NOVEL WEB Proofread by Claire.KK
The heavy main door was open and candlelight was streaming in through the door.
Wu Jiming walked in against the light, knelt down respectfully and kowtowed. He said, “Greetings, Father.”
His father, the emperor Wu Long, waved to him as a hint. “Get up! It’s getting late and what are you coming for?”
“Father. I noticed that you coughed in the court. So, I brought some pears. I asked the imperial cook to make them into some ginger soup. And I’m bringing the soup to you.” explained Wu Jiming.
“Well. Thank you for caring for me!” replied Wu Long.
Wu Jiming was proud when his father praised him. He then turned around and looked Dong Ling up and down. The plain black dress didn’t cover up her beauty. She still looked elegant and gorgeous.
He met Dong Ling last time. But it was not until this moment that he finally saw her face clearly.
He was, without doubt, attracted. As a normal guy, he had some romantic ideas.
“I’ve got a new collection of poems lately.” Wu Long suddenly said, “I read it again and again, but still couldn’t find a good poem for my empress. Miss Dong, you’re from a literary family. I guess you must be good at making a nice poem!”
Dong Ling just refused him, which made him quite unhappy. Consequently, he asked Dong Ling to make a poem for him so that she might get embarrassed. Meanwhile, he could check if she was really learned.
“Your Majesty. You and Her Majesty are affectionate with each other,” Dong Ling replied, “but I’m just a plain girl. What if I make a poor poem and you don’t like it?” asked Dong Ling.
Surely, she knew what the emperor wanted. He expected her to make a fool of herself.
“Fine. I’ll get myself an amulet in case of further trouble.” Thought she.
“It’s okay. Just do it! If you make a good one, I’ll give it to my empress!” said Wu Long indifferently.
“Fine, then. I’ll do it for you.” replied Dong Ling.
She meditated for a few minutes and started,
“Like dreams pass world affairs untold,
How many autumns in our life are cold?
My corridor is loud with wind-blown leaves at night.
See my brows frown and hair turn white!
Of my poor wine few guests are proud;
The bright moon is oft veiled in cloud.
Who would enjoy with me the mid-autumn moon lonely?
Wine cup in hand, northward I look only.”
Wu Long listened in a daze. Never could he expect Dong Ling to make such a brilliant poem in such a short time!
“Well done! You really are a smart girl!” Wu Long praised her again and again.
His plan failed. But soon, he came up with another one.
He said, “Lately, I read about something in The Art of Warfare. It sounds interesting to me. What do you think of it?”
Looked like she was good at making poems. But military strategies? He didn’t think Dong Ling was good at that too.
He continued, “In The Art of Warfare, I read ‘to rule a few people is just like ruling a large number of them and fighting a large number of guys is just like fighting a few of them’. I found it interesting and what do you think of you?”
Wu Long then looked at Dong Ling with a smile of treachery.
Since he failed to baffle Dong Ling in literature. He would try it again in military strategies.
Wu Jiming stayed aside quietly and looked at them. He realized that his father was trying to embarrass Dong Ling. So, he did nothing to help, but watched the fun.
“Well, I’m a mere girl. But fortunately, I know a little about military strategies.” Dong Ling replied calmly, “Your Majesty, you divide our country into several states and counties. All of them are governed by competent ministers. Only when we pay attention to the local administration of civil officials will our country be prosperous! As long as you rule the ministers well, you’ll manage to rule all the rest of your people. Everyone will be living at peace, too. Am I not right?”
Wu Long didn’t know Dong Ling had such a better understanding of martial arts and military strategies. Moreover, she spoke highly of him. He had no reason to pick holes.
Whatever happened, Dong Ling remained neither humble nor pert. This made Wu Long and Wu Jiming surprised.
“Wow. I didn’t expect our country to have such a great girl like you!” said Wu Long with a bright smile.
Wu Jiming appreciated her, too.
“However, I hear you’re close to my son Jitian. Are you really close friends?” asked Wu Long.
Dong Ling knew why he asked. She remained calm. With a great ability of expression management, she still gave a poker face and replied coldly, “Those were just rumors.”
This was a simple and neutral answer.
“Then why did you try so hard to defend Jitian that day?” asked Wu Long again.
“It’s a long story. Your Majesty. Would you like to hear that?” Dong Ling asked.
She looked so steady that even Wu Long dropped his guard gradually.
He replied, “Okay. Tell me about it.”
Dong Ling knew Wu Long and Wu Jiming could certainly ferret out how she met Wu Jitian. So, she just explained the truth, “I’m the daughter of a concubine and my families don’t like me. Mrs. Dong always bully my mom and me. I didn’t have a choice, but to leave home alone and try to do something to protect us. Previously, Prince Jitian was assassinated on his way back and was badly hurt. I rushed all the way to help him. And to win his support, I made a deal with him.”
“If I manage to get him back to Linjiang safely, he’ll make me general! Unexpectedly, the assassinators pursued us vigorously and attacked us fiercely. Without any other means, we had to risk ourselves and climbed up the cliff with sharp paws and ropes.” Dong Ling paused and then continued, “Unfortunately, it snowed hard half way. Prince Jitian’s health deteriorated rapidly! He had a fever and was too weak to walk on. I had to feed him with the pills I always took. Luckily, the pills worked well and he recovered very soon.”
She explained more, “All roads were blocked by the heavy snow. I had no choice, but to make a sledge and hurried back with his secret guards. At last, we got rid of pursuing troops and went back to Linjiang safely.”
She explained in detail. Wu Long and Wu Jiming, as they listened, admired such a remarkable girl like her! Especially the emperor Wu Long, whose eyes gleamed as soon as he heard about the pills with a quick pesticide effect!
He asked, “Did you just mention some pills that can save people quickly?”
“Exactly!”
Dong Ling answered squarely, while with a sly glance.
“What a great thing! Sounded like you’re generous to our country and people. I think you must be willing to present them to the royal family.”
Dong Ling rolled her eyes secretly when she still replied coldly, “Yes, Your Majesty. I’m willing to do that!”
Wu Long was happy to hear that. But just then, Dong Ling continued, “Like I just said in the story, I want to be a general!”
“You? A general? But you are a girl. How could a girl be a general?!” said Wu Long firmly. He replied seriously to show his attitude.
“Fine, then. I’m sorry to say that I’m not willing to give the pills to you, Your Majesty! If you want to rob me of them forcibly, I’m afraid it will bring disgrace to you.”