Chapter 40: with translation of chapter title

The next day, I was woken up early in the morning by noise; Xinhui said, Master Lan requested my presence. Full of doubts, I hastily washed up and rushed over.

Along the way, everyone's expressions were strange, as if there were some happy event; upon seeing me, they all bowed gratefully.

Yet my unease grew stronger, and I was inexplicably brought into the guest room.

Lan Junqing came up with a beaming face, unabashedly taking my hand in a blatantly affectionate gesture—something I had never seen him act so improperly in front of his children. He leaned in and whispered, "Ru'er, you truly are your father's fine daughter, a fine citizen of our Ting State!"

I pulled my hand back with a fake smile, already basically understanding what had happened; did he really think that after hearing his words I would use him if I could?

"Come, Prime Minister Wen has been waiting for you a long time; hurry over to keep him company."

Having said that, he took a group of people and left, leaving only me, Wen Ce, and his three subordinates in the huge room.

I sat down opposite him helplessly and asked, "How did you make him so pleased? You don't even suspect your motives at all?"

Wen Ce gave a strange smile and replied, "With a betrothal gift of one million taels of silver, twenty cases of fine weapons and equipment, and three thousand dan of grain, half of which has already been carried into the Lan Manor. Moreover, he promised to send troops to assist once the marriage is settled—what else could he doubt?"

I sucked in a breath, good heavens! The ruler of the world's strongest state is indeed different; judging by this posture, he's literally trying to smash people to death with money. I couldn't help but sneer, "Your Majesty truly has a grand hand."

Wen Ce glanced sideways, his gaze on me somewhat hesitant yet sincere as he said, "Miss Lan, actually, although the reasons His Majesty gave are indeed reasons…" He seemed to tremble slightly, then firmly continued, "Do you truly believe the Lan family's power is that important to His Majesty? Can the court's struggles really be beyond His Majesty's ability to settle?"

He spoke quickly, as if afraid someone would interrupt him: "Miss Lan, I hope that before you refuse, you will think it through clearly. Do not misunderstand His Majesty's sincere intentions."

"Are you here as an envoy?" I frowned at him, "The intentions of your emperor cannot be seen through by just anyone; although what you said are all facts, to ask me to believe that a person like him would pay such a great price merely because he took a liking to me is simply boring."

I stood up, looked down at Wen Ce, and said lightly, "Even if it truly is his sincere feeling, what of it? Before saying he wants to marry me, did he ever ask about my wishes? Did he care whether I like him? Such an overbearing affection, even if genuine, I neither need nor deign to misunderstand."

Wen Ce also rose, wiping the smile from his face; now it was his turn to look down at me, the shrewdness in his eyes reminding me that he too was a minister of a state. "Miss Lan, since you are so resolute, I have nothing more to say. The weapons and grain we sent are enough for Ting State to hold out a few more days. Thus I will still follow His Majesty's edict and wait for you ten days; if you change your mind, you may naturally come to this room to find me. Otherwise, I will have to alter my intention and propose… to the Second Miss of the Lan family."

I left that guest room and went to Lan Junqing's chamber, standing at the doorway and coldly observing his smiling face. Until his smile faded under my gaze and gave way to resentment, I then coldly said, "Lord Lan, just give up that idea—I will absolutely not marry!"

At the moment I turned and left, the sound of breaking objects came from behind, and Lan Junqing's furious shout followed on the wind: "You unfilial daughter!!"

I snorted coldly, clenched my fists, and gazing at every blade of grass and tree in the Lan Manor, I told myself: These have nothing to do with me; I want to leave!

When I returned to the room, I discovered that my older sister was also there; her beautiful eyes were swollen like walnuts.

I had Xinhui prepare a hot towel for her to apply; after a good deal of fuss, she finally stopped crying.

"Second Sister, what's wrong?"

Second Sister shook her head and said, "Nothing! It's just that seeing Jinhong like this makes me feel upset. Fourth Sister, do you think I'm truly born with a lethal fate? Anyone who stays with me will… suffer misfortune." As she spoke, her eye rims reddened again.

I shook my head and said solemnly, "No."

