Chapter 199: Volume One, Chapter 199 – The Show Begins

Grand Consort De, upon hearing that, relaxed her expression, looked at her sister‑in‑law and said, "What plans do you have for Yongyuan's marriage?"

Grand Madam Tai was also worried about her son's marriage. The court situation was now complicated, so she dared not set anything lightly, but her son was no longer young and could not be delayed forever. Lately many families were inquiring; she had no opinion in mind. Hearing the Grand Consort speak, she looked up at her and said, "Grand Consort, do you have a suitable young lady in mind?"

Grand Consort De nodded, "What do you think of Rong Ling Shan?"

Grand Madam Tai: …

Even though she was well‑read and knowledgeable, she couldn't help but be startled, and she let the thought in her heart out, saying, "Grand Consort, the Protector Duke's residence is now in chaos; who knows how many people outside are mocking it. How could a family like this be matched with Yuan'er?"

Grand Consort De did not get angry at this, and looked at her sister‑in‑law leisurely, saying, "Originally, Consort Rong entered the Dong Gong because of a life‑saving debt. Many people behind her back mocked her as merely a shield, but Yu Ying was not afraid of gossip and befriended the consort, which is why my son now has a bright future. Among the Late Emperor's sons, why is it that after His Majesty ascended the throne only my son was heavily favored? Do you really think His Majesty values his talent?"

Grand Madam Tai was startled, her hand gripping the handkerchief tightening, "Do you mean that because the Princess of Liang befriended Consort Rong? How could His Majesty act on such a small friendship?"

Grand Consort De was reluctant to believe it, but that was the fact. She looked at her elder sister‑in‑law and, as if speaking lightly, said, "His Majesty's harem has so many women; the whole court knows Consort Rong is favored, yet they do not realize she is the only one truly favored."

Grand Madam Tai's eyelid twitched, "Grand Consort… what do you mean by that?"

Grand Consort De looked at her, "What do you think?"

Grand Madam Tai was so shocked she dared not speak; the other women in His Majesty's harem were still virgins?

Who would believe that…?

"If that's the case, how does Marquis Ningyuan still dare to leap so boldly?" Grand Madam Tai was at a loss for words.

"Marquis Ningyuan is only trying to turn Consort Rong's divorce into a political issue, using the officials to pressure His Majesty into installing his daughter as empress. He probably imagines that once Lady Zhenshen truly becomes queen, His Majesty will never let her remain alone in an empty boudoir. Ha, what a dreamer. Does His Majesty's nature still allow these people to deceive themselves?" Grand Consort De finished and looked at her elder sister‑in‑law, "I'm merely bringing this up; the choice is still yours. After all, she would be your son's wife, so you must be the one to like her."

If you marry someone into the house and then treat them poorly, that's not forming a kinship but a feud. Consort Rong has always protected her own, and Grand Consort De does not wish to fall out with her.

Grand Madam Tai was indecisive for a moment. Lately the Duchess Who Guards the State had been attending many banquets with her daughter; Tai had seen her a few times. Her appearance naturally could not match Consort Rong's dazzling beauty, but she was also delicate and elegant, and her temperament seemed gentle. The only problem was that the Protector Duke, her father, had a poor reputation and kept a concubine, which was detestable.

"Grand Consort, allow me to think it over," Grand Madam said.

Grand Consort De nodded, "This is Yuan'er's lifelong matter, so it must be considered carefully. I'm only saying this; in the end the decision is yours."

Grand Madam Tai, hearing Grand Consort De speak, felt a slight relief, "I invited the Duchess Who Guards the State to today's tea banquet, just to test a thing or two."

Chu Ke arrived at the Tai household as a guest, feeling Tai's warm hospitality and a bit surprised; when Tai, in her words and between the lines, asked about Ling Shan, her heart suddenly leapt.

"I sent Ling Shan back to her natal home for a short stay," Chu Ke forced a smile, looking at Grand Madam, "Madam knows the sordid affairs of our family. The Duke of the State knew full well that the Lin family's young master once plotted to cripple my son for the sake of Prince Qi's side consort, yet still intended to marry Ling Shan into the Lin family. Of course I could not let my daughter jump into a fire pit, so I sent her back to the Chu family."

Grand Madam Tai, hearing the Duchess Who Guards the State repeatedly mention the Prince Qi side consort, realized she detested Rong Dai immensely, and that she had already caused a rift before the marriage with the Lin family was settled, clearly trying to sabotage the alliance. It seemed the Duchess was in fact very fond of this daughter.

Thinking of this, she said casually, "For today's tea banquet, Lady Lin learned I invited you, so she asked someone to deliver the invitation for her to attend. I can't refuse. If later you see Lady Lin, please don't be surprised."

Chu Ke had come today because of Lady Lin, and was surprised by Grand Madam's friendliness. She quickly changed her mind and said, "Madam, what are you saying? I'm only sorry that the feud between our two families has troubled you; I truly have offended you."

Grand Madam Tai glanced surprisingly at the Duchess Who Guards the State; in earlier years when the Duchess and her husband were equals, her temperament could not tolerate any sand, but now the tides of the world have changed her nature considerably.

"Madam, you're being polite; I only offered a reminder and did nothing else," Grand Madam Tai said as she stood, "Please remain seated, Madam; I must attend to other guests, excuse me."

Chu Ke smiled, "Madam, you may go about your business."

When Grand Madam Tai left, Chu Ke's lips curled slightly; Grand Madam Tai had reminded her, confirming that aligning with Consort Rong was the right move. Behind Grand Madam Tai stood Grand Consort De, a lady who had never fallen out of favor in the palace for years. After the new emperor ascended, the Prince of Liang was again heavily favored by His Majesty, and although others did not know, she was aware that the Princess of Liang and Consort Rong were close.

With that in mind, Grand Madam Tai was no longer surprised by her own hint.

Before she finished her cup of tea, she saw Lady Lin approaching, laughing with the other ladies. Grand Madam Tai's tea banquet was set in the garden; because the Chu family had been involved in many disputes lately, most other ladies merely greeted her and then slipped away. Chu Ke, though outwardly cheerful, felt a tinge of bitterness inside.

Now that Lady Lin finally appeared, her spirit lifted instantly. She lifted her handkerchief to gently wipe her lips, and as the guests entered the pavilion, she stood up, staring straight at Lady Lin with a grim smile, "Lady Lin, long time no see, how have you been lately?"

Lady Lin's eyebrows twitched at the sight of the Duchess Who Guards the State. Her son had lately been like a madman, clamoring to marry Rong Ling Shan into the house. Because of the incident where Rong Yan broke his leg, she had previously bowed before Chu Ke to apologize—a humiliating disgrace. How could she possibly like this marriage?

But she could not resist her son's pleas, and her husband also consented. Inside, she felt a fire blaze; first Rong Dai had given her a headache and disgust, and now Rong Ling Shan appeared—so her son seemed trapped in the Rong family's pit, unable to climb out.

Thus, upon seeing the Duchess Who Guards the State, her suppressed anger burst forth; the smile on her face vanished, and she said coldly, "I dare not answer the Duchess Who Guards the State's inquiry; the fortune of your noble house still has a breath left."

When those words were spoken, everyone in the hall froze. Recently, the affairs between the Rong and Lin families had been attributed to the Duchess Who Guards the State's favor; they had heard bits and pieces, but now, with the stances of these two, it seemed the show was about to begin.