Chapter 182
The Lu family of Fanyang.
A powerful clan that had dominated Fanyang for many years, had many branches, and Lu Zhaolin’s family was inconspicuous among them. If it weren’t for Fang Xuanling’s high regard for his talent, he wouldn’t have been invited to the Fang family as a guest.
Therefore, Lu Zhaolin’s return didn’t attract much attention. But this unassuming Lu Zhaolin brought his parents news that stunned them: he wanted to marry a princess!
Moreover, the princess he fell in love with was the one who had broken off her engagement with Fang Jun of Fang Xuanling’s family. Even though their family was somewhat marginalized within the clan, they had all heard about Princess Gao Yang’s attempt to ambush Fang Jun in Pingkang Square.
This drama had negative impact on everyone involved. Fang Jun frequenting such places before even getting married, can hardly be considered a suitable match. Princess Gao Yang isn’t much better; who’s daughter goes straight to Pingkang Square to ambush people like that? Rumor has it that this couple had met in Pingkang Square before and even competed for the same courtesan!
Lu Zhaolin said earnestly and gently: “She’s not like the rumors.” She possess an impulsiveness but also cheerfulness and passion completely opposite to his. Their meeting is like a collision and fusion of two worlds. Lu Zhaolin carefully explained Gao yang’s good qualities to his parents, looking at them intently: “I know it’s difficult, but I want to try.”
Lu’s parents exchanged glance, both seeing a sigh in each other’s eyes. They bore the prestigious Lu family name of Fanyang, which sounded noble and extraordinary, but they also faced many unspeakable difficulties. Lu Zhaolin wanted to marry a princess and if he could get the clan chief’s approval, it wouldn’t be impossible, but the clan chief certainly wouldn’t agree.
The main branch of the family clearly wouldn’t make the offer for Lu Zhaolin’s sake.
Lu Zhaolin bowed solemnly to his parents: “Dad and mom, there’s no need for you to beg on my behalf. As long as you agree I will do my utmost to secure my marriage. I am currently studying under Mr. Wang and hold a respectable position in Tengzhou. Once I have made some contributions, I will ask His Highness the Prince of Teng to act as matchmaker. Then there will be hope of success in my marriage to Gaoyang.”
His return wasn’t to force his parents to go through the trouble of begging for a Princess’s hand. He simply wanted their approval and he planned to earn the rest himself.
Seeing Lu Zhaolin’s resolute expression, his parents sighed bt didn’t object. Their son, outstanding and ambitious, was always so diligent that they worried about his health. Now that he had met someone he liked, how could they possibly stop him?
Just as Lu Zhaolin’s parents agreed, a letter arrived from the Fang family. It was written by Madam Lu, and its purpose was naturally to inform of Fang Jun’s intention to marry a daughter from the Lu family. Not marrying a princess was fine; marrying a Lu family daughter would be enough to make many envious!
Madam Lu’s plan was well-thought-out but this letter greatly angered her sister-in-law. Last time, she suggested two candidates but Madam Lu was dissatisfied with both. Her words implied that she only wanted the legitimate daughter. Everyone knew that their daughter was beautiful, intelligent, and exceptionally attractive—the kind of where a thousand suitors were eyeing. With just a letter Madam Lu wanted her daughter’s hand in marriage? Dream on!
They had a fight previously and the couple tacitly adopted a cold approach to Madam Lu’s letter.
…
The Lu family of Fanyang had been caught being fleeced twice. Although they hadn’t succeeded yet, it was enough to make everyone depressed. Lu Zhaolin spent several days at home with his parents and visited his elders before finally setting off for Guicheng in Tengzhou, filled with the ambition to marry his beloved.
In the meantime, Yuanying wasn’t idle in Chang’an. He couldn’t go out, but those around him could. He sent someone to inquire about the Fang family’s situation and quickly learned that Lady Lu had kept Fang Jun’s household under control, determined to marry her niece, thus strengthening family ties.
