Chapter 151 The Eighth World, Ancient Romance
Ming Er rummaged around again, “Second Aunt, Second Uncle, this is for you. His Majesty personally wrote the calligraphy for our restaurant and even stamped it. We’ll frame it later and let everyone see it.”
"And this too, His Majesty has approved our Mingxuan and Mingjing to study at the Imperial Academy. Also, the gold and silver belonging to Third Aunt and Third Aunt's husband are all here."
After everyone had received their gifts, and as they looked at each other, Ming Er sat down on a chair and fell asleep.
Mingsheng and Mingren escorted Ming'er back to her room to sleep, and watched her from the window for a while.
"Mother." Seeing his mother's eyes redden, Mingren quickly went over to comfort her.
“Ming Er has lost a lot of weight.” Ming Sheng tucked the blanket around Ming Er.
Since she went to war, she has been kneeling and praying to the statue of the god every day, asking the god to bless Ming Er to return safely.
After watching for a while, Mingsheng took Mingren out to look at the things Ming'er had brought back with his family.
“This child has asked us for so many benefits, he definitely didn’t ask for anything for himself,” Mingsheng said.
Since His Majesty has agreed to so many requests, Ming Sheng is worried that His Majesty might be annoyed by Ming Er and harbor some resentment towards her.
“Mother, no, our Ming Er is such a good man.” Ming Ren’s eyes reddened.
Ever since Ming Er took the imperial examination, Ming Sheng has been the one who spends the most time with her in the Ming family. Especially now that he has entered the court as an official, he rarely sees her.
Ming Er was always thinking about his family.
The system cried its eyes out, "Host, look at this! This is the best student I've ever taught! She's tough on outsiders, but so good to her family and loved ones. I haven't wasted my time teaching her! Ming Er! My kind-hearted darling, your teacher knew you were such a good person!"
Xiang Bei, unusually, didn't find it annoying, letting the system hug her arm and cry its heart out.
Ming Er slept soundly and felt refreshed.
She had been under a lot of stress, but after returning home she completely relaxed and slept soundly until dawn, not wanting to get up at all.
Her family didn't bother her and kept food for her so she could reheat it when she woke up.
His Majesty the Emperor gave Ming Er a holiday, and he didn't have to attend court for the next few days, so Ming Er felt very relaxed.
After the alliance was signed, Daba became their vassal state and had to pay tribute every year.
King Daba and Tusu have already returned. Once they return, they will send over this year's tribute.
When Ming Er went out for a stroll, he ran into Ming Xi. The two glanced at each other and then casually avoided each other's gaze, pretending not to see each other.
They also saw His Highness the Crown Prince, who had come out to observe the people's conditions.
His Highness leaned against the second-floor railing and called out, "Ming Er, come up and have a cup of tea."
Ming Er, without any hesitation, rushed up to the Crown Prince. She offered him a cup of tea instead of wine.
"Thank you, Your Highness, for introducing me to His Majesty."
If it weren't for what His Highness the Crown Prince said to His Majesty the Emperor before, His Majesty probably wouldn't have paid so much attention to her during the Wu Ke period, and naturally she wouldn't have achieved what she has today.
"I only mentioned it a few times. It's your own ability that made Mother look at you differently. You don't need to thank me. If you weren't capable, I could talk until the sky fell, but Mother would never give you an important position."
Ming Er drank the tea but didn't stay any longer.
Her Majesty bestowed upon her the title of Earl, and also granted her a residence very close to Ming Er's. Some parts of the house still needed some tidying up, but she could find something to do anyway.
Once everything was ready, Azu and the others moved to Bojun's residence.
The restaurant they used to run wasn't abandoned; my aunt and her family are still operating it.
Ming Er was summoned by His Majesty the Emperor again, presumably to ask whether he wanted to stay in the Ministry of Justice or go to the Ministry of War.
His Majesty the Emperor thinks Ming Er is a talented person and wishes she could give full play to her talents.
But we can't really overwork talented people.
So I asked Ming Er for his opinion.
"Your Majesty, may I tell the truth?"
"nature."
"I don't want to go."
If no one wants to do it, then they just don't want to do it.
"You don't mean to resign from your official post, do you? Ming Er, you're so young, it's a bit premature for you to have such thoughts," His Majesty the Emperor said earnestly.
"No, what I mean is that there are many capable people in the court, and we don't need another one like me. Could you let me go to another place to play a role?"
