Cultivating Immortality, Starting from Childhood Sweethearts - Chapter 494

Hearing the summons from her royal father, Wu Yanhan frowned.

In truth, Wu Yanhan understood the situation well.

The commotion in her residence had been too great to escape her father’s notice. She had expected that once he learned of it, he would send the imperial palace’s enforcers. But what she hadn’t anticipated was how composed he remained—waiting until everything had settled, and only after Xu Ming was out of mortal danger did he summon her to the palace to explain.

If it were just her going to the palace, Wu Yanhan wouldn’t have minded.

The problem was that Shengsheng had to go with her.

Shengsheng was a human with the bloodline of magical beasts—perhaps even the most perfect fusion of beast and human that the Black God Sect had ever pursued.

Wu Yanhan worried whether her father would harbor any dangerous intentions toward Shengsheng’s unique existence.

There was even the terrifying possibility that Shengsheng could become a subject of medical cultivation research—dissected and analyzed.

After all, who wouldn’t be tempted by the prospect of granting mortals the abilities of magical beasts?

What ruler in the world wouldn’t want to control such knowledge?

With that research, an empire could endlessly create armies of beast-powered warriors.

For an ordinary person, cultivation was an arduous path—but was it so hard to find ordinary people? Were magical beasts not also plentiful?

“I understand. I will enter the palace to see Father shortly,” Wu Yanhan took a deep breath and nodded.

She knew there was no point in refusing.

She was still in Wudu, the imperial capital.

As long as she remained in Wudu, if her father wished, he could have her dragged to the palace at any moment.

Refusal was meaningless.

As for escaping with Shengsheng?

Leaving aside the fact that Xu Ming was still gravely injured, how could she flee while he remained bedridden?

Even if Xu Ming were fully recovered, escaping from the imperial capital was impossible.

Within Wudu, her father was akin to a living saint—if he willed it, a single barrier could seal the city, making escape impossible.

“We shall return to the palace to report, then,” the leading imperial physician bowed to Wu Yanhan before departing with the others.

The moment the physicians left, Shengsheng rushed into the room.

She knelt by the bedside, clutching Xu Ming’s hand tightly, her eyes filled with guilt.

Seeing Shengsheng like this, Wu Yanhan couldn’t help but feel a deep ache in her heart.

Even though Xu Ming lay in bed because of Shengsheng, Wu Yanhan couldn’t bring herself to blame her.

At that moment, Shengsheng had lost all sense of reason—she hadn’t even known what she was doing.

And in truth, no one was suffering more than Shengsheng herself.

Her black, vertical pupils locked onto Xu Ming, as if she would continue watching him until he awoke.

And truth be told—

After Shengsheng’s evolution, she had grown into a stunning young woman.

Her figure was graceful, her features breathtakingly beautiful—especially those sharp, pointed ears, which added an exotic charm to her appearance.

Wu Yanhan had a feeling that the next Beauty Ranking might see some major changes in the top ten.

“Don’t worry,” Wu Yanhan comforted her. “Since the imperial physicians have assured us that he’s out of danger, Xu Ming should be fine. We just need to wait for him to wake up.”

“It’s all Shengsheng’s fault…” Shengsheng bit her lip, her moist eyes glistening with unshed tears.

“If not for Shengsheng, Brother Xu wouldn’t have ended up like this… Shengsheng almost killed him.”

Wu Yanhan gently stroked Shengsheng’s head. “The fact that you’ve recovered is the greatest comfort to Xu Ming. And it wasn’t you who nearly killed him—it was the beastly nature within you.

I believe what your Brother Xu hopes for the most is to see you learn to control that side of yourself.”

Shengsheng lifted her head and looked at Wu Yanhan. “I will, Sister Yanhan. I will control myself. I will never hurt Brother Xu again.”

“That’s enough.” Wu Yanhan smiled at the girl before her, reaching out to gently wipe away the tears at the corner of her eyes.

“Sister Yanhan, when will Brother Xu wake up?” Shengsheng asked.

Wu Yanhan shook her head. “You heard the imperial physicians earlier—they weren’t sure when Xu Ming would regain consciousness, so I can’t give you a definite answer either.

