"Naturally, I am aware of this." Xuan Li continued, "Li Dong is also personally aware that I am inevitably linked with him, however, I am unwilling to lose the Xia family either. In addition, Minster Jiang now has some considerable strength in the imperial court as well. If both sides were to raise a dispute, then this would only do more harm than good for me."
"Could it have been from Fifth Prince’s side?" The advisor asked, "Lately, Fifth Prince’s approval and opinion from the imperial court has been gradually rising; moreover, His Majesty has placed quite a bit of trust in him as well."
"I am clear of Father Emperor’s temperament." Xuan Li lightly snorted, "With how Fifth Brother has rapidly leapt up now, then in the future, he will fall even more miserably. I actually do not believe that Fifth Brother could be this brilliant to pacify the people in the Jiang fu."
"Then, Fourth Prince?" The advisor asked.
"On the surface, Fourth Brother does not seem to be in contention for the throne, however, one has no choice but to guard against him. I dread that it may be the Crown Prince."
The advisor was startled for a while, "The Crown Prince has flaws in both speech and virtue, even in government affairs, he does not seem to have any achievements either. Moreover, he seems rather stupid and naive, why would Your Highness be worried?"
"If this was solely the Crown Prince, then indeed, it would be nothing to fear about." Xuan Li squinted, "One can only fear that this was the intent of Father Emperor."
"In his earlier years, His Majesty had wanted to change the conferred Crown Prince, perhaps he has already grown a mind to spurn him now. But why would he handle this so?" The advisor asked.
Xuan Li commented, "I fear that this may merely be a smokescreen. If not, you can see how after these many years, while the Crown Prince has made enemies of innumerable people in the capital, he is still towering over them without a fall. If this was not incited by Father Emperor on the sly, then I’m afraid that he would have long been devoured without even having the remains of his bones left behind."
"This..." The advisor cup his hands in obeisance, "This subordinate is truly unable to grasp His Majesty’s intentions clearly."
With a disgusted glimpse at the advisor who had been kneeling beneath him, Xuan Li maintained his mild tone, "I do not blame you, even after getting along with Father Emperor for these many years, I too have not been able to ascertain what he has been thinking in his heart either."
The advisor thought for a while and then remarked, "In fact, if Your Highness wants to consolidate power, there is still a method: it would be better to connect by marriage with the Jiang family."
Xuan Li arched an eyebrow, "The Jiang family?"
The advisor cupped his hands in salute, "Now, what Your Highness needs the most is nothing else but the power and influence of the Xia and the Li family. Your Highness’ having a connection with the Xia family is too evident, but if it is a connection with the Jiang family, then that would be tantamount to roping the Xia family in as well." He paused for a while before he continued, "Moreover, now with the Young Miss of the Jiang family still being quite young, it may be good to first fix a marriage. Someday in the future, if there are any changes in the variables, even then it won’t be too late to change your mind."
Xuan Li frowned, thinking of the rumours in the capital a few days ago that the Jiang furen had hired an assassin to frame Eldest Young Lady but instead through hearsay, had entrapped Second Young Lady instead. In addition to that, there was the matter at Bai Hua Lou where Jiang Chao had staked a thousand pieces of gold on one throw[8] yet had no money to settle the account and finally, had one little finger chopped off.
[8] Yī zhì qiān jīn (一掷千金) – It means to throw away money recklessly or to be extravagant.
Unhappily, he remarked, "The Jiang fu is in a turmoil. Besides, that Second Young Lady of the Jiang fu now has a bad reputation, how could I possibly marry her? Wouldn’t this be inviting everyone under the heavens to make a mockery of it?"
"Your Highness," the advisor replied, "isn’t there still an eldest young lady in the Jiang fu? This eldest young lady’s biological mother is indeed a member of General Zhao’s fu. Although it may only be in name, if Your Highness were to marry Eldest Young Lady of the Jiang family, not only with the Jiang fu, there would be a relation with the Xia fu and perhaps, Your Highness could even build up a connection with General Zhao’s fu."
"Zhao Guang, that coarse fellow," Xuan Li answered, "has always been a part of the Crown Prince’s faction, he would not easily defect." As for Jiang Ruan, a memory of that night at the Lantern Festival had surfaced in his mind- on that large boat, the indifferent smile on that red-clad young lady’s face. Unexpectedly, there was a tight grip in his heart, resembling a feeling of caring a great deal about this.
"Now, it seems that the best solution is to connect via marriage." The advisor still suggested this, "if Your Highness was to agree to a marriage with the young lady of the Jiang family, then at Grand Councillor Li’s end, even if in some way he is discontented, he would not act blindly without thinking either. If Your Highness spared no effort like this to show grace and favour to the Jiang family, then the Jiang and the Xia family would strive their hardest to assist Your Highness too."
"What you have said is not wrong either." Once more, Xuan Li picked up the letter on the desk, "Perhaps I should solemnly consider your words." In the letter, it was an invitation to Xuan Li to go to Marquis Xia’s fu to attend a gathering. He thought for a while and continued, "Someone, come over. Reply on my behalf to the old gentleman, Marquis Xia, and send a message that I have received the old Marquis gentleman’s invitation. In three days’ time, I will pay a visit and call on his home."
* * *
When Old Marquis Xia received the communicated message from the attendant at Xuan Li’s side, he heaved a sigh of relief. Xia Furen looked at him and urged, "What is the matter? Has Eighth Prince responded positively?"
"He has," Old Marquis Xia answered her, "go send a letter to the Jiang fu and ask Yan’er to get ready and prepare Su’er and Chao’er, then bring them over." Pausing, he then continued, "Tell her to bring that Jiang Ruan along as well."
Xia Furen nodded, "Naturally, since she caused Su Su to ruin her looks, then this Jiang Ruan indeed has some ability."
The eyes of Old Marquis Xia were completely clouded, "I have yet to tell this matter to his Eighth Highness, however, Eighth Highness must have assumed that this matter was the doing of Fifth Prince and so would have some misgivings. Therefore, he has decided to involve my Xia fu and rope in some relation with my fu. Although it is so, nevertheless, it would be disastrous to keep Jiang Ruan around. Yan’er has repeatedly met losses and miscalculations in her hands; rather, I would truly like to see what kind of demon this person is, to be this ruthless at such a young age!"
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Translated by : Irisu
Edited by : Anks & Ely