Novel Full Chapter 3231: A Way to Secure the Support of Court Officials
Chapter 3231: A Way to Secure the Support of Court Officials
After the fifth prince ascended the throne, it was inevitable that his inner palace would be filled with daughters from noble families.
After all, the fifth prince was politically isolated within the court, and forming marriage alliances was a way to secure the support of court officials. The outer and inner palaces were closely intertwined.
Ning Shu hadn’t expected that Marquis Xuanping would let her enter the palace, especially since she was someone who had had a betrothal broken off before.
“Mother, am I allowed to?” Ning Shu asked Madame Rongguo.
Madame Rongguo gently stroked Ning Shu’s face. “Why wouldn’t you be? It’s precisely because you broke off that betrothal that your entering the palace would be a good thing.
“I imagine this round of consort selection will bring many women into the palace. If you don’t go, every major family will have a daughter there, except ours, Marquis Xuanping’s household.
“What would the new emperor think then? That our household looks down on the imperial family?” Madame Rongguo sighed. “There has to be someone from our side in the inner palace.”
Ning Shu spoke bluntly. “Is it okay for me to put a green hat on the emperor?”
“What green hat? You and Zhuo Cheran were only betrothed, and your betrothal was already broken off,” Madame Rongguo replied with irritation.
Ning Shu spread her hands. “Mother, don’t forget the reason we used to end that betrothal. It was because I was said to have a terrible illness. Aren’t you afraid I’ll pass it on to His Majesty?”Madame Rongguo looked closely at her. “You don’t want to enter the palace.”
Ning Shu gave a serious analysis. “Mother, my entering the palace would be seen as an insult to the imperial family. First, I was a rejected bride with a supposed terminal illness. Second, I was once Zhuo Cheran’s betrothed—a traitor’s betrothed—with a tainted reputation.
“I understand Father wants someone from our household in the palace, but I’m not the best choice. In fact, it could create resentment, which would be bad both for me and for our family.
“Right now, the fifth prince may be weak and tolerate it, but he’s not someone to be provoked. Once he gains power, it’d only take him a flimsy excuse to bring disaster upon the marquis’ household.”
For example, if one of the emperor’s consorts were to do something outrageous, the blame could easily fall on her birth family. If they wanted to create trouble, any excuse would do.
If he wished to condemn them, he could easily find a charge.
Madame Rongguo nodded. “You make a lot of sense. Your father thinks you’re clever and would do fine in the palace.”
“No, I only have a bit of shallow wit. I’m the jumpy, restless type. In the palace, I’d just be cannon fodder,” Ning Shu replied immediately.
“So now you admit you’re only a little clever,” Madame Rongguo said with a hint of annoyance as she poked Ning Shu’s forehead. “But if you don’t go to the palace, then who in this empire would marry you?
“After all, you were once betrothed to Zhuo Cheran. Even though he’s now been punished by law, it still leaves a stain.
“No man would want to marry a woman who gives his enemies a point of attack. But if you enter the palace, no one would dare say anything. What woman can’t the emperor have?
“Zhuru,” Madame Rongguo said gently. “I can’t bear the thought of you staying unmarried your whole life. You should have your own children and experience the joy of having them gathered around you.”
Ning Shu: …
What could she say? She felt nothing but despair.
If it hadn’t been for her betrothal to Zhuo Cheran, many things wouldn’t have happened. Marquis Xuanping’s household wouldn’t have been raided and destroyed. Su Zhuru wouldn’t have ended up spending her days in a brothel.
A noble daughter who was once as pure as snow had been forced to serve all kinds of men.
Now Zhuo Cheran was dead, but the mark he left on her remained. Damn it.
It was utterly ridiculous.
Ning Shu didn’t even know what to say.
Madame Rongguo said, “Think it over carefully.”
Ning Shu nodded. “I understand, Mother. I’ll consider it.”
As she left the courtyard, her heart was filled with resignation.
She had dreamed of exploring the imperial palace, but not like this.
In essence, entering the palace wasn’t much different from working in a brothel. The only real difference was serving many men versus serving one.
The women of the inner palace existed solely to serve the emperor and acted as political tools to balance the court and noble families.
“Miss, are you going to enter the palace and become the emperor’s consort?” Lianqiao asked cheerfully. “Miss, entering the palace isn’t such a bad path.”
“True,” Ning Shu sighed. Some things were simply beyond her control.
“Sister, Father and Mother truly care for you.”
A concubine-born daughter walked up and greeted Ning Shu.
MTL Editor: Ran