Chapter 27

Chapter 27: Ink Pool, who is this child?

The imperial capital of the Wu Kingdom.

Above the very center of the capital, a golden dragon hovered in the air.

This dragon, as if tireless, continuously darted back and forth through the clouds.

The dragon had no physical form; it was entirely formed from the Mountain and River Fortune.

Beneath the dragon lay the Imperial Palace of the Wu Kingdom.

Inside the Imperial Study,

a man clad in a dragon robe was reviewing memorials.

Emperor Wu stroked his chin, “Another child you’re concerned about—isn’t he the one with the highest talent at the lecture hall?”

Xiao Ke massaged Emperor Wu’s shoulders while smiling.

As for Qi Kingdom producing some prodigy? What’s that worth?

Now Xu Mansion has produced Xuenuo—entering the Cavern Realm at five years old, unprecedented, and known across the land!

And the Qin household has even produced Qingwan, a先天圣体, taken as a disciple by the State Preceptor.

“One is the third young master of Xu Mansion—Pengda. Though only five, Pengda is extremely diligent. Despite not having the highest talent, his perseverance is truly commendable.”

At this moment, Xiao Mochi entered the Imperial Study, bowed respectfully, “Commoner Xiao Mochi pays respects to Your Majesty.”

“Ah, just mentioned him, and here he comes!” Emperor Wu laughed heartily, “Let him in quickly.”

“Oh yes, indeed.” Emperor Wu remembered, “So our number one literary genius of Wu Kingdom, what progress have you made teaching those innocent children over the past seven days?”

Xiao Ke slightly pressed his lips together and didn’t respond.

Emperor Wu unfolded the paper before him, his eyes lighting up instantly as he recited, “Goose, goose, goose, bending necks singing to the sky. White feathers floating on green water, red webbed feet paddling clear ripples.”

Eunuch Wei quickly retreated.

Xiao Mochi straightened his posture, smiling, “Your Majesty asked me to report after seven days of running the school. Here I am.”

And so far, we’ve only produced three…

Our literary style has been stagnant, we’ve always been mocked, and no one recognizes us.”

Hearing the Empress’ consoling words, Emperor Wu relaxed his brows slightly but still looked worried, “That’s true, but Ko’er, we call the people of the Northern Wilderness ‘barbarians.’ Do you know what Qi Kingdom calls us? Barbarians too!

Our Wu Kingdom was established on martial prowess; in their eyes, we are nothing more than sword-wielding barbarians.

There are three thousand teachers and students at the White Deer Academy.

“Your Majesty,” just as the Empress was speaking, Eunuch Wei walked in, “Mr. Xiao requests an audience.”

“Rise,” Emperor Wu looked at Xiao Mochi with increasing appreciation, “Speak then, what wind blew our great literary genius here?”

But yesterday, the governor of Xiliang Province sent word—there’s some Qinglian Holy Maiden from the Western Sect of Demons!

The various sects within our Wu Kingdom don’t follow orders either. They seem obedient, but in reality, they don’t take our Wu Kingdom seriously at all.

Xiao Mochi: “In the school, even the least capable child can already recite five poems from the Book of Songs.”

Her gaze seemed like autumn waves, filled with deep affection. Every smile and frown revealed her charming gracefulness. The innocence of a maiden and the refined elegance of a mature woman naturally blended in her.

“Oh? Which spoiled rich kid caught your attention? Tell me.” Emperor Wu became interested.

“Still calling himself a commoner?” Emperor Wu said humorously to the Empress, “Ko’er, listen to this—this guy refuses official positions, insisting on being a commoner!”

Do the sects of other kingdoms obey any better? Aren’t those cultivation sects all the same? Your Majesty is troubled, but so are they.

Behind this middle-aged man stood a graceful and elegant woman.

“Alas…”

“How could I not sigh…”

Without extra adornment, she tied her black hair, looking fresh and elegant, strands falling naturally past her ears.

Emperor Wu sighed heavily while reviewing the memorials.

Even so, there are Buddhist forces countering the demon sects in the west, and these demon sects lack a unified leader, making them scattered.

Her bare ankles were white and tender, her toes like grains of rice soaked with water, soft and delicate as they touched the floor, leaving behind faint traces of charm wherever she stepped.

“The General Chen stationed in the Northern Wilderness has won consecutive battles, striking fear into the hearts of the northern barbarians.

“Your Majesty is truly anxious.” Xiao Ke shook his head, “Wu Kingdom has only existed for two hundred fifty-five years, while Qi Kingdom has lasted a millennium. Our Wu Kingdom will surely surpass them eventually.”

The woman is none other than the current Empress of the Wu Kingdom, ranked ninety-third on the Red Beauty List—Xiao Ke.

Qi Kingdom has also produced some sort of prodigy who can compose poetry in seven steps, with photographic memory, born with Literary Courage…

How could this not make me worry?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The so-called Qinglian Holy Maiden of the Western Sect of Demons is merely seven years old and hasn’t even made it onto the Azurecloud List.

“…” Emperor Wu was momentarily speechless. You, a student from the White Deer Academy, how dare you be so proud when your pupils can only recite five poems?

“Anything else?” Xiao Ke glanced at the emperor’s expression and asked.

Qi Kingdom has five hundred teachers and students at the White Deer Academy alone.

Xiao Mochi presented a white sheet of paper. Xiao Ke approached, took the paper, and handed it to Emperor Wu.

“In reply to Her Majesty, there are two students that surprised me greatly.” Xiao Mochi bowed.

After finishing the recitation, Emperor Wu held his breath slightly.

The Western Sect of Demons continues to infiltrate our country, spreading their teachings. Now, every corner of our Wu Kingdom has become a base for these demon sects, impossible to completely eradicate.

“The barbarians from the Northern Wilderness constantly harass our borders, resulting in endless warfare and suffering among the people.

Beside Xiao Ke, her beautiful eyes sparkled. Such a poem shouldn’t come from a child, yet the innocence reflected in it should.

A strand of hair inadvertently brushed past her face, and she gently lifted it away, revealing a faint fragrance where the hair had passed.

“Your Majesty speaks too harshly.”

The woman wore a white strapless dress, exquisite lace outlining her white legs, long and slender, perfectly displaying her curvaceous figure.

Xiao Mochi nodded, “Yes, previously, a swan mistakenly entered the lecture hall. I asked the children to write poems about the swan. This poem was written by that young friend.”

Xiao Ke covered her mouth and chuckled softly, her face filled with pride, “Mochi…”

Emperor Wu put down the memorial and rubbed his eyes.

“Scared they’ll grow too powerful, huh?” Emperor Wu smiled, “By the way, your younger brother chose not to be an official and became a teacher instead. I wonder how well he’s doing.”

Isn’t this Heaven favoring our Wu Kingdom?”

Her left ear, pale and rosy, faintly showed a phoenix-shaped hairpin. The light flickered on and off, yet her face always carried a faint smile.

“Why does Your Majesty sigh?” Xiao Ke blinked her eyes, asking softly.

Emperor Wu closed the white paper, seriously saying, “Mochi, who is this child?”

Xiao Mochi bowed deeply, “This child is the son of Lady Five, the concubine of Xu Guozhi from Xu Mansion—Xu Ming.”