This shows that Lady Lu wasn’t incapable of disciplining her son or managing him properly; rather, she genuinely didn’t want him to marry a princess. This clearly shows her disdain for the royal family!
Yuanying having thoroughly grasped the situation, began to stir up trouble around Li Er. The Emperor met Fang Xuanling daily and relied heavily on him, so he was aware of the Fang family’s efforts to arrange a marriage for Fang Jun.
A year had passed since the annulment of the engagement, so the Fang family’s actions were understandable. The Emperor couldn’t bear to see Fang Xuanling constantly worried and naturally wouldn’t blame him for finding another suitable match for Fang Jun.
Initially, Li Er was happy to see this happen but with Yuanying’s constant encouragement, he gradually began to feel that Fang Xuanling’s wife was being unreasonable. How could she not manage her son when he was engaged to Gao Yang? Yet manage him well when he wanted to marry her niece?
Of course, without fully knowing Yuanying’s intention, Li Er did not fall for his tricks and merely calmly listened to his complaints. Only when Yuanying was scratching his head in frustration did Li Er ask him: “Then in your opinion, should I order him not to marry?”
Hearing this, Yuanying’s opportunity has arrived: “How can you interfere in other people’s family affairs, Your Majesty? I heard that the last time you interfered between the old man and his wife, the wife immediately drank fake poison. It’s not good to meddle in other people’s family affairs!”
Emperor Li Er nodded: “Then why are you telling me all this?”
“You can’t manage the Fang family’s affairs, but you can manage Gao yang’s! With just one decree, you can finalize Gaoyang’s marriage, much faster than the Fang family.”Yuanying grumbled, “Let’s get Gao Yang married first and infuriate the Fang family!”
Li Er looked at Yuanying with a serious expression.
Yuanying remained calm, showing no sign of guilt. Seeing Li Er staring intently at him, he asked curiously: “What? Is my idea bad? I think it’s quite good!”
Li Er casually inquired,:”Then tell me, who should I betroth Gao yang to?”
“I do have someone in mind, Your Majesty, what do you think?”
Li Er raised an eyebrow signaling him to continue.
“Do you remember Lu Zhaolin? He wrote a poem at the poetry gathering at Cuiwei Palace, and you praised it, saying that he was a very talented young man, wasn’t he? Think about it, Old Fang’s wife is still trying to arrange for Fang Jun to marry her niece, while we’ve already preemptively betrothed Gao yang to a member of the Lu family. Won’t she be even angrier!”
“That sounds good.” (Li Er)
“Of course! I’ve known Lu Zhaolin for over a year and I know him fairly well. He’s intelligent, reliable, and steady. His personality is the complete opposite of Gao Yang which is perfect for tolerating her somewhat willful temper.”
The Emperor listened without any comment and sent Yuanying off to play.
Unsure about whether Li Er agrees or not, Yuanying slunk away, planning to try again another day.
Unbeknownst to Li Yuanying, the moment he left, the Emperor immediately ordered a thorough investigation of Lu Zhaolin to determine if he had contact with Gao Yang and whether they had engaged in any illicit affair.
Yuanying’s intention to act as a matchmaker was blatantly obvious. His elaborated praise of Lu Zhaolin was no surprise to Li Er. If Lu Zhaolin were truly outstanding, he would be happy to give Gao Yang’s hand to him; provided they didn’t secretly entangle themselves.
No parent would want to marry their daughter off to a despicable person who tries to deceive them before being engaged.
If he finds out that Yuanying didn’t stop him but encourage it, Li Er wouldn’t let him off easily!
Yuanying was completely unaware of the arrangements so he diligently ran to the Emperor daily to stir up trouble. One day, while he was enthusiastically slandering the Fang family, he didn’t notice Fang Xuanling outside and was caught red-handed.
“I don’t know where I have offended His Highness Prince Teng, causing you to be so dissatisfied with me!”
Yuanying hurriedly replied, “No, no, I was just saying it casually, Old Fang, don’t take it seriously, just pretend you didn’t hear me!”
