The immortal of the Tang Dynasty, but the game starts at Xuanwu Gate?

As for why they didn't arrange a marriage alliance with the royal family...

Empress Zhangsun believed that Li Shimin had reached some kind of tacit understanding with Feng Ang.

Feng Ang did not want to be overly monitored, nor did he want to wrong his daughter, nor did he want to rebel, yet he also wanted the court's recognition and endorsement.

Therefore, marrying into the family of a capable, unmarried close advisor of Li Shimin would be the best option.

For Li Shimin, with Lingnan stable and pacified, Feng Qiao'er married Chen Huai'an, and by leveraging Chen Huai'an's positions as Minister of Works and Minister of Revenue, he could achieve control over Lingnan at minimal cost.

While there are indeed risks involved, when the benefits far outweigh the risks, the risks naturally become something that can be taken into account.

"Second Prince... the Feng siblings haven't left yet. Why don't I go and talk to them and sound them out?" Empress Zhangsun said tentatively.

Li Shimin thought for a moment and nodded: "Alright, I'll go with you. It'll be good for you to have a chat with Feng Qiao'er."

"She's actually fine; the problem is Chen Huai'an."

"However, it's easy for a woman to pursue a man. I don't believe that with such a beautiful woman taking the initiative and an older sister urging him at home, Chen Huai'an can resist."

Thinking of this, Li Shimin once again revealed that excited expression he had when he did something bad.

What Empress Zhangsun just guessed was actually pretty much right.

However, there is another crucial reason, which Li Shimin never told anyone.

"..."

"Brother, am I really going to marry into the royal family?" Feng Qiao'er asked Feng Zhidai in a low voice, her tone somewhat disappointed.

Chen Huai'an avoided her like the plague, but how could she not understand the intricacies of the situation?

You should know that she has been her father and brother's right-hand woman in managing Lingnan since she was a child.

Feng Zhidai sighed, "I can understand Duke Anguo's idea... The risk of a marriage alliance between the Feng family and the Chen family is indeed too great."

"Sometimes, it's not important whether you have the intention to rebel, but whether you have the ability to rebel."

"Both Father and Duke Anguo thought the same way, which is why Father told you not to force yourself before we left."

"As for the person the old woman was talking about... perhaps it wasn't him."

"I understand." Feng Qiao'er felt a pang of sadness.

It's not that she desperately wanted to marry Chen Huai'an, or that she fell in love with him at first sight.

Women from backgrounds like hers often have no say in their marriages.

It's even quite normal for couples to have never met before their wedding night.

But if given a choice, who wouldn't want to marry someone who is capable, talented, good-looking, and of similar age?

What normal woman would want to marry into royalty unless she had absolutely no other choice?

She married Chen Huai'an, becoming his only legal wife, and then she married into the royal family...

Recalling the sordid power struggles within the imperial harems of past dynasties, Feng Qiao'er couldn't help but feel a sense of bleakness about the future.

But there was nothing she could do.

Even the emperor cannot be free, let alone a woman like her.

Seeing his younger sister's expression, Feng Zhidai felt a pang of unease: "How about... I contact the Duke of Anguo privately in the future and try to persuade him again?"

"No need," Feng Qiao'er gently shook her head, a smile on her face. "Since they don't want to, why force them?"

"Besides, with the Duke of Anguo's status, what kind of woman can't he find? I don't think I'm better than the noble ladies of Chang'an, and besides, I'm a big problem."

"Even the old lady said that everything is predestined, and as long as I come, I will meet the right person."

"Perhaps... the person the old woman was talking about is a member of the royal family?"

"Brother, let's leave it at that."

Feng Zhidai felt utterly helpless, but under these circumstances, he was truly powerless to do anything about it.

After all, he is now just a hostage.

"Commander Feng, His Majesty requests that you accompany Lady Feng to the capital."

At that moment, a guard knocked on the door to deliver a message.

As a hostage, Feng Zhidai is now nominally a commander in the Eastern Palace, while Feng Qiao'er is in an awkward position and can only temporarily follow her brother.

Upon hearing the summons, the two dared not delay. They quickly composed themselves, dressed neatly, and followed the eunuch to the garden of the East Palace.

At this moment, Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun were strolling leisurely.

"Your subject greets Your Majesty and Your Highness."

The two quickly bowed, not daring to be careless in the slightest.

"No need for formalities," Li Shimin waved his hand dismissively, signaling the two to follow.

The Feng siblings, puzzled and confused, followed along.

"Speaking of which, you haven't found a place to stay in Chang'an yet, have you? I intend to bestow the title of Duke upon your father, Feng Ang, and in principle, a mansion should be granted to him."

"How about this? I will issue an edict later to grant you a mansion for your lodging. What do you say?"

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace," Feng Zhidai said respectfully.

Li Shimin suddenly laughed: "Perfect timing, there's another residence over in Yongxingfang, where Wei Zheng and Huai'an are staying."

"You'll be able to be neighbors with Huai'an."

what?

Feng Zhidai was startled for a moment. They had just mentioned Duke Anguo, Chen Huai'an, and now they were going to be neighbors with Chen Huai'an?

However, he didn't have time to think about it further and thanked them again.

Li Shimin turned around and asked Feng Qiao'er with great interest, "I've heard that Miss Feng is beautiful and intelligent, and has been helping her father and brothers manage household affairs since she was a child."

"His appearance is absolutely stunning."

"Now that you're over seventeen, I wonder if you're married?"

A bitter look appeared in Feng Qiao'er's eyes. She knew this day would eventually come, but she didn't expect it to come so soon.

"Your Majesty, I am unmarried."

"Since that's the case, how about I find you a good husband?" Li Shimin said frankly.

Feng Qiao'er curtsied and said in a calm voice, "This important matter of marriage is entirely up to His Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress to decide."

Li Shimin nodded in satisfaction upon hearing this, glanced at Empress Zhangsun beside him, and then said, "What do you think of Duke Anguo, Chen Huai'an?"

"Although he comes from a humble background, he is tenacious and persevering. At only twenty-one years old, he is already a Duke of the current dynasty, concurrently serving as Minister of Works and Minister of Revenue. He has made extraordinary achievements at a young age, and he is also upright and honest."

"You two, one exceptionally talented and the other wise and reasonable, are a match made in heaven."

Upon hearing this, Feng Zhidai's expression changed slightly, and there was some disbelief in his eyes.

He had thought the emperor was going to take his sister into the harem or betroth her to a member of the royal family, but he never expected it to be Chen Huai'an!

This was the ideal marriage partner they had chosen from the very beginning.

Feng Qiao'er was also stunned, her eyes showing surprise, confusion, and even a hint of relaxation that she herself did not realize.

She knew very well that Chen Huai'an had been avoiding her in every way, and that the matter was already hopeless. Who would have thought that the emperor would personally arrange the marriage?

Seeing this, Empress Zhangsun stepped forward and gently took Feng Qiao'er's hand, saying in a kind tone, "Miss Qiao'er, Mr. Chen's talent and character are praised by everyone in the court."

"Although he may seem a bit unconventional at times, he is a kind and reliable person at heart. You will not suffer any mistreatment if you marry him."

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress!" Feng Zhidai composed himself and quickly spoke, "The Duke of Anguo is a man of extraordinary talent and noble status, while my sister is of humble appearance. I'm afraid... I'm afraid she is not worthy of the Duke of Anguo."

"..."