abcnovels
Chapter 195:
Chapter 195:
Chapter 195:
“Father! Why is this happening?” Just moments ago, Zhangsun Chong, who had been attending a poetry gathering, was brought back angrily by Zhangsun Wuji and was now compelled to kneel before him. “Rebellious child! You have achieved nothing for the country and are useless to the people. How dare you defame Prince Yongle?”
Zhangsun Wuji wasn’t ignorant of his son’s emotional turmoil. After all, even the most composed elderly people had once been young and passionate. However, Zhangsun Chong, born into opulence and luxury within the Roman palace, was not as discerning in his thinking. Indeed, Zhangsun Chong might just be feeling envious and resentful. After all, his former fiance had married a common peasant, who had surpassed him in poetry and literary talent.
Furthermore, his second engagement with Princess Gaoyang ended due to Su Li’s influence. For Zhangsun Chong, who had never encountered challenges in his upbringing, it was only natural for him to hold resentments. However, a question remained–Who exactly was Su Li?
Zhangsun Wuji comprehended Li Er’s feelings very well. After all, the two brothers had practically grown up side by side. Not to mention that Su Li had accomplished great feats for the nation and the people, and his reputation was soaring high. Even Li Er had to be cautious of Su Li’s formidable strength. So, what right did his own son, Zhangsun Chong, have to criticize Su Li? He had assumed that his son would adjust his attitude after a gentle reprimand. However, Zhangsun Chong had unexpectedly gone so far as to slander Su Li. “Am I wrong to say this? He’s just a courtier. Why should he interfere in royal family matters and compel His Majesty to send Princess Gaoyang overseas?” Zhangsun Chong raised his head defiantly, brimming with righteous indignation.
“Such actions are overstepping boundaries! Isn’t it a sign of disrespect to the Emperor? Isn’t His Majesty’s favor for Su Li profound? Must His Majesty also permit Su Li to enter the court without proper manners, exempt from bowing, offering salutations, and even wielding a sword while entering the palace? Is Su Li attempting to recreate the stories of Wang Mang and Dong Zhuo?” Zhangsun Chong spoke passionately and eloquently, pouring out his grievances endlessly.
Unfortunately, before he could finish his words, he was struck by an enraged punch from Zhangsun Wuji. “Rebellious child! Can’t you even discern the situation?” Zhangsun Wuji scolded while delivering blows. “His Majesty himself has to be cautious of Su Li. Who do you think you are?” Zhangsun Wuji kicked Zhangsun Chong to the ground.
Zhangsun Wuji wasn’t solely a scholar. After all, in this era, civil and military matters were not separate. Zhangsun Chong wanted to clarify himself, but the pain all over his body left him howling. “This time, His Majesty is lenient because of the Empress. He’s only lowering your rank by three levels and reducing your stipend for a year. How could they receive such lenient treatment if it were anyone else?”
“Dad! Please stop hitting me! I know I was wrong!” Zhangsun Chong crawled up from the ground, clutching Zhangsun Wuji’s thigh and wailing.
“Chong…” Seeing his sobbing son, Zhangsun Wuji’s hand, which had been raised high, finally came down gently on Zhangsun Chong’s head.
“Even if Su Li is permitted to enter the court without proper manners, exempt from bowing and offering salutations, and even wielding a sword while entering the palace, what difference does it make?” Zhangsun Wuji looked up and gazed at the ceiling. Perhaps… even if Su Li doesn’t request it, it won’t be long before His Majesty personally grants him these privileges.Meanwhile, at the Jiangxia Prince’s Mansion…
Li Daozong confidently entered his daughter Li Xueyan’s courtyard.
Li Xueyan sat peacefully beneath a pavilion inside the courtyard, plucking at a pipa. She played an unfamiliar melody, possibly a composition of her own making. Li Xueyan possessed a unique musical talent.
Although her expression seemed serene, a subtle sorrow lingered in her eyes. Despite the lively tune of the pipa, there was a hint of heaviness mixed with grief.
“Daughter, this is already the seventh proposal. Aren’t you content?” Li Daozong inquired as he observed his daughter, engrossed in her pipa.
After their separation in Changan, Li Xueyan returned to the Jiangxia Prince’s Mansion, but she had been sad ever since, bearing a trace of sorrow.
Li Daozong empathized with his daughter’s emotions, particularly her affection for Su Li. He also understood her predicament. Li Xueyan displayed exceptional talent from a young age and crossed paths with an extraordinarily remarkable individual under unfortunate circumstances.
Su Li was renowned among the literati of Changan for his poetry and striking appearance. Not only Li Xueyan but a few women in Changan could resist his charm. Their initial interactions had been superficial, more a faint sense of regret than love, similar to an adolescent infatuation.
However, circumstances changed when Li Er insisted on marrying Li Xueyan to the Tibetan prince. Li Daozong, despite his influential position, couldn’t oppose the king’s decree. Li Er was not just the nation’s ruler but also the head of the Li clan of Longxi. He had no room to defy the decree, even though he didn’t want it. Even a father as powerful as him couldn’t shield his daughter.
For a young girl, such a situation was despairing. She was to be sent to a remote borderland. In her darkest hour, Su Li appeared. He rejected Li Er’s arranged marriage and led troops to pacify the northwest, eventually ending Songtsen Gampo’s reign.
How could Li Xueyan not love him more?
However, precisely because her love for him was unattainable, Li Xueyan carried a heavy heart filled with grief since her return to the Jiangxia Prince’s Mansion. She understood that Su Li, as a marquis, couldn’t remarry, and they couldn’t challenge the imperial marriage system. Her father, Li Daozong, started arranging marriage meetings for her despite these emotional hurdles.
Yet, through seven rounds of introductions, some involving accomplished scholars and prominent nobles, Li Xueyan disregarded them all.
“Father,” Li Xueyan paused her pipa playing and gazed at Li Daozong.
“Dad, I don’t wish to marry. I simply want to remain by your side,” Li Xueyan said with a smile.
In reality, Li Xueyan was exceptionally intelligent and understood these matters well. Su Li was a Marquis, after all. Could a Marquis remarry? Even if he became a secondary spouse, there was no precedent. In the face of imperial interests, if the emperor could arrange her marriage, how could he break the imperial marriage system?
Moreover, the bond and affection between Princess Changle and Su Li were evident. So, initially, Li Xueyan took the matchmaking process seriously. Li Daozong wasn’t casually arranging these meetings for his daughter. He specifically sought out remarkable individuals in terms of talent and appearance.
However, it was unfortunate…
Who could blame Li Xueyan for encountering someone so extraordinary during the most poignant period of her life? Someone who outshone all other men in the world in her eyes, making it impossible for her to accept anyone else, no matter how hard she tried. Someone who had permanently occupied her heart.
She had no room for anyone else in her heart anymore. She was content with it remaining this way—by her father’s side, keeping that special person in her heart.
“Ah…” Li Daozong let out a deep sigh. Li Daozong had complete control over his daughter’s marriage affairs in an era emphasizing parental authority and arranged marriages. However, he couldn’t oppose Li Er’s previous marriage arrangement for Li Xueyan. Feeling guilty about that, how could he now force his daughter?