"Where do you want to serve as an official?"
Ming Er suddenly looked up, his eyes sparkling as he looked at His Majesty the Emperor. “Your Majesty wishes to help expand the territory. Wherever Your Majesty points, Your Majesty, I will do my utmost to make it submit to me.”
His Majesty the Emperor raised an eyebrow at Ming Er, intrigued by her words. As an emperor, how could he not want to expand his territory?
The larger the territory under her control, the better, so that when she meets her ancestors in the future, she will be a dignified emperor.
His Majesty the Emperor imagined the scene for a moment, then covered his mouth and coughed lightly, "Have you thought it through?"
"I have made up my mind. Please give your orders, Your Majesty."
His Majesty the Emperor suddenly laughed, "Have you been wanting to go to war for a long time?"
"No, not really. It's just that this battle really got me fired up. Maybe it's something I have in my bones."
"That's true. Back when Mingyan was pregnant with you, he was still away fighting a war." His Majesty the Emperor sighed.
When Mingyan returned, she was almost due to give birth, but unexpectedly, she went into labor halfway through and had to give birth to Ming'er in a dilapidated temple, which led to all the things that happened later.
Mingxi is not bad either, but he is not as satisfactory as Ming'er.
"I don't know if this is a blessing or a curse for you," His Majesty the Emperor remarked.
"For me, having a family is my greatest fortune."
This is also one of the reasons why His Majesty the Emperor likes Ming Er: he seems carefree, but he actually values his family very much.
Having weaknesses makes a person more like a person.
If Ming Er had no weaknesses, then the emperor should be worried.
"Then go back and prepare well. I also need to see where it would be suitable for you to go first to clear out some territory for me."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. I shall take my leave now."
Ming Er returned home in an extremely good mood.
Her family, however, knew of her plans and were very worried.
“Isn’t it good to be an official in the court? War is too dangerous,” Mingsheng advised.
"But I want to go."
Ming Er felt that she still harbored murderous intent deep down, but she had morals and naturally could not harm innocent people.
She just didn't expect Mingyan to come looking for her.
Mingyan gave her a set of armor, saying, "Take it. It belongs to my grandmother. I don't need it anymore, so you can have it."
The armor was beautiful, said to have been bestowed by the late emperor and passed down through generations of the Ming family. The pure black armor exuded a chilling aura in the sunlight.
This armor is to be passed down to the most valiant and skilled woman in each generation of the Ming family.
Before she knew her true identity, Mingyan knew that Mingxi had no intention of leading troops into battle. She thought that if her youngest daughter, Mingtong, did not inherit her mantle, the armor would probably never see the light of day again.
Unexpectedly, Ming Er appeared out of nowhere. If the Ming family patriarch knew this, he would be gratified even in the afterlife.
“According to the family rules, this armor should be passed down to you. Ming Er, this was left by the Ming family ancestors. Whether you acknowledge me as your mother or not, it should belong to you.”
Indeed, it was a fine product. Ming Er didn't stand on ceremony and said, "Thank you, Lord Hou."
Mingyan wanted to say something, but seeing that Ming Er had no intention of talking to her, she simply nodded and left.
She felt that things were fine as they were.
After what happened before, the two sides are no longer able to sit down and talk calmly. Mingyan doesn't know why she is so critical of Minger, she just feels that she can't stand her at all.
Now, I feel a bit awkward when facing Ming Er.
Mingxi also felt somewhat uncomfortable when facing the Ming family. Both sides sat facing each other, polite but lacking in intimacy.
To the Ming family, it was as if they treated Mingxi as a distant relative who had come to visit.
Although their interactions were a bit strange, everyone felt that maintaining the way things were as they were was fine.
The Ming family has become quite successful now, though their foundation cannot compare to that of the Marquis of Jing'an. However, Ming Sheng now feels more confident and doesn't really want the Marquis of Jing'an to take both children away.
Their family can afford to raise children now.
Mingsheng also did not forget his relatives in Mingjia Village.
Now, thanks to Ming Er's influence, she has become a noblewoman and has saved up a lot of money. She went back and used the money to build a school for the Ming family's daughters to study.
It's not enough for one person to be successful; only when the whole family is successful can the family prosper for a long time.
There's not much she can do to help. She can build a school and give them opportunities, but the rest is up to them to fight for it themselves.
