84: Chapter 84 Emily Returns

## I. Reunion at the Pier

The sea breeze, carrying a salty, fishy scent, rushed towards him. The pier was bustling with people, and workers unloading cargo chanted rhythmic work songs as they moved crates off the ships. In the distance, several fishing boats were returning to port, the faint, melodic, and ancient sounds of the fishermen's chants drifting over.

Li Ling stood on the pier, watching a passenger ship gradually appear on the distant horizon. It was a white ocean liner, gleaming brilliantly under the sunlight, with faint black smoke rising from its funnel.

"Host, Emily's ship has arrived."

"I see it." Li Ling nodded, feeling a surge of excitement.

Emily had been back in Meijian Country for over three months. She said she needed to return to handle some family affairs and, incidentally, help Li Ling contact arms dealers and capitalists in Meijian Country. They had been corresponding throughout these three months, but the exchange of letters was too slow, with each letter taking over a month to arrive. He missed her—he missed her dearly.

The ocean liner slowly docked, and the gangway was lowered. Passengers filed off the ship; some looked exhausted, others were exceptionally excited, and some were looking around, searching for the people meeting them.

Li Ling searched the crowd for Emily's figure. Soon, he spotted her—her long, golden hair fluttering in the sea breeze, dressed in a light blue Western-style dress, carrying an exquisite small leather suitcase as she walked toward him.

Emily saw him too, her eyes lighting up, and she dropped her suitcase and ran over.

"Li Ling!" She threw herself into his arms, hugging him tightly. "I missed you so much!"

Li Ling held her, smelling the fragrance in her hair, a warmth surging in his heart.

"I missed you too," he said softly. "You must be tired from the journey."

"It wasn't tiring at all," Emily said, looking up at him. "As long as I can see you, any hardship is worth it."

The two embraced for quite a while before reluctantly pulling apart. Li Ling picked up her suitcase, took her hand, and walked toward the carriage.

"How are things with your father?" Li Ling asked.

"They're very good," Emily said. "My father said he supports our marriage. He also said he would help you build connections in Meijian Country and secure more funding and technical support."

"That's good," Li Ling smiled. "With your father's help, I'll have much less to worry about."

The carriage passed through the bustling streets, heading toward Li Ling's mansion. Emily leaned on Li Ling's shoulder, watching the street scene outside the window, her eyes full of curiosity and excitement.

"Jiangning Prefecture has changed so much," she said. "It's much livelier than when I left."

"We've done quite a bit of construction over the past few months," Li Ling smiled. "The port has been expanded, the roads renovated, and several new factories built. You've returned at just the right time to see my new achievements."

"What new achievements?"

"It's a secret," Li Ling smiled mysteriously. "You'll know when the time comes."

## II. Empress Su Wanqing's Jealousy

The carriage stopped at the mansion gate, and Li Ling helped Emily out.

In the courtyard, Empress Su Wanqing was watering flowers. Hearing the commotion, she looked up and saw Emily; the watering can in her hand nearly dropped to the ground.

"Emily? You're back?" She walked over quickly, a smile of pleasant surprise on her face.

"Sister Wanqing!" Emily also smiled and went up to meet her. "I missed you so much!"

The two women embraced, laughing like two blooming flowers.

Li Ling stood to the side, watching them, feeling a bit guilty. He knew that although Empress Su Wanqing didn't say anything, she had always been a bit jealous of Emily. After all, he was her childhood sweetheart, the person she had wanted to marry since she was a little girl. Now that she had to share him with another woman, it wouldn't be easy for anyone to accept.

"Sister Wanqing, I brought you a gift." Emily took an exquisite box from her suitcase. "This is the latest perfume from Meijian Country; I think it suits you very well."

Empress Su Wanqing took the box and opened it to see a bottle of pale pink perfume inside. The bottle was crystal clear and emitted a faint scent of roses.

"How beautiful!" She said with pleasant surprise. "Thank you, Emily."

"You're welcome," Emily smiled. "We'll be sisters from now on, so there's no need to be so polite."

Empress Su Wanqing's smile stiffened slightly, but she quickly returned to normal.

"Yes, we'll be sisters from now on," she said softly, casting a complicated glance at Li Ling.

Li Ling gave a dry cough and hurriedly changed the subject. "Um... Wanqing, why don't you take Emily to rest first? She's been on the ship for so long; she must be tired."

"Okay." Empress Su Wanqing nodded and took Emily's hand. "Let's go; I'll take you to see your room. I had it redecorated; I'm sure you'll like it."

The two women walked toward the backyard hand in hand, leaving behind a trail of laughter.

Li Ling stood in the courtyard, watching their retreating figures, and let out a long sigh.

"Host, your backyard is about to catch fire," the System said, gloating.

"Shut up," Li Ling retorted irritably. "They're getting along very well, stop being a harbinger of doom."

"The System is just reminding the Host that a woman's heart is as deep as the ocean floor. Things may look harmonious on the surface, but who knows what they're thinking inside."

"You're just a System, what do you know about women's hearts?"

"The System doesn't understand, but the System has seen too many historical cases of harems catching fire."

Li Ling couldn't be bothered with it and strode toward the study.

## III. Candlelight Dinner

In the evening, Li Ling hosted a banquet for Emily.

The German Princess and Empress Su Wanqing also attended. It was a dinner for four, and the atmosphere was both warm and subtle.

