76: Chapter 76 Su Wanqing's Heart-to-Heart Talk

The smoke of the naval battle had not yet dissipated, and traces of shrapnel still remained on the deck of the dragon might.

Li Ling stood in front of the bridge window, looking at the gradually calming sea in the distance, silent for a long time. This battle, he had won, but it had not been an easy victory. Three Torpedo boats had sunk, more than a hundred officers and soldiers were killed, and even more lay groaning on the hospital ship. Those young faces, those vivid lives, had just disappeared forever into this cold seawater.

An adjutant knocked and entered, saying softly, "Sir, Empress Su Wanqing is here."

Li Ling was stunned, turned around, and sure enough, saw Empress Su Wanqing standing at the door. She was wearing a simple, elegant light green dress, her hair was simply pinned behind her head, she was carrying a food box in her hand, and her face carried a faint smile, but her eyes were slightly red, obviously having cried.

"Su Wanqing? Why are you here?" Li Ling walked over quickly, took the food box from her hand, "It is dangerous here, you should not have come."

Empress Su Wanqing shook her head and said softly, "I heard you were injured, I was worried, so I begged the German Princess to send me here." She looked Li Ling up and down, confirming he had no obvious injuries, only then did she breathe a sigh of relief, "It is good that you are fine."

"What could happen to me?" Li Ling smiled, pulled her to sit down, "It is just a scratch, it does not matter."

Empress Su Wanqing opened the food box; inside was a bowl of steaming chicken soup and a few exquisite side dishes. She took out the chicken soup and handed it to Li Ling: "Drink it while it is hot, I prayed in the Buddha hall for a whole day, asking the Bodhisattva to bless your safe return."

Li Ling took the bowl and drank a mouthful; the temperature of the chicken soup was just right, fresh and rich, it was Su Wanqing's usual craft. His heart warmed, and he held her hand: "Su Wanqing, you have worked hard."

Empress Su Wanqing shook her head, did not speak, just quietly looked at him. There was worry, longing, and an indescribable sentiment in her eyes. The two grew up together, childhood sweethearts, and saw each other's joys and sorrows. She knew Li Ling was doing great things, knew he was not an ordinary person, but every time he went on an expedition, she would be terrified and unable to sleep at night.

"Brother Ling." Empress Su Wanqing suddenly spoke, her voice very light, as if afraid of disturbing something.

"Hmm?"

"Do you still remember when we were little?" She looked up, looking into Li Ling's eyes, "You always said that when you grew up you would marry me, take me to see the sea, and let me live a good life. At that time, I did not understand, I only thought you were coaxing me to be happy."

Li Ling held her hand and gently rubbed it: "Every word I said, I remember."

Empress Su Wanqing's eyes turned red, tears swirled in her eyes: "But now, you have so many people by your side. The German Princess, Emily, and the princess of the German Empire... I do not blame you, I know you need them, need their help. I just..." She lowered her head, her voice choked, "I am just afraid that you will forget me."

"Silly girl." Li Ling reached out and pulled her into his arms, his chin resting on the top of her head, "You are the most important person to me, how could I forget you?"

Empress Su Wanqing leaned against his chest, listening to his strong heartbeat, and the tears finally could not help but fall: "Brother Ling, I do not ask for a title, I do not ask for status, I only ask that you are safe and sound. Every time you go on an expedition, I am afraid you will not come back. I knelt in the Buddha hall for a day and a night, praying to the Bodhisattva to protect you, praying to the ancestors to protect you, praying to the gods in heaven to protect you..."

Li Ling's heart felt sour, and he hugged her tighter. He knew what Empress Su Wanqing said was the truth; this girl who grew up with him had never asked him for anything. She just silently accompanied him by his side, giving him warmth when he needed it, and comfort when he was tired.

"Su Wanqing." Li Ling let her go, held her face with both hands, and looked at her earnestly, "When this battle is over, I will formally marry you."

Empress Su Wanqing was stunned, tears still hanging on her face, her eyes wide open: "You... what did you say?"

"I said, I want to marry you." Li Ling smiled, "Not as a concubine, not just taking you in, but marrying you. A proper marriage, with an eight-man sedan chair, marrying you into the house in grand style."

Empress Su Wanqing's tears flowed even more fiercely, she shook her head vigorously: "No, you are a big shot, marrying a woman from an ordinary family like me, others will laugh at you. And the German Princess is already married to you, how can I..."

"Who said you are a woman from an ordinary family?" Li Ling interrupted her, "You are my, Li Ling's, woman, who dares to laugh at you?"

Empress Su Wanqing wanted to say something more, but was gently pressed on her lips by Li Ling's finger.

