Chapter 5 - The Game of Power

When Li Chenxi entered the prince's study, the air was thick with the scent of ink. Several documents were spread out on the desk, along with a few maps and a faintly flickering oil lamp. The prince sat at the desk, his brows furrowed, his eyes scanning the papers in front of him with a distracted look.

"Father, you called for me?" Li Chenxi spoke calmly, standing at the desk, her gaze drifting toward the distant view outside the study window. Beneath the royal facade, countless dangers lurked, and she knew that this conversation with her father was not merely about matters of state.

The prince looked up, his eyes deep with thought, as if debating whether to reveal more secrets to his daughter. After a moment of silence, he spoke, his voice low but authoritative. "Chenxi, the situation at the borders is beyond our control. Do you know that the court is divided? Many ministers are conspiring against me."

Li Chenxi's heart skipped a beat. The prince's summons wasn't just for casual conversation—it was a sign of the immense pressure he was under. She had already known she was entangled in the web of power struggles, but hearing it confirmed by her father sent a chill through her.

"Father, are there traitors within the court, secretly colluding with foreign enemies?" Li Chenxi asked, her voice sharp and unwavering, her eyes fixed intently on him.

The prince raised an eyebrow, a flicker of complexity flashing across his expression. He was silent for a moment before nodding slightly. "Yes, there are several high-ranking officials in the court with secret dealings with the kingdom of Yan to the northwest. If we do not act swiftly to eliminate them, our dynasty may be at risk."

Li Chenxi's mind raced. The kingdom of Yan had always been a formidable adversary. If what her father said was true, and there were traitors in the palace, the situation was far worse than she had imagined.

"Father, if that is the case, why don't you eliminate these officials directly?" Li Chenxi's tone was calm but carried an edge of challenge.

The prince looked at her, a glimmer of appreciation in his eyes, but also a hint of resignation. "It's not that simple. The situation is more complicated than you think. These officials have powerful family backgrounds, and they are connected to many important figures in the court. If we act rashly, it could lead to even greater turmoil."

Li Chenxi fell silent for a moment, her mind processing the information. She knew the palace was a place of power struggles, but now the weight of the external threats combined with internal betrayal was becoming clearer. Her path forward was fraught with danger.

"Father, since you mention foreign threats, what exactly is Yan's trump card?" Li Chenxi's gaze sharpened, her mind already working on a plan.

The prince hesitated for a moment before answering, his voice low. "Yan's trump card lies in their cavalry—fierce and unbeatable. If we do not find a way to counteract their strength, our military will be unable to withstand them."

"Fierce cavalry?" Li Chenxi thought for a moment. The Yan cavalry was renowned for its invincibility. If they could find a way to weaken this strength, it could create an opening for her kingdom.

"Father, I have a plan," Li Chenxi said suddenly, her tone resolute. "Since their advantage lies in their cavalry, we should disrupt the source of their strength. If we can instigate a rebellion among the farmers in the northwest and sabotage Yan's cavalry supply lines, it could throw off their military strategy."

The prince's eyes immediately brightened, a flicker of interest in his expression. "You want to mobilize the people? That's indeed a strategy. But you understand that once we start, there's no turning back."

"Father, if we do nothing, the whole dynasty may collapse under the pressure of Yan's cavalry." Li Chenxi's voice was firm. "I'm confident I can swiftly form alliances with the tribes in the northwest and rally the people."

The prince remained silent for a moment, and then sighed heavily. "You're right. The situation has reached a breaking point. I agree with your plan, but you must be extremely careful. We cannot let the enemy find out our intentions."

"I understand, Father." Li Chenxi bowed deeply, her resolve hardening. She knew that her future—and the fate of the dynasty—hinged on her ability to act decisively in the coming days.

Just then, the door opened, and a palace maid hurried in, holding an urgent letter. "Princess, there's news from the northwest. The battle has escalated, and Yan's cavalry is advancing toward the border."

The prince's brow furrowed, and his grip tightened around the pen in his hand. Li Chenxi took the letter, her heart skipping a beat as she scanned its contents. The urgency of the situation was clear. The next steps she took would determine the future of both the palace and the kingdom.

"Father, the Yan cavalry is already at the border. We cannot afford to delay any longer." Li Chenxi stood up, her expression resolute. "If we act quickly, we can use this moment to ignite the rebellion and form diplomatic alliances. This could change the course of the war."

The prince regarded her with a look of approval. "Chenxi, I trust you. If your plan succeeds, it could change the direction of this war."

Li Chenxi inhaled deeply, then turned and walked toward the door of the study. Her heart was resolute. She knew what needed to be done. From here on, she would take control of her destiny and the fate of the kingdom.