Chapter 1238: YeXi Behind the scenes (2/2)

The two of them continued to wait. Unfortunately, it was almost dawn and there was still no news of the banquet being cancelled from the palace. Since it was almost time for the morning court, Xiao Dong couldn’t stay and rose to bid his farewell.

After sending him off, Baili Yuanlong sat back down and drank a few sips of strong tea to wake himself up. At this moment, a female around 30 emerged from the curtains. Despite getting on in age, she was dignified and beautiful, with the kind of looks that made fishes sink and geese fall from the skies. She radiated the aura of a high class young lady, enough for people to forget her actual age.

This was none other than Baili Yuanlong’s eldest daughter. She had spent many years undercover in Northern Li, growing from a simple court lady Qingyun to Northern Li’s most favored Noble Consort Xiao. She was Baili Mingxiang’s older sister, Baili Lixiang![3] She had been hidden so deeply and for so long in Northern Li that she didn’t even leave the country when it fell into chaos. As the unrest grew, she escaped north until news of the Northern Li emperor’s suicide reached her ears. Then she left for good.

She had managed to snatch away quite a few of the jewels and treasures in the Northern Li palace and had an excellent understanding of the situation there. Even now, her many trusted contacts were scattered within the country. Baili Yuanlong knew martial arts, but never picked up any other skills while following Long Feiye. He was so stubborn and awkward that he was more like a dense block of rock. The only reason he could ally with the southern generals now was because of this daughter supporting him behind the scenes.

After crawling her way up in the Northern Li court and living through years of power struggles, Baili Lixiang’s methods and skills were anything but simple. The Baili Clan had sacrificed so much for the East Qin Dynasty. In her eyes, Long Feiye should have made her father a king at least and have her younger brother inherit the title. In this way, the Baili Clan would always enjoy the treatment expected of kings.

Yet Long Feiye did no such thing, but listened to Han Yunxi and split up the military power into five factions. What’s more, he gave the highest authority to her, a woman. The Baili Clan had followed Long Feiye for so long and given up so much. Why couldn’t they enjoy any of the privileges they earned? Neither she nor her father could accept that Long Feiye had given the western army to Chu Tianyin of the Nether Clan to command, then the northern army to Jin Zi of the Black Clan. In their eyes, this was a huge risks and simply stupidly digging one’s grave.

“Father, you should go rest. As I see it this is no simple matter. You’ll have to be careful tomorrow,” Baili Lixiang might be a deep schemer with poisonous methods, but she was also a refined lady. She would never vie for her own gains, but was willing to sacrifice herself for her father and brothers, even unto death. If a woman took it into her head to give it all for her family, the promise would be permanently imprinted into her heart.

Baili Yuanlong was in no mood to retire. He was calm before Xiao Dong, but he exposed his emotions completely before his daughter.

“Lixiang, how could father sleep? Xiao Dong and I are acting in concert tomorrow. What if…”

“Father, there is no ‘if!’ As long as Han Yunxi resolves to hold her banquet, she’ll never be able to rise again! I not only convinced the ministers of six ranks, but found many citizens as well. They should have all finished preparations by now. As soon as the banquet starts, those citizens will block the city gates. Moreover, father, this was Han Yunxi’s idea to begin with. I refuse to believe the Northern Li troops will still care about her after this!” Baili Lixiang declared.

Baili Yuanlong nodded. He felt much better after his daughter’s words.

“Father, do you remember how Han Yunxi initiated a fundraiser at Tianning’s empress dowager’s birthday banquet?” Baili Lixiang asked.

Baili Yuanlong grew tense. “It can’t be that this time she too…”

“Don’t worry, father. Daughter has already prepared for two instances. Even if she starts a fundraiser, daughter can still deal with her!” Baili Lixiang smiled coldly beneath the candlelight. She truly resembled a snakelike beauty.

“What’s your plan?” Baili Yuanlong asked hastily. Baili Lixiang whispered something in his ear, surprising him greatly. “That really happened?”

“I’ve already paid personal visits to those ten madams,” Baili Lixiang murmured back, “It’s impossible for this to be false!”

At last, Baili Yuanlong set aside his worries. He was nervous before, but now felt much more solid. He couldn’t wait for the banquet to begin. “You should rest early too. Tomorrow will be your first time meeting the emperor, you must keep your spirits fresh,” he said seriously.

“I still have to pick up little sister later. She should almost be at Yunning by now,” Baili Lixiang couldn’t help complaining, “That girl Mingxiang is really unruly. Why did she choose to run off and be some army medic instead of thinking up ways to stay in Yunning?!”

1. Xiao Dong (萧栋) - Xiao means “doleful, grieved,” Dong means “roof beam.”

2. Luo Tu (洛图) - Luo is a surname meaning “river,” Tu means “picture, map, chart, pursue/seek.”

3. Baili Lixiang (百里丽香) - Li means “beautiful,” Xiang means “fragrance.”