Chapter 189: Grandparents and Grandchildren Are Equally Ruthless

Seeing Chu Ke's surprised expression, Rong Luoge smiled without elaborating; with her cleverness, she should be able to figure it out quickly.

Chu Ke was indeed taken aback at first, but upon careful thought she began to sense a few nuances.

Now everyone only sees that the Noble Consort has cut ties with her natal family, so they think she has no one to support her; although her husband is unreliable, if she and her children maintain a harmonious relationship with the Noble Consort, people will inevitably reconsider.

Putting aside whether it benefits the Noble Consort, it is indeed a great advantage for her and her children; the Noble Consort also said she is not in a hurry to arrange Ling Shan's engagement, which clearly hints that her future marriage will be better, showing that the Noble Consort is confident and her position is stable, unshakable.

Outside, whether it's the Ningyuan Marquis's residence or the Su Prime Minister's residence, even if they were to make a sudden move, it would likely have no result.

Chu Ke's eyes lit up at once; she hadn't been able to sigh with relief for a long time, and now she could finally straighten her back.

"I will obey the Noble Consort," Chu Ke said immediately.

Rong Luoge nodded, "Matters outside the palace are left to the Madam."

Chu Ke hurriedly replied, "It is only proper; Ling Shan and her elder brother and younger brother have been cared for by the Noble Consort, and this humble wife can only repay by doing whatever she can for the Noble Consort."

Rong Ling Shan listened to their words, still a bit confused, wondering what it all meant.

Rong Luoge saw her puzzled little gaze and cheerfully said, "Madam, when you go out to visit guests, bring Ling Shan along; she should get more out and about, make a good impression before the other madams, so her future marriage can be spoken of favorably."

Chu Ke nodded in agreement; ever since the Rong Dai siblings entered the residence, she has restricted her daughter from going out, and with the Late Emperor's passing, indeed she has not left the house for a long time.

Rong Ling Shan's eyes brightened; can she now go out?

Seeing her daughter's excited expression, Chu Ke felt very guilty, blaming herself for her incompetence.

Before seeing the two out of the palace, Rong Luoge had someone bring out a chest filled with items for them; since they were to go out as guests and wish to display themselves, they could not lack the palace-standard fabrics and ornaments, which bear the palace's seal and are instantly recognizable.

Just saying that Chu Ke and her daughter have a harmonious relationship with the Noble Consort wouldn't be easily believed, but with the addition of splendid ornaments, it becomes readily convincing.

Chu Ke did not decline; after thanking for the gifts, she took the items and left with her daughter.

After finishing her tasks, Rong Luoge took a short rest, waiting for Rong Xin to report back and meet He Huai; only then did she rally her spirits.

He Huai, after bowing to the Noble Consort, replied, "Noble Consort, I have already inquired thoroughly; lately the Su Prime Minister's residence has been bustling, Madam Su has been repeatedly going out to visit, and this is the Su Jia's contact list."

Rong Luoge took it, looked it over while bowing, sneered, "Excellent, most of the high officials in the court have already been visited."

"What reactions have the families visited by the Su family shown?" Rong Luoge asked.

"Some families are very enthusiastic, some are rather cold, but most have dealings with the Su family," He Huai said.

Rong Luoge narrowed her eyes slightly; the position of Empress truly makes the Su family indispensable, after all an Empress Dowager has emerged, and the one on the throne is an emperor of Su blood; if a Su lady re-enters the palace as Empress, the ties with the Su family will only grow tighter.

Su Mubai has held the prime minister position for so many years; despite the Late Emperor's several suppressions of the Empress Dowager, he managed to stay firm, showing Su Mubai's deep scheming and steady tactics.

Moreover, as soon as Su Ying entered the palace, she launched a mass impeachment of the officials; their ancestors and descendants truly share a ruthless streak.

She tucked away the list, set aside official matters, and looked at He Huai, asking, "I have a personal question for you: have you already arranged a marriage?"

He Huai was startled, then shook his head.

Rong Luoge slightly exhaled, her gaze toward He Huai becoming a bit warmer, and smiled, "He Huai, what do you think of Cang Yun?"

He Huai hadn't expected the Noble Consort to mention Cang Yun; his expression instantly grew a bit nervous, "Miss Cang Yun is fine."

Rong Luoge observed He Huai's reaction and found it unusual; it seemed He Huai's impression of Cang Yun was quite good, and she saw great potential, so she said, "Cang Yun is the person I trust most; because of her simple nature I fear she cannot adapt to palace life, which is why I had to keep her in the old residence. Now Cang Yun is of marriageable age, I wish to find her a worthy husband. He Huai, what do you think?"

He Huai, though his heart was racing and he still couldn't fully grasp the Noble Consort's meaning, pounded his chest, immediately knelt and offered his respects, "I am naturally willing, but I am merely a martial man, fearing I may be overreaching for Miss Cang Yun."

He had originally been a bodyguard, and after an injury retired, only then serving the Noble Consort as a palace guard; in fact his family had little foundation.

"When I choose a husband for Cang Yun, I care not for family rank, only whether there is a sincere heart," Rong Luoge said with a smile.

He Huai obviously understood the Noble Consort's meaning; as long as he treats Cang Yun well, wealth and status don't matter, as long as he follows the Noble Consort, could anything be lacking?

He Huai was very nervous, his palms sweating, and said, "I am willing, but I do not know whether Miss Cang Yun would consent."

It was Rong Luoge's first time acting as a matchmaker, and she hadn't expected such a good result; her mood lifted instantly, and she smiled, "You have followed me for so long; precisely because I value your character, I entrusted Cang Yun to you, and I hope you will not betray my trust."

He Huai, hearing this, immediately replied, "Noble Consort, rest assured, I will certainly treat Miss Cang Yun well."

"Then go back and prepare the marriage arrangements," Rong Luoge said.

He Huai's steps were light as he left the palace, feeling as if in a dream; he hadn't expected his wish could actually come true. He has always been a man of few words, unlike Jing Chu who is eloquent; even though he likes Cang Yun, he dares not speak of it.

Who could have imagined such fortune falling upon him; he felt as if he were dreaming.

The marriage... yes, the marriage!

He must prepare it properly!

Rong Luoge again sent someone to deliver a letter to Cang Yun, urging her to prepare for marriage, and gave her a silver purse, informing her that she would arrange a dowry so she need not worry.

Cang Yun, upon receiving the news, cried like a flood of tears, and bowed her head several times toward the palace direction.

To be a servant to this extent, she feared few could have such fortune.

Rong Luoge's own small storeroom was abundant; the dowry was being managed by He Huai and Jing Chu, yielding good returns. She selected two shops from within, allocated a plot of land into the dowry list, and besides that required clothing for all four seasons and a complete set of furniture—these were easy to arrange. She added and subtracted on the list, contemplating who would be the best match to send as a bride.

Han Xinglan, after finishing his state affairs and returning, saw Rong Luoge smiling. He walked over and saw, a dowry list?

"Who is to be married off?" Han Xinglan asked, sitting beside her, his eyes scanning; he also saw a list beside it, picked it up casually, and upon looking, his expression darkened.