Chapter 133: Discussing Marriage

"Open the gates!" With a loud shout from the gatekeeper, the two heavy doors of the Guizhou Confucian Temple emitted a creaking sound and slowly swung open. Under the fierce and predatory gazes of the Guizhou officials, clerks, soldiers, and bailiffs, hundreds of scholars from all corners of Guangnan West Circuit filed in an orderly fashion into the Confucian Temple, which was temporarily serving as the imperial examination tribute hall.

After casting a glance at the Guizhou Confucian Temple, which was situated in a location of exceptional geomantic fortune, Li Sanjian lowered his head and followed the other scholars into the examination hall for the Guizhou provincial examination.

Three years had passed, and the scenery remained the same while people had changed—everyone except Li Sanjian. Many of the scholars who had taken the Guizhou provincial examination alongside Li Sanjian back then had vanished from sight. Among the hundreds of students participating in the Song dynasty tribute examinations, Li Sanjian could barely spot a single familiar face.

The only familiar faces were Huang Huan, the chief examiner for this Guizhou provincial examination, and Zeng Gongming, who had been temporarily assigned to the examination hall.

Zeng Gongming cast a wink and made faces at Li Sanjian, but Li Sanjian pretended not to notice and hurried forward with his head down.

*This foolish brother,* Li Sanjian muttered to himself. *He has already become an official, yet he remains so undisguised. If anyone were to notice that my relationship with Zeng Gongming is anything out of the ordinary, wouldn't that spell great trouble?*

I wonder what the outcome of this tribute examination will be? Will I pass on my first attempt, or fail once again? Walking forward, Li Sanjian lost himself in his thoughts. Regarding his uncertain future and destiny, his mind was a blank void.

...

Residence of Zhao Tingzhi in Bianjing, Tokyo of the Song Dynasty

"Often I remember the sunset at the creek pavilion, intoxicated and forgetting the way back. When the joy was spent, we rowed back late, accidentally entering the depths of the lotus blossoms. Struggling to cross, struggling to cross, startling a shore full of gulls and herons." Zhao Tingzhi, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, recited a *ci* poem to the tune of *The Joy of a Dream*.

This *ci* poem, *The Joy of a Dream*, had been composed by Li Qingzhao, the daughter of Li Gefei, when she was sixteen years old. Li Sanjian had been present at the time.

As soon as *The Joy of a Dream* was released, it instantly won the admiration of everyone in Bianjing. People vied with one another to copy and circulate it, making it immensely popular for a time. Everyone praised Li Qingzhao without reservation, and her name resounded throughout Bianjing, causing the price of paper in Luoyang to skyrocket for a brief period.

However, this was merely something circulated by ordinary literati who would take out Li Qingzhao's poetry to appreciate in their leisure time. For high-ranking ministers of the imperial court like Zhao Tingzhi, it was nothing more than an occasional piece written by an ignorant child. No matter how stunning the poem might be, it could never truly capture their interest.

At this moment, Zhao Tingzhi suddenly recited Li Qingzhao's poem, leaving Li Gefei utterly bewildered, with no idea what he actually meant.

"Lord Zhao, this poem was composed by my humble daughter. What is the meaning of this?" Li Gefei asked, doubt lingering in his heart.

"Ha-ha," Zhao Tingzhi laughed upon hearing this. "This old man knows it was written by your beloved daughter. The verses composed by your daughter are lively and graceful, with fresh wording and profound meaning. She is truly a talented woman of our dynasty."

"You flatter her too much, Lord. They are merely the minor writings of a child, and they contain many flaws," Li Gefei replied with modest thanks.

"Wenshu need not be overly modest," Zhao Tingzhi said with another smile. "What are you afraid of? Are you afraid that this old man will devour her? Ha-ha, my youngest son, Mingcheng, is over nineteen and has reached the age for marriage. Furthermore, to my knowledge, your daughter is past eighteen and has likewise reached the marrying age. My son's scholarship is passable, and your daughter is bright, beautiful, and exceptionally talented—truly a match made in heaven. Therefore, this old man has brazenly come to ask for her hand in marriage for my son. I wonder what Wenshu thinks of this?"

