Marrying a Powerful Minister

Li Jingxun had a childhood sweetheart. When they were young, they ate and slept together, then went out to play cuju as soon as they woke up.

Later, his health grew poor, and he could no longer play with her all the time. She stopped roaming everywhere, too, and stayed by his side, listening to him read.

When Li Jingxun came of age, she married him.

*

The Dayuan Dynasty had a powerful minister known to all. Born into a prominent family, he had risen to the position of chancellor before he was even thirty.

He was remarkably eloquent, with a subtle and clever mind, and loved to decide people's fates over casual conversation.

It was said that, when he was young, he had a childhood sweetheart whom he treasured above all else. Sadly, only two or three years after they married, a great fire broke out in their home, killing both his newborn child and his wife. After that, he never married again.

In the thirteenth year of Fengtian, the imperial examinations he had overseen came to a close.

A newly successful candidate caused a death at the minister's residence while visiting to thank him for his guidance, and was detained there.

That night, the candidate's wife came to plead for her husband.

The officials from the Court of Judicial Review present had intended to dismiss her casually. But at the sight of her, the minister's calm, unruffled expression changed abruptly. In just two or three steps, he crossed the inner threshold and stood before her.

The spring wind in April was still biting. His figure looked gaunt from behind, and his newly tailored official robes hung loose on him.

A moment later, they heard his voice drift toward the woman: "Nowadays, does asking someone for help no longer require paying a price?"

The woman said, "I am willing to pay any price. Please tell me what you want, my lord."

The minister stood motionless, staring at her. His clenched hand had gone white, his nails digging into his flesh. His face wore the same smile as ever as he said something absurd: "All right. If you kill me, I'll have him released."

Better to kill him outright than meet again like this and tear his heart apart.

The officials of the Court of Judicial Review and the woman were all stunned, and looked up at him in disbelief.

*

From the Dayuan records of the chancellors:

Wang Jinzhi and his first wife met in childhood. After Emperor Taizong ascended the throne, they married. Unfortunately, their temperaments differed and they were not on good terms. Over the next thirty years, their differences only deepened, their love and resentment ebbing and flowing, much like the emperor's favor.

*

A lifetime in this mortal world.

A beautiful beginning, a scattered end. Who can say how deep the karma of the present runs?

Theme: Never forget your original aspirations