Chapter 55: Miss, there is a letter for you (4000 words, two chapters in one)

The heat of the three events, the Demon-Suppressing City, Xu Xuenuo's breakthrough, and the imperial examination reform, gradually subsided.

After the excitement, the people of Wu State continued to live their lives as usual.

For most people, their lives remain largely unchanged.

The Qi delegation had returned to Qi several days ago.

As someone who shines at banquets, Xu Ming must have gone to see off the Qi envoys this time, and not as an attendant, but as an envoy of the Wu State.

However, when they parted, the adults were just greeting each other, saying things like "Have a safe journey", "Come visit Qi when you have time", etc. The younger generations had basically nothing to do.

This made Zhu Cici, who was standing next to his mother, very anxious.

She really wanted to talk to her little lover.

Finally, an opportunity was found. Zhu Cici walked up to Xu Ming and said goodbye. Then, she secretly handed Xu Ming a light pink jade pendant. Before Xu Ming could refuse, Zhu Cici ran away. Holding the jade pendant, Xu Ming was speechless.

Is this a token of love?

After returning home, Xu Ming thought about what to do with the pink jade pendant.

Although it is very likely that she will forget this incident when she grows up, it may even become her dark history, the kind that she cannot bear to look back on.

But, after all, it was out of kindness on her part, and she said that the jade pendant had the effect of soothing the literary style, so Xu Ming took it as a reward for saving her.

After that, Xu Ming continued to exercise every day.

When Xu Ming's foundation in the Mercury Realm was completely solid, Xu Ming came to Mrs. Wang's courtyard.

Mrs. Wang prepared the body-hardening medicine using the Wang family's prescription, poured the medicine into the water, and then let Xu Ming go in to take a bath.

This was the most painful bath Xu Ming had ever taken.

Xu Ming felt like he was in lava, and every piece of flesh and blood in his body was about to peel off and melt.

Xu Ming couldn't help but scream in pain several times in the bathtub.

And no matter how painful it is, this prescription seems to have a sobering effect, so you can't faint at all, and you can only endure it in the most sober state! Seeing that Xu Ming couldn't bear it anymore, Madam Wang shouted loudly: "Hold it! The mercury mirror body tempering can't be abandoned halfway! Otherwise, your future in martial arts will be ruined!"

Xu Ming could only grit his teeth and clench his fists, his nails digging into his flesh! After a day and a night, the pain completely disappeared, and Xu Ming could no longer scream.

The originally red liquid in the bathtub had turned into a muddy mass that looked like a swamp. It was a bit disgusting and smelly.

Xu Ming felt that this should be the "shitting through the pores" often described in novels.

Seeing that Xu Ming survived, Wang Feng breathed a sigh of relief. Xu Pangda hurried to the courtyard and asked the maid to boil hot water for Xu Ming so that he could take a good bath.

After Xu Ming washed himself clean, he stood in front of the mirror and found that he had become much whiter and looked better.

Xu Ming tried to throw a punch, and his punch speed and force were much greater than before.

Moreover, Xu Ming felt that under his pretty face, his skin, flesh, and bones were much stronger.

Xu Ming had previously thought about whether he should specialize in swordsmanship and leave martial arts aside. In this way, he might be able to progress faster.

But now, Xu Ming has abandoned this idea.

If you specialize in kendo or martial arts, you will definitely be able to improve faster.

But kendo and martial arts each have their own advantages.

For example, the simplest one is that sword cultivators have extremely strong lethality, but their defense is not high.

But the physical strength of martial arts is well-known!

It is normal for ordinary people to specialize in only one subject, after all, a person's energy is limited.

But I am different.

But I have a cheat. Compared to ordinary people, I can walk on both paths very well. Although I walk slower, I will walk more steadily.

However, Xu Ming felt that it was not feasible for him to exercise aimlessly in the courtyard.

Xu Ming wants to join the army! Although the culture of Wu State has little recognition in the "international" world.

However, the Wu State was founded on military power, and men in every household practiced martial arts. The reason why the Wu State was able to become one of the top ten human dynasties was that its military training was far ahead.

Every man in the Wu State who joins the army will receive systematic training.

Not to mention that for a warrior, he needs to temper himself with blood and energy.

The army is the place where the blood and energy are the most vigorous!

Moreover, the geographical environment of Wu State is complex. It borders various dynasties and there are all kinds of monsters and beasts roaming in the territory. As long as you join the army, you will definitely get various opportunities for actual combat.

