Chapter 85

Chapter 85: Handsomer than Zhu Cici (4000 words, combined chapters)

Before you know it, Ming has been in the Imperial Palace for a whole year.

Every day during this time, Ming was always by the side of Emperor Wu.

Except when Emperor Wu read through memorials in the morning court sessions, Ming served alongside him.

Three meals a day, Ming ate with Emperor Wu.

During hunts, Ming rode his horse beside Emperor Wu.

When there were idle moments, Emperor Wu wanted to teach Ming military strategy.

But Ming refused, using the excuse “I just care about strategies and not ancient military tactics.”

When Ming refused, Emperor Wu laughed and scolded Ming a few times but didn’t say anything more.

Even when Emperor Wu boarded the imperial carriage, he would pull Ming along.

Ming confirmed that Emperor Wu was trying to cultivate him as a trusted confidant.

Under such favor, Ming became increasingly cautious.

Accompanying an emperor is like accompanying a tiger.

Never completely trust that an emperor will remain consistently loyal to you.

And Ming’s caution looked even more satisfying in Emperor Wu’s eyes.

If Ming had become arrogant due to favoritism, Emperor Wu might not have completely abandoned Ming, but would have given him some lessons to correct his nature.

Now, Emperor Wu felt he saved himself a lot of trouble.

The news of Ming receiving favor naturally couldn’t be hidden from the entire court.

Some people thought His Majesty merely cherished talent. After all, Ming was both scholarly and martial, young, and reliable if raised from a young age. In the future, he would definitely be a trusted confidant!

Others guessed that His Majesty likely intended to make Ming the prince consort of Princess殿下的. Since the emperor currently could not bear children,

if Ming and the princess produce a royal grandson, he will be the future ruler!

As for whether they can produce a royal grandson?

If one doesn’t work, try again. With a fifty percent chance, producing seven or eight offspring, how could there not be a son? Besides, the emperor is still young and can afford to wait.

Raise the grandson as a son; it’s the same thing.

Regardless of whether Ming would become the prince consort, his heavy reliance was certain. Currently, His Majesty was waiting for Ming to participate in the assembly examination and hall examination, to see what rank he would achieve.

If Ming performs averagely, after one or two years of experience, he’ll be promoted.

If Ming performs well, the emperor will surely reward him heavily! In the future, Ming will absolutely be a hotshot.

In these days, various officials visited Xu Mansion directly or indirectly through Qin Mansion to establish good relations.

Xu Guogong Xu Shuiya, Xu Ming’s father Xu Zheng, and Qin Guogong Qin Ruhai recently have been extremely proud, frequently attending banquets, being flattered, almost losing themselves.

Everyone in Xu Mansion feels extremely accomplished, with a sense of “one person attaining enlightenment brings blessings to all.”

Even Lord Xu’s sixth young master—Xu Wang (a child born to Second Lady five years after Xu Ming, nine years old)—had a conflict with the third son of the Metropolitan Magistrate. He started a fight, broke the other’s head, yet remained very arrogant.

The Metropolitan Magistrate dared not utter a single word, even bringing his son to apologize.

Upon hearing this matter, Phoenix Wang became so angry she took out her mistress’ vine whip to lash Sixth Young Master Xu Wang, but was stopped by others and failed to do so.

Even Lǎotàitai said, “Forget it, forget it, isn’t it just a fight between kids? No big deal.”

Phoenix Wang, enraged, threw away her mistress’ vine whip and did not leave her courtyard for ten days.

After hearing this incident, Zhao Wenshan was greatly shocked and immediately went to Xu Mansion, speaking frankly to Lǎotàitai and Xu Zheng: “Though Fifth Young Master Xu Ming is both scholarly and martial, favored by His Majesty,

before Fifth Young Master Xu Ming became famous, how Xu Mansion and Qin Mansion treated Fifth Young Master should be known by the Old Patriarch and Uncle Xu! Now Fifth Young Master Xu Ming is carefully cultivated by His Majesty.

Fifth Young Master Xu Ming will certainly receive importance from His Majesty in the future.

However, our Xu and Qin estates are already among the nobility. How could His Majesty allow his carefully cultivated individual to be hindered by Xu and Qin estates? How could His Majesty let Xu and Qin estates rise further because of Xu Ming, losing balance? The conflict between Sixth Young Master and the third son of the Metropolitan Magistrate, I understand the situation, originally Sixth Young Master was at fault.

