A General's Triumph, a Frontier Awash in Red

Yu Ledao said, "Ling'er and I grew up together. We love each other, and our devotion will last until death!"

Emperor Yongchang murmured, "You love each other, and your devotion will last until death... The well-fed never understand the hungry. I order you to bring Feng Ningzi to the palace to see me at once!"

But Yu Le shook his head and flatly refused. "Your Majesty, please pardon Ling'er. Otherwise, I dare not obey your order."

Emperor Yongchang flew into a rage. "You dare threaten me? Do you think I won't kill you too?"

Yu Le said confidently, "If Your Majesty wants the empire to prosper, you must have a worthy consort. Miss Ningzi is learned and sensible, graceful and refined, gentle, courteous, modest, and virtuous, with a brilliant mind. Making her a consort would bring great benefits. She has always hated Your Majesty's indiscriminate killing of the innocent. If you kill her best friend..."

Emperor Yongchang said, "Guards! Issue my decree: Meng Linglong is pardoned and shall be released immediately!"