Cultivating Immortality, Starts with Green Plum

Chapter 85 Better than Zhu Cici (4000 words, two chapters in one)

Before he knew it, a year had passed since Xu Ming came to the palace.

During this year, Xu Ming was by Emperor Wu's side every day.

Except when he attended the morning court, Xu Ming served by the side when Emperor Wu reviewed memorials.

Xu Ming ate three meals a day with Emperor Wu.

When hunting, Xu Ming rode a horse and followed Emperor Wu.

When he had free time, Emperor Wu wanted to teach Xu Ming the art of war.

However, Xu Ming refused on the grounds that "I only care about the strategy, not the ancient military tactics."

When Xu Ming refused, Emperor Wu laughed and scolded Xu Ming a few times, but didn't say anything else.

Emperor Wu would always pull Xu Ming up when he sat on the dragon chariot.

Xu Ming was certain that Emperor Wu wanted to train him to be his confidant.

The more favored he was, the more cautious Xu Ming became.

Accompanying you is like accompanying a tiger.

Never fully trust that an emperor can be faithful to you.

Emperor Wu was more and more satisfied with Xu Ming's caution.

If Xu Ming became too arrogant due to his favor, Emperor Wu would not completely abandon Xu Ming, but he might teach Xu Ming a lesson and correct his temper.

Now, Emperor Wu felt that he had saved himself a lot of trouble.

Naturally, the news of Xu Ming's favor could not be concealed from the entire court.

Some people think that His Majesty is just cherishing talents. After all, Xu Ming is both civil and military, and he is young. If he is kept by your side and trained since childhood, isn't he more reliable than other ministers? He will be your absolute confidant in the future!

Some people also guessed that His Majesty would most likely let Xu Ming be the princess's consort, after all, His Majesty is now unable to have children.

If Xu Ming and the princess give birth to a grandson, he will be the future ruler!

As for whether she can give birth to an imperial grandson?

If one doesn't work, then have another one. With a 50% probability, you can have seven or eight children. Is it possible that there won't be a son?
Anyway, Your Majesty is still young and can wait.

It’s the same as raising a grandson as a son.

But no matter whether Xu Ming will become a royal consort or not, it is a foregone conclusion that Xu Ming will be reused. Now His Majesty is waiting for Xu Ming to take part in the metropolitan examination and the palace examination to see what ranking Xu Ming can get.

Xu Ming's test scores were average. He needs to hone his skills for a year or two, gain some experience, and then be reused.

Xu Ming did well in the exam, His Majesty will definitely reward him handsomely!
Xu Ming will definitely be a hot figure in the future.

During these days, various officials visited the Xu Mansion in person, or visited the Xu Mansion indirectly through the Qin Mansion, hoping to establish good relations with the Xu Mansion.

Xu Shuiya, Duke Xu of the Xu Mansion, Xu Ming's father Xu Zheng, and Qin Ruhai, Duke Qin of the Qin Mansion, have been in high spirits recently, frequently attending various banquets and being flattered to the point of being a little overconfident.

The entire Xu family was extremely proud, with a feeling that "if one person succeeds, the whole family will benefit."

Even the sixth young master of the Xu family, Xu Wang (a child born to the second wife, five years later than Xu Ming, and nine years old), had a conflict with the third son of Jingzhao Yin. He first fought and broke the other person's head, but he was still very arrogant.

The Jingzhao Yin didn't dare to say a word, and even brought his son to apologize.

After Wang Feng heard about this, he was so angry that he took out the mistress's rattan whip and was about to whip the sixth young master Xu Wang, but was stopped by everyone and Wang Feng failed to hit him.

The old lady even took the initiative to say, "Forget it, it's just a fight between children. It's no big deal."

Wang Feng was so angry that he threw away his mistress's rattan basket and did not leave his courtyard for ten days.

Zhao Wenshan was even more shocked when he heard this. He hurried to Xu's house and said to the old lady and Xu Zheng in a very straightforward manner:
“Although the Fifth Prince Xu Ming is both civil and military, he is favored by His Majesty.

But before the fifth young master Xu Ming became famous, the ancestor and Uncle Xu should know how the Xu and Qin families treated the fifth young master!
Now the fifth prince Xu Ming is being carefully trained by His Majesty.

The fifth son Xu Ming will surely be valued by His Majesty in the future.

But our Xu and Qin governments are already powerful. How could Your Majesty allow the people you have carefully trained to be dragged down by the Xu and Qin governments?
Would Your Majesty allow the Xu and Qin mansions to rise to a higher level because of Xu Ming and lose the checks and balances?
The Sixth Young Master had a conflict with the Third Son of Jingzhao Yin. Wenshan learned what happened and found out that the Sixth Young Master was at fault first.

