In the end, Zhang Qingqing did not get the Empress Dowager's consent to betroth her to Shangguan Xuanyi.
The Empress Dowager's reason was that Prince Rui preferred a woman of extraordinary beauty and outstanding talent, with high martial arts skills, not of her type.
Upon hearing these words, Zhang Qingqing felt disheartened. What did the Empress Dowager mean by that? Was she not a woman of extraordinary beauty and outstanding talent herself?
As for her martial arts skills being high, wasn't it supposed to be the case that a woman should be as gentle as water? Having high martial arts skills was simply too crude! How could a man possibly like it?
The Empress Dowager dismissed Zhang Qingqing, saying that she would have the Empress help her find a good marriage prospect, and then she no longer cared about her!