After Xiao Deyin left, Jiang Li returned to her room. Tong’er couldn’t help following her around asking, “Miss, what did Instructor Xiao suddenly come looking for you about? She’s never seemed particularly concerned about you before.”
“That’s right—not concerned in normal times, but when it’s a matter of life and death, she comes to use me as a shield.” Jiang Li smiled.
Tong’er was startled. “Life and death? Shield? What life and death matter? Is Miss alright?”
“I’m fine.” Jiang Li said. “Your miss isn’t foolish.”
Tong’er felt relieved, but was still somewhat indignant. “She’s really not a good person.”
Jiang Li looked out the window and smiled inwardly. Yes, Xiao Deyin had never been a good person.
She had Ye Mingyu send people to intimidate Xiao Deyin in order to break the alliance between Xiao Deyin and Princess Yongning. But she didn’t know what change had occurred, or perhaps her thinking had been wrong from the start—what Xiao Deyin wanted wasn’t self-preservation, but rather to take the initiative and eliminate Princess Yongning as a threat once and for all.
In this regard, Xiao Deyin was far more capable than her former self. Jiang Li thought to herself that when Xiao Deyin faced anything potentially threatening to her, she directly removed it. But she also knew that she alone would have difficulty toppling the great Buddha that was Princess Yongning—she needed to find an ally. What Jiang Li hadn’t expected was that the ally Xiao Deyin found would be herself.
Xiao Deyin had made a good calculation. Since Jiang Li had proposed at the court deliberation that the person who instructed Feng Yutang was Princess Yongning, she must not fear the princess’s power and influence. From start to finish, Xiao Deyin lamented her own powerlessness and inferior position, and spoke of Xue Fangfei’s pitifulness, attempting to arouse Jiang Li’s sympathy.
In Xiao Deyin’s view, as long as Jiang Li handled Xue Fangfei’s case the way she had handled the Tongxiang case, she would inevitably stand up for Xue Fangfei. If Jiang Li gained the upper hand, Xiao Deyin could step forward and identify Princess Yongning as the one who murdered Xue Fangfei, confirm the illicit affair between Princess Yongning and Shen Yurun, and once Princess Yongning completely fell from power, she could live peacefully in the capital without worries.
If Jiang Li was at a disadvantage, Xiao Deyin very likely wouldn’t step forward at all. Instead, she would go with the flow—who knows, she might even offer up Jiang Li’s head as a grand gift to curry favor with Princess Yongning.
This person was truly too cunning.
Baixue carefully put the sun-dried books away into the chest one by one and casually asked, “Miss, what do you plan to do about her? Will you ignore her?”
“Not exactly.” Jiang Li said. “She seems to know quite a lot. If possible, learning more of the truth from her mouth would be a very profitable transaction.”
“That’s right, that’s right,” Tong’er chimed in from the side upon hearing this. “Our miss never makes a losing deal. That sweating blood horse worth ten thousand taels of gold at the Eastern Market—didn’t our miss buy it for just five hundred taels of silver? Whether it’s silver or human lives, whoever tries to play mind games with our miss is walking a dead-end road.” She spoke fiercely, making even Jiang Li laugh.
She hadn’t immediately agreed to Xiao Deyin for precisely this reason. Xiao Deyin desperately hoped she would confront Princess Yongning, diverting the disaster eastward. To make Jiang Li quickly take interest, Xiao Deyin would certainly throw out many unknown truths to attract Jiang Li’s attention. Many of these words might be embellished by Xiao Deyin, but removing the embellishments would essentially reveal the truth.
And these truths were precisely what Jiang Li needed.
…
The boundary between winter and spring seemed to begin with a rain.
After a light rain, tender grass somehow sprouted from the earth that had been bare all winter beneath the window. The color was fresh green, making one’s heart rejoice just looking at it. Farmers who understood the weather said that by the looks of it, snow would probably not fall again in the capital.
Winter was passing, and spring was coming.
In the imperial palace, the gloomy winter became extraordinarily prosperous when spring arrived. The gardeners in the imperial garden became busy again, selecting new seeds to sow. When the weather warmed up a bit more, everywhere would be bright with purple and red, lively and bustling. By summer, there would be countless romantic and beautiful scenery.
