Chapter 55

Chapter 55: Young Mistress, There’s a Letter for You (4000 Words, Two Chapters Combined)

The excitement surrounding the three events of Evil-Taming Town, Xuenuo’s breakthrough, and the reform of the imperial examination system gradually subsided.

After the festivities, the common people of Wu Kingdom returned to their usual lives. For most, nothing much had changed.

The envoy from Qi Kingdom had already returned home days ago.

Ming, who had shone brilliantly at the banquet, naturally went to bid farewell to the Qi Kingdom envoys—not as an attendant but as an envoy of Wu Kingdom.

However, during the farewell, it was mostly the adults exchanging pleasantries with phrases like “safe journey” and “come visit us in Qi Kingdom sometime,” leaving little room for the younger ones.

Finally, Ming took advantage of the Heavenly Black Goose still being asleep, plucked about a dozen feathers from it, and made a shuttlecock.

Ming truly didn’t want to pursue an official career; the corrupt politics were far too bothersome.

In the letter, Ming mentioned that he would soon join the military, no longer reside at Xu Mansion, and wouldn’t need birthday gifts sent to him anymore.

But what Ming hadn’t realized was that Zhu Cici had always remembered this detail.

Of course, Ming hadn’t fully expressed himself.

Everyone looked up to see the name engraved at the forefront—

Lady Wang prepared the body-refining medicine using the Wang family recipe, poured the potion into water, and had Ming take a bath.

The army is where the most vigorous blood energy resides!

After composing this poetic tune, Ming felt something seemed off.

This poem sounds so cheesy…

But it’s actually quite good…

“Brother Five said the birthday gift for Zhu Girl. Brother Five and Zhu Girl are separated by distance, yet this poem is filled with longing. It must be what Brother Five wanted to send but forgot to hand over.”

On this day, Ming turned nine years old.

Soon enough, Ming understood his proud Great Aunt’s well-meaning intentions.

Facing everyone’s enthusiasm, Ming performed a polite bow, displaying an air of elegance and refinement even at such a young age, which melted the hearts of many elder sisters and aunts.

“So, don’t mention this to your mother for now. I’ll tell her later. Anyway, you probably won’t pass the provincial examination.” Phoenix waved her hand.

Great Aunt wanted him to become a provincial scholar, ensuring a fallback option before pursuing other paths.

For instance, Sword Cultivators are highly lethal but lack defensive capabilities.

Ming tried throwing a punch, finding both speed and power significantly greater than before.

Being a Martial Artist is merely one method of self-enhancement.

Back home, Ming pondered how best to handle the pink jade pendant.

Ming felt somewhat uneasy and quickly retrieved the marriage contract, noticing there were still over two months until Zhu Cici’s birthday, thus relaxing slightly.

“Little Scholar Ming~”

“Alright, I understand. I’ll go right away.” Ming nodded. “Big Brother Three, please help me pack the shuttlecock and this letter to give to Great Aunt. Ask her to send it to the Yunyi Marquis Residence in Qi Kingdom. It’s Zhu Cici’s birthday present.”

Ordinary people usually specialize in just one cultivation path, which is normal since one’s energy is limited.

“Next year’s Child Examination and the following year’s Village Examination, you must participate in them. Only if you pass the provincial exam will I allow you to join the army.” Phoenix seriously told Ming.

Lady Wang stared directly at Ming, her fingers tapping the table repeatedly as she thought carefully.

“I can persuade your mother on your behalf, but you must promise me one thing.”

If the path of Martial Arts doesn’t work out in the future, with the identity of a provincial scholar and his current reputation, plus some assistance from the Xu Family or even the Wang Family, he could secure a leisurely position.

His mother and Ladies Qin and Wang were close acquaintances, making it unlikely for her to be mistreated. Moreover, his mother was known within the Xu Family for being peaceful and uncontentious.

A man came knocking loudly at the Xu Mansion gate: “Congratulations, Master! The results of the Child Examination have been announced, Young Master Xu…”

Ming gritted his teeth tightly, fists clenched so hard that his nails dug into his flesh!

After a day and night, the pain finally subsided, leaving Ming unable to utter a sound.

Every day thereafter, Ming persisted in training.

Suddenly, a line of poetry popped into Ming’s mind.

“Ming!”

Pengda approached, revealing a piece of unfolded white paper bearing a poetic tune:

“Never having experienced yearning, once I learned to yearn, I was consumed by it. My body feels like drifting clouds, my heart like flying fluff, my breath as thin as silk threads. Only a faint trace of fragrance remains here, while I long for the sight of a precious beauty. When do these symptoms appear? At half-light from lamps, at half-lit moons.”

Upon opening the package, Ming found a bracelet adorned with two dice, each inscribed with a red bean.

“Brother Five, Mr. Fang is looking for you in the main hall. It seems to be regarding the upcoming Child Examination.”

“Miss! Miss!~~~”

At the same time, in the back courtyard of the Yunyi Marquis Residence in Qi Kingdom.

“Here I come!”

After washing thoroughly, Ming stood before the mirror, noticing his skin had become whiter and his appearance more refined.

“Tiny dice carry red beans, deep yearning penetrates the bone. Do you know?”

Seeing Ming endure, Phoenix sighed in relief. Pengda promptly called for maidservants to prepare hot water for a proper bath.

Yet this was the most painful bath Ming had ever endured.

Indeed, this kind of poetry existed in this world, penned by a woman named Qi Yun from Qi Kingdom.

As the capital offered a life of comfort, it lacked the roughness of reality.

“Top scorer — from the Wu Kingdom residence, Xu Ming.”

However, this was the first Child Examination after the reforms, drawing far more participants than usual. More importantly, Ming was among them!

Everyone eagerly awaited how well this illegitimate son would perform without restrictions.

