Chapter 51: Chapter 51: Emperor Mingzhi

Han Shaolei nodded. "I understand."

With that, Miao Chuntao walked out. She left Moonlight Pagoda and headed over to the Ninth Prince's camp. AS she moved amongst the soldiers, they all stopped what they were doing and bowed to her. When she reached the large tent at the far end of the camp, she pulled the flap aside and entered. His generals had arrived with the rest of the troops early that morning so she greeted all of them.

After straightening, she reported, "Your Highness, the Pagoda Elders and I have decided to send ten of the Black Phoenixes and ten of our best Inner Disciples with you."

"Thank you, Ms. Miao. You didn't have to do that."

"It's our pleasure. Also, we wanted to thank you for coming to help us fight against the other princes, so this is a show of our gratitude."

Chen Chengxian nodded. "Is there anything else?"

She looked down at the ground. "Members of the Xiluo Tribe have been raiding relay stations in the north. With the First, Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Seventh Princes all dead, and the Second and Sixth Princes died in infancy, that only leaves the Eighth Prince, you, and the Tenth Prince to take up arms against the Xiluo Tribe. But the Eighth Prince excels in the Four ArtsThe Four Arts of the Chinese Scholar: Music, Weichi (Go), Calligraphy, and Painting ; they were the four main academic and artistic talents required of the aristocratic ancient Chinese scholars and has never cared for practicing the sword. The Tenth Prince is only ten and is inexperienced in war. So you are the only one out of His Majesty, the Emperor's, remaining sons who is qualified to defend the northern border."

He thought it over. "My eighth brother, indeed, has never cared for the imperial in-fighting. He's never made a move for the throne. And yes, my tenth brother is too young."

After chuckling, he added, "It appears Moonlight Pagoda has done its research. But you're right. I'm the only suitable prince to do it. Though, what about my Royal Father?"

Miao Chuntao quickly dropped to her knees and hung her head, bowing. "His Majesty, the Emperor, is on his deathbed. The Crown Prince had poisoned him for too long. No successor has been chosen yet, but the Imperial Court is pushing for one to be chosen. Once word gets out that the Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Crown Princes are dead, there may be a decision made."

"My Royal Father is on his deathbed?!"

"Yes, Your Highness," she said quietly.

He spun and looked at his generals. "Pack up! We're headed for the capital with all haste!"

"Yes!"

Miao Chuntao exited the tent and watched as they began to pack. Chen Chengxian approached her.

"Will you let me know when Ms. Li wakes up?"

"Of course, Your Highness. Safe travels."

"Thank you, Ms. Miao."

She nodded and left, returning to Moonlight Pagoda.

∇

That evening, Ren Shengfu arrived. He was quickly shown inside and brought up to Li Yingshan's bedroom. Xu Haoran greeted him as he set down his medical box and walked over to the bed. He took her pulse.

She really did lose her internal force.

"Physician Ren, is she alright? Will she wake up soon?"

"She's strong. She should wake up soon. After that, make sure she rests well. Don't let her be stressed easily."

"I understand. Thank you."

Ren Shengfu nodded. "Young Lady Li has suffered many calamities in this lifetime. Now, more than ever, she needs support from people she can trust. Hero Xu, you are her husband. She spoke highly of you when I was helping her recover before. Don't let her down."

"I won't."

Satisfied, Ren Shengfu grabbed his medical box and left the room. Xu Haoran sat back down on the edge of the bed and clasped her hand in his, gazing at her.

"Yingshan, if you can wake up for me one last time, I promise that I will be better. A better man and a better husband. Please, just wake up."

∇

One month later, chaos wreaked havoc in the capital. The Xiluo Tribe was also pushing further and further south into the Central Plains. The dynasty was at its weakest, and its enemies were taking advantage.

But that day, Moonlight Pagoda saw a miracle happen. In the early afternoon, Li Yingshan finally woke up from her coma. Xu Haoran rejoiced.

"You're finally awake!"

"Hero Xu? How long have I been unconscious?"

"You were in a coma for just over a month now."

Her eyes widened. "What?!"

He nodded. "But don't worry, Miao Chuntao and Han Shaolei have taken care of things."

But then, her eyebrows furrowed. "Why are you still here?"

Confusion flickered in his eyes. "What do you mean?"

"I would've thought that you'd have gone back to Longxin City by now."

He hesitated before saying, "Yingshan, you are my wife. If I go back to Longxin City, I'm taking you with me."

