Chapter 44 - Meeting the Emperor Again

Wu Long paced back and forth in the hall with his hands clasped behind his back, thinking something carefully.

His personal eunuch Liu Zhi, stood courteously with his hands put and waited for Wu Long’s order.

However, unexpectedly, Wu Long had nothing exhorted to Liu Zhi but only asked him a question.

“Liu Zhi, what do you think of Miss Dong?” asked Wu Long.

Liu Zhi knew the emperor must have his own idea before he asked. All he could do was to give an honest answer.

He then replied, “As I could remember, Miss Dong behaved bravely in the court last time. She didn’t fear authority and she was very cool! She’s a talent, I suppose.”

It was exactly what Wu Long thought of Dong Ling. He nodded as compliment.

“She convinced me, too. With her own power! It was rare to see a girl brave and talented like her!” Wu Long said.

He waved and continued, “Well. I think I shall meet her again.”

Liu Zhi, who was just praised by the emperor, suddenly looked pale.

In fact, he had a good personal friendship with the crown prince Wu Jiming secretly when the latter often paid him for intel.

Dong Ling, however, worked for Wu Jitian. And she would be against the crown prince. If the emperor appreciated her and thought highly of her, the crown prince might possibly get degraded.

Liu Zhi then said, “Your Majesty. I heard a lot about Miss Dong.”

“Tell me then.” said Wu Long while he didn’t stop reviewing the files.

Liu Zhi knew he should something that really mattered. Consequently, he explained, “I heard Miss Dong was close to Prince Jitian! It’s understandable. Miss Dong defends him and works for him. No wonder people gossip about them.”

As he mentioned Prince Jitian, Wu Long paused. He looked up from the files and stared at Liu Zhi sharply.

Liu Zhi bowed respectfully. He could easily imagine how the emperor looked now.

“They are close…” Wu Long repeated it in his heart. But apparently, he looked calm as he always be.

In old years, the Great Priest divined that Wu Jitian would ruin the country. It was the reason why Wu Long disliked his third son and seldom cared for him. He had sent him to the border. But now, Wu Jitian came back, with a wonderful girl who argued wildly in the court.

What a coincidence!

Wu Long thought about it again. In the court, she was brave and talkative. Though she was defending Wu Jitian, she sounded frank, unlike a mean guy with dirty thoughts.

Wu Long raised his hand and said, “I understand what you mean and I’ve thought about it! But I won’t make any decision before I meet her again.”

Liu Zhi was a clever guy. When the emperor insisted on meeting Dong Ling, he wouldn’t try to interfere.

He could help the crown prince Wu Jiming, but only on the premise of protecting himself. Liu Zhi knew the rule.

He hurriedly gave the order to messenger eunuch, “His Majesty commanded that Miss Dong Ling shall come and meet him!”

…

At Wu Jitian’s mansion.

Dong Ling was enjoying the tea in the yard leisurely when Butler Liu walked in, followed by a well-dressed eunuch.

She was on guard immediately, put down the tea cup and stared directly at them.

The eunuch made a bow to Dong Ling, with a horsetail whisk in his hand.

He announced, “Miss Dong. His Majesty commanded that you go to the palace and meet him right away!”

As he spoke, he smiled. Dong Ling failed to tell what was waiting for her. A blessing or a curse?

“Right away?” asked she.

“Exactly.” The eunuch replied firmly and posed to invite her to leave.

Well, Dong Ling couldn’t violate an order from the emperor. She then walked out of the house with the eunuch.

Just as she got in a sedan behind the eunuch’s cart, she heard a low voice from out of the sedan.

“Miss Dong. His Highness asked me to tell you that it was dangerous in the palace. Do remember to be cautious and alert.”

Dong Ling pushed aside the curtain and one maid for Wu Jitian was talking to her.

“Wu Jitian is so well-informed!” Dong Ling thought and she replied to the maid with a smile, “Okay. I remember.”

Then, the maid rewarded the sedan bearers with some money before she left in a hurry.

The imperial palace was huge and majesty. When summoned alone, Dong Ling felt quite nervous.

She was taken all the way to the Imperial Study. The eunuch asked her to wait at the door while he walked in for report.

Dong Ling lowered her head and she slewed her eyes furtively from side to side. Right in front of the huge door, she felt she was just like an ant.

“Get her in!” Dong Ling heard a cheerful voice from inside the Imperial Study.

The next second, the eunuch ran out to get Dong Ling in. Sure. Wu Long couldn’t wait to meet the wonderful girl again.

“Liu Zhi. Leave us.” Said Wu Long. He expelled everyone else, even including his henchman Liu Zhi.

Liu Zhi, after he left the Imperial Study, immediately wrote a message and sent it to the crown prince Wu Jiming through a pigeon.

The message said, “His Majesty summoned Dong Ling.”

Wu Jiming, who stayed in his own mansion, was curious. “Who the hell is Dong Ling? Why did Father meet her?”

…

“Why don’t you kneel when you see me?” asked the emperor Wu Long in his seat.

Dong Ling was shocked to hear that. She was too distracted to salute to the emperor. Damn…

She hurriedly knelt down and gave a polite salute before she slowly looked up. When she looked into Wu Long’s eyes, she stunned Wu Long.

She had a beautiful face! Extremely beautiful!

Wu Long was so attracted and he had a plan to make Dong Ling his concubine.

He said, “I have a plan.”

He did that, just to figure out if Dong Ling would agree.

“What is it, Your Majesty?” asked Dong Ling. She realized what Wu Long was thinking about and she was considering how she should react.

Wu Long continued, “There are lots of beautiful things in this world. What do you think of my palace? Are there all beautiful things and girls in it?”

“Your Majesty. You own everything beautiful in this world. But some of them may be too humble and proud. They might not get on well even if they are raised in the most resplendent palace where everyone else wants to stay. Even a baby eagle doesn’t want to be locked up in a cage.” answered Dong Ling.

That was a clever answer. She used something as the metaphor to refuse the emperor in a milder way.

Wu Long understood that she refused him, leaving no room for negotiation.

He was annoyed. Yet he couldn’t have a fit of anger, for the sake of the dignity of the royal family.

Just then, Liu Zhi, who had been guarding out of the Imperial Study, reported in a loud voice, “Your Majesty! Prince Jiming asks to see you!”

“What is he coming for? Get him in!” ordered Wu Long. He looked at Dong Ling while the latter still looked indifferent.