35: Chapter 35 Emily's Ambiguity Escalates

## I. A Letter from Afar

Just as the joy of the naval victory was fading, Li Ling received a letter from across the ocean.

The envelope was pale pink, emitting a faint scent of perfume, with the recipient's address written in neat English. When Empress Su Wanqing handed the letter to Li Ling, her eyes held a hint of playfulness.

"Brother Ling, there is a letter for you, sent from Meijian Country."

Li Ling took the letter, opened it, and couldn't help but raise the corners of his mouth.

It was Emily.

The only daughter of a Meijian Country conglomerate expressed her longing and admiration for Li Ling in passionate words in the letter. She said she saw the news of Li Ling defeating Japan in the newspaper and cried with excitement. She said she had been following Li Ling's updates and felt proud of every achievement he made. She said she had applied for a study abroad spot in Qingxia Kingdom and would be coming to China in two months, hoping to see Li Ling.

At the end of the letter, Emily wrote: "Yours forever, Emily."

Empress Su Wanqing leaned over to look, then said with a playful smile: "Brother Ling, this Miss Emily is very attentive to you."

Li Ling rubbed his nose awkwardly: "Wanqing, you misunderstood, we are just ordinary friends."

"Would ordinary friends use the word 'forever'?" Empress Su Wanqing blinked, "And I have read your previous correspondence, the level of ambiguity, tsk tsk tsk."

Li Ling: "..."

[Hahaha, you got caught! Letting you flirt everywhere!] The system gloated.

Li Ling roared in his heart: Shut up!

"Wanqing, I really have nothing with Emily." He explained, "She is just an innocent little girl who admires heroes."

Empress Su Wanqing chuckled: "Brother Ling, I am not jealous, why are you nervous? It is normal for men to have many wives and concubines, as long as you have me in your heart."

Li Ling was stunned. He found that when Empress Su Wanqing said this, her expression was very sincere, without any reluctance.

"Wanqing, you..."

"Brother Ling." Empress Su Wanqing held his hand, "I know you are not an ordinary person, and there will be many women in the future. I don't ask to occupy your heart alone, just ask that you have a place for me in your heart."

Li Ling felt a sore nose and took her into his arms: "Wanqing, you little fool..."

[Tsk tsk tsk, feeding dog food again.]

Li Ling did not retort to the system this time because he was truly moved by Empress Su Wanqing.

## II. Emily Comes to China

Two months later, a passenger ship from Meijian Country docked at the port of Qingxia Kingdom.

On the wharf, Li Ling brought Empress Su Wanqing to greet them in person. When Emily walked down the gangway, Li Ling almost didn't recognize her.

Two years ago, Emily was still a green girl, wearing a student outfit, with a ponytail, and an innocent face.

Now, Emily has grown into a beautiful young woman, with long golden hair draped over her shoulders, sapphire-blue eyes as bright as gems, wearing the most popular European-style long dress of the time, and exuding the temperament of a noble lady in every gesture.

"Li!" Emily saw Li Ling, her eyes lit up, and she rushed into his arms regardless of her image.

Li Ling was caught off guard and took a step back from the impact, awkwardly patting her back: "Emily, long time no see."

"I missed you so much!" Emily hugged for a while before letting go, then saw Empress Su Wanqing beside Li Ling.

The eyes of the two women met in the air, and the air seemed to freeze for a moment.

Empress Su Wanqing broke the silence first, smiling and saying: "You must be Emily, right? Brother Ling often mentions you, saying you are a smart and cute girl."

Emily also reacted and smiled sweetly: "You must be Sister Su, right? Li also often mentions you in his letters, saying you are his childhood sweetheart and the most important person."

The two looked at each other and smiled, the atmosphere was harmonious.

Li Ling breathed a sigh of relief, secretly rejoicing that the two women did not fight on the spot.

[Host, you have two now, and there will be three in the future. The harem catching fire is only a matter of time.]

Li Ling retorted in his heart: Crow mouth!

## III. Teaching Chinese

After Emily came to China, she lived in a courtyard arranged by Li Ling. Her main task was to learn Chinese, and for this, Li Ling specially hired the best Chinese teacher.

But Emily was not satisfied with learning from the teacher; she always found excuses to come to Li Ling and let him teach her Chinese.

"Li, how do you read this character?" Emily held a Chinese textbook and pointed to a character on it.

Li Ling leaned over to look, and it was the character "Love", and he couldn't help but feel a little awkward: "This character is read 'ài'."

