Ballad of the Desert

Chapter 25: Emotional Turmoil

I had been kneeling for a hour already and Li Yan still hasn't said a word. I thought to myself that this impasse can't continue, so I bow my head to the floor "Your highness seeks to see me for what matter?"

Li Yan's coldness dissipates and I see a tinge of sadness "Jin Yu, how could this happen? When I was told about it, I couldn't believe it. Wasn't the person you liked Meng Jiu of Shi Enterprises? You promised me. Yet now you are with Huo Qu Bing. Are you planning on marrying him?"

"I'm sorry, I....I....." I could only bow my head "No matter what, I will never reveal your background. It will be like I have never heard of it." Li Yan coldly laughed "What if Huo Qu Bing wants to oppose Buo Er?" I raised my head to look at her "I don't want to call you "Your Highness." Li Yan, I am saying this as your friend. Please give up the plan to put your son on the throne. Your life is already so difficult, how can you endure knowing you are putting your child through the same thing?"

Li Yan stared at me "I ask you this, if one day Huo Qu Bing wanted to hurt us, will you help him?" I replied "If you don't intend to harm the Crown Prince, then Huo Qu Bing will have no reason to harm you. And me....I will not let you hurt Huo Qu Bing."

Li Yan started laughing "Jin Yu, you can leave now. From this day forward, we walk our own paths. But you have to remember your oath. The Heavens have a good memory." She has someone she wants to protect, I have someone I want to protect, and we have finally reached this point. I silently give her a bow and leave.

Hong Gu had the kitchen prepare my favorite dishes but I have no appetite. I ask Hong Gu if she's shuttered the other businesses like I asked, and she says it's in process but can't be hurried. I tell her to inform the girls in the dancing houses to be more low key, and I also plan to quietly find a buyer for the dancing houses as well.

Hong Gu asked "Xiao Yu, what happened? I can't imagined anyone you might be afraid of in Chang An now? General Huo will not let anyone mistreat you, and even Consort Li's presence means others will not dare to harass us." I reply "I've overturned the boat with Consort Li. You know Li Yan's calculating nature. Even with Qu Bing protecting me, if Li Yan gets the tiniest bit of opportunity and she fans the flames, things could get out of control. The way the Emperor dotes on Li Yan, if he chooses to punish us, I might be able to get away, but you all will.....Li Yan is not the same person she was before she entered the Palace. Now she would not blink an eye to see the loss of a few lives."

I remembered hearing the soldiers criticizing Luo Yu House in the army base that day "Hong Gu, Luo Yu House seems to be doing well on the surface, but in truth we have offended quite a lot of people. With the Princess behind us, people have tempered their grievances. But if Li Yan decides to attack us, she will bring forth all those feelings, and it will only impact the girls here. I would love to immediately close down the dancing house, but that would leave all the girls out on the street. If I don't handle this properly, I won't be able to make sure they will be alright."

Hong Gu looked stunned "How could this have happened?" I shook my head and smiled ruefully "A person's calculations can never beat the Heaven's machinations. I could have never predicted we'd be in this position today."

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Yi Zhi Xie gets wind that two of his tribal leaders have decided to switch their allegiance to the Han dynasty. He immediately sends someone to talk them out of it, and one tribal leader is swayed and gives up his intention. That causes a dispute with the other tribal leader and a battle breaks out. The tribal leader who wants to go to the Han kills the other leader who decided to stay with the Xiong Nu, and this causes soldiers to switch sides and a bitter civil war to break out.