Chapter 424: Do You Still Harbor Foolish Hopes?

Chapter 424: Do You Still Harbor Foolish Hopes?

Tang Shuyi painted but also divided some of her attention to watch the two young ones playing chess. The teenagers sat below the window sill, whispering with smiles, a picturesque scene. Yet, inside, she sighed.

Girls of twelve or thirteen, in ancient times, could even be preparing for marriage in some families. Children in those days had to mature early.

Emperor Li Jingyi could not stay long; after talking with Xiao Yuzhu for a bit, he left. The matter of meeting with the Fan family patriarch, he hesitated for a moment and ultimately chose not to mention it. Since ascending the throne, Xiao Huai initially inquired about his affairs but gradually ceased to intervene. It was evident that Xiao Huai preferred not to manage too much of the court's affairs.

The next morning, he arranged a sedan chair to fetch the guest from the Fan family, extending them sufficient honor and respect. Despite the grievances of Fan's eldest son against the family, he wasn’t foolish enough to confront the Fan family head-on at this juncture. Although he now had the strength to oppose the Fan family, he wouldn't over such a matter.

When the Fan family patriarch received the imperial edict from the palace the day before, he was curious why the young Emperor had suddenly summoned him. However, this coincided with his own intentions to meet the Emperor.

The sedan chair entered the palace gates and continued all the way to the front of the Imperial Study Room, a mark of significant honor for the Fan family. Generally, once inside the palace gates, most would have to proceed on foot.

Master Fan stepped off his sedan and entered the Imperial Study, greeting the young Emperor respectfully. Li Jingyi immediately went over to help him up, saying, "Master Fan, please dispense with the formalities. I have long heard of your learning and am finally able to meet you."

"It is I who should have come to see His Majesty sooner," the head of the Fan family hastily replied.

After exchanging pleasantries, Li Jingyi helped Master Fan to sit before returning to his own seat. The two then began to chat casually, with Li Jingyi admiring the breadth of vision and depth of knowledge that comes from being part of a distinguished family.

And Master Fan, in turn, was highly impressed with the young Emperor before him. Despite his youth, he possessed a composure and wisdom beyond his years, showing promise of becoming a great ruler if he continued to grow as he has.

The two had a pleasant conversation and even dined together at noon. However, during the meal, Li Jingyi mentioned Fan Dazongzi, "I've heard that the young master Fan is very promising. The Fan family must be proud!"

The head of the Fan family modestly said, "It's all but an empty reputation."

Li Jingyi smiled and then said, "I heard that yesterday the young master Fan went to the horse field for riding."

The head of the Fan family's hand holding the chopsticks paused; he didn't know why the Emperor suddenly brought up his grandson's horse riding, but it surely wasn't a casual mention.

"That boy does sometimes indulge in too much play," he said.

Li Jingyi shifted the topic with a smile, continuing the pleasant conversation. After lunch, the head of the Fan family left, with Li Jingyi escorting him to the door of the Imperial Study. Watching him leave in his sedan chair, Li Jingyi’s gaze was profound. He believed the head of the Fan family would investigate what Fan Dazongzi had done and then see how the Fan family would choose.

Indeed, as he had thought, once the head of the Fan family returned home, he summoned Fan Dazongzi and his personal attendants. Instead of questioning Fan Dazongzi, he looked at the attendants and said, “Recount everything that happened at the horse field yesterday, in full detail. Don’t try to deceive me; if I investigate, I will uncover the truth.”

The two attendants knelt on the ground, trembling, while Fan Dazongzi looked puzzled, “Grandfather, nothing significant happened at the horse field yesterday.”

The head of the Fan family snorted coldly, “If nothing had happened, why would His Majesty specifically mention to me today your visit to the horse field?”

Hearing this, Fan Dazongzi was startled, then clenched his fists tightly. The head of the Fan family glanced at him, then said to the attendants, “Speak.”

The attendants exchanged a glance with Fan Dazongzi, then recounted the events at the horse field exactly as they had occurred. When mentioning how Qi Er and Yan Wu had mistreated Fan Dazongzi, they added, “They went too far.”

The head of the Fan family frowned, then waved his hand for the attendants to leave. He then looked at Fan Dazongzi and asked, “Why do you think His Majesty mentioned your visit to the horse field yesterday?”

Knowing he couldn’t hide it any longer, Fan Dazongzi knelt before the head of the Fan family and said, “Grandson is fond of Princess Kang Le and hopes for your blessing.”

The head of the Fan family frowned, “The legitimate daughter of the Duke of Dingguo?”

Fan Dazongzi nodded, “I will marry no one but her.”

The head of the Fan family narrowed his eyes in thought for a moment, then said, “Do you know about the Emperor’s feelings for Princess Kang Le?”

The young Fan scion spoke with his head bowed, "I have my suspicions."

Master Fan scoffed, "Aware of this and still entertaining such foolish hopes?"

"It's not a foolish hope," defended the grandson. "The Emperor has been on the throne for quite some time now, and yet there is no betrothal with Lady Kang Le. This must mean that Duke Ding Guo disapproves of the match. If Duke Ding Guo is opposed, why shouldn't I seek her hand?"

"Are you certain it's Duke Ding Guo's disapproval and not some agreement between him and the Emperor?" Master Fan queried sharply.

"Grandfather, Duke Ding Guo cherishes Lady Kang Le as the apple of his eye. Why would he let her enter the palace? The imperial harem is a devouring place, and Duke Ding Guo and his wife are surely aware of that."

The young Fan spoke earnestly, "The lady's mother is an imperial tutor, a testament to her profound knowledge and learning. Lady Kang Le, tutored by her, is also exceptional in intellect and scholarship. Considering the status of Duke Ding Guo's household, an alliance between our families would greatly benefit the Fan family."

He knew exactly what to say to sway his grandfather, the head of the family.

Master Fan indeed fell into deep contemplation. The young Fan let out a silent sigh of relief, but at that moment, a voice interjected, "No."

Both Master Fan and the young scion turned towards the door to see Lady Fan, the senior mistress, entering. She bowed to Master Fan before speaking, "I have already inquired with Duke and Duchess Ding Guo, and they have refused."

"Mother," the young Fan looked at Lady Fan and said, "At that time, the Duke and Duchess were unaware that I would remain in the capital. They must have found the distance to An Jin too great."

Lady Fan sighed, "You're blinded by love. Regardless of why Duke Ding Guo and his wife refused, a refusal is a refusal. Moreover, now it's clear that the Emperor has designs on Lady Kang Le. With so many noble ladies in the capital, why should we antagonize the Emperor over this?"

Master Fan nodded, "Your mother is right. Let's put an end to this matter. You will depart for An Jin tomorrow and return to the capital after two years."

This was their stance to be conveyed to the Emperor.

"I won't!" pleaded the young Fan. "Grandfather, mother, even if the Emperor is interested in Lady Kang Le, if Duke Ding Guo agrees to our match, what can the Emperor do?"

Master Fan pondered for a moment, "Fine. If Duke Ding Guo disagrees, you will abandon this pursuit and return to An Jin."

The young Fan nodded, "Yes."