Cultivating Immortality, Starting from Childhood Sweethearts-Chapter 401 - I Want to Sit with Xu Ming!
After leaving the Dragon Empress’s chambers, Xu Ming returned directly to his own courtyard.
By the time he arrived, the envoys from Wu Kingdom were already waiting at the entrance.
“Lord Xu, you’ve finally returned.”
Seeing Xu Ming approaching, the officials from Wu Kingdom all stepped forward and greeted him with a bow.
They had been waiting outside his courtyard for quite some time, expecting him to lead them to the Four Seas Grand Ceremony. But to their surprise, Lord Xu had disappeared without a trace.
Not knowing his whereabouts, and with the Dragon Palace being vast and unfamiliar, they had no idea where to look for him. So, they had no choice but to wait at the courtyard entrance.
As for whether anything might have happened to their lord, they weren’t too worried. This was the Dragon Palace—who would dare stir up trouble here? Besides, though Lord Xu was young, he was far from an impulsive youth. Compared to others his age, he displayed a far greater level of maturity.
Still, as time dragged on, their anxiety grew. There was nothing they could do, though—only their chief envoy could represent Wu Kingdom. They couldn’t just leave him behind and attend the ceremony by themselves.
“My apologies for keeping you all waiting,” Xu Ming said as he stepped forward and cupped his hands in greeting.
He could easily imagine their unease when their leading envoy had suddenly gone missing.
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“Since everyone is here, let’s set off.”
“Yes, Lord Xu.”
Under Xu Ming’s lead, the group made their way toward the venue of the Four Seas Grand Ceremony.
This time, the ceremony was being held in the Central Palace.
When the Wu Kingdom envoy group arrived at the palace gates, a group of palace maids was already waiting for them.
One of the maids led Xu Ming and his entourage to a vast square.
This grand square was specifically used for major celebrations and could accommodate up to thirty thousand people.
The tables, made of coral, had already been arranged. On each table sat a wine cup and a small pot of fine liquor.
There were no chairs at the banquet—only cushions placed beside each table, where guests were expected to kneel and sit.
By the time the Wu Kingdom envoy group arrived, many envoys from other sects and kingdoms were already present.
Xu Ming scanned the scene and immediately spotted some familiar faces.
The scholars from White Deer Academy had already taken their seats, sitting with dignified composure.
Not far away, Yu Wenxi from White Deer Academy noticed Xu Ming and waved at him.
Seeing him greeting, Xu Ming nodded in response.
Meanwhile, Zhu Cici glanced in Xu Ming’s direction. When their eyes met, a faint blush spread across her cheeks, and she quickly looked away.
She wasn’t sure why she was feeling shy, but she knew she couldn’t go on like this.
Ever since that night, she hadn’t spoken to Xu Ming again. This couldn’t continue.
If things went on this way, how could she ever compete with that princess or his childhood sweetheart?
“Honored guests, please have a seat here,” a palace maid said, guiding the Wu Kingdom envoy group to their places beside White Deer Academy.
“Thank you, miss.” Xu Ming gave a polite bow.
“You’re too kind, my lord. Her Majesty will arrive shortly. In the meantime, please enjoy some wine. If you require any additional attendants, feel free to summon the maids nearby.”
After the maid gave a slight bow, she quietly withdrew.
Xu Ming sat at the very front, with Zhu Cici seated beside him, while the other envoys from Wu Kingdom had to take their seats behind him.
The seating arrangement at the banquet was structured this way—every four rows of seats, there was a larger empty space before another set of four rows began. Only the chief envoys were allowed to sit in the front row, while the rest had to sit further back.
As soon as Xu Ming took his seat, Zhu Cici felt her heartbeat quicken. Her small hands, resting on her lap, unconsciously tightened into a grip.
Though she had been displeased yesterday when Xu Ming sat beside Princess Ao Yin’er of the Eastern Sea while fishing, her frustration had faded after a full day and night.
Besides, she realized she had no real reason to be upset.
Right now, she had no particular relationship with Xu Ming—where he chose to sit was entirely his own decision.
Stealing a quick glance at Xu Ming beside her, Zhu Cici wanted desperately to start a conversation, to say something to him. But she didn’t know how to begin.
Just as she thought she had found a topic, a light, cheerful female voice called out—
“Xu Ming~”
Both Zhu Cici and Xu Ming looked up.
The envoy group from the Eastern Sea had arrived, and Ao Yin’er was joyfully calling Xu Ming’s name.
“Miss Ao,” Xu Ming greeted with a small smile, rising slightly to return the courtesy with a bow.
He generally had little fondness for the noble dragons, but this Eastern Sea princess was different.
Who could possibly dislike such a pure-hearted, naive girl? Someone like her had no ulterior motives—you could relax around her, let down most of your defenses.
Ao Jin, standing beside her, twitched his brow, feeling as if his little sister was being lured away by a pig.
The worst part? This pig hadn’t even done anything—it was just that his naive sister had convinced herself that the pig liked her.
And now, for some inexplicable reason, she had gone running to the pig all on her own.
Ao Jin recalled how his sister had been practically skipping with joy when she returned last night, her face glowing with happiness. He had even begun to wonder if something had happened between them.
Thankfully, after some subtle probing, he confirmed that his sister hadn’t done anything inappropriate. They had just talked—nothing more.
Then she had told him, beaming, that Xu Ming had promised to take her to the mainland.
Ao Jin could only laugh at that.
Xu Ming taking his sister to the mainland? As if that were even possible.
What? Did Xu Ming actually think he could steal someone from the Eastern Sea? He clearly didn’t have that capability.
Ao Yin’er, eyes bright with excitement, clung to her brother’s arm. “Brother, where are we sitting?”
Her words interrupted Ao Jin’s thoughts. He glanced at the seating arrangement and, seeing the empty spot next to Xu Ming, felt even more irritated.
“We’re sitting next to Wu Kingdom.”
“That’s perfect!”
Delighted, Ao Yin’er immediately took a seat beside Xu Ming, sitting up straight and gazing at him sweetly.
“Yin’er, sit in the back. This seat is reserved for chief envoys,” Ao Jin said.
He didn’t particularly care about the seating rules—he just couldn’t stand seeing his sister sitting next to that pig.
“But Brother, what does it matter? You sit in the back. I want to sit with Xu Ming,” Ao Yin’er huffed.
“You—” Ao Jin felt a surge of frustration rise in his chest. “Be obedient!”
“No!” Ao Yin’er pouted and turned away.
Ao Jin: “...”
