章節 38: Chapter 38: How Could You Bring Yourself to Do This?
After Xu Xiaopang achieved the top rank in the provincial examination (Tongshi), the Xu and Qin families had been immersed in joy and celebration.
Yet, before they had even fully savored this delight, another piece of good news arrived:
Xu Xiaopang had been selected as one of Wu Kingdom's diplomatic envoys to receive the delegation from Qi Kingdom.
The other chosen envoy was the 14-year-old son of the Minister of Rites, a prodigy who had passed the imperial examination (Juren) at the age of 13, making a name for himself in the capital at the time.
The Qi Kingdom's delegation's visit to Wu Kingdom was a major event, and Xu Xiaopang's selection as part of the reception team was a significant honor. This achievement would bring great benefits to his future career in the court.
Most importantly, the finalized list of envoys would surely pass before the emperor's eyes, and the name "Xu Pangda" would make its way into the imperial view.
---
It was on this very day that Xiao Mochi personally visited the Xu residence.
For the Xu and Qin families, their feelings about this man—currently the most talked-about figure in court—were complicated.
On the one hand, forming ties with Xiao Mochi, a prominent figure close to the emperor, was undoubtedly beneficial. On the other hand, Xiao Mochi had stirred up massive waves with his reform agenda, and the families feared being labeled as part of the "Reformist Faction," thus incurring the ire of the conservatives.
In truth, both the Xu and Qin families were staunch conservatives and opposed Xiao Mochi's reforms.
Fortunately, Xiao Mochi's visit was officially under the pretense of "visiting Xu Pangda."
As Xu Pangda was both the provincial examination's top scorer and a member of the diplomatic envoy, Xiao Mochi coming to check on him and gather information was entirely reasonable.
Nevertheless, the two families refrained from publicizing the visit, dared not host a banquet, and even preferred that others remain unaware of Xiao Mochi's presence at the Xu residence. They couldn't very well turn him away, so they simply let him visit, treating it as if they didn't see him.
Even when Xiao Mochi entered the rear courtyard of the Xu residence, they paid him no mind.
Xiao Mochi was famously principled, and everyone trusted his character implicitly.
The Xu family adopted a hands-off attitude: if Xiao Mochi claimed to be "visiting Pangda," he could go wherever he liked within the residence, and they would pretend not to notice.
---
However, Xiao Mochi did not visit Lady Wang's courtyard but instead made his way to Xiaochun Courtyard.
"May I trouble Miss Goose to inform him that Xiao Mochi is here to visit? I have some business with Young Friend Xu Ming," Xiao Mochi said, bowing respectfully at the tightly closed gates of Xiaochun Courtyard.
By the gates, Tianxuan Goose was in the middle of practicing deep squats. At the greeting, the goose honked twice.
"Honk (That rascal Xu Ming's here. Madam Chen isn't. Just go in yourself.)"
"Then I shall intrude."
Xiao Mochi pushed the gate open and entered the courtyard.
The first thing he saw was Xu Ming practicing martial arts in the yard.
The movements were vaguely familiar to Xiao Mochi. They seemed to be from the Heaven-Splitting Fist technique used by the Wang family's Censor-General.
Xu Ming's mastery was remarkable. The courtyard was filled with the strong presence of martial energy, a hallmark of a true warrior.
Judging by the aura Xu Ming exuded, Xiao Mochi could sense that he was on the verge of breaking through to the Wooden Fetus Realm in martial cultivation.
Deeply engrossed in his practice, Xu Ming had not noticed anyone entering the courtyard. Only when he finished his routine, exhaled deeply, and withdrew his martial aura did the sound of applause ring out from the direction of the gate.
Xu Ming turned, startled to see who it was. "Mr. Xiao?"
"It has been two years, Young Friend Xu," Xiao Mochi said, bowing politely.
Xu Ming quickly returned the gesture, bowing in response. "Student greets Mr. Xiao."
"Please, sir, have a seat. I'll prepare tea for you." Xu Ming straightened up and moved to play host.
Xiao Mochi shook his head and got straight to the point:
"Young friend, there's no need for such formalities. I came today because there's something I'd like to discuss with you."
"With me?" Xu Ming was puzzled. What could Mister Xiao possibly have to discuss with someone like him?
"Yes," Xiao Mochi confirmed, nodding as he stepped closer.
"Before long, the Qi Kingdom delegation will arrive in Wu Kingdom. Among their group are two prodigies, one of whom is born with an innate Literary Aura. If their delegation challenges our young scholars to a contest of wit and talent, I'm afraid Pangda and the others might lose badly.
Your mentor at Qingshui Academy, Zhang Laoshi, said that if all the young scholars in the land were to take the same exam, you would undoubtedly claim the top spot. Therefore, I hope you can join Wu Kingdom's diplomatic team for this occasion."
Xu Ming blinked. "But sir, I am a shuzi (illegitimate son)."
In Wu Kingdom, illegitimate children were rarely allowed to step into the limelight.
"That's true," Xiao Mochi acknowledged with a small nod. "And for that reason, I can only ask you to participate as a companion scholar, akin to a bookboy. Should Pangda and the others face difficulty, I hope you can step in to assist.
Are you practicing martial arts, Xu Ming? If you agree to help, I can provide you with a Blood Spirit Fruit, which will aid your body refinement."
Xu Ming fell silent. He knew about the Blood Spirit Fruit.
He had once consulted Lady Wang about body refinement for martial practitioners.
When warriors reach the Mercury Realm, they must undergo body refinement. Every top-tier martial sect has its own refinement methods, but one universal element is the use of the Blood Spirit Fruit as the primary ingredient.
The fruit wasn't entirely priceless but was undoubtedly expensive. Even for the Xu family, obtaining one required significant resources. Even if they could acquire it, they would never give it to Xu Ming.
"Mister Xiao, I am deeply honored by your trust. I shall give it a try," Xu Ming replied after a moment's thought.
"Thank you," Xiao Mochi said, bowing deeply.
Seeing Xiao Mochi bow at a full ninety degrees, Xu Ming was startled and hurriedly returned the gesture with the same depth. "Mister Xiao, you're far too polite."
Straightening up, Xiao Mochi looked at Xu Ming with a gentle smile. "In that case, I'll be counting on you. Five days from now, you'll join Pangda to begin learning Wu Kingdom's protocols for hosting foreign guests at the Imperial Academy. I will come to pick you up then."
"Thank you for the trouble, sir," Xu Ming said with a nod, expressing no objections.
Xiao Mochi gave Xu Ming a long, searching look but said nothing more. After exchanging a few pleasantries, he turned and left.
Watching Xiao Mochi's retreating figure, Xu Ming recalled the deep bow from earlier. For some reason, it felt as though Xiao Mochi carried a hint of guilt toward him.
"Maybe I'm overthinking it," Xu Ming muttered, shaking his head. He turned back to resume his martial practice.
In any case, he now had the main ingredient for his body refinement in the Mercury Realm. As for the supplementary ingredients—while they weren't cheap, they were within reach. If necessary, he could borrow some funds from Lady Wang and repay her later.
---
Leaving the Xu residence, Xiao Mochi stood at the gates, gazing back toward Xiaochun Courtyard.
He stared for a long moment before letting out a heavy sigh, shaking his head repeatedly. His eyes were filled with guilt and self-reproach.
"Xiao Mochi, Xiao Mochi... To drag a child into this game—how could you bring yourself to do such a thing?"
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