Chapter 330: Who Is the Imperial Sister? Does It Matter?

Xiao Li rode hard, meeting up with Xiao Jingyi, who had received word and brought troops, in less than half a day.

"Imperial Sister!"

When Xiao Li went missing, Yang Jun and the others hadn’t announced it publicly. The troops they sent to search the desert were dispatched under the guise of clearing out sand bandits and searching for desert treasures.

So, until now, Xiao Jingyi had no idea that Xiao Li had run into trouble in the desert. He just thought she had deliberately hidden her movements to go to Yizhou and rescue Feng Yin.

This was mainly because it sounded exactly like something Xiao Li would do. If you were to say Xiao Li went wandering in the desert, got robbed by sand bandits, ran into quicksand, and finally escaped to Yizhou... now *that* would sound like complete nonsense.

That’s why sometimes, it’s not that people are unwilling to believe the truth, but that the truth sounds too incredible.

Xiao Li glanced over. "How many men did you bring?"

Xiao Jingyi replied, "Eight thousand."

Xiao Li did a quick calculation. ’That should be enough.’

"Rong Qing."

Rong Qing stepped forward. "I am here."

Xiao Li looked at him. "I’m giving you one month."

One month to take the three state cities in Prince Pei’s territory and completely crush the rebellion.

The eight thousand were the vanguard. Reinforcements would follow, bringing the total to around twenty thousand troops, plus artillery. It was more than enough to take Yizhou.

Rong Qing dropped to one knee without hesitation. "I obey Your Majesty’s decree!"

Xiao Li watched Rong Qing. Since arriving in Yizhou, he had retreated once more, quietly serving as the guard behind her—obedient, loyal, and never crossing that line by even half a step.

If not for the suppressed, burning intensity still in his eyes when he looked at her, Xiao Li would have thought he had completely let go.

’This man is too rational. No, he’s too considerate.’

’He never puts me in a difficult position or forces a response. It’s as if simply watching over me is enough.’

’The selfless type. The most loyal of generals.’

’A man like this is actually wonderful. But because he’s *too* good, in any relationship, he’s destined to be the backup plan.’

"Rong Qing."

Xiao Li called his name again, but this time, it sounded different.

Rong Qing looked up at her. Seeing her gaze clearly, his silver pupils trembled slightly. "Your Majesty."

Xiao Li met his gaze directly, leaned in closer, and a faint smile touched her lips as it danced in her eyes. "I will return to the Capital City first. When you return in victory, I will grant you one promise."

A flicker of excitement finally broke through Rong Qing’s composed expression, but he quickly reined it in. "I... will absolutely not fail Your Majesty’s high hopes."

He gripped his broadsword tightly and vaulted onto his horse.

Conquering the world for his Empress was something he did willingly, but now that willingness was tinged with a tender hope.

Her Majesty had shown him grace. For that, he was willing to offer everything.

Rong Qing led the troops back toward Yizhou, while Xiao Li and Xiao Jingyi started their return journey.

Xiao Jingyi glanced around their retinue a few times, hesitated, and then finally asked, "Imperial Sister, why don’t I see Mr. Feng?"

Xiao Li answered flatly, "He’s gone where he needs to be."

Seeing Xiao Li’s reluctance to say more, Xiao Jingyi immediately suppressed his curiosity.

Xiao Li didn’t go to Beicang again. She rested in Shanzhou for two days, waiting for Yang Jun and Wang Wanqing to arrive.

They departed for the Capital City immediately.

As for Xiao Jingyi, Xiao Li left him in Yanping State.

Xiao Li found Xiao Jingyi’s unusually good luck strange, but she didn’t deny his capabilities.

Yanping State was the second heart she was building for the Longsheng dynasty. It centralized the economy and power of the Southern regions to better manage the former territories of the Yue Country and Yun Cang. Therefore, it needed someone of high status to oversee it.

The ministers at court were all too young and lacked sufficient prestige.