Consort Dowager Liu’s side palace was the liveliest. She was different from the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager liked simplicity and chanting Buddhist scriptures—she didn’t like having many flowers and plants in the palace, and even when there were flowers, they were mainly elegant ones. Consort Dowager Liu was as flamboyant as her natural temperament. Even before spring had arrived, the garden in her palace was already bustling first.
From inside the side palace came women’s laughter and chatter. Consort Dowager Liu sat upon a soft couch with delicate pastries on plates beside her. The palace maids playing the qin had all gone. Consort Dowager Liu looked toward her daughter—Princess Yongning, who sat to one side—and said, “What matter do you wish to discuss with me?”
Early this morning, Princess Yongning had come to see Consort Dowager Liu. Although she often entered the palace, she wouldn’t come this early. Princess Yongning was accustomed to rising late. When Consort Dowager Liu saw her like this, she knew her daughter probably had something to ask of her.
“I just missed Mother Consort.” Princess Yongning said coquettishly.
Although she was no longer a child, in front of Consort Dowager Liu, Princess Yongning still retained her girlish side. Consort Dowager Liu smiled and scolded her a few times. When Consort Dowager Liu was young, she had been favored by the late emperor and acted flamboyantly. Both her children grew up at her side, so she was especially indulgent with them. Prince Cheng and Princess Yongning both received endless love and affection. Prince Cheng was somewhat better—being older, he had some strategic thinking. But Princess Yongning’s temperament was almost another Consort Dowager Liu. Her appearance also resembled the young Consort Dowager Liu by seventy or eighty percent. Therefore, Consort Dowager Liu was especially indulgent toward this daughter—one could say she granted nearly every request.
“I still don’t know your temperament?” Consort Dowager Liu feigned impatience. “If you don’t speak, I’m leaving.”
“Ah, ah, Mother Consort, I’ll speak.” Princess Yongning quickly grabbed her sleeve and said, “Mother Consort, I want to marry Shen Yurun.”
Upon hearing this, Consort Dowager Liu’s previously happy expression immediately turned cold. She said, “Why speak of such things out of nowhere?” There were so many outstanding young talents in the court—Consort Dowager Liu truly looked down upon Shen Yurun. Although Shen Yurun appeared to be a nouveau riche, he had no family backing. For people of their status as imperial relatives, even if the match wasn’t particularly good, it at least couldn’t be too inferior. Consort Dowager Liu was especially haughty. To marry her so beloved daughter to someone who had previously been a commoner of no rank—Consort Dowager Liu could never accept it.
“Mother Consort, you already agreed before,” Yongning said coquettishly. “How can you go back on your word?”
“Before, your brother was also there persuading me. Although I didn’t like him, I couldn’t resist you both. But Yongning, what time is it now? You still haven’t completely cleared yourself from County Magistrate Xue Huaiyuan’s case. To become entangled with Shen Yurun at this time—wouldn’t that give people something to talk about?” Consort Dowager Liu said. Regarding the things Princess Yongning had done to the Xue family, Consort Dowager Liu wasn’t entirely clear. But she understood Princess Yongning’s temperament—to obtain Shen Yurun, she would naturally do anything. Consort Dowager Liu believed the rumors weren’t groundless, but she just turned a blind eye to it. For people of their status, when they wanted something they had to get it. As for obstacles standing in the way, they simply needed to be removed.
“That matter passed long ago.” Yongning said carelessly. “Besides, whoever dares spread rumors again, I’ll have their tongue pulled out! I’m a princess—who dares speak ill of me? Mother Consort, I truly like him. I’m already not young anymore. I hope to marry him soon. Mother Consort—”
Consort Dowager Liu remained unmoved and only said, “Nonsense!”
In her heart, she still felt Shen Yurun wasn’t a good choice.
Princess Yongning looked at Consort Dowager Liu. The Consort Dowager was truly becoming impatient. Her gaze fell upon her own lower abdomen. It was completely flat now—nothing could be seen—but Yongning knew that a new life was being nurtured there, one that concerned both her and Shen Yurun’s lives. Even for this child, she had no way out. She had to stake everything on this gamble.
Yongning steeled her heart. Suddenly raising her hand, a flash of blade light appeared. A dagger she had somehow hidden now pressed against her own neck. “Mother Consort!”
Caught off guard by this action, Consort Dowager Liu was shocked. She immediately stood up and said in panic, “What are you doing? Nonsense! Yongning, put down the blade at once! Someone!”
