Chapter 64: How About Marrying Li Laosi?

Chapter 64: How About Marrying Old Fourth?

"Just marry off your eldest daughter to my son, and I promise you, she will never be mistreated in my Li family!"

The emperor pulled Jiang Huailiang close, speaking with heartfelt sincerity.

"Honestly, Second Brother, I originally intended to pair Wan with the third prince. But just a few days ago, the wife specifically came to me, insisting that the third prince be engaged to the Song family's daughter.

Ah, I owe her one, after all. I had to agree to whatever she said.

Second Brother, I'm leveling with you.

I plan to set up marriages for all the legitimate eldest sons and daughters of you civil and military officials.

It's not that I don't trust you, but we've just won this kingdom and cannot afford even the slightest instability. Therefore, I must nip problems in the bud. This is beneficial for both the ruler and the subjects. Don't you agree?"

These words were undoubtedly a heart-to-heart. Jiang Huailiang's lips moved several times, his mouth went dry.

"Your Majesty, I swear my lifelong loyalty! If necessary, I am willing to step down and retire to the countryside. As long as it puts Your Majesty at ease, I will do anything!"

"It's not that I distrust you, but as the top noble, given our close relationship, it would be inappropriate if your legitimate eldest daughter did not marry into the imperial family. Don't you think?"

"...I..."

"Go back and discuss it with your wife!

The third prince’s principal consort position is already taken, and I won’t even mention that unreliable fourth prince. That leaves only the first and second princes—you and your wife can choose between them.

Duke of Ling, this is an imperial decree!"

As his sworn brother now stood before him as the emperor, Jiang Huailiang knew his family had little room for choice.

"Your subject obeys the decree."

Duke of Ling's estate.

Qiuya Manor.

The three members of the Jiang family sat together once again, their faces clouded with worry.

"Did the emperor really issue a hard order?"

"Yes."

Jiang Wan slammed her hand on the table in frustration.

"I’m not even thirteen yet—what's the big rush?"

"You may be young, but his sons are not."

Jiang Huailiang wore a guilty expression.

"Eldest Daughter, this time, you’ve been stuck because of your old man. I’m afraid your mother and I will have no say anymore in the marriages of you three siblings from now on."

Her eyes welled up.

"Let’s go plead with the emperor again. Tomorrow, I’ll get an appointment and seek help from the Imperial Noble Consort! How could Wan Jieer possibly adapt to life in the inner palace?

The first prince will become the crown prince, and eventually the emperor—his harem will be filled with countless consorts! I… my daughter absolutely cannot go there…"

She had no great ambitions and did not expect her children to marry up. She only hoped all three could live safe and sound.

Jiang Wan thought about Li Yuanxiu’s story in the original book but found nothing to go on. However, Li Yanxiu and his consort, Lady Song, were indeed a loving couple.

So she looked up at her mother.

"Mother, tomorrow I will go to the palace with you!"

Xu Shi glanced at her husband, who gave a slight nod before she agreed.

"Alright."

After a night of restless tossing and turning, Jiang Huailiang had just left for the morning court when Xu Shi and her daughter rose to get dressed in their formal robes. As soon as the sky brightened, they went to the palace to ask to see the Imperial Noble Consort.

When Qiao Shi received the palace attendant’s report, she was surprised.

"What could be so urgent that they’ve come to see me so early in the morning?"

Li Chengxiu, who was eating breakfast in his mother’s palace, quickly put down his bowl and chopsticks and urged,

"Mother, Imperial Mother, quickly let them in!"

"Of course I’ll have them brought in! Finish your meal and leave—don’t delay matters here."

After shooing her son away impatiently, she instructed her maid,

"Qingliu, go and welcome the Duchess of Ling."

"Your servant obeys!"

Li Chengxiu shamelessly wiped his mouth and dashed back to his own palace.

"I prepared a gift for Wan Jieer—I’ll go get it now!"

Qiao Shi watched her son scamper off like a rabbit and rolled her eyes in amusement. Then she stood up, tidied herself slightly in her bedroom, and waited to receive the Jiang mother and daughter.

"Your servant pays respects to the Imperial Noble Consort!"

"Your subject’s daughter pays respects to the Imperial Noble Consort!"

"Rise quickly. Have a seat."

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

After they were seated and served tea, Jiang Wan put on a dignified act, sitting properly in her chair while listening to her mother make small talk with the noblewoman.

"Your Highness, your servant has come without an invitation because there is a matter for which I must ask for your help."

Knowing the Imperial Noble Consort was a smart woman, Xu Shi went straight to the point right out. She explained the entire situation from beginning to end, dabbing her eyes as she pleaded,

"My eldest daughter truly is not meant to be a noble consort. I beg Your Highness to persuade His Majesty to call it off!"

If there was anyone in the world who could change the emperor’s mind, it was the Imperial Noble Consort.

Qiao Shi squinted and looked at Jiang Wan.

"You do not wish to marry the first prince?"

Jiang Wan immediately got up and knelt down.

"No, to be precise, I don't wish to marry any imperial prince. Court life isn't for me. In the future, I simply wish to marry an ordinary person and live a simple life."

"What? You think marrying an imperial prince is beneath you?"

The room went quiet for several breaths.

"Speak."

"Yes!"

Jiang Wan boldly raised her head and met the Imperial Noble Consort's gaze.

"I've got a temper—there are certain grievances I can't endure!"

Her delicate face radiated a beauty that was both dazzlingly bright and defiant and unruly.

Consort Qiao lowered her gaze to look at her.

"And if you can't endure them, what will you do?"

*Crack!*

The teacup on the table beside Jiang Wan was suddenly crushed into several pieces by a snow-white small hand.

"Perhaps... this is what I would do."

Consort Qiao was somewhat startled.

Xu Shi rushed over to check her daughter's hand.

"This child! Why resort to violence at the slightest disagreement? What did I teach you at home? Let me see quickly—are you hurt?"

"No, Master Zhao taught me how to use proper technique."

Once assured her daughter was unharmed, Xu Shi bowed to apologize to the Imperial Noble Consort.

"Your Ladyship, please forgive her. My daughter has an unruly nature—it is entirely my fault for failing to teach her properly. I beg Your Ladyship for forgiveness!"

Consort Qiao waved her hand, signaling her to rise.

"It is of no consequence. What youth isn't spirited?"

Looking at the young girl before her, she suddenly laughed, feeling as though she were seeing a reflection of her younger self.

"Wan-jie, you're a clever child, and I won't deceive you with empty words. Given your father’s status, position, and military power, if you were to marry into another family, the Emperor would never feel at ease.

If your father were to lay down his arms and retire to the countryside, would any of you be content with that? Your father’s achievements were earned through blow by blow on the battlefield. Could you bear to let everything the Jiang family has built go to waste?"

"I couldn't."

"So you see, child,"

the Imperial Noble Consort said with a smile, offering her advice.

"Why not marry my fourth son?"

*Crash!*

Outside the door, a foolish paozi slammed directly into the doorframe, the little toys in his hands clattering noisily to the ground.

Li Chengxiu, jumped like a startled dog, was hopping around in panic.

"No way!"

"Who gave you the right to speak? This is a conversation among women—what are you, a man, doing here again? Get lost!"

She had been so close to talking this clever girl around, only to have her foolish son come bursting in to act the fool. Consort Qiao was so furious she almost couldn't maintain the lofty, noble image expected of an imperial consort.