“Old Madam, you’ve had a long day. Please take a rest.”
Inside the room, the Old Madam of the Xu family was still going through the list of gifts received.
Normally, she would check the list once herself, then have soone else verify it again.
Finally, she would compare the two lists.
Only when there were no discrepancies would she feel at ease.
The last thing she wanted was a mistake.
She even found an excuse to punish a servant, just to set an example.
“It’s almost done.”
The Old Madam shook her head and handed the list to the maid beside her.
“Take this list to Ming’er and tell him that if there’s any issue, he can co directly to .
Also, remind him that he doesn’t need to worry about anything in the household—his only focus should be serving His Majesty to the best of his ability.”
“Understood, Old Madam.” The maid nodded and hurried off with the list.
Once she had left, the Old Madam let out a sigh, feeling a slight ache in her shoulders.
Another maid, seeing this, quickly stepped forward and began massaging her back.
This maid, nad Xiangni, had served the Old Madam for years. She was quite attractive, and Xu Zheng had tried several tis to take her for himself, but the Old Madam had always refused.
“It’s been so long since I’ve been this busy,” the Old Madam said with her eyes closed, reminiscing. “The last ti I had to deal with all this was over two hundred years ago, when the Duke of Xu had just received his title. Back then, so many people ca bearing gifts—our household was bustling, just like now.”
Chunni, another maid, chuckled. “That just ans Ming’er carries the sa grace and bearing as the Duke of Xu once did. This is a great fortune for the Xu family.”
“You, little girl,” the Old Madam laughed. “In this whole household, no one has a sweeter tongue than you. No wonder I never wanted to send you away.”
Chunni smiled mischievously. “I don’t want to leave the Old Madam either. I want to serve you forever.”
“Hahaha, alright, alright.” The Old Madam nodded in amusent.
“By the way, have Yi’er, Shan’er, and Pang Da returned?” the Old Madam asked.
“They’re on their way,” Chunni replied. “I heard the eldest and second young masters will arrive in four or five days, but the third young master is faster—he should be here by tomorrow.”
“Good.” A smile tugged at the corners of the Old Madam’s lips.
For her, nothing was more joyful than having all her children and grandchildren return ho.
“Has Ming’er been in his courtyard all day? He didn’t go out?” she asked again.
Chunni nodded. “Yes, Old Madam. He stayed in all day. I’m not sure what he was up to.”
The Old Madam chuckled. “Since you don’t know, should I send you over to find out? After all, Ming’er’s courtyard could use a young lady’s company at night.”
Chunni froze for a mont, then blushed. “Old Madam, what are you saying? Ming’er wouldn’t even spare a glance at soone like .”
“You silly girl.” The Old Madam shook her head. “So it’s not that you don’t want to leave , it’s that you’ve taken a liking to Ming’er, haven’t you?”
“Old Madam!” Chunni’s face turned an even deeper shade of red. “That’s not true!”
“Haha, no need to hide it from this old woman,” the Old Madam said, patting Chunni’s hand. “And honestly, it makes sense. In this whole Xu household, the only truly promising young man is Ming’er.”
Chunni shook her head. “Old Madam, you can’t say that. The other young masters are quite capable too.”
“No, they’re not,” the Old Madam sighed. “Compared to Ming’er, they all fall short.”
She paused for a mont before murmuring, “Thank goodness we have Ming’er.”
It was fortunate that Ming’er was born.
Otherwise, at the upcoming ancestral rites, if the Duke of Xu and the Duke of Qin were to see what their descendants had beco, the Old Madam would truly have no face to show them.
For years, she had turned a blind eye to many of the negative aspects of the Xu family, choosing only to see its strengths.
She had also worried—was His Majesty’s favor toward Xu Ming truly a blessing or a curse?
But all of those concerns were based on the premise that she was still alive.
As long as she lived, the Emperor would at least give her so respect.
What she dared not think about was—what happens after I die?
She knew very well that the gratitude of past emperors could not last forever.
Once she passed away, if no one could hold up the Xu family, then that so-called imperial favor would eventually be exhausted.
And when trouble finally ca knocking, the Xu family would be nothing more than a convenient example for the Emperor to make a point.
If Xu Ming could successfully step down from his current position without incident, then perhaps he might even be granted a noble title, ensuring the family’s prosperity for another few centuries.
At first, the Xu family’s future could have been secured by Xu Xuenuo.
But she had long been removed from the family records, severing all ties with the Xu lineage.
“I just hope Ming’er doesn’t make any missteps in the coming years,” the Old Madam prayed silently.
—
In the courtyard, Xu Ming received the list of gifts from the Old Madam.
He was well aware of everything she had done today.
He also knew that many in the Xu and Qin families had wanted to co to him seeking official positions—but the Old Madam had suppressed them all.
The young n of the Xu family… they couldn’t even see things as clearly as an old woman.
If they ca asking for positions now, then the mont His Majesty decided to rein in his officials, the first ones to die would be them.
“Convey my gratitude to our ancestor,” Xu Ming said, setting the list aside.
Then, he retrieved a small box from his storage pouch.
“This spirit flower cos from the Northern Sea. It can be used for tea and is beneficial to the body. Please deliver it to the Old Madam on my behalf.”
“Young Master, you’re too kind,” the maid said respectfully.
She lingered, stealing a few more glances at Xu Ming before finally leaving, reluctant to part.
Once she was gone, Xu Ming resud his ditation.
After the great battle at the Northern Sea, he had already begun to faintly touch the threshold of the Dragon Gate Realm, standing on the verge of stepping into the Golden Core stage.
“Only upon forming a Golden Core can one truly be considered a cultivator.”
This was the mont of true entry into the path of immortality.
Just as Xu Ming was about to condense his Golden Core—
Suddenly, his eyes snapped open.
A flying sword shot straight toward his forehead.
Xu Ming reacted instantly, catching the sword between his fingers.
The blade trembled violently in his grasp.
Tied to the hilt was a letter.
Opening it, he read the words inside—
“The Wu Emperor is incompetent and unworthy. Would you be willing to take his place?”
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