Chapter 96

Chapter 96: This Palace Previously Said That Wu is More Beautiful Than Zhu

As Xu Ming stepped into the hall, Xu Pengda hadn’t even realized what happened when a cold glint zipped past his chubby face.

When Xu Pengda finally composed himself, that long sword was already pointing at the throat of his fifth brother.

The sharp tip of the sword was no more than half an inch away from his younger brother’s throat.

It seemed like if she moved just a little bit forward, there would be a splash of blood.

Everyone in the hall got a fright.

How could this celestial-like princess suddenly draw her sword without a word?

Although it’s true that Xu Ming rejected the marriage proposal, which indeed made you lose face somewhat…

But still, we could all sit down and have a proper chat first, right?

Beside them, Chen Suyan’s face turned pale, wanting to step forward but was stopped by Wang Phoenix grabbing her wrist.

Wang Phoenix shook her head and gave Chen Suyan a look.

Chen Suyan followed Wang Phoenix’s gaze and only then noticed something strange about how the princess was looking at their young Ming.

Chen Suyan, much like Wang Phoenix, was very skilled at reading people.

Xu Ming glanced around at everyone. “I will certainly give Princess an explanation, but may I ask the princess to take a stroll with me in the courtyard? If my explanation doesn’t satisfy the princess, feel free to kill me—I will have no complaints.”

“You’ve made this palace lose face before the whole world. Give me an explanation. Otherwise, this sword will pierce through your throat,” Wu said coldly.

This also gives her father emperor a way out—”Father, I am already rude enough wanting to kill Xu Ming; you should mediate as appropriate. After mediation, just pretend the imperial decree for the marriage never happened.”

In others’ eyes, Wu pulling her sword on him without a word was expressing her anger over being rejected.

“Ho ho.” Wu chuckled twice. “This palace is merely worried that if you die, I wouldn’t be able to repay the favor I owe you.”

But really, didn’t he know Wu’s character well enough?

She was just concerned about him, so she came to Xu Mansion to confront him.

Xu Ming nodded. “I didn’t expect it, but I kind of guessed. After all, you’re… more beautiful than most women.”

“This swift, accurate, and ruthless strike—didn’t expect the princess’ sword technique to be so proficient.” Xu Ming calmly looked at the maiden before him and smiled.

He projected an image of rudeness so that others would think, “The Zhuangyuan refusing the marriage is justified; this princess drawing her sword without a word is too scary. In the future, after they get married, wouldn’t he end up being under strict control by his wife?” making others side with Xu Ming.

“I’m quite surprised,” Xu Ming truthfully said. “But remembering how the Emperor sent me to the Blood Floating Pagoda and knowing that you are ‘female body male nature,’ it makes sense now—it must be the Emperor’s deliberate arrangement.”

Walking side by side in the garden of Xu Mansion, with not a soul around, the icy expression on Wu’s face had vanished, replaced by a faint smile curving at the corner of her lips.

He noticed that while there was anger in the princess’ eyes, there wasn’t much hatred.

“Hmph.” Wu coldly snorted and flicked her sword, sending it flying in a perfect parabola straight into the scabbard held by a palace maid.

Wu’s smile carried a hint of amusement. “So, how do you feel now that you discover the person whose marriage proposal you rejected is your old friend?”

“You didn’t need to come specially. My letter rejecting the marriage should have been enough. The Emperor probably won’t punish me,” Xu Ming said to the girl beside him.

Wu’s beautiful phoenix-like eyes stared directly at Xu Ming, as if trying to dissect him like the sword. Xu Ming did not avoid her gaze at all.

Then, Wu looked at Xu Ming several times. “When the imperial edict arrived and I heard my name, did you think of me as the current princess?”

Wu strode directly toward the door. Xu Ming bowed to the crowd in the hall and turned to leave together with her.

Xu Ming asked Wu, “When you came to the Blood Floating Pagoda, did you know the Emperor’s intentions? Did you know I was going to be your fiancé?”

Wu’s eyes flashed with a touch of displeasure. “Call me Yanhan.”

“…” Xu Ming hesitated for a moment, then smiled and corrected himself, “So, Yanhan, did you know I was your fiancé?”

“No.” Wu’s answer was straightforward. “I was originally going to the Blood Floating Pagoda for training and didn’t know my father had slipped a fiancé in there. I only learned of his intentions after I returned to the capital after my training.”

“How did you feel when you found out your old friend was going to become your fiancé?” Xu Ming counter-asked.

Wu stopped her steps and seriously looked at Xu Ming. “Not bad.”

Xu Ming: “Huh?”

Wu casually tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, without any girlish coquetry:

“If it were anyone else, I’d knock them down with my fists. But you once saved me.

I said it before, you saved me, and I will repay you.

Rather than let someone else benefit, it’s better if you marry me.”

Xu Ming: “…”

“Instead, I didn’t expect you to decline the wedding.” Wu smiled. “Why? Is it hard to act on an old ‘brother’? Or is there still Qin Qingwan or Zhu Cici in your heart?”

“…” Xu Ming shook his head. “Neither. I just want to go out and travel.”

“Wander where?” Wu asked.

Xu Ming nodded and told Wu something he had never told anyone before: “After participating in the Rootless Mystic Realm, I will leave the Wu Kingdom to see how vast the world is. I don’t want to delay you.

Besides, if one day I die outside, wouldn’t you become a widow?”

“How long will you be gone?” Unnoticed by Xu Ming, Wu’s delicate fists under her long sleeves tightened slightly.

“Unknown, maybe five or six years? Perhaps longer…” Xu Ming honestly replied.

“Will you come back?” Wu asked.

“Yes.” Xu Ming nodded. “After all, my mother is still in Wudu.”

“If your mother weren’t in Wudu, you wouldn’t come back?” Wu felt inexplicably upset inside.

Xu Ming glanced at Yanhan and immediately understood. “If you’re still in Wudu, I’ll definitely come back to see you.”

“Hmph.” Wu turned her head. “Who wants you to come!”

“…” Seeing Wu’s high-and-mighty demeanor, Xu Ming just smiled and didn’t say anything more.

The two continued walking in the yard. Although neither spoke a word, there was no awkwardness between them.

“What do you think?” After a long pause, Wu slowly opened her mouth.

Xu Ming was confused. “What do you mean?”

Wu turned around, hands folded in front of her chest, stepping back one pace, poised and elegant:

“This palace previously said that Wu is more beautiful than Zhu.

Now, is it false?”