63: Chapter 63 Wedding Night

On the wedding night, Li Ling did not stay in the bridal chamber but went to the study.

It wasn't that he didn't like the Princess; rather, he felt that everything should have a process. Consummating the marriage the first time they met would be too abrupt. Besides, he had more important things to do.

In the study, the system projected a nautical chart marked with dense intelligence on the enemy.

"Speak," Li Ling sat down, "What has been happening lately?"

[According to intelligence, Japan, Meijian Country, and the UK are secretly forming a new United Fleet. The scale is larger than last time, with the number of warships expected to exceed fifty.]

"Fifty ships?" Li Ling frowned, "Where did they get so many ships?"

[Meijian Country provided low-interest loans, the UK provided old warships, and with Japan's own shipyards producing at full capacity, this number is not an exaggeration.]

Li Ling pondered for a moment: "When do they intend to make a move?"

[Expected early next spring. Japan wants to take advantage of the host's recent marriage and lowered vigilance to launch a sneak attack.]

"A sneak attack?" Li Ling sneered, "They certainly know how to pick their timing."

[What does the host intend to do?]

"What else can I do?" Li Ling stood up, "Prepare for war."

He walked to the nautical chart and pointed at several key locations: "Here, here, and here are all routes the United Fleet might take. Have the Radar station monitor them 24 hours a day, and report immediately if there is any movement."

[Understood.]

"Also, have the Special Forces get ready," Li Ling continued, "This time I want to take the initiative; I cannot wait for them to come to my doorstep."

[Taking the initiative? How does the host intend to fight?]

"Simple," Li Ling smiled, "Aren't their fleets going to assemble? Then I will defeat them one by one before they finish assembling."

[This is risky.]

"What war isn't risky?" Li Ling countered, "Besides, I have Radar and satellites. Knowing oneself and the enemy, what is there to fear?"

[Satellites can only reconnoiter, not attack.]

"I know," Li Ling nodded, "But with satellites, I can know their every move. That is enough."

He discussed this with the system until late at night before returning to his room to rest.

Early the next morning, after Li Ling got up, he first went to pay his respects to the Princess.

The Princess had already finished washing and was sitting in front of the vanity, letting her maid comb her hair.

"Good morning, Your Highness," Li Ling smiled.

"Good morning, Husband," the Princess turned her head with a faint smile on her face.

"Did you rest well last night?"

"Thanks to you, Husband, it was very good," the Princess stood up, "Have you had breakfast, Husband?"

"Not yet."

"Then let's eat together," the Princess instructed the maid to prepare breakfast.

The two ate breakfast in the flower hall, chatting as they ate.

"Husband, I have something I would like to ask," the Princess put down her chopsticks.

"Please speak, Your Highness."

"Why is your army, Husband, so capable of fighting? I have heard many rumors about your army in the palace; they all say it is the number one strong army in the world."

Li Ling smiled: "You flatter me, Your Highness. Actually, there is no secret; it is just good equipment, good training, and good treatment."

"Is it that simple?"

"It is that simple," Li Ling nodded, "War is not about having many people, but about equipment and training. An army that is well-equipped and well-trained can defeat ten with one."

The Princess looked thoughtful: "Then, Husband, could you let me go to the military camp to see?"

Li Ling was stunned: "You want to go to the military camp, Your Highness?"

"Is that not allowed?" the Princess asked back.

"Of course it is allowed," Li Ling smiled, "However, the military camp is very dull; you might find it boring, Your Highness."

"I am not afraid of boredom."

"Very well," Li Ling nodded, "I will take you to see it in a few days."

In the afternoon, Li Ling took the Princess to the military camp.

The military camp was located outside Jiangning Prefecture. It occupied a vast area, with neat barracks and soldiers drilling on the training grounds.

It was the Princess's first time seeing such a large-scale military camp, and she was deeply shocked.

"Husband, are these soldiers all elites?" she asked.

