Cultivating Immortality, Starting from Childhood Sweethearts-Chapter 284 - Something Is Wrong with Your Mother (Two in One - )

“…”

Upon hearing that he was to be sent as an envoy to the Dragon Palace in the North Sea, Xu Ming didn’t know what to say.

He hadn’t expected the North Sea to act so quickly.

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He had only just returned from Tianxuan Sect, yet the North Sea had already sent a letter, requesting him to serve as an envoy to the Dragon Palace.

Did the North Sea Dragon Queen really wish to see him that much?

But he didn’t even know her.

“You and the North Sea—do you have any connection?” Emperor Wu asked curiously.

The North Sea had always remained uninvolved in the affairs of the Central Plains. No matter how famous Xu Ming was, his name shouldn’t have spread all the way to the North Sea.

At most, the Dragon Queen might have glanced at Xu Ming’s name when checking the Qingyun Ranking.

But then again, what difference did that make? The Qingyun Ranking was full of geniuses, and even the one ranked first had never received an invitation from the North Sea Dragon Palace.

So, in Emperor Wu’s view, the most likely explanation was that Xu Ming had crossed paths with the North Sea in some way during his recent travels.

Otherwise, there was simply no reason why the Dragon Queen would take special notice of him.

Xu Ming shook his head with a smile. “Two envoys from the North Sea once invited me as a guest, but I declined at the time. I suppose now that I’ve refused, the North Sea wants me to go under the name of the Wu Kingdom instead. As for any connection between me and the North Sea, I truly have no idea.”

The Emperor stroked his chin, thinking seriously. He didn’t believe Xu Ming was lying—there was simply no reason for him to do so.

“The North Sea Dragon Queen is thousands of years old and unfathomable. Few truly understand what she is thinking.

But you need not worry. The Dragon Queen has a good reputation and is not known to be bloodthirsty.

As long as you haven’t committed any heinous crimes, she won’t harm you.

Besides, she is inviting you as a guest, not summoning you for punishment.”

The Emperor looked at Xu Ming. “Would you be willing to serve as my envoy to the North Sea?”

Xu Ming bowed respectfully. “I will follow Your Majesty’s command.”

Outwardly, he spoke with deference, but inwardly, he was already cursing the Emperor for his pointless formalities.

The North Sea was a behemoth that countless kingdoms dreamed of forming ties with but never could.

Now that the North Sea had taken the initiative to invite the Wu Kingdom to the Four Seas Grand Ceremony, how could Emperor Wu possibly refuse?

His words were nothing more than a “choice that wasn’t really a choice”—a way to make it seem as if he was considering Xu Ming’s feelings.

“Hmm.” Emperor Wu nodded in satisfaction. This was exactly the response he had been waiting for.

If Xu Ming had refused, he would have simply persuaded him until he agreed.

After all, the North Sea Dragon Palace’s goodwill was not something to be squandered. If the kingdom ever needed help in the future, the North Sea might be willing to assist.

“The Rootless Secret Realm is opening soon. Once that is over, you will depart for the Four Seas Grand Ceremony.

Until then, take some time to rest.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

After exchanging a few more words, Xu Ming took his leave.

The moment he stepped out of the palace gates, a carriage from the Xu family was already waiting, with Steward Wang standing at the entrance.

“Young Master Xu,” Steward Wang quickly approached upon seeing him.

“Steward Wang,” Xu Ming greeted with a smile, bowing slightly.

“Oh, no, no! I cannot accept such a courtesy! If the Master finds out, he’ll have my old bones beaten to dust!” Steward Wang hurriedly dodged the bow.

Xu Ming chuckled and straightened up. “You’ve come to fetch me?”

Steward Wang grinned. “Of course! The Master, Madam, and both the Xu and Qin families are all waiting for you. We should return at once.”

“Alright,” Xu Ming nodded, memories of his mother surfacing in his mind. “It’s time to go home.”

With that, Xu Ming climbed into the carriage.

“They’re here! They’re here!”

Two incense sticks later, a maid among the gathered members of the two families waiting on both sides of the street suddenly shouted,

“They’re here! They’re here!”

Everyone’s eyes turned toward the approaching carriage.

“Where are the firecrackers? Light them quickly—Xu Ming has returned!”

An old madam, supported by her maids, saw the Xu family’s carriage slowly approaching and promptly gave the order.

“Crackle! Bang! Crackle! Bang!”

Soon, the sound of firecrackers erupted, continuous and deafening, as smoke drifted through the air.

