Chapter 32: Chapter 32: The Ninth Prince Part II

When Li Yingshan had fully recovered, another month had passed.

She was just about to depart, to go to Nanjing to meet up with the Ninth Prince, when Ren Shengfu approached. He reached up and handed her a letter. She tucked it into the sleeve of her black and red Qiyao Ruqun. Gripping the reins of the horse she was sitting on, she nodded towards him.

"Thank you for everything. You didn't have to save me."

"Ms. Li, you are the only one who has enough power to sway the court. If you really don't want the Seventh Prince on the throne in the future, then you need to survive. You need to straighten things out."

"I know. I'll meet the Ninth Prince in Nanjing. After that, I think it's time I returned home to Longxin City. I've been gone for four months already."

"They'll be glad to see you again."

She murmured, "I hope so."

"Until we meet again, Ms. Li."

"Until we meet again, Ren Shengfu."

She donned her conical straw hat and pulled down the black veil. After flicking the reins, she cried, "Ch! Ch! Ch!"

The stallion neighed and took off at a gallop. She was off.

∇

A week and a half later, she finally arrived in Nanjing. Ren Shengfu had arranged their meeting at a Buddhist temple just south of the city. So she steered the horse around the outside of the city walls, tracking south.

When she pulled up to the temple, she saw a small sedan carriage and two horses already tied out front. She dismounted and led her horse over and tied it to the hitching post. Looking up at the temple, she sighed.

This is to make up for my idiocy.

Li Yingshan picked up the skirt of her dress and headed inside. A large Buddha statue made from shining bronze greeted her. Standing beneath the statue was a young man. And he was all alone.

"Your Highness?" she asked softly.

The man turned around. She saw that he had the same oval face and the same prominent nose as the Seventh Prince. But his lips and cheekbones were different, probably traits from his mother, the Emperor's Guifei貴妃 guì fēi - translates to "Noble Consort". He was wearing a purple and gold Wei and Jin Ruqun, and a gold trimmed black leather ponytail circlethaha, was trying to aim for this: held up his hair.

"You are?" he began.

She removed her veiled hat and saluted to him. "Li Yingshan greets Ninth Prince."

His jaw dropped. "Y- y- but you're supposed to be dead!"

"Then just call me a ghost. But anyways, I heard that you're raising an army to fight your seventh brother. I know his weak points, and I know him almost as well as you probably do. Plus, how do you think he got to where he is now? Me."

"You? He accused you of treason."

"I committed treason to get him the Crown Prince position. But yes, because I'm not just Li Yingshan, Your Highness. I'm also the Goddess of Moonlight Pagoda. If you let me join you, then all the resources and intel gathered by Moonlight Pagoda will be at your disposal."

"Wait, let me get this straight. You helped my seventh brother, and now you're wishing to work against him?"

"He sent assassins after me. He threatened those I hold dear. He nearly killed me. What reason do I have for remaining loyal to him?"

Chen Chengxian made a I guess your right face and sighed. "Ren Shengfu sent you, didn't he?"

Li Yingshan nodded. "He saved my life. He, too, is no longer loyal to your seventh brother. Your third brother has already voiced his support, as you know. You're the only prince who's standing up to your seventh brother."

He shrugged. "Your intel would be very useful to me. But can I trust you, Ms. Li?"

"I'm an Elite of the Jianghu. You have my word that I'm sincere."

He nodded before tapping a finger to his lips. "How did you ever get indebted to my seventh brother?"

"It was more that he was originally indebted to me." As a show of good faith, she told him everything since the Spring Hunt all those years ago. He listened intently; his facial expressions would change every once in a while, but he remain respectful and didn't interrupt. When she finally finished, he rubbed his temples.

"Kai always has been manipulative like that. I'm sorry for what he's done to you. You didn't deserve that."

"Maybe not, or maybe I did. It doesn't matter any more, the past is past."

He nodded and waved towards the city. "Well, I have troops stationed here in Nanjiang. I know Kai's troops are up over seventy-five thousand. Mine are only at fifty thousand, but he does have more supporters than I do. With your information, surely that can make up for a lack of numbers, right?"

Li Yingshan smiled. "Of course, but it still won't be enough. I can guarantee you an extra five thousand persons. And all are martial artists."

Chen Chengxian's eyebrows shot up. "You have five thousand people at your disposal?"

"Every martial artist of Moonlight Pagoda is under my command. But since I'm aligning with you, they'll surely fight for you as well."

He breathed in wonder, "Five thousand martial artists. That will definitely help against my seventh brother's extra numbers."

She bowed slightly. "Does Your Highness wish for me to stay here in Nanjing then?"