"ài?" Emily blinked, "What does it mean?"

"It means... um... to like." Li Ling said vaguely.

"Like?" Emily's eyes brightened even more, "Then what does 'I love you' mean?"

Li Ling: "..."

"Li, will you teach me to read 'I love you'?" Emily acted like a spoiled child.

Li Ling broke into a sweat: "This... Emily, this is a very private thing, I can't teach it casually."

"Why can't you?" Emily tilted her head, looking innocent, "I just want to learn."

"Okay, okay, I'll teach you." Li Ling conceded, " 'I', 'Love', 'You', read after me."

"I—Love—You—" Emily imitated seriously, and the pronunciation was surprisingly standard.

"That's right, that's it." Li Ling breathed a sigh of relief.

Emily suddenly rushed over to wrap her arms around his neck and whispered in his ear: "Li, I love you."

Li Ling froze, his mind went blank.

[Damn, this little girl is too direct!] The system exclaimed.

Li Ling came back to his senses and quickly pushed Emily away: "Emily, you..."

"Li, I know you have Sister Su." Emily looked at him seriously, "But I don't mind. As long as I can be with you, I am willing to be a concubine."

Li Ling was completely stunned. This only daughter of a Meijian Country conglomerate was actually willing to be a concubine for someone? This was too unbelievable, right?

"Emily, calm down." He tried to soothe her, "You are still young and don't understand what love is."

"I am already eighteen, not young anymore!" Emily said stubbornly, "Li, I know very clearly what I want. From the first time I saw you, I knew you were the person I wanted to spend my life with."

Li Ling was speechless. He found that reasoning with women was the hardest thing in the world.

## IV. Empress Su Wanqing's Attitude

In the evening, Li Ling told Empress Su Wanqing about Emily's confession.

Empress Su Wanqing listened, was silent for a while, and then said: "Brother Ling, I think Emily is serious."

"But..."

"No buts." Empress Su Wanqing interrupted him, "Brother Ling, I know you have great ambitions and need the support of various forces. The Meijian Country conglomerate behind Emily will be of great help to your future development."

Li Ling was stunned: "Wanqing, you..."

"Brother Ling, I am not persuading you to accept her, but analyzing the pros and cons with you." Empress Su Wanqing said seriously, "For matters of the heart, you decide for yourself. But I hope you know that no matter what, I will stand by your side."

Li Ling was so moved that he didn't know what to say, and could only take her into his arms.

[Host, I want to remind you that the emotional line is developing too fast and is prone to problems.] The system suggested, rarely being serious, [You should focus on your career, and let emotional matters take their course.]

Li Ling nodded in his heart: You are right, I will pay attention.

## V. Ambiguity Escalates

In the following days, Emily became Li Ling's "shadow".

When Li Ling went to inspect the barracks, she followed; when Li Ling went to the shipyard, she followed; when Li Ling went to the beach for a run, she also followed.

And she was very proactive, always taking the initiative to help with what she could. For example, delivering food to the soldiers, helping engineers organize documents, and even learning to cook Qingxia Kingdom food with Empress Su Wanqing.

Slowly, Li Ling's attitude towards her changed from initial avoidance to acceptance.

One day, Li Ling took Emily to the beach to watch the sunrise. The two sat side by side on the reef, watching the sky gradually turn red.

"Li, what do you think the future will be like?" Emily asked suddenly.

Li Ling thought for a while: "The future, I hope our country will become strong, the people will no longer be bullied, every child will be able to have enough to eat and wear, and go to school."

"What about you? What kind of person do you hope to become?"

"I hope to become someone remembered by future generations." Li Ling looked into the distance, "Even hundreds of years later, when people mention me, they will say: 'That Li Ling was a good person'."

Emily turned her head and looked at him seriously: "Li, you are not a good person, you are a great man."

Li Ling was stunned, then burst into laughter: "A great man? Me? Don't joke, I'm just a rascal."

"What is a rascal?"

"It's... um... someone not very serious."

Emily chuckled: "Then you are an unserious great man."

The two looked at each other and laughed at the same time.

The laughter drifted in the morning breeze, accompanied by the sound of waves hitting the reef, forming a warm picture.

The sun slowly rose, and the golden sunlight sprinkled on the sea and on the two of them.

Emily suddenly leaned over and kissed Li Ling on the cheek.

Li Ling did not dodge.

[Host, the ambiguity has escalated.] The system teased.

Li Ling smiled in his heart: I know.