Chapter 99

Chapter 99: I Come on Behalf of Someone to Propose to You

Are you insane?!

Xu Ming is absolutely insane!

Everyone present knows that the Wu Kingdom only has one princess.

Currently, Emperor Wu is in his prime, and barring any unforeseen incidents, he will remain on the throne for at least three or four decades.

During these three or four decades, Emperor Wu can fully cultivate his grandson as the crown prince.

Even the great-grandson could have grown up by now.

In other words,

Xu Ming’s child would undoubtedly become the ruler of the Wu Kingdom.

In the future, Xu Ming would be the “Empress Dowager.”

They couldn’t figure out why Xu Ming refused.

“Could it be because the appearance of the Wu Kingdom Princess is really…” a princess from another dynasty questioned.

Although she didn’t finish her sentence, everyone knew what she meant.

“It’s highly unlikely.”

A prince from the Liang Kingdom shook his head and said,

“The mother of that princess ranks thirtieth on the Red Beauty List, and she was just an ordinary person. Since then, no ordinary person has reached such a high rank on the list.

As for Emperor Wu, my mother once told me that when he was young, he was known for his handsome looks.

How could the child born from these two have an unappealing appearance?”

“But this Xu Ming…”

The crowd scrutinized the beginning of the Refusal to Marry Memorandum again and again, unsure how to comment.

They wanted to say that Xu Ming was truly foolish.

If they were in his place, they would have accepted the proposal long ago!

Though the literary scene in the Wu Kingdom is weak, its army is renowned for its iron discipline and ranks among the top three in the human kingdoms.

After lamenting over Xu Ming’s seemingly absurd rejection of Emperor Wu’s marriage proposal, they continued reading.

Emperor Wu offered his only daughter in marriage, and you rejected it—this definitely requires sufficient justification; otherwise, where would the royal family’s dignity be?

Zhu Cici grew increasingly nervous as she read on.

“Could it be? Did Xu Ming write about me in this Refusal to Marry Memorandum?”

When we parted ways during our childhood, Xu Ming and I secretly pledged our lives to each other, and I have never forgotten. Has Xu Ming forgotten?

“Xu Ming… please don’t write about me in the memorandum!”

If Xu Ming mentions me in the Refusal to Marry Memorandum, that would be a blatant slap in the face of Emperor Wu.

It wouldn’t just mean not giving Emperor Wu a way out but would also be equivalent to directly removing the steps beneath him!

At that point, even if Xu Ming is the Zhuāngyuán Láng, his situation would be fraught with danger.

Rather than let something happen to Xu Ming, Zhu Cici would rather Xu Ming accept this marriage proposal.

After a while, everyone finished reading Xu Ming’s Refusal to Marry Memorandum.

Initially, many people were shocked by Xu Ming’s “youthful ignorance of the goodness of the princess,” but after finishing the memorandum, it seemed somewhat understandable.

Xu Ming refused the marriage, thinking of serving the country, ensuring he had no attachments behind him, and worrying that if he dies in battle, the princess would be left a widow.

The entire Refusal to Marry Memorandum was sincere and eloquent, with a couple of poems that could last for generations.

This Refusal to Marry Memorandum gave Emperor Wu enough face.

Emperor Wu agreed to Xu Ming’s refusal of marriage, not only winning Xu Ming’s loyalty but also creating a timeless story of virtuous governance between ruler and minister.

Whenever future generations mention this Refusal to Marry Memorandum, they won’t just talk about the author but also about that emperor of the Wu Kingdom.

Moreover, Emperor Wu should be very pleased right now.

Xu Ming’s refusal of marriage shows that his desire for power isn’t that great, and he has greater aspirations, which makes him quite rare and admirable.

After reading the Refusal to Marry Memorandum, Zhu Cici also sighed in relief.

Although Emperor Wu wouldn’t kill the youngest Zhuāngyuán Láng in Wu Kingdom’s history over this matter and make the whole world laugh at him,

Emperor Wu would definitely impose some punishment.

If Xu Ming mentioned our childhood betrothal, that would be disastrous.

Fortunately, this Refusal to Marry Memorandum did not mention her, and it was heartfelt, moving even herself.

Logically speaking, Emperor Wu wouldn’t punish but instead reward.

Zhu Cici believed that although Xu Ming didn’t mention her, he surely thought of her in his heart.

Only Xu Ming changed the reason for rejecting the marriage proposal.

However,

Her relationship with Xu Ming is indeed awkward, and there are still many things they need to overcome to be together, so preparations must be made in advance.

That said, Xu Ming’s Refusal to Marry Memorandum was truly well-written, no wonder even Master Wang praised it so much.

“Have you all finished reading?”

Master Wang looked around as everyone raised their heads, stroking his beard with a smile.

“Since you’ve all finished, I shall begin my lecture. In terms of prose, this Refusal to Marry Memorandum isn’t overly ornate, but it’s logical and sincere. First, let’s look at the first two sentences…”

Respecting Master Wang, no one dared not listen carefully.

Half an hour later, Master Wang stood up, “That’s all for today. After reading this Refusal to Marry Memorandum, write down your reflections and bring them to me the day after tomorrow.”

“Yes, Master.” Everyone bowed in unison.

After the class ended, everyone gradually dispersed. A few princes invited Zhu Cici to the Peach Grove at the back mountain, where the peach blossoms were blooming beautifully.

But Zhu Cici declined.

“Miss Zhu, a guest has come and wishes to see you.”

After class, Master Wang informed Zhu Cici.

As the senior disciple of the White Deer Academy’s Dean, Master Wang was the Great Disciple, and Zhu Cici, being the youngest disciple of the Dean, naturally addressed him as Master Brother.

“Guest?” Zhu Cici asked curiously.

Master Wang smiled faintly, “At the Moon Terrace by the eastern Ink Pool, Sister, you may take a look.”

“Yes.”

Zhu Cici bowed respectfully and walked toward the east side of the Ink Pool.

About a quarter of an hour later, Zhu Cici arrived at the Ink Pool corridor.

In the center of the Ink Pool stood a crescent-shaped moon platform connected by a corridor to both banks.

On the platform stood a woman.

Seeing the woman, Zhu Cici paused momentarily, then a warm smile appeared on her face.

The girl moved her elegant legs under her dark ink-colored skirt toward the Moon Terrace.

“Big Sister Nan.”

The girl approached the woman named Nan Wenmo and bowed politely.

Nan Wenmo turned around, looking at the woman who had grown into a graceful young lady, like a willow branch sprouting, and smiled, “Cici, it’s been a long time.”

Zhu Cici nodded, “Four years.”

Nan Wenmo nodded, “Four years ago, I sent you to the White Deer Academy. Four years later, guess why I’m here?”

Zhu Cici’s eyes twinkled, “Is Big Sister Nan here to take me down the mountain?”

Nan Wenmo shook her head, “I come on behalf of someone to propose to you.”