Ming Sheng did not reveal Ming Er's background; Ming Er was her own granddaughter.
In the genealogy of the Ming family ancestral hall, Ming Er is also listed on a separate page.
*
On the day Ming Er set off as commander, His Majesty the Emperor personally saw him off.
"Ming Er, I am waiting for your good news in the capital."
After Ming'er left, good news kept coming back.
His Majesty the Emperor was naturally generous in rewarding her. Knowing that she valued her family, when it came time to reward meritorious service, he attributed all of Ming Er's achievements to Ming Sheng.
Ming Sheng was granted the title of Marquis.
To reward his officials and record their contributions to the dynasty, His Majesty the Emperor specially built the Hall of Meritorious Officials, where those who have made great contributions to the country can be enshrined.
The first name listed in the pavilion is Ming Er's, along with her life story.
Every time Ming Er reports a victory, a new chapter is added to his record.
Ming Er, who had been fighting on the battlefield for many years, had become much darker. While resting on the spot, she looked at the words floating in mid-air.
[Ming Er, I have to go.]
Ming Er was reluctant, but she also knew that she couldn't stop Xiang Nu Fu from leaving.
Even if she is a deity, she must have other things to do.
She waved towards the air, tears welling in her eyes, "Goodbye, Ninth ...
Before leaving, Xiang Bei worried that Ming Er's achievements would overshadow the emperor and make him wary of her, so she spent one million points to exchange for a protective talisman for Ming Er, which could save her life in a critical moment.
As long as Ming Er is given a sliver of hope, she will definitely fight back.
The system couldn't accept the host's speculation, nor could it bear to part with Ming Er. It spent some points to calculate her future, saying, "No, none of that will happen. Ming Er will live to be a hundred and die a natural death."
"It's for double protection," Xiang Bei said, rubbing the system's head.
The system wiped away its tears, but the tears still kept falling. "Host, what you said makes sense, but I still feel so sad."
Ming Er was personally taught by it and watched grow up.
Parting is always painful.
The system cried very pitifully, and Xiang Bei felt very sad as well.
In the previous world, the female protagonist was an adult. When she first met Ming Er, she was a genuine five-year-old child.
I've watched her grow up, and now that we have to part ways, it really hurts.
Even Xiang Bei, let alone the system, was somewhat unmotivated.
She lay on the sofa, staring at the system for a long while.
"Master, go and open the next world."
"I don't want to move. You can start it yourself, host."
"How about... rock-paper-scissors?" Xiang Bei suggested.
The system hesitated for a moment, then played rock-paper-scissors with Xiang Bei.
Xiang Bei handed over the scissors, and she pushed the system, saying, "You lost, you go."
The system stared at its cat paw for a long time before coming to its senses. It was currently in its orange tabby form, with its chubby paws stretched out like cloth.
"Host, you've gone too far!" The system burst into tears.
Xiang Bei never expected that the system she usually bickered with would be so fragile.
The system was probably in a bad mood because it was about to part ways with Ming Er. Xiang Bei didn't say anything and patted the system to comfort it, "It's okay, it's okay. Let's see what the next world is like. If it doesn't work out, we'll find you another student."
The system cried even louder, clutching its chest with its paws. "Host, why? Why do I feel even worse this time than last time?"
Xiang Bei comforted it while starting the next world.
Hurry up and leave, or the system might burst out of the space.
Xiang Bei has experienced too many separations. The more lingering the relationship is, the harder it is to part ways. It's better to be decisive.
After the screen changed, it still showed an antique-style courtyard, with people dressed in ancient clothes walking around inside.
When Xiang Bei first saw it, she thought she had misread it, that she hadn't switched successfully and was still in Ming Er's world.
Just as they were about to switch again, the system stopped wailing, "Wait a moment, host, this is a new world now."
Xiang Bei also took a look, "It really is, it's also set in ancient times."
Taking advantage of this time, Xiang Bei immediately retrieved the original text.
She could tell from the synopsis that this was a tragic ancient romance novel.
The old-fashioned flavor is too strong.
The female lead is the emperor's daughter, the only princess in the royal family.
The male protagonist is a general who commands a large army.
The female lead has been in love with the male lead since childhood, and has expressed her feelings to him several times, but has been rejected by him each time.
When facing the female lead, the male lead often speaks harshly to her and constantly gives her the cold shoulder. Even so, the female lead still refuses to give up and showers him with concern and care.
