Chapter 16

Chapter 16: Who Asked You to Like Me?

“Wenshan, you’ve been at the frontier for nearly ten years. These years have been tough on you.”

After bidding farewell to Wang Xuan, the old lady held a welcome banquet, but only the masters and their wives from the two mansions were allowed to sit at the table.

“To guard the country, Wenshan dare not complain about hardship,” Zhao Wenshan said with a fist salute.

“Hahaha, I’ve heard that Wenshan followed General Chen, breaking through the Northern Wilderness’s ten-thousand army with a thousand riders. In the imperial court, who doesn’t praise you?” Xu Zheng laughed.

Zhao Wenshan shook his head: “All of this is General Chen’s achievement. At the time, I was merely following orders.”

“Wenshan is being modest.” Qin Ruhai toasted Zhao Wenshan with a cup of wine, “Today, with Wenshan back in the capital, there just happens to be a vacancy in the Ministry of War.”

Zhao Wenshan interrupted: “Brother-in-law, it’s the emperor’s decision, how can we speculate? I will follow the emperor’s orders.”

“No way.” Xuenuo huffed.

“That’s enough, enough. You’ll be a great Sword Immortal in the future, and your brother not receiving a title has nothing to do with you. It’s your brother’s fault for not being good enough.” Xu Ming consoled her.

“You…” Xuenuo’s eyes welled up with tears, ready to cry again.

Seeing Zhao Wenshan’s serious expression, Xu Zheng and the others exchanged glances. The old lady nodded: “Wenshan, speak your mind. We’re all family here; there’s nothing that can’t be said.”

“Back in the day, Lord Xu and Lord Qin followed the previous emperor, establishing the Wu Kingdom through battles. Our Wu Kingdom was founded on martial prowess. Which household lacks a son who can wield swords and spears?

But if the Empress Dowager ascends to the heavens one day, where should the Xu and Qin families go?”

The old lady furrowed her brows: “What are you implying, Wenshan?”

Xu Ming tried to sneak away quietly, but Xuenuo glanced back.

Usually, when his mother was asleep, Xu Ming would run about five hundred meters out of the door of Xiao Chun Courtyard and then run back, repeatedly going back and forth.

Zhao Wenshan slightly frowned, thought for a moment, then stood up and bowed to the old lady: “Old Lady, there is something I don’t know whether I should say or not.”

“Of course it matters.” Xuenuo wiped her eyes, “If I were powerful, my brother could get the title, and Mother would like me. Now, my brother doesn’t like me, Mother doesn’t like me, no one likes me…”

“Goose~ (Oh.)” The Heavenly Black Goose squawked and then ran back to its nest to lie down.

Xu Ming ran towards the courtyard gate.

Xuenuo, her nose red, large tears streaming down her face.

And back in the day, Lord Xu and Lord Qin spent their lives in battle, establishing this wealth, wasn’t it all for their descendants?

Xu Ming shooed off the Heavenly Black Goose on him, stood up, and patted off the snow and wind.

Zhao Wenshan took a deep breath: “Now our Wu Kingdom has enemies on all sides, internal strife and external troubles. His Majesty wishes to reform, this is the time to employ capable people. The offspring of our Xu and Qin families should study literature and practice martial arts, relieving the nation’s worries, instead of frequenting pleasure houses and living extravagantly without restraint.”

“Oh.” Xu Ming ignored her and planned to continue running back.

“Hahaha, Wenshan, your words are too harsh.”

“What’s wrong?” Xu Ming asked.

“Today is truly a joyous day.” The old lady chuckled happily, “Not only has Wenshan returned, Qingwan is also a disciple of the State Preceptor, and our Snowflake possesses the Innate Sword Bone. Truly, heaven favors our Xu and Qin families.”

“You sure went far enough…” Xu Ming mentally complained.

Xu Zheng pulled Zhao Wenshan to sit down.

“Get up, get up, I’m going to run.”

Xuenuo didn’t say anything, still staring straight at Xu Ming.

“Our mansion has a school responsible for teaching the children of both clans, but getting selected as a scholar isn’t something anyone can achieve easily.

Xu Ming walked over: “Aren’t you attending the family banquet with your mother?”

