“What’s going on? Everything was so good. Why did Commander Wang start working as a boatman?”

Uncle Ling had the habit of taking a nap. After waking up, he subconsciously glanced out the window. Looking at it, he immediately realized something was wrong.

Wasn’t the man with his butt sticking out and wiping the ship’s plank in an indecent manner none other than Wang Tong beside His Highness Taisun?!

Even the boatman boss disdains to do such dirty things. How could the dignified commander of the imperial guards of the Eastern Palace do such a thing?

The more Uncle Ling thought about it, the more he felt something was wrong, so he called Ling Ji to find out.

Ling Ji coughed and said vaguely: “Probably Commander Wang did something wrong or said something wrong, which made His Highness Taisun unhappy, so he was punished to wipe the ship’s planks.”

Well, that was not the case. That was a lie!

As for the grudge between Ling Jingshu and His Highness Taisun, it was better not to tell Uncle Ling…it would be bad if it scared his father!

Uncle Ling was not that easy to fool. He glanced at Ling Ji suspiciously: “Of course, how could His Highness be so angry? Do you know something and haven’t told me?”

“How could this happen?” Ling Ji’s face remained calm. He lied with an honest and sincere face: “If I knew the inside story, how could I dare to hide it from my father.”

Ling Ji had always been filial and obedient, so he expected that he would not hide anything from him.

Uncle Ling quickly felt relieved, thought for a while, and said: “I will go and ask for a favor from His Majesty the Imperial Grandson to reduce Commander Wang’s punishment. It just so happens that I have a good relationship with Commander Wang.”

Ling Ji: ” … “

Seeing that Uncle Ling had stood up, Ling Ji hurriedly opened his mouth and said: “Father, it’s not appropriate for you to do this.”

Uncle Ling raised his eyebrows and asked: “What’s wrong?”

Because as long as he doesn’t go, he can hide the things he wants to hide. If he went, everything would be completely revealed. With the Imperial Grandson’s temper, if he was poked in a painful spot, he would probably take his anger out on Uncle Ling.

Ling Ji racked his brains and finally thought of the most suitable reason, and put on a worried expression: “Father, His Highness Taisun is elusive in mood and anger. Maybe he doesn’t want others to know the reason for punishing Commander Wang. Father, let it go like this. If you plead for Commander Wang to make His Highness unhappy, wouldn’t it do more harm than good?”

Uncle Ling thought for a while and nodded in approval: “Your concerns are justified. That’s all. Commander Wang’s punishment has nothing to do with us. It doesn’t matter if I don’t plead for mercy.”

Why take the risk of offending the Imperial Grandson for a Wang Tong.

Ling Ji secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Uncle Ling patted Ling Ji on the shoulder again happily: “Ah Ji, you have really grown up now. You are much more considerate than before.”

Ling Ji accepted Uncle Ling’s praise shamelessly: “Thank you very much, Father, for the compliment.”

But he secretly prayed in his heart that when they go to pay their respects to the Imperial Grandson tomorrow, His Highness the Grandson must not take the initiative to mention this matter.

…

Soon, the fleet left the dock again and set off slowly.

Only a few of the guards on the ship were left on guard on the board, and the rest returned to the cabin to rest. The boatmen had rested for two hours, but they had gained strength and were particularly energetic when rowing.

Poor Wang Tong kept his head down and wiped the ship’s plank.

With Wang Tong’s physical strength, doing this kind of work was actually not that heavy. The key was that you can’t afford to lose this person…^[1]I didn’t completely understand the last line. As I said, I don’t read or speak Chinese and I am just editing the MTL version of this story. So if anyone can help me, here is the original … Continue reading

Don’t think that he didn’t know just because he kept his head down. Several guards on the official ships were secretly enjoying the show!

After returning to the Capital, he was afraid that this embarrassing incident would immediately spread in the Prince’s Mansion. It would be strange if the other guards and commanders didn’t laugh at him…

Speaking of which, his unreasonable disaster today was all caused by many things.

If he had refrained from raising his head or winking at Ling Ji at that time, His Highness Taisun would not have turned his anger on him.

Rub rub rub!

Rub it hard!

Wang Tong held back his breath and used all his strength to wipe the ship deck in front of him clean and translucent.^[2]poor man

His Highness Yi Taisun’s temper was such that even if his anger had subsided, he would never retract the order for punishment. This is also the cold and unfeeling resolve that those in authority must possess – to speak and act decisively. The matter of scrubbing the deck for half a day, he couldn’t escape it no matter what…

Sure enough, it was not until evening, when the boat stopped to rest, that the Imperial Grandson ordered someone to call him in.

It took a long time to clean the ship’s plank. Even if he was a strong person, he felt sore and weak. However, it must not be revealed in front of the Imperial Grandson.

Wang Tong cheered up and reported: “Your Highness, I have wiped the deck of this ship. There is absolutely no dust at all.”

The Imperial Grandson hummed, and after a while, he said: “You’ve worked hard for half a day, you don’t need to stand night watch tonight. Go back to your cabin and rest!”

The tone was the same as usual.

However, when the Imperial Grandson said this, it was a disguised form of comfort.

Wang Tong felt a little moved and hurriedly thanked him and resigned.

Before retreating, Wang Tong quietly raised his head and glanced at the Imperial Grandson. The anger during the day had disappeared, and the young man in front of him returned to his usual noble and indifferent appearance.

After this incident, Ninth Miss Ling must have left a very deep impression on His Highness Taisun.

…

The next day, before departing on the ship, Mr. Ling and his son once again came aboard the official ship where the Imperial Grandson was traveling.

He saluted, said hello, and then said a few words of flattery carefully capturing the traces, almost trying to gain some goodwill. Everything is as usual.

Ling Ji quietly looked at the Imperial Grandson… Wang Tong beside him.

He saw Wang Tong standing behind the emperor’s grandson as usual, energetic and loyal.

Ling Ji couldn’t help but secretly admire him. After cleaning the ship’s deck for a long time, he came here overnight and was so lively again. To be able to serve as the commander of Taisun’s bodyguard, Wang Tong was indeed no ordinary person.

The Imperial Grandson suddenly asked: “Mr. Ling, did Ling Xiao and his sister follow you to the capital to seek medical treatment at Huichun Hall?”

Ling Ji felt nervous.

Why did the Imperial Grandson bring this up? Could it be that he was still angry about what happened yesterday?

Wang Tong suddenly felt sore all over his body. Inexplicably, he felt a desolate feeling of having to wipe the ship again.

Uncle Ling did not expect that the Imperial Grandson would suddenly ask about this matter. He was stunned for a moment and hurriedly responded: “Exactly. I wonder why Your Highness suddenly asked about this matter?”

The Imperial Grandson said lightly: “Wei Yan is very strict in following rules, he won’t pay attention to idle people asking for mercy. There are only two days of outpatient diagnosis and treatment every month. If you queue up honestly, I’m afraid you have to wait for several months. If you, a fourth-grade officer from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, come forward, I’m afraid Wei Yan won’t pay attention to it.”

Uncle Ling: “…”

Even if it was the truth, don’t say it so directly! It was not hard to understand if you’re a little tactful.

Uncle Ling’s smile was a little stiff: “Your Highness is talking about…”

The Imperial Grandson said calmly: “After returning to the capital, you and your son will come to the Prince’s Mansion to get the king’s name card. Take the name card with you later to Huichuntang! Wei Yan will always give me this little respect.”

Ling Ji: “…”

Wang Tong: “…” (To be continued.)