"Su Wanqing, listen to me." Li Ling's voice was very light, but every word was resonant, "In this life, I, Li Ling, may have many women, but you will always be my most important person. From the time I was a little brat who knew nothing, you were by my side. When I fell from a tree, you were the one who helped me apply medicine; when I was bullied, you were the one who stood up for me; when I was down and out, you were the one who brought me food. I remember all of this, and I will never forget it in my life."

Empress Su Wanqing was tearful, nodding vigorously, but unable to say a word.

Li Ling pulled her back into his arms and said softly: "When this battle is over, we will get married. I will take you to see the sea, see the mountains, and see all the beautiful scenery in this world. I want to let you live a good life and make everyone envy you."

Empress Su Wanqing leaned in his arms, sobbing uncontrollably. She had waited for these words for many years. Since she was a little girl, she had dreamed of one day marrying this boy she grew up with. Later, he changed, became powerful, became unreachable, and so many excellent women appeared by his side. She thought she had no chance, thought he had long forgotten the original promise.

But he did not forget.

He always remembered.

The two embraced in the bridge, silent for a long time. On the sea outside the window, the sunset was slowly sinking into the horizon, the clouds in the sky were dyed golden red, as beautiful as a painting.

After a long while, Empress Su Wanqing wiped away her tears, looked up, and looked at Li Ling: "Brother Ling, you must come back alive. No matter how many people you marry, no matter what you do, I will wait for you."

"Rest assured." Li Ling smiled, "My life is tough, I cannot die."

Empress Su Wanqing gently punched him: "You are not allowed to say unlucky things."

Li Ling laughed, pulled her out of the bridge, and came to the deck. The sea breeze blew, carrying a salty, fishy smell. On the distant sea, several warships were slowly returning, and the flag of the Qingxia Kingdom was flying on the masts.

"Su Wanqing, look." Li Ling pointed to the distance, "That sea, from now on, will be ours. No one dares to bully us again, no one dares to come and snatch our things again. I want to make this sea belong to us forever."

Empress Su Wanqing looked in the direction of his finger, the sunset's afterglow sprinkled on the sea, sparkling, so beautiful it was intoxicating. She leaned on Li Ling's shoulder and said softly: "Brother Ling, you will definitely be able to do it."

The two stood on the deck for a long time, until the sky was completely dark, before returning to the cabin.

That night, Li Ling did not let Empress Su Wanqing go back, but arranged for her to stay in a guest cabin on the dragon might. Although he knew this was against the rules, at this moment he did not want to care about those cumbersome formalities. He just wanted to let this girl who had waited for him for so many years be closer to him.

The night was deep, Li Ling sat alone in the cabin, looking at the ocean outside the window. The sea was pitch black, only the lights on the distant warships were flickering, like stars in the sky reflected in the water.

"System." He muttered in his heart.

"Hmm?"

"Tell me, am I too selfish? There are so many people around me, and I still delay Su Wanqing."

"Host, there is no such thing as selfish or not selfish in matters of feelings." The system's voice was rarely serious, "Empress Su Wanqing has waited for you for so many years, it is right for you to marry her. As for others, as long as you treat them sincerely, you will not fail them."

Li Ling sighed: "I know. It's just that sometimes I feel that I am not worthy of their sincerity."

"Host, although you are sometimes very despicable and an old six, and can do anything, you have never been vague about big things." The system said, "You are cold and ruthless to the enemy, but you are sincere to the people around you. The system sees this very clearly."

Li Ling smiled: "Why are you so good at talking today?"

"The system also needs to praise the host occasionally, so the host does not feel neglected."

"Cut it out." Li Ling laughed and scolded, "You just want to suck up to me."

"Host, the system does not need to suck up to anyone."

"Then you are mocking me."

"...Host, you win."

Li Ling laughed, his mood much better. He stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the ocean outside.

"System, tell me, when will this war end?"

"Soon." The system replied, "The main force of the United Fleet has been defeated, Fisher is injured and fled, and the remaining ships of Dewey and Togo Heihachiro are also in retreat. As long as the host pursues the victory, the United Fleet will never be able to stir up trouble again."

"That's good." Li Ling nodded, "After this battle, I will go back and marry Su Wanqing."

"Host, the system reminds you, the marriage contract with the German Princess is also next year."

"I know." Li Ling rubbed his temples, "One by one, there is no need to rush."

Outside the window, the night deepened. On the distant sea, several stars were reflected in the water, like scattered pearls.

Li Ling took a deep breath, turned and walked back to the bedside, lay down, and closed his eyes.

Tomorrow, there is still a tough battle to fight.

But he is not afraid.

Because behind him, there are people he wants to protect.