"Hasn't the Xiao family always avoided marrying into the royal family? What's going on now?"
Li Chengqian said with some doubt, you know, when the Li Dynasty was founded, although they claimed to be the Longxi Li family, the people of the Longxi Li family did not admit it. Including other major families, they all thought that the Li Tang Dynasty was a flash in the pan and would most likely perish, so they did not look down on these succeeding dynasties. Instead, they believed that their family, which had been passed down for a hundred years, was the most powerful.
But now the Li Tang Dynasty has established a firm foothold, and people from all over the world have come to congratulate them, but what they said in the past still stands here. They cannot betray the words of their ancestors and turn to curry favor with the Li Tang Dynasty.
What's more, they are now in opposition to the imperial court, which has been weakening their rights. If the two sides were to intermarry, it would be easy for the imperial court to find loopholes. Therefore, the major families are unwilling to intermarry with the royal family. They often marry among themselves, which also makes Li Shimin very distressed.
Although the Lanling Xiao family does not belong to the Five Surnames and Seven Noble Clans, it also has its own status in the long river of history. If Li Xiang can have a relationship with them, coupled with Xiao Yu's connections in the court, it will indeed be a great help.
"Xiang'er has reached the age of marriage, and naturally all the major families are taking action. Coupled with the power given to him by the emperor this time, the major families are unwilling to give up this opportunity. The top families may not be moved, but the lower-ranking families must seize this opportunity."
Prince Wu Li Ke owed the Xiao family a favor a few years ago, otherwise he would not have come in person to propose marriage. After all, he didn't want to get involved in such trivial matters. Today, he brought the message to the family. Whether the father and son are willing or not is their own business.
Li Chengqian and Li Xiang looked at each other. It was indeed the case. The top families were not very keen on such things because they felt they could still control the situation. But for the second-rate families, if they made the right bet, it would mean that there would be a queen in the family in the future, and the queen's brother might be granted the title of duke. This was no small matter for the Xiao family.
"I've seen Prime Minister Xiao's youngest daughter before, but that was only three years ago. She certainly seems bright and clever. She's also quite famous among the girls in Chang'an these days. It wouldn't be a disgrace to you if she really became your wife."
Li Chengqian was obviously very satisfied with this marriage, but he also knew that it was not up to him as a father to make the final decision on the marriage of royal children. Even if you have someone you like, you have to report to the emperor and only go ahead with the emperor's approval. Otherwise, it would be disrespectful.
Since this matter concerns his lifelong event, Li Xiang didn't know what to say and could only let his father comment on it. If he interrupted, once the news got out, it might give him a bad reputation, and people might say that he had already started choosing a concubine for himself. In even more serious cases, people might even say that he was a lustful man who knew how to find a wife for himself at the age of fourteen.
This is the trend these days. If the emperor bestows it on you, it's easy to say, but if you go looking for it yourself, people will definitely not show you mercy.
"Does Prime Minister Xiao still intend to come out of retirement?"
Li Chengqian suddenly asked this question. When Prime Minister Xiao was the prime minister, it was the era of Li Yuan. This person was deeply trusted by Emperor Gaozu of Tang, Li Yuan. However, after Li Shimin ascended the throne, this person's relationship with Li Shimin was not very good, so he was demoted to the position of prime minister. Later, he was given a high-ranking official title and was suspended. Now he doesn't care about the affairs of the court. He is considered a man of integrity and will not bow to Li Shimin because of such a small matter.
But now if we want to marry Li Xiang as our son-in-law, we have to think about this matter carefully.
"Brother, why are you so confused? Prime Minister Xiao is already quite old, and he has no real ambitions if he comes out of retirement now. After all, he once held the highest position in the Tang Dynasty. Even if he achieves something, it's impossible for him to surpass me in my prime. However, the Xiao family members are scattered throughout the court and the country, and they have been suppressed to varying degrees by our father over the years..."
As soon as Li Ke said this, Li Chengqian immediately understood that this was because the father was unwilling to bow to Li Shimin, but seeing that his children and grandchildren had a hard time doing things outside, he could only try another way, that is, to let Li Xiang marry their daughter. Then, no matter whether it was the eldest son or the youngest grandson, they would be related by marriage to Li Xiang. For this reason, Li Xiang would have to help in the future.
Li Xiang felt a little uncomfortable because he was being plotted against. Although he knew that with his status, this kind of thing would be inevitable as long as the marriage was discussed.
While several people were talking, Qian Ping came in again from outside.
"Just say it directly. The Third Master is not an outsider."
Li Chengqian naturally could not go inside to ask questions in front of Li Ke. In the long-term observation of the father and son, this Third Master Li was indeed a straightforward person. After going through so many things, the father and son also needed some help within the court. King Wu Li Ke was naturally the first choice.
"General Cheng is seeking a matchmaker for his daughter, Cheng Luan. The memorial has already reached the Emperor."
Qian Ping spoke directly, and the three of them were stunned.
"You're such a hot commodity, kid! I thought you were already so proud of being Prime Minister Xiao's granddaughter, but I didn't expect even Cheng Yaojin would be interested. Even though Cheng Yaojin looks like a bear, his little daughter is no joke. She's one of the ten most talented women in Chang'an."
Li Chengqian said very happily that when he got married, although he was already the crown prince of the Tang Dynasty, the major families did not express any opinion. If Hou Junji's family did not have a daughter of marriageable age, Li Shimin would not even know what kind of woman to find for Li Chengqian. Now, Li Xiang has not yet publicly discussed marriage, but all parties have already heard the news and are in action. This is indeed much better than being a father.
"Cheng Yaojin must have seen your achievements on the front lines, otherwise he wouldn't be so anxious. Cheng Luan's biological mother is a daughter of the Cui family. Strictly speaking, this is equivalent to an indirect marriage with the Cui family."
Li Ke was a little envious. You know, in today's society, the status of a princess is not as high as that of a Cui family girl. There are countless people in society who want to marry a Cui family girl. Even with Cheng Yaojin's current status, he can only marry a side branch. Although Li Xiang's wife is not as good as Cheng Yaojin's, she is the first person in the Li Tang royal family after all...