NOVEL WEB Proofread by Claire.KK
Wu Long understood. If he didn’t make her general as she wished, she wouldn’t give him the pills with extraordinary efficacy.
It was, obviously, difficult for Wu Long to make a quick choice.
A general usually played a decisive role. The post was still vacant. Almost every one cast a greedy eye on it. But now, a girl wanted it!
Some guys would definitely hold opposite opinions! But Dong Ling had the pills with extraordinary efficacy!
It took Wu Long quite a long time before he made a decision. He said, “Well, if you want it, I’ll make you general!”
Wu Jiming, who was just watching, got greatly frightened! He looked as terrible as if he had swallowed a fly! He yelled so loudly, “Father! Ever since our country was founded, there had been no female general at all! She’s a mere girl. How can she be a general?”
“Shut up!” Wu Long hated such pretensions and he cursed, “Stubborn boy! You’re the crown prince! How can you be so stubborn!”
“Sorry! Father! Don’t get angry!” begged Wu Jiming as he knelt down immediately and kowtowed. But looked like he wasn’t convinced at all.
“Dong Ling, remember,” said Wu Long, “I always keep my words! But if you go back on your promise or cheat me, you’ll get severely punished!”
Dong Ling was really happy when the emperor promised to make her general. Yet she still had a way of escape for herself. She replied, “Your Majesty. Since you’re quick to promise, I’m unable to repay you kindness, but to give the pills to you.”
“Good! I’m glad you’re straightforward! I like it!” said Wu Long.
Then, Dong Ling took out all the pills she carried with her and gave them to the eunuchs.
She was fully satisfied. “Finally! My dream has come true!” thought she.
“Okay. So much for today. I know what you want. And it’s getting dark. Why don’t you go home and have a good rest?” said Wu Long after he got what he had expected for.
Dong Ling gave a beautiful smile and replied, “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
She was smiling so nicely that Wu Long and Wu Jiming were spellbound!
Dong Ling walked quickly on her way out of the palace. The eunuch, who led the way for her, thought she must have been highly rewarded.
He then tried to flatter her, “Miss Dong. You look so happy! What have you got? Could you tell me about that?”
Dong Ling was in a wonderful mood. After all the hardship she had gone through, she finally got what she had wanted! Also, she had no discrimination against eunuchs. She replied frankly, “Today, I finally realized my dream!”
“Oh, congratulations, Miss Dong! His Majesty is known as a wise emperor! Looks like you’ll get a quick promotion!”
Dong Ling smiled. Sure, she hoped everything could be as great as he said.
“Miss Dong. Zhengde Gate is right in front. And the cart for you is parking nearby. I have something else to attend to. I’m afraid I’ll leave you here.” said the eunuch.
“It’s okay. I’ll let you go.” replied Dong Ling.
“Okay, then. See you, Miss Dong. Take care.”
Back inside the hall, Wu Jiming was confused at his father’s decision. It was beyond comprehension! He asked, “Father! Why did you promise to make Dong Ling general?”
He was totally unconvinced! How could a girl be a general?
And that was a girl close to Wu Jitian. This made Wu Jiming panicky and nervous as if she were a strong enemy.
“Naïve! I was just going to stall her! If I refused her directly, Dong Ling wouldn’t have given us the pills!” explained Wu Long who glared at his son! He really had tough love for Wu Jiming.
“But Father, you just made a deal with her! How can you manage to go back on your word?” asked Wu Jiming.
“What do you mean go back on my word? I never break my promises! But since I have the pills now, I’ll have them studied! Well, I appreciate Dong Ling. And I’ll make her princess! I guess that’s enough.” Wu Long explained.
“Oh, I see! Father, it’s so wise of you!” replied Wu Jiming.
“How sophisticated my father is!” he thought.
On the way back, Dong Ling was excited! If she managed to be a real general, she and her mom Concubine Lin would no longer be bullied again!
The cart stopped at Prince Jitian’s mansion. Hardly had Dong Ling got off the cart did Butler Liu rushed out to welcome her.
“Oh, Miss Dong. Finally, you’re back!” said Butler Liu, “How was your trip to the palace? Prince Jitian has been worried about you since you were taken to the palace.”
“I’m okay. Don’t worry.” Dong Ling replied, “His Majesty just asked about my relationship with Prince Jitian. I’m okay with that.”
She was polite, because Butler Liu used to be caring for her.
“I’m relieved, then! I worried about you, too! His Highness asked me to get you in, and tell you that he’s waiting for you at Yuanfeng Building!”
“Okay. I’m going there right away!” replied Dong Ling quickly. She felt so good!
Wu Jitian’s mansion was neither too large nor too small. Dong Ling got in through the main door and walked a long way before she could see Yuanfeng Building.
The door of Wu Jitian’s study was wide open. Dong Ling saw his back even before she entered the study. Wu Jitian stood, with his hands clasped behind his back, and stared at the wall painting. Looked like he was lost in thought.
“Ahem!” Dong Ling made some noise to arouse his attention.
“Oh, you’re back? How was it?” asked Wu Jitian hurriedly. He had been worried if Dong Ling would be in trouble.
“Everything is fine. His Majesty asked about our relationship. When he heard I had some awesome pills, he asked me to give them to him. I offered to exchanged the pills for the rank of a general and he agreed on that.” explained Dong Ling.
“Oh, I see!” said Wu Jitian, “But don’t you feel sad when you have to give all the pills to him?”
As he spoke, he smiled. Dong Ling understood immediately. She winked slyly and put on a smile.
She explained, “You know, I don’t want to. But in that case, if I refused His Majesty, he would have been angry! And I would have been punished! You wouldn’t be talking to me now! Besides, I only gave them the pills. I still keep the formula and curative effects to myself! That’s plan B.”
Wu Jitian knew how clever she was. But very few guys managed to play petty tricks to his father.
He said, “Well, it’s wise of you.”
“Sure, it is!” replied Dong Ling merrily.
A couple of days later, some eunuchs and imperial maids filed in Prince Jitian’s mansion. The great eunuch Liu Zhi walked in first, followed by the rest of them in imperial costumes.
Maids held trays with wonderful dresses while eunuchs held trays with gold.
“Here comes the imperial edict!” said Liu Zhi when he waved his horsetail whisk. Dong Ling knelt down immediately, ready to listen. She had waited for so long and now it was the day that she could feel proud!
Liu Zhi announced, “According to His Majesty, Miss Dong Ling is a gentle and well-educated girl. She’s now given the title of Princess Lingyue. She’s rewarded with an imperial costume and ten thousand taels of gold! Period.”