Even if the male lead is just a little bit gentle with her, she can conjure up a whole host of images in her mind.
The male protagonist leads his troops into battle, and the female protagonist, worried about her beloved, secretly disguises herself as a woman and follows him.
Later, the male protagonist was chased by enemies and fell off a cliff, his fate unknown. The princess risked her life to find him at the bottom of the cliff, where he was miraculously alive, and rescued him.
The male protagonist is blind and doesn't know what his benefactor looks like. He even asks her name, saying that when he returns, he will definitely repay her and marry her.
Knowing that the male lead disliked her, the female lead concealed her true identity, only saying that she was the daughter of a nearby farmer who had encountered him unconscious while gathering herbs in the mountains, without even telling him her name.
Xiang Bei slammed her fist on the table in anger, “Aren’t you stupid? You didn’t speak up when you should have. What’s the point of having a mouth? This is how misunderstandings happen.”
The system leaned closer and said, "That's how angst stories are. If they had mouths, they'd be sweet stories. It's precisely because the two characters don't have mouths that they can be so heart-wrenching."
Xiang Bei sneered, "It even hurt my eyes."
Scrolling down, I saw that because of the heavy snow, the female lead couldn't carry the male lead back, and the two of them hid in a cave.
The two spent several days in the cave, where the princess comforted the blind protagonist, sang to him, and encouraged him that he would get better.
The male lead was also very kind and gentle to the female lead, completely unlike his usual cold and aloof attitude.
The book contained long passages describing the female protagonist gazing longingly at the male protagonist's gentle demeanor, but Xiang Bei was too lazy to read them carefully and quickly flipped through them.
After the snow stopped, the female lead carried the male lead away. When she saw the male lead's subordinates coming looking for her, she made an excuse to leave, but the male lead grabbed her hand.
He gave the female protagonist a jade pendant as a token, promising that he would definitely come back to marry her once he recovered, with the jade pendant as proof.
The female protagonist happily agreed, but seeing that the person was about to arrive, she blushed and left with the words, "I'll wait for you."
As the female lead's footsteps faded into the distance, the male lead's subordinates arrived and took him back.
The female lead was also brought back by the guards sent by the emperor, and then there were long passages describing the female lead's anticipation of the male lead learning the truth and marrying her.
After returning to the palace, the female lead carefully preserved the male lead's jade pendant, waiting for him to come and marry her.
Later, the female lead accidentally lost the jade pendant.
She felt that as long as she explained things clearly to the male lead, he would definitely understand.
After learning that the male lead had returned, the female lead asked the emperor to grant her a marriage, and she married him.
The male protagonist is unaware that the female protagonist is the one who saved him, but the imperial decree for their marriage has already been issued. If he disobeys the decree, it will implicate his family.
The male lead felt nothing but disgust for the female lead. On their wedding night, he used his sword to lift her veil. Before she could explain, he said with a look of disgust, "Your Highness, even if you go to great lengths to marry me, I will never love you. In my heart, I already have a girl I love."
The female lead tried to speak several times, but the male lead interrupted her with disgust and warned her to remember what it means to be a wife.
Xiang Bei paused for a moment and flipped the book forward.
"If I remember correctly, the female lead is a princess, right? Even if the male lead is a general, is it appropriate for him to speak to her like that? He dares to treat her like this, so why is he worried about disobeying imperial orders and implicating his family?"
The system crashed beside it, saying, "That's how all angst stories are; they only focus on the abuse, and the details don't stand up to scrutiny."
Xiang Bei let out a few cold laughs, "Shameless bastard, the female lead shouldn't have saved him. When she found him and discovered he wasn't dead, she should have stabbed him a few more times."
"But if that were the case, there would be no follow-up story."
"The female lead is the only princess, she can choose any kind of man she wants. If one isn't right, she can just find another one. Why does she have to hang herself on one tree?"
As Xiang Bei spoke, she looked back. Having experienced so many tragic novels, she already had a guess in her mind that this kind of plot would definitely be extremely heart-wrenching.
In the end, the male protagonist learns the truth and regrets his actions. The female protagonist forgives him, resulting in a happy ending.
The plot is so outrageous, it can only get more outrageous.
Despite the pain it would cause her eyes and soul, Xiang Bei couldn't help but wonder how crazy the rest of the story would be.
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