Longxi is shrouded in clouds
The carriage left Chang'an and entered the territory of Longxi.
The official road was flanked by vast expanses of yellow earth, with distant mountains appearing like dark eyebrows. Li Yi sat alone in the carriage, his fingertips unconsciously stroking his cuffs—where a pair of knee pads embroidered with orchids had once been hidden.
On the fifth day of the twelfth lunar month in the fifth year of the Tianqi reign, Li Yi returned home.
For days, the Li residence was filled with carriages and horses, and guests came in an endless stream to offer their congratulations. The golden plaque inscribed with "Top Scholar in the Imperial Examination" hung high in the main hall, making the entire room shine. The clan held a continuous feast for three days before the festivities finally subsided.
Mr. Li sat upright in the main seat, his back ramrod straight. This old man, who had spent half his life trapped in the imperial examinations, listened to the flattery around him and vaguely saw his own figure sitting alone at the end of the banquet in the past.
That night, the study was filled with the gentle fragrance of sandalwood incense.
Mother Li handed over the ginseng tea, her heart filled with joy: "Yi'er, the clan chief sent someone today to say that your marriage is the most important matter in the clan, and he will make proper arrangements for you."
Father Li stroked his beard, his face no longer showing simple satisfaction: "My son, the clan chief's favor is a great honor for our family, and also... a great responsibility. This marriage is no longer just your own affair; you must be extremely careful."
Li Yi stood quietly by the window, his voice calm and clear: "Thank you for your concern, parents. I already have someone in my heart."
The two elders exchanged a glance, both looking expectant. Mother Li hurriedly asked, "Has my son taken a fancy to any young lady?"
"No." Li Yi lifted his robe and knelt down solemnly. "The woman I wish to marry is Yu Xuanji, the adopted daughter of my esteemed teacher, the Wen family. I hope my parents will grant my request."
"Mr. Wen's adopted daughter?" Mrs. Li was slightly taken aback, a hint of confusion on her face. "When did Mr. Wen take in a adopted daughter? I've never heard of it before?"
Mr. Li stroked his beard and pondered, "Mr. Wen is a man of noble character and integrity. To have earned his favor and become his adopted daughter, she must be a well-educated and virtuous young lady. I wonder which family this Miss Xuanji comes from?"
The candlelight flickered softly in the room, illuminating Li Yi's solemn face. He took a deep breath, his voice still steady: "Junior Sister Xuanji... was originally from the Jing County brothel."
"A music academy?" Mother Li's teacup trembled slightly.
The gentle expression on Li's father's face froze instantly, replaced by incredulous astonishment: "What did you say? A courtesan?" He abruptly stood up, the hem of his brocade robe sweeping across the blue bricks. "You...you want to marry a courtesan?"
"Father, you are wise." Li Yi looked up, his gaze firm. "Although Junior Sister Xuanji came from a brothel, she is exceptionally talented and of noble character. Mr. Wen admired her talent and virtue, and adopted her as his goddaughter. She has long since been freed from her status as a courtesan..."
"Foolish!" Li's father interrupted sharply, veins bulging on his forehead. "Even if you're freed from the entertainment register, can your former identity be erased? Do you know what the brothel is? It's a place for people to have fun!" Li's father trembled violently. "You brat! Do you know how hard-won this is?"
He took a deep breath: "For thirty years, I, your father, have wasted my time, my blue robes have faded, my inkstone worn through… I have never even seen the path to becoming a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations). Now, you have finally achieved the highest rank in the imperial examinations, yet you wish to marry a courtesan. Where does this place the Li family of Longxi? Where does it place the high hopes of the clan leader?" His voice suddenly became sharp, "Your title of Jinshi is not just yours alone. It is a public asset of the entire clan! Marriage is a matter of great importance, meant to enhance the clan's standing. If you offend the clan leader because of your personal feelings, who will support you in the future court, and how will you go far?"
"
Li Yi opened his mouth to make a prediction, but ultimately lowered his head helplessly.
The next day, the clan chief summoned him to his study. The fire in the stove was burning brightly, but it couldn't dispel the chill in the room.
Without beating around the bush, the clan chief picked up a name card from the table and pushed it in front of Li Yi. The texture and pattern of the card exuded an aura of unspoken authority.
