Chapter 52: Chapter 52: Neutrality

Li Yingshan opened her eyes and smiled. "A-Li啊 is used as a term of endearment, come here."

Li Feifei entered the room and walked over to her. She patted the spot on the bed beside her. The young Crown Princess climbed up and looked at her.

"Jiejie, are you going to fight Mother and Father?"

Li Yingshan shook her head. "No. Moonlight Pagoda will remain neutral. We won't take either side in war, should it come to that."

"Will my Mother and Father be alright?"

"I'm sure they will be. Don't worry, A-Li, I have my best scouts and messengers keeping an eye on things. When I hear of something, I'll be sure to tell you."

"I know they've taken Lucheng and Tianjin."

Li Yingshan sighed deeply. "Yes. And I've just ordered for Moonlight Pagoda's people to come back from the capital. Your parents promised they wouldn't attack Moonlight Pagoda when I promised to protect you. At the same time, I also promised that Moonlight Pagoda wouldn't get involved."

"What happens if you do?"

"If I do, I'll be betraying China."

"Why?" Li Feifei asked, truly confused.

"Because if I make a move, it will be to save your parents. Aiding the Xiluo Tribe will be seen as an act of treason. No matter how much Emperor Mingzhi cares for me, even he won't be able to protect me from the Imperial Court and the Department of Justice."

This is bad. What about Hero Xu? I must make him go back to Longxin City.

"Jiejie, how did you even meet my parents?"

A faint trace of sadness filled Li Yingshan's eyes. "They handed you over to me when you were four. But I met them for the first time the year before that. I was still the respected Third Young Lady of the Li family back then. But I had been caught in a trap. I didn't know it then, but that would the start of my troubles. It was the first time I had been targeted. I was only fifteen then, but I was already an Elite of the Jianghu. My father had sent men to kill me. He feared I would grow stronger than him and take over his position as the leader of the Li family. I never had that intention. But alas, I was surrounded and alone, outside of Longxin City. I didn't think I'd make it out alive."

She smiled. "But then, your parents came by. They had been secretly travelling around China, getting a gauge for the terrain and Jianghu. And yet, they were kind enough to save me. Indebted, I promised them that I would repay their kindness. A year later, they returned to Longxin City with you, but I was already disgraced and living in Luoyang. When Han Shaolei met with them, he told them where I was. Going to Luoyang was too dangerous for them, so they left you in his care. He brought you to Luoyang. Since then, me, Han Shaolei, and Miao Chuntao have kept your secret."

Li Yingshan sighed sadly. "When the Crown Prince kidnapped you, I first feared he knew who you were. But when he continued to threaten me with your life, I realized he actually didn't know. Otherwise, I believe he would've killed you."

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Li Feifei shuddered. "Jiejie, what will happen if my parents and Emperor Mingzhi can't make peace?"

"The best option would be for Xiluo Tribe to stop invading the north. But your parents are ambitious and want better land. So the next option for peace will depend on who gains the upper hand. If your parents gain more ground and grow even stronger, then they may ask for tribute from His Majesty. His Majesty is smart. But paying tribute is a dangerous game, and he knows it. I doubt he'd agree to it."

"Then is there another option?"

At first, Li Yingshan shook her head. But then, she started to think.

There's only two Imperial Princes now that Chen Chengxian risen to the Dragon Throne. He's close to his eighth brother, since they had the same mother. And also, the Eighth Prince never had any desire for the throne. But the Tenth Prince... is still just a child. He's what? Ten? Wait...

In past dynasties, there had been "peace brides" married off to the enemy to resolve tensions. But what if this time, it was a "peace groom" instead? Would Chen Chengxian be willing to marry off his tenth brother?

"The only possibility left would be an intermarriage. But His Majesty is nine years older you, not that it really matters much. I doubt he'd be the candidate. So it'd either be the Eighth Prince, who's twelve years older, or the Tenth Prince, who's only one year older than you."

"I don't want to marry!" Li Feifei cried.

It was at this moment that Xu Haoran silently landed on the balcony and heard the following words.

"You might not have a choice, A-Li. Yes, it'd probably be the last resort. But I know Emperor Mingzhi well enough to know he'll never agree to paying a tribute. And your parents wanted to keep you safe. That means they have no plans of backing down. Even if something were to happen to them, which is unlikely, but at least you'd still be alive. Your parents knew I had founded Moonlight Pagoda. They knew of its influence and power. They knew I had the ability to protect you. And though I failed for a while, are you not safe and sound now? A-Li, for your people, you must live. You must survive. Understand?"

Li Feifei pouted. "Didn't Jiejie say that the Xiluo Tribe could easily defeat the Han Chinese? Someday, I'll be the one to sit on the throne!"

Li Yingshan's eyes blazed with fury. She grabbed her chin and held her head. "You don't know that. Remember, anything can happen in war. And plus, your future husband would be the ruler. Though you hold the prestige as Crown Princess now, once you marry, it will go to your husband."

"My people will defeat your weak soldiers!"

Wishing she still had her martial arts, Li Yingshan could do nothing. She also knew that if she actually hurt the Crown Princess of the Xiluo Tribe, Moonlight Pagoda would suffer.

"A-Li, I was this arrogant too, once. And I've nearly lost my life six times now. Just because you're the Crown Princess of the Xiluo Tribe doesn't mean that you can act the way you want. Perhaps I spoiled you too much back then."

Xu Haoran's eyes widened. Li Feifei is Huyan Li? What else is Yingshan hiding from me?

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