Yun Yiyi wasn't having an easy time either. She had witnessed Yu Yun's pathetic state and looked down on him.
Yu Yun also looked down on Yun Yiyi, her study companion, and the two did not get along well.
After the gift-giving incident, Xiao Li and the Fifth Prince became closer. Whenever there was something nice, Xiao Li would have Yun Yiyi deliver it.
Over time, Yun Yiyi secretly began to show affection for the Fifth Prince, and the two even developed feelings for each other.
These days, Xiao Li doesn't value Yun Yiyi; she's having a hard time in the palace.
After realizing that Xiao Li didn't like her, Yun Yiyi stopped trying to get close to Xiao Li; she was quite perceptive.
A month ago, Yun Yiyi requested to return home to prepare to marry into the Fifth Prince's residence as a concubine.
Xiao Li is sixteen years old this year. After a defeat at the border, Dongxia sent an envoy, Ji Yan, to bring Yu Yun back to the country.
Ji Yan was a tall, thin middle-aged man. He was so excited when he saw Yu Yun that he almost burst into tears.
"Third Prince, you have suffered."
Yu Yun felt a lump in his throat. Indeed, he hadn't had a single day of rest.
The two went into the room and discussed something, not emerging until two hours later.
Yu Yun's previous gloom vanished, replaced by a smile. He had finally waited for this day.
"Your Majesty, our Eastern Xia is willing to truce for ten years and sincerely invite your princess to marry, as a sign of goodwill between our two countries."
Sima Gan'an was taken aback, not expecting that Dongxia had taken the initiative to propose a truce, and that it only wanted to use a princess for a marriage alliance.
He considered the pros and cons, then smiled and said, "I have the same idea."
The banquet had been prepared in advance, and Sima Gan'an and Ji Yan took their seats together. For a time, the guests and hosts were all happy and the atmosphere was extremely harmonious.
?
"What should we do? Dongxia actually sent Xiao Shi to marry a foreign ruler. She's only 16 years old this year."
Sima Gan'an frowned as he looked at the memorial in his hand.
In the past two years, he has often been in contact with Xiaoli and has enjoyed a family bliss he has never experienced before.
He felt particularly reluctant to leave, but Dongxia was a powerful nation, and the border issues needed to be resolved.
He was at his wit's end, and the Empress also came to plead her case with tears streaming down her face.
“Xiao Yingning is like my own daughter. Sending her to marry into a foreign power is like tearing my heart out.”
Sima Qian was in a difficult position. He summoned Ji Yan to the palace, hoping to find a replacement.
But Ji Yan insisted, "Your Majesty, this is the Emperor's will, and I hope Your Majesty will grant it."
He paused, then added, “My Emperor also said that if Your Majesty is reluctant to part with the princess, it is not necessary. Your Majesty can cede five cities as a sign of sincerity.”
Sima Gan'an looked bitter; five cities were far too many.
By this time, a marriage alliance was inevitable. Xiao Li was not unwilling; she went to see Sima Gan'an and offered to go for the marriage alliance.
“Father, for the sake of Xiling, I am willing to go to Dongxia.”
Going to Dongxia doesn't necessarily mean a marriage alliance.
Sima Gan'an held back his tears; he truly couldn't bear to part with his daughter, but given the current situation, he had no choice but to abandon her.
"Good, Yingning is indeed my daughter."
He immediately issued an edict, bestowing upon Xiaoli the title of Princess Protector of the Nation, elevating her rank by more than one level, which meant that the Eastern Xia Kingdom would have to pay more attention to her.
A month later, the princess who protected the country was to be married off to Dongxia, and she set off together with Yu Yun, the third prince of Dongxia.
After returning to the palace, Xiao Li began packing her things. The journey was long and she might not be able to return for a long time, so she needed to prepare properly.
The four palace maids wept uncontrollably. The princess was so pitiful. How many princesses who were sent to marry foreign rulers throughout history had a good ending?
