"Imperial Father, if you think that your son can betray Imperial Sister Xiuning by taking in Zhangsun Wugou, then your son can only say that Imperial Father has underestimated your son.”
Li Xuanlie exposed Li Yuan's intentions.
Having his son see through his scheme, Li Yuan's old face was embarrassed. He could only cough a few times to cover it up.
Then, he smiled and said," Xuan Lie, no matter what my intentions are, as a father and the ruler of a country, do I not have the right to bestow a concubine to my son?”
Li Xuanlie was speechless.
In this era, men were superior to women, and it was natural for men to have three wives and four concubines.
Not to mention the royal family, even the young masters of ordinary wealthy families would take in a few concubines to serve them before they officially married.
Moreover, Li Xuanlie was the King of Reliance, second only to the Great Tang.
For example, the King of Qin, Li Shimin, although he was only a few years older than him and had yet to become a concubine, he already had three concubines in Prince Qin's residence.
Li Xuanlie had made great contributions to the Great Tang, and he did not have any women to serve him. As the Imperial Father, Li Yuan was concerned about his son's private life and gave him a concubine. To put it bluntly, it was also a father's concern.
Logically speaking, Li Yuan's actions were understandable.
"Father's grace, this son is extremely grateful. However, Father, can you allow this son to marry sister Xiu Ning first, then take in Zhangsun Wugou?”
Li Xuanlie made a concession.
Since his old father was playing tricks on him, Li Xuanlie could only use some methods.
He would first marry Xiuning. As for whether he would accept the Zhangsun family, he would think of a way to reject them in the future.
"The matter between you and Xiu Ning is of great importance. I have to be careful and discuss it with your uncles.
As the leader of the kings, you are responsible for many things every day. You shoulder the responsibility of the Tang Empire. How can there not be a woman to take care of you in the mansion? It is reasonable to take in the Zhangsun family first.”
Li Yuan did not give in. It seemed that he was determined to marry a concubine for his son.
If it was a prince like Li Jiancheng, Li Yuan would have to nod his head no matter what.
Unfortunately, Li Xuanlie was no ordinary person.
No one could force him to do something he did not want to do.
Not even his father.
Taking a deep breath, Li Xuanlie said resolutely,"Even if Imperial Father has a thousand reasons, your son will still say the same thing. Imperial Father, please retract your order!”
Li Yuan's face darkened as his eyes lit up with dissatisfaction.
He cleared his throat and said unhappily," Xuan Lie, the ruler is not joking. I have already given my decree. If I take it back, where is my authority?!"”
In the end, Li Yuan did not hesitate to use the authority of the emperor to make him take a concubine.
Li Xuanlie's sharp eyebrows couldn't help but constrict.
He could understand Li Yuan's difficulties, and he could also understand Li Yuan's good intentions to protect his reputation.
If he was determined to insist and did not hesitate to defy the decree, with his current prestige, Li Yuan could only retract his order in the end.
If that was the case, how could Li Yuan, as a father, not feel sad?
Moreover, he had returned to the capital to suppress the conflict between the two kings, to protect Emperor Li Yuan's authority, and to ensure the stability of the Great Tang.
This would definitely weaken Li Yuan's authority.
All sorts of restrictions made Li Xuanlie extremely unhappy.
He hated this feeling.
Who cares, he just had to follow his heart!
Li Xuanlie made up his mind and cupped his hands, preparing to resist Li Yuan's decree.
"San Lang!"
At this moment, a clear and fierce female voice sounded behind him.
Li Xuanlie's body trembled slightly. He turned around and saw that Li Xiu Ning had also entered the hall.
Why was she here?
Could it be because of this matter of bestowing a concubine?
While Li Xuanlie was guessing in his heart, Li Xiu Ning had already come to his side and bowed to Li Yuan.
"Imperial Father, your son heard that Imperial Father gave Zhangsun Wugou to San Lang as a concubine. Is that true?”
Li Xiuning didn't beat around the bush and asked directly.
"Yes, I did issue this decree, Xiu Ning…"
Li Yuan was a little flustered. Clearly, he did not expect his daughter to rush over so quickly after hearing the news.
Looking at Li Xiuning's posture, she was most likely here to 'denounce' him and force him to retract his order.
His son and daughter joined hands to oppose him. As a father, he really couldn't handle it.
"San Lang has a heavy burden on his shoulders, and he can't be without someone to take care of his meals and daily life. This son will take Zhangsun Wugou in San Lang's stead.”
Just as Li Yuan was worried, Li Xiu Ning said something that surprised everyone.
Li Yuan was stunned and did not react in time. He thought he had heard wrong.
Li Xiu Ning actually agreed to this?
"Xiu Ning, are you fooling me? How can I accept that Zhangsun Wugou!”
Li Xuanlie was also very surprised and looked at Li Xiu Ning.
Li Xiu Ning looked at him and sighed softly,""San Lang, regarding the matter between you and me, I have already felt guilty towards my father. If I go against my father's will again, I will feel even more guilty.”
Li Xuanlie understood.
Li Xiu Ning was a soft-hearted woman after all. Although she was determined to grow old together with him and ignore the slander of the world, she still felt guilty towards her father, Li Yuan.
Persuading Li Xuanlie to take a concubine could be considered as her compensation for Li Yuan's guilt.
"But what about you?" Li Xuanlie's eyes flashed with reluctance.
Li Xiu Ning smiled faintly and said," I naturally know how important I am to you. That's enough."”
Li Xuanlie's heart thumped as he was moved.
As someone as iron-blooded as him, he only had one thought in his mind when he faced the woman in front of him.
What can a husband ask for when he has such a wife?
The hall fell silent, and Li Xuanlie remained silent for a long time.
The more magnanimous Li Xiu Ning was and the more she was willing to make sacrifices, the more he couldn't bear it.
Moreover, there was still Zhangsun Wugou. For no reason, he became a sacrifice.
He pondered for a long time.
"Since that's the case, your son only has one last request. Only if Zhangsun Wugou is willing will your son obey Imperial Father's orders!"”
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]