diskusbooks Chapter 440 The Marriage of Prince Fusu 2
Chapter 440 The Marriage of Prince Fusu 2
The King of Qin returned to his seat, leaned back in his chair, and closed his eyes in deep thought. He understood that Li Si's move was far from a simple marriage; there must be a deeper scheme behind it. However, he couldn't deny that Li Si's words held some truth. Fusu was indeed of marriageable age, and if Li Si's daughter was truly as virtuous as he described, she would be a suitable candidate. Nevertheless, the King of Qin harbored lingering doubts about Li Si; he wasn't sure if he could trust his former capable assistant again.
After a long while, the King of Qin opened his eyes, looked at Li Si, and said, "This matter is of great importance, and I need time to consider it. You may go back now."
Li Si understood that the King of Qin had not completely rejected him, which meant there was still hope. After bowing in thanks, he slowly withdrew from the palace. As he stepped out of the palace gates, the sunlight shone on him, but he felt no warmth whatsoever. He knew that the success of his adventure was still uncertain, but he had no way out. For the future of the Li family and for his own political ambitions, he had to gamble everything.
Back at his residence, Li Si sat in his study, lost in thought. He knew that to finalize the marriage, the King of Qin's approval alone was not enough; he also needed Prince Fusu's consent. Therefore, he decided to first send someone to probe Fusu's attitude.
Meanwhile, inside the palace, the King of Qin was also discussing the matter with his trusted ministers. "My dear ministers, what are your thoughts on the marriage proposal put forward by Li Si?" The King of Qin's gaze swept over the crowd.
Feng Quji stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, although Li Si has been dismissed from his post, he has been in the court for many years and has deep roots. If his daughter marries into the royal family, it may affect the situation in the court."
Wei Zhuang then said, “Your Majesty, I believe that Prince Fusu’s marriage should indeed be carefully considered. If Li Si’s daughter is truly as virtuous as he claims, she may be able to help Prince Fusu. Moreover, with the old and new forces clashing in the court, a marriage alliance could perhaps ease some of the tensions.”
Listening to his ministers' discussions, the King of Qin felt even more conflicted. He worried that Li Si would use this opportunity to rise again, yet he also hoped to find a suitable partner for Fusu, and at the same time, he wanted to use this marriage to balance the political situation at court. For a moment, he was unable to make a decision.
After everyone left, the King of Qin pondered for a moment, then summoned a palace attendant and instructed, "Go and bring Jia Yang here."
Before long, Ying Wuyou rushed over, bowed to the King of Qin, and asked, "Father, what brings you here?"
Looking at his daughter, the King of Qin couldn't help but sigh at how quickly time had passed; she had blossomed into a beautiful young woman. He smiled and said, "Jiayang, today I discussed something with Li Si and would like to hear your opinion."
Ying Wuyou didn't know what important matter her father wanted to discuss with her. She respectfully said, "Father, please speak."
The King of Qin then told Ying Wuyou about Li Si's idea, which concerned the marriage of Prince Fusu. Ying Wuyou understood immediately; she naturally knew what the old fox Li Si was thinking.
Ying Wuyou didn't really have much of an opinion about who should marry Prince Fusu. After thinking for a moment, she said, "Father, this matter concerns my elder brother's lifelong happiness. Why don't we write to him and let him decide for himself?"
The King of Qin listened and felt that his daughter's words made sense. Fusu had grown up and could indeed make many decisions on his own. The King of Qin nodded and said, "Yes, you are right. Let's do as you say."
Seeing that her father had agreed to her suggestion, Ying Wuyou felt somewhat relieved. She chatted with the King of Qin for a while longer, then rose to take her leave and departed from Zhangtai Palace.
Upon returning to his room, Ying Wuyou immediately laid out paper and pen and wrote a letter to Fusu, conveying his father's wishes and inquiring about his opinion on the marriage. After finishing the letter, Ying Wuyou carefully placed it in an envelope and handed it to a eunuch, instructing him to deliver it to Fusu as soon as possible.
On the eaves of Xianyang Palace, bronze bells swayed gently in the wind, their clear sounds drifting through the palace walls. At that moment, an urgent letter was being sent by fast horse to Fusu, who was far away in Baiyue.
Inside the Ouyue camp, Fusu's fingers unconsciously tapped on the table, the cool touch spreading along his fingertips. Outside the window, the rain intensified, pattering against the banana leaves.
Fusu's appearance has changed drastically since last year. The youthful air of his youth has faded, replaced by a bronze-colored, resolute face. Years of warfare have given him an awe-inspiring presence, faintly reminiscent of the young King Ying Zheng of Qin. His posture is as upright as a pine tree, and even when seated, he exudes a sense of pressure.
"Young Master, a military report has arrived," the voice of Deputy General Tu Sui rang out from outside the door.
"Are the Wu and Yue tribes causing trouble again during the rainy season?" Fusu took the rain-soaked military report, his fingertips brushing over the raised patterns on the specially made mulberry paper—the mark used by spies planted in Wu and Yue.
Tu Sui unfastened his sword and placed it horizontally on the table. Water droplets condensed on the scabbard meandered through the sandalwood grain: "They robbed three carts of millet and killed two of our grain transport soldiers." He spoke casually, but Fusu noticed the new scar on his hand, which gleamed dark red in the candlelight.
Fusu suddenly recalled that last winter, he had personally escorted the grain supplies into the mountains, swearing a blood oath in a mixture of Qin and Baiyue dialects. The chapped lips, choked with sobs, could pierce the heart more piercingly than any sharp blade.
"Send orders to all departments." Fusu pushed open the window, and the damp south wind carrying the scent of green bamboo rushed in. "Tomorrow at 9:00 AM, open the granaries and distribute grain. Every household that submits to the village will receive two shi of millet." Rainwater slid down his chin and into his armor, leaving dark stains on his black robes.
Tu Sui's grip on his sword tightened abruptly: "Yes, Your Majesty."
Just then, a soldier rushed over. Before he could catch his breath, he shouted impatiently, "My lord, a letter has arrived from Xianyang!"
Upon hearing this, Fusu's heart tightened, and he quickly stood up and strode forward. He stretched out his hands and steadily accepted the letter from the soldier, as if the letter weighed a ton.
Fusu carefully unfolded the letter, and the familiar, delicate handwriting immediately caught his eye. His expression tightened. Ying Wuyou wrote to him almost every month, but this month Ying Wuyou had already sent one letter, and the arrival of this second letter made Fusu suspicious.
His brow furrowed slightly, a sense of unease rising within him. What had happened? Why the sudden letter? With this question in mind, he began to read it line by line.
The greeting started as usual, and seeing this, Fu Su's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, was slightly relieved. Fortunately, nothing bad had happened, otherwise Ying Wuyou would not have said these casual words.
Upon seeing these, Fusu's lips curled up slightly, revealing a barely perceptible smile. Over the past year, these letters had been like invisible threads, binding him and Ying Wuyou together.
In this remote Baiyue region, far from Xianyang, Fusu often felt lonely and isolated. However, whenever he received a letter from Ying Wuyou, a warm current would surge in his heart, as if her care and concern had traveled across mountains and rivers to reach him.