Li Man'er harbored a daring thought.
Li Shu was right in one thing: she was a member of the Li family, and the family's honor and disgrace were intertwined with her own. She could leave the capital, even leave Zun Country, and live a new life where no one knew her. She had skills and a spatial artifact; she could do well anywhere.
But what about the Ning family? Even if she avenged Ning Shi and the original owner, if the Li family fell, the Ning family would inevitably be implicated.
The Ning family was immensely wealthy, and those who coveted their riches were as numerous as carp in a river. Despite the Empress Dowager and the Emperor seemingly treating the Ning family with great favor and leniency, a ruler's heart is unfathomable. Who knew if Ning Liancheng would eventually meet the same fate as Shen Wansan.
Therefore, she couldn't leave. Having occupied the original owner's body, she had to bear some responsibilities for her.
To protect the Ning family, those who had truly been good to the original owner, to overthrow the Li family and strip those despicable people of everything – this was her mission.
With this thought, Li Man'er made up her mind and said to Liu Ya, "I'm a little tired. You can go back now!"
Liu Ya guessed that the confrontation between father and daughter must have left Li Man'er mentally exhausted. She curtsied and quietly withdrew.
A brilliant idea had formed in Li Man'er's mind!
Let Li Shu be removed from his marquisate, and his useless son, Li Qingyun, shouldn't be the heir anymore. Why not transfer the noble title to Li Nian instead!
Third Uncle and Third Aunt had treated her well. Moreover, Qingyan was a well-behaved child, a cousin and also a junior fellow disciple. If he inherited the title, would he be worse than Li Qingyun?
Such a young child, who had suffered so much yet remained optimistic and cheerful. Knowing he had a terminal illness and little time left, he always thought of protecting his sister and not upsetting his parents. Such a child was loyal, righteous, and filial. Even if not exceptionally talented, he wouldn't be too bad.
What's more, with her presence, Li Qingyan would surely become successful in the future, so why wouldn't he be outstanding!
Li Man'er's lips curved upwards as she thought of this.
She had had this idea before, but the timing wasn't right, and she didn't know the true nature of Li Nian's family, so she couldn't make a hasty decision.
After interacting with them for a while, she found the people in the third branch to be quite decent and worth befriending.
Rather than Li Shu being stripped of his title and punished, implicating the Ning family, it would be better to let him make a mistake, and let Li Nian rectify it.
One merit and one demerit would cancel each other out, resulting in a meaningless endeavor.
But wasn't the Emperor blind? Wouldn't he see Li Nian's capabilities?
With a little manipulation, it was entirely feasible.
The more Li Man'er thought about it, the more pleased she became. Perhaps this battle wouldn't be easy, but she absolutely had to fight it.
There would always be an opportunity.
Li Man'er didn't expect the opportunity to arrive so quickly and unexpectedly.
In the middle of the night, Qi Yihan suddenly appeared, climbing through the window, almost getting a face full of flying daggers from Li Man'er.
"Why are you here?" Li Man'er had let go of her inhibitions. Ever since their minor disagreement with Qi Yihan, she no longer used formal address, calling him "you" quite naturally.
"I received news that the barbarians are planning to attack the city on the thirtieth."
Li Man'er shivered, suddenly wide awake.
She was always alert when she slept. Her former sect mates used to say she slept with one eye open.
Qi Yihan's arrival had woken her. But for some reason, upon realizing it was Qi Yihan, her brain momentarily went blank, and she felt an urge to simply fall back asleep without a care.
But Qi Yihan's words immediately made her wide awake. "Is the news reliable?"
Li Man'er lowered the bed curtain, swiftly put on her clothes, and slipped off the bed.
"Of course, it's reliable." Qi Yihan sat at the table, a hint of coldness on his face. "In the past, the barbarians would also test the borders on New Year's Eve, causing no significant damage, merely to annoy Zun Country."
On such an important day, to make your people feel insecure, even to make them shed blood and sacrifice – their malice was truly profound.
The barbarians didn't care about such things, so they did them without psychological burden. The people of Zun Country were different. The New Year held special significance for them; everyone hoped for a year of harvest and peace.
New Year's Eve was already filled with many customs and taboos. With the barbarians' arrival, all of that would be disregarded. Who could feel happy?
"It seems this time is different from previous years?" Li Man'er forgot her grumbling and sat down opposite Qi Yihan.
"Yes! In the past, they were small, light cavalry units, employing sneak attacks. Their methods of attacking the city were merely throwing fire pots or launching harassment, none of which caused significant casualties. At most, it would be a few days of unrest," Qi Yihan said. "This time is different. It is said that they have united the forces of over a dozen tribes and are preparing to attack the old city, heading towards the new city."
Li Man'er's mind automatically conjured a map of the Mobei region.
The terrain in Mobei was relatively flat. The old city walls were long in disrepair. A large-scale attack might not last long. Although they were repaired every year, the barbarians invaded hundreds of times annually, so the walls were already riddled with holes.
The patched-up city walls were just for show. To defend against the barbarian cavalry and war chariots, it would require a human wall to hold the line.
"What about the blueprints I gave the Prince earlier? Have they been expedited?"
"Time was short, and only some could be built. I have already ordered all the weapons to be sent to the old city."
Li Man'er frowned. "Can the Prince bypass the Xiao family? This matter might not be easy. How did you manage it?"
Qi Yihan simply said, "Do you know why I am rarely in the capital and seldom return?"
Li Man'er's heart pounded rapidly, feeling as though she was about to uncover a momentous secret.
"I don't know. I only know that the Prince is busy with state affairs and seems to be leading troops outside year-round."
Qi Yihan replied, "While Zun Country's military strength has increased, it still cannot compare to its peak. It is rumored that the Xiao family commands two hundred thousand troops in Mobei. Your father has transferred some of the Imperial Guards this time. There is only one general who can lead troops in the court, and all the soldiers under his command combined are but a handful. What troops do I have to lead?"
No troops to lead?
Li Man'er narrowed her almond-shaped eyes slightly. Not leading troops didn't mean not having military authority...
Hiss!
Unsure of what she was thinking, Li Man'er let out a cold laugh. "Your Highness, please don't joke. This is not funny at all."
"The Emperor is extremely suspicious. He doesn't fully trust even his own sons. How could he truly entrust me, his mere brother, with a large army?"
"So, the story of Your Highness leading troops outside all these years was a lie."
Qi Yihan chuckled. "Not entirely false. I did lead troops, but I led the Xiao family's troops."
Just as she suspected.
"Then what identity did you use? Aren't you afraid of being recognized?" Although Li Man'er had vaguely guessed something, hearing him admit it personally still startled her.