Yongning only held the blade and knelt on the ground. As a princess, no one dared search her when she entered the palace, so she could easily hide a dagger on her person. She rarely knelt to anyone, and between mother and daughter with Consort Dowager Liu, she would never make such a gesture.
“Mother Consort,” Princess Yongning stared into Consort Dowager Liu’s eyes, word by word, her tone resolute. “If Mother Consort doesn’t agree to my request, I will die right here before you!”
Consort Dowager Liu was stunned.
Although Princess Yongning was spoiled, precisely because she obtained everything so easily, she had no need to threaten people, much less threaten them with her own life. Since she could go this far, it showed that in her heart, this matter allowed no negotiation—it had to be accomplished.
She saw in her daughter’s eyes a determination to stake everything.
In the dead silence, Consort Dowager Liu and Princess Yongning faced off. After who knows how long, she finally sighed and said, “You’ve truly made up your mind?”
Princess Yongning said, “Absolutely unwavering!”
Consort Dowager Liu sighed deeply and said helplessly, “I agree. Now put down the blade.”
“Mother Consort,” Princess Yongning lowered the blade and said earnestly, “Your daughter isn’t acting on momentary impulse. I’ve expended too much effort on Shen Yurun. Even with the mindset that I cannot let my efforts be in vain, he must become my prince consort. Mother Consort must not think that temporarily pacifying me is enough. If this is never accomplished, living like this is meaningless—I’ll always be able to find a path to death.”
This was an undisguised threat.
Consort Dowager Liu nearly became angry, but seeing Princess Yongning’s stubborn eyes, her heart softened again. Fine then. Her daughter had always gotten whatever wind or rain she wanted since childhood. Since that was so, what harm was there in letting her marry someone she loved? If she was unsatisfied later, there would naturally be countless ways to replace him. After all, sooner or later the whole world would belong to their family—what did one Shen Yurun matter?
“You needn’t threaten me. Since I’ve said it, I will certainly do it.” Consort Dowager Liu said stiffly.
Hearing Consort Dowager Liu relent, Princess Yongning knew the matter was settled. She immediately broke into a brilliant smile, tossed aside the dagger in her hand, stood up and ran to Consort Dowager Liu’s side, hugging her arm and laughing. “Mother Consort loves me most! I knew Mother Consort would agree to my request!”
Consort Dowager Liu looked at Princess Yongning’s delighted appearance. For a moment she didn’t know whether to be angry or amused, and said, “For him, you’ve truly racked your brains! You even dare threaten your own mother consort!”
“That’s because I know Mother Consort will surely feel sorry for me and think of me.” Princess Yongning said, sitting up straight and addressing Consort Dowager Liu. “Mother Consort, mention this matter to His Majesty tomorrow and have His Majesty bestow the marriage. Or have the Empress Dowager bestow the marriage—that works too.” The Empress Dowager almost never concerned herself with worldly affairs. Persuading the Empress Dowager would be an easy matter. As for the Emperor… he thought so highly of Shen Yurun. Because of Prince Cheng, he might actually be unwilling to let Shen Yurun become Yongning’s prince consort.
“Tomorrow?” Consort Dowager Liu furrowed her brow. “So soon?”
“This isn’t soon at all, Mother Consort.” Princess Yongning said. “I’m already seventeen years old. Next month I’ll be eighteen. Ordinary young ladies at this age should already be married—what’s more, I’m a princess? Shen Yurun and I have been entangled for a year now. I don’t want complications from delay. I was even thinking that if the marriage is bestowed, I’d marry next month.”
“You…” Consort Dowager Liu frowned at Princess Yongning. “Why such haste to marry? Has something happened?”
Princess Yongning’s heart panicked, but she smiled and said, “Nothing has happened. Just consider it that I can’t wait to marry and enter the Shen family gates!”
“You!” Consort Dowager Liu shook her head. In the end, she still couldn’t resist Princess Yongning’s coaxing and agreed to bring up this matter with the Empress Dowager tomorrow.
After talking for quite a while longer and having lunch with Consort Dowager Liu at noon in the palace, Princess Yongning finally left.
Walking out of the side palace, she glanced at her lower abdomen and smiled slightly.
