Tang Dynasty Xie Lu Lang

Chapter 436 Would Liu Lang be willing to be my son-in-law?
Although Consort Wu Hui did not have the title of Empress, she had the power of one, having managed the six palaces in her place for several years since Empress Wang was deposed. Now that a concubine had passed away, she naturally had to make a statement.

While Prince Zhong and Princess Ningqin were still mourning in their inner chambers, the other men and women in the house had to come out to greet them. They all crowded around the front gate of the residence, completely blocking it.

Consort Hui and her entourage's carriages remained on the street for quite some time until the Imperial Guards stepped forward to maintain order and barely cleared a path before the carriages were able to enter the royal residence.

Consort Hui did not go directly into the hall where the funeral was held, but instead went to the large tent outside the hall. When Prince Zhong and his sister came in to mourn and pay their respects, she gently comforted them and told them that if they needed anything, they should just tell her. She also told them that they must make sure the funeral was grand and glorious so that Consort Yang could enjoy the full glory of her grief.

Next, the ladies of the court entered to pay their respects, and after a while the noise subsided, Zhang Dai was finally able to enter and pay his respects.

When Consort Wu Hui saw Zhang Dai enter, she was taken aback for a moment before smiling and saying, "I was wondering why Sixth Brother was here. I almost forgot that we are related by marriage. The families here are all true aristocratic and prominent. Have you made any like-minded young friends here?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dai replied, "Only today do I realize the true grandeur of aristocratic families. Many people from my family came to help with the funeral, but they were all overshadowed by a few noble families."

"Although Zhang Yan Gong is also a man of high status and a prominent figure of his time, compared to these illustrious families and scholars, he ultimately lacks the accumulated wealth and influence. Fortunately, you young disciples are full of vigor and continue to strive with determination. After several generations, you will be no less than others!"

Upon hearing Zhang Dai's remarks, Consort Wu smiled and said, "Sixth Brother, I'm planning to find a family in Guanzhong to arrange a marriage for your cousin and brother. What do you think of the Wei and Yang families here? They have many families that have been related by marriage for generations. Wouldn't it be even better if they could strengthen their ties and support each other?"

"My younger cousins, aren't they still quite young?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dai couldn't help but feel that Consort Wu Hui was being a bit too hasty. Because her children had died one after another, Consort Wu Hui's children were all still quite young, not even ten years old.

Seeing that he seemed indifferent, Consort Wu immediately shook her head and said, "It's not early. It takes several years for any family to raise and raise their children. They can't be rushed into adulthood. If you see other families with good children, they might not wait for you if you don't settle down first! Besides, each family has many relatives. If the children are of good quality, there will be no shortage of visitors. Only by settling down early can you wait with peace of mind for them to come of age."

Historically, Consort Wu Hui had two sons and two daughters who grew up and married. Princess Xianyi married Yang Hui, the son of Duke Yang Shenjiao; Prince Shou married the famous Consort Yang; Prince Sheng married a woman from his maternal clan, the Wu family; and Princess Taihua married Yang Qi, Consort Yang's cousin.

This also shows that Consort Wu Hui genuinely favored marriage alliances with prominent families in Guanzhong, such as the Yang family of Hongnong. At least, the marriages of Prince Shou and Princess Xianyi were arranged during her lifetime. Furthermore, her mother was also from the Yang family of Hongnong. This admiration for prominent families in Guanzhong could almost be considered prenatal education!

However, these marriages were all, well, complicated. The only one that was relatively normal was the marriage of Prince Sheng. As for the three from the Yang family, they were all complete disasters.

Yang Hui is a direct descendant of the Guanwang branch of the Hongnong Yang clan. Zhang Dai had just glanced at this young man a few times outside. Among the Hongnong Yang clan members, he holds a position of great importance and is the center of attention. His mother is Princess Changning, the legitimate daughter of Emperor Zhongzong. Although Emperor Zhongzong's family has fallen into ruin, Princess Changning's title and fiefdom have been preserved.

As a direct descendant of the Hongnong Yang clan and the son of a princess, Yang Hui was among the most outstanding among the Celestial Dragons. It was only natural that he was appreciated by Consort Wu Hui and married to her.

However, high social status does not equate to high moral character. Yang Hui was a typical greedy, lewd, and brainless scoundrel. After becoming the imperial son-in-law, he began to assist his mother-in-law in causing trouble, tirelessly orchestrating the "Three Commoners Case."

If we say that Consort Wu Hui was the mastermind behind this incident, and Yang Hui was at most an accomplice, then his later collusion with Prince Li Zhen of Siqi to rebel shows that he was a born stupid and wicked bastard who couldn't bear to live a normal life.

As for Prince Shou's marriage, needless to say. If Consort Wu Hui were alive today, she would probably be furious enough to come back to life if she knew how things unfolded!
Therefore, when Zhang Dai heard that his aunt was expressing a strong desire to form a marriage alliance with the Yang family of Hongnong and to rekindle the friendship between Li, Wu, Wei and Yang, he secretly felt that something was wrong.

Over the years, Zhang Dai had received much care from this aunt. Even if it was initially just a utilitarian attempt to curry favor, he had now developed a deep affection for her and did not want to see Consort Wu Hui repeat the same tragic mistakes.

After Empress Wang was deposed, Consort Wu Hui began her quest for the empress's position, making numerous attempts along the way. However, it wasn't until more than a decade later, when her daughter married and she had Yang Hui as her son-in-law, that her methods became more radical, directly leading to the "Three Commoners Case."

After the three commoners were killed, Consort Wu Hui also perished, leaving behind a cruel yet laughable image in history. But what are the chances that a vicious and ruthless villain, who disregards human life, will succumb to the pangs of conscience after committing heinous crimes?

