“Don’t try to seek for unorthodox ways. No one else can make the antidote for my pills. You’d better not be stupid!” Dong Ling added, as if she knew how dissatisfied Old Li felt.

In the end, Old Li had to give in to her. He left with resentment after he handed in all his t.i.tle deeds and a full box of jewels.

Concubine Lin went back to her room gladly and put on an emerald bracelet. She was then regaling on checking the unexpected fortune. 

“Take your time! Look how hurried you are!” teased Dong Ling.

She enjoyed the superlative oolong tea. The excited look on Concubine Lin’s face had really amused her.

Concubine Lin asked, “My dear daughter! How great you are! I didn’t even know you could make poison! Why didn’t I find it out earlier?”

“There are a lot more things you don’t know. When it snows and arctic foxes go back to the mountain, I’ll hunt some to make you fur collars. I bet you’ll grin from ear to ear!” she replied. Well, she intended to change a topic, for she didn’t want her mom to know too much. As expected, Dong Ling stopped asking question. But out of no reason, she slowed down.

“Well, with you around, we’ll be living a better life here. But I still wonder when we can go back home. It took us even more than half a month to ride here. And you’re turning fifteen soon. No one in the Dong family seems to want you back. What should we do then?” she asked.

“What are you worried about? After taking more rest, we can go wherever we want.” Dong Ling replied.

To be honest, she didn’t care for the family glory at all. All she wanted was to recover her strength in a quiet place and took her mom to travel over the land after she got back most of her power.

Even so, she still couldn’t wait to see his father beheaded because of cheating the emperor.

Since she managed to “disappear” from the Wu State where she had a time-travel to, she wasn’t afraid that someone might find her.

After all, she was from the 21st century and she was extremely confident in the modern make-up skills.

“No way!” replied Concubine Lin, “You’re a.s.signed as the crown empress. If w.a.n.g Xuanhe has her daughter take your place, I won’t be convinced! I don’t care, but you must win credit for me. After you marry the crown prince, help me to be a first-rank lady! I’ll p.i.s.s w.a.n.g Xuanhe off!”

“You want to be a first-rank lady?” asked Dong Ling when she raised the eyebrow.

Well, it wasn’t a hard task for her.

To know this world quickly, she kept asking Old Li for more information these days. After all, those around her were merely women, who didn’t know much news.

As far as she was concerned, making military contributions could be the fastest way to make her mother a first-rank lady. Just because the reigning emperor was warlike.

The previous emperor attached great importance to culture, instead of martial arts. The military strength wasn’t built up until the reigning emperor took the throne.

Dong Ling liked the cohesion of the military forces and heroical fights on the battlefield. In her previous life, she used to be a mere mercenary. But her coach was the king of special forces.

Yeah, she had a time-travel to a different state in the ancient time. Even so, she wouldn’t marry a stranger and waster her life!

Whatever age she was in, her biggest dream remained to be joining the army and impressing others!

Concubine Lin explained, “Within three generation of the Wu State, there have been only five first-rank ladies. If I could be the sixth, that would be great glory! By then, no matter how much your father and w.a.n.g Xuanhe dislike us, they don’t dare to hurt us!”

Dong Ling clenched her fists, and still looked firm.

Concubine Lin continued, “Ling, you underestimated your family. It declined at your dad’s generation, but there are still many talents from the clan. If we don’t strive to get better, we’ll be humiliated all our lives!”

It had been the first time that Concubine Lin tried to teach her daughter. Dong Ling kept chewing the sweet cake in her hand as if nothing had happened. But her eyes turned cold.

She used to leave no chance for the revival of enemies, especially concerning her marriage. Consequently, she had to find herself in opposition to the Dong family, and even the royal family. All she desperately needed now was great strength and power.