#509 - The Wanfa Conference Begins (4000 words, two in one)
“Brother Xu, we should set off, Brother Xu.”
锦衣卫 Commander’s Residence.
Sheng Sheng came to Xu Ming's side, gently nudging Xu Ming.
Xu Ming slowly opened his eyes, seeing Sheng Sheng's delicate oval face.
Those big eyes blinked as they looked at Xu Ming.
“Mm.”
Xu Ming got out of bed and yawned.
“Sheng Sheng, please go out for a moment, I'll change my clothes.”
“Let Sheng Sheng help Brother Xu change clothes.” Sheng Sheng blinked her eyes as she looked at Xu Ming, “Sheng Sheng is all grown up now and can be Brother Xu's maid.”
Xu Ming smiled: “What would you do as my maid? I don't need a dedicated maid to serve me, and besides, you're my sister, not someone in a superior-subordinate relationship.”
“But Brother Xu, I heard Sister Chunyan say that men must have someone to take care of them.
And Brother Xu is so busy, if I can take care of Brother Xu, Brother Xu will be able to free up more time.
Brother Xu, don't worry, during this time, I learned a lot about the rules of being a maid from Sister Chunyan.
I've learned a lot of things and will definitely be able to help you, Brother Xu.”
Xu Ming glanced at Sheng Sheng.
Sheng Sheng's eyes looked very nervous, and even her face was a little pale, as if she was very worried that Xu Ming would refuse.
“Alright.” Xu Ming smiled and didn't refuse.
Xu Ming knew that Sheng Sheng was still blaming herself for what happened before, so she always wanted to compensate him.
But Sheng Sheng doesn't know what she can do for me.
Because I really don't lack anything right now.
And then it's possible that during this time, when Sheng Sheng was with Sister Chunyan, Chunyan said something to Sheng Sheng, which gave Sheng Sheng this idea.
So Sheng Sheng is thinking of becoming a maid.
In fact, in Xu Ming's opinion, this is completely unnecessary.
I really don't blame Sheng Sheng. What happened at that time was not Sheng Sheng's responsibility at all, but just another side of Sheng Sheng.
As long as Sheng Sheng can stabilize her sanity in the days to come, that will be the most gratifying thing for me.
But since it's Sheng Sheng's insistence, then I can't say anything.
If I agree to her, it might make her feel better.
Moreover, the palace and the Xu residence always want to send me a maid, but I have rejected them all.
They always say that it's against the rules for a Jinyiwei Commander to not have a maid to take care of him.
Now it seems alright for Xu Ming to let Sheng Sheng take care of him.
Sheng Sheng's mind is almost no different from that of an adult, except that she lacks some worldly common sense, but I can slowly teach her these things.
And I'm also worried about Sheng Sheng's unstable state, so I really need to keep an eye on her at all times.
Of course, in Xu Ming's heart, Sheng Sheng is not his maid, but his secretary.
Moreover, Xu Ming can guarantee that this secretary will never betray him.
After hearing Brother Xu's agreement, Sheng Sheng's eyes lit up, as if in Sheng Sheng's heart, being Xu Ming's maid was a very happy thing.
“Brother Xu, don't you believe me, I really learned a lot from Sister Chunyan these days, and I will definitely be able to take care of you.” Sheng Sheng looked at Xu Ming with joy, then her cheeks flushed slightly, and she called out softly.
“For example?” Xu Ming said with a smile.
“For example… for example…” Sheng Sheng thought for a while, her cheeks flushed slightly, and she called out softly, “Young Master Xu.”
Hearing Sheng Sheng call him “Young Master Xu,” Xu Ming couldn't help but shudder, feeling as if his whole body was numb.
This feeling is like a Japanese girl sweetly calling you "Oniichan."
“Cough cough cough” Xu Ming coughed a few times, straightened his expression, “Sheng Sheng, you can still call me Brother Xu, no need to call me ‘Young Master’.”
“Okay.” A hint of disappointment flashed in Sheng Sheng's eyes.
Sheng Sheng felt that it sounded quite nice to call Brother Xu Young Master.
Sheng Sheng took the blue shirt from the clothes rack: “I'll help Brother Xu get dressed.”
Xu Ming stood up, and Sheng Sheng helped Xu Ming put on his clothes little by little.
Sheng Sheng dressed him very carefully, for fear that some details were not done well. Although Sheng Sheng's dressing was a bit unskilled and not so proficient, she did dress Xu Ming neatly.
It could be seen that Sheng Sheng had learned very seriously from Chunyan these days.
