After Marrying a Vegetative Princess, I went crazy with joy! - Chapter 124
Chapter 124
Su Li gently supported Changle in the Princess Mansion as they wandered through the garden. It had been less than three months since the royal doctor’s estimated due date, and Changle’s belly grew daily. After a short stroll, they found themselves resting in a pavilion.
“Husband, do you think we are having a boy or a girl?” Changle asked softly, her hand caressing her belly as she wore a tender smile.
Su Li chuckled. “Boy or girl, it doesn’t matter. Honestly, I would prefer a girl. If it’s a girl, she will be even closer to us. Unlike a boy, who might just take after me.”
Changle playfully rolled her eyes and playfully tapped Su Li. “Who says that about their own child? I hope for a boy…”
Su Li smiled and playfully pinched Changle’s nose. “After all, we’re in the Zhen Guan era, where favoring boys over girls is common. Especially with Li Er prioritizing his legitimate sons, it’s been made clear through numerous edicts that there’s a distinction between genders and a proper order within the family.”
He continued, “Li Chengqian was made crown prince quite early, the eldest legitimate son.”
Changle, being Li Er’s daughter, couldn’t help but be influenced by these ideas. Despite that, her love for Su Li ran deep, and she didn’t view herself primarily as a princess but as Su Li’s wife.
Their bond was strong, and Changle’s main concern wasn’t her status as a princess. She just wanted to be Su Li’s wife and their child’s mother. While she didn’t have a preference for a specific gender, she slightly preferred a boy as their first child.
Every time this topic came up, Changle’s uneasiness would subtly show. While the two were conversing, the female officer entered with Li Xueyan.
“Li Xueyan? When did you return to Changan?” Changle’s face lit up with joy at the sight of Li Xueyan. Li Xueyan tried to maintain a smile despite her somber mood. She glanced at Changle’s belly and then smiled as she spoke, “I arrived in Changan just yesterday. I came to see you and bid farewell.” Changle was puzzled, “Leaving so soon after returning?” Li Xueyan’s smile faltered, and she whispered, “His Majesty has decided to establish peace with Tubo and has chosen me…”
Changle was shocked, “What? You just returned, and now you’re leaving?” Su Li also looked at Li Xueyan in surprise. He had known about her future fate when they first met, but he hadn’t anticipated this day coming so suddenly.
Lately, news of the Tubo Army approaching Tang territory had been circulating in Changan. However, Su Li had been with Changle in the Princess Mansion, so he hadn’t heard about it.
A marriage alliance, eh? When Su Li studied history, these words didn’t evoke much feeling. The history books always emphasized the positive aspects of these alliances, promoting national integration and maintaining dynastic rule. But who had considered the true feelings of these women? Were they seeking historical fame? Li Xueyan, with her gloomy expression, certainly didn’t seem to think so. She was shouldering responsibilities not meant for her, venturing to a harsh land among the barbarians.
As Su Li listened to Li Xueyan’s conversation with Changle, he understood why Li Er had chosen to form this alliance. However, the fact that a woman was being sent to forge this alliance just because they wanted to avoid conflict stirred an inexplicable anger within Su Li. It was essentially a matter of exchanging benefits. Li Er’s decision seemed cowardly in Su Li’s eyes.
“The imperial decree hasn’t been issued yet. I’m going to plead with my father. There might still be a chance…” Changle held Li Xueyan’s hand, her voice heavy with sadness.
Li Xueyan gave a bitter smile and intervened, “Today, His Majesty is discussing this matter with the Tubo envoy. The royal household is already revising the roster for me. This matter is settled, and there’s no room for change…”
Her purpose in coming today wasn’t to have Changle intercede with Li Er. This was a significant national matter; even if Li Er deeply cherished Changle, it could not be altered. Moreover, since the emperor chose her, this was her destiny.
Having decided on the marriage alliance, even if someone else were in Changle’s place, they would have to bear this burden. Li Xueyan couldn’t bear to use extreme measures to shift the suffering onto another woman.
After explaining, Li Xueyan gently squeezed Changle’s hand. “I came today to bid you farewell. The road ahead is long, and we might not meet again… I’m leaving.”
With that, tears streamed down Li Xueyan’s face. She stood up, wiped her tears, managed a smile on her face, and waved casually. She took a few steps before looking back, gazing earnestly at Changle and then giving Su Li a deep look as if imprinting their faces in her memory forever.
“You both take care.”
Watching Li Xueyan’s retreating figure, Changle’s eyes were red. It wasn’t until Li Xueyan’s silhouette disappeared around the garden’s corner that she couldn’t hold back anymore. She buried her head in Su Li’s embrace and silently wept.
Su Li gently patted Changle’s back, feeling an unexpected tightness in his chest. In this era, being sent away for a marriage alliance often meant bidding farewell to one’s homeland. Close family and friends might never be seen again in this lifetime.
Both of them understood that Li Xueyan’s departure was a final farewell. Changle held Su Li tightly, her voice filled with sorrow. “Husband, I know that Li Xueyan… actually likes you…”
“I’ve always known it, but I can do nothing about this situation… Xueyan has always had high standards. Therefore, her marriage has been postponed. Who would have thought… Who would have thought…”
By the end, Changle was so overwhelmed with sadness that she couldn’t find the words to continue.
After a while, her emotions gradually calmed down.
“No, I must go to the palace to see my father!”
Su Li quickly held her back and gently persuaded her, “You’re pregnant. It’s not advisable to move around too much. I’ll talk to His Majesty about Li Xueyan’s situation.”
Changle lifted her head, her teary eyes looking at Su Li with hope. “Husband, do you have a solution?”
In reality, she knew that even if she went to plead with Li Er, it would likely just be a form of emotional consolation for herself. How could Li Er listen to her in a matter like this?
Su Li nodded calmly and smiled, “Don’t worry, this marriage will not happen!”
When the Tubo soldiers arrived today to press for the marriage alliance, Li Er agreed. But if any other foreign group came up with a similar demand tomorrow, did they think Li Er would agree again? And even if he did agree, have they asked for his opinion?
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Krozam
It seems increasingly likely that the MC will end up taking Xueyan as a concubine eventually. Honestly, I didn’t expect harem development from this one, but ever since it was revealed that Xueyan had developed feelings for him, that option came to the table. Changle would likely not mind, she values their friendship more, and polygamy is common in this era. For the MC, the system benefits alone would make it a great thing, provided it doesn’t upset Changle.