He shook his head. "Not just yet. I'm assuming Kai doesn't know of your survival. Until I'm ready to march, you should probably lay low. I'll let you know when I leave for Luoyang."

"As Your Highness wishes. I look forward to working with you."

Chen Chengxian chuckled, "And I with you."

She saluted again before departing. Outside, she untied her horse and swung up into the saddle. He walked outside and nodded in farewell. She returned his nod and flicked the reins, turning the stallion away. It took off, its hooves pounding into the ground. Li Yingshan headed northwest, towards home.

∇

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Five days later, she approached the south gate into Longxin City. With her veiled hat, she passed through unnoticed. Turning east, she slowly rode towards Xu manor. She stopped just outside of it, and her eyes watered.

Will they accept me back? It's been over four months now. Surely they believe I'm dead, right?

With uncertainty in her heart, she dismounted and walked up to the gate. Raising a hand, she grabbed the wrought iron knocker and knocked on the door. Li Yingshan stepped back and waited. Finally, Ye Guang opened the doors.

"Who are you?" she asked rudely, looking her up and down.

"Is Hero Xu home? I have some business with him."

"He's here."

But Ye Guang didn't bother to move at all. Slightly annoyed, Li Yingshan gritted her teeth.

"Then, may I enter and speak with him?"

"Ye Guang! Who's there?"

"Some woman!" she called back. "Says she wants to speak with Young Master about something!"

In the doorway appeared Zhang Fangong. Li Yingshan's heart clenched. Where's Qiu Ling?

He looked at her. "Does Young Master know you?"

She shook her head and dropped her vocal register as she replied, "I have a request to make of him."

He sighed and bit his lip. "Young Master isn't receiving visitors. I'm sorry, perhaps you could come some other time."

"I journeyed here from Nanjing, but if Hero Xu is busy, then I'll go. It's not my intent to disturb him."

Li Yingshan turned to leave. She walked back to the horse and reached up towards the saddle. Just as she was about to swing up into it, Zhang Fangong blurted, "I'll see what I can do. Give me a moment, Miss."

He disappeared. She turned back around and waited by her horse. When Zhang Fangong returned, this time both Qiu Ling and Xu Haoran appeared with him. Her eyes lit up with joy.

Qiu Ling! She's alright, thank the gods.

She stepped forward as Xu Haoran stepped outside the front doors. He cleared his throat.

"Miss, you requested to see me?"

"Yes, I'd like to ask a favor of you."

"Well, I may or may not be able to oblige. Please, come in first. Zhang Fangong, see to her horse."

He bowed his head and went to take the reins. Li Yingshan followed her husband inside with Qiu Ling just behind them. They headed over to his study and entered. He went and sat at his desk. Li Yingshan stood before him while Qiu Ling poured the tea.

"What's your request?"

She bowed her head and reached up. Her fingers curled around the rim of the hat. As she removed the hat, she murmured, "Could you ever forgive me?"

Li Yingshan raised her head. Qiu Ling gasped as Xu Haoran's eyes widened. Tears burst from her maid's eyes as her husband stood.

"I- is it really you, Yingshan?" he breathed.

Slightly startled by his familiarityIn Asian cultures, only those who are really close will call each other by their given names, she nodded.

"Yes, it's me. I- I'm back."

A sobbing Qiu Ling launched herself at her Lady. A stunned Li Yingshan wrapped her arms around her back.

"We thought you were dead," Xu Haoran said. "The world thinks you're dead."

"And I nearly was. An old friend brought me back from the brink of death."

"Fangong said you came from Nanjing," Qiu Ling commented.

"That wasn't a lie. I did come here after leaving Nanjing."

Seeing their confused expressions, she sighed. Li Yingshan told them everything. When she finished, a displeased look crossed Xu Haoran's face.

"Why are you still meddling in politics? Hasn't what happened taught you your lesson yet?" he asked.

Pain and hurt flashed across her face. "I'm trying to right my wrong, okay? I-"

"And you've even dragged Moonlight Pagoda into this. If the princes do go to war, how many of your people will die for them?"

"And how many will suffer if the Crown Prince becomes Emperor? Haven't you heard? The Emperor's sick. Ren Shengfu believes the Crown Prince is poisoning his own father. Honestly, I wouldn't put it past him to do such a thing. Should such a man really sit on the throne?"

Qiu Ling pulled away. "Ren Shengfu was trustworthy when he diagnosed you with Fury Black Poison. I'd believe his words also."

But Xu Haoran wasn't convinced. "Do you plan to drag us into it? You can't expect me to let you go into battle alone without protection!"

"I can fend for myself!"

"Oh really? We just thought you were dead for four months!"

Li Yingshan winced. "What can I say to convince you?"

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