But Xu Ming has already returned from the brink of death so many times. This time will be no different.

You don’t have to worry. Besides, Xu Ming is now a Golden Body Realm warrior. We Golden Body Realm warriors not only have incredibly strong physiques but also top-tier regenerative abilities. Otherwise, how could we possibly stand against those cultivators in battle?”

Wu Yanhan looked at Shengsheng seriously. “But Shengsheng, before your Brother Xu wakes up, there’s something we need to take care of first.”

Shengsheng turned to Wu Yanhan. “Sister Yanhan, are we going to the palace to see your father?”

Wu Yanhan nodded. “Yes. The commotion this time was too great—my father has definitely noticed.”

She gently ran her fingers through Shengsheng’s long hair. “Shengsheng, I have to take you into the palace this time.

The palace isn’t a fun place. Even though you’re going to see my father, in an imperial family like ours, familial bonds aren’t always reliable.

No—rather, as long as there’s enough at stake, most emperors wouldn’t hesitate to abandon even their own kin.

Once we enter the palace, you may be in danger. But I will protect you, no matter what. Do you trust me?”

“Mm! Shengsheng trusts Sister Yanhan!”

Shengsheng nodded firmly. Though she had grown into a young woman, her mind still seemed as innocent as before.

Wu Yanhan’s lips curved into a slight smile. “I’ll write a letter and have someone come take care of Xu Ming. Then we’ll head to the palace.”

Shengsheng wiped the tears from her eyes. “Okay, Sister Yanhan!”

Wu Yanhan penned a letter and sent it to the Xu Manor.

At this moment in Wudu, the only person she felt she could trust—and who also had the time—was Xu Ming’s third brother.

When Xu Pangda received the letter from the princess’s residence, he immediately took a carriage to the palace.

“Your subject greets Prince Qin,” Xu Pangda saluted Wu Yanhan. “Prince Qin, may I ask what happened to my fifth brother? How is his condition now?”

Xu Pangda had been in his courtyard, enjoying a leisurely break—reading books, eating pastries, and making the most of his time off.

Since the Wu Emperor had yet to assign him a new post, all he could do was stay at home.

Although this idle life was a bit dull, after working tirelessly for so long, a brief period of rest was rather enjoyable.

Not to mention, his mother had arranged for him to meet the daughter of an official—perhaps a potential marriage prospect.

This only added to his anticipation.

But he hadn’t expected that while he was relaxing, a letter from the princess’s residence would arrive—telling him that his fifth brother had taken a direct hit to the chest, leaving him unconscious.

His fifth brother had just barely recovered, and now he was in a coma again?

It felt like Xu Ming hadn’t had a single peaceful day recently—if he wasn’t injured here, he was wounded there.

“Lord Xu, don’t worry,” Wu Yanhan said calmly.

She had never held a particularly high opinion of the Xu family.

To her, most of them were just idle aristocrats who lived off the empire’s wealth while doing nothing of value.

But this third brother of Xu Ming—he was different.

Wu Yanhan had to admit that he was someone she respected.

Wu Yanhan paused for a moment before continuing, “Xu Ming is now out of danger. As for the details of what happened, I’m afraid it’s inconvenient for me to disclose to you, Lord Xu.

Right now, I need to enter the palace and report to His Majesty. I’ll be leaving Xu Ming in your care. During my absence, all the servants in my residence will follow your orders.”

“Understood, understood! Prince Qin, rest assured, I will take good care of my fifth brother.” Xu Pangda patted his chubby chest with determination.

Although he had no idea what had happened to his younger brother this time, seeing him so weak now, it was only right as an elder brother to take proper care of him.

Wu Yanhan nodded and handed him a jade token. She instructed that if assassins appeared, he could shatter the token immediately for protection.

After making the necessary arrangements, Wu Yanhan took Shen Shengsheng with her, leaving the princess’s residence and boarding a carriage toward the palace.

Before seeking an audience with the emperor, Wu Yanhan took Shengsheng to her own palace quarters first. They bathed and changed into fresh clothing.

Shen Shengsheng put on a light blue palace robe, her fully matured figure now graceful and enchanting, carrying an unexpected hint of allure.