“Hmph! When Young Master Ming was just a boy and hadn’t yet made a name for himself, there was no such grand welcome. Back then, he couldn’t even get enough milk to drink. But now that he’s famous and favored by His Majesty, everyone in both families is eager to curry favor with him,” Chunyan muttered under her breath.

“Shh! You can’t just say things like that!” Chen Suya was startled and quickly hushed her.

Chunyan opened her mouth as if to speak but ultimately closed it.

Forget it, forget it. Today was a day of celebration—no need to dwell on such matters. Welcoming Young Master Ming was the priority.

As the firecracker sounds gradually subsided, Xu Ming finally stepped down from the carriage.

The moment he appeared, many young women from both the Xu and Qin families felt their hearts tremble.

It wasn’t as if they had never seen Xu Ming before.

A year ago, when he had set off on his journey, many had watched him leave.

But in just a single year, he seemed to have changed so much.

His once youthful features had become more defined and resolute, his eyes now carrying a deep and mature aura.

The sword energy emanating from him, coupled with his refined scholarly demeanor, left many of the young women utterly captivated.

“Brother Ming~~~!”

The instant Shen Shengsheng saw him, she squealed and rushed forward.

Seeing her dressed in a pink little robe, her hair tied into two small buns, Xu Ming smiled warmly and opened his arms to catch her.

“Have you been listening to your mother at home?” Xu Ming asked, gently ruffling her soft hair.

“Yes!” Shen Shengsheng nodded enthusiastically like a little chick pecking at grain. “Shengsheng has been very obedient!”

“That’s good.” Xu Ming playfully tapped her nose before setting her down and continuing forward.

Ahead of him stood the old madam of the Xu family, his so-called grandfather Xu Shuiya, his so-called father Xu Zheng, and the Qin family’s patriarch, Qin Ruhai.

Beside them were his mother, Madam Wang Feng—the principal wife of the Xu family, Qingwan’s mother Zhao Qing, and further to the side, the various concubines and secondary wives of both the Xu and Qin families.

The Qin family’s concubines, seeing the handsome and refined young man Xu Ming had become, couldn’t help but squeeze their legs together. When they glanced at Chen Suya standing beside them, they could only sigh at how blessed she was to have given birth to such an outstanding son.

The concubines of the Xu family had even more complicated feelings.

None of them had taken Chen Suya seriously in the past.

After all, who would care about a mere concubine?

But now, this very same woman held sway over the entire Xu family.

Her status was likely even higher than Wang Feng, the proper wife.

Back when Chen Suya had fallen ill, the entire Xu family had been deeply worried. Even the imperial palace had sent one royal physician after another to tend to her.

Ask any woman in either family—besides the old madam of the Xu family, who else had ever received such treatment?

Yet, Xu Ming did not first bow to the old madam, nor did he greet his so-called grandfather or father.

Instead, he walked straight to his mother’s side, bowed deeply, and said,

“Mother, your son has returned.”

“Hmm.” Chen Suya’s eyes shimmered as she reached out, gently stroking her son’s hand. Her gaze roamed over him repeatedly, as if fearing that he had lost a piece of himself somewhere.

“You’ve grown taller.”

“Well, it has been a year, after all.” Xu Ming chuckled. “Mother, have you been well?”

“I’m doing just fine.” Chen Suya nodded, then softly whispered, “Go greet the old madam now.”

According to proper etiquette, Xu Ming should have greeted the old madam and the elders first, not his mother.

“Alright.” Xu Ming nodded.

However, instead of greeting the old madam first, he turned to Wang Feng, then to Qin Qingwan’s mother, Zhao Qing, and only afterward did he acknowledge the old madam and the others.

Seeing this, the expressions of the Xu family members turned somewhat awkward.

Anyone could tell that Xu Ming was greeting people based on how close they were to him.

Even so, no one dared to call him out for being impolite.

After all, everyone knew how they had treated him in the past.

They only started valuing him once he became successful. Otherwise, Xu Ming had merely been a concubine’s son, someone easily suppressed and ignored.

The fact that he wasn’t outright cutting ties and settling old scores was already a sign of restraint.

So, everyone simply pretended as if nothing had happened, all smiles as they welcomed Xu Ming through the gates.

The welcoming banquet was extravagant, with many high-ranking officials in attendance.

In the past, when these officials came to banquets hosted by the Xu or Qin families, it was mostly out of respect for the Qin family’s noble title, or just for the sake of maintaining connections.

But now, things were different.

Because of Xu Ming and, to some extent, Xu Pangda—but mostly because of Xu Ming—the Xu family’s banquet had become an event that everyone scrambled to attend.

