Chapter 367

Chapter 367: He’s Here Too

“This person is Ming.”

As the Turtle Chancellor finished speaking, Zhu Cici, who was walking beside him, hesitated slightly.

This name struck her like a thunderclap, stirring ripples in the calm lake of her heart.

The heart in the young lady’s chest couldn’t help but race.

And in her eyes, a complicated expression appeared, but soon, this complicated expression was suppressed by the young lady and did not show.

Other scholars from the White Deer Academy, upon hearing the two words “Ming,” aside from Yu Wen Xi and Miao Feng being glad to see their friend again, the rest all looked at each other, then turned their gaze towards Zhu Cici.

Some thought that Zhu Cici still liked Xu Ming until now, and because Zhu Cici liked Xu Ming, she refused proposal after proposal.

But others believed that Zhu Cici merely used Xu Ming as an excuse. Zhu Cici didn’t want to get married, so she intentionally used Xu Ming as an alibi.

After all, Zhu Cici and Xu Ming had only met once when they were children.

At such a young age, what could they possibly understand about love? Even if the poem Xu Ming gave Zhu Cici back then was extremely moving, its impact shouldn’t have lasted this long.

It has been how many years already?

The two haven’t experienced any life-or-death romance; they were just little kids back then.

“Looking at Mr. Zhu’s expression, do you know this Xu大人?”

As he spoke, the Turtle Chancellor also patted his head and laughed.

“Oh my, how forgetful I am! How could I have forgotten? In our North Sea, there is also a famous human poem circulating, and it seems that this poem was given to you, Mr. Zhu, by Xu大人 when you were young?”

Zhu Cici’s lips curved slightly; naturally, she knew which poem the Lord Turtle was referring to: “Has that poem reached the North Sea too?”

“That it has.”

Lord Turtle smiled, his demeanor cheerful.

“Not only has this poem reached the North Sea, but quite a few mermaid women are very fond of it.

That Xu大人 might not even realize how popular he is among the sea folk.

There are also many women who envy Mr. Zhu for having received such a poem.

If Xu大人 went to a Qinglou and revealed his identity, he wouldn’t need money, and instead, the courtesans would vie to offer themselves to him.”

Zhu Cici simply nodded with a smile and didn’t say much more.

“Uh… What I mean is, Xu大人 is very popular, that’s all.” Lord Turtle realized he might have said something wrong and quickly added.

“I understand, Lord Turtle, no need to explain further.”

Zhu Cici smiled gently, and in the young lady’s eyes, there was a glimmer of pride.

Lord Turtle looked at Zhu Cici’s expression and was momentarily stunned.

He felt that this Mr. Zhu was like a devoted wife, proud of her husband.

“Could it be that Mr. Zhu and that Xu大人 truly have something between them? More than just childhood acquaintances?” Lord Turtle wondered, finding it somewhat plausible.

Lord Turtle composed himself and smiled at Zhu Cici: “By chance, Xu大人 is here too. Mr. Zhu can catch up with Xu大人. Right now, Xu公子 is outside the palace, and the distance between Wu Kingdom’s quarters and the White Deer Academy’s quarters is relatively close. The two of you can visit each other anytime.

I’m sure Xu大人 will be delighted to see Mr. Zhu. You two can reminisce about your childhood memories, though so much time has passed that you’ve probably forgotten most of it.”

The Turtle Chancellor chuckled, despite rumors outside suggesting some kind of relationship between Xu Ming and Zhu Ci, he didn’t believe it.

After all, these were events from childhood. At such a young age, what could one really understand?

“If I have time, I will definitely visit Xu大人 to catch up.” Zhu Cici said calmly.

In reality, beneath Zhu Cici’s sleeves, her slender and elegant fingers were tightly gripping.

…

Lord Turtle led everyone into the Imperial Palace.

Palace maids took the scholars from the White Deer Academy down to bathe and prepare for their welcome feast.

Zhu Cici was alone in a bathhouse, with three palace maids entering the water to wash her body.

These maids marveled at how smooth and delicate this human woman’s skin was, surpassing even that of the mermaid women.

They thought Zhu Cici was incredibly beautiful, almost on par with their own emperor.

Her waist was so slim, her figure so graceful.

She was the type who looks thin in clothes but curvaceous without them.

Although Zhu Cici’s bust wasn’t overly exaggerated, it appeared fuller due to her slim waist.

Unaware of the maids’ thoughts, Zhu Cici’s mind kept replaying what Lord Turtle had said — Xu Ming was also in this palace. Could she see him today if she wanted to?

“Miss, would you like to soak a bit longer?”

Just as Zhu Cici was lost in thought, a maid nearby asked her.

Zhu Cici realized they had already finished bathing her.

“No, thank you for your trouble.”

The maids replied, “Miss, you’re too kind. We’ll dress you.”

After bathing, Zhu Cici changed into a new set of North Sea attire, and the eyes of the maids sparkled.

Originally, the young lady had a scholarly aura, but after changing into traditional North Sea Dragon Palace clothing, she exuded an additional charm.

It was as if her literary grace gained an extra touch of moisture.

The maid led Zhu Cici to another hall for lunch.

After lunch, Zhu Cici and the others were assigned accommodations.

Not many people came from the White Deer Academy, but their treatment was very high.

For example, dozens of envoys from Wu Kingdom mostly shared rooms in groups of five or six, with only the main official getting a private room.

However, for the White Deer Academy, two people shared a room, and since Zhu Cici was female, she got her own room.

Sitting in the courtyard, Zhu Cici raised her head and looked in a certain direction.

She heard that was where the Wu Kingdom envoy group stayed.

…

…

[If everything goes well, I should be able to update 10,000 words today. I’ve already written 8,000 words. Once I revise the other chapters and check for typos, I’ll release them.]