"Zian, come and see." The clan chief's voice was deep. "This is the name card of Pei, the Supervising Secretary of the Secretariat. Pei holds the rank of Senior Fourth Grade and is a close minister of the emperor."
His gaze was sharp as he stared intently at Li Yi: "In the letter, Lord Pei mentioned that he has a niece who is gentle, virtuous, and of marriageable age. Lord Pei admires talent and is even more interested in forming a marriage alliance with my Li family."
"Don't underestimate the position of 'Supervisor'." The clan chief pointed heavily at the name card. "If any imperial edict is improper, he has the right to amend it and return it to the emperor, which is called 'returning it after being amended'! Documents issued by the Secretariat and the Chancellery must be countersigned by him to be effective! This is a crucial position that controls the throat of all government orders in the country!"
"Now that you've achieved the highest rank in the imperial examination, you think you're living a life of unparalleled glory and with a bright future ahead? But in this Tang Dynasty, a top scholar only comes around once every three years! After your official appointment, whether you stay in the capital, join the Censorate, or are sent to a remote prefecture is a matter of great importance... If you can marry into the Pei family, with Lord Pei's influence in the court, you'll have a chance to be selected for the Hanlin Academy and participate in important matters, thus opening a ladder to the top..."
The clan chief slowed his speech, each word piercing Li Yi's heart like an ice pick: "On the contrary, if you refuse this marriage..." His gaze was like a knife, staring directly at Li Yi, "Do you think someone like Lord Pei would personally come to make things difficult for a junior like you? No. He wouldn't even need to make any gesture."
"If you are moved to the second choice on the list of candidates for 'Proofreader' submitted by the Ministry of Personnel when you are appointed to an official post, then you may be assigned to a county lieutenant in a remote county rather than a prestigious position in the capital."
"When you have completed your three-year term and are awaiting selection and transfer, which of his physicians, while reviewing your file, might 'accidentally' recall that you once went against Lord Pei's good intentions, and add a faint note to your evaluation of 'diligence and prudence': 'a slightly unyielding nature, still needs tempering'—then your best years might be wasted in those four words 'still needs tempering' amidst the desolate mountains and harsh waters."
The clan chief leaned forward, his voice low yet carrying a terrifying power: "At that time, you will likely spend your entire life in a remote county town. Is this the ending you desired?"
“This is not a threat, Zian,” the clan chief finally leaned back in his chair, his tone returning to calm, yet even more cruel, “This is just the most common…reality in the court.”
The clan chief finally sighed, his voice weary but firm, "Marriage is a major life event, decided by parents and arranged by matchmakers. For a woman, do you think it's worth gambling your entire future and the hopes of your clan?"
Li Yi was struck dumb, frozen in place.
Just as he was utterly despondent and about to collapse, the clan chief's voice rang out again, carrying a tone of both kindness and severity: "Zi'an," the clan chief's tone revealed a hint of "understanding," "You are young and impetuous, and it is understandable that you are troubled by love. As for that Yu woman, since Wen Feiqing has taken her in as his goddaughter and removed her from the status of a courtesan, it is not impossible for her to enter the Li family."
Li Yi suddenly looked up, a glimmer of disbelief flashing in his eyes, like a drowning person grabbing onto a floating weed.
The clan chief took in his reaction and slowly said, "If you accept the marriage to the Pei family, be a good son-in-law of the Pei family, and establish yourself in the court, then in two or three years, when your official position is more stable..."
He paused, "If you still can't forget that woman surnamed Yu at that time, it's not entirely impossible to bring her into the mansion as a concubine. Although the Pei family is of high status, it is still common for men to take concubines. As long as it doesn't damage the face of the principal wife or shake the position of the eldest son, I'm sure Lord Pei won't make things too difficult for a son-in-law who has already become capable and useful to him over such a trivial matter."
These words were like a poison coated in honey. He almost greedily grasped at this seemingly "win-win" promise, automatically ignoring the contempt behind the word "concubine," and whether Xuanji's pride would accept this handout.
"Thank you for your kindness, Clan Chief! Zi'an... accepts the marriage with the Pei family! I will certainly fulfill my duties diligently in the future, bring glory to the family, and never fail the high expectations of the Clan Chief and the clan!"
“Very well then.” The clan chief nodded, his voice regaining its usual composure. “Rise. Immediately write a letter to reply to Lord Pei’s kind intentions.”
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
