Chapter 243 Borrowing Troops

Mu Xi and Doctor Luo discussed the matter.

Although Shen Lun has never shown his face or been heard from, the fact that the title of "the former grandson of the Prince Yan" has been given means that Shen Lun was undoubtedly behind it.

Having finally made a lead, Mu Xi naturally wanted to find Mu Xun, but in such a chaotic situation, she would have to borrow troops and men from Princess Qingyang.

On this day, Mu Xi invited Li Liqing to visit her residence.

After Mu Xi spoke, Li Li slowly sipped the improved green wine and shook his head: "Alas... what a pity... what a pity..."

Mu Xi's heart skipped a beat, thinking that Li Li was about to refuse.

Li Lizhi raised an eyebrow: "Before I consider it, could you honestly answer one question for your younger sister?"

"Ask away." Mu Xi's heart was in her throat.

Li Li's lips curled into a smile: "Although you drew that picture book, I'm afraid you've never really been interested in that kind of thing, right? You've been pretending for the past two years, haven't you?"

“Uh…” Mu Xi was caught out and didn’t know how to respond.

Li Li had already given birth to a daughter with the son of the chief of the Li clan. After becoming a mother, the woman became more understanding and compassionate. She did not press further but sighed, "Alas, if you don't want to answer, then so be it."

Mu Xi was tired of pretending, so she simply admitted, "I...indeed...don't enjoy things like my sister does."

With the advice of Mu Xi and Qi Yingyu, Li Li has had a smooth and successful career in the past two years.

After giving birth to her daughter, Li Li entrusted her to the matriarch of the Li clan, who was also Li Li's maternal grandmother, to raise. The Li clan was overjoyed, believing that this daughter represented the continuation of the maternal line for three generations. As a result, Li Li's position within the Li clan became even more secure.

On the other hand, inspired by Qi Yingyu, Li Li also put her efforts into cultivating relationships with several powerful generals under her father, Lord Qingyang. Anyone who caught her eye and was willing to play her "hobby games" became her devoted follower.

Li Li's public explanation was that the heir apparent Jin Fang was simply not perceptive and they couldn't get along, so he had given up on the idea of ​​marrying Mu Xi into the family and was now looking for a new husband among the talented young men of Donghai.

Therefore, the wedding of Prince Jin Fang and Princess Qingyang was postponed again and again. In addition, apart from the East Sea, the Yan Sheng was engulfed in war, and no one had time to pay attention to the wedding. Mu Xi was able to catch her breath.

Although Mu Xi didn't have to worry about marrying into the family, she still gained a negative reputation. One person said that she was disliked by Princess Qingyang, and another said that since she was no longer the prince consort and had failed to succeed to the title of princess after the death of Jin Fangjun, she had become a homeless dog.

Sometimes Mu Xi felt like she had been abandoned, and she was often depressed.

Princess Qingyang, however, felt somewhat guilty towards Muxi and often invited her to join in the fun and entertainment to relieve her worries.

The two became best friends, and now that Mu Xi had asked to borrow troops, Li Li could ask some questions directly: "Sister, you seem to care so much about your brother, but I'm afraid he's not even a blood brother, is he? You said you wanted to borrow troops to find out what your uncle in the Western Frontier was thinking, but actually you just wanted to find someone, right?"

Mu Xi was taken aback by the question.

For the past two years, she had indeed been thinking about Mu Xun, but she took it for granted and never considered what kind of feelings she had for him.

She was confused, but Li Li seemed to see right through her: "Don't worry... every stone lion in front of a house is not clean, and every family with a small garden must have secrets. It's alright if you're worried, sister. After all, that second young master... I find him pitiful, hehe... But with your status, sister, how can you be so sentimental?"

Upon hearing the phrase "I feel pity for him," Mu Xi felt a surge of displeasure, but she didn't show it on her face.

Li Li, however, spoke frankly: "Sister, you know the current state of affairs in the world. You should take this opportunity to strengthen your power, and then, like me, directly become a female monarch. In the future, you won't need to recruit any princes-in-law; you can just marry a 'ruler' husband. Regardless of gender or social status, everyone needs power and influence to get what they want. At that time, why would you have to worry about finding a man?"

In the past two years, Li Li used various means to first uncover the illegitimate children of her father, Lord Qingyang, and then seized control of them. She also selected many beautiful women to serve Lord Qingyang "in order to fulfill his filial duty."

In addition, several generals around Lord Qingyang were vying for favor and fighting openly and secretly, leaving them no time to attend to other matters. As a result, Li Li gradually eroded and seized 80% of the military power in the East Sea.

With military power in hand, I feel like I own the world.

Li Li could publicly declare that after her father, Lord Qingyang, passed away, she would directly inherit the title of Lord Qingyang and become the Lady of Qingyang, instead of having to marry a prince consort as before, who would then inherit the title of Lord Qingyang.

Her words caused a stir, with her generals scrambling to get close to her, and Mu Xi, as the "disliked" "former fiancé," was even more despised.

Despite being dependent on others, Mu Xi had a calm mindset. She had long lost the ambition she had when she first transmigrated and now only wanted to escape to the Nine Gardens with Mu Xun, Doctor Luo, and Bao Fan.

But he couldn't reveal these thoughts to Princess Qingyang, so he had to find a reason first: "What you say makes sense, sister, but our situations are different. Although I was raised as a prince since childhood, I always claimed to be weak and sickly to cover my tracks, and in reality, I didn't really learn any military skills. Unlike you, sister, who is both scholarly and martial, capable of fighting on horseback and governing on foot, and has the support of the Li clan, possessing the advantages of timing, location, and popular support, making it natural for you to become a female ruler in the future. As for Mu Xun, he has always been groomed as a qualified heir. In this chaotic world, even if I want to do what you say and make a name for myself, if I don't rely on him, who else can I rely on?"

Having observed Li Li for the past two years, Mu Xi genuinely envied Princess Qingyang.

Li Li disagreed, genuinely considering Mu Xi's feelings: "Then aren't you afraid that relying on this will eventually create an enemy? After spending so much time together, I know you are an ambitious person. Since you're borrowing troops, why not go big? After all, the King of Yu is still locked in a tug-of-war with Gao Quan and Xuan Youjun in Moyang. This is the best opportunity, a chance that won't come again."

Mu Xi didn't want to, but after thinking it over for the past two years, she still felt it wasn't the right time: "I'm not like my sister. The prejudices of the world are the hardest thing to change. It's not appropriate to announce my identity in advance, otherwise it will only add more constraints. Unless I have real power, then I'll shamelessly ask my sister for help."

"Alright, what you say makes sense, sister. I just don't want to see you suffer and be miserable, and I'm also afraid you'll be taken advantage of by men in the future. But if you're determined, I will definitely support you and send troops to you right away." Li Li now holds absolute power in the East China Sea, so if she agrees, it's practically a done deal.

Mu Xi was overjoyed at successfully borrowing troops and solemnly promised: "I will never forget your righteous act today, sister. After this is accomplished, we will form an alliance and help each other forever."

“We sisters have already sworn an oath before the Seven Gods, what else is there to say?” Li Liyi raised her glass in a gesture of respect.