So the truth is, Consort Wu Hui was not ruthless, but stupid. She had none of the awareness and ability of Empress Wu Zetian to kill countless people for power.

So in this final stage of her life, because of her obsession, she was completely reduced to a tool. Her husband, son-in-law, and others all used this tool to achieve their own ulterior motives.

Emotionally, Zhang Dai didn't want to see Consort Wu Hui end up in such a state. From his own perspective, he also didn't want Consort Wu Hui to become too close to the Yang family of Hongnong.

At present, Consort Wu Hui has a great fondness for and dependence on him, and even consults him on her children's marriages. This is certainly because he is likable, but it is also because Consort Wu Hui has very few helpers to rely on.

But once she marries into the Yang family of Hongnong, all the sycophants in the outer courtyard will chime in with their opinions, and Consort Wu Hui's dependence on her will inevitably decrease. At that time, even if Zhang Dai wants to stop it, he will probably be able to watch helplessly as his aunt happily heads down that old path because of these people's slander and sabotage.

Therefore, the best approach is to prevent problems before they occur and nip such a possibility in the bud.

"Please dismiss the people around you for now, Aunt. I have a few things to tell you."

After thinking for a moment, Zhang Dai spoke to Consort Wu Hui.

This request was certainly somewhat presumptuous, but Consort Wu Hui knew Zhang Dai well and knew that he wouldn't act this way without a reason. So she first waved her hand to signal her attendants to guard outside the tent, and then said to Zhang Dai with a soft smile, "What do you want to say, my child, that you have to be so wary of me?"

"I would like to ask my aunt, do you wish for your children to be betrothed to these prestigious and old families, or do you wish to attain a higher position yourself?"

Once there were only two people in the tent, Zhang Dai immediately looked at Consort Wu Hui and asked her a question.

Consort Wu Hui was taken aback by Zhang Dai's blunt question and was momentarily flustered. She first glanced around instinctively before turning back to glare at Zhang Dai and scolding him, "You child, you are truly reckless! How could you... What's wrong with this? I wish to establish a connection between the Empress and my children with prestigious families. What's wrong with that? These families are related to me, so naturally they will support me!"

"Aunt, you are mistaken! Please look at this family of nobles. Apart from their bloodline, who among them has anything to boast about? They are all still clinging to the bones in their graves to eat. What ambition or energy do they have to benefit the people and the country?"

Zhang Dai immediately retorted without hesitation, "Moreover, these people have already risen to high positions and become ministers simply because of their backgrounds. If you, my aunt, wish to be close to them and please them, and even if you were to abandon one of your children to recruit them as henchmen, I'm afraid that would not be possible."

"That's too harsh. Their ancestors were all outstanding, which is why they have accumulated wealth and prosperity for generations to come, benefiting their descendants. Even if they haven't yet achieved great things or made a name for themselves, it's just that their time hasn't come yet. But their family traditions are still admirable, and their upbringing is impeccable. Sixth Brother, you may resent your background and envy those in the elite. Such scheming is very inappropriate. It will only make you narrow-minded and isolated, gradually isolating yourself from others!"

Upon hearing Zhang Dai's words, Consort Wu frowned and said unhappily, "Besides, these people are all relatives. What I want is only for matters within my own family. I don't need them to have any great talents or ambitions, or to be my lackeys and henchmen. As long as they speak up for me at crucial moments, this kinship is enough to move people!"

Zhang Dai knew that Consort Wu Hui's views were deeply ingrained and difficult to dispel with just a few words, so he had to take drastic measures.

So he continued, "If what my aunt says is true, then the one currently in the brothel should not be the Crown Prince, but the Prince of Zhong! The Prince of Zhong's family and wives are all from prominent clans, and the entire court is filled with them. His influence is immense, and none of the princes can compare to him."

"This... Prince Zhong... Prince Zhong only regrets that it is not long-lasting. If so, how could the Crown Prince take it away?"

Upon hearing this, Consort Wu Hui immediately spoke again.

"Can't even my aunt do it? If the Crown Prince doesn't take the throne, and the Prince of Zhong succeeds him in order of seniority, what will my aunt do to change that?"

As Zhang Dai finished speaking, he noticed that Consort Wu Hui's expression had changed drastically. He immediately pressed on, saying, "The disciples here are like fine jade in a bountiful year; polishing and refining them can soothe my mind and cultivate my character. But what my aunt needs now is grain in a famine year; storing and eating it can strengthen my body and fulfill my long-cherished wish! Empress Wu Zetian didn't just rely on her maternal family to secure her funeral arrangements!"

"Be careful what you say! How could I dare to speak to Empress Dowager Wutian..."

Upon hearing this, Consort Wu Hui's expression changed drastically once again.

“The sage is wise and powerful, and all human affairs are under his control. The year of establishing an heir is already clear. So-called famous families and old relatives should not interfere with the order of things. If my aunt is close to him now, I'm afraid she will suffer the consequences before she benefits. So-called famous families are grand but impractical, they like to take advantage of others to enrich themselves, and they are hard to rely on to accomplish anything.”

Zhang Dai thoroughly analyzed the pros and cons, then fell silent and stood aside, watching Consort Wu Hui's constantly changing expression as she frowned in deep thought. He believed that as long as Consort Wu Hui still possessed a basic ability to judge pros and cons, she would be able to think through his words clearly.

"Sixth Brother, you're right, what you said makes sense. I was indeed short-sighted..."

After a long while, Consort Wu Hui finally spoke, but she quickly raised her head and stared straight at Zhang Dai, saying, "Sixth Brother, how about you become my son-in-law? Why don't you marry your cousin?"

(End of this chapter)