dognovel Chapter 439 The Marriage of Prince Fusu 1
Chapter 439 The Marriage of Prince Fusu 1
At this moment, Ying Wuyou and Lü Zhi also arrived at the city gate. Disguised, they looked at the energetic examinees, and Ying Wuyou felt gratified.
“Sister Lü, look at these young people, they are the future of Qin,” Ying Wuyou said softly.
“What the princess says is very true, but I wonder how many of these people will truly become pillars of the Qin Dynasty.” Lü Zhi’s eyes were filled with anticipation.
As the two were talking, they suddenly heard an argument. It turned out that a candidate was being stopped by the city guards because he didn't have enough identification. Ying Wuyou stepped forward, quietly inquired about the situation, and then said to the soldier, "Special cases deserve special treatment. Let him enter the city first, and he can provide the necessary documents later."
Seeing the woman's extraordinary bearing, the soldier, though doubtful, obeyed her. The examinee was extremely grateful and thanked her profusely. Ying Wuyou, watching his retreating figure, said to Lü Zhi, "This entrance exam tests not only knowledge, but also the heart."
Back in the palace, Ying Wuyou busied herself again. She needed to ensure that all preparations for the academy went perfectly.
The sound of shattering porcelain echoed from Li Si's residence in the twilight. Li Xu kicked over a bronze lamp stand, sparks flying onto the silk scroll of "Commentary on the Qin Laws" hanging on the east wall.
"Does Father really intend to send my sister to be a royal plaything?" The young man angrily overturned the table. "Prince Fusu has always advocated lenient punishments and protracted governance, which runs counter to our Legalist principles!"
Li Si used a jade ruler to lift the burning silk scroll, watching the flames engulf the Legalist maxims in ashes. "Do you think your father is selling his daughter for personal gain?" he suddenly said, slamming the jade ruler heavily on the table.
“Young Master Fusu is kind and benevolent, and he will surely achieve great things in the future. The court is currently in turmoil, and by sending your sister into the royal family, I am securing a future for our Li family.” Li Si’s gaze was cold and his voice was deep.
Li Xu clenched his fists, his face full of resentment, "But is sacrificing my sister's happiness worth it?"
Li Si sighed and said slowly, "In this chaotic world, what do personal feelings matter? For the rise and fall of the family, for the inheritance of Legalism, some sacrifices are inevitable."
After a long silence, Li Xu slowly said, "Father, I want to join the army."
"Your elder brother will be appointed as the Director of the Criminal Law Department after he returns, and your sister will also marry into the royal family. Why are you going to the military camp at this time?" Li Si asked.
Li Si looked at Li Xu, his brows furrowing slightly. "What can you possibly achieve in the military camp? Staying at home will allow you to better support your elder brother in the future."
Li Xu straightened his back, his gaze resolute. "Father, I don't want to rely solely on the family's protection. The military is a place to hone one's skills, and I want to go there to make a name for myself and bring glory to the Li family. Furthermore, the political struggles in the court are fierce these days, and if I can achieve something in the military, I can also provide more security for the family."
Li Si gazed at Li Xu for a long time before slowly nodding. "Since you have this determination, I will grant it to you. But you must remember not to act impulsively in the military camp, and to always prioritize the overall situation."
Li Xu bowed respectfully and said, "Father, rest assured, I will not let you down." Then, Li Xu began to prepare for his journey to the military camp.
Meanwhile, the power struggles in the imperial court intensified.
"Your Majesty, the influence of the former officials is still surging in the shadows. If we do not restrain them, something untoward may happen," Feng Quji said with deep concern.
The King of Qin nodded slightly: "I have already considered this matter. The academy was established to cultivate new talents and break the old pattern. However, this process needs to be carried out gradually."
Feng Quji nodded, understanding the King of Qin's intention.
In the days that followed, the palace was bustling with activity, everyone busy at their posts, except for Li Si. He had been recuperating for a full half month.
On this day, Li Si requested an audience with the King. Although the King of Qin had dismissed Li Si from his position as Minister of Justice, they still shared a long-standing relationship as ruler and subject. The King of Qin did not directly refuse Li Si's request but decided to grant him an audience.
When Li Si stood before the King of Qin again, the king couldn't help but notice that he had aged considerably. The marks of time were deeply etched on his face, and a sense of melancholy welled up in the king's heart. However, the king remained silent, simply waiting for Li Si to speak.
Seeing this, Li Si stopped beating around the bush and asked directly, "Your Majesty, what are your thoughts on Prince Fusu's marriage?"
The King of Qin sat atop his majestic palace, his gaze cold and stern as he looked down at Li Si kneeling below. The atmosphere within the palace was as heavy as the deathly stillness before a storm. Sunlight streamed through the carved window lattices, casting dappled shadows on the floor, but it could not dispel the suffocating atmosphere.
"I had no idea you had become a member of the Imperial Clan Court?" The King of Qin's icy voice echoed in the empty palace, carrying a chill.
Li Si lay prostrate on the ground, his forehead touching the cold gold bricks, a strand of white hair falling down, making him appear exceptionally forlorn. He was not intimidated by the King of Qin's questioning, and calmly replied, "I have heard that Fu Yue of the Shang Dynasty rose from humble beginnings as a bricklayer, and that Taigong of the Zhou Dynasty fished on the banks of the Wei River. Now, Your Highness is past twenty; you should choose a virtuous and capable woman to secure the foundation of the state." His voice, though low, carried an undeniable authority.
The King of Qin stared intently at Li Si, trying to find a flaw in his expression. He knew this old minister all too well; the scene of them working together, devising strategies for the unification of Qin, and studying the "Memorial on Expelling Foreign Guests" all night long was still vivid in his mind.
Back then, Li Si, dressed in plain clothes and straw sandals, dared to directly criticize the corrupt practices of the royal family, displaying remarkable arrogance and confidence. Now, this old fox, stripped of his title as Minister of Justice, has set his sights on Prince Fusu's marriage; how could the King of Qin not be wary?
"My youngest daughter has been of marriageable age for three years, but she is still in her boudoir and has always harbored feelings for Prince Fusu," Li Si said calmly, as if stating something perfectly ordinary.
Upon hearing this, the King of Qin's face grew even more grim. He stood up and slowly descended the steps, each step feeling like a blow to Li Si's heart. "Li Si, do you know what you're saying? Fusu is my eldest son, and his marriage concerns the future of Qin. How dare you interfere!" The King of Qin's voice was filled with rage.
Li Si raised his head, looked directly into the eyes of the King of Qin, and said without fear, "Your Majesty, my loyalty to Qin is as clear as day and night. Although my daughter is not beautiful enough to topple kingdoms, she is well-educated, gentle and virtuous. If she can marry Prince Fusu, she will surely be able to assist him and contribute to the stability and prosperity of Qin."
The King of Qin stopped and pondered for a moment before saying, "Do you think that just a few words from you are enough to convince me to agree to this marriage? Don't forget, you are no longer the Minister of Justice, but merely a clerk."
Li Si prostrated himself again and earnestly said, “Your Majesty, although I have lost power, my loyalty to Qin has never wavered. I am well aware of my mistakes, and now I only hope to make one last contribution to Qin. My daughter’s marriage to Prince Fusu is not for my personal gain, but for the stability and prosperity of Qin. Prince Fusu is kind-hearted and has the world at heart; he will surely be a wise ruler of Qin in the future. My daughter will do her utmost to accompany him.”