Fang Xuanling was furious. He’d overheard it this time but he already heard stories that Li Yuanying has been doing it countless times! He hasn’t offended Prince Teng so why was Li Yuanying constantly trying to sow discord between him and the Emperor?
Seeing Fang Xuanling truly angry, Yuanying obediently sat to the side and listened to their discussion. After they were finished, Yuanying followed closely behind Fang Xuanling intending to apologize. He genuinely had no ill feelings towards Fang Xuanling; it was merely a strategic attempt to smear him!
Having spent so many days without success, Yuanying now had a new idea. He chased after Fang Xuanling and after successfully wearing him down, Fang Xuanling stopped and asked what he’s up to.
“Old Fang, the marriage between Gao Yang and Fang Jun didn’t happen and my brother and I are both disappointed. It was supposed to be a beautiful story of a harmonious relationship between ruler and loyal subject, but it’s turned into this mess. It’s truly a pity.” (Yuanying said holding on to the man’s hand)
Fang Xuanling really wanted to shake off Yuanying’s hand.
Completely oblivious to his own annoyance, Yuanying gripped his hand tightly: “I have a brilliant idea that can turn this into a timeless tale!”
Fang Xuanling took a deep breath: “What brilliant idea?”
“You should propose a marriage recommendation to the Emperor for your nephew Lu Zhaolin and Gao Yang! That way, Fang Jun will marry a Lu family daughter, and our Gao Yang will marry a Lu family son. All past grievances will be resolved, and we’ll be relatives again. Wouldn’t that create a wonderful story that will be passed down through the ages?”
Fang Xuanling was astonished by the idea.
How dare he say that!
Although Madam Lu doesn’t particularly like her nephew Lu Zhaolin, it doesn’t mean she’s willing to let him step in to propose marriage to Gao Yang!
What kind of nonsense is this?!
Fang Xuanling looked at Li Yuanying: “Have you been busy with this nonsense all day?”
“I think Gao Yang and Lu Zhaolin are a good match. What’s wrong with pairing them up? If you could personally arrange a marriage for Lu Zhaolin, it would show that the annulment of the engagement was simply because Gao Yang and Fang Jun were incompatible. If they could each marry and live happily, who would dare to say a word against them again? Anyway, I think it’s better for everyone that way.”
Fang Xuanling fell silent.
After listening to the explanation, it was quite reasonable? If he could arrange good marriages for both, no one would bring up their past engagement again.
Li Yuanying’s suggestion of Lu Zhaolin—could it be because Gao Yang and Lu Zhaolin are already having an affair?
Fang Xuanling subtly voiced his doubts.
Yuanying scoffed: “They dare? I’ll break their legs first!”
Seeing that the boy’s words seemed genuine, Fang Xuanling nodded in agreement: “I’ll go back and think about it.” He needed to discuss this with Madam Lu, otherwise she would definitely tear him apart!
Yuanying wasn’t in a hurry, yes think things through carefully.
Fang Xuanling reluctantly made his request: “Your Highness, please stop smearing the Fang family before His Majesty.”
Yuanying nodded eagerly, “Definitely, definitely!”
While Yuanying readily agreed, he didn’t really think he was badmouthing the Fang family. The only one who could truly support the family now was Fang Yizhi, who served his eldest nephew. But Fang Yizhi hadn’t inherited Fang Xuanling’s shrewdness instead he had inherited his indecisiveness. He was good at maintaining the title but not at pioneering.
As for Fang Jun and those below him, he didn’t see anything particularly outstanding in any particular field. Therefore, his comments about the Fang family were truth?!
Fang Xuanling could tell that Yuanying’s answer is perfunctory, but he couldn’t do anything about it. He told him to stop following him; Yuanying is still under house arrest but he is very busy!
Having achieved his goal, Yuanying happily went back to play, patiently waiting for the Emperor to make a decision.
If all else failed, he would think of another way!
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Little Prince: As long as you’re willing to listen, I can make up a story for you!