Chapter 430: A Grand Wedding After the Triumphant Return

Ji Qingwu summoned the system again.

"Peanuts."

The system’s electronic voice crackled. "Host, I’m here. What can I do for you?"

Ji Qingwu said bluntly, "I want to exchange for more national fortune."

She couldn’t, and wouldn’t, allow Emperor Wu Su to face such a perilous situation again.

"Host, you have already received an advance on the next national fortune release. You must repay the last one before you can receive another."

Ji Qingwu said, "Can’t I owe you twice? Why are you so stingy?"

"As humans say, ’Repay your debts on time, and it will be easy to borrow again.’"

Ji Qingwu was faced with a choice between the battlefield ahead and the military camp behind her.

She chose both.

She couldn’t give up on either one.

Ji Qingwu took an advance on the next release of national fortune, but she could only choose the highest level she had previously reached in the intimacy missions—D-level.

D-level represented achieving a mutually pleasurable experience, but the national fortune from this level wasn’t enough to guarantee Emperor Wu Su would remain completely unharmed.

Ji Qingwu asked, "What exactly are the rules for your level assessments?"

"Host, the latest version of the agreement you signed contains a detailed explanation."

Ji Qingwu said, "Pull it up. I want to take another look."

She squinted, looking at the text that appeared on the smart-screen, the words as tiny as ants.

"Discover new sensitive spots?"

"Unlock new positions?"

The first few were one thing, but this last rule...

"All night... COUGH COUGH..."

Ji Qingwu nearly choked on her own saliva. "Peanuts, this requirement is unreasonable! Who could possibly do that?!"

"According to the system’s latest algorithm, and taking into account the target’s physical condition, he should be able to achieve this level with ease."

Ji Qingwu said, "...Have you ever considered that *I’m* the one who can’t do it?"

The system fell silent for a moment.

"Thank you for identifying a flaw in the algorithm, Host. Generating new rules for you now."

Ji Qingwu swirled the water in the wooden tub with her hand, taking the opportunity to remove her disguise while she waited.

"Host, please review the new rules."

Ji Qingwu took a look and said with great approval, "Three times. That’s definitely my limit."

"But..."

She asked, puzzled, "Why aren’t there instructions for reaching A-level?"

"You must reach B-level before they become viewable."

Ji Qingwu had a gut feeling there was something seriously wrong with this A-level.

But the pressing matter now was to try out the C Level national fortune and see just how lucky it could make someone.

Ji Qingwu stepped out of the bathtub and dried herself with a long towel.

But she ran into a rather awkward problem: she had no clean clothes to change into.

Her gaze swept around the washroom. She definitely didn’t want to put on that coarse cloth garment again, drenched and caked with mud.

Ji Qingwu furrowed her brow. ’I refuse to believe Eunuch Li would forget that someone needs a change of clothes after a bath.’

’But maybe I can use this to complete one of the system’s tasks? I could clear the D-level debt first.’

The sounds of discussion from the main tent gradually faded.

Ji Qingwu quietly lifted a corner of the curtain and immediately saw Emperor Wu Su sitting in the main seat.

But across from him sat a familiar back.

The other generals had already left, but Wei Ting had stayed behind, having more to discuss with Emperor Wu Su.

Zhao Mingyan asked, "What else is there?"

Wei Ting thought for a moment before saying, "Your Majesty, so many incredible things have happened today. Perhaps we should invite Master Liao Ran to the Northern Border."

Master Liao Ran was second to none when it came to divination and interpreting the will of heaven. Perhaps he could give them an answer.

Zhao Mingyan said, "There is no need for now. Master Liao Ran will appear when it is time for him to appear."

That was the master’s temperament. If you insisted on searching for him, you would never find him. But when the time was right, he would appear before you on his own.

Wei Ting said, "This general has nothing further. I will take my leave."

But the Emperor’s deep voice rang out, "Wei Ting, hear my decree."

Wei Ting’s heart skipped a beat.

’What kind of decree could he be issuing at a time like this?’

Wei Ting knelt and said, "This general awaits your command."

Zhao Mingyan said, "Wei Ting, for your steadfast integrity and your meritorious act of rescue, We are greatly pleased. You are hereby promoted to Grand Marshal."

Wei Ting looked up in shock. "This general is unworthy of this honor. I did not..."

He had not rescued Emperor Wu Su.

But the words died on his lips. Today, he had rescued someone else.

In an instant, Wei Ting understood. Emperor Wu Su was doing this for Ji Qingwu’s sake, to repay him for the rescue.

But even though he had saved her, first, it was no great service to the state, making him unworthy of this military rank. Second, he had done it out of sincerity, not for any reward.

He didn’t want the position of Grand Marshal in exchange for this.

Wei Ting clasped his fists and said earnestly, "What this general has done is not enough to warrant the title of Grand Marshal. I implore Your Majesty to retract the order."

Zhao Mingyan rose and helped him to his feet. No general had ever received the honor of being personally helped up by Emperor Wu Su.

Wei Ting looked at Emperor Wu Su in shock.

Zhao Mingyan smiled faintly. "The Empress and I are one. There is no need for you to refuse, General."

Hearing this, Wei Ting’s right hand trembled violently.

’Empress...’

’Ji Qingwu is to become the Empress of Beili.’

’No wonder Emperor Wu Su was promoting him to such a high position. He didn’t want Ji Qingwu to have any further connection with him. The debt for saving her would be repaid by the Emperor himself.’

’Does she know about this? Has she agreed? Would she refuse the high and mighty Emperor before him, just as she had refused him?’

Wei Ting’s narrow eyes narrowed further. He knew she wouldn’t. The light in Ji Qingwu’s eyes when she looked at Emperor Wu Su was something he had never received, not in the past and not now.

His eyes filled with bitterness. He knelt and kowtowed. "This general thanks Your Majesty for this imperial grace."

Zhao Mingyan, seemingly oblivious to his turmoil, curled his lips into a smile.

"When the army returns in triumph, We will hold a banquet in the Phoenix Palace. You must be there to celebrate, General."

Wei Ting’s steps were weak and unsteady as he walked out of the main tent, a sign of his shattered state of mind.

Li Yuzong, listening from outside the tent, felt that something was very wrong.

’Didn’t General Wei save that demon concubine? How did she become the Empress?’

Suddenly, Li Yuzong clapped his hands together so hard that he startled a small bird off the top of the tent.

He stood at the entrance, beaming like a cosmos flower, and every passing soldier was met with his cheerful expression.

Behind the curtain, Ji Qingwu heard their entire conversation.

When she heard him say "are one," she blushed even more than when she had heard the word "Empress."

Because after seeing the rules the system had given her, her mind was completely filled with thoughts of how to become "one" with him.

"You heard everything?"

The heavy yellow curtain stirred, and a low voice came from behind it.

The curtain wasn’t lifted. Ji Qingwu and he were separated by just this thin layer of fabric.

She nodded at first, then realized he couldn’t see her.

"Yes, I heard."

Zhao Mingyan asked, "Do you have anything to say?"

Perhaps it was because of the barrier between them, but Ji Qingwu felt Emperor Wu Su’s voice was deep and muffled.

It was different from the pleased and satisfied tone he’d used with Wei Ting just moments ago.

Even without seeing his face, she could sense some kind of emotion weighing on his heart.

"Why aren’t you saying anything?"

Zhao Mingyan’s tone was tinged with anxiety, lacking any of his usual composure.

Ji Qingwu let out a soft laugh.

"After the triumphant return... will we be married?"