The German Princess sat next to the head of the table, her demeanor elegant and her conversation appropriate. Coming from royalty, she had received the strictest etiquette training since childhood and handled such occasions with ease. Empress Su Wanqing sat opposite Li Ling, occasionally picking food for him with a gentle smile on her face. Emily sat beside Li Ling, whispering to him from time to time, full of smiles.

"Emily, how was your trip back to Meijian Country?" the German Princess asked.

"The harvest was great." Emily put down her knife and fork. "My father helped Li Ling contact several large arms dealers and consortiums, and they have all expressed a willingness to cooperate. Moreover, I have also brought back a detailed business plan that can help Li Ling open up the market in Meijian Country."

"What business plan?" Li Ling asked curiously.

"It's about oil." Emily took a document out of her bag. "Li Ling, didn't you say you wanted to develop oil fields in the Northeast? My father knows several oil tycoons in Meijian Country, and they are willing to provide technology and equipment, on the condition that they get a piece of the pie."

Li Ling took the document and quickly scanned it, his brow furrowing slightly.

"They want thirty percent of the shares?" He shook his head. "That's too much. Ten percent at most."

"That's what I said too," Emily smiled. "So this is just a preliminary proposal; the specific details still need to be negotiated. However, my father said that as long as it's your business, he will definitely help with all his might."

"Thank your father for me." Li Ling nodded. "I'll write him a letter myself another day."

Empress Su Wanqing listened from the side; although she wore a smile, she felt a bit bitter inside. She knew that Emily could do many things for Li Ling that she couldn't. She was the only daughter of a Meijian Country consortium, possessing status, resources, and ability, and could help Li Ling open up international markets and introduce advanced technology. Meanwhile, she was just the daughter of an ordinary family; other than taking care of Li Ling's daily life, she couldn't help with anything else.

"Sister Wanqing, why aren't you eating?" Emily noticed her unusual behavior and asked with concern.

"I've eaten," Empress Su Wanqing smiled. "I'm just a little tired."

"Then you should rest early," Li Ling said. "I'll go accompany you after I take Emily back to her room."

Empress Su Wanqing nodded, rose, and took her leave.

After returning to her room, Empress Su Wanqing sat in front of the dressing table, looking at herself in the mirror, a complex emotion surging in her heart.

She wasn't jealous of Emily; rather, she felt she wasn't good enough for Li Ling. The women around him—the German Princess had status, Emily had resources, and the German Princess had rank. Only she had nothing.

"Brother Ling, am I very useless?" she murmured to herself, tears welling up in her eyes.

Just then, Li Ling pushed the door open and entered.

"Wanqing, what's wrong?" Seeing Empress Su Wanqing with red-rimmed eyes, he walked over quickly. "Who bullied you?"

"No one," Empress Su Wanqing shook her head and wiped her tears. "I just... just feel like I'm so useless."

"Nonsense." Li Ling squatted down and held her hands. "You are the most important person to me; how could you be useless?"

"But... the German Princess can help you handle state affairs, Emily can help you connect with foreign resources, and I can't do anything." Empress Su Wanqing's tears finally fell. "I only know how to cook and embroider; I can't help with anything."

Li Ling felt a pang in his heart and pulled her into his arms.

"Wanqing, you're wrong," he said softly. "The food you cook is the most delicious I've ever eaten. The flowers you embroider are the most beautiful I've ever seen. Having you by my side is the greatest help to me."

"Really?" Empress Su Wanqing looked up at him, her eyes misty with tears.

"Really." Li Ling wiped the tears from her face. "Wanqing, you will always be my most important person. No matter how many people are around me, this will never change."

Empress Su Wanqing threw herself into his arms, sobbing uncontrollably.

Outside the window, the moonlight was like water, spilling over the two of them.

## IV. Night Talk

After comforting Empress Su Wanqing, Li Ling went to Emily's room.

Emily had already changed into pajamas, her golden hair draped over her shoulders, and she was sitting on the edge of the bed reading a book.

"Are you done?" She looked up and smiled.

"Yes." Li Ling sat down beside her. "Wanqing was a little emotional, so I stayed with her for a while."

"I can understand," Emily put down the book. "Sister Wanqing is a good girl; she just feels like she can't help you. Actually, she doesn't know that her greatest help is giving you a warm home."

Li Ling smiled. "You see things clearly."

"I'm a woman, so of course I understand women." Emily leaned on his shoulder. "Li Ling, when I went back this time, my father asked me a question."

"What question?"

"He asked me if you were worth entrusting my life to."

"How did you answer?"

"I said, yes, you are." Emily looked up, meeting his eyes. "Li Ling, you are the most outstanding man I have ever met. You have ideals, a sense of responsibility, talent, and a kind heart. My father said he supports my choice."

Li Ling felt a warmth in his heart and bowed his head to kiss her gently on the forehead.

"Emily, thank you."

"What are you thanking me for?" Emily smiled. "I'm also planning for my own future. If I marry you, I won't have to worry for the rest of my life."

Li Ling laughed heartily. "You are quite honest."

"Of course." Emily blinked. "For me, my greatest virtue is honesty."

The two looked at each other and smiled, the atmosphere warm and sweet.

Outside the window, the moonlight shone through the curtains, casting a silvery glow on the floor.