Chapter 91 Marriage Alliance
In Li Yuanzhao's eyes, Li Yuanshu's poisoning was nothing more than a child's tantrum, and she had already taught him a lesson herself, which was enough.
Although Li Yuanyou and Li Yuanshu are not her blood-related younger siblings, after spending several years together, she still couldn't help but consider herself as the eldest sister in her heart.
As long as it doesn't involve her core interests, it's just a minor punishment to serve as a warning and discipline.
But this incident also made her see a hidden danger clearly.
The imperial harem, under the control of the Imperial Concubine, is practically riddled with holes.
If someone dares to put aphrodisiacs in her wine today, who knows if someone will poison her food tomorrow?
If that's really the case, then it's going to be terrible.
Using the pretext of "winning a battle and celebrating the whole country," she advised her father, the emperor, that "many palace maids have reached the age to marry and should be released to the common people to demonstrate the emperor's benevolent rule and love for the people."
The Emperor was not particularly concerned with the trivial matters of the harem, and since it was a joyous occasion, he immediately granted permission.
Taking advantage of this opportunity to "release palace maids from the palace," she secretly screened out nearly half of the palace servants who were closely associated with the Imperial Concubine, and also privately arranged for many of her own people to rise to the position.
Only then was this hidden danger completely eliminated.
Li Yuanshu lived in fear for several days, constantly worried that Li Yuanzhao would expose the poisoning to his father, the emperor.
Only when she saw that everything was calm and peaceful in the palace, as if no one knew anything, did her anxiety slowly subside.
But it's impossible for her to feel grateful to Li Yuanzhao because of this.
At most, I could only reluctantly admit to myself that although my elder sister was ruthless, she wasn't exactly a backstabber.
However, her current situation didn't allow her to think about anything else.
She knew all too well that if she didn't find a way out for herself as soon as possible, she would eventually become a pawn in her mother's scheme to pave the way for her brother.
To escape this fate, she must find an ally as soon as possible—an ally whose family is powerful and who holds a voice in the court.
But now she has nothing, neither real power nor a foothold.
The only thing she can boast about is her identity as the "Third Princess".
Looking around, it seems that the only way to get others to willingly ally with her is through "marriage."
She couldn't help but think of Pei Huaijin again.
The Pei family has been officials for generations and enjoys a high reputation among the gentry. If she could marry Pei Huaijin, her future would be much easier with the help of the Pei family's influence.
Unfortunately, she originally intended to snatch Li Yuanzhao away from her by showing him his shameful side.
Now it seems that, regardless of whether he saw it with his own eyes or not, he will remain loyal to Li Yuanzhao and it is absolutely impossible for him to be used by her.
But before she could figure out who to marry, a shocking piece of news suddenly broke in the imperial court.
The Tibetan envoys came not only to seek peace, but also to request to marry a princess of the Great Qi in order to establish an eternal alliance between the two countries.
That's when she panicked.
Currently, among the princesses of marriageable age under the Emperor's tutelage, aren't only she and Li Yuanzhao the two?
Li Yuanzhao was highly regarded by her father, so how could her father possibly bear to let her marry a Tibetan?
In that case, wouldn't she be the only one left to choose for a marriage alliance?
Upon hearing the news, she rushed to her mother's Jinxiu Palace in a panic.
The palace servants outside the hall tried to report, but she directly raised her hand to interrupt them.
But as soon as she stepped through the palace gate, she inadvertently overheard her uncle Cui Shiliang and her mother having a private conversation.
She stopped abruptly and hid behind a pillar.
"Brother, did you really hear that clearly? Did that Tibetan prince really say in court today that he wanted to marry a princess?"
"This morning at court, Chizu Dezan said it in front of all the civil and military officials, and even presented the official letter. It is absolutely true."
"But... how could His Majesty agree?"
"The matter of marriage alliances is not new. Forty years ago, Your Majesty's imperial aunt also went to Tibet for a marriage alliance, which brought nearly ten years of peace to the border between Great Qi and Tibet. Your Majesty may not necessarily disagree," Cui Shiliang said slowly. "Moreover, the Tibetan king is now showing great sincerity, even proposing to pay Great Qi 5,000 catties of gold and 20,000 horses every year. With such benefits, many officials in the court have already advised His Majesty to agree to the marriage alliance."
The Imperial Concubine's voice was already tinged with sobs, "What can we do? His Majesty certainly won't consider Li Yuanzhao. Isn't this just asking for my Shu'er? Tibet is so far away, and it's a barbarian land. How can she have a good life there?"
"Your Majesty, please calm down and think carefully. If the Third Princess marries into Tibet, it may not be a bad thing for us. With her becoming the Tibetan Queen, the Second Prince will have the support of Tibet, which will greatly increase his chances of succeeding to the throne in the future."
Li Yuanshu, behind the pillar, felt his heart sink, but he still waited for his mother to say something in rebuttal.
“But…” The Imperial Concubine hesitated, clearly also swayed by the “benefits,” “Shu’er is so willful, she will definitely not agree.”
Cui Shiliang's tone grew increasingly resolute, "Your Majesty, this requires you to persuade her properly. The Third Princess's marriage to Tibet is not only for the Second Prince, but also for the future of our Cui family, she..."
Li Yuanshu felt a chill all over his body.
It turns out that all those everyday words of concern and care were fake.
From beginning to end, in her mother's and uncle's eyes, she was nothing more than a pawn paving the way for her elder brother.
She couldn't listen anymore, staggered backward, and turned to run.
After leaving the Brocade Palace, she was momentarily at a loss as to where to go.
But only one thought remained in her mind: she couldn't marry into Tibet, absolutely not!
She was in a panic for a while before she suddenly remembered.
Father, Father will definitely not agree.
During this time, she has been taking care of her father every day. How could her father bear to marry her off to that barbarian?
Clinging to this last glimmer of hope, she headed straight for Yanying Hall.
But as soon as she arrived at the entrance of Yanying Hall, she was stopped by Eunuch Xu.
"Third Princess, His Majesty is currently in a meeting and cannot see you at this time."
A bad premonition instantly welled up in Li Yuanshu's heart.
"A meeting? What are you discussing? Is it... is it about the marriage alliance with Tibet?"
Eunuch Xu lowered his eyes and said, "This servant does not know."
Just as she was panicking and trying to force her way in, she suddenly heard footsteps behind her.
She turned around and saw that it was Li Yuanzhao.
Upon seeing her, Li Yuanshu recalled what had happened that night and unconsciously took a step back.
This time I'm really scared of the pain...
When Eunuch Xu saw Li Yuanzhao, he hurriedly went to greet her: "Your Highness, the Princess, you've finally arrived! His Majesty has been waiting for you in the palace for quite some time."
Li Yuanzhao glanced at Li Yuanshu indifferently, said nothing, and stepped straight into the hall.
The palace doors slowly closed behind her.
Li Yuanshu's heart sank to the bottom.
How could Li Yuanzhao possibly disagree with marrying her off to Tibet?
Could it be...?
Is this really how her life is supposed to be?
They can only be manipulated by others, becoming pawns pushed into the wilderness.
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