Zhao Tingzhi finally revealed the true purpose behind inviting Li Gefei to the banquet. It turned out he was proposing marriage for his youngest son, wishing to bind himself and Li Gefei as relatives through marriage. This only served to plunge Li Gefei into even greater astonishment and doubt. He stared blankly at Zhao Tingzhi, remaining silent for a long time.

Li Qingzhao was Li Gefei's only flesh and blood. Naturally, Li Gefei hoped she could marry into a good family, attain lifelong happiness, and live a fulfilling life.

Zhao Tingzhi's lineage was a prominent and wealthy clan, rumored to share blood ties with the imperial family as a collateral branch of the imperial Zhao clan. It had to be said that a marriage between the two families would be an equal match in social standing. Marrying into the Zhao family would certainly not wrong her.

However, ever since Li Qingzhao's chance encounter with Li Sanjian at the Eighteen Shoals, her heart had found its belonging. Every single day she yearned for Li Sanjian, her entire soul tethered to him. How could Li Gefei possibly be unaware of this? Yet Li Sanjian was born of humble stock, lacking noble birth and official honors, and was even a person of mixed Han and tribal descent. This made Li Gefei feel exceptionally troubled. He knew that if Li Qingzhao were to marry Li Sanjian, it would bring extreme disgrace to the Li family and make them a laughingstock. Moreover, with Li Sanjian devoid of official rank, his days ahead would be fraught with immense hardship. Li Qingzhao had been raised in luxury and comfort since childhood; how could she possibly endure such a life?

Now that Zhao Tingzhi had abruptly raised the subject of marriage, Li Gefei felt all the more conflicted. Who could guess what his true intentions were? Li Gefei was well aware of the political situation in the imperial court. For Zhao Tingzhi to propose a marital alliance at this moment meant this was destined to be a purely "political marriage."

A so-called political marriage was one utilized as a means to achieve certain objectives through the form of matrimony.

Since Zhao Tingzhi was proposing this union now, his underlying purpose was self-evident—it was meant to advance his specific goals. As for whether the young couple felt mutual affection for one another, that was utterly insignificant.

In this world, very few marriages were founded upon mutual love; almost all unions carried hidden agendas.

"What? Are you unwilling? Could it be that my unworthy son is unworthy of your daughter?" Seeing Li Gefei's hesitant expression, Zhao Tingzhi's face suddenly darkened as he asked coldly.

His youngest son was young, handsome, and born of an illustrious family, while also possessing official rank and scholarly honors. Consequently, his future prospects were boundless. By now, Zhao Mingcheng had reached marriageable age, and the matchmakers stepping on his threshold were nearly wearing it down. Furthermore, Li Gefei was his subordinate official—someone of little consequence in official circles. For the two families to unite in marriage was already a case of the Li family marrying above their station. Yet when he proposed the union, Li Gefei actually hesitated? It was simply refusing a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeiture, being given face yet refusing to accept it. It was truly infuriating, Zhao Tingzhi thought to himself.

A surge of anger rose in Zhao Tingzhi's heart, and his face sank further.

"Your lordship's son is a youthful talent; how could this humble official dare to have any objections?" Seeing the change in Zhao Tingzhi's expression, Li Gefei quickly cupped his hands and said, "However, my daughter has been headstrong and stubborn in her temperament since childhood. Therefore, this humble official cannot make such a major decision alone. Please allow this humble official to return home to discuss the matter before giving Your Excellency the Vice-Grand Councilor our reply."

"In that case, this old man will await the good news," Zhao Tingzhi said, nodding.

Surely he couldn't tie the man up with ropes and force him to agree to this marriage, could he? Zhao Tingzhi thought to himself. Truly an old fox. Anyone else in his position, uniting through marriage with a superior official, would have rushed to accept without a second thought, thereby smoothing their official career path immensely. Yet Li Gefei remained completely unfazed and insisted on going home to discuss it?

