Tang Dynasty Xie Lu Lang

Chapter 437 Qi Da Fei Ou
What?
Zhang Dai wondered if he had misheard. His eyes widened instantly as he looked at Consort Wu Hui in disbelief.

After blurting out her words, Consort Wu Hui's thoughts raced, and she said, "Sixth Brother, you're right. These prestigious families each have their own strengths, and it's hard to expect them to succeed! Even the Emperor couldn't do it back then, and their names aren't even on the Tang Dynasty's merit list! Even if I befriend them with my children, they'll only think I admire their status and are trying to climb the social ladder; they won't genuinely help me. Since that's the case, why should I bother with them?"

"Sixth Brother, you are not like that. You have grown up before my eyes in recent years. I know your nature of valuing kindness and righteousness, and I have seen your reputation rise and be praised by everyone. I also know that you are sincerely working for me! Your mother is my sister. Marrying your daughter to you will make your nephew your son-in-law. It is a double blessing..."

Consort Wu Hui became more and more excited as she spoke, to the point that the way she looked at Zhang Dai changed noticeably, becoming more affectionate and fond of him.

"This……"

Zhang Dai never expected that his attempt to persuade his aunt not to repeat her old mistakes would lead him to get involved, and judging from Consort Wu Hui's demeanor, she seemed determined to make the decision and leave no room for doubt.

Zhang Dai was absolutely unwilling to do so. Not to mention that he and the Princess of Yunyang had a pre-existing affair, even without this incident, after seeing the various changes in Zhang Ji's family affairs after he became the imperial son-in-law, he would certainly not want to bring such a living ancestor into his home.

Moreover, as the daughter of the Emperor and Consort Wu Hui, Princess Xianyi would certainly receive more treatment and have more servants after marriage than Princess Ningqin. She would be a brighter searchlight, enough to expose every detail of Zhang Dai's personnel arrangements, which would be truly fatal!

Although he absolutely could not agree to this, he could not directly refuse either. He had to give Consort Wu enough emotional value in order to avoid making her feel resentful.

He pondered for a moment, then bowed deeply before Consort Wu Hui, his voice choked with emotion, and said, "I never expected my aunt to be so kind to me. Such kindness is beyond my ability to protect myself! However, my reason for offering this advice is absolutely not to curry favor or for my own selfish desires..."

“Foolish child, how could I not know your heart? The reason I have this thought is not because of your advice. I have had similar thoughts for a long time, but they were obscured by some worldly desires and were not clear enough. Now that you have explained it clearly, I am more determined in my heart.”

Consort Wu Hui felt quite gratified to see Zhang Dai so moved that he wept and bowed before the banquet.

If she were to actually marry her daughter to those Yang family members from Hongnong, they might not be so excited and grateful. Apart from their family background, those people are far inferior to her nephew in every way!

Therefore, Consort Wu Hui felt more and more that she had made the right decision. If she missed such a son-in-law who was understanding, intelligent, elegant and handsome, where else could she find him?

"I am deeply grateful for my aunt's kindness and will never forget it! However, the more I feel this way, the less I dare to accept such a favor!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dai hurriedly bowed to the ground again, his tone becoming even more excited and sincere: "My cousin is a noble princess, a woman of great wealth and status. I am merely a son of a concubine in my family, fortunate enough to be appreciated by my elders. How dare I take advantage of this favor and harbor any disrespectful thoughts?"
Besides, my uncle has already received the honor of marrying the princess; how can an uncle and nephew both receive the same honor? There are many loyal and righteous ministers and families throughout the land; I dare not presume to ask for further favor. To demand favor is to go too far!

Since we met, my aunt has shown me so much kindness. Even without such deep affection, her past kindness is enough for me to serve her with utmost loyalty! My aunt's long-cherished wish is far beyond what I alone can fulfill. Therefore, it is even more appropriate to carefully select a suitable match for my cousin and to choose a good marriage for my aunt!

“My child, you truly have a pure heart, always thinking of others, which is truly touching! With such gratitude and righteousness, if I were to miss this opportunity, wouldn't the world laugh at me for not recognizing people? As for other matters, you don't need to worry about them. I'm looking for a good match for my daughter, and whoever dares to stop me will not be forgiven!”

When Consort Wu heard that Zhang Dai could still restrain himself and wholeheartedly consider her needs despite having such readily available wealth and honor, she was naturally even more moved, and her tone became even more resolute.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dai felt as if he were about to cry, and sweat poured down his forehead. Although he was shrewd and eloquent, he was powerless in the face of Consort Wu Hui's sincerity.

"My aunt's kindness makes me feel utterly ashamed! If next year, my meager abilities prevent my aunt from fulfilling her wish, I would die a hundred times to atone for it. How could I possibly face my beloved aunt then?"

Zhang Dai could only continue, steeling himself, to explain the pros and cons: "My aunt's kindness is so profound that even though my cousins ​​and I are not born of the same mother, I consider them like siblings and hope they can enjoy all the good things in life! But they are still young. Once my aunt truly assumes the position of Empress in the coming years, all the previously agreed-upon matters will need to be changed. If I were to shamelessly seek favor now, I fear I would be condemned by everyone next year..."