Xiao Jingyi was also young, but his status spoke for itself. For now, he was the best candidate.

Xiao Li’s decision to once again place great trust in Xiao Jingyi was both an affirmation of his ability and a test.

As for the result, she was quite looking forward to it.

Xiao Jingyi had actually wanted to return to court with Xiao Li, but he had a feeling he might be left behind.

When he received the order, he was a little disappointed, but more than that, he felt a sense of grounding and certainty.

If he returned to court with Xiao Li, he could only be an idle Prince. There was simply no place for him in the court’s political structure.

If it were a fair competition, he was afraid he couldn’t outmaneuver that group of people at court. Gaining power would be extremely difficult.

This position overseeing Yanping State was the most suitable for him. The work wasn’t too demanding, but his status was high enough, and it came with the appearance of power.

Most importantly, it meant that Her Majesty was still willing to trust and employ him.

He would rather be a person of use to his Imperial Sister than a useless, ignored brother who was merely close to her.

’How could my name not be a part of my Imperial Sister’s dynasty?’

The Empress departed, and Xiao Jingyi prepared to pack and return to Yanping State.

A guard entered with a letter in hand. "Your Highness, a beggar delivered this letter. He said someone paid him to deliver it and instructed him to urge you to be sure to read it."

Xiao Jingyi gave it a suspicious look. He had someone inspect it, and only after confirming it contained no hidden objects and wasn’t poisoned did he open it.

He didn’t know who wrote the letter, but its contents made his face darken instantly.

"’She was born dull-witted and weak, having received no orthodox education. One day she was grieving over her husband’s lack of love for her, and the very next, her temperament changed, and she went on a killing spree.

"’Killing her husband, slaughtering a clan, setting traps, seizing power... has Your Highness never suspected whether she is still the same person she once was?’"

Xiao Jingyi crumpled the letter in his fist, turned back into the room, slapped open the lid of the incense burner, and forcefully threw the letter inside.

The letter burned, and flames danced in his eyes. But these flames had no warmth, only an icy killing intent.

"Investigate this. Find out where this letter came from."

’Once you find them, show no mercy!’

’Who is my Imperial Sister? Does it matter?’

’In the Royal Family, ties of blood have always been thin.’

’Brothers fighting amongst themselves, siblings turning on one another, even patricide and fratricide are commonplace. Although princesses are not part of the struggle for power, they have always been its ultimate victims.’

’Xiao Jingyi had never felt any sibling affection for the others. He understood from a young age that without a powerful maternal clan, and under the suppression of his imperial father and the other princes, he could never accumulate enough power to overturn the court. He was destined to be a sacrifice.’

’In order to survive the crushing weight of Imperial Power, he had to be cautious, constantly scheming. What time did he have to care about other sisters?’

’Whether Xiao Xuanyang lived or died, what did it have to do with him?’

’Then, this person whose circumstances had been even worse than his own, changed.’

’All by herself, she forged an entirely new path.’

’She never doted on me, but she never mistreated me either. In fact, she was the only one who had ever put real benefits into my hands.’

’Does my Imperial Sister see me as a real brother? Maybe not. But she is the only one who appreciates my abilities, the only one who, despite knowing I’m not as harmless as I appear, still regards me with appreciation and allows me to display my talents.’

’Our relationship is more one of mutual use, but is that important?’

’Aren’t relationships of blood and kinship also based on use? Besides, when it comes to being used, she couldn’t even be bothered to use me. If anything, *I* was the one who hoped to be of value to her.’

’She is so powerful as to be nearly invincible, and she has created a new, prosperous era.’

’My admiration for her grew into respect, and finally, into absolute worship.’

’Who is she? She is my Imperial Sister. It has nothing to do with blood. It is a truth that comes from the heart, an Imperial Sister my very soul acknowledges.’

’No matter who wrote this letter, their goal is obvious. They want to sow discord. They want to use me as a weapon against my Imperial Sister. They’re simply courting death!’