At this moment, Wu Yanhan truly realized—

The girl who had emerged from the cocoon was no longer a child. She had grown into a young woman.

“Do you remember the court etiquette I taught you?” Wu Yanhan had gone over some basic formalities with Shengsheng in the carriage.

“I remember, Sister Yanhan.” Shengsheng nodded firmly.

“Good. Let’s go. There’s no need to be nervous. As long as I’m by your side, no one will dare to lay a finger on you—not even my father.” Wu Yanhan reassured her.

Shengsheng clenched her small fists. “Mm!”

Together, they made their way to the Imperial Study.

“Your servant greets Prince Qin.”

Outside the study, Eunuch Wei Xun was already waiting at the entrance.

“Eunuch Wei, you’re too courteous.” Wu Yanhan returned the gesture with a fist salute.

Wei Xun lowered his voice and said, “His Majesty has been expecting you for some time now, Your Highness. You may enter directly.”

Wu Yanhan nodded and stepped into the Imperial Study.

Inside, the Wu Emperor was still reviewing memorials.

“Your daughter, Yanhan, greets Father.”

“This humble subject, Shen Shengsheng, greets Your Majesty.”

The emperor slowly lifted his gaze, looking at the two young women standing before him.

His eyes lingered on Shen Shengsheng.

“You may rise,” the emperor said.

“Thank you, Father.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Both Wu Yanhan and Shengsheng straightened their backs.

Inside the Imperial Study, Shengsheng felt a deep sense of discomfort.

In truth, she had felt uneasy ever since stepping into the palace—like the very air carried an invisible pressure, as though she were a fish dragged onto land.

But once she entered the Imperial Study, the sensation intensified.

Especially when the Wu Emperor’s gaze fell upon her—

It felt as though the overwhelming imperial aura of the palace itself was trying to crush her.

“My daughter, the disturbance you caused this time was no small matter.”

Retracting his gaze from Shengsheng, the emperor looked at Wu Yanhan and sighed.

Hearing her father address her as “my daughter,” a flicker of surprise flashed through Wu Yanhan’s eyes.

But she quickly understood his intention.

This was not a meeting between ruler and subject.

This was a conversation between family.

And if it was a family discussion, things would be easier to talk about—more negotiable.

At the same time, the emperor was signaling his expectation—he wanted her to tell the truth, without concealment.

Because in family matters, there was no need for deception or suspicion.

“I have troubled you, Father.” Wu Yanhan spoke slowly. “My matters with Xu Ming did indeed cause quite the commotion.

I disturbed Father—please forgive me.”

“Sit down for a while and tell me everything.” The Wu Emperor granted them seats.

“Yes.” Wu Yanhan pulled Shen Shengsheng to sit beside her.

“First, tell me about the young lady beside you.” The emperor got straight to the point. “She carries the aura of a magical beast. If I hadn’t been actively suppressing the imperial formation’s power, she would have been crushed the moment she stepped into the palace.”

“Father, this matter is indeed a long story.” Wu Yanhan carefully chose her words. “Do you still remember the Black God Cult that once plagued our Wu Kingdom?”

“Of course.” The emperor nodded.

“This young lady here, her name is Shen Shengsheng. She is the daughter of Shen Sheng and a tragic victim of the cult’s atrocities.

At that time, Xu Ming was away on a training journey…”

Wu Yanhan recounted everything she knew to the emperor—Shen Shengsheng’s origins, how Xu Ming encountered her, and everything that followed.

All of this was information Xu Ming had told her, and Wu Yanhan saw no reason to hide anything from the emperor.

After all, secrecy was pointless.

When Shen Sheng’s corpse—neither fully human nor fully beast—was sent back to the capital, the emperor had already been aware of the Black God Cult’s experiments.

Now, with Shen Shengsheng carrying a magical beast’s bloodline, there was no way the emperor wouldn’t connect the dots.

However, Wu Yanhan deliberately emphasized the tragic nature of Shen Shengsheng’s past, subtly hinting at how important she was to both herself and Xu Ming.

To them, Shen Shengsheng was family.

After listening to his daughter’s explanation, the emperor gazed at her and did not bother with pretense.

“Yanhan,” he said, his tone calm but firm, “if I decide to keep her in the palace, what will you do?”