RATMOFANF: Chapter 68

Glossary

· Li Ling: The Heir of Zhenguo Duke Manor, Commander of the Capital Patrol Office.

· Emperor Ming: The current Emperor, Li Ling's maternal uncle.

· Grand Princess Fu Xi: Li Ling's mother, the Emperor's elder sister.

· Duke of Zhenguo: Li Ling's father.

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Chapter 68: My Son Isn't Interested in That Sort of Thing

Li Ling arrived at Emperor Ming's Hall of Diligent Governance. The Chief Eunuch of the Inner Palace, Zhang Dequan, standing at the entrance, greeted him with a beaming smile. "General Li! His Majesty has been waiting for you for some time."

Li Ling nodded in acknowledgment, stepped into the hall, bent his body in a deep bow, and paid his respects to Emperor Ming with the utmost reverence.

Emperor Ming was only forty, in the prime of his life. Seeing his nephew enter, he rose from the dragon throne, walked over to him, and personally helped him up. "Rise, please. In public, we are ruler and subject, but in private, we are uncle and nephew." He pointed to a chair in the study. "Come, sit."

Li Ling stood up but did not take a seat, saying apprehensively, "Your subject dare not overstep."

Emperor Ming looked at his tall, imposing nephew with great pleasure. Although this nephew was from the Li family, his looks favored the Zhao imperial line.

The very aura between his brows even resembled him more than his own sons did.

He was extremely fond of this son of his elder sister.

Emperor Ming, greatly pleased, said, "We truly did not expect that in just two years since you joined the Capital Patrol Office, you could train such a mighty force for Us."

Li Ling modestly clasped his hands. "Your Majesty praises me too highly. I dare not claim credit."

Emperor Ming looked at his nephew with a smile, waved his hand grandly, and said generously, "Speak. What reward do you desire? We grant it."

Li Ling replied respectfully, "Your subject only begs Your Majesty to bestow upon my humble wife an imperial title."

Upon hearing Li Ling's words, Emperor Ming was first stunned. Once it registered, he laughed heartily, pointing at Li Ling. "You!"

Hearing such a request so abruptly, Emperor Ming scarcely knew what to say.

He walked back to Li Ling's side, patted his shoulder, and teased, "Getting married has certainly changed you, eh."

"Quite the one who dotes on his wife."

Li Ling stood ramrod straight before Emperor Ming, his face still solemn, but a faint blush tinged his cheeks.

It was the first time Emperor Ming had seen his nephew look shy. Knowing Li Ling was not one for jest, he stopped teasing him and said readily, "This is no great matter. Since you have asked, We grant it."

Li Ling knelt again and said gravely, "Thank you for Your Majesty's great kindness."

Emperor Ming helped him up and sighed lightly. "We were originally planning to promote you a grade based on this achievement. The current Commander of the Imperial Guards, Chen Jing, is getting old. That position is one We still have in mind for you."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

The Imperial Guards were responsible for the inner palace defense, a matter of great importance.

Li Ling hurriedly replied, "Your subject's experience is still shallow. I dare not aspire to it."

Emperor Ming waved his sleeve. "Never mind. You are indeed still young. Just continue to apply yourself diligently; there will be plenty of opportunities in the future."

Having said that, he looked at his nephew. "We have no further business here. You may go."

Just as Li Ling was about to bow and take his leave, Emperor Ming looked at his nephew and couldn't resist teasing again. "Since you've sought favor for your wife, shouldn't you hurry back to report the good news and claim your credit?"

Li Ling's cheeks flushed again. He hastily bowed in salute and walked out somewhat flustered.

After leaving the Hall of Diligent Governance, Li Ling passed by the Sunlight Palace and happened to meet Grand Princess Fu Xi emerging from within.

Back when Fuxi married, the late Emperor had decreed that her former residence, the Sunlight Palace, be preserved exactly as it was, reserved for her use when she returned to the palace. This tradition continued into the reign of her brother, Emperor Ming. So, after watching the review, the Grand Princess had first returned to her Sunlight Palace.

Seeing her son, the Grand Princess descended from her palanquin and asked, "Have you been to see the Emperor?"

Li Ling replied, "I have just come from the Imperial Study."

The Grand Princess said, "You should return home first. The family must be waiting for you."

