"Lord Chancellor, you... you're not joking with us, are you?"
Teng Zixiu stood there, disbelief written all over his face.
On one side was the head of all civil officials; on the other, a military family commanding a powerful army.
No matter how he looked at it, those two families could never possibly be joined by marriage!
"I'm not joking!"
Li Bingzhang looked at the three stunned men, his expression calm. "His Majesty personally arranged this marriage. There can be no doubt about it!"
As he spoke, Li Bingzhang lifted his teacup and took a small sip. "Feel free to ask around. I'm sure you'll find your answer!"
Teng Zixiu opened his mouth, but for a moment, he had no idea what to say.
Seeing their expressions, Li Bingzhang shook his head helplessly.
Indeed, a marriage between the Chancellor's Residence and the Northern Guardian Marquis's Estate violated a major taboo of the Imperial Court.
Under normal circumstances, His Majesty would never have wanted to see it happen.
But Jiang Xiaobai would be marrying into the bride's family, and Jiang Jingcheng had been staunchly loyal for years. His Majesty was certain the Northern Guardian Marquis's Estate would not rebel lightly.
That was why he had taken the initiative to arrange the marriage.
In fact... by Li Bingzhang's reckoning, His Majesty was probably eager for Jiang Xiaobai to marry into their family as soon as possible.
After all, once Jiang Xiaobai formally married into the bride's family, the succession of the Northern Guardian Marquis's Estate would effectively change.
His Majesty would then have a suitable reason to send someone to interfere with command of the Northern Guardian Army.
However... these matters had far-reaching implications, so Li Bingzhang naturally would not discuss them with Teng Zixiu and his companions.
"But..."
Teng Zixiu opened