Things were going very smoothly. Once Consort Dowager Liu spoke to the Empress Dowager tomorrow and the Empress Dowager bestowed the marriage, she could marry into the Shen family next month. Very soon, “good news” would spread. This way, the child in her belly could be born openly and legitimately.
No one could find fault with it.
Thinking about it, Princess Yongning couldn’t help laughing aloud.
…
Having received Princess Yongning’s instructions, Consort Dowager Liu sat in the side palace contemplating for a long while before finally deciding to seek out the Empress Dowager.
She had thought it through. First, it appeared that Princess Yongning truly liked that man called Shen Yurun very much. Even if she didn’t find a way to satisfy her demands, given Princess Yongning’s temperament, she would use other means. Rather than that, it was better to handle it through her own hands—it would save trouble.
Second, Prince Cheng had also persuaded her together with Princess Yongning before, saying that Shen Yurun was quite good—though his family background was thin, he was very talented. Consort Dowager Liu suspected her daughter had lost her reason from falling into the snare of love, but she trusted her son’s judgment. Since Prince Cheng praised Shen Yurun, Shen Yurun must be decent. As for his thin family background, at worst they could start accumulating from this generation. Later, when Prince Cheng became emperor, at worst they could give him more support.
Consort Dowager Liu didn’t even wait until the next day. That afternoon, she went to see the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager’s Palace of Compassion and Tranquility was in the east. When the Grand Empress Dowager was alive, the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility was no different from an ordinary Palace of Compassion and Tranquility. After the Grand Empress Dowager passed away and the Empress Dowager moved into the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility, it had almost become a Buddhist hall.
In the palace, only the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility had a rich Buddhist incense fragrance upon entering.
When Consort Dowager Liu entered, the Empress Dowager was copying scriptures in the front hall.
She dressed extremely plainly in autumn-fragrance colored silk robes. Her demeanor was serene. Though no longer in her beautiful youth, she wasn’t aged either. Sunlight shone through the window onto her face, and one could vaguely see traces of her gentle and moving youth.
Even the haughty Consort Dowager Liu had to admit the Empress Dowager was beautiful.
Speaking of which, the late emperor had loved beauties—not one woman in the palace wasn’t good-looking. The Empress Dowager, when she was still empress, had been gentle and moving. Consort Dowager Liu was bold and beautiful. And Emperor Hongxiao’s birth mother, Noble Consort Xia, had been spirited and clever. Each had her own beauty. The late emperor respected the Empress Dowager and doted on Consort Dowager Liu, but the one he truly appreciated was Noble Consort Xia.
So much so that even though Noble Consort Xia died, the late emperor placed Emperor Hongxiao under the Empress Dowager’s name and ultimately made him emperor. While her own pair of children seemed to receive endless love, in the end they narrowly missed the throne.
Consort Dowager Liu shook her head, casting aside the stray thoughts in her mind. She walked before the Empress Dowager and said, “Elder Sister.”
The brush in the Empress Dowager’s hand paused. She looked toward her. “You’ve come.”
The relationship between Consort Dowager Liu and the Empress Dowager truly couldn’t be called warm. When the late emperor was alive, Consort Dowager Liu, relying on his favor, had given the Empress Dowager no small amount of trouble. Unfortunately, the Empress Dowager’s natal family wielded powerful influence, and Consort Dowager Liu could do nothing about it. After the late emperor passed, Consort Dowager Liu and the Empress Dowager had maintained surface peace for all these years. But Consort Dowager Liu didn’t believe the Empress Dowager would truly believe she had no intention of usurping the throne.
In fact, Consort Dowager Liu had never been able to understand the Empress Dowager. Raising someone else’s son, placing someone else’s son on the throne, working painstakingly for years yet making a wedding dress for others—was the Empress Dowager truly content? What was the point of hiding in the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility copying scriptures all day? Consort Dowager Liu didn’t think the Empress Dowager was foolish. Anyone who came from that family was intelligent.
Therefore, Consort Dowager Liu harbored some wariness toward the Empress Dowager. She could be arrogant before the Empress Dowager, but never crossed the line by even a step.
“I’ve come today to ask Elder Sister for a favor.” Consort Dowager Liu said. “Please agree to it, Elder Sister.”
“What matter?”
The two of them conversing could even omit superficial pleasantries. Probably knowing that one didn’t visit the temple without cause—if there truly was no matter, Consort Dowager Liu wouldn’t actively seek out the Empress Dowager.
