Records of the King of Xin'an County

"Your Majesty's kindness, I appreciate it." Lady Du's gaze moved slightly, her expression still calm.A few gleams of light flickered in her black eyes, as if she was sizing up the young man in front of her without any trace, guessing whether his words were credible, and whether his character and temperament were trustworthy.After all, before today, they were just an unmarried couple in name, they had never met each other, so how could they talk about trusting each other?

Li Hui let her look at her indifferently, and then said: "The Du family will be my wife's family in the future. No matter what happens, I will not stand by. Even if this matter cannot be resolved by my strength, maybe I can think of other ways Madam Du, just say what you want, don't be too cautious—I think the reason why you wrote to meet me is definitely not just because you want to meet me, isn't it? "

Princess Changning who stood beside her pursed her lips and smiled, her eyes full of interest.She had seen this Mrs. Du from a distance before, and she really didn't know that she had such a temperament, let alone that she reacted so calmly when facing her elder brother.If she had known how interesting it was for her to get along with her brother, she would have arranged for them to meet.It's all because my elder brother was not enthusiastic about this sister-in-law earlier, which made her lose interest in exploring.

"..." Lady Du lowered her eyes, and after a little thought, she met Li Hui again.

Li Hui suddenly discovered that there was only silence and calmness in her eyes, without any worry or fear, not even the slightest sense of nervousness or shyness, and it didn't seem like she was facing any accident at all.He couldn't help thinking to himself—could it be that he misunderstood something?At the same time, I also felt a little curious, wanting to know what she would say.

Lady Du opened her mouth softly, and finally said: "I hope that the engagement between us can be dissolved."

Compared with Princess Changning, who couldn't hide her shock, Li Hui's reaction was quite calm: "Why do you want to break off the engagement? Judging by your expression, it seems that you haven't already agreed with each other. Besides, although our marriage has not yet started the six ceremonies, In terms of emotion and reason, it can be interrupted at any time, but my grandfather once promised this matter, which is considered to be a clear path. If there is no sufficient reason, please forgive me for not being able to accept your request."

"The first emperor didn't make a clear statement, so there is still room for change." Mrs. Du shook her head slightly, "Because the six rites have not yet passed, I think it is more reasonable to dissolve the engagement earlier. , after everyone knows about it, there is no possibility of ending the marriage. As for the reason..."

She bit the corner of her lips lightly: "After my grandmother passed away, my grandfather has also been dying of illness recently, and it seems that he is about to die. Grandpa has always been in poor health, and he is filial by nature. It's also getting worse... I don't have the heart to think about marriage anymore, let alone getting married during the filial piety, so I can't bear to delay your majesty."

"It's only four years, I can wait." Li Hui replied without hesitation, "Even if my grandpa and grandma are anxious, I will persuade them. You don't have to worry about it." Wife, it is a good thing for him.It can't be said that at that time, everything has already been settled, and there is no need to worry about his wife and children suffering with him.

Hearing this, Mrs. Du opened her eyes slightly, looked at him and smiled helplessly: "Your Majesty is really a man of noble character. I am ashamed to have underestimated you. However, observing the filial piety period is only one of the reasons. The reason for the marriage contract is because I feel that I am not suitable for marriage. Grandma, grandfather, grandpa, birth, old age, sickness and death, life is impermanent, I have gradually seen it."

"Could it be that someone in the Du family spread rumors that your fate is evil and that you are against your family?" Li Hui raised his eyebrows, "Most of the theory of fortune is just rumors of villains, so don't trust them. If it's just because of the words of villains, If you give up your own life sadly, then the gain will not be worth the loss. Mrs. Du will think it over again."

"Of course the villain's words are unavoidable." Du Niangzi said, "It's just that such remarks are not enough to sway me. The only thing that can sway me is my own heart. I don't know if the king has ever questioned himself, What kind of life do you want to live? How to live to feel comfortable?"

Li Hui was a little moved, thinking of his past and present choices.Of course, he has asked himself countless times, what exactly he wants to live again.However, he has gained too much and is afraid of losing too much, so he has to make a choice.The human heart is always insatiable. Of course, all desires cannot be satisfied endlessly, and there must be a choice.

"After seeing birth, old age, sickness and death, I always asked myself what kind of life I wanted to live. Then, I found that, compared to getting married, I would rather live alone and copy scriptures for the deceased elders." Du Niangzi said softly Said, "My temperament is a bit cold, and my heart is too narrow. I would rather accompany the elders of my natal family, rather than spend a long time, gradually bringing my husband's family who don't know their faces and temperaments into my heart."

"..." For a moment, Li Hui was speechless.Everyone has their own ambitions, so he couldn't comment on whether Du Niangzi's choice was right or wrong.After all, she did not make such a decision in a hurry, but after careful consideration.However, he still has some doubts, whether she is a little lady loved by her family, whether she can endure the boundless loneliness in the future.When the elders who cared for her passed away gradually, and the brothers and sisters-in-law were busy with family affairs, who could take care of her?