Upon hearing this, Consort Wu Hui's expression shifted slightly. She naturally longed to become a true empress as soon as possible. Moreover, as Zhang Dai had said, once she became empress, her children would be legitimate, and she would naturally have higher standards for choosing spouses. At that time, Zhang Dai's background would indeed be somewhat awkward.

After all, her children were not yet ten years old, and marriage should be discussed at least several more years later. During those years, anything could happen. If the engagement were settled now, there would be many inconveniences next year, whether to continue the engagement or simply break it off. Thinking of this, Consort Wu Hui no longer insisted on finalizing the matter immediately. Instead, she looked at Zhang Dai and sighed, "Your son has truly considered everything so thoroughly and reliably, which is very helpful and leaves no room for criticism. If we no longer consider these families in Guanzhong as a good match, then there is indeed no need to make a decision so soon."

But as your poem says, "Having seen the ocean, other waters seem insignificant." Seeing my nephew's outstanding talent and handsome appearance, what other young man could possibly catch my eye? If even if they exert themselves to the utmost, they still cannot match my sixth son, then why should my daughters be matched with such mediocre men?

Upon hearing this, Zhang Dai's forehead beaded with even finer sweat. He sighed inwardly, wondering why his aunt, having also heard the line "Once you've seen the ocean, other waters are nothing," didn't even bother to find out who it was sung for. After all, Prince Shou was present that day!

He had originally thought that even if there were any obstacles or unforeseen circumstances in his marriage to the Princess of Yunyang, with his aunt backing him up, there wouldn't be much trouble. However, he never expected that his aunt would become the biggest variable in this matter.

He skillfully declined this marriage proposal, but if he then turned around and started discussing marriage with Princess Yunyang, Consort Wu Hui would surely understand his true feelings, and it would be hard to say how she would react.

Thinking of this, Zhang Dai couldn't help but feel a headache coming on. It seemed he couldn't rely on his precognitive abilities to act recklessly. Even if he changed the original trajectory of events, the subsequent development might not necessarily be for the better.

Now that his aunt has set her sights on him, it's best for him to keep his relationship with the Princess of Yunyang quiet for a while, and then subtly reveal and explain it to Consort Wu Hui at a suitable time, in order to avoid her getting angry and throwing a tantrum.

However, things weren't entirely without gains. The fact that Consort Wu Hui no longer insisted on a marriage alliance with the Yang family of Hongnong was a very positive development.

The aunt and nephew had been talking privately in the tent for a long time when a new mourner came to see them outside. Zhang Dai took the opportunity to leave, and Consort Wu Hui whispered to him not to reveal their conversation.

Zhang Dai naturally knew the gravity of the situation and kept his mouth shut. He was actually a little worried that his aunt might one day confide in the emperor.

However, even if he said it, it wasn't a big deal. Apart from his statement that the Crown Prince might be impotent and his advice to Consort Wu Hui based on the deeds of Empress Wu Zetian, there was nothing prohibited in today's conversation.

It was nothing more than a warning to Consort Wu Hui against deliberately associating with those powerful but ultimately insignificant clans of Guanzhong, and an expression of his own inferiority and disdain for her proposal of a marriage alliance. Even if these words reached the emperor's ears, they wouldn't cause any particularly negative associations.

Just as Zhang Dai left the main tent, he saw a woman in fine clothes approaching him, surrounded by dozens of maids. This woman was Princess Changning, the daughter of Emperor Zhongzong.

Princess Changning's husband, Duke Yang Shenjiao, was a cousin of Consort Yang, but Princess Changning currently had no relation to Consort Yang. This was because after Yang Shenjiao passed away in the twelfth year of the Kaiyuan era, Princess Changning remarried Su Xing of the Wugong Su clan a few years later.

Princess Changning's visit to Prince Zhong's residence was clearly not for mourning. She didn't even go into the mourning hall, but instead led her son Yang Hui straight in to pay respects to Consort Wu Hui.

Upon seeing this scene, Zhang Dai's heart stirred slightly. It seemed that his aunt's idea was not something she had just come up with; she must have consulted others beforehand, which was why Princess Changning was so moved by the smell of blood.

"Why have you been gone for so long? Today, many prominent families from Guanzhong have come to offer condolences. If you can get to know them and become acquainted with them, it will benefit you greatly. Please do not be impolite!"

Seeing that Zhang Dai had been gone for quite a while before returning, Zhang Ji immediately waved to him repeatedly. After Zhang Dai approached, Zhang Ji solemnly gave him some instructions.

Zhang Dai ignored his words and glanced around the courtyard. He noticed that there were many more guests than before he entered the tent, showing that the Prince of Zhong's relatives were indeed numerous and powerful, making the scene much grander than that of the Crown Prince.

He had just withdrawn his gaze when he saw Princess Changning and her son, who had just entered the tent, quickly leave. Princess Changning looked somewhat embarrassed and displeased, while her son, Yang Hui, followed behind dejectedly.

Seeing this, Zhang Dai couldn't help but smile. Indeed, the difference between good and bad circumstances is always apparent in comparison. Clearly, his aunt had taken his words to heart, hence her cold shoulder to the mother and son. Seeing them met with a rebuff, Zhang Dai's mood improved considerably.

(End of this chapter)