Chapter 92 A Hidden Agenda: I've laid countless traps, what can she do to me? ...

The palace lanterns hung high, their pale orange light casting long shadows of the people in the hall. Xiao Liling's gaze swept over the eldest prince, Xiao Zhan, and the second prince, Xiao You, finally settling on the bright yellow imperial edict in the hands of the eunuch Huang Wu. She stood there without accepting the edict, seemingly determined to receive everyone's approval, and said, "Chief Sotaha is already seventy-six years old this year. Is Father Emperor sure he wants me to go for a political marriage?"

Huang Wu looked at the imperial edict with its clear and bright characters. The secrets of the heavens were all contained in these strokes of ink. The Shen family army, together with Xiao Yinshi, rebelled in the northern border. In three months, the flames of war burned down six cities, and the army was heading straight for the capital. In this critical situation, the barbarian Sotaha stopped harassing the southern border and said that he could send cavalry to help Emperor Jingde. On the condition that the two dynasties would be united forever, and that the Dahua Dynasty would cede three hundred li of land to allow Sotaha to expand its territory.

Xiao Yinshi's offensive was too fierce, and Emperor Jingde had been anxious every day for the past three months. Now that the Luosha army was at the city gates, even though Sotaha demanded that he cede territory and marry off his daughter, he had no choice but to agree. Otherwise, if Xiao Yinshi were to attack the capital, given the deep hatred between them, he would have a hard time even if he wanted to die.

Huang Wu was naturally aware of Emperor Jingde's thoughts. Upon hearing Xiao Liling's question, he comforted him, saying, "Now is a time when the dynasty is in turmoil and on the verge of collapse. Your Majesty has no choice but to do this."

Xiao Liling's expression remained indifferent upon hearing this. Xiao You knew that she was always very shrewd and never showed her joy or sorrow openly. He said, "Royal Sister, the safety of the entire country rests on your shoulders. I earnestly hope that you will uphold righteousness and protect the country!"

The blame was placed so high that Xiao Liling had no choice but to accept it, especially since she wouldn't abandon her father and brothers. Xiao You knew she had no other option. The eldest prince, Xiao Zhan, sighed and said, "Sister, we are in the royal family, and there are many things we can't control. Don't blame Father. We are doing everything for the sake of Hua Kingdom."

What affection could the Tian family possibly have? Xiao Liling knew her two maternal brothers perfectly well; one was a hypocrite, and the other a true villain. The fact that she had just felt a glimmer of hope for them was truly laughable. Her gaze towards them remained gentle as water, but only she knew the coldness rising in her heart. "Actually, Father Emperor had already discussed this matter with me a few days ago. For the sake of Hua Kingdom, Liling naturally had no choice but to do it."

Seeing that she readily agreed, Xiao Zhan's alarmed heart calmed down a little. These days, he and the Second Prince Xiao You dared not compete for power anymore, and were single-mindedly thinking about how to defend against the enemy. If the country were to fall, what right would they have to compete for power? "We will not forget the sacrifices that my sister made for Hua Kingdom. When the time is right in the future, I will definitely find a way to bring you back from the barbaric land."

Xiao You was not to be outdone, adopting the demeanor of a respectful brother, "That's right! We will never forget the sacrifices our elder sister has made for the country. When the war is over, we will respectfully welcome our elder sister back to her hometown!"

Listening to their high-sounding words, Xiao Liling wanted to force a smile, but the resentment and sorrow in her heart made her unable to put on a smile for them. She only said to Huang Wu, "Please trouble you to go back and tell my father that I will certainly live up to your trust."

This was somewhat like kicking the guests out. Xiao Zhan and Xiao You, as emperors, had already achieved their goal of persuading the guests. Seeing that she was in low spirits, they looked at each other and then left with Huang Wu without prior arrangement.

The tea leaves in the glass teacup with its gold rim had settled at the bottom. Xiao Liling reached out and touched it; the tea was already cold. She took a sip and then smashed the teacup on the ground. The loud bang made her personal maid, Pan Pei, rush into the hall. Seeing Xiao Liling's tearful face and the corners of her lips turned up, Pan Pei asked urgently, "Is the princess unwell?"

Xiao Liling laughed and cried at the same time, chanting loudly: "Father is not father, brother is not brother, before and after, there is no difference!"

Xiao Liling had always been calm and composed, and it was rare to see her speak so sharply. Pan Pei was so frightened that she quickly covered Xiao Liling's mouth and said, "There are many eyes and ears over the wall, Princess, please be careful what you say!"

Xiao Liling wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, her voice still choked with sobs, yet filled with an unusual madness. "They never treated me like a human being. I was born just a pawn. They wanted my complete obedience, to exchange my life for their imperial ambitions. Before, Xiao Liling could agree, but this time, Xiao Liling will not. I owe them nothing. I will live for myself."

Pan Pei had followed Xiao Liling for over ten years and treated her like her own daughter. Seeing her so emotionally expressive, she understood everything and simply asked, "What does the princess wish to do?"

Xiao Liling gripped Pan Pei's hand tightly, as if she were holding onto the only piece of driftwood in the water, and whispered, "Aunt, how can marrying an old barbarian from a foreign land compare to the joy of being the empress of the one you love? I want to welcome him to the capital, I want to save him thirty percent of his military strength, and I want to be his empress."

Pan Pei paused for a moment, then said, "That's fine. Since you have a childhood bond, he won't treat you badly. However, there are many opinions in the world, and the princess may face rumors and disturbances."