Lord Jingzhao Yin is an upright man who is not afraid of the powerful and wealthy. He and Xiao Mochen are both confidants of His Majesty. Now he is swallowing his anger in silence. Don’t our ancestor and Uncle Xu feel strange?
Our Wu State prohibits private banquets for entertaining more than ten officials. Xu Zheng previously hosted a banquet for twenty people at Chunfeng Tower, which was already a violation of Wu State law. Could it be that the Censorate did not impeach him? Your Majesty would not know?
Your Majesty is giving us the last face of the two governments of Xu and Qin! He is also making a knife to reach out to the two governments of Xu and Qin when necessary!

If you want to destroy a person, you must first make him crazy!
Even a five-year-old child can understand this principle, so how could the old lady and Uncle Xu not know it?"

Hearing what Zhao Wenshan said, Xu Zheng and the old lady were indeed shocked, but they still said, "Wenshan, you worry too much, we have the imperial edict", "Xu Ming is from the Xu family no matter what, he will speak for us", etc.

Looking at the appearance of the old lady and Uncle Xu, Zhao Wenshan could only sigh heavily, "Finally, the birds have eaten all the food and flew back to the forest, leaving the earth clean and white."

Then he rolled his sleeves and went out.

Xu Ming in the palace was unaware of these episodes.

Xu Ming has been in the palace and is not allowed to go out. He has daily contact with Emperor Wu. Xu Ming has no idea what the officials think of him.

Two months before the imperial examination, Xu Ming paid a visit to Emperor Wu and said, "Your Majesty, I will take part in the imperial examination in two months. I would like to be temporarily transferred out of the palace to study in seclusion for two months."

Although Xu Ming did not hold any position, he just followed Emperor Wu every day.

But it's even more time consuming.

Xu Ming really wasn't confident enough that he could pass the imperial examination without reading any books.

Not to mention that the number of people participating in this imperial examination was unprecedented since the founding of the Wu State.

And Xu Ming did this to avoid suspicion.

In ten days, all officials will come to the Imperial Study to prepare examination papers with Emperor Wu.

As a candidate, I really can't stay in the palace.

"Yes, it's approved." Emperor Wu nodded. "During this period of time, you really need to avoid suspicion. There is a courtyard in the East City, which is not too big, but not too small. I have arranged two palace maids for you. You should study hard."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

After Xu Ming bowed and expressed his gratitude, Wei Xun personally took Xu Ming out of the palace and came to the courtyard in the east city.

Emperor Wu was really not modest. This courtyard was indeed not big. It was just an ordinary two-entry courtyard, but the decoration was exquisite and elegant.

Every day after that, Xu Ming spent more time reading and less time practicing boxing and swordplay.

Xu Ming actually didn't care much about fame and fortune, but he wanted to know what rewards he would get if he achieved the title of Jinshi or even the first-class grade.

At the same time, as the imperial examination approached, Wudu became lively.

In fact, many ordinary people don’t pay much attention to this kind of imperial examination.

But this time is different.

This time, not only the common people of Wu State were looking forward to the imperial examination, but also the human dynasties of Qi State, Liang State and even Beimang were paying close attention to it.

One of the reasons is that this was the exam with the largest number of participants after the Wu State's imperial examination was fully liberalized.

The second reason is that Xu Ming is going to participate.

Four years ago, Xu Ming, the genius who wrote "Red face leaves the mirror, flowers leave the trees" and passed the imperial examination at the age of ten, will he become mediocre or will he make a splash again.

Everyone is waiting for a result. Of course, many people don't have high expectations for Xu Ming.

Xu Ming has been in the military camp for three or four years, and he is also the Xuefutu of Wu State. The training tasks are so heavy that he has no time to study. Even if Xu Ming is a genius, what can he do?

It would be good enough for Xu Ming to pass the joint examination and enter the palace examination and be qualified as a "Tong Jinshi".

Xu Ming more or less guessed what the outside world thought of him.

Xu Ming felt that they were not wrong. He had been cramming for two months and had no idea how he would do in the exam. He might not even pass the imperial examination.

Xu Ming just wants to do his best, that's all.

By the way, how is Xu Xiaopang?
After four years, Xu Xiaopang is sixteen years old now and has become a man. Is he still the same as before?

How are mother and the big white goose doing?

Mother doesn't fight or compete, so nothing should happen. Has the big white goose transformed?
Is she a muscular woman?

Xu Ming wanted to go to the Xu Mansion to take a look, but when he thought about having to deal with the old lady and his father when he returned to the Xu Mansion, he felt it was too troublesome. At that time, the Xu Mansion might even ask him to meet other dignitaries and attend social events.

"Forget it, there are only two months left, let's go after the exam."

Xu Ming shook his head, opened the book and continued reading.

The Wu national examination is very open, and there are no questions such as "cloze" or "dictation" that waste time and ink.