This is something that is not available in the comfortable life in the capital.

Only through every actual combat with blood and flesh can one make faster progress.

As for home.

His mother was very familiar with Madam Qin and Madam Wang, so there was no way she would be bullied. Moreover, his mother was well-known in the Xu Mansion for being quiet and peaceful.

Xu Ming shared his idea with Mrs. Wang, but did not tell his mother directly.

The main reason was that Xu Ming was afraid that his mother would not agree.

Xu Ming was also thinking about whether he could ask Mrs. Wang to persuade his mother.

Mrs. Wang understood Xu Ming's thoughts. She knew that Xu Ming wanted to hone himself with the energy of the army and also wanted to have more experience.

After all, there are no powerful warriors in a peaceful environment.

Since ancient times, which powerful warrior did not fight his way out of blood? "Xu Ming, you don't have to take this path at all." Wang Feng shook his head. "Now that the imperial examination system has changed, with your talent and current fame, it will definitely be beneficial for you to serve as an official in the court in the future. Why do you have to hang your head on your waist every day?"

"That's right, but ma'am, I don't want to be in the court. I'm not used to the various intrigues in the court. I'd rather be a warrior and be straightforward. I'll be more comfortable there."

Xu Ming explained.

Of course, Xu Ming didn't say everything.

Xu Ming really didn't want to be an official. Those dirty things in the court were very annoying.

But Xu Ming doesn't just want to be a warrior.

Being a warrior is just a means to strengthen oneself.

Madam Wang looked directly at Xu Ming, tapping her fingers on the table. She thought seriously and said, "I can help you convince your mother, but you have to promise me one thing."

"Auntie, please say." Xu Ming nodded.

"You must take part in next year's Tongshi and the year after's Xiangshi. Only if you pass the exam can I let you join the army." Wang Feng said to Xu Ming seriously.

Hearing Wang Feng's words, Xu Ming was stunned for a moment.

But soon, Xu Ming understood the good intentions of this arrogant old lady.

The old lady wanted to become a juren, so that she could have a way out and then move on to the road ahead.

If he could no longer pursue the career of a warrior, he could use his status as a juren and his current reputation to ask the Xu family for help. Even if the Xu family did not help, with the help of the Wang family, he could still get a sinecure.

Moreover, if you have the status of a juren and then go to the military camp to hone your skills, if you really want to serve in the court in the future, you will have a lot of affinity with both civil and military officials.

I have to say, the auntie really thinks far ahead.

"I promise, Auntie." Xu Ming nodded.

"That's it, don't mention this to your mother for now. I will tell her later. Anyway, you probably won't pass the imperial examination." Wang Feng waved his hand.

Xu Ming smiled, knowing that the old lady was being arrogant again. She was afraid that if he told his mother in advance, his mother would be sad when she knew that he was leaving. Instead of that, it would be better to tell her later.

Another four seasons.

On this day, Xu Ming was nine years old.

On his ninth birthday, Xu Ming received a package.

The person who delivered the package said that he was from Yunyihou Mansion in Qi State.

"Marquis Yunyi?"

Xu Ming thought about it carefully and remembered that this was the title of Zhu Cici's father.

Xu Ming opened the package and saw a bracelet inside. There were two dice hanging on the bracelet, and a red bean was pressed on each dice.

There is no mistake in the poem, post, content, and read the book on 6, 9, and bar!

"The exquisite dice are filled with red beans, do you know how deep my love for you is?"

This line of poetry suddenly popped up in Xu Ming's mind.

This line of poetry exists in this world. It was written by a woman named Qi Yun from the State of Qi.

"Really? She's only ten years old. How come girls in ancient times matured so early?"

Looking at this bracelet, Xu Ming already imagined a ten-year-old girl, carefully pressing red beans into dice and stringing them together with red silk under the light.

Xu Ming put the bracelet away and put it on his hand.

Xu Ming didn't feel strange at all that Zhu Cici knew his birthday.

Because the marriage contract that Zhu Cici wrote at that time had his birth date on it.

However, Xu Ming didn’t take it seriously at all. Unexpectedly, Zhu Cici still remembered it.

Xu Ming felt very guilty and quickly took out the engagement letter. Seeing that Zhu Cici's birthday was still more than two months away, Xu Ming felt a little relieved.

