"Seated next to the Eldest Brother is Yizhou’s Li Ang."
In the side hall of Liangyi Hall, Fourth Prince Li Hui, peering through the light gauze curtains, watched Li Ang talking with the Crown Prince and chuckled. "Father, Mom, Mountain Master, they all hold him in high esteem. His background is impeccable, his learning profound, and his medical skill outstanding—he’s even cured Duke Yan’s febrile disease. As for his personality, according to public opinion, it’s not lacking either."
In Liangyi Hall, the children of the Li Imperial Family, also behind the light gauze curtains, scrutinized the scholars dining in the main hall. They passed around dossiers on the scholars, gathered from unknown sources, and discussed them quietly.
These days, even for the children of the Li Imperial Family, marriage was a primary concern. If their maternal family was powerful and financially strong, they could have some autonomy in marriage, and life after marriage would be relatively leisurely and comfortable. If their maternal family was feeble, unable to provide any support, and if they were not particularly favored by the Emperor, then they had to fend for themselves. They needed to find a suitable marriage partner on their own to avoid being rashly matched with a stranger. Such a fate could not only make life difficult but also render happiness in marriage uncertain.
A princess quietly asked, "But isn’t his surname also Li?"
"Hah, the old custom of not marrying someone with the same surname is long outdated!"
Fourth Prince Li Hui curled his lips. "The Academic Palace confirmed through animal experiments hundreds of years ago that the basis for not marrying within the same surname is that close kinship can lead to diseases in offspring. The Zhong Family of the garrison, who specialize in dog breeding, also have a significant say in this matter. The Lis of Yizhou... who knows how many thousands of years ago their branch of the family split from ours. Besides, our family doesn’t bother with that."
Given the open-mindedness of the Yu Dynasty, as long as they weren’t from the same direct lineage, no one cared about such matters as not marrying within the same surname.
The Fifth Prince said, "I’m actually more curious about something else. Wasn’t he judged by Master Xi Yangyu of the Academic Palace as incapable of Cultivation before? How did he manage to pass the final examination today and even return as the top scorer?"
"Well, it’s the Academic Palace; strange things happen there all the time. Just because he couldn’t cultivate yesterday doesn’t mean he can’t today. Besides, the Mountain Master hasn’t said anything about it," Li Hui casually replied, turning to look at his siblings in the side hall.
His sixth and seventh younger brothers, finding it dull, were sitting in a corner secretly drinking. His third and fourth older sisters, along with their younger sisters and female cousins, were diligently flipping through portraits and dossiers of the scholars, discussing them in whispers. His already married eldest and second sisters acted as their advisors. Meanwhile, his less favored ninth brother, Li Shan, was admiring the moon alone by the railing outside the hall...
As for his own full sister, Li Leqing...
Li Hui didn’t see Li Leqing. When he turned back, he realized she had, at some point, moved behind the gauze curtains and was also gazing into the main hall.
Li Hui followed Li Leqing’s gaze and was surprised to find her curiously staring at Li Ang’s back. "Leqing, do you know him?" he blurted out.
"Ah?" Li Leqing, startled, quickly blushed and waved her hands. "No, no, he’s... a friend of a friend."
"A friend of a friend?" Li Hui tilted his head, puzzled. Although he and Crown Prince Li Si, his full brother, had some covert friction—Li Si, as the legitimate eldest son, had been made Crown Prince, while the talented Fourth Prince Li Hui was more favored by the Emperor and permitted to stay in Chang’an to establish the Literature Pavilion and recruit scholars—both deeply cared for their full sister, Li Leqing, who had been frail and sickly since childhood.
When did Leqing even make friends outside the Imperial City? Li Hui’s thoughts raced. Outwardly, he didn’t press further, but he had already decided to have his people inquire after leaving the palace. If Li Leqing had feelings for Li Ang, he, as her brother, felt he had to lend a hand—even if it wasn’t about competing with the Crown Prince for talent.
While the children of the Imperial Family in the side hall discussed fervently, the banquet in the main hall was drawing to a close. Due to the very low alcohol content of the wine served at the banquet, everyone was only slightly tipsy; no one was truly drunk. The scholars had met the Emperor, the Empress, and the Mountain Master, their hearts swelling with patriotic fervor. The Imperial couple also bestowed their favor upon these future pillars of the Yu Country, captivating the attendees. Both hosts and guests thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
With the Chief Eunuch announcing the end of the banquet, Palace Attendants helped the scholars to their feet. They then escorted them out of the hall with windproof umbrellas. At the bottom of the stairs, hangover soup and carriages were prepared to take the scholars home.
The Crown Prince sure is talkative, Li Ang thought, shaking his head as he followed the crowd towards the exit. Who would have guessed the Crown Prince of Yu Country was such a chatterbox? Just as he was about to leave the hall, the Chief Eunuch softly called out, "Mr. Li, please wait."
"Oh?" Li Ang stopped and turned around. He saw the Chief Eunuch bowing slightly. "His Majesty has something to ask you, Mr. Li," the eunuch said.
"This..." Li Ang frowned slightly. He discreetly waved to Ji Linglang, Yong Hongzhong, and the others who had also paused, signaling that he was fine and they should go on ahead. Then, he asked the yellow-robed eunuch, "May I ask what this is about, Chief Eunuch?"
"That, this lowly one does not know." The yellow-robed eunuch maintained his respectful demeanor. "Mr. Li, if you please."
The yellow-robed eunuch turned and walked deeper into Liangyi Hall. Li Ang had no choice but to follow, his mind racing as he considered the possibilities. The Emperor and Empress hadn’t asked me much earlier in the hall, and the Mountain Master seemed to be dozing off the entire time. What could they want now? Duke Yan’s illness? That’s already cured. Surely that wouldn’t warrant another audience with the Emperor and Empress. Could it be an issue with my Academic Palace results? Unlikely. The banquet is over, and any problems would have been pointed out by now. Could it possibly be... the Emperor and Empress wanting to personally propose a marriage?! If that’s really it, the excuse of not marrying someone with the same surname hardly seems adequate...