Chapter 192: Unacceptable to be Discontent

"I'll go deliver a letter to my family right away; this marriage must absolutely not be accepted," Qin Zhaohua said immediately. She hurried to stand, kneeling before the Noble Consort in salute, "Thank you, Your Highness, for speaking frankly; I am truly grateful."

Rong Luoge looked at Qin Zhaohua and said, "This marriage isn't a matter of whether this palace consents; it depends on what your family thinks."

She would of course not meddle in others' family affairs; she merely laid out the facts, and the choice is a matter for the Qin family.

If she were to point fingers at the Qin family's matters, those officials who regard her as a thorn in their side would surely roll up their sleeves and draft memorials to impeach her.

Why bother?

The more Noble Consort said this, the more frightened Qin Zhaohua became; not only must the marriage not happen, it would be best if their family also kept distance from the Ningyuan Marquis's residence.

She felt something was off; their family in the capital was not a great clan, yet the Ningyuan Marquis's residence was willing to marry off his son to them, which seemed to indicate that the Ningyuan Marquis's side was determined to wholeheartedly support Lady Zhenshen.

Otherwise, why would they go as far as sending a concubine to the Protector Duke? Even if it were a branch child, that child would still be a member of the Song family.

Qin Zhaohua eased her legs and left Yuzhao Gong; when the sunlight hit her, she finally felt warm, and the chill gradually dissipated.

Halfway there, she changed her mind, not returning to Changle Palace but instead heading to Guanju Palace.

Since Xu Shuyuan moved in, Guanju Palace has undergone major rearrangements; it no longer has the golden splendor that Grand Consort Ming's residence once boasted, but instead exudes an ancient, simple, rustic feel.

Xu Shuyuan was reconciling the ledgers; hearing Qin Zhaohua arrive, she immediately sent someone to let her into the inner hall, and without looking up said, "Please sit; I'll finish this portion first."

Qin Zhaohua nodded in agreement, sat aside, and watched Xu Shuyuan swiftly manipulate the abacus, turning page after page to verify the numbers in the ledgers; seeing her fingers fly, she couldn't help to silently gasp.

Abacus work is something these lady‑in‑waiting would never learn; it's taught only in the accounting office. Yet despite having only recently taken over palace affairs, Xu Shuyuan has already become so proficient.

If one hadn't seen it with their own eyes, who would believe it?

Xu Shuyuan pushed the abacus aside, stacked the ledgers to the side, then looked up at Qin Zhaohua's seat, smiling as she explained, "The ledgers were urgently sent from the Inner Court; it's not that I'm delaying you, Sister Zhaohua, please forgive me."

"Sister Shuyuan, please don't say that; it's I who came uninvited and disturbed you," Qin Zhaohua said immediately.

Xu Shuyuan had someone bring tea and snacks, then looked at her and asked, "You don't look well; what's the matter?"

Although Qin Zhaohua felt embarrassed, she recounted the matter, and finally said, "Sister Shuyuan, I'm uneasy; I don't know the best course of action, so I came to ask you."

Xu Shuyuan was stunned; the Consort was right—there do seem to be many young women in the Ningyuan Marquis's residence.

She inhaled deeply, then said, "We are now people on the Noble Consort's ship; you should consider your position. Though the Consort won't blame you, if the Qin family forms a marriage alliance with the Ningyuan Marquis, you will certainly no longer be favored by the Consort. Weigh the pros and cons yourself."

Qin Zhaohua was on the verge of tears, sighing helplessly, "It's truly like sitting safely at home while disaster falls from the sky. What is the Ningyuan Marquis's plan? If we consider ability and status, my sister's family is clearly the best choice."

Xu Shuyuan thought the words were spot on, pondered, and said, "I need to send someone back to the residence to ask, otherwise my mind remains uneasy."

Qin Zhaohua, upon hearing, immediately said calmly: "Sister, hurry up and ask—this is no small matter."

Xu Shuyuan called her personal maid, whispered a few instructions, and the maid hurried out of the palace.

After Qin Zhaohua and the others left, she whispered, "Sister Shuyuan, what exactly does Lady Zhenshen intend? I haven't seen her lately, but my heart keeps racing. Moreover, whenever I see Zhou Jieyu and Luo Ronghua, their expressions toward me are unfriendly; it seems they will still side with Lady Zhenshen—what a trouble."

"What's troublesome about that? As long as they act and we obtain evidence, they'll be like grasshoppers after autumn—unable to hop for days. The more such times arise, the more we must stay calm."

Qin Zhaohua hurriedly nodded, "If we can postpone the marriage, that's fine; the other troubles aren't that thorny."

If we become in‑law families, it's like half a leg tied together—not good news at all.

After reminding Xu Shuyuan, Qin Zhaohua had done what she needed to, and was about to rise and take her leave. Seeing that Xu Shuyuan still had no good solution for the moment, she decided not to make things difficult for anyone.

"Wait a moment," Xu Shuyuan called out to Qin Zhaohua, "I'm afraid Lady Zhenshen will also ask you to come over and speak; think carefully how to respond. It seems the Ningyuan Marquis's marriage alliance is mainly to win you over and split the Noble Consort's power."

Qin Zhaohua gestured at herself, saying she had no idea what to say; with her idle, wait‑to‑die attitude, what could possibly be appealing to win her over?

The Ningyuan Marquis's side's look is not right.

【35】 "That truly disappoints Lady Zhenshen," Qin Zhaohua said through clenched teeth. Being of low rank leaves one without any rights; anyone can summon her at will and dismiss her just as easily. Such a feeling is far from friendly for someone rather laid‑back.

Upon hearing this, Qin Zhaohua immediately said, "Sister, ask quickly; this is no trivial matter."

Xu Shuyuan's words proved prophetic; just as Qin Zhaohua returned to Changle Palace, a servant from Yunhua Palace came to summon her.

At that speed, there's no room for complaint.

Qin Zhaohua, with a cloth band on her head and a pale face, looked at the Yunhua Palace maid, "I only went out for a walk today, and unexpectedly caught a heatstroke; I truly cannot get up. Please have Lady Zhenshen forgive me."

She put on that attitude; whether others believe it is not her concern.

After sending the Yunhua Palace attendant away, Qin Zhaohua finally sat up, looked at those around her and said, "Immediately close the doors and turn away visitors; tell everyone I'm ill." After a pause, "Except the Noble Consort and the people from Xu Shuyuan's side."

The others agreed, and watching Qin Zhaohua lie down again, they were both exasperated and amused.

Moreover, during these days Chu Ke truly stole the spotlight; she flamboyantly attended various families' banquets, bringing her daughter along. Such ostentation quickly made everyone aware that the Noble Consort still held a sibling‑like affection for Rong Ling Shan and her brother, and they didn't realize that even the step‑mother Chu Ke was being dragged into the mix.

That made things very subtle; when everyone looked at the Ningyuan Marquis's wife and Prime Minister Su's wife, their gazes carried a hint of meaning.

What does this situation amount to?

Is this the Noble Consort's show of force?

The crowd exchanged glances, and at the banquet, aside from Chu Ke's lofty talk, no other voices were heard.

When thoughts shifted, the eyes of the onlookers subtly fell on Rong Ling Shan; if a marriage alliance were formed, perhaps it wouldn't be impossible.