"As long as I can get what I want, I don't care if I am destroyed." Xiao Liling's broken emotions gradually recovered, and her expression returned to its usual composure. She looked up at Pan Pei and said, "Aunt, please help me redo my makeup. Tonight... I will be making a night visit to the Five Cities Military Command."

***

Dark clouds loomed over the capital of Hua Kingdom, threatening to crush the city. The 300,000-strong army of the Luosha and Shen families had ceased their attack and remained encamped outside the city for three days. The embers of gunpowder flickered like will-o'-the-wisps in the darkness. In the distance, soldiers gathered severed limbs and corpses, doused them with oil, and tossed torches into the fire. The flames licked at the fabric of the bodies, creating a spectacular display, and the stench of blood in the air grew even stronger.

The patrolling troops were divided into five groups around the camp, and they patrolled every part of the camp in an orderly manner. When the troops in front of the main tent saw Shen Shiyi stride in and lift the tent flap, their orderly steps all deviated from the predetermined straight line.

Shen Shiyi entered the main tent and saw Xiao Yinshi standing with his hands behind his back in front of the map of Dahua City. The dim candlelight illuminated his chiseled face, revealing a sharp and wild nature. After being stained with a lot of blood recently, his reserved demeanor was gone, and he felt dangerous and intimidating when he got close.

Shen Shiyi was a seasoned general with many years of experience on the battlefield. She knew that Xiao Yinshi was waiting for Xiao Liling to defect and surrender. However, Xiao Liling had already sent a message yesterday that once they attacked the city, the city gates would open from the inside, and the outcome of the battle would be decided. Why was Xiao Yinshi letting hundreds of thousands of troops wait here?

She frowned, about to ask a question, when Zhu Qi, covered in sweat, entered the tent, knelt down and bowed, saying, "Reporting to my master, the letter has been delivered, and negotiations with Miss Feng have been completed!"

After nearly three rounds of negotiations with the Imperial Dragon Camp, Zhu Qi returned from Linzhou. "Indeed, as Master predicted, even with the antidote for Menghe Nabul as bait, Miss Feng and the Imperial Dragon Camp were still unwilling to come down the mountain easily. Only then did I reveal my bargaining chip: if Miss Feng could use the weapon in her hand to save Madam Ban when my army was at the city gates, I would agree that Miss Feng could leave with the antidote."

Shen Shiyi suddenly realized, and looked up at Xiao Yinshi with displeasure in his eyes, "Your Highness has not attacked for so long, just to make a deal with Feng Tan? We can also save Madam Ban!"

Xiao Yinshi turned around and sat down in front of the tiger roar and wolf howl totem. His gaze fell on Shen Shiyi, and he said, "You are a general on the frontier, but you know better than me how to fight a battle that forces the army to the capital. My mother is trapped in enemy hands. Once we launch an attack, Emperor Jingde will hang her high in front of the city wall. At that time, will his sword be faster or your soldiers be faster?"

Shen Shiyi asked, "What chance does Feng Tan have of winning?"

Xiao Yinshi said, "Her lightness skill is superb, even the highest level martial artist may not be able to match it. In addition, the weapon in her hand is several times faster than a sharp arrow. With her there, we can be absolutely sure of success."

“That would be best…” Shen Shiyi looked at his indifferent face, and after a moment of contemplation, said, “I still owe her a life. According to the ancestral teachings of my Shen family, I should apologize with a thorn on my back. I will go to her when the war is over.”

She paused, then said, "I heard that she outmaneuvered you in the City of Joyful Radiance. Although our counterattack was somewhat difficult, we successfully brought our troops to the city gates. From now on, your path to becoming emperor will be smooth and successful. Your past grievances will be settled, and when your harem is filled with beauties, you will no longer hold a grudge against her."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yinshi's gaze sharpened, his voice icy cold. "She is indeed quite capable. General Shen, who is usually unyielding, has spoken so many good words to her after only meeting her a few times. However, the matter between me and her is for the general to decide. There is no need for the general to trouble himself with such matters."

After speaking without revealing any true intentions, Shen Shiyi chuckled, "Indeed, everyone is your pawn. It's ridiculous for me, as a pawn, to plead with the other pawns. But let me give you some advice: she's not some gentle and graceful lady. If you want to tame her, every time you lash her with the whip, she might just whip you back. In the end, the one tamed by the whip... might not be her."

Xiao Yinshi remained completely enigmatic in his words, calmly asking, "What are you trying to say?"

"I mean, you'd better really keep your deal and not mess it up." With that, Shen Shiyi turned and left.

The tent was silent for a while. Xiao Yinshi tapped his fingers lightly on the table in a rhythmic manner. "Zhu Qi, what's the next line after 'Having fought a hundred battles in the yellow sands, wearing golden armor'?"

Zhu Qi replied, "I will not return until Loulan is conquered."

Zhu Qi said, "Of course we can't... Ah? Master, isn't this a fair trade?"

After three months apart, Xiao Yinshi, whose emotions were usually stable, felt a pang of longing. However, this did not prevent him from delivering the fatal blow to Feng Tan. "Where is the fairness in this world?"

Three generations form a family, five generations a clan, and after nine generations of upheaval, he has long since established his own powerful clan, controlling all affairs of the court. In the past, he tried to evade fate and avoid karma, but all sorts of shackles only bound him. Since that's the case, why not follow his own will and completely imprison her?

Author's note: Okay, let me start by cursing: What a terrible guy!