"Maybe your majesty thinks that I'm just a person who doesn't know the world, that's why I'm so naive." Lady Du seemed to see through his doubts, and said, "It's not that the Du family doesn't have daughters who become monks, they also have family temples and nunnery. In the past, I used to accompany my elders to home temples and nunneries to do Taoism, and I would stay for a few months from time to time to know what kind of life they lived."

"Do you think that's the only way to be comfortable?" Li Hui looked deeply at the little lady in front of him, a little disappointed and relieved.It's a pity that they met too late, it's too late, it's a pity that they have different ideas and different paths, and they have no fate, otherwise, maybe he can really get a good wife who can raise his eyebrows.

"The body is uncomfortable, but the heart is at ease." Mrs. Du slightly curved her lips, "I am not at ease wherever I am, but my heart can choose a place where I am at ease. For a person like me, if it wasn't for the deep ties of my family, I might have It’s time to escape into Buddhism. No matter if you practice Buddhahood or Daoism, or cultivate your body and mind, it’s much more comfortable than staying in the back house to intrigue, being trapped in Chang’an City and receiving those open and dark arrows.”

"...Since that's the case, then it's as you wish." Li Hui said, sighing softly, "However, it's not appropriate to bring up this matter right now, because the name is not right. It's not too late to talk about it. It's not too late to talk about it. If the time is right If it suits, I will persuade my mother to break up this verbal engagement and let you go free."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I will always remember your kindness in my heart." Madam Du bowed deeply, "In the future, I will offer an ever-burning lamp to the King and his family in front of the gods and Buddhas. I only hope that the King and his family will be safe and happy."

"It's nothing to do with a little effort." Li Hui said, "Although you plan to become a monk and practice in the family temple or nunnery, after all, you are alone. If you encounter any difficulties, just ask someone to tell me. You and I have a fate, Although they can't be married, if they take care of them a little bit, it's the right thing to do."

"Thanks to Your Majesty's kindness." Mrs. Du bowed down again, saluted Princess Changning again, and then bid farewell.

Li Hui watched her leave gracefully, and ordered Bu Qu who was waiting beside him to escort her back to Du's house from afar.Seeing his careful arrangement, Princess Changning frowned slightly, and looked at him with some worry: "I think brother Cai's expression just now... He should be quite satisfied with her. Why don't I personally persuade her to let her go early?" How about a change of mind? If I miss a husband like brother, where can I find a better one? There are so many young ladies in Beijing who want to marry brother, she is good, but she doesn’t cherish it at all!!”

"Everyone has his own aspirations, so there is no need to force them." Li Hui shook his head with a smile, "I think this lady Du is really special. However, she is too special, so she is not suitable to be my princess. I deliberately insisted on maintaining this The marriage contract will make her feel painful instead, so why bother?" After this incident, he vaguely understood what kind of temperament his future wife should have.In the future, I will search according to this disposition, and probably nothing will go wrong.

Princess Changning felt more and more that her cousin had been wronged, and now she just forced a smile on her face: "Brother is so considerate and gentle, what's wrong with her? After getting along for a long time, how could the elders of Prince Pu's mansion treat her like that?" Is it worse than her natal family? Hmph, even though she is a daughter of the Du family, just seeing her voluntarily breaking the engagement, I will never—"

"Yue Niang, it's just a verbal engagement, and it can't be considered a breach of promise." Li Hui comforted her, "And, how do you know, I can't find a better lady? I think it's fine now. After all The city of Chang'an is not stable yet, and I always feel that marrying a wife and having children is a bit risky, and I worry that I can't protect them."

Princess Changning stomped her feet lightly: "Forget it, I will find a better sister-in-law for my brother in the future."

"Then I will trouble you." Li Hui curled the corners of his lips, thinking of Prince Xian unexpectedly, "If Zi Xian knew about this, he would not know how he would tease me. Back then, he investigated everyone in the Du family. You know it clearly, and you have been trying so hard to get people to pay attention to the Du family's affairs, but now you are wasting time and energy for nothing."

"I actually think that he might not feel a pity at all." Princess Changning said, "After all, if you are married, you won't have much leisure to chat with him, and you can't talk with him at night or sleep with your feet up. Do whatever you want like before. Thinking about it carefully, I shouldn't feel that it's a pity. My brother doesn't have a sister-in-law for the time being, so I don't have to worry too much."

Hearing this, Li Hui was quite helpless: "Even if I get married, you don't have to worry about anything. Do I look like the kind of person who forgets his friends and sister after getting married?"

"Who knows?" Princess Changning laughed, regaining her spirits.After thinking for a while, she suddenly sighed again: "Thinking about it carefully, maybe I should admire the courage of this sister Du. Although I am a princess, I can't even say that I don't want to get married. And, It seems that I should also ask myself what I really want."

"It doesn't matter if you can't think clearly for a while." Li Hui said, "Yue Niang, you are different from ordinary women. As long as you think clearly, you can go back on your word at any time. No matter who becomes your concubine, you can control your own life."

"I only hope that A Niang, A Brother and Wan Niang can do the same." Princess Changning replied, her eyes flickering.