The Metropolitan Magistrate is upright, unafraid of power, and is also one of His Majesty’s trusted confidants, just like Mochi, now enduring silently, doesn’t this seem strange to the Old Patriarch and Uncle Xu? Our Wu Kingdom prohibits private banquets inviting more than ten officials. Previously, Xu Zheng hosted twenty people at Spring Wind Tower, violating Wu Kingdom laws, why hasn’t the Censorate impeached? Does His Majesty not know? His Majesty is giving Xu and Qin estates the last face! And is preparing a knife to use against Xu and Qin estates when necessary!

To make someone perish, first drive them mad! This principle is understood even by a five-year-old child, don’t tell me the Old Patriarch and Uncle Xu wouldn’t know?”

Listening to Zhao Wenshan’s words, Xu Zheng and Lǎotàitai were indeed frightened, but they still said things like “Wenshan, you worry too much, we have the iron voucher” and “No matter what, Xu Ming belongs to our Xu estate and will speak on our behalf.”

Seeing the appearance of Lǎotàitai and Uncle Xu, Zhao Wenshan could only sigh deeply, “Ultimately, when birds finish eating, they fly away, leaving behind a vast white land truly clean.”

Then he stormed out.

As for these interludes, Ming in the palace didn’t know about them.

Ming has always been inside the palace, unable to go out, daily interacting only with Emperor Wu, not knowing what the hundred officials think of him.

Two months before the assembly examination, Ming paid respects to Emperor Wu once: “Your Majesty, in two months, I will participate in the assembly examination. I request temporary leave from the palace to seclude myself and study for two months.”

Although Ming held no official position and just followed Emperor Wu around every day,

this was even more time-consuming.

Ming wasn’t confident enough to pass the Jinshi examination without reading any books.

Not to mention, this assembly examination would have an unprecedented number of participants since the founding of the Wu Kingdom.

Moreover, Ming was doing this to avoid suspicion.

In ten days, officials would come to the Imperial Study to create exam questions with Emperor Wu.

As a candidate, he really couldn’t stay in the palace.

“Hmm, approved.” Emperor Wu nodded, “During this period, you must indeed avoid suspicion. There’s a courtyard in the eastern city, neither too large nor too small. I’ll arrange two palace maids for you, so you can focus on your studies.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

After thanking Emperor Wu with a bow, Wei personally escorted Ming out of the palace to the courtyard in the eastern city.

Emperor Wu wasn’t exaggerating; this courtyard was indeed not large—a common two-section courtyard—but the decoration was elegant and refined.

Every day afterward, Ming spent more time reading books and less time practicing boxing and swordsmanship.

Ming actually didn’t care much about fame and fortune, but Ming wanted to know what rewards awaited him if he achieved the status of Jinshi or even top scholar.

Meanwhile, as the assembly examination approached, Wudu also became lively.

Actually, events like this assembly examination often don’t attract much attention from commoners.

This time was different.

This assembly examination wasn’t just something every citizen of the Wu Kingdom was eagerly anticipating; the Qi Kingdom, Liang Kingdom, and even Northern Mang were highly attentive.

Reason one—this is the Wu Kingdom’s most extensive examination since fully opening up its imperial exams.

Reason two—Ming is participating.

Four years ago, the prodigy who wrote “朱颜辞镜花辞树” and passed the Top Scholar exam at the age of ten—Ming—is he destined to fade into obscurity or will he surprise everyone again?

Everyone awaits the result. Of course, many people don’t expect much from Ming.

Ming spent three to four years in the military camp and was part of the Blood Floating Pagoda of the Wu Kingdom, with heavy training tasks. Where would he find time to read books? Even if Ming is a genius, how far could he go?

If Ming passes the assembly examination and enters the hall examination, achieving “same Jinshi origin” would be quite good.

Ming more or less guessed how people outside viewed him.

Ming thought they weren’t wrong. These two months of cramming might not yield great results; he might not even pass the assembly examination.

Ming only hoped to give his best effort, nothing more.

By the way, how’s Little Fatso? It’s been four years since they last met; Little Fatso is sixteen now, becoming a man. Is he still the same as before?

How’s Mother and Big White Goose doing?

Mother doesn’t compete or quarrel, so she should be fine. Has Big White Goose transformed? Is she a muscular woman?

Ming wanted to visit Xu Mansion, but thinking about having to deal with Lǎotàitai and his father made him feel troubled. By then, Xu Mansion might even introduce him to other high-ranking officials for socializing.

“Whatever, there are only two months left. I’ll visit after the exam.”

Ming shook his head, flipped open a book, and continued reading.