[You fought against the Heavenly Black Goose, Agility +20, Strength +20, Combat Experience Against Avians +20]

Now the Empress Dowager remembers the old kindnesses and takes care of our two families.

As he was running, Xu Ming suddenly noticed Xuenuo sitting by the lake.

“Wenshan, Qingwan is already a direct disciple of the State Preceptor, our Xu and Qin families have firmly established themselves. You’re worrying too much. Drink up, drink up.” Zhao Wenshan had just started speaking when Xu Zheng pulled him aside to sit down and shouted cheerfully to the dancers in the yard, “Keep going, keep dancing!”

“Hahaha, indeed, indeed, come, come, drink up, drink up.” Qin Ruhai realized he had spoken out of turn and raised his wine glass again.

Zhao Wenshan was almost ready to slap the label “corrupt family values” onto the faces of the Xu and Qin families.

The Heavenly Black Goose put its hands on its hips, raising its head: “Goose goose goose (What about now, convinced?)”

In the afternoon, while his mother was taking a nap in her room, Xu Ming continued fighting with the Heavenly Black Goose in the yard.

“Alright, alright, you didn’t cry.” Xu Ming went along with her words.

But after half an incense stick, Xu Ming was still pinned under the Heavenly Black Goose.

“Big Brother Xu…”

As for practicing martial arts, Wenshan understands clearly, not everyone can endure it.

Xu Ming asked blankly: “Why are you sad?”

Xu Ming helplessly said: “I didn’t say you cried either.”

Zhao Wenshan looked around at the laughing crowd at the table, then at the scantily dressed dancers, sighed deeply in his heart, and drank a big gulp.

Xuenuo pinched her fingers: “I didn’t cry.”

Xuenuo froze for a moment, quickly stood up, wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes, pouted her small mouth, and stubbornly said: “I-I didn’t cry.”

“If you submit now, you won’t later.” Xu Ming didn’t know why he could understand its goose calls, it felt quite miraculous, “I’m going to run, when Mother wakes up, remind me quickly.”

“Aren’t you sad?” Xuenuo asked.

Xuenuo: “…”

Xuenuo pouted: “Of course it’s about your bone problem, you can’t cultivate.”

Xu Ming and Xuenuo awkwardly stared at each other.

“I’ll speak frankly then.”

Xuenuo turned her head: “The family banquet is over, I’m just wandering around.”

But for over two hundred years, the descendants of the two families have enjoyed too much wealth, they’ve lost the bloodthirsty spirit of yesteryears.

Xuenuo blinked her eyes at Xu Ming.

Xu Ming: “What’s wrong?”

“Would you like to visit Xiao Chun Courtyard?” Xu Ming invited.

“Shouldn’t we enjoy life more?”

When Mother wakes up, the Heavenly Black Goose will find me, and I’ll return in time, avoiding Mother’s scolding.

Even at the border, Wenshan can hear about what the descendants of the Xu and Qin families are doing in the capital.

“It’s not about being driven out of home, it’s about being removed from the Xu Guo Mansion records, so you won’t be affected by the Wu Kingdom’s fate.” As he spoke, Xu Ming stroked his chin, “Seems about right.”

Zhao Wenshan stood up.

“Who says no one likes you?” Xu Ming counted on his fingers, “Look, Lady Qin likes you, Qingwan likes you, my mother likes you, even the Big White Goose likes you.”

Xuenuo sat by the lake occasionally picking up a snowball and throwing it into the water.

“Xu Ming,” just as Xu Ming was about to leave, Xuenuo called out to Xu Ming.

“What’s the big deal, life isn’t just about cultivation. Instead, that older sister said you’re an incredible Innate Sword Bone, so why are you crying?” Xu Ming curiously asked.

Xuenuo lowered her head, pursing her lips: “What use is Innate Sword Bone if I can’t help my brother gain the title of Lord Xu, and I’m going to be kicked out of the house.”

After Zhao Wenshan finished speaking, the atmosphere at the dining table became somewhat heavy, and the old lady’s expression wasn’t pleasant either.

“…” Xu Ming’s eyebrows twitched, “Alright, I like you too.”

“Hmph.” Xuenuo turned her head, wiping her tears, “Who asked you to like me.”