Mentioning home, Li Ling remembered the words his father had entrusted to him on the city tower. He mumbled, "When I came, Father... asked me to see how you were."

Hearing her son mention her husband, the Grand Princess's face cooled again. She said faintly, "You go back first. When you have time another day, bring Shu'er and Jin'er to my manor." With that, she boarded her palanquin and was slowly carried away.

Arriving at the Hall of Diligent Governance, the Grand Princess descended from her palanquin and, as usual, entered the Imperial Study without waiting for announcement. Emperor Ming, seeing it was his elder sister, quickly rose and said with a smile, "I was planning to come see you in a little while."

The Grand Princess smiled back. "It's been a while since I've seen you too."

As the siblings exchanged pleasantries and sat down, Emperor Ming said, "Elder Sister, you just missed him. Ling Ge'er just left here."

The Grand Princess said, "I met him on my way."

Emperor Ming said with a smile, "Ling Ge'er is truly accomplished. To think he has brought Our Capital Patrol Office to such a state."

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

He couldn't help but sigh. "Brother-in-law has retired, Zhou Yi is getting old. Now, although Ling Ge'er is young, he can already hold his own. Haha, with talented individuals emerging generation after generation in Great Qi, why should We worry about Our realm?"

Hearing her brother mention her husband, Fuxi's eyes dimmed, and she fell silent.

Seeing his sister's reaction, Emperor Ming realized his blunder and quickly tried to make amends. "Ling Ge'er has rendered service this time. Sister, do you know what he just asked of Us?"

The Grand Princess turned her head, puzzled. "What did he ask for?"

Bringing it up again, Emperor Ming couldn't help but laugh. "That child... actually asked Us for an imperial title for his wife."

Hearing this, the Grand Princess also covered her mouth and laughed. "That child... he certainly knows how to cherish his wife."

Emperor Ming took a sip of tea and asked, "Ling Ge'er married the daughter of the Shen family?"

The Grand Princess replied, "The eldest daughter of Shen De'an, the Censorate Supervisor."

Emperor Ming said, "The family status is indeed a bit low."

Compared to the illustrious Zhenguo Duke Manor, the family status of a fourth-rank official wasn't even close; the difference was immense.

The Grand Princess didn't mind this. She said, "What does family status matter? No matter how prominent the family, their wealth and glory are still bestowed by our Zhao house."

In terms of the innate arrogance of being born into the imperial family, Emperor Ming had never been a match for his sister since childhood. This was also related to their upbringing. His sister was born at the right time, treasured like a pearl in the palm by their parents. The late Emperor granted her every wish, practically giving her the moon if she asked for the stars. Throughout the palace, his elder sister did as she pleased.

Later, their mother passed away, but his sister was already sensible, while he was not yet three. Although the late Emperor treated him well enough, growing up in an environment surrounded by wolves, his childhood was never as smooth as his sister's.

Having lost his mother's protection early on, Emperor Ming had always been shielded by this elder sister. The siblings were very close. In their casual chat, Emperor Ming mentioned, "Ling Ge'er is so accomplished. We feel this reward is a bit meager. How about We order the Inner Treasury to send some jewels, antiques, and the like? It's been almost a year since his marriage. Since he has tasted the joys of life, We might as well have them select a few palace ladies to send over too."

The Grand Princess, upon hearing this, shot him a reproachful look with her phoenix eyes. "My son just requested an imperial title for his wife, and you want to send women over?"

(read @cherrybombbertranslations.blogspot)

Emperor Ming laughed heartily. "Elder Sister, why are you still so petty? Not to mention someone of Ling Ge'er's status, even ordinary families, if they have a little extra, will acquire a couple of concubines. What does it matter if Ling Ge'er has a couple more women by his side?"

The Grand Princess shot her brother a glare and replied with a cold laugh, "Save your effort. My son isn't interested in that sort of thing."

(End of Chapter)

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Author's Note: 

The book is officially on the shelves today, with a massive 10k-word update!

Thank you for the strong support from all the readers!

Translator's Note: check out my other work— My Younger Sister Insisted On A Marriage Exchange Wanting To Make Me The Wife Of A Marquis and The Marquis’s Beloved is a Black-Hearted Lotus (⁠*⁠＾⁠3⁠＾⁠)⁠/⁠～⁠♡

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