Cultivating Immortality, Starting from Childhood Sweethearts-Chapter 402 - So? Have You Really Made Up Your Mind?
Ao Jin really wanted to ask Xu Ming—just what kind of spell had he cast on his little sister?
Could it really be as simple as promising to take Yin’er out to play? Was his sister’s desire for fun really that strong? It almost felt like she was about to sell herself off just for a little trip.
Ao Jin still wanted to argue with his sister, but he noticed that quite a few people were already looking in their direction. In the end, he gave up and resigned himself to sitting behind her.
If he continued to bicker with his sister here, it would be far too embarrassing. With more and more people turning to watch, what might have been a trivial matter could easily spiral into baseless rumors about his sister.
He decided to educate Yin’er properly once they got back. A young lady who acted so recklessly—how was she supposed to get married in the future?!
Sitting beside Xu Ming, Ao Yin’er was all smiles, while Zhu Cici pursed her lips tightly.
Zhu Cici couldn’t understand—since when did Ao Yin’er and Xu Ming become so close?
“Xu Ming, so you’re actually the chief envoy of Wu Kingdom?” Ao Yin’er asked curiously.
Xu Ming nodded. “That’s right.”
“You’re already a chief envoy at such a young age?” Ao Yin’er blinked in surprise.
Xu Ming chuckled. “It’s all thanks to His Majesty’s grace.”
“Oh, right, right! I heard your emperor wanted to marry the princess to you. Why did you refuse? Is she not pretty?” Ao Yin’er asked whatever came to mind.
Xu Ming, ever patient, replied, “Her Highness ranks among the top ten on the ‘Beauty List,’ so of course, she’s beautiful. But I have other matters to attend to, and I haven’t thought about marrying so soon. I had to decline His Majesty’s generous offer for now. Fortunately, His Majesty is broad-minded and didn’t hold it against me.”
“Ohh.” Ao Yin’er nodded again, then asked, “Then, is your princess prettier than me?”
Xu Ming: “...”
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Honestly, Xu Ming felt that Ao Yin’er must live a very happy life—aside from being unable to leave the sea, she probably had no worries at all.
At the very least, she never seemed to overthink things. She was brimming with confidence every day.
Xu Ming certainly didn’t want to crush her confidence. Besides, if he remembered correctly, Ao Yin’er ranked fifteenth on the Beauty List.
Choosing his words carefully, he said, “That’s hard to say. Miss Ao and our princess each have their own unique qualities—there’s no way to compare them.
“And personally, I believe that a person’s inner qualities are far more important than their appearance.”
“Hmph~” Ao Yin’er straightened her back even more proudly, puffing out her chest. “Then what do you think of my inner qualities?”
Xu Ming smiled. “I think they’re excellent. Miss Ao should keep being herself.”
Behind them, Ao Jin smacked his lips in frustration.
As expected, scholars were all the same—full of flowery words, just tricking innocent girls!
While Xu Ming and Ao Yin’er chatted away, Zhu Cici desperately wanted to join in, but no matter how she tried, she just couldn’t find an opening.
Watching from the side, Yu Wenxi and Miao Feng were growing anxious for Xu Ming—Brother Xu, can’t you tell that something’s wrong with Zhu Cici? Stop chatting and pay attention to her!
Meanwhile, Ling Bisheng, who harbored feelings for Zhu Cici, felt his heart ache seeing her disappointment. He silently wondered—when would Zhu Cici finally let go of Xu Ming, so that he could have a chance to enter her heart?
As for Ao Jin, he just wanted to cut Xu Ming down where he stood.
Fortunately, the situation didn’t last much longer.
An incense stick’s time later, nearly all the envoys from various dynasties and sects had arrived.
Dong... Dong... Dong...
Another incense stick’s time passed, and then the deep chimes of a bell echoed through the imperial palace.
At that moment, all conversations came to a halt, and everyone gradually stood up.
Even the usually carefree Ao Yin’er put on a serious expression.
But beyond solemnity, the expressions of the crowd held something else—excitement and anticipation.
Everyone knew—the legendary Eternal Dragon Empress was about to arrive.
For the vast majority of people, this was likely the only chance in their lifetime to witness the Dragon Empress in person.
Even though the top spot on the Beauty Ranking had recently been taken by a nun from Thunderclap (Leiming) Monastery, in the hearts of many, the Dragon Empress—who had reigned at the pinnacle of the ranking for millennia—was still the most beautiful woman in the world.
As palace maids gradually appeared, the Dragon Empress entered through Dragon Sea Gate.
A gown of black and gold came into view, its golden embroidery exquisite beyond compare. The delicate dragon patterns woven into the fabric radiated an aura of imperial majesty. A golden silk belt cinched at the waist accentuated the flawless curves of her figure.
Her jet-black hair was partially coiled up, while the rest cascaded down her back, stopping just above her waist. Golden hairpins adorned her locks, swaying gently with each step she took.
With both hands resting gracefully in front of her, the hem of her gown brushed the floor as she strode forward, each step exuding nobility and composure.
All eyes lifted toward her, and at that very moment, no one could look away.
Those who had never seen the Dragon Empress before had always imagined what she might look like.
They had exhausted the limits of their imagination, picturing a woman who had ruled the Beauty Ranking for ten thousand years.
They had envisioned her in the most breathtaking form possible.
And yet, upon seeing her in person, they realized their imagination had fallen short.
No matter how they had pictured her—no matter how extravagant their fantasies—none of them had conjured a woman who could embody beauty, grace, nobility, and power to such an unparalleled degree.
Her flawless complexion, her perfect features—there was not a single imperfection to be found.
And then there were those blue, slit-pupiled eyes—beyond their innate majesty, there was something deeper, something that seemed to pierce through the very fabric of time.
It only took a single glance.
Just one look, and everyone knew, without a shadow of a doubt—she was the rightful queen of the Beauty Ranking.
Even if they had never seen the nun from Thunderclap Monastery, they knew—the heavens must have made a mistake.
This Eternal Dragon Empress was the only one who deserved to stand at the very top.
No one else.
And in Xu Ming’s heart, an entirely different feeling took root.
This woman—idolized by all, the eternal empress of legend—
Every single piece of clothing she wore, even her innermost layers...
Had been personally chosen by him.
—In the backyard of a small tavern in the capital of the Dragon Empire.
—Where a woman in a strapless dress had once sat atop a wine barrel, gazing into the distance, listening to the lingering chimes of a temple bell.
“The Four Seas Grand Ceremony has begun.”
“Mm.”
The tavern proprietress rolled up her sleeves, picked up a piece of freshly washed clothing from a bamboo basket, gave it a firm shake, and hung it up to dry.
She turned her head and looked at Zhou Wanfeng.
“So?”
“Have you really made up your mind?”