The imperial examination in Wu State involved four major industries: scholars, farmers, workers, and merchants. There were twenty questions in each industry, and all of them were essay questions. There were no standard answers. It was entirely about testing your insights and opinions. The examination lasted four days.

So Xu Ming read a lot of different books. Anyway, he had a photographic memory, so he could read whatever was available and it could also increase some strange attribute points.

That’s right. Xu Ming hasn’t bought a copy of Little Liu Bei yet, so he doesn’t know what attribute points Little Liu Bei adds.

"Wait until after the exam before buying it, forget about it before the exam."

Xu Ming still felt that he needed to concentrate before the test. After all, giving advice before the test was a big taboo.

"Mr. Xu"

A maid came in.

These maids are all palace maids and are very well-behaved.

"What's wrong?" Xu Ming asked.

"Mr. Xu, there is a young man looking for you outside, saying he is your friend." The maid said respectfully.

"My friend? Okay, I get it."

Xu Ming put down the book and walked out of the room.

As Xu Ming walked out of the courtyard, he saw a "man" sitting in a wine stall not far away. The man was dressed in men's clothes, but looked much more handsome than the woman.

Xu Ming smiled, walked forward, and called to the waiter, "Two jars of Redwood wine, two pounds of braised beef, and a plate of fried peanuts."

"Okay, sir, please wait a moment, I'll be there soon." The waiter responded.

Xu Ming sat down in front of the "man" who was more beautiful than the woman.

The man glanced at Xu Ming and said, "You've grown a lot taller."

"That's right." Xu Ming poured a glass of wine, "At this age, men usually grow up very fast."

"Are you almost old enough to get married?" Wu Yanhan rolled his eyes at Xu Ming.

"This is a bit too fast." Xu Ming shook his head.

"Soon?" Wu Yanhan raised the corner of her mouth, her heroic spirit mixed with the charm of a young girl, "Could it be that if you pass the imperial examination this time, aren't you going to marry Miss Cici from Qi?"

"Cough, cough, cough." Xu Ming coughed a few times after taking a sip of wine. "Why did you bring this up with someone else?"

"You don't know?" Wu Yanhan looked at Xu Ming.

"Know what?" Xu Ming was a little confused.

Wu Yanhan's phoenix eyes slightly bulged, staring at Xu Ming for a moment, then shook her head and drank a glass of wine: "Nothing."

"It's incomprehensible." Xu Ming took a bite of the braised beef and felt a little guilty.

Could it be that the jokes between Cici and I when we were kids were known to other people?

It shouldn't be
Besides, no one would take childhood jokes seriously, right? They were only a few years old, what could two little brats understand?

"Where have you been this year?" Xu Ming poured Wu Yanhan a glass of wine.

"I traveled around, wandered around the world, kicked out a few sects, and killed some monks." Wu Yanhan said casually.

"Yeah." Xu Ming nodded, "What realm?"

"Heroic Spirit Realm." Wu Yanhan did not hide it.

"You have reached the level of Xiongpo in just one year. There should be no one who can compare to you." Xu Ming smiled, and was truly happy for his good friend.

Wu Yanhan rolled his eyes at Xu Ming and said, "If you hadn't entered that damn palace, you could be as good as me."

"Not that fast." Xu Ming shook his head.

Xu Ming is really not modest.

Although Xu Ming had a cheat, his dual cultivation of physical and magical powers became slower and slower the further he practiced.

This is why most cultivators, although they could have taken the path of a warrior, would only cultivate to the level of the Mercury Mirror and would not go any further.

Because I don’t have that much energy anymore.

"What about you? Are you planning to return to Xuefutu?" Xu Ming asked.

Although it is basically impossible to get in after Xuefutu left, she must have a backer.

"No, I plan to go home." Wu Yanhan took a sip of wine, "If I don't go back, my father will go crazy."

"That's right." Xu Ming smiled and nodded.

Although she has the body of a martial god, she is still a girl after all.

Wu Yanhan looked at Xu Ming and blinked gently: "Do you know? There is a rumor in the imperial capital that when you take the imperial examination, you will become the son-in-law of the Wu Kingdom."

"Ah? There is such a thing?" Xu Ming was stunned.

Xu Ming really didn't know. Xu Ming didn't know much about royal affairs. Xu Ming wouldn't ask, and no one told Xu Ming.

Xu Ming had been in the palace for a year and had become extremely cautious. He did not ask questions that he should not ask and absolutely did not listen to anything that he should not listen to. He even did not know how many children Emperor Wu had.

By the way, did Emperor Wu have any children?
I have never seen it in the palace.

"Who knows?" Wu Yanhan tucked the hair behind her ears, "But the Emperor Wu has granted us the marriage, do you agree or not?"

Xu Ming thought for a moment and asked, "Does it look good?"

Wu Yan snorted coldly: "Prettier than that Zhu Cici."

(End of this chapter)