The Great Tang Dynasty's Trans-Dimensional Conference: Little Rhinoceros Arrives

"How could this happen? Poor Sizi, and Chang Le, you've suffered so much! You kept such a big thing to yourself, how can your mother possibly talk to you like this!"

As Chang Le slowly recounted the events, Empress Zhangsun learned the whole story. Whether it was the early death of Si Zi or the early passing of Chang Le, both events weighed heavily on her mind.

On the contrary, Empress Zhangsun was not so concerned about matters concerning herself.

"Mother, please don't be anxious. Although these are things to be recorded in the future, since Heaven has allowed us to know them in advance, there must still be room for change!"

Chang Le quickly offered words of comfort, worried that Empress Zhangsun's emotional fluctuations might affect her health.

Empress Zhangsun, with a look of pity, reached out and gently stroked Chang Le's cheek:

"It's alright. Your mother has been with your father for so many years now. Your brothers have grown up, and you are a young lady now. The only one I can't let go of is Sizi!"

She paused here, then spoke again: "Do you know the reason for your relationship with Si Zi...?"

"Brother Lin Fan said that Si Zi is likely suffering from some kind of disease. Although the Tang Dynasty cannot cure it, it is not a big problem over there."

Empress Zhangsun nodded, her eyes lowered: "Your father said before that Xiao Sizi might meet a benefactor, and I didn't quite believe it, but now it seems to be true. And what about you, Chang Le?"

Besides Xiao Si Zi, Chang Le also died young, which Empress Zhangsun found hard to understand. One case was easy to explain, but if it happened to both, she began to wonder if there was something wrong with her own bloodline.

When asked about herself, Chang Le pondered for a moment: "Mother, have you made a decision regarding my marriage?"

Empress Zhangsun was also surprised that Chang Le would suddenly ask this question, and asked with some doubt, "Could this be related to your marriage?"

She knew that this marriage alliance with the Changsun family was proposed by Li Shimin himself, and that as the head of the harem, the matter would ultimately be handled by Empress Changsun.

It was clearly unusual for Chang Le to ask this question at this critical juncture.

"Hmm." Chang Le nodded gently upon hearing this, looking as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.

Seeing Chang Le nod clearly, Empress Zhangsun was also startled. The Zhangsun family was her maternal family. Could it be that something unexpected happened to Chang Le after she married into the family?

Chang Le, of course, had no idea what Empress Zhangsun was thinking. Seeing that she did not speak, she spoke again:

"Mother, if I say that I don't want this marriage, will you and Father be angry?" After saying that, Chang Le cautiously looked up.

Empress Zhangsun smiled gently: "Silly child, of course your mother won't be angry, but your father definitely needs a reasonable explanation. But if that's the case, could it be... you really are upset because of this marriage...?"

At this point, a hint of coldness flashed in Empress Zhangsun's eyes. In fact, when Li Shimin discussed this matter with her privately before, she was also very happy that this matter could be accomplished.

After all, the two families were now even closer than family, and the couple had watched Changsun Chong grow up, and they were very satisfied with his character and conduct.

But Chang Le's words today made her hesitate. No matter what, she couldn't possibly push her daughter to the brink of death!

"That's part of the reason, but not entirely."

Chang Le nodded and then shook her head, which left Empress Zhangsun even more confused.

What is the meaning of Chang Le's words?

"Does Mother know about consanguineous marriage, also known as internal strife, and its dangers?" Chang Le was prepared to lay it all out today and give her mother a good lesson.

"Why marry close relatives? As for internal strife, Mother is well aware of it. Isn't this one of the ten evils?"

Empress Zhangsun was also a cultured person. Although she didn't understand the first half of the sentence, she could understand the second half. She just couldn't understand why Chang Le would ask this question today.

"Consanguineous marriage is the union of people who are related by blood from the same clan or lineage."

Hearing Chang Le's words, Empress Zhangsun nodded: "I know this, but what does it have to do with your marriage?"

Hearing Empress Zhangsun's words, it was clear that she had fallen into the same misconception as she had in the past. Chang Le shook her head:

"Mother, although Cousin Changsun and Father are not from the same clan, they are from the same lineage as you. In the past, when we counted bloodlines, we only counted the paternal line, but we forgot about the maternal line. So, strictly speaking, Cousin Changsun and I are also related by blood. Do you understand?"

Although Empress Chang Le spoke at length, her reasoning was quite clear. Empress Zhangsun remained silent for a while before finally understanding the key point.

"So, Chang Le, you mean that if you marry into the Changsun family, it would also be considered internal strife?"

"Yes."

Chang Le nodded quickly, then, fearing her mother wouldn't believe her, explained again:

"Mother should know that children born during internal strife are mostly born with congenital defects. If Chang Le really marries into that family, and her future children have problems, how will the world view our royal lineage? How will I face the world in the future?"

Empress Zhangsun was struck by Chang Le's words. Although it wasn't 100% certain, could she gamble on it? Did she dare to gamble? After all, it concerned her daughter's future.

Thinking of this, Empress Zhangsun took a deep breath: "This matter is of great importance. I will discuss it in detail with your father when I return. Chang Le, please rest assured and do not overthink things!"

Seeing her mother's attitude, Chang Le felt much more relaxed.

Although Empress Zhangsun knew that the marriage was unlikely to continue, she thought that even if they got married and had children, it shouldn't lead to Chang Le's early death. She then continued to ask:

"Besides this, are there any other reasons?"

Seeing her mother's concern, and considering they were both women, Chang Le didn't hide anything and had a brief chat with Empress Zhangsun about the health problems that early childbirth could cause.

As Chang Le recounted her story, Empress Zhangsun seemed to discover a new world, for she herself had married Li Shimin at a very young age, and now, at just over thirty, her health was already so frail.

Moreover, as the empress, she had people taking meticulous care of her daily life, and even that ruined her health. What would happen to the other ordinary people in the world?

After Chang Le finished speaking, Empress Zhangsun nodded and said, "How could your mother not know? Childbirth is like walking through the gates of hell for us women, but the continuation of the bloodline is of paramount importance!"

In ancient times, women generally regarded childbirth as their duty, and if they could not have children after marriage, they would inevitably be gossiped about behind their backs.

Even though she was the Empress of the Tang Dynasty, if she could not continue Li Shimin's bloodline, even if Li Shimin did not mind, some ministers in the court would keep an eye on this matter.

"I will tell you these two things truthfully, Father. As for the outcome, alas, it's not something we can decide!"