Chapter 102: A Glimmer of Hope (1)

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Li Xuan was indeed the alias of Princess Fengyang, the third daughter of Prince Guo, Li Ju. And Li Xuan was truly a titled princess of the imperial clan, officially granted a title and fief by the Retired Emperor Li Longji. Though both were clan princesses, the difference between having a title and fief and having none was substantial, not to mention the privileges that came with the fief.

A fief was a territory and its revenues bestowed by the emperor to princes, princesses, or meritorious officials. It was extremely rare for daughters of imperial princes to receive such grants; Li Xuan was the sole exception.

Her fief was located in Pengcheng.

In fact, Prince Guo Li Ju’s current retreat to Pengcheng was largely thanks to his daughter’s favor. Without Li Xuan’s fief and her years of management there, Li Ju would have had no foothold in Pengcheng.

As for Li Xuan’s title and fief, these were closely guarded royal secrets, unknown to outsiders. Initially, Li Ju was a marginal figure in the royal clan. After inheriting the title of Prince Guo, for reasons unknown, Li Longji personally issued an edict conferring the title of Princess Fengyang upon Li Ju’s third daughter, Li Xuan. She was granted a jade token allowing unrestricted access to the palace without prior notice and was given the fief of Pengcheng, enjoying all the ceremonies and privileges of a princess.

This move shocked the entire Li Tang royal clan. Li Ju himself was hardly favored, so why would Emperor Li Longji hold Li Ju’s third daughter in such high regard?

Moreover, unlike her siblings, Li Xuan, from as young as four or five years old, studied under the renowned recluse nun, Master Huixin, at the Moonlight Heart Nunnery in Pengcheng. After a decade of rigorous training, she mastered profound and elusive swordsmanship. She left her master just on the eve of the An Shi Rebellion.

Knowing her true identity was exposed and realizing she had become vulnerable, a mere pawn on Kong Sheng’s chopping board, Li Xuan—unlike others—gradually calmed down. As a distinguished member of the imperial clan and a heroic woman who rivaled men, she quietly assessed Kong Sheng. The young man’s handsome face bore a faint smile, showing no trace of fear or panic despite her noble status.

This was no act; it was genuine indifference, as if her princess status meant nothing to him.

This youth of sixteen or seventeen possessed unparalleled literary talent, innate divine strength, unwavering resolve, deep scheming, and decisive action. Even if Mount Tai collapsed before him, he would remain calm and unchanged—a testament to his extraordinary mental fortitude.

Li Xuan found herself puzzled: could such a prodigious genius truly exist in this world?

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With Li Xuan’s keen mind, it was clear Kong Sheng had no reason to reveal her identity. Once exposed, there would be no room for negotiation. Yet Kong Sheng did so deliberately, sending a solemn warning.

Therefore, Li Xuan knew she must not provoke Kong Sheng further, for he could turn on her at any moment, killing and escaping without remorse.

He feared nothing. If he truly respected her as a princess, would he have openly ripped away this veil of secrecy?

Suppressing the murderous rage and anger inside, Li Xuan took a deep breath and said softly, “Kong Sheng, if you release me, I will pretend nothing happened today and let you and your three companions leave safely. As you said earlier, from now on, our paths shall diverge, each to their own way.”

Kong Sheng smiled, slowly straightening his posture. “Offending Your Highness is truly out of necessity. Honestly, Princess, tell me—did this conflict escalate to drawn weapons because of the pressure from you and your noble retainers? Had you not been so aggressive, would we have had to risk everything?”

Li Xuan remained silent but sneered inwardly: Kong Sheng, you little thief, no matter what, you have defiled, humiliated, and insulted this princess. Such grave disrespect is a capital offense! Just wait—this princess will have you torn limb from limb!

“This situation leaves me no choice. Now, please teach me how I should proceed, Princess,” Kong Sheng shrugged.

Suddenly, Li Xuan smiled charmingly. “Kong Sheng, you have only one choice: release me at once! Kneel and beg for my forgiveness. I promise I will let you leave.”

Kong Sheng sighed, gazing at Li Xuan’s long hair cascading over her shoulders and her fair, resolute face. “To be honest, I have some doubts about Your Highness. What if you go back on your word? Wouldn’t we be doomed?”

Patiently suppressing her shame and anger to negotiate safety, Li Xuan found Kong Sheng’s relentless vigilance impenetrable. She could no longer hold back, lifting her chin and shouting angrily, “Kong Sheng, what exactly do you want? Even if you don’t trust me, didn’t you say—Yangzhou Prefecture’s army is camped nearby? What good would stirring trouble serve us?”

“Kong Sheng, do not overstep! You must understand, defiling and insulting a princess of the current dynasty is a capital crime that implicates nine generations! You have so grievously disrespected me and bound me here; the laws of the Great Tang are merciless. Think carefully!”

Her sharp, cold voice echoed through the hall for a long time.

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Mu Changfeng’s mouth twitched, but he turned his head away, sneering coldly. As a man of the martial world, imperial laws and royal bloodlines were mere illusions to him.

Wu Xian and Wu Jie, however, paled, their hands trembling slightly as they gripped their curved blades. This was a princess officially titled by the emperor, a scion of noble blood, yet they had bound her in a modest inn, forcing her to sit on the cold floor in utter humiliation.

If Kong Sheng was the chief offender against the princess, then they were his accomplices.

A cold smile curled at Kong Sheng’s lips. In this ancient world of absolute monarchy, the gap between royalty and commoners was immense. Even as a clan princess, Li Xuan’s noble birth bred an innate pride and haughtiness that was unmistakable.

At this point, with everyone under Kong Sheng’s control and knowing he was no one to respect the royal family, Li Xuan’s audacity to threaten him was astonishing.

At first, Li Xuan had tried to avoid provoking Kong Sheng, but later she realized she had no control—how could a lowly servant dare offend a lord akin to a deity? She could not accept it.

Frowning, Wu Xian leaned in and whispered, “Kong… please release the princess first? We may offend many, but never the imperial clan. If the court finds out, we’ll have no place to hide!”

Wu Jie also cast a worried glance at Kong Sheng.

Kong Sheng’s eyes flashed coldly. Who gave you Wu Xian and Wu Jie the right to speak here? Don’t think my civility means you’re important. Though you’re palace guards, to me you’re mere attendants!

If I give you face, you have face; if not, you’re nothing at all.