We will send the goods to Qi State in the next two days. Although the journey is long, it should be delivered within two months.

For such a literary girl, Xu Ming wrote a poem as a birthday gift.

After writing this poem, Xu Ming felt something was wrong again.

Wouldn't it deepen the feelings between the two of us if I gave her poems and songs about missing her?

If this continues, what was originally just a childish joke may come true as we grow up.

After thinking about it, Xu Ming decided to keep the poem and rewrite a simple letter.

In the letter, Xu Ming said that he would be joining the army soon and would no longer live in the Xu Mansion, and he would no longer need to send himself birthday presents in the future.

Finally, Xu Ming took advantage of the fact that the black goose was still sleeping, picked up a dozen feathers from its body, plucked them off, and made a shuttlecock.

"Fifth brother, Mr. Fang is here to see you. He is in the lobby. It seems he is here to discuss the Yuehou Tong exam."

Just when Xu Ming had finished making the shuttlecock, Xu Xiaopang walked in.

"Okay, I got it. I'll go over now." Xu Ming nodded. "Third brother, please pack the shuttlecock and this letter and give them to Auntie. Please ask Auntie to send it to Yunyi Marquis Mansion in Qi. This is a birthday present for Miss Zhu Cici."

"Okay, okay, leave it to me. Fifth brother, you go over quickly." Xu Pangda nodded and took the envelope and shuttlecock seriously.

After Xu Ming left, Xu Pangda also wanted to go back and finish the tasks assigned to him by his fifth brother as soon as possible.

But Xu Pangda found that there was a piece of white paper on the table, and there seemed to be words on it.

Xu Pangda walked over and spread out a piece of white paper with a poem on it: "I have never felt lovesickness in my life, but now I feel lovesickness and it hurts me. My body is like floating clouds, my heart is like flying catkins, my breath is like floating silk, and I only have a lingering fragrance here, but I am waiting for my beloved lady. When the symptoms come, what is the right time? When the lamp is half dim and the moon is half bright."

After reading it, Xu Pangda trembled all over.

This poem is so corny. But it's really well written. "Fifth brother said it was a birthday present for Miss Zhu. Fifth brother and Miss Zhu are far apart, and this poem is full of longing. It should be what Fifth brother wanted to give. Fifth brother must have forgotten to give it to me."

Xu Pangda folded the poem carefully and put it in an envelope, intending to send it together with the shuttlecock.

A month later, Xu Ming took part in the children's exam.

It's just an ordinary children's test, and not many people care about it.

However, this time the Tongshi exam was the first after the reform, and the number of participants was much greater than before. More importantly, Xu Ming participated! Everyone was looking forward to seeing how many places Xu Ming, a bastard, would get after there were no restrictions.

There were even many people waiting for Xu Ming outside the courtyard of the child examination, wanting to see what the child prodigy who could write "What cannot be retained in the world is the red face leaving the mirror and the flowers leaving the trees" looked like.

“Here it comes!”

"Xu Ming!"

"Xu Ming, the young genius~"

"Xu Ming is so handsome."

"Look at my sister's side."

"After the exam, how about going to Auntie's house to play~"

On the day of the exam, Xu Ming got off his horse at the Xu Mansion, and many people shouted at him.

Although they had never seen Xu Ming, they knew the carriage of Xu Guofu, not to mention that there was only a little boy in the carriage.

Xu Ming didn't expect that he would be so popular.

Facing the enthusiasm of the crowd, Xu Ming bowed. Despite his young age, he looked so graceful and gentle, which touched many sisters and aunts' hearts.

Another month passed after the Tongshi test.

A man came to the door of Xu's house beating gongs and drums: "Congratulations, Master, congratulations, the results of the child examination are out, Master Xu."

Every notice board in Wudu was already crowded with people, mostly women.

Everyone looked up and saw a name in the frame at the front.

"First place in the case - Wuguo Mansion, Xu Ming."

At the same time, in the backyard of Yunyihou Mansion of Qi State.

A ten-year-old girl is embroidering bit by bit.

The girl's fingers looked a little clumsy, but she was very serious.

"Miss, Miss~~~"

A maid ran into the courtyard.

"Miss, there is a letter for you, sent from Wuguo."

[The chapters in the next two days are mainly for transition purposes. They will be more daily-oriented and the pace will be faster. They may be a bit boring, so please forgive me.]

(End of this chapter)