Many gathered outside the Child Examination venue, eager to catch a glimpse of the prodigy who wrote the famous lines, “What cannot be retained in this mortal world are youth’s rosy cheeks reflected in mirrors, flowers falling from trees.”

A ten-year-old girl sat meticulously embroidering.

Initially, the bathtub contained a crimson liquid, which had now transformed into muddy sludge resembling a swamp—disgusting and foul-smelling.

With the identity of a provincial scholar, joining the military for experience would enhance his appeal whether entering civil or military service in the future.

It must be admitted, Great Aunt thought far ahead.

“I agree, Great Aunt.” Ming nodded.

An attendant rushed into the courtyard.

On the day of the exam, Ming descended from the Xu Family carriage, greeted by enthusiastic shouts from the crowd.

This title belonged to Zhu Cici’s father.

When faced with the intense heat, Ming felt as though every fiber of his body was melting in molten rock.

But then again, this was someone’s well-intentioned gesture. She claimed the jade pendant could cultivate literary refinement, so Ming decided to wear it as gratitude.

This is…

A token of affection?

Ming tucked the bracelet away and wore it on his wrist.

Crowds gathered around every bulletin board across Wudu, especially women.

This worried Zhu Cici, standing beside her mother.

“Would you like to visit Auntie’s house after the exam?~”

Previously, Ming considered specializing solely in sword techniques and abandoning martial arts altogether, thinking it might accelerate his progress.

On his ninth birthday, Ming received a package.

Once Ming’s Mercury Mirror foundation became solid, he visited Lady Wang’s quarters.

But aimless practice in the courtyard wouldn’t suffice anymore.

The girl’s fingers moved clumsily yet earnestly.

Ming explained.

Sending her a poem about longing wasn’t strengthening mutual feelings?

But Ming aspired to be more than just a Martial Artist.

Due to Wu Kingdom’s complex geography bordering various dynasties and teeming with beastly creatures, joining the army guaranteed ample combat opportunities.

Finally, an opportunity arose. Zhu Cici stepped forward to bid farewell to Ming, secretly slipping him a light pink jade pendant before fleeing.

Holding the jade, Ming found himself speechless.

But mainly, Ming feared his mother wouldn’t approve.

“Shall we play at Auntie’s house after the exam?”

Ming had previously thought about focusing exclusively on either swordsmanship or martial arts, believing it might hasten his growth.

Among all households, which renowned warrior didn’t emerge from battlefields soaked in blood?

“Correct, but Great Aunt, my aspirations lie not in court politics. The intrigue there doesn’t suit me. A straightforward Martial Artist’s life suits me better.”

“Little Scholar Ming is so handsome.”

After contemplation, Ming kept the original poem and drafted a simpler letter instead.

Though they hadn’t met Ming personally, they recognized the Xu Family carriage, let alone the sole boy inside.

And regardless of the pain, the formula seemed to maintain clarity, preventing unconsciousness and forcing full endurance!

Seeing Ming struggling, Lady Wang shouted loudly, “Endure! The Mercury Mirror body refinement mustn’t be interrupted, or your martial future will be ruined!”

Just as Ming finished making the shuttlecock, Little Fatty walked in.

Upon reading, Pengda trembled all over.

“Sure, sure, leave it to me. Brother Five, hurry along.” Pengda nodded solemnly, taking the letter and shuttlecock.

After finishing, Pengda noticed another sheet of white paper on the table, seemingly containing writing.

Ultimately, an opportunity presented itself. Zhu Cici approached Ming to say goodbye, discreetly handing him a pale pink jade pendant before swiftly retreating.

Grasping the jade, Ming was momentarily lost for words.

But the Wu Kingdom established its dominance through martial prowess, with every young man trained in combat. Its army’s training was unmatched among the top ten human kingdoms.

Ming hadn’t anticipated his popularity.

Another month passed since the Child Examination.

“Look this way, sister.”

Contemplating the bracelet, Ming envisioned a ten-year-old girl delicately embedding red beans into dice under lamplight, threading them with red silk.

As for home,

Since ancient times, which formidable warrior hasn’t emerged from blood-soaked battles?

“Yunyi Marquis?”

She longed to converse with her young sweetheart.

Composing a poetic tune for such a literary girl served as a suitable birthday present.

Focusing entirely on either Sword Dao or Martial Dao would indeed accelerate progress.

Only through repeated trials of blood and flesh could one grow stronger.

“Really, at only ten years old, why are ancient girls so precocious?”

After Ming left, Pengda also returned, swiftly completing the tasks entrusted by his fifth brother.

Delivery to Qi Kingdom might take some time due to the distance, but within two months, it should arrive.

Lady Wang understood Ming’s thoughts, acknowledging his desire to refine himself through the army’s vigor and gain more experience.

Ming hoped Lady Wang could persuade his mother.

In just two days,

The delivery person claimed he hailed from the Yunyi Marquis Residence in Qi Kingdom.

Even if she forgets this event when she grows up—or worse, it becomes embarrassing history—it doesn’t matter now.

With his unique advantages, Ming could traverse both paths steadily, albeit slower but more firmly.

A regular Child Examination usually draws little attention.

Ming felt like he was experiencing what novels often describe as “pores excreting waste.”

Despite the Wu Kingdom’s cultural influence lacking international recognition,

Ming believed that beneath his seemingly delicate exterior, his skin, flesh, and bones had become significantly tougher.

For warriors, blood energy is crucial for self-cultivation.

But I’m different.

Given the peaceful environment produces no great warriors,

“Miss, you’ve received a letter from Wu Kingdom.”

[These chapters primarily serve as transitional material, leaning more towards daily life with a faster pace, possibly a bit dull. Please bear with me.]