Chapter 404

Chapter 404: I Want to Sit with Xu Ming!

After leaving the Dragon Empress’s bedchamber…

Xu Ming immediately returned to his own courtyard.

When Xu Ming arrived back at the courtyard, the envoys from the Wu Kingdom were already waiting by the entrance.

“Lord Xu, you’re finally back!”

Seeing Xu Ming approach, all the officials from the Wu Kingdom stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

They had arrived early at Xu Ming’s quarters to wait for him to lead them to the Four Seas Ceremony, but Lord Xu had vanished unexpectedly.

Not knowing where Lord Xu had gone, and given the vastness of the Dragon Palace, they had no idea where to search, so they could only wait anxiously at the courtyard gate.

As for whether their own Lord Xu might encounter any trouble, it was unlikely. This was inside the Dragon Palace; no one would dare cause mischief here. Moreover, though young, Lord Xu was not some rash youth. Compared to others his age, Lord Xu displayed far more maturity.

So they stood waiting at the door, growing more anxious with each passing moment.

There was nothing they could do. Only the head official could represent the Wu Kingdom. Their group couldn’t possibly leave Lord Xu behind and proceed on their own.

“Apologies, apologies! I’ve kept all of you waiting.” Xu Ming approached, bowing politely.

Xu Ming understood that when their main official went missing, they must have been worried.

“Since everyone is gathered, let us set off.”

Xu Ming looked at the group and said.

“Yes, Lord Xu.”

Under Xu Ming’s guidance, the group followed him toward the venue of the Four Seas Ceremony.

The ceremony took place in the Central Palace.

When the Wu Kingdom’s envoy reached the entrance of the Central Palace, the maidservants were already waiting.

The maid led Xu Ming to a grand square.

This square, used specifically for grand celebrations, could seat thirty thousand people.

Tables made of coral were already set up, with cups and small jugs of wine placed upon them.

There were no chairs at the banquet; beside each table was a cushion, and everyone knelt on it.

When the Wu Kingdom’s delegation arrived at this square, many envoys from sects and dynasties were already present.

Xu Ming glanced around and immediately spotted an old acquaintance.

The scholars from the White Deer Academy had already taken their seats, sitting gracefully in their designated places.

Not far away, Yu Wen Xi from the White Deer Academy waved at Xu Ming upon seeing him.

Seeing Yu Wen Xi waving, Xu Ming nodded in acknowledgment.

Zhu Cici glanced in Xu Ming’s direction, her gaze meeting his. A blush spread across her cheeks before she quickly turned away.

Zhu Cici didn’t know why she felt shy, but she realized she couldn’t continue like this.

Ever since that night, she hadn’t spoken to Xu Ming. This wasn’t right.

If she continued like this, how could she possibly compete with that princess and his childhood friend?

“Lords, please take your seats here.”

The maid led the Wu Kingdom’s delegation to sit beside the White Deer Academy.

“Thank you, miss.” Xu Ming bowed politely.

“Lord, you’re too kind. His Majesty will arrive soon. Before then, please enjoy some wine. If you need more servants, just call out to those nearby.” The maid bowed and retreated.

Xu Ming sat at the front, shoulder to shoulder with Zhu Cici, while the Wu Kingdom’s envoys could only sit behind him.

Such seating arrangements were common at banquets.

Every four rows of seats left a large space, followed by another four rows. Only the main official could sit at the front; others had to sit further back.

After Xu Ming took his seat, Zhu Cici’s heart began to race, her hands unconsciously clenching on her lap.

Although yesterday during fishing, Xu Ming had sat next to Ao Yiner, the Princess of the Eastern Sea, which upset Zhu Cici, after a day and night, her anger had subsided.

Moreover, Zhu Cici realized she had no real reason to be angry.

Currently, Xu Ming had no particular connection to her, and where he chose to sit was entirely his freedom.

Zhu Cici sneakily glanced at Xu Ming beside her. She wanted to start a conversation, to say something to him, but didn’t know how to begin.

Just as Zhu Cici thought she had a topic in mind, a cheerful female voice interrupted.

“Xu Ming~”

Both Zhu Cici and Xu Ming looked up to see the Eastern Sea delegation approaching, Ao Yiner happily calling Xu Ming’s name.

“Ao Miss.” Seeing Ao Yiner, Xu Ming smiled faintly and bowed slightly.

Xu Ming generally held little favor toward these dragon nobles, but this Eastern Sea princess was different.

No one could resist a pure-hearted and somewhat naive girl. Such a person had no ulterior motives, making interactions with her easy and carefree.

Ao Jin frowned, feeling as if his sister had been lured away by a pig.

The problem was that this pig hadn’t done anything wrong—it was his own sister who believed this pig liked her.

And then his sister inexplicably went looking for this pig.

Ao Jin recalled how his sister had returned last night full of joy, skipping and hopping, making him suspect if they had done something inappropriate.

Fortunately, under his probing, his sister confirmed they had merely chatted, and she mentioned that Xu Ming had promised to take her to the mainland.

Ao Jin almost laughed.

Xu Ming taking his sister to the mainland? How could his sister possibly go there?

What? Was Xu Ming planning to kidnap someone from the Eastern Sea? Don’t you know you don’t have the ability for that?

Ao Yiner’s eyes twinkled as she shook her brother’s arm: “Brother, where should we sit?”

Ao Yiner’s words interrupted Ao Jin’s thoughts. Looking at the seat next to Xu Ming, Ao Jin now felt even worse: “We’ll sit beside the Wu Kingdom.”

“That’s great!”

Ao Yiner’s eyes sparkled as she quickly sat next to Xu Ming, sitting upright and looking at him obediently.

“Yiner, sit behind. This is the main official’s seat,” Ao Jin told Ao Yiner.

The position of the main official didn’t matter much; what mattered was that he couldn’t bear to see his younger sister sitting next to this pig.

“Brother, what does it matter? You sit behind, I want to sit with Xu Ming!” Ao Yiner pouted.

“You…” Ao Jin felt a surge of blood rising in his chest, “Listen to me!”

Ao Yiner turned her head, huffing: “No!”

Ao Jin: “…”