"They are all," Li Ling pointed to the training ground, "Look, they are practicing shooting, combat, and tactical coordination. These are all essential skills for actual combat."

The Princess watched the soldiers under the command of the instructors, their movements uniform and their shooting accurate, and her admiration for Li Ling grew even more.

"You are truly extraordinary, Husband," she said sincerely.

"You flatter me, Your Highness," Li Ling smiled, "However, the army is a man's business; you can just look, no need to pay too much attention."

The Princess shook her head: "I feel that for you to have such an army, Husband, it is a blessing for Qingxia."

Li Ling smiled without answering.

He knew the Princess was testing him, wanting to see if he had any intentions of rebelling. His answer was also very clear—although I hold heavy troops, I will not be detrimental to the imperial family.

The two went around the military camp and then returned to the mansion.

On the way, the Princess suddenly asked: "Husband, I heard you have a few confidantes?"

Li Ling was stunned; he didn't expect her to ask this.

"I do," he said frankly, "One is a childhood sweetheart who grew up with me, one is the only daughter of a Meijian Country financial group, and the other is a princess of the German Empire."

The Princess was silent for a while: "Are they all very good?"

"They are all very good," Li Ling nodded, "Wanqing is gentle and virtuous, Emily is smart and capable, and Anna is noble and elegant. They each have their own merits; they are all rare, good girls."

The Princess bit her lip: "Then what about me?"

Li Ling looked at her: "You are also very good, Your Highness. Intelligent, dignified, and well-read; you are a virtuous wife."

The Princess lowered her head, her cheeks slightly flushed: "You flatter me, Husband."

Li Ling smiled and said no more.

He knew the Princess was vying for favor, but he didn't want to make a statement now. Matters of the heart cannot be rushed; they need to take their time.

Back at the mansion, Li Ling had the maid take the Princess back to her room to rest, while he went to the study.

[Host, the Princess's favorability has increased again.]

"Oh?" Li Ling was a bit surprised, "Why?"

[Because you were honest and did not hide the existence of other women.]

"What is there to be moved by in that?" Li Ling was puzzled.

[Women don't care about whether you have other women, but whether you are willing to be honest with them. The host performed very well today; it is worthy of praise.]

"That goes without saying," Li Ling said proudly, "I am a love saint, after all."

[... The system has withdrawn the notification of increased favorability.]

"Can you stop doing that?"

Over the next few days, Li Ling would set aside time to accompany the Princess every day.

The two ate, chatted, and went for walks together, occasionally playing chess or reciting poetry.

The Princess discovered that Li Ling was not the rough warrior she had imagined. He understood many things, from military strategy to history, from technology to economy, and could speak about everything with authority.

Moreover, he was humorous and often made her laugh out loud.

"Husband, did you read a lot of books in the past?" the Princess asked.

"I read some," Li Ling smiled, "But they were all miscellaneous books; I haven't read many serious ones."

"You are being humble, Husband," the Princess shook her head, "Although I haven't read much, I can tell you are very knowledgeable."

"You flatter me, Your Highness," Li Ling waved his hand, "I am just a half-full bucket, just sloshing around."

The Princess pursed her lips and smiled: "You really know how to talk, Husband."

Ten days later, the relationship between the two gradually became closer.

That night, after Li Ling finished his official duties, he returned to the bridal chamber.

The Princess had already removed her makeup and was wearing light pink sleepwear, sitting on the edge of the bed reading a book.

"You haven't slept yet, Your Highness?" Li Ling asked.

"Waiting for you, Husband," the Princess put down the book and stood up, "Are you tired, Husband?"

"I'm alright," Li Ling walked over and sat down beside her, "What book are you reading, Your Highness?"

"The Art of War," the Princess smiled, "I want to learn military strategy; perhaps I can help you in the future."

Li Ling was a little surprised: "You want to help me, Your Highness?"

