THE LING TIAN LEGEND
episode 12

Chapter 12: Capturing a Fragrance Bag

In front of Ling Tian was a long table with a myriad of items laid on it. At half the table, there were swords, spears, bows, and others. They were more than enough to show the Ling family's hope towards Ling Tian: Being a great general like his father.

As Ling Tian caught a glimpse of all those things, he understood many things. To be a general in the future? Ling Tian had honestly not thought of that before. Since heaven gave me another chance, how could I be satisfied with just being a general from a small country?

On the other side of the table, things there seemed very unimportant. There are important items for scholars such as calligraphy brushes, inks and more. Furthermore, there was even a small stamp on the table. Ling Tian could not help but bitterly laugh. There is nothing I can give for the show.

His small body stood on a large table as he looked at all the items. But he did not stop at any of the items as he looked at everything. Everyone looked at this little boy with interest as their eyes widened in shock as they saw that he was not interested in the item at hand! What does she want?

Everyone present has witnessed this one-year-old “capture” many times. No matter what, the child would definitely choose something for sure. Even though they don't like it, other kids will still pick up some stuff and play it like a toy before putting it down for sure. However, they had never witnessed a ceremony where the child was not interested in anything. Everyone could not help but think to themselves, He is indeed a suitable successor to the Ling family. He was very calm and composed even at a very young age.

Empress Ling Ran let go of the emperor's arm and with a fragrant wind, she went to Chu Ting’er's side of the table. With an amused smile, he looked at his nephew and asked, “Tian’er, are you not going to choose anything?”

Chu Ting’er looked at his son nervously as he thought, Little brat, at least pick something. He was nervous until he almost wanted to pick something on behalf of his son.

Right at this moment, Ling Tian's eyes twinkled as he looked towards Ling Ran's waist. On his waist, there was a fragrance bag hanging there! Ling Tian's eyes then gleamed in excitement as he dashed towards his aunt.

Ling Ran was overjoyed, “Little Tian Tian, you are indeed close to your dear aunt, hahaha! Ah?” Even before he finished laughing, his excitement had already turned into shock! He stood there confused, looking at Ling Tian who had already grabbed the fragrance bag that was on his waist! Her beautiful soft hands tightly grasped the fragrance bag and she refused to let go! At the same time, he shouted in a barely audible voice, “I ... want this!”

Ling Zhan's face immediately darkened! He glared at Ling Ran loudly and almost wanted to throw away his daughter, who was a companion, with a single fist.

Ling Zhan had seen many young masters from different noble families take a fragrance bag or other similar object to him during the ceremony “catch one year”. All of them who took out the fragrance bags were all mercilessly ridiculed by his grandfather! A classic playboy is being made! Today, he was also afraid that this little brat would eventually choose something like this. Therefore, he ordered all of these things to be thrown into the ceremony today, lest he end up being a laughingstock. Next, he instructed that all fragrance bags on women should be removed for today. Duke Ling was meticulous in his planning and did not let anything go wrong.

But no matter how meticulous he was, the only thing he had forgotten was his daughter who was in the imperial palace. Today, it could be said that the fragrance bag in Ling Ran was the only one that could be found in the Ling family home! Everything is so coincidental!

Since all the officials present saw that, they were all dumbfounded and tried their best to control their laughter! Even the emperor, Long Xiang, who was extremely dissatisfied with the empress could not help but laugh. Watching the colorful emotions on Ling Zhan's face, everyone found it increasingly difficult to contain their laughter. Perhaps, this was just like how a smart person ended up falling on his own ingenuity.

Ever since all the officials entered the Ling family home, they realized that there were no fragrance bags on the women in the mansion. If there were only one or two people who did not have fragrance pockets, it might be a coincidence. But if everything does not have a fragrance bag, it is enough to show that something is wrong. Even though everyone present was secretly cursing this cunning old man for cheating, who would dare to say so out in the open?