"If only I could help him and my older brother," she bit her lip, trembling, "if I could also protect this country, even just a little bit…"

I lay irritably on the bed, clutching a pillow, gazing at Wuye, and muttered, "Wuye, your former master is a real bastard—he can so easily see through and exploit human weaknesses."

Wuye looked at me without speaking, while Xinhui handed over a bowl of pastries; I took a piece and put it in my mouth, listening to her say, "Miss, tomorrow I'll be able to get Xinluo's antidote. Then we'll flee far and wide—who could find us? So don't worry."

"But…" I struggled to swallow the pastry, then said resentfully, "What about Second Sister and Jinhong and the others? Besides, Wei Lingfeng never said that marrying Second Sister would mean sending troops to aid Ting State."

Moreover, someone like him, once he sets his mind on something, will surely obtain it; whether he will let me go is hard to say.

"Miss," Xinhui looked at me, her brows slightly furrowed, staring for a moment as if finally making up her mind, "You can't be too greedy. Wanting to keep your friends safe, save Ting State, and also be free—how could all three be achieved at once?"

Yeah! What am I hesitating over? A person has only one heart, and one's abilities are limited; on what basis do I think I can achieve perfection? Getting the antidote, taking Wuye, Xinhui and the others and fleeing far away—wouldn't that be fine? After all, I'm not exactly a kind, good person.

But, clearly this is such a simple truth, yet when I recall Jinhong's pure admiration when chanting the 'Wuyou Group', my older brother's weak yet kind and resolute gaze, and Second Sister's reddened eyes from crying, my heart simply cannot be set at ease.

Having harmed so many people and then simply walking away—can I really do that? Even though these harms were not directly caused by me.

My gaze fell on the rather worn, almost plain-white modern backpack; I sighed, set down the pillow, and hugged it to me. How exactly can I return to my original world?

If I could return now, how wonderful that would be. At least I wouldn't hear news of Ting State's defeat, so I wouldn't feel guilty. At least, knowing that I and that person are not under the same sky, I would no longer harbor illusions…

Holding the backpack, I walked toward the inner room, waved at Xinhui who was about to follow, and lazily said, "I want to be alone for a while."

An hour later.

From inside the room came the tremendous crash of overturned tables and chairs; I clutched a copy of *Modern Chinese History*, my face bearing the expression of a warrior severing his wrist, burst out of the inner chamber, and glanced at the somewhat dazed crowd.

Xinhui moved her lips and called out, "Miss…".

Xinluo, who is usually not talkative, merely gazed at me with her beautiful eyes at this moment.

Xiao Yin raised her head from the fruit, affectionately rubbed against my feet, and emitted a "squeak-squeak" sound.

Wuye's expression cannot be seen, but as they say, the eyes are the window of the soul; I can perceive the tension and worry within them.

I took a deep breath, looked at the crowd, pulled the corner of my mouth into a resolute smile, and asked word by word, "If I say I will marry into Qi State, what are your plans?"

I shoved the door open; the impact of the door against the wall produced a heavy "bang bang". Wen Ce, who had been bending over his desk, looked up at me in surprise, opened his mouth, and was about to speak.

But I had already gotten ahead of him, saying, "I want to see Wei Lingfeng."

It was still that inn; only today did I learn that this tavern, not much inferior to the 'Tianyanglou', is called the 'Zui Xianju'—a rather vulgar name. It was still that elegant room; this time I brought no one, entered alone, and pushed the door open.

Wei Lingfeng smiled calmly, gazing at me calmly. Wen Ce and Xuan Tian stood respectfully behind him.

I looked at him expressionlessly, yet couldn't help smirking inwardly: Wei Lingfeng, this outcome was surely anticipated by you, right? I admit I can't defeat you, but I might not lose either.

"Please sit, Miss Lan." Wei Lingfeng spoke, and Wen Ce respectfully helped pull out the chair opposite him for me.

I sat down, having no interest in beating around the bush with this man; facing someone like him, further circumlocution would be useless, so I might as well get straight to the point.

"I can agree to marry into Qi State, but I have three conditions."

Today the table was spotless, with no dishes laid out, not even tea. I couldn't help thinking mischievously: Could it be that they're afraid someone might overturn the table today and wield weapons?

Wei Lingfeng stopped Xuan Tian from rebuking me, smiling at me: "Go ahead, let's hear it."

