“Brother Xu, Brother Xu! Wake up, wake up!”
Early in the morning, just as Xu Ming was sleeping comfortably, he suddenly felt something heavy pressing down on him.
Then, he heard a soft, childlike voice.
Xu Ming slowly opened his eyes and saw Shengsheng sitting on his stomach, her tiny hands gripping his collar as she shook him vigorously.
“Little girls shouldn’t sit on a man’s stomach so casually.” Xu Ming reached out and rubbed Shengsheng’s little head.
Although she was still young, it was time to start teaching her about propriety.
To be honest, she wasn’t that little anymore.
In another four or five years, she would be of marriageable age by ancient standards.
[T/N: Honestly, the Author really sucks at math, I think.]
“Oh…” Shengsheng nodded but clearly didn’t take it to heart. “But Brother Xu, you have to get up now!”Xu Ming chuckled. “Then you have to get off me first. Only then can I get up.”
“Oh, oh!”
With a little “heave-ho,” Shen Shengsheng jumped off his stomach and ran out of the room.
She knew that Brother Xu was about to change clothes, and girls weren’t supposed to watch.
Once Xu Ming was dressed and stepped out of his room, he saw Shengsheng walking toward him, carefully carrying a basin of water.
“Thank you.” Xu Ming smiled as he took the water from her and ruffled her hair again. Shengsheng’s eyes curved into happy slits.
She handed him a toothbrush and some salt.
After Xu Ming finished brushing his teeth, she promptly handed him a towel, acting just like a little maid.
Once he was done freshening up, Xu Ming took Shengsheng along to his mother’s courtyard for breakfast.
It was only then that he noticed—Shengsheng’s speech had become much clearer and more fluent compared to before.
Though surprised, he had somewhat expected it.
He had already sensed that as Shengsheng grew older, her progress was accelerating.
This was a good thing.
His mother also looked noticeably better than she had in recent days, which made Xu Ming feel a little more at ease.
What he feared most was that something might happen to her before the “Taoist” arrived in the capital.
“Mother, I have some matters to attend to at the Princess’s residence over the next few days, so I won’t be home.”
Xu Ming spoke to his mother as they ate.
His cultivation was reaching its limit—he could no longer suppress it. He had to undergo his Heavenly Tribulation soon.
If he delayed any longer, he couldn’t even guarantee that lightning wouldn’t suddenly strike him in his sleep one night.
As for whether his mother’s soul would be devoured by the other lingering soul during his absence—he wasn’t too worried about that.
Zhou Wanfeng had promised to safeguard his mother’s soul until everything was resolved. At the very least, she wouldn’t let her soul dissipate.
Of course, Zhou Wanfeng wasn’t doing this out of sheer kindness.
She had made Xu Ming agree to fulfill one request for her.
As for what that request was—she would tell him after his mother was truly safe.
She had assured him that it would be something within his abilities and that it wouldn’t harm anyone.
For his mother’s sake, Xu Ming agreed.
“Mhm, it’s fine. Ming’er, take care of your matters.”
Chen Suya nodded gently.
She understood that although her son had returned, he still had many responsibilities and couldn’t stay at home all the time.
As long as she could see him from time to time, she was content.
And hearing that he was going to visit that Princess made her even happier.
This wasn’t to say that Chen Suya wanted to climb the social ladder by having ties to the royal family.
In her eyes, she already had more than enough wealth and status. As long as she could live a peaceful and stable life, that was all she needed.
But she did have one wish—she wanted to hold a grandchild in her arms.
While Xu Ming was away, Wu Yanhan often visited the Xu residence. She always carried herself with warmth and humility, never showing the slightest arrogance or haughtiness. ꭆáNÒβÈⱾ
To Chen Suya, a girl like that was truly suited for a good, stable life.
“Brother Xu, can I come with you too?”
Shen Shengsheng tugged at Xu Ming’s sleeve, looking up at him expectantly.
“Of course you can.” Xu Ming nodded. “The princess can continue teaching you martial arts.”
“Yay~” Shengsheng jumped with joy.
Finally, she wouldn’t be left behind by Brother Xu—so happy~
After finishing breakfast, Xu Ming and Shengsheng left the Xu residence and made their way to the princess’s manor.
At first, the guards at the entrance would still ask for Xu Ming’s identity, going through the motions of announcing his arrival.
But now, they didn’t even bother with the pretense.
They simply smiled and greeted him with a respectful “Wen Wu Qing (Minister of Literature and Martial Arts),” then stepped aside to let him in.
It was as if Xu Ming was already the master of the manor.
Even the palace maids, upon seeing him, would curtsy and inform him of the princess’s whereabouts, telling him he could go straight to her.
Hand in hand with Shengsheng, Xu Ming arrived at the back garden of the princess’s residence.
Wu Yanhan was dressed in a light pink palace robe, sitting in a pavilion, brewing tea while reading a book. Around her, the flowers swayed gently in the breeze.
The young girl, surrounded by a sea of blossoms, looked like a living painting.
“Sister Yanhan~”
Shengsheng excitedly ran toward Wu Yanhan.
Hearing her voice, Wu Yanhan set down her book and stood up with a warm smile.
“Shengsheng, what brings you here?” She patted the little girl’s head.
Shengsheng chirped happily, “Brother Xu brought me here!”
Wu Yanhan turned to look at Xu Ming.
“You never come without a reason. Alright, tell me—what is it this time?”
“That’s not fair.” Xu Ming walked up with a grin. “Can’t I just come visit you for a chat?”
Wu Yanhan rolled her eyes at him, as if saying, “Like I’d believe that nonsense.”
Xu Ming pretended not to notice her disdain and changed the subject.
“I thought you’d be training, but you’re reading instead?”
Wu Yanhan raised an eyebrow. “You, a brute of a martial artist, became the top scholar. So why can’t I read? Besides, do you think being a princess is easy?”
“True,” Xu Ming nodded. “Being a princess is definitely not easy.”
“Hmph.” Wu Yanhan snorted lightly, then took Shengsheng’s hand and started walking.
“Follow me.”
“Where to?” Xu Ming asked.
“Where else?”
Wu Yanhan looked at him like he was an idiot.
“You came here to tell me you’re about to break through and need a good place for it, didn’t you? I’m taking you there now.”
Xu Ming chuckled. “I didn’t expect you to know me so well.”
Wu Yanhan turned back slightly, murmuring under her breath, “But you don’t understand me at all.”
“Huh? What did you say?” Xu Ming didn’t catch her words.
“Nothing!”
Wu Yanhan grabbed the book on the table and flung it at him.
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