"I am your wife, Husband, of course I want to help you," the Princess said seriously, "Although I cannot go to the battlefield to kill the enemy, I can help you handle some internal affairs, or offer some ideas."

Li Ling was silent for a while, then held her hand.

"Your Highness, there is something I want to make clear to you," he said seriously.

"Please speak, Husband."

"I will not rebel," Li Ling looked directly into her eyes, "But I will not let myself be slaughtered either. If the imperial family is detrimental to me, I will fight back. I hope you can understand this point, Your Highness."

The Princess bit her lip and was silent for a long time.

"I understand," she finally spoke, "I will not advise you to swallow your anger against the imperial family, because that is not your character. But I hope that if one day there really is a conflict, you can show mercy."

"That depends on the extent to which the imperial family goes," Li Ling said, "If they just want to weaken my power, I can endure it. But if they want to put me to death, then don't blame me for being ruthless."

The Princess nodded: "I understand now."

The two were speechless, and the atmosphere was somewhat heavy.

After a while, the Princess suddenly spoke: "Husband, tonight... just stay."

Li Ling was stunned, looking at her.

The Princess's cheeks were crimson, and she lowered her head, not daring to look at him.

"Since I have married you, Husband, I am your person," she said softly, "I don't want to wait any longer."

Li Ling was silent for a few seconds, then smiled.

"Alright," he stood up and blew out the lamp.

The wedding night should have been warm and romantic.

But Li Ling was thinking about another matter—the United Fleet was assembling, and a great battle was imminent.

He held the Princess and said softly: "Your Highness, I may have to go on an expedition after the New Year."

The Princess was stunned: "An expedition? Where to?"

"To fight Japan," Li Ling said, "They are forming a new United Fleet, preparing to launch a sneak attack on us."

The Princess was silent.

She knew the dangers of war, and she knew that as the commander-in-chief, Li Ling had to lead by example.

"Take care, Husband," she said softly, "I will wait for your return."

"Don't worry," Li Ling smiled, "I have a hard life; I won't die."

The Princess tapped him lightly: "You are not allowed to say such unlucky things."

"Alright, alright, I won't say it," Li Ling smiled and hugged her tighter, "Let's sleep; there are things to do tomorrow."

The Princess snuggled in his arms, feeling his body temperature and heartbeat, and a sense of security she had never felt before surged in her heart.

This man, although rough, cunning, and unconventional, could protect her and give her a sense of security.

That was enough.

Early the next morning, after Li Ling got up, he found that the Princess was already awake and was lying on her side looking at him.

"You're awake so early, Your Highness?" Li Ling smiled.

"I couldn't sleep," the Princess said softly, "What are you going to do today, Husband?"

"Go to the military camp," Li Ling got up, "To deploy defenses and prepare for battle."

The Princess also sat up: "Can I help?"

Li Ling thought for a moment: "Why don't you help me handle the miscellaneous affairs in the mansion, Your Highness? I have been too busy lately to manage those."

"Alright," the Princess nodded, "Don't worry, Husband, leave the affairs of the mansion to me."

Li Ling put on his clothes, walked to the door, and looked back at her again.

"Thank you, Your Highness."

The Princess smiled slightly: "You are too polite, Husband."

Li Ling walked out of the room and took a deep breath.

"Step one, royal marriage, complete," he thought, "Step two, defeat the United Fleet. Step three, unify the whole country."

[Host, your ambition is getting bigger and bigger.]

"That goes without saying," Li Ling smiled, "Being content with small wealth is not my style. Either don't do it, or do it to the best."

[The system has high hopes for the host.]

"Thanks," Li Ling walked toward the military camp, "But I don't need your high hopes; I need your help."

[What does the host want?]

"The second Rock-Paper-Scissors loan," Li Ling said, "I need more Dreadnoughts."

[... Host, you just finished your first loan.]

"I know," Li Ling smiled, "But this time is different. This time it is a matter of life and death; if you don't help me, I will be finished."

[The host is acting spoiled again.]

"As long as it works."