“Yongning has now reached marriageable age. I’ve found a good match and want to ask Elder Sister to help bring this joyous occasion to fruition.” Consort Dowager Liu said.
The Empress Dowager finally raised her head from the scriptures and looked toward Consort Dowager Liu, asking, “Who are you speaking of?”
“Palace Secretary Lord Shen, Shen Yurun.”
“Lord Shen?” The Empress Dowager was surprised. “Doesn’t Lord Shen have a deceased wife?”
“Yes.” Consort Dowager Liu smiled. “But that previous match truly wronged Lord Shen terribly. I see that Lord Shen’s background is clean and his heart is honest. That he can still be devoted to his deceased wife who didn’t keep to womanly virtue shows he’s a person of deep loyalty and righteousness. Yongning has been pampered since childhood. If she marries into the Shen family, Lord Shen will surely care for her well and not let her suffer grievances. Then I can rest assured.”
Consort Dowager Liu spoke this entire passage while holding back her breath.
“Lord Shen’s background doesn’t match Yongning’s.” The Empress Dowager said. “You should know this. Among the court’s outstanding young talents, there are still many who would be well-matched.”
Consort Dowager Liu smiled with great difficulty. She naturally knew this. She also hoped Yongning could marry someone with a substantial family background. But there were no parents in the world who could out-stubborn their children.
“Though the Shen family’s background is thin, that’s precisely why I’m confident entrusting Yongning to them. They won’t look down on Yongning because of it. If not treating Yongning like a bodhisattva and worshipping her, at least they wouldn’t dare neglect her. Elder Sister, I know you’ve always loved Yongning. Moreover, I’ve asked Yongning about this match. She also thinks Lord Shen is a good person.”
The Empress Dowager looked at Consort Dowager Liu for a while, then nodded. “Since she’s very satisfied, then this dowager will speak to His Majesty about this matter.”
“Or…” Consort Dowager Liu said, “You could also bestow the marriage directly. His Majesty is busy with state affairs and probably doesn’t have much energy to manage these small matters concerning young ladies.”
His Majesty quite liked Shen Yurun. If Shen Yurun became Yongning’s prince consort, he would become someone of Prince Cheng’s faction. What if His Majesty considered this point and interfered?
The Empress Dowager said gently, “That won’t do. No matter how busy His Majesty is, this is still an important imperial family matter. Moreover, between His Majesty and this dowager, there are no secrets. This dowager cannot act arbitrarily.”
Consort Dowager Liu nearly cursed aloud in her heart. The Empress Dowager’s meaning was telling her not to sow discord. If His Majesty didn’t want Shen Yurun and Yongning to marry, but the Empress Dowager turned around and bestowed the marriage anyway, there would certainly be a rift between His Majesty and the Empress Dowager.
Indeed, those who survived in the palace, even if they pretended to be without desires, were still cunning in their hearts. Consort Dowager Liu thought petulantly—fine, fine. If Emperor Hongxiao truly refused, it would actually suit her wishes. She had never liked Shen Yurun anyway. It was simply that she couldn’t resist Princess Yongning. If Princess Yongning knew she had already done her best but His Majesty didn’t agree, she wouldn’t blame her either.
Thinking this, Consort Dowager Liu’s heart actually felt much lighter. She said, “Since Elder Sister has already agreed, then younger sister won’t disturb Elder Sister’s Buddhist worship and scripture copying.” She stood up, bowed to the Empress Dowager, and gracefully withdrew.
After Consort Dowager Liu left, the Empress Dowager didn’t continue copying scriptures. She only gazed at the scriptures, thinking about who knows what. After a while, she stood up. Palace maids quickly came to support her. She said, “Bring my outer garment.”
“Where is Your Majesty going?”
“The Imperial Study.” The Empress Dowager replied.
…
Jiang Yuanbai held a memorial folder in his hand as he walked toward the Imperial Study.
The eunuchs in the palace who saw him bowed to him. It appeared he was still that respected Chief Grand Councilor. But Jiang Yuanbai knew that the Jiang family’s matters had probably long become these people’s after-dinner jokes. Behind his back, who knew what they said about him.
But he still maintained a faint smile, quite dignified in appearance. In the court, it was like wearing a mask to conduct oneself. Whether high or low, one’s bearing couldn’t look unseemly.