Chu Ting’er's face reddened as she stepped forward, wanting to snatch the fragrance bag from Ling Tian. But he never expected Ling Tian to hold onto it so tightly that he could not snatch it! Seeing how his wife and son were fighting over the fragrance bag, Ling Xiao could not help but laugh despite being angry, “Forget it, if he wanted it, let him hold it.” As he said that, he took a deep breath, feeling extremely embarrassed.

Although the ceremony of “catch one year” is not enough to determine a person's future, there are many people who believe it. They were all laughing out loud with very bright smiles on their faces, especially the officials who had been ridiculed by Ling Zhan and his son.

Ling Zhan sighed in annoyance as he pointed towards Ling Ran with his trembling hands. After she trembled for a moment, she did not say anything and walked out of the room. It seemed that this was no small blow to this old man and he might not be attending the banquet that was held later. Ling Xiao could not help but grieve in his heart, If my father won't show up, then don't tell me I have to endure all this alone? His face became dark because of that thought.

The emperor, Long Xiang, coughed as soon as he managed to master his laughter with great difficulty and asked seriously, “It's late and we're starting to get a little hungry.” As he said that, he hinted that the Ling family banquet was inevitable. All the officials then celebrated with excitement.

When Ling Ran saw the situation unfold, he knew that he had just gotten into a lot of trouble. Thinking of how black his father's face was when he left, his heart started pounding. Initially, he wanted to escape from his father and run back to the palace. However, Ling Tian clung onto his body like he was a koala bear and held tightly to his fragrance bag without letting go. Unable to make him let go anytime soon, he could only helplessly hug Ling Tian in his arms. With a bitter laugh, he complained in his heart: Little boy, little boy. You've got your aunt in big trouble.

At the banquet, Ling Ran sat beside the emperor, Long Xiang. Even though he had a high status at the head of the table, he could not sit properly as if there were pins and needles underneath. He hated the fact that he could not turn into a gust of wind and disappear from the banquet.

All the officials present felt that they had not made such a wasted trip at all! Not only could they watch the war of words between the two heads of the Ling and Yang families, but also witness the exclaiming action of the empress. Finally, they could finally see Ling Zhan suffering from his own medicine after laughing at all the children who took the bag of fragrances. Finally, her own grandson took out a fragrance bag; the only fragrance bag!

With an excited mood, the faces of the officials were filled with smiles. Their conversation was full of excitement as their appetite and alcohol tolerance were excellent. In the hall, all the officials toast each other as some of them began to drink wholeheartedly despite the fact that they were in the presence of the emperor and empress. As for Ling Tian who was the mastermind of all this, he had already been captured back into the room to be taught a lesson by his mother, Chu Ting’er.

After a few glasses of wine, Ling Ran's mood gradually calmed down and he managed to force himself to eat something. Seeing that the emperor, Long Xiang, was about to finish eating, he started whining and bothering him to return to the palace. Long Xiang had always spoiled this companion of his and naturally knew what he was worried about. So, he agreed without delay.

Before announcing that he was leaving, there was a young servant maid coming out of the bedroom. He then knelt on the ground and said, “The old lady said that she had not seen the empress for a long time and missed her very much. He hoped the emperor would allow the empress to stay in the mansion for a few days.”

Ling Ran was startled as his face became dull, with tears almost flowing. Long Xiang also laughed bitterly, looking at him helplessly, “Since the old madam has such a request, Xiao Ran, stay here for a few days. We will send someone to pick you back to the palace a few days later.” He then instructed Ling Xiao who was already red with alcohol, “Ling Xiao, I will allow the empress to stay in the mansion. We'll go back to the palace first. Uncle Ling's mood was not very good. Please help me to say goodbye to him. ” After that, he laughed and came out.

Seeing the emperor leave, Ling Ran's mood was completely shattered. He had no choice but to follow the butler, walking in like a zombie.

Not long after, a rumbling sound was heard. Everyone in the hall then looked at each other, laughing amusedly.