Su Rong had assumed Qin Luan would readily agree to help save her brother from his predicament, but she was startled when Qin Luan fell into silence for some time.
She thought the young lady was interesting. After all, if her elder brother hadn’t solicited Zhou Gu’s help, she wouldn’t be in her current position.
Brothers love their sisters, but it seemed the sister didn’t care that much for her elder brother.
Su Rong shook her head and answered, "I don’t know. But, I’ll personally journey to the Qin family’s place of exile. It wouldn’t inconvenience me since I’m already headed to Nanchu. If he’s willing, I will take him with me. As long as he follows me, you’ll have nothing to worry about. He’s talented and has a promising future."
As Qin Luan remained silent, Su Rong asked with a smile, "So, what is your choice?"
Qin Luan lowered her head and asked, "Compared to my brother, am I of no use? Is that why you’re choosing him over me, Miss Su?"
Su Rong admitted, "Yes, I have no shortage of women officials in the royal palace."
Qin Luan raised her head and responded, "But I also studied history and everything my elder brother has learned, I have learned too. I have heard that women in Nanchu can serve in the court as officials."
Su Rong realized what Qin Luan was implying, "So, you want to go with me?"
"Yes."
Su Rong asked, "Even if it means your brother might continue to suffer for a few more years?"
Qin Luan fell silent again, "Can’t we both go together?"
Su Rong smiled, "No."
Qin Luan closed her eyes and whispered, "Miss Su doesn’t think highly of me."
Su Rong shook her head, "You’re quite likable! I like all girls who aren’t brutal or vicious. It’s not about devaluing you, it’s because I can only ask the Crown Prince for one person from the Qin family. After all, it’s important to understand the art of choosing. Not every good thing can be mine."
Her words were meant for both herself and Qin Luan.
Qin Luan took a deep breath and opened her eyes, "So, I don’t really have a choice, do I?"
Su Rong laughed, "If I’m asking you, then yes, you do."
"But if I selfishly ignore my own brother’s life and only think about myself, you’ll be disappointed in me and won’t trust me." Qin Luan reasoned.
"That’s not true, Zhang Mao betrayed Zhang Ping and joined me. Zhang Yun murdered his own father and joined me. If I could accept them, then your decision wouldn’t be an unforgivable sin." Su Rong said.
Qin Luan clenched her fists, "But Zhang Ping committed treason, an unforgivable crime. As for me, I’ve been enjoying the opportunities my brother secured for me through his relationship with Lord Thursday. I’ve suffered less than my brother by seven or eight months. At the very least, I’m well-fed and warm, free from hardship. But my brother has been suffering, and there’s a possibility he will continue to suffer, year after year. If he can’t withstand it, he may collapse."
"That’s correct." Su Rong nodded, "You’re very clear about it."
"I thought I could secure a future for myself by aligning with Miss Su. I thought Miss Su could help rescue my entire family." Qin Luan said in a low voice, "But I was wrong. I haven’t served the country, and I haven’t proved to be of any use to Miss Su. Even if I say I’ve studied a lot of history and books, but to you, I’m still less valuable than my elder brother."
"That’s correct, but if you choose, I can give up on Qin Ruo." Su Rong said, "I don’t have to have him."
After a moment of silence, Qin Luan quietly said, "I choose my elder brother."
Su Rong smiled, "Very well, then I’ll be on my way now."
She turned and walked away.
Qin Luan stood still. After a few steps, she quickly caught up and offered, "Miss Su, let me escort you out of the palace."
"Alright, thank you." Su Rong expressed her gratitude.
Carrying a lantern, Qin Luan led Su Rong out.
When they arrived at the palace gate, Qin Luan asked, "Miss Su, if I hadn’t chosen my elder brother and only chosen myself, could you now tell me what you would have said?"
Su Rong smirked and answered honestly, "I would have told you, ’No, I can’t have a woman official from the Eastern Palace.’"
Suddenly, Qin Luan’s face changed, "Why not? I don’t believe the Crown Prince didn’t agree to it. When I asked the Crown Prince, he had already agreed to let me go with you if you agreed."
Su Rong sighed, "There are things a noble person can do, and things they cannot. The people I’ve taken from Daliang are those who pose no threat to the Crown Prince’s power and whom the Crown Prince would never use. Whether it’s the second son of Marquis Nanping, Ning Ze, or Zhang Mao and Zhang Yun from the Pingxi General’s residence, or the leader of the Eighteenth Lair, Jiang Zhu, or even the precious Imperial Concubine, who you’ll later find out was supposed to die of old age or sickness in the Imperial Mausoleum, as well as your elder brother, they have nowhere else to turn. But they are talented, and I’m willing to extend my hand to help them and have useful people by my side. I can’t go too far and purposely lure away the people around the Crown Prince. Even if the Crown Prince is my cousin and treats me kindly, I can’t take advantage of him. What would people say? I can ask him for silver, but I can’t take his people and carry them off in my pocket. Even if you’ve asked him to and he agreed, it’s not possible with me. It’s a line I won’t cross."
"So, since I’m an official in the Eastern Palace, I’m destined not to be accepted by you. That’s why you asked the Crown Prince for my elder brother, a criminal, who is of no use to the Crown Prince, but who could satisfy my request to you?" Qin Luan’s heart was filled with unease. She hadn’t expected Su Rong to say such things. But looking at Su Rong’s clear, porcelain-like face, she felt that only Su Rong could make such a decision.
"You could say that." Su Rong acknowledged, "After all, whether it’s an individual or a country. If I demand someone from his side today and claim that person just based on my word, wouldn’t one day I become excessively greedy and want to swallow up his country? Will he still indulge me then?"
She chuckled, "This isn’t feasible. It doesn’t adhere to the century-long cooperation strategy that he and I are striving for. First and foremost, one should know one’s limits, and then maintain an upright attitude. Even if the Crown Prince didn’t care about such a minor issue, it’s unacceptable for me."
Qin Luan expressed her regret, "Thanks for clearing it up, Miss Su."
"One shouldn’t be relentless in having their way or gaining something." Su Rong looked at her, "Don’t you think you’re doing quite well as a Qin official now? Stay patiently in the Eastern Palace for a few years. After the Qin family’s name is cleared, you’ll still be Miss Qin. The Crown Prince, seeing your dedication, will certainly not mistreat you."
Qin Luan nodded, "Thank you, Miss Su. Please treat my elder brother well. Also, can I write a letter for my family and have you deliver it for me?"
"Sure." Su Rong readily agreed to this, "You can have someone deliver it to the Xie Residence in Dongsi Hutong within the next two days. I will definitely deliver it for you."
"Thank you, Miss Su." Qin Luan expressed her thanks again.
Without saying anything more, Su Rong got into her carriage.
Qin Luan watched as Su Rong’s carriage departed, standing silently on the spot. She was relieved she had chosen her elder brother. Otherwise, if she had succumbed to her selfish desires, she wouldn’t have gained anything.
She pursed her lips, standing in the cold wind for a while before she turned around and headed back. It had dawned on her that she no longer owed her elder brother anything, which was a good thing.
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