Chapter 543 - 163: Bestowing Marriage
Jiang Yuanbai stepped out of the Imperial Study Room, his palms slick with sweat. The words he had just spoken were those that Jiang Li had told him that day; initially skeptical, he ultimately had been persuaded by Jiang Li’s argument.
Instead of letting Prince Cheng bring another Shen Yurong into his fold, it would be better to establish a marriage alliance between Prince Cheng and the Li Family, who were already his supporters. Once the Li Family formed such an alliance with Prince Cheng, it would be an overt declaration to the world that the Right Chancellor was Prince Cheng’s man.
When the Li Family had first pledged allegiance to Prince Cheng, it had been a covert affair. Although it was an open secret among the court officials, it had yet to be made public. If Emperor Hongxiao agreed, it would essentially bind the Right Chancellor and Prince Cheng together completely. To the outside observer, this seemed advantageous for Prince Cheng, adding kinship upon kinship. However, once it became public knowledge, if one day Prince Cheng took action and failed, the Li Family wouldn’t need any other reason to follow Prince Cheng into hell.
They would share in the blessings and, of course, in the hardships as well.
For Emperor Hongxiao, it should be a decision that saved trouble.
Thinking so, Jiang Yuanbai didn’t pause his stride and quickly walked out. He had said his piece, and how Emperor Hongxiao would decide was beyond his control.
In the Imperial Study Room, Emperor Hongxiao was deep in thought, looking at the document before him.
With Eunuch Su attending him, Emperor Hongxiao suddenly asked, "How old is Eldest Young Master Li Xian of Right Chancellor Li’s Family this year?"
Eunuch Su hurriedly replied, "To avoid misunderstandings, Eldest Young Master Su is twenty-three years this year."
"Twenty-three..." Emperor Hongxiao mused, "Shen Yurong is even a year older than him. In that case, he seems more suited for Shen Yurong. Alright," he said, "I want to draft an edict."
Eunuch Su hurried to prepare the ink, hearing the young emperor continue, "I decree a marriage."