In Changan City, Jiangxia Palace.
After returning from the palace, Li Daozong secluded himself in the study. Li Ers decree ca as a complete surprise to him.
In the palace, Li Er spoke to him extensively. Being a skilled general himself, Li Daozong fully comprehended Li Ers worries.
The Tubo people held a geographical advantage. Even repeated losses could not weaken them significantly unless soone invaded their holand and annihilated Tubo in one decisive battle.
But was such a thing feasible?
Li Jing openly admitted that he lacked certainty in defeating Tubo if he were to lead the battle. Li Daozong considered himself sowhat inferior to Li Jing when it ca to commanding troops in combat.
Could Li Daozong achieve what Li Jing couldnt?
Since the Tang Dynastys inception, constant warfare had prevailed. Now, it was ti for recovery. Moreover, the Tang Dynasty followed a governnt-military system, integrating civilian and military forces. The primary armies consisted of governnt troops who also engaged in farming during peaceful tis.
It would inevitably disrupt the planting season if they chose to initiate war. Furthermore, Tubo wasnt a significant threat to the Tang Dynasty, making it unworthy of a large-scale military operation.
Li Daozong also didnt deny that resolving the issue through marriage alliances would be the best option for the Tang Dynasty.
However, if the chosen person was his own daughter, that was a different story. Li Daozong was feeling downcast. He didnt know how to break this news to his daughter. After a while, the outside gradually darkened.
The door was knocked, and Li Xueyans voice ca through.
Dad, its ti for a al.
Outside the door, Li Xueyan looked at the pitch-dark study with a worried expression. Just this morning, she returned to Changan with Li Daozong and hadnt had the chance to tell anyone. Of course, there were many people Li Xueyan wanted to et. However, she was more concerned about her father.
A prince generally didnt leave his domain without a specific reason. Due to holding multiple positions, Li Daozong wasnt heavily restricted by Li Er. However, this ti Li Er urgently summoned him back to the capital, indicating sothing significant.
Since he ca back, Li Daozongs mood had been visibly off, greatly worrying Li Xueyan.
Ever since she could rember, she watched her father head to battle multiple tis. But no matter how dire the situation, she had never seen sorrow on her fathers face.
What did the emperor say to make her usually upright and cheerful father appear so downcast?
Li Xueyan started feeling restless and lost in thought.
While she was lost in thought, the door suddenly opened. Seeing her father, Li Xueyan was shocked.
The usually stern expression on her fathers face was now filled with sadness as if his spirit had been drained in just one afternoon. So much so that in just half a days absence, Li Xueyan felt like her father had aged several years.
Father Li Xueyan looked at him with a heartache and a hint of disbelief. Seeing his daughters expression, Li Daozong couldnt help but feel a pang in his heart. His already reddened eyes felt even more swollen and sore.
Dad, whats wrong? Li Xueyan asked with concern.
Li Daozong remained silent, waving his hand at her and gesturing for his daughter to enter.
Once seated, Li Daozong let out a long sigh. Then, he said, Today, His Majesty summoned to the palace to discuss the Tubo border situation
An uneasy feeling grew stronger in Li Xueyan. She didnt speak, just looked at Li Daozong silently.
The Tubo forces pressuring the city is an old issue being brought up again, and they are seeking a marriage alliance with the princess for Songtsan Gampo. His Majesty His Majesty has decided to agree to the peace proposal with Tubo
Suddenly, Li Xueyan felt a heavy blow to her chest, and her face turned pale. She finally understood where her underlying uneasiness ca from.
Tubos Zanpu seeking a marriage alliance had caused a lot of commotion a few years back. The people of the Tang Dynasty had laughed at this unheard-of foreign countrys audacity.
Among the noblewon, Songtsan Gampo had been the subject of mockery. ntioning him caused all the refined ladies to scorn him. This year, Tubos movents had escalated, pressuring the Tang Dynasty to achieve a peace agreent.
And the emperor had agreed
Thinking of her fathers deanor since his return, it instantly beca clear to Li Xueyan.
The emperor had chosen her for the marriage alliance!
In a mont, Li Xueyans mind roared, her vision blurred. She heard her fathers voice in her ears, sotis distant, sotis close, an ethereal whisper.
My daughter, its because Im incapable. I couldnt protect you
His Majesty has made up his mind, and the Tubo envoy has been summoned for detailed discussions
At the upcoming court eting, His Majesty will announce this news
In a daze, Li Xueyan didnt know how she ended up back in the room.
Late at night, a flash of lightning suddenly illuminated the sky. Followed by a massive clap of thunder that rattled the windows.
Li Xueyan, sitting in her room for hours, finally snapped out of her daze. The imminent downpour hit the doors and windows, creating a crackling sound.
Li Xueyan lit a candle with an expressionless face. Ever since she had heard the news from her father, she had been in this state. She had always believed she was a resilient person with a strong inner self.
No matter what challenges ca her way, she firmly believed she could overco them. When she was young, when facing a question she didnt understand, she would study until she grasped it, even if it ant burning the midnight oil.
She excelled in piano, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Even the Empress Zhangsun had praised her, considering her a model lady. Her most significant hurdle before had been an unrequited love experience. Because of that, she left Changan slightly awkwardly the last ti she was here.
During her ti in Jiangxia, she had deliberately avoided everything related to that person. Later, she felt she had moved on completely.
Occasionally, thoughts of him arose, but she felt she could handle them with indifference. Upon her return to Changan, Li Daozong had ntioned finding a suitable marriage for her, and she hadnt objected.
After all, she was of marriageable age. At least her father was understanding and allowed her so degree of choice. However, she hadnt expected that she would be hit with such shocking news upon arriving in Changan.
You are of royal blood, have enjoyed wealth and prosperity, and now its ti to give back. I cannot refuse His Majestys decision Her fathers words echoed in her mind again.
Li Xueyan let out a bitter laugh.
Indeed, to gain sothing, you often have to lose sothing. It seed to be the fate of soone like her. But why did that soone have to be her sacrifice?
For so reason, at this mont, that figure that she had long stopped thinking about resurfaced in her mind
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