Read Novel Full Chapter 3223: A New Ruler Meant a New Court
Chapter 3223: A New Ruler Meant a New Court
All the women of the household’s rear courtyard had gathered in the old madame’s quarters. No one spoke, and even their breathing was cautious and hushed.
The atmosphere was unbearably tense.
Ning Shu was massaging the acupoints on either side of the old madame’s forehead while keeping her eyes on the doorway.
“Stop now. You should rest too,” the old madame said to Ning Shu. “No amount of massage will help at this point.”
A new ruler meant a new court. Even those who lived in immense wealth and power were walking on eggshells, terrified that disaster might strike at any moment.
Ning Shu sat at a spot in front of the concubines’ daughters and picked up her teacup to take a sip.
One of the young concubine-born daughters seated beside her suddenly spoke up. “Grandmother, if the prince’s heir fails… will we be implicated? After all…”
She glanced at Ning Shu. “After all, Eldest Sister was once betrothed to him.”
Ning Shu calmly set her cup down. “The betrothal was already dissolved. His affairs and mine have nothing to do with each other. That decree came directly from the late emperor.”
“But others might not see it that way.”“I can’t control what others think,” Ning Shu replied. She was sitting upright in her chair. Only half of her backside was actually on the seat, and it was starting to go numb.
How she longed to just sprawl out and sit however she liked.
In truth, whether Zhuo Cheran succeeded in becoming emperor or not, it brought no benefit to Marquis Xuanping’s household.
If he failed, the broken betrothal could still be used against them, and they might be punished by association.
If he succeeded, that would mark the beginning of the end for their household.
“Alright, that’s enough,” the old madame said. She struck the floor with her cane to silence the concubine-born daughter, who still looked like she wanted to speak.
The girl bit her lip, looking wronged. Her eyes glistened with tears. “Grandmother only favors Eldest Sister. Now that her betrothal’s been broken off, our reputations have suffered because of it too.”
Ning Shu sighed and said, “The world changes in the blink of an eye. When the betrothal with Prince Xin’s household was arranged, I only wanted a peaceful marriage. Who could’ve predicted all this?”
“This matter has hurt your sister more than anyone. Watch your words, and know what should and shouldn’t be said. If you go around talking nonsense, people will say I failed to raise you properly,” said Madame Rongguo sharply. Her gaze swept across all of the concubine-born daughters in the room.
No one wanted to see their own daughter dragged through the mud.
The girls all lowered their heads, disgruntled but too afraid to show any disrespect to their legal mother. She had control over what they ate, wore, and who they would eventually marry.
Their futures rested in her hands. None of them dared act out against her.
Still, some of them found comfort in the fact that Ning Shu’s engagement had been broken off. At least now she had lost her virtue and status.
But this squabble only made the stifling atmosphere in the room even stranger.
Just then, Lianqiao entered and gave a respectful curtsy. “Master has returned to the manor.”
All the women in the room immediately stood up.
Marquis Xuanping entered swiftly. His steps were firm and urgent.
The women bowed to him in greeting.
The marquis sat down and picked up a teacup. The old madame quickly asked, “What’s the situation outside?”
He set down the cup and shook his head. “It’s still unclear. The troops stationed outside the city have started attacking the gates. They’re trying to get inside to support Zhuo Cheran.”
“So the prince’s heir really did rebel?” the old madame asked. She couldn’t believe it.
“He did. Killed the emperor right in the great hall. But it looks like he won’t be able to hold power. Right now, Prince Xin’s household guards are keeping him afloat.”
Ning Shu figured the uprising would soon be over. After all, it wasn’t like the late emperor didn’t have sons himself—the crown prince and the other imperial princes were all sons of the late emperor.
They were the rightful heirs to the throne, and they had the vendetta of their father’s murder to avenge. There was no way they would let Zhuo Cheran ascend to power.
MTL Editor: Ran