Chapter 195 The Men of the Cui Family
As Li Ye spoke, his gaze slowly swept over the civil and military officials, princes and nobles in the hall, and finally landed on Cui Shiliang.
"I remember that the fifth son of Minister Cui's family had a reputation as a talented scholar from an early age. He was exceptionally talented in literature and had a gentle temperament. He was the epitome of a gentleman. Such a person is someone worthy of entrusting my affairs to."
These words struck like a thunderbolt, instantly igniting a flurry of discussion among the people in the hall.
who?
Whom is Your Majesty referring to?
Cui Shiliang's five sons?
What's the meaning?
Is Your Majesty about to bestow a marriage upon the eldest princess and Cui Shiliang's son?
Everyone's eyes unconsciously darted back and forth between Li Yuanzhao and Cui Shiliang, their hearts pounding in their throats.
Su Qingci's head was buzzing from the series of shocks.
Is this emperor dying, having a sudden burst of lucidity before his death, or is he out of his mind?
These words, spoken in rapid succession, were simply insane.
Everyone in the court knew that the Princess and the Cui family were already bitter enemies, locked in a life-or-death struggle.
He actually wants to arrange a marriage between the eldest princess and the Cui family. Isn't that insane?
Not only Su Qingci thought His Majesty had gone mad, but Cui Shiliang and Cui Yunyi also thought he had gone mad.
Cui Shiliang was stunned for a long time before he reacted and quickly got up and knelt down.
“Your Majesty, my fifth son is nothing but a commoner with no official position. He only knows how to cultivate Taoism and refine elixirs. What virtue or ability does he have to be worthy of the Eldest Princess? The Eldest Princess is of noble birth and of golden branch and jade leaf. My sons are really... really unworthy of her!”
His words were actually somewhat self-deprecating.
To be fair, Cui Wulang was the only "normal" son among Cui Shiliang's many sons, and could even be considered exceptionally outstanding.
In his youth, he was exceptionally talented in literature and became famous in the capital for his painting skills. He was known as one of the "Twin Jewels" along with Pei Huaijin, and his appearance was also exceptionally handsome.
However, he had no interest in fame and fortune, and instead followed his uncle's example by becoming a monk.
His second uncle became a monk because his marriage to Princess Hengyang was not going well.
He went to Zhongnan Mountain to become a Taoist priest, spending his days either cultivating Taoism or traveling around, rarely even returning to the Cui residence.
So much so that when the news of the Second Prince becoming a monk first came back, many people in the capital secretly discussed whether there was some kind of "destiny to become a monk" in the bloodline of the Cui family.
Amidst the commotion, Li Yuanshu quietly watched the spectacle unfold.
She even thought of something interesting: what kind of magic do the men in the Cui family possess?
Liu Liniang married Cui Dalang.
Su Qingci had also been engaged to Cui Jiulang.
Now, the Emperor actually wants Li Yuanzhao to marry Cui Wulang.
It can be said that the three women who were the only ones in the world to enter the imperial court were all planned to be betrothed to the Cui family.
Absolutely amazing!
It seems that the Cui family's title of "first family" is still valid, even though it appears to exist in name only.
The discussions inside the hall grew louder and louder, and even the envoys from the vassal states noticed something was wrong and began whispering among themselves, asking the officials beside them questions.
Su Jingzhi frowned, unconsciously twirling his beard, his mind filled with doubt.
He had served Emperor Li Ye for many years and knew that this emperor always planned carefully before acting and would never make such an illogical decision.
Now he actually dares to try to tie the princess, who is his sworn enemy, to the Cui family; this is utterly absurd.
Could it be that they intend to use a marriage to forcibly resolve the conflict between the Cui family and the eldest princess?
But this conflict has long been ingrained in the bones; how could a marriage possibly resolve it?
But he was right; that was exactly what Li Ye was planning.
Li Yuanzhao's marriage was not a spur-of-the-moment decision, but something he had been planning in his mind for several years.
Those eligible scions of noble families and young court officials wielding power were not within his consideration.
He knew all too well that if Li Yuanzhao married into a powerful family, it would only give her power an extra boost.
What he was looking for was never a husband who could "add flowers to brocade" for Li Yuanzhao, but someone who would be of little help to her or the court, and could even balance her power.
Initially, he favored the heir of the Xu family.
The Xu family were founding nobles with a clean family background, so it wouldn't be disgraceful to the eldest princess if it were mentioned.
However, by this generation, the Xu family had long lost its real power, leaving only an empty title.
Xu Shizi himself was just a spoiled brat, utterly useless.
Such a person would be the perfect choice to be the emperor's son-in-law.
Unexpectedly, during the autumn hunt this year, Prince Xu was killed by Tibetan assassins along with Cui Jiulang, and the marriage was called off.
Later, he set his sights on Du Cong, the newly appointed third-ranked scholar.
Du Cong came from a poor family and had no one to rely on, but he was handsome and his literary talent was unparalleled in the capital. Even he himself praised him during the imperial examination, saying that he had the appearance of a pillar of the state.
More importantly, his humble origins meant he had no connections in the court and would never be an asset to Li Yuanzhao.
He had already made arrangements in secret, but before the imperial decree was issued, Du Cong accidentally injured his leg, leaving him with a lifelong disability.
How can a disabled person be married to his own daughter?
So he gave up on this person.
Since then, he has been looking around but hasn't found a suitable one.
Until two weeks ago, while lying on his sickbed, he suddenly remembered the Cui family.
At that moment, he suddenly felt that no one was more suitable to be Li Yuanzhao's husband than a member of the Cui family.
He knew that Cui Shiliang would never truly accept Li Yuanzhao as his "daughter-in-law," and that Li Yuanzhao would never relinquish her murderous intent towards the Cui family.
However, as long as the title of "marriage ties" exists, it can forcibly bind both parties to the same boat.
What he wanted was not to truly resolve the conflict, but to temporarily freeze it and buy time for Li Yuanyou.
In his plan, after he passed away, he would leave a will appointing Li Yuanyou as his successor, while Li Yuanzhao, as the eldest princess, would continue to oversee the country and assist in governance.
But in the current situation, as soon as he dies, the Cui family and Li Yuanzhao will immediately break off relations. At best, it will cause turmoil in the court; at worst, it may lead to internal strife and even give foreign enemies an opportunity to take advantage.
However, with the "marriage" relationship in place, even if Cui Shiliang wanted to take action against Li Yuanzhao, he had to consider his own son; and even if Li Yuanzhao wanted to settle scores with the Cui family, she had to consider her husband's family.
At this point, the Cui family and Li Yuanzhao would check and balance each other, and dare not easily break off relations.
As the emperor, Li Yuanyou was able to maintain this balance by using the Cui family's power to restrain Li Yuanzhao, and by using Li Yuanzhao's prestige to suppress the Cui family, thus completely controlling the court.
Li Ye looked at the flustered Cui Shiliang, then at the calm Li Yuanzhao, and asked, "Yuanzhao, what do you think of this marriage?"
Li Yuanzhao glanced at Cui Shiliang, whose face was ashen, and said with a half-smile, "Father, I have always said that marriage is a matter for you to decide, and I have no objection. Since you think that Cui Wulang is a good match, then I... will naturally comply."
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