They did not back down, bidding farewell to their families and vowing to follow him to the death.
After thinking it over, Xiaoli only planned to bring two people: Lanxiang and Lanyi. One was a senior manager, and the other was a good cook.
When you're out and about, you should eat well, especially since the two of them are the best at fighting.
"Would you two be willing to come with me to Dongxia?"
Lanxiang and Lanyi immediately smiled, knelt down, and agreed in unison.
"It is our honor to be able to follow the princess."
Lanruo and Lanfang became anxious, "Princess, we want to go too."
The princess has treated them very well these past two years and has taught them many things; they don't want to leave.
Xiao Li nodded in satisfaction, "Don't worry, I'm not abandoning you. I still have something to tell you."
Lan Ruo and Lan Fang then stopped crying and smiled. "Please speak, Princess. We will definitely do our best."
Xiao Li took out the gold and silver she had accumulated over the years and handed it to Lan Ruo.
"All these years I've had you learn so much, all for this moment. I'm going to let you leave the palace. You can stay in the city for now, open a shop, and wait for my return."
The two maids nodded repeatedly. Over the years, they had learned much more than just needlework and art. Their skills were now comparable to those of the imperial guards, and each of them could easily take on ten men.
Xiao Li told the four women the direction they would take in the future.
"That's roughly it. You can decide the details yourselves. Just have someone send me a letter every three months."
The four women all agreed and went off to prepare their things, while Xiao Li leisurely painted under the tree.
Yu Yun was particularly upset, thinking that the Tenth Princess would cry and beg him to come when she learned that she was to be married off.
He didn't expect Xiaoli to agree. Wasn't she afraid? Being a princess sent for a political marriage was no easy task.
Yu Yun thought of Yun Yiyi, who was about to marry into the Fifth Prince's household, and a strange sense of resentment rose in her heart.
What was she, a mere page who used to boss her around in order to please the princess?
To think you can rise to prominence and become a phoenix these days is just a pipe dream!
And then there's the Fifth Prince, who bullied me for a long time, forcing me to lower my status and seek protection from Xiao Li.
He hardened his heart and went directly to see the Fifth Prince.
"What did you say? You and Yun Yiyi are in love?"
Yu Yun smiled and cupped her hands in greeting, "We used to play together at the Tenth Princess's place a lot, so we developed feelings for each other. Later, you developed feelings for her, and I felt that I couldn't give her happiness, so I withdrew."
But now I am about to return to my homeland and do not wish to miss the love of my life. I beg the Fifth Prince to grant my request.
The Fifth Prince looked as if he had eaten shit, his face instantly turning ugly. He didn't need to investigate to know that what Yu Yun said was true.
He used to mock Yu Yun for actually providing background music for a little study companion.
Xiao Shi is very good at playing pranks. She often has Yun Yiyi make things difficult for Yu Yun and embarrass him. Unexpectedly, Yu Yun actually developed feelings for her after being tormented.
The Fifth Prince flatly refused, "You're dreaming. She is my betrothed concubine. Even if she isn't officially married yet, she's still mine. Please leave."
Yu Yun took out a jade pendant from his pocket. He had asked Ji Yan for it, and coincidentally, it belonged to the Fifth Prince's uncle.
"I hope we can have a pleasant collaboration."
The Fifth Prince's eyes reddened when he saw the jade pendant, but Yu Yun didn't say anything more. He put the jade away, bowed, and left.
The Fifth Prince sat in the chair, feeling both ashamed and angry. He had married Yun Yiyi because she was quite interesting.
More importantly, she had a very good relationship with Xiao Shi, which is why the Fifth Prince decided to give her the status of a concubine.
Otherwise, how could a concubine's daughter be worthy of him?
She's made herself lose face so badly; she definitely can't be allowed to live.
But now that Yu Yun wants her, then so be it.
As for Xiao Shi, I will personally apologize. Is my own brother less important than her, who is just a study companion?
Having made up his mind, the Fifth Prince decided to go find Xiao Li.
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