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"I have a duty to Moonlight Pagoda. The Fourth and Fifth Princes-"

"Are dead. Your Black Phoenixes and Bloodmoon Guardians took care of them and the rest of the straggling soldiers that happened to survive your Cosmos Raining Hailfire."

"They're all dead?" she breathed in astonishment.

"Yes."

"Then what about the Ninth Prince? Where is he?"

"In the capital. We just received news today. The former Emperor has passed away. The Ninth Prince is preparing to ascend the throne as Emperor Mingzhi明智 míngzhì - meaning "sensible/wise/judicious/sagacious". The capital is unstable right now, which isn't good."

"Why?"

And so, he told her all about the Xiluo Tribe. Fear filled her eyes.

Feifei...

"Hero Xu, summon Miao Chuntao and Han Shaolei. I need to speak with them. Now."

Hurt flashed across his handsome features. But he nodded and stood. After jumping down from her balcony, he went to go find them Once he was gone, she slowly sat up, clutching at her head.

"This isn't good," she muttered. "The Xiluo Tribe has grown in influence these past few years. Unless Chen Chengxian stabilizes the country, and fast, we could lose to the nomads. By then... Li Feifei, no Huyan Li, would no longer be Moonlight Pagoda's Successor Disciple, but the rightful heir to the Xiluo Tribe."

A few minutes later, Miao Chuntao and Han Shaolei appeared on her balcony. This time, Xu Haoran wasn't with them. They entered and saluted.

"Greetings to Goddess. You're finally awake."

"Hero Xu told me about the Xiluo Tribe. What has Chen Chengxian done regarding them so far?"

Miao Chuntao shook her head. "His Highness is too busy with coronation preparations. The Xiluo Tribe has been growing bolder and are even attacking cities now. Lucheng鹿城 lùchéng - literally "City of Deer" ; old name for present day Baotou in Inner Mongolia, China and Tianjin天津 tiānjīn - literally "Heavenly Ford" have both fall to them."

Li Yingshan sighed. "At least Feifei is here with us. Keep an eye on her. No matter what happens, she is not to leave Moonlight Pagoda's headquarters. Understand?"

"Yes, Goddess," they replied.

"Good. Now, Han Shaolei, where are the shards of my Moonlight Pearl?"

His eyes widened. "Goddess, you really are deserving of your title! We didn't know whether you'd realize the pearl had shattered or not."

"I knew it before I passed out. I felt the loss of all my internal force."

He bowed. "I have the shards stored in the Treasury Archive. They're well-hidden, too."

"Very well. Leave them there then. Since it's already broken, it's of no use to anyone anymore."

"Goddess," Miao Chuntao began. "What are you going to do about Hero Xu?"

"What do you mean?"

"He doesn't know about Li Feifei's true identity or about your Moonlight Pearl. Do you plan on telling him?"

"You didn't tell him about the pearl?"

"We didn't think you would've wanted us to," Han Shaolei explained. "If we've done wrong, please punish us for our incompetence!"

Both dropped to their knees. Li Yingshan sighed.

"Get up. Perhaps it's better he doesn't know."

"There's one more thing, Goddess," Miao Chuntao said.

"What?"

"We sent ten Black Phoenixes and ten Inner Disciples with His Highness."

"Hmm, enough to make it look like we're fully loyal, but also it's not the full strength of the Black Phoenixes which would allow him to be almost invincible. Smart. Good work."

They both bowed respectfully. "Goddess, what should we do regarding the Xiluo Tribe?"

"I promised Huyan Weili威力 wēilì - given name meaning "Might/Formidable Power" and his wife that I'd keep their daughter safe. In return, the Chieftain and Chieftess of the Xiluo Tribe promised that they wouldn't bother Moonlight Pagoda. Therefore, Moonlight Pagoda will not engage in any battle against them. So recall the ten Black Phoenixes and ten Inner Disciples. I don't want trouble right now. We, ourselves, are still recovering from the battle with the Imperial Princes. Moonlight Pagoda can't afford to offend the Chieftain and Chieftess and bring more disasters upon us."

"Yes, Goddess."

"Go. Send a letter to Emperor Mingzhi. I want my Black Phoenixes and Inner Disciples back before he sends soldiers to war."

Miao Chuntao and Han Shaolei saluted and retreated. Once they flew down, Li Yingshan closed her eyes and massaged her temples. Then, she heard a soft voice call out.

"Jiejie?"

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