Volume 1: Chapter 24 - The Cui Family Wants to Call Off the Engagement

  Chui Jin hesitated for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Father, whether Zhang Huan is a prodigal son or a talented scholar is no longer important now. What's important is that Zhang Huan has committed a crime and his life is in danger, and Zhang Huan has openly provoked Li Xiang, with Li Linfu's temperament, the outcome of the Zhang family can be imagined. At this time, I think our Chui family must seize the opportunity to cancel the engagement with the Zhang family, so as not to be implicated by Zhang Huan."

  Chui Ju nodded heavily, "I'm of the same mind. I've never suggested breaking off the engagement with the Zhang family, mainly because of the affection between Zhang Xiang and me in the past... Since this Zhang Xiao herself is not making an effort, causing a huge disaster, I absolutely won't watch as Ying'er jumps into the fire pit along with her."

  "It's better not to delay, I immediately got up and went to the Zhang family, and discussed this matter with Mrs. Liu. They brought it upon themselves, and can't blame us..."

  As soon as Cui Ju finished speaking, Cui Huan hesitated and stopped him, "Father, Huan'er thinks that Zhang Xuan is a learned man and will have a bright future. As for his marriage to Ying'er, shouldn't we wait a bit longer... The Lady of Guo State has promised Zhang Xuan that she would go into the palace to plead with the Emperor on behalf of the Zhang family..."

  Cui Ju glared at Cui Huan with an unhappy expression, saying coldly, "Regardless of whether this kid has any talent or not, he offended Li Linfu. How can he expect a good outcome? Not to mention that he's just an ignorant child, even Zhang Xiang from back then, after offending Li Linfu, wasn't he demoted and dismissed from office?"

  "As for the Lady of Guo, can she really go to the palace to plead for the Zhang family? Even if she has obtained a favor from the Emperor, how can Li Linfu let it go? The Lady of Guo is just a woman, noble only because of her relationship with the imperial family. For Zhang Huan to think he can rely on her to contend with Li Linfu is simply childish and utterly laughable."

  Choi Hwan's lips trembled slightly, and he didn't dare to argue with his father again. He lowered his head.

  At this moment, Cui Ying's soft, gentle and firm voice came from outside the hall, "Father, daughter opposes the divorce and strongly disagrees, please withdraw your order."

  As she spoke, Cui Ying walked in step by step with a rosy complexion.

  It seems that Cui Ying has been listening outside the hall for a long time.

  Cui Ju frowned, but before she could say anything, Madame Zheng hastily got up and went over to pull Cui Ying's hand, speaking softly. "Ying'er, you've always disliked that Zhang boy and said you wanted to call off the engagement... now your father has granted your wish, what more do you have to be unhappy about? As a daughter, marriage is decided by one's parents, go back to your room first."

  Cui Ying shook her head stubbornly and said softly, "Mother, if it were in the past, this marriage would have been called off long ago, and I wouldn't say anything. But now that the Zhang family is going through a difficult time, our Cui family can't kick them when they're down and add fuel to the fire..."

  "My daughter does not agree to divorce."

  "This is none of your business." Cui Ju said angrily, "Go back to your room!"

  "No, absolutely not! Father, we can't do such a despicable thing as kicking someone when they're down!" Cui Ying pressed her lips tightly together and gazed firmly at Cui Ju.

  The status of women in the Tang Dynasty was quite open and free, unlike the strict etiquette of the Song and Ming Dynasties. Therefore, Cui Ying could openly stand up to her father and "call him out" on her own marriage matters.

  "Hmph." Cui Ju also didn't bother to say anything more to Cui Ying, and angrily flung his sleeve as he left.

  "If Father insists on cancelling the engagement, I, Ying'er, will be too ashamed to see anyone and can only cut off these 3,000 troublesome strands of hair and flee into Buddhism..." Cui Ying gazed at Cui Ju's slender back, speaking word by word, then raised her hand and pulled out the jade pin holding up her hair bun, letting a head of black silk float down. With one hand grasping her hair and the other pausing, a pair of scissors slid from her sleeve into her hand, shining with a cold light.

  "Ying'er! Absolutely not!" Madame Zheng exclaimed in shock.

  "Ying Mei!" Cui Huan's face changed, and he stepped forward to snatch the scissors from Cui Ying's hand.

  Choi Jin's eyebrows furrowed deeply as he turned his head away.

  Cui Ju didn't turn around, but his body stiffened on the spot, and his shoulders slightly trembled.

  He gritted his teeth and suddenly turned around, staring at Cui Ying standing on the spot, stamping her foot in anger, "You wicked child! Do you know that the Zhang family is about to be struck by a great disaster? If we don't cancel the engagement, our Cui family will also be implicated..."

