Lü Shidao could not help but pour cold water on the idea. "But we fought the Mongol Empire at Xiangyang years ago, and who knows how many Mongols we killed. With that grudge between us, would defecting to the Mongol Empire really be appropriate?"
"That is why our first choice is the Western Xia marriage selection. You two brothers will work together and see who has a chance to become the Imperial Son-in-Law," Lü Wenhuan replied.
Lü Shidao and Lü Shisheng exchanged a glance and nodded slightly. With the family's survival at stake, the two brothers naturally would no longer scheme against each other. Once they reached Western Xia, they would see whom the Western Xia side favored more. The other would not only refrain from jealousy, but would do everything possible to support him, protect his brother, and help him win the beauty's hand.
"But those attending the Western Xia marriage selection are all princes and young lords from various nations. The people on our side are one thing, but those from the other countries—especially the Mongol Prince—will make our chances rather slim," Lü Shisheng said. Ordinarily, he held his head high within Xiangyang's little patch of land, but before the world's top heirs, he still knew his place.
"Do all that you can and leave the rest to fate," Lü Wenhuan comforted him. "Even if you cannot become the Imperial Son-in-Law, it would still be good to build relations with the Mongol Prince. The one attending this Western Xia marriage selection is the Mongol Empire's Fifth Prince, Hulagu Khan, not the Fourth Prince Kublai Khan, who battled us at Xiangyang. As far as I know, the Mongol princes fight fiercely among themselves. Hulagu Khan certainly will not care about our grudge with Kublai Khan. That is our opportunity."