He was going to deliver a memorial to Emperor Hongxiao.
When he reached the Imperial Study, he happened to see someone coming out—none other than the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager normally never interfered in political affairs. Why would she suddenly appear at the Imperial Study? Had something happened? Jiang Yuanbai thought this in his heart but kept smiling on his face. The Empress Dowager also saw him and nodded to him. Jiang Yuanbai stepped forward to bow. The Empress Dowager quickly departed.
A eunuch went in to announce him, and Jiang Yuanbai entered the Imperial Study.
Emperor Hongxiao was reading memorials.
The young little emperor had grown into a young monarch. He had become diligent and loved the people. Although in outsiders’ eyes he seemed controlled by Prince Cheng and his wings not yet fully grown, Jiang Yuanbai knew this young eagle was gradually maturing.
He felt somewhat emotional.
Emperor Hongxiao raised his head and said, “Master, please sit.”
He had once been Emperor Hongxiao’s Grand Tutor, so in private, Emperor Hongxiao always called him Master. Years ago, this “Master” contained genuine respect. As for now, how much sincerity remained—Jiang Yuanbai couldn’t tell.
He couldn’t possibly fathom the monarch’s heart.
“Master saw the Empress Dowager when you came in just now, didn’t you?” Emperor Hongxiao said. “Does Master know why the Empress Dowager came?”
Jiang Yuanbai was puzzled. “This subject does not know.”
“It was about Yongning’s marriage.” Emperor Hongxiao smiled. “Consort Dowager Liu sought out the Empress Dowager, hoping she could arrange a marriage for Yongning. They’ve taken a liking to Palace Secretary Shen Yurun and want Shen Yurun to become Yongning’s prince consort.”
Jiang Yuanbai was stunned. Before he could speak, Emperor Hongxiao looked at him and asked, “What does Master think of this matter?”
“This subject is terrified and dares not speak presumptuously.” Jiang Yuanbai quickly said.
“Speak freely.” Emperor Hongxiao said. “I feel this matter is significant and want to hear Master’s opinion.”
Jiang Yuanbai looked toward Emperor Hongxiao. Emperor Hongxiao looked at him, his gaze earnest. Whenever he looked at Jiang Yuanbai with this kind of gaze, Jiang Yuanbai would feel transported back to many years ago, when the child Emperor Hongxiao would ask Jiang Yuanbai to guide him through confusion.
“This subject believes that Lord Shen previously had a wife. If the princess marries him, she would be considered a second wife… it’s truly quite wronging her. Speaking of the princess reaching marriageable age, there are many outstanding young talents in the court. Lord Shen isn’t the best choice.” Jiang Yuanbai said. He knew that Emperor Hongxiao must be reluctant to send such a nouveau riche as Shen Yurun as a gift to Prince Cheng. He had to follow Emperor Hongxiao’s wishes.
Emperor Hongxiao nodded. “I think so too. But aside from Shen Yurun, I can’t think of anyone else suitable at the moment. Does Master have a good candidate?”
Jiang Yuanbai’s heart suddenly began racing wildly.
Just one day ago, Jiang Li had come to his study and said to him, “Father, if the matter of discussing Princess Yongning’s marriage comes up in court recently, please be sure to express your position and name this person.”
He had originally thought Jiang Li’s words were groundless. How could the court suddenly discuss Princess Yongning’s marriage? But this matter was now happening right before his eyes.
He didn’t understand where Jiang Li obtained her information, which came even faster than his as Chief Grand Councilor. But since Jiang Li had predicted correctly, the candidate she named next would naturally be the same. Moreover, Jiang Li had convinced him at the time. Indeed, no one was more suitable to marry Princess Yongning than this person. Presumably Emperor Hongxiao thought the same.
Jiang Yuanbai’s expression remained unchanged. After thinking hard for a while, he said, “This subject has one person in mind. I wonder what Your Majesty thinks?”
“Speak.”
“There are indeed quite a few outstanding young talents in the court, but extremely few who match the princess in age and appearance, and whose family background is compatible. This subject observes that the eldest young master of the Right Chancellor’s residence would be quite suitable. The eldest young master Li is a man of distinguished bearing and brilliant talent, worthy of praise. He and the princess would make a perfect couple—nothing could be better.”