  Cui Ying's face was pale, and she pursed her lips to say in a low voice, "My daughter had begged my father to call off the engagement that day, but he refused again and again on the grounds of the friendship between our two families. Now that something has happened to the Zhang family, my father is so eager to rush over and cancel the engagement... Such behavior, isn't it making people's teeth cold and being ridiculed by others?"

  "For the sake of so-called family friendship and to save face for the Choi family, they can sacrifice their daughter's entire life; but when disaster strikes, sentiment becomes worthless... And who knows where Father will place his daughter's happiness?"

  Cui Ying's words were soft but firm, and even contained a hint of self-mockery.

  Chui Ju's face suddenly changed, and he immediately turned red with rage. He pointed at Chui Ying with a trembling finger, "How dare you! You're being too presumptuous!"

  Cui Ying's face twisted into a bitter smile, and her heart felt somewhat disheartened. Although she had let her elder brother Cui Huan take the scissors from her hand, her eyes still shone with an unusually firm determination.

  Forbidden City, Xingqing Palace.

  Madam Guo tactfully interceded with Emperor Li Longji on behalf of the Zhang family.

  What the Lady of Guo said had actually already reached Li Longji's ears. Although Li Longji has been indulging in wine, women and song for several years, losing more than half of his ambition, this does not mean that he is a dull and incompetent person.

  He was not only not mediocre, but also a very powerful emperor and man.

  As he grew older, his desire for power intensified. This was also the key factor in Crown Prince Li Hen's constant framing by Li Linfu and others, as well as the root of Li Hen's cautiousness, not daring to be even slightly slow.

  Although he was repeatedly framed, he eventually escaped danger thanks to Li Longji's intervention. But in a certain sense, if it weren't for Li Longji's indulgence and tacit consent, would Li Linfu and his party have dared to be so reckless?

  Perhaps Li Longji was warning and disciplining his son in this way, that the power of this great Tang dynasty always belonged to me, Li Sanlang alone, not even the crown prince could touch half of it.

  As the emperor of the Tang Dynasty, Li Longji's control over the central court and Chang'an City is evident. It can be said that any wind or movement in Chang'an City could reach Li Longji's ears in the shortest time possible.

  It is said that at today's Qujiangchi poetry and wine party, Zhang Jiuling's youngest son, Zhang Huan, suddenly transformed from a spoiled child to an extraordinary talent, and also launched a "attack" on Li Linfu's party in public, doing his best to mock them. Almost as soon as the party was over, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang received the news in the palace.

  However, he was slightly surprised and immediately laughed it off, without taking it seriously.

  But Madame Guo entered the palace this time and mentioned it in person. Li Longji knew that she was speaking on behalf of the Zhang family.

  Zhang Huan was framed, and Li Longji was crystal clear. However, in his eyes, Zhang Huan was just an insignificant small pawn, and to calm the situation, sacrificing him was also a sacrifice. No one dared to plead for Zhang Huan, and even if they did, it would be in vain, but Guo Guo's plea was different.

  "Your Majesty, I think Zhang Jiuling also has merits for the great Tang dynasty. In the past, he was also a meritorious minister under Your Majesty's rule. Now..." The Lady of Guo State glanced at Li Longji quietly and said in a low voice.

  Before she could finish speaking, Li Longji's seemingly drowsy eyes suddenly snapped open, and the sharp light in his eyes shot out, shining on Madame Guo's plump body.

  Madam Guo's heart skipped a beat, she didn't dare look straight into Li Longji's eyes, slowly lowered her head and stopped talking.

  Needless to say, Zhang Huan's phoenix-like talent delighted Lady Guo so much that she took an instant liking to him. This was the key reason why she was willing to enter the palace to plead on behalf of Zhang Huan.

  But this saying is just a hint, if Li Longji is unwilling to grant her request, she can't do anything about it and it's not good to ask too much.

  Just as Madame Guo was nervously preparing to stop, Li Longji smiled warmly and said, "I understand. Third Aunt came to the palace this time to plead for the Zhang family... It seems that Zhang Jiuling's youngest son is indeed talented."

  "Yes, Your Majesty, this child is exceptionally talented and will surely become a pillar of the Tang Dynasty in the future." The Lady of Guo noticed that Li Longji's voice carried a hint of something inexplicable, and her mind involuntarily conjured up Zhang Hua's elegant and refined young face. She gritted her teeth secretly and responded accordingly.

  Li Longji gazed deeply at Guo Guifei, suddenly bursting into loud laughter. "How many years has it been since you came to the capital, Third Aunt? This is still the first time you've spoken up for an outsider in front of me... This has piqued my interest in this young Zhang fellow..."

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