When it came to the great matter of marriage, dictated by the commands of parents and the words of matchmakers, what on earth was there left to discuss at home?

...

"I am unwilling." With tears in her eyes, Li Qingzhao said to Li Gefei, "Father, this child is unwilling to marry into the Zhao family."

"Why are you unwilling?" Li Gefei asked, his face darkening.

"Father, you know why," Li Qingzhao said loudly to Li Gefei. "This child is waiting for him, waiting for him to come and propose... This child, in this life and lifetime, has already given her heart to another. I have long since made a covenant of three lifetimes with him."

If Li Qingzhao had never met Li Sanjian, marrying Zhao Mingcheng would indeed have been a match made in heaven and a fine choice. But heaven had allowed Li Qingzhao to encounter Li Sanjian, and Li Sanjian had come to know Li Qingzhao a step ahead of Zhao Mingcheng, with both of them harboring deep affection for one another. Such was the will of heaven—what could be done about it?

"Absurd!" Li Gefei rebuked in a low voice. "Secretly pledging one's life to another has actually happened within the Li family? It is sheer, blind absurdity."

Li Gefei then sighed and said to Li Qingzhao, "Qing'er, such matters cannot be taken seriously, nor do they count. Zhao Mingcheng is also a talented youth; marrying him cannot be considered a wrong done to you."

Li Sanjian was likewise a talented youth, and back at the Eighteen Shoals, Li Gefei had already discovered that Li Sanjian's insights were remarkably distinct and exceptionally original—so original that no one else in this world shared his perspective, offering a breath of fresh air.

However, that was the extent of it.

Apart from that, Li Sanjian's family background, social status, and lack of official credentials were simply incomparable to Zhao Mingcheng's; they were worlds apart.

Now that Zhao Tingzhi had proposed this marriage, although Li Gefei still harbored some misgivings in his heart, he was prepared to consent to the match.

His reasons were twofold. First, it was for Li Qingzhao's own benefit, to ensure she could live a life of stability and wealth in the future. A wife derives her status from her husband's success; with her husband's bright future, the wife naturally rises in prominence. Conversely, if the husband is impoverished and ruined, the wife shares in the suffering.

Li Sanjian was still young, and what lay ahead remained unpredictable. Whether his future would be one of brilliant success or utter destitution, no one could give a definitive answer.

Yet the current reality was that Zhang Dun held power in court, and Li Sanjian had already caught Zhang Dun's attention—which was tantamount to having offended Zhang Dun. Consequently, Li Sanjian's future path through the imperial examinations would be exceptionally difficult. And the imperial examinations could be said to be the sole outlet, the single pathway to officialdom, and the only opportunity for scholars from humble backgrounds. Once this path was blocked off, Li Sanjian would essentially have no hope left. How could Li Gefei bear to marry his precious daughter to such a man?

With Zhang Dun occupying the seat of Grand Councilor, it was impossible for Li Sanjian to pass the imperial examinations. Li Gefei had understood this clearly in his heart for a long time.

The second reason was for Li Gefei himself, and for the Li family clan.

Zhao Tingzhi's intentions were already clear. The political currents in the court were unpredictable. Although the followers of Yuanfeng were currently in power, times change, and who knew whose faction would govern next? Zhao Tingzhi was merely taking precautions for the future.

With the health of the reigning emperor growing progressively weaker by the day, no one could guess what the political landscape would look like hereafter.

The mountain rain is about to come, sweeping through the pavilion with a rising wind!

"Father, do not force me," Li Qingzhao wept. "If Mother were still alive, she would surely yield to this child's wishes and would never force me."

"Ah, Qing'er," Li Gefei sighed upon hearing this. "It would be one thing if you did not mention your deceased mother; if she were still alive, she would never bear to marry you off to Li Sanjian as a wife, nor would she let you marry him only to suffer."

"Father, how do you know I will suffer if I marry him?" Li Qingzhao stubbornly retorted. "He... he possesses genuine ability. He will certainly not let this child suffer."