Chapter 33: Successor
After sitting for about two quarters of an hour, or about half an hour, Li Yuanhui finally waited for someone to come.

He was a boy of about fifteen or sixteen years old, a little older than Li Yuanhui. He was handsome and had an air of nobility in his every move.

Li Yuanhui was stunned for a moment before he stood up and saluted, "Greetings, Your Majesty."

The man who came was the King of Wu, Murong Yang, the third son of Emperor Murong Ying, born to Concubine Wei. He was highly regarded among all the princes, and was the only prince who followed the emperor on the Eastern Expedition.

Murong Yang smiled and said, "You are Li Silang? The son of Li Gong, the Minister of the Imperial Guards."

"It is your Excellency."

"No need to be polite. I heard that you, Li Silang, turned the tide in the Battle of Beimang and killed Yang Ni after the Battle of Dongduyuan. You are truly a heroic young man."

"I have achieved a small success by chance, and I am fortunate that the king has heard of it. Yuan Hui is deeply terrified."

Li Yuanhui misunderstood and thought that the sudden summons of the prince was to win over himself and the Li family.

After all, this person is a strong contender for the throne.

Crown Prince Murong Chang was only ten years old and had mediocre talent. The only reason he was named crown prince was because his mother was Empress Cao, and since he was born to the empress, he was the legitimate son.

There were some deeper reasons, which Li Yuanhui could roughly guess. Concubine Wei was already favored, and the Wei family was a powerful family in Jingzhao with deep roots. If the King of Wu was really to be made the crown prince, it would affect the balance between the Xianbei clans and the Han families in the court.

Empress Cao was different. She was a member of the former Wei royal family. Although she still had some influence, she had little help in the court and was easier to control.

Murong Yang had a conversation with Li Yuanhui until a eunuch came over and whispered something to Murong Yang, then let him leave.

As soon as Li Yuanhui left, the girl who had been peeping outside the tent came in.

Murong Yang smiled and said, "This Li Silang is handsome and tall. I just talked to him and his conversation and knowledge were quite good. So, maybe he caught the eye of your Princess Jinyang?"

This girl was Murong Yang’s sister, Princess Jinyang Murong Jiayin.

Murong Jiayin sat down directly after receiving the money. She did not answer her brother's question immediately, but hesitated for a moment and said, "Not bad, but I always feel that he is a little different in front of others and behind their backs."

"Before you, my brother, came in, he was sitting here, very relaxed, humming a song. Although he did not do anything inappropriate, he was very relaxed. But after you came in, he immediately became very cautious. Although he was respectful to you, I don't know why it felt a little strange."

Murong Yang frowned upon hearing this, then suddenly laughed, "Haha, I get it, he's afraid that I'll win him over."

Murong Jiayin was also smart. She immediately thought of today's meeting. Li Yuanhui had no idea that she was going to meet him, so he misunderstood.

After all, the Han nobles would not easily get involved in the fight for the throne.

However, Murong Yang felt that, apart from status, what else could his ten-year-old brother compete with him for?

What is Li Silang worried about?
If I really marry my sister, won't you, the Longxi Li family, have to help me?

"What do you think? In my opinion, Li Silang is not as good as Duan Wuda. What do you think?"

Murong Jiayin rolled her eyes immediately after hearing this. "Duan Wuda looks like a bear, his handwriting is like a dog's crawling, he is as stupid as a pig, and he only has brute force. You might as well kill me if you want to marry such a person."

Duan Wuda, born into the Duan clan of the Xianbei clan, was the youngest son of General Duan Yihong, and one of the imperial attendants to Murong Ying. He was brave and could knock down a galloping horse with his bare hands.

Because he often went in and out of the palace, he was shocked by Murong Jiayin's beauty and loved her very much.

Murong Yang was good friends with her, so Murong Yang often spoke well of his friend in front of his sister. But Murong Jiayin avoided this.

Murong Yang smiled helplessly, "Anyway, my father said that you can choose the one you want. The Longxi Li family is a famous family with good family traditions. Weiweiqing Li Yuan is also trusted by my father. I see that you have been choosing for so long but still can't find someone you like. Don't wait until my father gets impatient and choose one for you directly. And I have inquired about it. There is no one in Li Silang's room now, and he doesn't have any lovers outside. There is only one maid in the courtyard who takes care of his daily life."

Murong Jiayin looked at him and said, "I can only marry one person in my lifetime, and you won't let me choose?"

"Okay, okay, I won't say anything. You choose."

When Li Yuanhui returned to the banquet hall, it was already evening. The bonfire had been lit, and the firelight shining on the dancers added a special charm.

Li Xiaoyan immediately asked who summoned him, and Li Yuanhui told the truth.

"It's King Wu."

"Oh?"

Li Xiaoyan did not ask any further questions after hearing this, but just told him not to make it public.

After the banquet was over, Li Xiaoyan took him to Li Yuan's tent and asked him to tell him the details of his meeting with the King of Wu today.

Li Yuan, who was sitting on the bed, looked calm after listening to this: "It's just a small matter, don't worry about it, but remember, don't mention it to others. Dalang, stay and talk to me, Silang, go back and rest."

"It's Aye."

Li Yuanhui felt that his father and elder brother might be discussing something, but since they had driven him away, he decided not to meddle in their affairs.

"When Prince Gaoyang met me a few days ago, he hinted that I shouldn't arrange a marriage for Silang too early, as he wanted to give him a chance of wealth and honor. With what happened today, it's almost certain. Princess Jinyang has reached the right age to marry, and is the same age as Silang. If Silang can really be chosen as the emperor's son-in-law, it may be a good thing for my Li family. However, if it really involves a dispute over the throne, it may not be a good thing for him. However, it will only be good for you brothers. Dalang, what do you think?"

The meaning of what Li Yuancai said to his eldest son was very clear. For you brothers, if a prince consort appears and can support each other, that would definitely be a benefit. However, if it involves a dispute over the throne and the King of Wu loses, you must cut ties in time so that you will not be affected.

Upon hearing this, Li Xiaoyan immediately replied, "Father, can we be the ones to select a son-in-law for the palace?"

After hearing this, Li Yuan said: "If you want to be selected, it may not be up to my family, but if you don't want to be selected, there are still some ways."

Li Xiaoyan said: "Silang has a good fortune. Even if he doesn't marry the princess, he has made great achievements. With my family's status, we can find a good match for him. In this case, I suggest that we don't let him choose."

Hearing this, Li Yuan nodded with satisfaction, then sighed and said, "Da Lang, as a brother, you are kind, filial and fraternal, and you have not let me down. Si Lang is lucky to have a brother like you, but for the long-term benefit of our Li family, I can only do my best to facilitate this matter."

"Oh my god. This." Li Xiaoyan was a little confused.

Li Yuan continued to persuade him, "You are the eldest son, and you will be responsible for the prosperity and decline of our Li family in the future. Erlang, Sanlang, and Silang all have their own destiny. You brothers should naturally support and care for each other, but you must also remember that for the sake of the family, some things must be cut off and given up."

Li Xiaoyan was still a little hesitant: "But."

Li Yuan interrupted directly, "No buts, remember what I told you today, marriage is a matter of parents' orders and matchmaker's words, you also said that Silang has a good fortune, isn't this Silang's blessing? Do you know how many Xianbei nobles and Han clans want to find this son-in-law for their children?"

"If you don't take what God gives you, you will suffer the consequences!"

“This is his way!”

(End of this chapter)