Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 5276 His Majesty Proposes Marriage
Before his death, Emperor Taizong discussed with his ministers and members of the imperial family the idea of ​​sending his concubines who had no children to Ganye Temple to become nuns, to eat vegetarian food, chant Buddhist scriptures, and cultivate their minds. However, before any system was established, he passed away, and this idea was naturally abandoned.

After Li Chengqian ascended the throne, he treated his father's concubines with great courtesy. Not only were their food, clothing, and daily necessities far superior to what they had been given before, but he also granted them a large area of ​​the palace gardens north of Jiayou Gate and west of Neichong Gate. The luxurious buildings and beautiful scenery there helped to alleviate the gloomy mood of the late emperor's concubines.

Lady Wang, the wife of the late emperor, did not receive a title during his lifetime, so she was not allowed to reside in one of the main halls. Her sleeping quarters were located in a courtyard behind the Linhu Hall, with the South China Sea behind her and the Linhu Ziwei Hall to the south, quite close to Princess Changle's Shujing Hall...

As the year draws to a close, auspicious snow falls, covering the glazed tiles of the Forbidden City palace with white snow. Red walls and white snow, and mist rising from the lake, create a scene resembling a celestial palace.

Lady Wang, wife of the Jiang family, hurriedly returned from Shujing Palace. She paused briefly outside her villa, looked around, and felt increasingly cheerful and happy at the sight of the exquisite winter scenery.

Once inside the villa, he instructed the eunuch, "Go and summon Prince Jiang; I have important matters to discuss with him."

After having lunch at Shujing Hall and drinking some yellow wine, I sniffed the smell of wine on my body and then went to the back hall to bathe and change.

After tidying himself up, he put on a Shu brocade casual outfit, tied his hair into a simple bun with a hairpin, and knelt on a mat by the window in the side hall, slowly drinking tea.

Although she is past her prime, she still retains her beauty and charm, and her well-maintained fair skin makes her look like a young woman from Huaxin.

After a while, Jiang Wang Li Yun, looking chilly, arrived from outside. He took off his snow-covered cloak at the door, quickly sat down beside his mother, took the warm tea she offered and drank it down in one gulp. Only then did he let out a sigh of relief. He looked his mother up and down and asked anxiously, "Mother, why did you summon me here in such a hurry? Are you feeling unwell?"

Madam Wang smiled as she looked at her handsome son, who bore a striking resemblance to the late emperor, and said softly, "Mother is doing well and has not felt unwell at all... I just went to Shujing Palace, where Princess Changle invited me to lunch, accompanied by Princess Han."

Her eyebrows and eyes were as lively as a young girl's, leaving a little mystery.

Li Yun, however, was quick-witted. He swallowed hard, looking very nervous: "Is it about proposing marriage to the young lady of the Fang family?"

However, she quickly realized that if the Fang family had politely declined, her mother would not have been so happy.
He exclaimed excitedly, "The Fang family agreed?"

Madam Wang patted her son's shoulder with a smile and nodded, saying, "This time the Grand Commandant has relented, so there shouldn't be any major problems."

Although Fang Xuanling was the head of the Fang family, he had long since stopped concerning himself with household affairs. Now, Fang Jun was the head of the Fang family and could make decisions on any matter in the family, including his younger sister's marriage.

Li Yun was overjoyed and almost jumped up: "Haha! As the saying goes, 'Where there's a will, there's a way,' my sincere feelings and unwavering determination have not been in vain!"

He had liked Fang Xiaomei for a long time. Although she came from a prestigious family and her father and brothers held high-ranking positions, she had no trace of arrogance or willfulness. She was intelligent, clever, and well-behaved. She was also good-natured and beautiful. Over the years, countless young men from Guanzhong had fallen in love with her and wanted to marry her.

Now, however, the prize will fall into Li Yun's hands.