"First, after you annex Ting State, do not make things difficult for the people here and the Lan household members. However…" I flashed a devilish grin, "except for that old fool Lan Junqing—it would be best to give him a good thrashing."

I saw Wen Ce looking at me as if he'd seen a ghost, while Xuan Tian completely failed to understand what I was saying, wearing a dazed expression. As for Wei Lingfeng, after his initial surprise, a gleam flashed in his eyes and he revealed a bewitching smile: "How did you know?"

I returned his smile with a bright one and said lightly, "Your Majesty, please don't treat everyone as fools. Do you really think I'd be stupid enough to believe you're marrying me because you like me or to repay the debt of saving your life?"

"Ting State, being a military stronghold, would never be abandoned by anyone with ambitions to dominate the world. You are far more capable than the rulers of Yin and Yao States. Your strategy was likely laid out as early as that ambush four months ago; even without me, Ting State would eventually fall into your hands—just by a different means."

Wei Lingfeng continued to smile at me as I spoke, showing not the slightest annoyance; only after I finished did he give me a careful look and say, "I admit what you said is correct, but there is some liking involved."

He smoothed his sleeves and said, "Let's set that aside for now; tell me your second condition."

I cleared my throat and looked straight at him: "Second, Xiao Yin, Wuye, Xinhui, and Xinluo must go with me; you must guarantee their lives and freedom. Naturally, natural disasters and sudden emergencies cannot be blamed on you. What I mean is, unless they threaten your life, neither you nor your subordinates may order or harm them."

"Xiao Yin?" Wei Lingfeng suddenly laughed, "You're even counting that little fox?"

Is this person sick? I thought, annoyed, at such a solemn negotiation moment, he actually laughed for no reason.

"Let's talk about the third clause."

I took a deep breath; I knew the first two clauses weren't difficult—even if I didn't mention them, he'd probably manage—but this third clause. My hand resting on the table curled slightly, scraping fingermarks on the elegant, expensive tablecloth and producing a harsh sound. In this quiet room it was especially jarring.

The three of them focused their gazes on me; their six eyes burned like they wanted to devour me.

I gritted my teeth, not looking at anyone, and blurted out the last clause in a rapid-fire patter, as fast as a world 100‑meter sprint champion being chased by a hundred mad dogs.

But obviously, the three across from me still understood; otherwise their faces wouldn't be turning darker and darker.

Wei Lingfeng's eyes narrowed slightly; although we hadn't known each other long, I also knew that when he made this expression it usually meant only one thing: he was dangerous!

"Say it again!"

I shivered involuntarily, but seeing him also reduced to this state by anger, inexplicably my mood, which had been oppressively gloomy these past days from being suppressed, lifted all at once.

I flashed a fearless smile, repeating my words just now, unsure if I could get them word for word: "Third, I only want to sign a marriage contract with you. By the way, you don't know what a contract marriage is? Simply put, we acknowledge a husband‑wife relationship before the world for our mutual benefit and sign a paper agreement. But we are husband and wife in name only, with no actual marital duties, and neither side needs to fulfill marital obligations. Moreover, this agreement lasts only one year."

I raised a finger, waved it, and said: "One year should be more than enough for you to annex the Lan Clan, Ting Kingdom, and Ting's surrounding forces. After a year you must let me go, and we'll be strangers to each other."

Wei Lingfeng seized my slender wrist, coldly staring at me and said: "On what basis do you think I, the emperor, would agree to you?"

I winced, teeth bared, trying to pull my hand free but couldn't, while the corner of my mouth twisted into a mocking smile: "Because your Qi Kingdom may be strong on land, but you lack the wherewithal for naval warfare—and I can boost your naval strength."

Wei Lingfeng's eyes burned into mine, and I met his gaze without yielding. Although I wanted to say, "My hand hurts—boss, please let go quickly."

After a long while he finally released my hand; I rubbed the wrist marked with five fingerprints and couldn't help muttering a few complaints. Seeing his eyebrow lift, I hastily composed myself.

Now is a crucial moment in the negotiation—it's true we can't lose momentum, but we also mustn't provoke this ultimate boss!