The Wu Kingdom’s assembly examination is highly open-minded, without “fill-in-the-blank” or “dictation” questions that waste time and ink.

The Wu Kingdom’s assembly examination covers four major industries: scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants. Each industry has twenty questions, all essay-type questions with no standard answers. It’s entirely testing your insights and opinions, lasting four days.

So Ming read widely. Since he has a photographic memory, he reads whatever he can, increasing some strange attribute points.

But so far, Ming hasn’t bought a copy of “Little Liu Bei,” unsure what attribute points it adds.

“I’ll buy it after the exam. Not now.”

Ming still believed it’s important to focus before the exam. Pre-exam guidance is a big taboo.

“Master Xu”

A maid walked in.

These maids are all palace maids, very disciplined.

“What’s the matter?” Ming asked.

“Master Xu, there’s a young master outside looking for you, claiming to be your friend.” The maid respectfully said.

“My friend? Alright, I understand.”

Ming put down the book and walked out of the room.

As soon as Ming stepped out of the courtyard, he saw a person dressed as a man but looking incomparably more beautiful than any woman sitting at a nearby wine stall.

Ming smiled, walked over, and called out to the waiter: “Two barrels of Red Pine Wine, two pounds of braised beef, and a plate of fried peanuts.”

“Alright, sir, please wait a moment.” The waiter responded.

Ming sat down in front of the person more beautiful than any woman.

The “man” glanced at Ming with their eyes: “You’ve grown taller.”

“That’s true.” Ming poured a cup of wine, “At this age, men generally grow quickly.”

“Quick enough to get married?” Wu sneered at Ming.

“That’s a bit too fast.” Ming shook his head.

“Too fast?” Wu’s lips curled upward, exuding both heroic aura and feminine charm, “Or is it that after passing the imperial examination this time, you’re not going to marry that CiCi girl from Qi Kingdom?”

“Cough cough cough” Ming choked on a sip of wine, “Why bring her up out of nowhere?”

“You don’t know?” Wu looked at Ming.

“Know what?” Ming was a little confused.

Wu slightly squinted her phoenix-like eyes, staring at Ming for a moment, then shook her head and drank a cup of wine: “Nothing.”

“Out of the blue.” Ming took a bite of braised beef, feeling somewhat guilty inside.

Could it be that my childhood jest with CiCi was known by others?

It shouldn’t be. And no one would take childhood jests seriously, right? We were just kids back then. What did two little brats know?

“This year, where did you go?” Ming poured a cup of wine for Wu.

“Wandering around, traveling through the jianghu, kicking a few sects, killing some cultivators.” Wu casually said.

“Hmm.” Ming nodded, “What level are you at?”

“Heroic Soul Realm.” Wu didn’t hide it.

“In a year reaching Heroic Soul Realm, there probably isn’t anyone who can match you.” Ming smiled, genuinely happy for his good friend.

Wu rolled her eyes at Ming: “If you hadn’t entered that blasted palace, you could have matched me.”

“It’s not that fast.” Ming shook his head.

Ming wasn’t being modest.

Although Ming has a cheat, he practices both body and law, and the further he cultivates, the slower it becomes.

That’s why most cultivators, even though they could follow the path of martial artists, usually only practice until Mercury Mirror level and stop.

Because there isn’t enough energy.

“And you? Do you plan to return to the Blood Floating Pagoda?” Ming asked.

Although once you leave the Blood Floating Pagoda, you basically can’t return, she definitely has connections.

“Not really, I’m planning to go home.” Wu took a sip of wine, “If I don’t go back soon, my fa…my father will go crazy.”

“That’s true.” Ming laughed and nodded.

Although she is a Martial God Body, ultimately, she’s still a girl.

Wu looked at Ming, blinking her eyes lightly: “Do you know? There’s a rumor in the capital that after you participate in the assembly examination, you’ll become the prince consort of the Wu Kingdom.”

“Eh? Is there such a thing?” Ming was surprised.

Ming truly didn’t know. Ming knows little about royal matters, wouldn’t ask, and no one told him.

Ming has been cautious in the palace for a year, not asking what shouldn’t be asked, not listening to what shouldn’t be heard, and doesn’t even know how many children Emperor Wu has.

Come to think of it, does Emperor Wu have children? I haven’t seen any in the palace.

“Who knows?” Wu combed her hair behind her ear, “But if Emperor Wu offers marriage, will you accept or decline?”

Ming thought for a moment: “Is she pretty?”

Wu snorted coldly: “Prettier than that Zhu Cici.”