nashuaworldcup Chapter 441 The Marriage of Prince Fusu 3
Chapter 441 The Marriage of Prince Fusu 3
These letters became his spiritual pillar in this unfamiliar land, like a warm light illuminating his world. He was estranged from his father and his mother had passed away early, so his younger sister, Ying Wuyou, became the softest concern in his heart.
Fusu's gaze followed the contents of the letter, but gradually, his expression became strange. In the letter, Ying Wuyou mentioned that Li Si wanted to marry his daughter Li Yanran to Fusu, and wrote, "Your father wants to ask your opinion, after all, this is your marriage, and you have the right to choose." In addition, Ying Wuyou also informed him that Li Si had been demoted to a clerk by his father, but at the same time, Li Si's eldest son, Li You, had been appointed as the director of the Criminal Law Department.
After reading the letter, Fusu fell into deep thought. Over the years, he had skillfully navigated the battlefields of Baiyue, and had completely controlled Ouyue and most of Wuyue. He harbored a grand goal: to fight in Baiyue for a few more years, to bring the entire region into the Qin territory, and then return to Xianyang to present his father with a perfect report. But now, this sudden marriage had left him in a dilemma.
Li Si, the former Grand Commandant of Qin, wielded immense power and influence in the court. What were his true intentions behind proposing a marriage alliance? Did he genuinely want to marry his daughter off, or did he have ulterior motives? His father's attitude was also quite subtle: he demoted Li Si but then reinstated Li You, a calculated move that remained elusive. Fusu knew that his marriage was no longer just a personal matter, but involved a power struggle among various factions in the court.
His gaze pierced through the gaps in the tent, reaching towards the rain-washed mountains in the distance, his thoughts drifting back to Xianyang. Every word Ying Wuyou had written in her letter echoed in his mind. He recalled his sister's playful appearance, her earnest expression as she wrote the letter, and a warm feeling welled up inside him. In this complex situation, only his sister's concern was so pure, untainted by any impurities.
The candlelight flickered inside the tent, casting shadows on his face and reflecting his conflicted expression. After a long while, Fusu slowly stood up and took a deep breath. He knew he had to make a decision, a decision that not only concerned his own life but could also determine the future of the Qin Dynasty.
Fusu paced back and forth in his tent, the sound of rain pounding on the ground growing increasingly urgent, as if urging him to make a quick decision. He understood that behind this marriage lay a complex and treacherous political game. Although Li Si had been demoted, even a weakened camel is bigger than a horse, and his family's influence in the court was still considerable.
This marriage alliance might be an attempt by Li Si to maintain his family's power, or it might be an opportunity to stage a comeback. His father, King Ying Zheng's, arrangement is even more enigmatic. While seemingly weakening Li Si, he simultaneously promotes Li You. Could this be a way to balance the various factions and achieve a new, delicate equilibrium in the court?
After a long period of contemplation, Fusu slowly sat back down at his desk, spread out a sheet of parchment, picked up a brush, and dipped it in ink. He wanted to reply to Ying Wuyou, but as soon as he put pen to paper, he hesitated. How could he tell his sister his thoughts? He knew that although Ying Wuyou was a woman, she was exceptionally intelligent and had her own insights into the court situation. But what would be the outcome of sending this letter? Fusu didn't know.
After much deliberation, Fusu wrote: "To my dear sister, this letter is as if you were here with me. I have read your letter and learned of the events at home, which fills me with many emotions. Regarding the marriage, while Father respects my choice, I must also consider it carefully. Li Si's actions are of dubious motives, and this marriage alliance concerns the stability of the Qin court; I leave the decision entirely to Father. I am doing well in Baiyue. Although the war is arduous, we have made progress, and soon we will be able to bring the entire Baiyue territory into the Qin domain, thus fulfilling Father's expectations. I hope my sister will take care of herself in Xianyang and convey my greetings to Father."
After writing, Fusu carefully folded the letter, put it in an envelope, and summoned a trusted guard, instructing him: "Make sure this letter is delivered safely to Xianyang and personally handed to Princess Jiayang. There must be no mistakes." The guard obeyed and left, his footsteps quickly disappearing into the rain.
After the guards left, Fusu stepped out of the tent. The rain was subsiding, and the air was filled with the fragrance of earth and grass. Gazing at the distant, rolling mountains, he silently vowed that no matter how complex the political situation at court became, he would first complete his mission in Baiyue. Only by thoroughly pacifying Baiyue and ensuring the people there lived in peace and prosperity could he have the confidence to return to Xianyang and confront his past mistakes.
A few days later, in the Xianyang Palace, Ying Wuyou received a reply from Fusu. She sat in her palace, unfolded the letter, and read it word by word, her brow furrowing slightly. She knew her brother's difficulties and understood the hidden crisis behind this marriage. After learning of Fusu's reply, the King of Qin summoned Ying Wuyou to the palace for questioning.
Ying Wuyou arrived at Zhangtai Palace, bowed, and presented Fusu's letter. The King of Qin took the letter, quickly glanced through it, his expression calm and unreadable. After a moment, the King of Qin spoke: "Jiayang, do you think Fusu should marry Li Si's daughter?"
After pondering for a moment, Ying Wuyou bowed gracefully and said, "Father, in my opinion, this matter has both advantages and disadvantages. If my brother marries Li Yanran, it can stabilize Li Si and allow his forces to continue to serve Qin. It can also balance the various forces in the court."
However, Li Si's intentions are unpredictable. A marriage alliance might allow his family's power to expand again, creating unforeseen circumstances. His elder brother is fighting valiantly in the Baiyue region, expanding Qin's territory; a marriage alliance at this time might distract him. It would be better to observe Li Si's subsequent actions before making a decision.
The King of Qin stroked his beard, nodded slightly, and said, "What you say makes sense. I have witnessed Fusu's achievements in Baiyue; he is my good son. I will consider this matter further."
Go back now, and if you have any new ideas, come and tell me again.”
After bowing again, Ying Wuyou left Zhangtai Palace. She knew that the final decision on this marriage still rested with her father, but her words might give him more reason to consider it.
Back at Chaohua Palace, Ying Wuyou gazed out the window, silently praying that her brother would have a smooth journey in Baiyue and that the turmoil in the court would soon subside.
Meanwhile, Li Si anxiously awaited news in his residence. After being demoted to a minor official, he outwardly spent his days buried in documents in his study, but inwardly he was far from at peace. He knew that this marriage alliance was a crucial step for him to salvage the situation; if it succeeded, what did his demotion matter?
The night in Xianyang Palace was quiet and deep, with only a few palace lanterns casting a faint glow, swaying uncertainly in the wind. King Ying Zheng of Qin had been troubled by Fusu's marriage for many days. This seemingly simple marriage involved various forces in the Qin court, like a tangled ball of threads, making it difficult for him to make a decision.