#82 - But let me wait for a while!
It was past Chen Shi (9-11 AM).
Early in the morning, Emperor Wu was pacing back and forth in the imperial study.
Emperor Wu's expression looked very impatient, like an old lecher waiting for a peerless beauty to emerge from her bath.
When Wei Gonggong attended the early court session, he noticed His Majesty's impatient demeanor, wishing the session would end quickly.
In Wei Gonggong's view, this appearance of His Majesty was very rare.
The last time was when he was waiting for Mr. Xiao to return from Bailu Academy.
However, Wei Gonggong felt it was understandable.
For His Majesty, Xu Ming was not only a rare talent with both literary and martial skills, but more importantly, Xu Ming was young.
Moreover, although the Wu Kingdom's laws had been revised, Xu Ming, as a son of a concubine, likely didn't have a good relationship with the Xu family.
Furthermore, upon learning that Xu Ming and Xu Xueno were not biological siblings, and that Xu Ming might not have the Xu family's bloodline, it was even better!
Such a person, raised by his side from a young age, would be absolutely loyal! Absolutely trustworthy!
Not to mention that His Majesty had only given birth to one princess so far.
Due to the events of previous years, it was now basically impossible for His Majesty to have another child.
If Xu Ming became a驸马爷 (imperial son-in-law) and had several children with the princess, the Wu Kingdom would have a foundation for its future.
"Your Majesty, Blood Slaughter Xu Ming requests an audience."
Finally, a palace maid walked into the imperial study and knelt in salute.
"Summon him! He's finally here, making me wait so long!"
Emperor Wu said hastily.
Emperor Wu had been waiting for the palace maid's report for a long time.
"Yes."
The palace maid stood up and quickly walked out of the imperial study to invite Xu Ming in.
"Blood Slaughter Xu Ming pays respects to Your Majesty."
Xu Ming cupped his fist in salute to Emperor Wu.
According to the laws of the Wu Kingdom, officials, those with academic titles, and soldiers do not need to kneel when meeting the emperor, but only need to perform a normal salute.
Emperor Wu sized up the young man before him, becoming more and more satisfied as he looked.
Over the years, Emperor Wu had always heard Xu Ming's name, but he had never actually met him.
Seeing him today, he was indeed a talented individual.
Moreover, Emperor Wu not only felt a kind of scholarly elegance in him, but also a kind of martial fortitude.
The Confucian saying "able to kill enemies on horseback, and able to govern the country on foot" must be referring to this kind of person.
How could the Xu family be so lucky? To be able to give birth to such a fine son!
"Rise." Although Emperor Wu's face was full of anticipation just now, his expression was now ordinary, and he couldn't see how much he favored Xu Ming.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Xu Ming stood up straight.
"Scholar Xu, your reputation has spread far and wide." Emperor Wu said with a smile, looking at Xu Ming, "Especially after you joined the army, many civil officials in the court felt deeply sorry, and kept writing to me, telling you to study hard and not go to the military, saying it was burying your talent."
Xu Ming smiled slightly: "My Wu Kingdom was founded on military strength and governed by literary skill. Literature cannot be abandoned, and martial arts naturally cannot be discarded. Cultivating both literary and martial skills is Ming's choice."
"Oh?" Emperor Wu felt it was a bit interesting, "You say that literature cannot be abandoned, then do you have confidence in next year's imperial examination?"
"I don't have much confidence, but participation is valuable," Xu Ming said truthfully.
"Hahaha, you are indeed honest, young man."
Emperor Wu said with a smile, but Emperor Wu really didn't have much hope for Xu Ming's imperial examination. He knew how heavy the Blood Slaughter training was, and Xu Ming simply didn't have time to study.
"Alright, you may leave. Rest well today and come again tomorrow. Wei Xun, take Xu Ming to his residence."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Wei Xun walked to Xu Ming with a smile, "Scholar Xu, please follow me."
"Ming takes his leave." Xu Ming cupped his fist and retreated.
The imperial capital of the Wu Kingdom is divided into the front palace and the rear palace.
The front palace is generally where the imperial guards are located. The Listening Sea Hall and the imperial study, where the early court sessions are held, are all in the front palace, and officials and men can enter.
The rear palace, as the name suggests, is the "harem", where the Wu Emperor's family resides, and only women and eunuchs can go.
Xu Ming didn't know what his position was now. He hadn't been incorporated into the imperial guards, nor did he have any official position. Xu Ming didn't even know what Emperor Wu wanted him to do in the palace.
Maybe it was because the imperial examination was next year, and he planned to let himself study hard?
Or was it because his reputation as a poet had spread before, and Emperor Wu finally couldn't help but want to see him?
"Forget it, now that I'm here, I'll take things as they come."
The emperor's heart is unpredictable, Xu Ming shook his head and didn't think too much.
"From today onwards, Scholar Xu can live here." Wei Xun brought Xu Ming to a courtyard, which looked newly built.
"Thank you, Eunuch Wei." Xu Ming secretly stuffed a silver note into Wei Xun's hand.
Wei Xun was stunned for a moment, but he didn't refuse. He put the silver note in his sleeve, and smiled even more brightly: "Scholar Xu, rest well. In the future, in the palace, just do what you can."
Xu Ming was stunned for a moment, and bowed in salute: "Thank you, Eunuch Wei, for your guidance."
What Wei Xun said, "Just do what you can," meant "His Majesty has no malice towards Scholar Xu, just be safe and sound, don't think too much."
"Then this old servant won't disturb Scholar Xu's rest."
"Eunuch Wei, walk slowly."
Wei Xun turned and left, returning to the imperial study.
Wei Xun walked out of Xu Ming's courtyard, stopped, couldn't help but look back, and touched the silver note in his hand:
"How can this thirteen-year-old boy be so mature."
"Your Majesty..." Wei Xun returned to the imperial study.
"Mm." Emperor Wu nodded, "How is it? Is Xu Ming satisfied with his residence?"
Wei Xun smiled: "Your Majesty, you specially built the courtyard for Scholar Xu, how could Scholar Xu not be satisfied."
Emperor Wu stood up, put his hands behind his back, took a few steps, and then asked: "Wei Xun, what do you think about giving Xu Ming a jade token, so that he can freely enter and exit the rear palace?"
Wei Xun was shocked when he heard this: "Your Majesty is eager for talents, wanting to tell Scholar Xu how much you value and trust him, and also wanting to match him with the princess, but this servant thinks it may not be appropriate. Although Scholar Xu is only thirteen years old, he will be fourteen next year. According to the laws of our Wu Kingdom, men and women can marry at the age of fourteen."
"It is indeed a bit hasty." Emperor Wu calmed down, "It's really not good for his reputation."
Emperor Wu sighed: "Forget it, forget it, let's not talk about this for now, where is my precious daughter? Hasn't she returned yet?"
"That..." Wei Xun looked embarrassed.
Emperor Wu: "Just speak."
"Reporting to Your Majesty, the princess said that she wants to travel the world for a year, and she will only return during next year's imperial examination..."
