Li Yuan's reaction was within his expectations.
"I'm only the adopted son of my father. I'm not related to Sister Xiu Ning by blood. Why can't I marry her?" Li Xuanlie asked calmly.”
"Although the two of you are not blood-related, you are the adopted son of my Li family's genealogy. The two of you are legitimate siblings!”
"As long as you're siblings, regardless of whether you're related by blood or not, if you get married, it's against the rules!”
Li Yuan's tone became serious and even a little angry.
Li Xuanlie, on the other hand, didn't think much of it." The so-called ethics are only set by people. Today, your son will break this unreasonable ethics and marry Sister Xiu Ning."”
Li Yuan frowned deeply and questioned,""Xuan Lie, you've violated ethics and will be criticized by the people of the world.”
Li Xuanlie smiled.
A scornful sneer appeared in his blade-like eyes.
"Imperial Father has watched your son grow up. When have you ever seen your son care about the discussions of others?”
"Your son doesn't care what the world thinks. Your son only wants to marry Sister Xiu Ning!”
Li Xuanlie's words were domineering and arrogant, as if he would go to the top even if there were millions of people.
"Xuan Lie, you…"
Li Yuan was speechless. He had a lot of objections, but he couldn't say anything.
It couldn't be helped. After all, his son was born different.
Back then, the entire clan was against rebelling against the Sui Dynasty, but he was the only one who resisted all opposition and insisted on rebelling.
After conquering Chang 'an, no one agreed to divide their forces to attack Rome. Only he resisted the public opinion and insisted on leading 70,000 troops to the west alone.
Ever since he was young, his son had always been a maverick and had never listened to anyone's advice.
But every time, the results proved that his choice was correct.
Now that Li Xuanlie was so determined to marry his sister, Li Yuan knew that he couldn't persuade him no matter what.
"Xiu Ning, don't tell me that you're going to ignore ethics, ignore the discussions of the world, and insist on marrying him?”
Li Yuan could only turn his gaze to his daughter, hoping to persuade her to change her mind.
Her father's attitude made Li Xiu Ning feel a little guilty and slightly shaken.
At this moment, she felt Li Xuanlie hold her hand even tighter.
She looked back and saw a pair of determined eyes.
That gaze instantly made her feel as if she was fearless and at ease even if the sky collapsed.
Li Xiu Ning took a deep breath and said seriously,""In this life, your son will not marry anyone other than San Lang.”
Li Yuan sat down weakly.
He could only shake his head and sigh as he looked at his two children's determined attitudes. His emotions became complicated.
Li Yuan was also an experienced person. He could naturally see that the two of them were indeed deeply in love.
This affection made him recall all the things that happened between him and his late wife.
If Li Xuanlie wasn't his adopted son, even if he was just a lowly farmer, he would definitely agree to this marriage.
But Li Xuanlie was his son.
Li Xuanlie could be independent, ignore ethics, and ignore the discussions of the world, but he couldn't do it.
"This matter came too suddenly, and it's hard for me to accept it at the moment. Give me some time to think about it.”
Li Yuan couldn't reject it, so he could only use this as an excuse to delay for a while.
"Imperial Father…"
However, Li Xuanlie didn't want to delay and wanted to invite more.
Li Xiu Ning couldn't bear to push Li Yuan too hard and quickly said,""San Lang, this matter is indeed a little sudden. Let Imperial Father think about it more. Besides, you have just returned to the capital.”
"Since that's the case, I'll wait for Imperial Father's approval.”
Li Xuanlie was filial and didn't want to force Li Yuan too much.
The reunion of father and son ended unhappily.
As soon as Li Xuanlie and Li Xiu Ning left, Li Yuan immediately ordered Pei Ji to be summoned into the palace.
Li Yuan told this matter to his trusted aide.
"This old subject had already noticed that the relationship between Her Highness Ping Yang and King Reliance wasn't as simple as that of siblings. I didn't think that this old subject's worries would come true.”
Pei Ji sighed, as if he had expected this.
"So you had already seen through the clues. Why didn't you warn me earlier?”
Li Yuan rolled his eyes and complained.
"King Reliance and Princess Pingyang are of high status. Without solid evidence, I would not dare to make such a claim." Pei Ji smiled bitterly.”
Understanding Pei Ji's difficulties, Li Yuan could only shake his head and sigh.
"Then, does Your Majesty intend to agree to the marriage?”Pei Ji asked carefully.
Li Yuan glared." How can I agree to something that goes against ethics and brings shame to the Li Imperial Family? Those two juniors are muddle-headed, so how can I be muddle-headed?"”
"Yes, yes, yes. Your Majesty is wise.”
Pei Ji agreed, but then said," But King Reliance has never listened to anyone's advice. His Majesty still needs to rely on him to take charge of the situation. If he comes into conflict with King Reliance because of this, it will be detrimental to the overall situation."”
Li Yuan sighed." I have the same concerns. That's why I summoned you here. I want you to help me make a decision."”
Pei Ji scratched his forehead as he tried to recall.
After a while, Pei Ji's eyes lit up.
"King Reliance didn't have many women around him since he was young. It's only after spending a long time with Her Highness Ping Yang that he developed feelings for her.”
"This old subject believes that Your Majesty should bestow a young woman to King Reliance as a concubine. He is a young man full of vigor and has seen what gentleness is. Perhaps he will suddenly realize that the woman he truly likes is not Her Highness Ping Yang.”
Pei Ji was an experienced person after all and understood the young man's temperament clearly.
Li Yuan nodded." You're talking about a honey trap. That's a good idea. Which family's daughter do you think is worthy of serving Xuan Lie?"”
Pei Ji thought for a while and cupped his hands." This old minister thinks that the daughter of the Zhangsun Clan, Zhangsun Wugou, is the most suitable."”
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