Xu Ming then washed up and had breakfast under Sheng Sheng's service.
Sheng Sheng seems to be quite the maid.
“You seem to have learned a lot from Sister Chunyan these days.” Xu Ming said with a smile.
“Of course.” Shen Sheng Sheng curved her eyes and said, “Sheng Sheng has been learning how to take care of Madam Wang by Sister Chunyan's side.”
Xu Ming nodded, put down his chopsticks: “Let's go, it's time for us to go to the Myriad Dharma Assembly.”
“Yes.”
Sheng Sheng bowed and then hurried to prepare the carriage for Xu Ming.
When Xu Ming walked out of the courtyard, the carriage was already ready.
Xu Ming sat in the carriage and closed his eyes to rest, while Sheng Sheng sat beside Xu Ming, her big eyes blinking as she looked at Xu Ming.
After waking up this time, Sheng Sheng discovered one thing.
That is, she didn't think Brother Xu was very good-looking before.
But after growing up, she found that Brother Xu is really quite good-looking.
Mm.
He's more handsome than other men.
Not long after, Xu Ming and Shen Sheng came to the gate of the palace.
“Sheng Sheng, you can go back first. The Myriad Dharma Assembly will be held until this time tomorrow. You can come and pick me up then.”
Sheng Sheng can't enter the palace, otherwise she will feel very uncomfortable, and other irrelevant people can't enter the palace either.
“Okay, Brother Xu.” Sheng Sheng nodded, and then reluctantly drove the carriage away.
Xu Ming walked into the palace, and a palace maid received Xu Ming, leading Xu Ming towards the location of the Myriad Dharma Assembly.
This time's Myriad Dharma Assembly requires officials of the fifth rank and above, as well as those of the fifth rank, to participate.
As for the location of the Myriad Dharma Assembly, it is naturally the open space in the North Hall of the Imperial Palace. Previous Myriad Dharma Assemblies were held in that place, and this time is no exception.
Along the way, civil and military officials greeted Xu Ming, their expressions respectful, for fear of leaving a bad impression on Xu Ming.
After all, the flying fish uniform on Xu Ming's body was too conspicuous.
You never know when a bunch of people wearing this kind of clothes will rush into your house, then arrest you and confiscate your home.
Not long after, Xu Ming met Zhao Feiyan, Yu Ping'an, Li Han and others.
They were all qualified to enter and had been waiting for Xu Ming on the only way to the Myriad Dharma Assembly.
The others naturally stood behind Xu Ming, and the civil and military officials looked at their costumes, their hearts filled with awe.
Everyone knew that after Xu Ming withstood the Great Pillar's three punches last time, a new force had already been formed.
“Greetings, Commander.”
Just as Xu Ming and his party were walking forward, an old man's voice rang out.
Xu Ming turned around, and that remnant of the Shan King—Liu Feng, the first prime minister of the Wu Kingdom, and Tang Ningzhi, the princess of the Chu Kingdom, walked towards Xu Ming.
“Greetings, Your Highness Princess, greetings, Mr. Liu.” Xu Ming cupped his hands in salute.
“How is Lord Xu's health?” Liu Feng asked, his eyes seeming to be really worried, just like an old man in the village caring about himself.
“Thank you for your concern, sir, I am doing well.” Xu Ming said with a smile.
After more than ten days of recuperation, although Xu Ming's body cannot be said to have recovered to its peak, it has indeed recovered almost completely.
“That's good.” Liu Feng nodded, touching his beard, “This time's Myriad Dharma Assembly will probably be very lively.”
Xu Ming's heart sank, but his expression was still very calm: “The Myriad Dharma Assembly, with all sects coming to pay tribute, is naturally lively. Mr. Liu, Your Highness Princess, please come this way.”
“Please.” Liu Feng and Tang Ningzhi walked forward.
Soon after, Xu Ming arrived at the venue of the Myriad Dharma Assembly.
Most of the officials had already arrived.
Wu Yanhan was also sitting in her seat.
Xu Ming's position was arranged next to Wu Yanhan, and the positions of the others were arranged in order according to their ranks. If the ranks were the same, then they would be seated according to the number of strokes in their names, with those with fewer strokes sitting in front.
The officials of the Wu Kingdom were talking and laughing, not taking this Myriad Dharma Assembly seriously.
Mainly because they were used to it.
The Myriad Dharma Assembly is held once every four years, and every year it is held very smoothly. Basically, it is just everyone eating, chatting, and so on.
