Cultivating Immortality, Starting from Childhood Sweethearts - Chapter 461

Walking through the imperial palace, the Eldest Princess of Chu surveyed the halls of the Wu Kingdom. She found that this palace bore little difference from her own homeland’s imperial palace—its architectural style was quite similar, with only a few distinct elements unique to Wu.

But upon further thought, this was hardly surprising. The influence of the former Tang Kingdom had been so profound that most dynasties in the Central Plains had adopted its architectural styles and cultural traditions. Now, the various kingdoms across the land all regarded Tang as their cultural foundation, so such similarities were only natural.

Despite being in a foreign imperial palace—one belonging to a nation that did not share amicable relations with her own—the princess, Tang Ningzhi, remained unfazed. Her proud posture, with her chest held high and waist straight, combined with the measured elegance of her steps, exuded the grace and dignity of noble blood.

Tang Ningzhi did not believe that the Wu Kingdom would act dishonorably. If any harm were to befall her, not only would Chu declare war on Wu, but the entire world would mock Wu for its lack of integrity.

Meanwhile, Liu Feng, who accompanied her, glanced around the palace as they walked. His aged yet sharp eyes held a trace of nostalgia.

To this old man, the construction of this very palace was something he had once been involved in. There was a time when, within these very halls, he had discussed matters of state with the founding emperor of Wu, filled with hope and aspirations for the kingdom’s future.

But alas, fate was unpredictable.

No one could have foreseen the turmoil and fierce power struggles that would later unfold within Wu’s imperial court.

Compared to the composed demeanor of Liu Feng and Princess Tang Ningzhi, their guide, Wei Xun, was feeling noticeably tense.

One was a founding prime minister, the other a princess of one of the Ten Great Human Kingdoms.

Having these two following behind him gave Wei Xun an immense, almost suffocating sense of pressure.

“His Majesty is waiting inside for the two of you,” Wei Xun said, lowering his head slightly as he gestured toward the imperial study with a polite smile.

“We appreciate Eunuch Wei for leading the way,” Liu Feng nodded before pushing open the doors and stepping inside.

Once they had entered, Wei Xun quickly and respectfully shut the doors behind them.

“This humble servant greets Your Majesty.”

“Tang Ningzhi of Chu greets Your Majesty.”

As they beheld the Wu Emperor seated behind his desk, both Liu Feng and Tang Ningzhi offered their courtesies.

“There’s no need for such formalities,” the Wu Emperor replied, raising a hand in a polite gesture. He stepped down from his seat and, to their surprise, bowed respectfully toward Liu Feng. “I have long admired Mr. Liu’s great name. For many years, I have wished for the chance to meet you even once, and now that my wish has come true, I feel no regrets. Seeing you today, Mr. Liu, you truly possess the bearing of an immortal sage.”

Liu Feng smiled faintly. “Your Majesty flatters me. I am but a mere commoner—hardly worthy of such high regard. Such praise is overwhelming.”

“No, no, you mustn’t say that,” the Wu Emperor shook his head. “The fact that Wu has achieved what it has today is in no small part due to your contributions, Mr. Liu. May I ask if you would consider returning to serve in Wu once more?”

Meeting the fervent gaze of the Wu Emperor, Liu Feng shook his head and gently declined, “I appreciate Your Majesty’s kindness, but I wish only to live as a carefree wanderer, nothing more.

“Besides, Prime Minister Xiao is more than capable—his talents are in no way inferior to mine. Wu is fortunate not only to have Prime Minister Xiao but also the top scholar of the imperial exams. Surely the two of them can assist Your Majesty in governing the nation.”

“Mr. Liu, you are too modest,” the Wu Emperor said with a wry smile. “It is true that Prime Minister Xiao and Minister Xu have lightened my burden considerably, but affairs of state are never simple. Every decision I make is like treading on thin ice.”

Though his words expressed difficulty and concern, deep down, the Wu Emperor was quite pleased.

If it had been anyone else trying to flatter him, he might not have taken it to heart.

But coming from Liu Feng—it was different.

The man before him was a founding figure of the Wu Kingdom, once hailed as the greatest strategist in the land.

Receiving such high praise from someone of this stature, the Wu Emperor couldn’t help but feel quite pleased.

His gaze then shifted to the elegant young woman standing beside Liu Feng. “This must be the Eldest Princess, Tang Ningzhi? Truly, she is as beautiful as a celestial maiden.”

“Your Majesty flatters me,” Tang Ningzhi responded with a graceful nod.

The Wu Emperor returned to his desk and picked up a letter. “Previously, the King of Chu sent a letter, requesting an alliance through marriage with my Wu Kingdom?”

“That is correct,” Liu Feng replied with a smile. “I have been residing in Chu for some time now. One day, the King of Chu approached me, asking if I could act as a mediator to propose a marriage between his royal house and Young Master Xu Ming of the Xu noble family. This is not just a marital proposal but also an offer of alliance between our two nations, to stand together against the threats from the Northern Wastelands.”

“Hahaha…”

The Wu Emperor chuckled, his expression appearing warm and amicable.

“Xu Ming is indeed one of the most outstanding young men of my Wu Kingdom. I hold him in high regard. While I was not particularly keen on sending him to Chu, for the sake of strengthening the bond between our nations, I would certainly support this marriage.

“However,” the emperor continued with a wry smile, “Mr. Liu, you must have heard—this boy Xu Ming is rather stubborn. He told me himself that he has no plans to marry in the near future. He even rejected a marriage proposal I personally arranged for him before, making me lose quite a bit of face.

“I also heard that when you visited the Xu estate, he refused the proposal then as well. So, truly, there is little I can do. It seems likely that he simply does not wish to marry into another family.”

“Perhaps the King of Chu did not make himself clear,” Liu Feng said with a knowing smile. “It is not Young Master Xu who would be moving to Chu, but rather, the princess of Chu who would marry into Wu.”

Silence filled the imperial study.

For a brief moment, the Wu Emperor found himself at a complete loss for words.

If the proposal had been for Xu Ming to marry into Chu’s royal family, he would have had solid grounds to refuse.

But to his surprise, Chu was not asking for Xu Ming to enter their royal house—instead, they were offering their Eldest Princess to marry into Wu.

Considering Xu Ming’s status, this would undoubtedly be a marriage of higher to lower rank—a royal princess lowering herself to wed a noble.

More than that, the relationship between Wu and Chu had never been good. Now, with Chu extending an olive branch, if he were to reject this proposal, it would be difficult to justify.

The emperor could already imagine the uproar it would cause in Chu’s court if he declined. The people of Chu might even perceive it as Wu looking down on their kingdom.

Given the already fragile state of relations between the two nations, such a misunderstanding could very well ignite outright war.

But the Wu Emperor was no fool.

For Chu to suddenly make such a generous offer, they must have ulterior motives.

Yet, for the life of him, he couldn’t figure out what those motives were.

What could Chu possibly gain by sending their princess here?

Just as the Wu Emperor found himself caught in this dilemma, a voice came from outside the study:

“Your Majesty, Prime Minister Xiao seeks an audience.”