can't promise you anything right now."

"Of course, I'm immensely grateful that you're willing to speak on my behalf before His Majesty; I've been too ashamed to bring it up." Ming Yuhua sighed, "A year ago my father and mother were still arguing often; after the Suizhou campaign the two of them now don't even have the energy to quarrel."

"Are people outside now all focusing on the Suizhou campaign?"

"Consort, you don't know; of course everyone's very interested. I heard that a few cannon shots blew open the city walls—do you know how terrifying that is? In the past, sieges used catapults and ladders in rotation, and countless lives were lost before anyone could reach the wall top. But now, no one needs to climb; the cannon just blasts it open. It's amazing."

Ming Yuhua, gaining momentum, said, "Consort, you have no idea. During that period I didn't even dare open the door; tribute letters were carried in by the basketful, and I didn't even look at them. They weren't sincerely visiting; they just wanted to gather information. I knew nothing, so I was too lazy to deal with them."

Rong Luoge, hearing that, laughed and said, "In that sense, you truly have had it hard."

"Not at all bitter; with the main gate closed I drink tea, read, keep the children company—such simple days are indescribably comfortable."

Rong Luoge looked at Ming Yuhua and asked, "Do you know what's been happening with the Su family lately?"

"The Su family?" Ming Yuhua thought, "Isn't the Su family the Empress Dowager's natal clan? There's also a Consort Su in the palace; could the Empress Dowager and Consort Su have done something untoward?"