The sect leaders of these sects were also very calm, but some sect leaders seemed very impatient, and even directly showed their impatience on their faces.
The reason why these clans were impatient was mostly because Emperor Wu had disrupted their arrangements a year in advance.
Not to mention that in the past, although it was said that the sect leader had to come in person, everyone turned a blind eye and casually sent a high-level sect member to come, and no one would pursue it.
But this time, Emperor Wu emphasized that the sect leader must come, and there must be no absence without an absolute reason.
This made them very annoyed, but they were too embarrassed to fall out with Emperor Wu.
After another incense stick of time, basically everyone had arrived at the big square and sat down, and the palace maids also began to step forward to pour wine for the distinguished guests.
“Dong”
“Dong”
“Dong”
As the bell rang continuously throughout the entire palace.
Everyone stopped talking.
“The Emperor has arrived!”
Wei Xun's duck-like voice rang out.
The Martial Emperor walked into the square.
Everyone stood up and shouted in unison, "Welcome, Your Majesty!"
The Martial Emperor continued to walk forward.
After reaching the high platform, the Martial Emperor turned around, his eyes sweeping across the entire audience.
His imposing gaze caused many to feel a sense of trepidation, even though they were all cultivators with lifespans of thousands of years. However, this human emperor controlled the destiny of the land.
"I am very pleased that the sect leaders of various sects and factions have come to participate in this Myriad Dharma Assembly. I hope that during this assembly, everyone can joyfully exchange techniques and learn from each other," the Martial Emperor said, uttering the usual pleasantries. "Esteemed ministers, sect leaders, please be seated."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," everyone slowly sat down.
Soon, palace maids came forward to sing and dance, and dishes were brought up.
Everyone enjoyed the dances and drank wine, not knowing what would happen today, simply assuming that today would be the same as the previous Myriad Dharma Assemblies.
Xu Ming and Wu Yanhan exchanged a glance, but neither of them said anything.
They both knew that this was just the calm before the storm. A major event was bound to happen today, and this event would greatly affect the fate of the Wu Kingdom.
After drinking for a while, when the civil and military officials and the sect leaders of various sects were eating and drinking happily, the Martial Emperor stood up.
As the Martial Emperor stood up, everyone's gaze naturally turned towards him.
The Martial Emperor raised the wine cup in his hand and said to everyone, "Today's Myriad Dharma Assembly is a grand event for our dynasty and the sects. In recent days, our Wu Kingdom and the sects have supported and helped each other, which has led to today's prosperity."
One of the sect leaders stood up and raised his wine cup to the Martial Emperor: "Your Majesty is too kind. The Wu Kingdom's ability to become one of the top ten human dynasties in such a short period of time is the result of the diligent governance of the emperors of Wu, especially Your Majesty!"
Another sect leader stood up and said to the Martial Emperor: "The Wu Kingdom's army is world-renowned, who doesn't know?"
Yet another sect leader stood up and said to the Martial Emperor: "Now, all lands submit to Your Majesty. The demon kingdom of the Southern Border dares not act rashly upon hearing the name of the Wu Kingdom. The King of Northern Liang is even more formidable, shaking the northern barbarians and slaughtering them on the battlefield! The Wu Kingdom's destiny is flourishing!"
One sect leader after another stood up, saying flattering words.
They seemed to be very submissive and respectful to the Wu Kingdom.
But in reality, Xu Ming and Wu Yanhan did not take these people's flattery to heart at all.
These guys were all old foxes who were hundreds or even thousands of years old.
They had said these flattering words to the rulers of the Wu Kingdom, and they had also said the same flattering words to other rulers on this land.
Anyway, flattering words don't cost any money.
For these sect leaders, if the dynasty was strong, they would treat it with respect, like husband and wife.
But if the dynasty's strength declined, then they would be sorry.
These sects would begin to snatch people, or support a new dynasty, or even replace it, using the dynasty as their puppet.
In this way, they could both avoid the influence of the dynasty's destiny and obtain the benefits of the dynasty.
"Sect leaders, you are too kind. The reason why our Wu Kingdom is able to be where it is today is not due to my efforts alone, but the result of the civil and military officials working together for the people and your efforts in subduing demons and maintaining the stability of the Wu Kingdom," the Martial Emperor also said flattering words to them.
Hearing these flattering words, the sect leaders felt very comfortable and pleased.
But in the next moment, the Martial Emperor's words stunned all the sect leaders in place.
"However, I still feel that the relationship between the various sects and factions and our Wu Kingdom is not in the best state."
