19: Chapter 19 Su Wanqing's Feelings Deepen

I

Navy construction is progressing steadily, the Army is expanding rapidly, and the industrial system is beginning to take shape; everything is proceeding according to plan.

But Li Ling found himself getting busier and busier.

So busy that he didn't even have time to eat, didn't have enough time to sleep, let alone spend time with Empress Su Wanqing.

For five consecutive days, Li Ling left early and returned late, sometimes even sleeping directly in the military camp and not returning to the residence at all. Empress Su Wanqing prepared meals every day waiting for him, but never saw him.

On the evening of the sixth day, Li Ling finally found time to return to the residence.

Just as he entered, he saw Empress Su Wanqing sitting on a stone stool in the courtyard, holding a book, but she hadn't turned a page for a long time.

"Wanqing." Li Ling walked over.

Empress Su Wanqing looked up, seeing Li Ling, a glimmer of joy flashed in her eyes, but it quickly dimmed: "Brother Ling, you're back."

"Yes, I finished my work today, so I came back early to keep you company." Li Ling sat down beside her, "Have you eaten?"

"I have." Empress Su Wanqing said softly.

Li Ling looked at the food on the table, untouched, clearly she hadn't eaten.

"Liar." Li Ling smiled, "You haven't eaten yet, have you?"

Empress Su Wanqing blushed and lowered her head, not speaking.

Li Ling sighed and reached out to hold her hand: "Wanqing, I'm sorry, I've been too busy these past few days and didn't have time to be with you."

"It's okay." Empress Su Wanqing shook her head, "I know Brother Ling is doing big things, I don't blame you."

The more she said this, the worse Li Ling felt.

Empress Su Wanqing was his childhood sweetheart, his first love, the first person to treat him well after he transmigrated to this era. Although this affection had a foundation from the original host, he had completely accepted it and truly liked this gentle and considerate girl.

"Wanqing." Li Ling looked at her seriously, "I promise you, no matter how busy I am, I will make time to be with you. I won't leave you alone."

Empress Su Wanqing looked up, tears in her eyes: "Brother Ling, it's not that I want you to be with me, I just... I'm just worried about you. You're so busy and tired every day, I'm afraid your body can't take it."

"My body is just fine." Li Ling smiled, "If you don't believe me, feel it."

Empress Su Wanqing was amused and gently hit him: "Brother Ling, you're being improper again."

The two laughed for a while, and the atmosphere became much more relaxed.

II

After dinner, Li Ling and Empress Su Wanqing took a walk in the courtyard.

The moonlight was bright, the night breeze was cool, and there were several osmanthus trees planted in the courtyard, wafting a faint fragrance.

"Brother Ling, do you still remember our childhood?" Empress Su Wanqing asked suddenly.

"I remember." Li Ling nodded, "You were only five years old then, with two little braids, following behind me every day."

"You always bullied me back then." Empress Su Wanqing pouted, "Once you pushed me into the pond, making me swallow several mouthfuls of water."

Li Ling smiled awkwardly: "That wasn't bullying you, it was teaching you how to swim."

"Who teaches swimming like that?" Empress Su Wanqing rolled her eyes at him, "If Uncle Fu hadn't passed by, I would have drowned."

"So didn't I teach you later?" Li Ling said, "You're much better at swimming than I am now."

Empress Su Wanqing laughed, her smile exceptionally beautiful in the moonlight.

"Brother Ling, have you thought about the future?" Empress Su Wanqing asked.

"What future?"

"Just... what will happen to us in the future." Empress Su Wanqing lowered her head, "Will you marry me?"

Li Ling stopped and turned to look at Empress Su Wanqing.

In the moonlight, her face was like a blooming lotus, clear, pure, and beautiful.

"I will." Li Ling said, "I will definitely marry you."

Empress Su Wanqing's tears finally fell, she threw herself into Li Ling's arms, holding him tightly.

"Brother Ling, I'll wait for you." She choked with sobs, "No matter how long, I will wait for you."

Li Ling held her, gently patting her back.

"Don't worry, I won't make you wait too long."

III

The two sat in the courtyard for a long time, talking about many things.

From childhood fun to the current situation, from Li Ling's grand plans to Empress Su Wanqing's daily life. Li Ling realized that although Empress Su Wanqing didn't usually speak much, she saw everything and kept everything in her heart.

"Brother Ling, I know you are doing big things." Empress Su Wanqing said, "I also know that you will have many women in the future, there will be princesses, foreigners, young ladies from financial groups... I don't mind."

Li Ling was stunned: "How did you know?"

"Of course I know." Empress Su Wanqing smiled, "You are a person destined for great things, it's impossible for you to only have me as a woman. I don't covet being your only one, I just hope that in your heart, there will always be a place that belongs to me."

