Chapter 133:
Inside the house, Li Xueyan sat silently beside the bed. Once she learned that she had been selected to marry, she didnt smile again. She, who had always shown strength, had now succumbed to self-pity. In the world, most problems could be resolved through influence and riches. Even without authority or affluence, capable individuals could usually find solutions.
However, the issue that Li Xueyan confronted was utterly insurmountable! Her cleverness proved futile when it came to matters entwined with the interests of the entire Great Tang Dynasty. Instead, her position became a shackle confining her. Even when her father coerced her into marrying someone she didnt care for, Li Xueyan believed she possessed enough resourcefulness and resolve to defy it. But when it came to family she felt powerless!
Over the past few days, Li Xueyan had secluded herself in her room. Initially, her mind was consumed with contemplation. Why would she be the chosen one if a kiss was inevitable? Eventually, she ceased to ponder. Only one explanation sufficed for such circumstancesdestiny. Yes, reconciliation was her unalterable fate.
Subsequently, Li Xueyan ceased to mull over it. Like many people facing the end, she began reflecting on various aspects of her life. In her brief existence, all the joy, sorrow, and adversity moments had transformed into cherished memories, relinquishing any lingering resentment. Regardless of whether those experiences had been distressing or infuriating, they were now invaluable recollections, utterly released.
This understanding stemmed from her awareness that these memories alone could provide a faint warmth to her heart in the countless desperate days and nights that awaited her. Later on, she heard from Li Daozong that Su Li had approached the court and convinced the emperor to postpone her marriage. Yet, Li Xueyan couldnt find contentment. Pessimistic individuals tend to gravitate toward darker scenarios due to inertia.
From Li Xueyans perspective, she believed that the emperor agreed to Su Lis request largely due to Changles intervention behind the scenes. The temporary postponement likely stemmed from the emperors concern for Changles emotional state during her pregnancy. Nonetheless, a month or two wouldnt create a substantial difference for a matter as significant as reconciliation. When Changle gave birth, the inevitable fate would still materialize. After all, how else could Su Li have persuaded the emperor?
Li Xueyan increasingly felt that she had no future, leading her to withdraw further. Her interactions with her father dwindled, and she often chose not to respond. She even contemplated that her final days in Great Tang might be better spent like this. It would ensure her fathers last impression of her wasnt something repulsive.
However, her fathers words startled her. The emperor was planning to send troops to Tubo?! This revelation was beyond her imagination and seemed unrealistic. With her intelligence, she couldnt discern the reason behind such a decision. For fifty years, sacrificing a womans happiness for diplomacy and peace between the Tang Dynasty and Tubo went against her understanding of the emperors role.
Li Ers decision to send troops, and particularly appointing Su Li as the leader, left Li Xueyan bewildered. Su Li was undeniably talented, but why would the emperor appoint him as the armys general? This confusion returned her to a state of uncertainty.
Li Daozongs voice reached her again from outside the door. He mentioned thanking Su Li at the banquet and implied that there was no need for peace negotiations. Li Xueyan couldnt help but think that Su Li had effectively swayed the emperors decision with his influence, potentially saving her life.
Her fathers voice faded, and Li Xueyans tears began to flow. She felt alive once more, invigorated by the news. The emotions and sensations overwhelmed her, reminding her of the vividness of existence. She pondered Su Lis actions and wondered if he had undertaken them for her sake. Yet, she quickly dismissed such thoughts as wishful thinking.
Though she had resolved not to think of Su Li anymore, his memories continued to haunt her. The idea that he might have gone to the battlefield for her sake surfaced, but she quickly brushed it aside. Li Xueyan couldnt believe that Su Lis actions were solely driven by his feelings for her.
Ultimately, Li Xueyan was torn between her emotions. She wrestled with the desire to see Su Li, fearing their encounter would shatter her self-control. The memories of his kindness persisted, making it harder for her to adhere to her decision not to think about him anymore.
The following day, Li Er issued an imperial decree. The decrees essence was that due to Tubos military threats against the Tang Dynasty and their envoys audacious proposal for a marital alliance, the Tang Dynastys authority was disregarded. Fuming with anger, the consequences were dire. Therefore, he decided to dispatch General Su Li with a force of 50,000 troops to the western border to teach Tubo a lesson.
With this unyielding decree, Li Er promptly expelled the Tubo envoys, who looked disheartened, from Changan. This unambiguous directive naturally lifted the spirits of Changans residents. Once again, Su Lis name reverberated through the streets and alleys.
Curiosity abounded. Why did this renowned consort, celebrated for his poetry, suddenly become a military commander? Due to Su Lis status, many even remarked that this military action by the Tang Dynasty was primarily a bluff to intimidate Tubo, incidentally bolstering Su Lis reputation. People questioned how someone with no battlefield experience like Su Li could be sent to fight. Moreover, Li Daozong, King of Jiangxia, astonishingly served as his deputy. This was an organized path to gain military merit.
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