He immediately said, "The Fang family is prominent, and my younger sister is especially favored by my father and brothers. When we go to propose marriage, we must make a grand show of it and show how important it is. Why don't you send a letter to Jiangnan to ask my uncle to come to Chang'an to preside over the proposal?"

The saying "the maternal uncle is more important than the mother" is an ancient Chinese custom. Moreover, since the mother came from the "Langya Wang Clan," it was naturally most appropriate for the maternal uncle to preside over the marriage proposal.

Lady Wang's smile faded, and she said calmly, "I don't think it's appropriate. The Grand Commandant and the Langya Wang family have had a long and sordid affair these past years, and they might not want to see anyone from the Wang family. Besides, since I entered the palace, I've had less and less contact with my family, especially after the late Emperor's death, when they almost completely cut off all contact with me. A widowed concubine of the late Emperor, an unfavored prince about to be sent to his fiefdom at sea—my family might not want to go to the trouble of sending such a large group from so far away..."

Moreover, the Langya Wang clan of today has long since declined and is no longer what it once was. It is no longer the glorious and powerful clan that once "shared the world with the Ma family." It is simply not worthy of Fang Jun's attention. To think that the Langya Wang clan could boost the prestige of Prince Jiang is laughable...

Li Yun also thought it made sense, and hesitated, asking, "Then who would be the most suitable person to ask to propose marriage?"

Lady Wang thought for a moment, then whispered, "If you were to invite His Majesty... would that be possible?"

"Ok?"

Li Yun was taken aback and instinctively wanted to object, but His Majesty might not like him.

But considering that it was a marriage proposal to the Fang family, and given Fang Jun's current power and status, perhaps His Majesty would be willing to grant the wish...

"Should I...go and ask?"

“How can I ask him in person? What if His Majesty refuses? Wouldn’t that be awkward? Tomorrow morning I will go to Princess Chang Le’s place and ask her to inquire about His Majesty’s intentions first. If His Majesty does not refuse, then you can go and ask him in person.”

"Mother's thinking is very thoughtful; this is excellent."

"Sigh, in the blink of an eye, my son has grown up."

Overwhelmed with emotion, Wang thought about how she would be living in seclusion in this Taiji Palace in her next life, and how her son would soon be leaving for distant lands and settling at sea after his marriage. She wondered if she would ever be able to reunite with her family again in this life. She couldn't help but feel a pang of sorrow and shed tears.

However, following the Sui dynasty's system, when a prince was enfeoffed in a local area, his mother was not allowed to accompany him...

Li Yun was also saddened, holding his mother's hand, his heart aching.

……

The next morning, Lady Jiang dressed herself up and went to Shujing Palace to see Princess Changle. After explaining her purpose, Princess Changle smiled and agreed: "Prince Jiang has excellent taste. My sister is gentle, virtuous, clever and intelligent. Countless princes and noblemen in Chang'an admire her and want to marry her. However, my second brother has always refused, thinking that she should stay at home for a few more years to enjoy his company and have a harmonious family. This time, she must have been moved by Prince Jiang's character to agree. Prince Jiang is truly blessed."

Lady Jiang smiled and nodded repeatedly. What she said was indeed true. In terms of appearance, character, talent, and family background, there were really few daughters of nobles, imperial relatives, and powerful families who could compare to her. In particular, Fang Jun held power and prestige, and had prepared an enviable dowry for his younger sister long ago...

"It's just a pity that I've gradually become estranged from my clan, and no maternal relatives of sufficient standing have come to propose marriage. That's why I had no choice but to ask His Majesty for help... I hope Your Highness will be lenient with me."

Princess Chang Le smiled and said, "We're family, why be so formal? I will do my best. Besides, His Majesty has always been kind to his brothers, and now that Prince Jiang has recognized your talent and is seeking to marry you, I'm sure he'll be happy to see it happen."

After chatting for a while, Lady Jiang got up to take her leave and go back to wait for news. Princess Chang Le changed into her palace dress, drew her eyebrows and eyes, and went to the Imperial Study with two maids to request an audience with His Majesty.