Li Ling was silent for a long time, then nodded.

"Wanqing, you will always be the most important person to me." He said, "No matter how many people there are in the future, you will always be my 'white moonlight', my first love, the person I cherish the most."

Empress Su Wanqing smiled, but tears flowed uncontrollably.

"Brother Ling, with this sentence from you, I am satisfied."

IV

It was late, and Li Ling saw Empress Su Wanqing back to her room.

Standing at the door, Empress Su Wanqing suddenly turned around, stood on tiptoes, and lightly kissed Li Ling on the face.

"Brother Ling, good night." She ran into the room with a blushing face, and "slammed" the door shut.

Li Ling touched the cheek that had been kissed, stunned in place.

After a long while, he came back to his senses and smiled.

"This silly girl."

Returning to his own room, Li Ling lay on the bed, his mind filled with the image of Empress Su Wanqing.

"System." Li Ling said.

"Hmm?"

"Tell me, have I neglected Wanqing too much?"

"A little." The system said, "But you are indeed busy, there's no way around it."

"I will make more time to be with her in the future." Li Ling said.

"Hmm." The system said, "But I must remind you, relationships aren't built just by spending time, but by nurturing them with your heart. If you have heart for Empress Su Wanqing, that is enough."

Li Ling nodded and closed his eyes.

He knew the system was right.

Relationships aren't built up by time, but exchanged with sincerity. Empress Su Wanqing could feel his sincerity towards her. That was enough.

V

The next day, Li Ling broke precedent and didn't get up early to go to the military camp, instead having breakfast with Empress Su Wanqing and accompanying her to go shopping.

The two changed into casual clothes, mixed in the crowd, like ordinary young lovers, strolling around the market.

Empress Su Wanqing was as excited as a child, looking at this for a while, touching that for a while, finding everything fresh.

"Brother Ling, look at this!" Empress Su Wanqing picked up a clay figurine, "Is it pretty?"

"It is." Li Ling said with a smile.

"Then shall we buy one?"

"Buy it!"

Empress Su Wanqing picked a clay figurine and went to look at other things. Li Ling followed behind, watching her happy appearance, feeling warm in his heart.

Strolling for the whole morning, the two bought a pile of things, from clay figurines to candied haws, from hairpins to handkerchiefs; although none were expensive, Empress Su Wanqing loved them dearly.

"Brother Ling, thank you." Empress Su Wanqing held the large and small bags, smiling until her eyes curved like crescent moons.

"Thank you for what?" Li Ling ruffled her hair, "As long as you like it."

"I like it, I like everything." Empress Su Wanqing said seriously, "As long as it's from Brother Ling, I like it."

Li Ling felt a warmth in his heart and reached out to pull her into his arms.

"Wanqing, I swear, in the future I will give you the best."

Empress Su Wanqing leaned into his arms and whispered: "I don't want the best, I only want Brother Ling."

VI

In the afternoon, Li Ling still went to the military camp, but promised Empress Su Wanqing he would return for dinner in the evening.

Empress Su Wanqing happily went to buy groceries, preparing to make a sumptuous dinner.

In the evening, Li Ling returned on time, and Empress Su Wanqing had already set the table. Braised fish, sweet and sour pork ribs, stir-fried seasonal vegetables, chicken soup... a full table, all dishes Li Ling loved to eat.

"Wanqing, are you trying to feed me until I get fat?" Li Ling said with a smile.

"Fat is good, only when you're fat are you healthy." Empress Su Wanqing picked up a piece of pork rib for him, "Eat quickly, while it's hot."

The two chatted while eating, the atmosphere as warm as a family.

After dinner, Li Ling took the initiative to help wash the dishes, although he was clumsy and broke a bowl, Empress Su Wanqing wasn't angry at all, instead laughing until she bent over.

"Brother Ling, you'd better not wash them." Empress Su Wanqing laughed and pushed him away, "Go sit down, I'll do it."

Li Ling smiled embarrassedly, obediently sat to one side, watching Empress Su Wanqing's busy back, a strong sense of belonging surging in his heart.

This is home.

The place where she is, is home.

At night, Li Ling saw Empress Su Wanqing back to her room, and the two stood at the door for a while.

"Brother Ling, good night." Empress Su Wanqing said.

"Good night." Li Ling leaned down and kissed her on the forehead, "Have a good dream."

Empress Su Wanqing ran into the room with a blushing face, and Li Ling stood outside the door, listening to the light laughter coming from inside, and smiled.

"System." Li Ling chanted in his heart.

"Hmm?"

"I think I am the happiest person in this world."

"Tch." The system said disdainfully, "Say that again when you have four wives."

Li Ling laughed out loud and turned back to his own room.

Outside the window, the moonlight was like water.

Tomorrow, would be a new day.