I turned to Wen Ce and smiled: "Could the minister please help me prepare paper and brush?" Alas! I don't know if I can still wield a brush after years of disuse, and that steel pen is so special it's hardly usable when taken out.

Wen Ce nodded, summoned someone, ordered the preparations, and soon a brand‑new set of the Four Treasures of the Study was set before me. Wen Ce ground ink on one side while eyeing me suspiciously on the other.

I was secretly thinking, having a prime minister grind my ink for me—I really am imposing!

Although I hadn't seen them myself, from Jin Hong and my second brother's conversation I learned that this era's warships resemble those of the Three Kingdoms period, mainly equipped with tower ships and assault ships.

A tower ship is actually equivalent to a modern aircraft carrier, mainly used for supplying and repairing the assault ships; while an assault ship resembles a modern fighter jet, using ramming as its primary means of attack.

For today's negotiation I even went specially to Jin Hong and my second brother to ask about the ships in detail. Sure enough, including crew allocation, there's not much difference from the Three Kingdoms period.

In this era, warship armament is mainly light weapons. In battle, bows and crossbows are used at a distance, knives and spears up close; some warships also mount catapults, giving them greater lethal power.

Well, that's not the point. I picked up the brush and began to draw with full concentration. Watercolor painting, though… really isn't my forte.

In the room, aside from the sound of turning pages and the pen touching paper, even my breathing was barely audible. Time ticked by, and fortunately the emperor on the upper seat had enough patience.

I put down the pen and waved at Xuan Tian; he pointed doubtfully at his own nose, and I couldn't help but smile and nod, saying: "Here you're the only one responsible for warfare, so of course the expertise needs to be explained to you."

He glanced at Wei Lingfeng, saw the master nod, then, puzzled, scratched his head and came over. I handed him the six drawings; he took them dubiously and examined them one by one.

"This… this is…!" Xuan Tian's eyes widened as he flipped through the pages, his shocked expression growing more evident until he couldn't help exclaiming, "Is this the Lan Clan's warship? Why is this mother ship so strange? Hmm, what are these?"

I shook my slightly sore and numb arm and patiently explained: "Today I'll just say it once. The first picture is a tower ship, equivalent to your mother ship. The second is an assault ship, but its hull isn't plain wood—it's covered with raw cowhide for maneuverability in combat. The third is a lead ship, used for scouting ahead in warfare. The fourth is a light fast boat, an attack‑type warship, swift but poorly defended, excelling at night‑time sneak attacks. The fifth is a pleasure craft, used for transmitting orders, communication, and enemy reconnaissance in naval combat—a light speedboat. The sixth is called a sea hawk, suited for sea warfare: low‑headed, high‑tailed, broad forward, narrow aft, unafraid of waves."

Xuan Tian gaped, unable to utter a word for a long while, his eyeballs seeming ready to pop out.

I glanced at him, somewhat amused, and said: "You might not understand all of this, but I think you get the general idea, right?"

These are actually warships specially used in the Tang dynasty.

In the book *Modern Chinese History* there is a chapter that roughly compares Chinese and foreign warships of ancient and modern times.

It so happened that, while studying in modern times for this course's paper, I had thoroughly researched the relevant references; I happened to come across it and realized this big selling point could be used to bluff people.

Coming to, seeing Xuan Tian glaring at me for a while, he suddenly jumped up and shouted: "Damn it, this absolutely cannot be the Lan Clan's warship, otherwise the Yin Kingdom's little brats would have collapsed long ago! How could Ting Kingdom be so easily taken?"

Upon hearing that, not only Wen Ce was greatly startled, but Wei Lingfeng also changed expression, and Xuan Tian hurriedly handed the drawing over to him.

He flipped through them for a while, his eyes flashing with surprise, until after the last page he looked up at me, his voice trembling slightly: "How do you know all this?"

"That's none of your business." I calmly looked at him and replied, "I can't do the detailed design—I can only provide ideas. These six sketches are merely a draft, only supplementing your current naval shortcomings. As for other things—like large ramming boarding warships, grappling ships, sail‑armed frigates—I can draw them for you according to different sea‑battle zones."

I sat up straight, locking my unwavering gaze on his strikingly handsome face, my voice steady and confident—more so than I myself expected—"Your Majesty, are these… sufficient as treaty terms?"

(End of chapter)