Many believed that, with Xu Ming, the Xu family’s future was bound to be as brilliant as the rising sun.

If they didn’t plant the tree now, how could they hope to enjoy its shade in the future?

To be honest, Xu Ming really disliked such pomp and ceremony, but in a household like his, such extravagance was unavoidable.

The banquet finally ended at the Hour of the Dog (around 7-9 PM), and Xu Ming could at last have some peace.

He made his way to his mother’s courtyard.

Chunyan had already prepared pastries and sobering tea in advance.

“This little bit of alcohol is nothing to me,” Xu Ming said with a smile. But not wanting to waste Chunyan’s kind gesture, he still drank the tea.

“Speaking of which,” Xu Ming set the empty teacup back onto the tray in Chunyan’s hands and half-jokingly said, “Sister Chunyan, why haven’t you found someone to marry yet? If you wait any longer, you really might not be able to marry at all.”

If Xu Ming remembered correctly, Chunyan was around fourteen when he was born. Now that he was seventeen, that would make her thirty-one.

In his previous life, a thirty-one-year-old woman would practically be a ‘battle-hardened warrior’. Let alone in ancient times—where, in some extreme cases, women at that age were already grandmothers.

Chunyan pouted. “Young Master Ming, you really know how to bring up the most awkward topics! I don’t even want to get married. If I did, I’d have to serve a husband. But whether I serve a husband or serve the madam here in the Xu family, what’s the difference? And if I end up with a husband who gambles or frequents brothels, wouldn’t I be furious all the time? It’s much better to just stay by Madam’s side. Madam, don’t you agree?”

“Yes, yes.” Chen Suya smiled. “I had thought of arranging a match for Chunyan, but she refused no matter what. That’s fine too—if Chunyan left, I wouldn’t even know who to talk to anymore.”

“...” Xu Ming was momentarily speechless. “I didn’t expect Sister Chunyan to be so insightful.”

“Hehe~” Chunyan chuckled, curtsied to Chen Suya, and then excused herself.

“Where’s Xiaobai? Why didn’t she come back with you?” Chen Suya finally asked.

She had wanted to ask this question for a long time but hadn’t found the right moment.

Xu Ming shook his head. “It’s a long story, and it’s not something I can easily explain to you. But don’t worry, Mother—Xiaobai is fine, and one day, I’ll bring her back to meet you.”

“Hmm, as long as Xiaobai is safe, that’s all that matters.” Chen Suya nodded, trusting her son’s words.

“But, Mother, your complexion doesn’t look too good,” Xu Ming observed, noticing that her face seemed a little pale.

“It’s nothing,” Chen Suya said, slightly flustered, shaking her head. “I’ve just had trouble sleeping these past few days since I found out you were coming home. That’s probably why I look a bit unwell.”

Xu Ming smiled. “Now that I’m back, I won’t be leaving anytime soon. I’ll be here every day to keep you company, Mother.”

“Good.” Chen Suya gave a gentle smile.

But the next moment, a sharp pain suddenly surged in her head.

Chen Suya raised a hand to her forehead, massaging it lightly.

“Mother, are you alright?” Xu Ming asked, his heart filled with concern.

“I’m fine,” Chen Suya reassured him with a smile, shaking her head. “It seems my migraine is acting up again.”

“Then you should rest, Mother. Don’t overexert yourself,” Xu Ming urged.

Chen Suya’s eyes filled with guilt. “But you just got home...”

Xu Ming chuckled. “So what? I’ll be here for a long time. You’ll have plenty of time to see me.”

Under Xu Ming’s gentle persuasion, Chen Suya finally agreed to return to her room to rest.

Just as she stepped into her chambers, Zhou Wanfeng appeared in Xu Ming’s courtyard.

She walked up to Xu Ming, her gaze fixed on the direction of Chen Suya’s room. “Your mother... there’s something off about her.”

“What do you mean?” Xu Ming lifted his head, sensing that Zhou Wanfeng had noticed something unusual.

“Exactly what I said.” Zhou Wanfeng stroked her chin thoughtfully. “I specialize in soul techniques, so I’m very sensitive to the essence of a person’s soul. Your soul feels pure and solid—like a stone.”

“But your mother’s soul...”

Zhou Wanfeng turned to look at Xu Ming, speaking slowly.

“It’s like two candles, two different flames flickering side by side.”

Xu Ming’s heart skipped a beat. “Are you saying...?”

Zhou Wanfeng met his gaze.

“I fear that your mother’s body... does not house just one soul.”