15 Ling Yue... That Good for Nothing!

Ling Wan stared out the window and sighed. Ling Zhu, who had been watching her for awhile, asked "What's the matter? How was the banquet, by the way? Was it dreamy?" Ling Zhu had never been to the palace. Ling Wan was currently visiting Ling Zhu at the Chen clan. Ling Zhu had handed her 2 small children over to the nursemaid and came to accompany her.

Ling Ke, the Protector-General of the East and Ling Yue's father, was a staunch and loyal man. He had 4 children by his first wife, and 3 children by his concubine, Concubine Wei. The eldest child of the family was Ling Yan, 28. Ling Yan was most like Ling Ke in terms of character, and earned his position as a general in the East Army, fighting alongside his father. The previous Ling Yue had followed Ling Yan to war for 2 years. It could be said that the previous Ling Yue and Ling Yan were thick as thieves.

Ling Yu, 26, the second eldest child was also a general, but in the South Navy, and spent most of the year away fighting pirates and bandits at the south border. The third brother of the family, Ling Cong, 21, was a member of the palace's elite and mysterious Salamander Troops, and was often on secret missions and stakeouts. He wasn't home much either.

As for the 3 children born to Ling Yue's Concubine Mother Wei, the eldest sister of the family, Ling Zhu, 24, had married into the Defender General (Empress Dowager's paternal family)'s clan, the Chen Clan, a long-established aristocratic family, and was a favoured concubine with 2 small children. The fourth brother of the family, Ling Huan, 20, had recently joined the North East army, hoping to carve out a military career for himself and improve his standing in the family.

The youngest child and baby of the family, Ling Wan, 18, was arguably the most pampered. Due to small and large schemes by Concubine Wei, she was used to getting what she wanted and had an engagement with her childhood sweetheart, imperial doctor Shi Yu since they were children. It had been her pride that she was able to marry for love, but a young maiden's heart was always fickle...

"The banquet? No, it was terrible!" Ling Wan exclaimed. That sister of hers (Ling Yue) was blocking the view, and there was pig blood. Just remembering the smell made her want to hurl. However, the gallant and handsome view of the Emperor came into mind. She swooned. The way he commanded the situation and threatened the He traitor... wow, he was so capable and chivalrous. "Elder Sister, do you think I can marry into the palace?" Ling Wan asked.

Ling Zhu was stunned. "No, of course not! Aren't you in love with Shi Yu? You're even engaged to him. I thought everything was going well with you two." she said. "Yes, but..." Ling Wan sighed again. Although Shi Yu was also capable and handsome, he was always gentle and cautious with her. Shi Yu was her childhood sweetheart and had just become an imperial doctor. She was very proud of her achievements. So what if she was the daughter of a concubine? She would still marry well in the end.

But Ling Yue... that Ling Yue... that good for nothing sister. She at first thought she would be marrying someone she didn't even love and who would ignore her just like the rest of the concubines and she was happy she got a happier ending. But why was she at the forefront of the banquet and given an important role? She heard she was even a second rank official now and given an official salary. Ling Wan wished to hold a job too, but she had been raised to be gentle and virtuous for her marriage. Ling Yue had never had any outstanding talents. Seeing her bask in the limelight for the first time was really unbearable.

Why did Ling Yue get to marry the Emperor? Just because she was the daughter of the first wife? That must be it. Even going by seniority, Ling Zhu should have married into the palace instead. Even if she was ignored, as long as she managed to have the right to stay by his side, even glancing at him from afar and being able to say she was his wife (delusion – even Ling Yue was only a concubine), how happy would she be? How prestigious?

Those horrid young madams couldn't laugh at her anymore then. Ling Wan promptly got lost in her fantasies. No matter how Ling Zhu tried to talk her out of it, she wouldn't listen.