……

Li Chengqian sat behind his desk reviewing official documents. Upon hearing that Princess Changle was requesting an audience, he summoned her, put down his brush, rubbed his wrist, and walked out from behind the desk. He stood by the window, gazing at the snow falling in the courtyard, a scene of pure white, and felt a sense of peace.

When Princess Chang Le entered to pay her respects and was about to perform the proper rites, Li Chengqian waved his hand and knelt on the mat on the ground, laughing, "How many times have I told you, we are siblings from the same mother, why bother with these formalities in private? Come, sit down and have a cup of tea."

He beckoned Princess Chang Le to come closer.

Princess Chang Le smiled and agreed, gracefully stepping forward to sit down beside her. She accepted a cup of tea personally poured by Li Chengqian and respectfully said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Tsk, you won't change even after I've told you? You're not as good as Fang Jun in this respect. That guy can eat and drink whatever he wants in my imperial study, and he can even sit cross-legged..."

Li Chengqian spoke of Fang Jun with a look of disgust.

Princess Chang Le held her teacup, her smile gentle and bright: "Your Majesty and the Grand Commandant are wise and virtuous, like dragons and fish in harmony, and have always been admired by the people of the world and are a well-known story."

"Ha ha!"

Li Chengqian laughed heartily, in a very good mood: "My sister rarely comes to my imperial study. Is there something you need today? Tell me, as long as it's not too outrageous, I'll grant your request."

Princess Chang Le smiled faintly, put down her teacup, straightened her back, and softly relayed Lady Jiang's plea...

Li Chengqian listened silently, his brows slightly furrowed.

After Princess Chang Le finished speaking, Li Chengqian pondered for a moment and sighed softly: "It is only right to propose marriage to one's brother, especially since you, Chang Le, are here to speak on his behalf... But as you know, not all of my brothers are as reliable as Li Yun. If I propose marriage to Li Yun today, then tomorrow the other brothers will come to me. Should I go or not?"

Princess Chang Le understood His Majesty's concerns. The reason why imperial power was supreme and prestige was so great was because it was mysterious and lofty and rarely seen by people. If it was shown to people every day, how could people feel awe?
If it were Emperor Taizong, it would be fine; his unparalleled military achievements were enough to awe the world, and he would not need any other means to demonstrate his imperial authority. However, Li Chengqian is still attacked by the people of the world to this day, who believe that he is "unworthy of his position" and "insufficient in martial arts," so how can he have any prestige?

"Your Majesty, have you forgotten what you said some time ago?"

Seeing Li Chengqian looking over, Princess Changle said softly, "Whether it's civil administration or military prowess, there are precedents to follow. No one's civil administration is higher than that of Emperors Wen and Jing, and no one's military prowess is higher than that of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. Moreover, there is Emperor Taizong, who stands like a mountain in front of us, impossible to surpass... If Your Majesty wishes to achieve great things, there is nothing better than governing the country with benevolence and showing kindness to the people. Who in the court doesn't know that Your Majesty faced great difficulties in arranging a marriage for Prince Jiang? The more difficult it is, the more you insist on doing it. Isn't this precisely the benevolent governance of 'knowing what not to do and what must be done'?"

After thinking for a moment, Li Chengqian smiled wryly and said, "It's a pity that you're a woman, sister. Otherwise, with just your silver tongue, you would be on par with Su Qin and Zhang Yi. You are truly a woman who is no less capable than men!"

Turning to Wang De outside the door, he said, "Go to the Bureau of Astronomy and ask the Grand Astrologer which day is the most auspicious for the Prince of Jiang. I will personally go to the Fang family to propose marriage for the Prince of Jiang."

"Here."

Wang De accepted the order and left.

Li Chengqian took a sip of tea, looked at his younger sister, and said teasingly, "She hasn't even entered the Fang family yet, but she's already worrying about their affairs, even going so far as to try to please her sister-in-law... She's truly like water spilled out after marriage. As her brother, I feel a pang of sadness."