Cultivating Immortality, Starting from Childhood Sweethearts - Chapter 435

Looking at the memorial in his hands, Xu Ming’s expression grew somewhat complex.

Wang Chong had only just received Madam Wang’s letter, yet he had already completed an impeachment memorial?

Clearly, this meant the memorial had been written in advance—just waiting to be submitted against him.

It seemed his visit had been for nothing. Madam Wang’s letter hadn’t changed anything.

Wang Chong chuckled. “Nephew Xu, why don’t you take a look at this memorial?”

Xu Ming opened it and began reading carefully.

The more he read, the brighter his eyes became.

This memorial was a masterpiece of rhetorical finesse.

On the surface, it appeared to be a harsh criticism and impeachment of him, yet it was carefully worded, leaving ample room for interpretation and maneuvering.

In some areas, this uncle had attacked him with almost rabid ferocity, going to such extremes that it bordered on irrationality—truly an example of excess taken too far.

When he finished reading, Xu Ming looked up at his uncle.

Wang Chong met his gaze and knew at once that his nephew had understood the intent behind the memorial.

“This morning, after returning from Dragon Slaying Platform, I began writing this impeachment against you,” Wang Chong said, pouring Xu Ming another cup of tea. “I had just finished writing it when you arrived.”

He continued, “Nephew Xu, your reputation has already grown too great. However, as long as you held no significant position, the court had little real cause for concern.

But now, things are different.

You are about to assume true power—great power.

This will make many people uneasy.

Soon, impeachment memorials will flood in against you.

And their words will be far sharper than you can imagine.

Even if His Majesty harbors no doubts now, such repeated accusations may plant a seed of suspicion in his mind, leaving a thorn between you.

So, there must be a memorial that reaches His Majesty’s eyes first.

I may not be as talented as you, but I have spent many years in the Censorate. I know a thing or two about impeachment memorials.

Once His Majesty reads this, he will either dismiss it as overthinking or find it overly excessive—even distasteful.

And when the real impeachment memorials come flooding in, His Majesty may already have built up a resistance to them.”

Xu Ming set the memorial down. “Thank you, Uncle. But—do you think His Majesty will see through it?”

To Xu Ming, the Wu Emperor was no ordinary ruler.

Ordinary emperors were already full of schemes, but the Wu Emperor surely had even more.

Wang Chong smiled. “Our emperor is a wise ruler—one of the finest, past or future. Of course, he will see through my little ploy.”

Xu Ming paused, then nodded slowly.

Indeed, as his uncle said—so what if the emperor saw through it? Had his uncle overstepped any boundaries?

No.

All he had done was fulfill his duty.

The ‘vaccine’ effect of this memorial would still hold.

“You have troubled yourself for my sake, Uncle,” Xu Ming said, rising to his feet and saluting.

“There’s no need for such formality, Nephew.” Wang Chong pulled him back into his seat.

“You’ll be in the capital for a little while, and I imagine you’ll have many things to deal with. For now, you should take this time to rest—because once you take office, you will have no shortage of troubles.”

Wang Chong sighed.

“We ministers try to fathom His Majesty’s intentions, but what he truly plans… that, we do not know.

Prime Minister Xiao was your mentor. The entire court sees you as part of the Xiao faction.

His Majesty already keeps a wary eye on Prime Minister Xiao, whose influence is immense.

And now, His Majesty has placed you in charge of the Jinyiwei.

If a major case arises—tell me, Nephew, who do you think you will be investigating first?”

Xu Ming: “…”

Wang Chong set down his teacup, stood up, and opened the window. The early winter wind swept in, biting cold against the skin. “When the time comes, Nephew, will you choose to honor your bond as a student, or fulfill your duty as a subject? That will be for you to decide.”

Xu Ming gripped the teacup in his hands tightly, his brows furrowing as he remained silent for a long time.

“To be honest, I don’t think you should have returned to Wu. You had many paths before you.

The one you should have taken was the path of cultivation—to roam the world freely.

If you reached a realm so high that no one could touch you, then you would hold absolute authority.

Even our emperor would have to show you deference.”

Wang Chong spoke his mind openly.

Xu Ming smiled. “As Uncle said, living a carefree life outside would indeed be the best choice for me. But there are people I care about in Wu.

She can never leave this country, so naturally, I will never sever my ties with Wu.

I may set off on a journey soon, but before that, I want to help her as much as I can.”

Hearing this, Wang Chong said nothing more.

Everyone had their own convictions.

Everyone had their own burdens.

—

That evening, Xu Ming stayed for dinner at the Censor’s residence.

Wang Chong had never taken concubines—only a single wife.

She was not particularly beautiful, but she was gentle and refined, well-read and understanding—a woman suited for a steady life.

Wang Chong also had a son, barely ten years old.

For a man nearing forty, he was a late-born child.

After dinner, Xu Ming shared another pot of tea with Wang Chong, casually discussing court affairs. Then, he took his leave.

—

“Has Lord Xu left?”

Madam Lin entered the study, carrying a plate of freshly made pastries, only to find her husband alone.

“Yes.” Wang Chong nodded. “He left not long ago.”

Madam Lin looked down at the warm pastries in her hands. “These just came out of the steamer—they’re still warm. Should we send some to the Xu residence?”

Wang Chong shook his head. “No need. From now on, we will have no further dealings with Xu Ming.”

“…” Madam Lin lowered her gaze, a hint of disappointment flashing through her eyes. “It was just one meal, but I quite like that child.”

Wang Chong chuckled at his wife’s words. “I like him too. Who would have thought that from the declining Xu and Qin families, a qilin prodigy would emerge?”

Madam Lin sighed. “Will the capital be in turmoil?”

“When has the capital ever been peaceful?” Wang Chong gazed at the moonlit sky. “But this time, the turbulence will be more apparent than ever.

And Xu Ming—he stands at the very heart of the storm.”