Cultivating Immortality, Starting from Childhood Sweethearts - Chapter 462

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

Wei Xun’s voice echoed through the imperial study.

The Wu Emperor let out a sigh of relief, as if he had just grabbed onto a lifeline. “Let Prime Minister Xiao enter.”

“As you command,” Wei Xun replied, then turned to the man outside. “Prime Minister Xiao, please come in.”

The doors of the study opened, and Xiao Mochi strode in. He bowed respectfully before the emperor. “Your humble servant, Xiao Mochi, greets Your Majesty.”

The Wu Emperor looked at Xiao Mochi and nodded. “My dear minister, I find myself in a difficult situation. Perhaps you can offer me some advice?”

“Your Majesty need only command, and I shall do my utmost to assist,” Xiao Mochi replied with steady confidence.

“Good,” the Wu Emperor said approvingly. “But before that, why don’t you greet our esteemed guests? Do you know who they are?”

Xiao Mochi straightened up and feigned ignorance. “Your Majesty, these two are…?”

The Wu Emperor chuckled. He knew perfectly well that Xiao Mochi was only pretending, but he played along. “This gentleman here is none other than our kingdom’s first Prime Minister, a founding pillar of Wu—Mr. Liu Feng. And this young lady is the Eldest Princess of Chu.”

Xiao Mochi bowed once more to Liu Feng and Tang Ningzhi. “I am Xiao Mochi. Greetings, Mr. Liu, Your Highness.”

“Hahaha, Prime Minister Xiao, no need to be so formal! I have long heard of your great reputation,” Liu Feng said, nodding approvingly as he observed the younger man. The more he looked at Xiao Mochi, the more he liked what he saw. “For Wu to have someone like Prime Minister Xiao—truly, it is Wu’s great fortune!”

“You flatter me, Mr. Liu,” Xiao Mochi responded humbly. “I am but a simple scholar. It is only thanks to His Majesty’s trust and support that I have been able to accomplish anything at all.”

Meanwhile, standing to the side, Tang Ningzhi was staring at Xiao Mochi with wide, unblinking eyes. Even her heartbeat quickened slightly.

It wasn’t that she was enamored with him at first sight—far from it.

It was simply because, ever since she was a child, she had heard countless tales about this legendary Prime Minister of Wu.

Whenever scholars from Chu returned from studying at White Deer Academy, they would speak of Xiao Mochi with endless admiration, nearly revering him as a legend among their peers.

Even her mother had once said that Wu’s rise over the past decade was entirely due to this man.

Without him, who knew how many wrong turns Wu would have taken?

Tang Ningzhi had even heard stories of Xiao Mochi’s past—the sacrifices he made, the resolve he had shown in leaving White Deer Academy to return to Wu.

The high officials of Chu had analyzed and debated his actions repeatedly, attempting to discern his ultimate ambitions.

As the Eldest Princess, Tang Ningzhi had access to all of these discussions.

And the more she understood, the more she admired this man.

In her heart, Xiao Mochi had long since become an ideal—the very embodiment of what a true scholar should be.

One of her personal hopes for coming to Wu’s capital had been to meet her idol in person.

Now that she was standing before him, she felt a rare nervousness creep into her chest.

She even had the impulse to ask, “Mr. Xiao, is it really impossible between you and the Lady of Qi?”

Tang Ningzhi had heard many stories about Xiao Mochi and that brilliant woman from Qi.

She knew that, for the sake of his ideals, Xiao Mochi had chosen to part ways with her—had even refused to let her follow him to Wu.

She had also heard that after returning to Qi, the woman had declared in a fit of anger that she would marry another.

Yet, over ten years had passed, and she had never wed.

To Tang Ningzhi, theirs was the most perfect kind of love—tragic yet profound, forever entwined despite their separation.

Of course, Tang Ningzhi hoped even more that Mr. Xiao and that Lady Nan would one day be together.

“Ningzhi greets Prime Minister Xiao.” Tang Ningzhi respectfully curtsied, her voice carrying a trace of nervousness.

Xiao Mochi looked at the princess of Chu and nodded. “I have long heard that Your Highness is as beautiful as a celestial maiden, possessing both virtue and talent. Seeing you today, I find that the rumors do not do you justice.”

Being praised by her idol, Tang Ningzhi’s cheeks grew even redder. “Mr. Xiao flatters me.”

“Mochi, take a look at this letter from the King of Chu,” the Wu Emperor said, handing over the royal missive from his desk.

Xiao Mochi took the envelope, opened it, and read.

After finishing, his expression carried a hint of surprise. “I did not expect Chu to propose a marriage alliance with our Wu.

For Chu to seek such an alliance is certainly a joyous matter. However, Lord Xu’s stance on this may not be so easy to resolve. Though he is not young, Lord Xu has shown no desire to marry.

Furthermore, Lord Xu has always been somewhat… proud. I fear he would not accept an arrangement where he must enter another household.”

“That is true,” the Wu Emperor agreed. “But Mochi, consider this—Chu has taken the initiative to send their eldest princess here. This clearly shows their sincerity.

And given Xu Ming’s status, having a princess marry into his house is undoubtedly a downward match. If I refuse them, it would be quite difficult to justify.”

The emperor looked troubled, seemingly eager to see Xu Ming wed the princess.

But Xiao Mochi knew the emperor too well.

“A downward match?” Xiao Mochi appeared even more surprised. Then, his expression grew even more conflicted.

“Your Majesty, this matter is not so simple—it only makes things even more difficult.”

“Oh?” The emperor’s interest was piqued. “Tell me, Mochi, what makes this so difficult?”

“Your Majesty, you previously granted a marriage between Prince Qin and Xu Ming. Though Xu Ming refused at the time, in the eyes of the people, he and the princess have already been linked together.

Among the millions in our kingdom, many see Xu Ming and Prince Qin as a pair destined by the heavens.

If Your Majesty now agrees to the King of Chu’s proposal, I fear there will be a major reaction from the people.”

“This…” The Wu Emperor stroked his chin, looking even more troubled. “This is indeed a complicated matter. It requires careful consideration.”

He turned to Liu Feng and Tang Ningzhi. “I must ask the two of you to stay at the guest residence for a time. This matter is of great importance—I must think it over carefully and consult Xu Ming as well.

But rest assured, I will not let your kingdom down.”

Liu Feng nodded. “In that case, we shall remain here and await Your Majesty’s reply.”

He said no more, and the emperor summoned attendants to escort Liu Feng and Tang Ningzhi to the historical residence, treating them with the highest courtesy.

After the two left, the Wu Emperor turned to Xiao Mochi, his eyes narrowing.