Chapter 318

Xu Xiuer said thoughtfully.

After gaining the Destiny Heavenly Eye, she could not only perceive ordinary things, but even see through people's hearts.

"Oh?"

Xiao Minghuang raised an eyebrow and asked, "What makes you say that?"

Of all the sisters, she only told Xu Xiuer the story of the Luo Sisters.

"Qianhua feels very guilty towards her younger sister because of her childhood experiences, but now Qianrui has Major Accomplishment and is more mature than Qianhua in some ways. She doesn't rely on her older sister at all, and Qianhua always has to consult her younger sister's opinion."

"But in Miaomiao, she saw her own younger sister, which is why she was so gentle and kind to Miaomiao."

Xu Xiuer analyzed.

After hearing this, Xiao Minghuang's gaze towards Xu Xiuer suddenly changed.

She reached out and touched Xu Xiuer's delicate nose, praising her with a smile, "As expected of my Dao Companion, you are intelligent and perceptive, able to see through everything, and nothing can be hidden from you."

Xu Xiuer was slightly taken aback, and a little shyly replied, "Your Highness flatters me. I only have a slight understanding!"

She wasn't shy about being praised, but rather, she was very pleased by His Highness's Dao Companion.

Immediately afterwards, Xiao Minghuang planned to go to the Wu'an King's Residence with Xu Xiuer.

But before that, we need to arrange accommodation for Sheng Bailan.

"Bai Lan, do you remember where you used to live in the Princess Mansion?"

Xiao Minghuang turned to look at Sheng Bailan and asked.

Sheng Bailan gazed at the courtyard wall, pondered for a moment, and then said, "I remember, it's a small courtyard in the northeast corner. Do I still live there?"

Xiao Minghuang nodded. "Yes, let's settle down for now. Once this matter is settled, we'll go to the Holy Academy together!"

As she spoke, she walked to Sheng Bailan's side, took her small hand, and said softly, "Don't worry, although a lot of time has been wasted due to my slumber over the years, I will find a way to make up for it for you!"

"I believe in Your Highness!"

Sheng Bailan smiled slightly, revealing two dimples.

Ye Ruoshui stood quietly to the side, silently watching Xiao Minghuang and Sheng Bailan.

A complex expression flickered in her eyes.

"Perhaps I should talk to Sister Lin about this..."

The Wu'an King's Residence.

Xu Xiuer followed Xiao Minghuang inside.

Wandering through the ornately decorated and antique-style scenery, Xiao Minghuang sighed, "Speaking of which, I've never been to the Wu'an King's Residence before. My first visit was..."

She paused, not continuing, and changed the subject, asking, "How is the Prince's health? What is his illness?"

Xu Xiuer's expression darkened as she replied, "Grandpa's old injuries have relapsed, and his life force is failing; I'm afraid..."

As she finished speaking, Xu Xiuer lowered her head, tears streaming down her face, looking extremely distressed.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Minghuang frowned slightly, then patted Xu Xiuer's shoulder and comforted her, "Let's go and see, maybe there'll be a chance?"

Xu Xiuer raised her eyes. As someone who cultivated the Destiny Dao, she naturally knew which people's fates could be changed and which people's fates were like water flowing eastward, unchangeable.

"Your Highness, my grandfather's life is coming to an end. I know this in my heart, and he knows it in his heart as well. I thank Your Highness for your kindness on my grandfather's behalf, but when you see him later, could Your Highness please not mention the matter of extending his life?"

Xu Xiuer's gaze lingered for a moment, then she said softly, "I know these words might sound rude, but giving someone hope and then returning it with despair is an even crueler thing..."

"Okay, I promise you!"

Xiao Minghuang nodded slightly, then said, "Let's not talk about this anymore. Let's go inside and see your grandfather."

"Um!"

Xu Xiuer nodded.

Then, the two walked into the backyard one after the other, arriving at a quiet little courtyard.

Knock knock knock!

Xu Xiuer knocked on the master bedroom door.

No one responded.

"Xiu'er... this?"

"They're probably just asleep."

Immediately, Xu Xiuer pushed open the door.

King Wu'an was lying on the bed, his face withered and his eyes closed, seemingly truly asleep.

Xiao Minghuang stepped forward to examine him and found that King Wu'an's breathing was extremely weak, and his blood and qi were exhausted to the extreme, just like an oil lamp that had run out of oil, and he could die at any time.

"Grandpa, His Highness has come to see you!"

Xu Xiuer walked to the bedside, leaned down, and called out softly.

After a short while, King Wu'an slowly awoke.

Upon seeing Xu Xiuer and Xiao Minghuang, he struggled to sit up.

"Your Highness!"

Xiao Minghuang stepped forward to help King Wu'an to a chair with a backrest.

She then took out a pill and handed it to King Wu'an.

Previously, Xu Xiuer wanted him to take medicine, but he refused no matter what. However, he took the pills that Xiao Minghuang gave him without any hesitation.

"Thank you, Princess!"

After taking the elixir, King Wu'an rested for a while and regained some of his strength.

"Many years have passed since we last met. The princess's grace remains unchanged, while this old man is nearing his end..."

King Wu'an shook his head, filled with emotion.

"Your Highness..."

Xiao Minghuang had just opened her mouth when she was interrupted again by King Wu'an.

"Seeing you again reminds me of the first time I saw you... I think it was the first time... Unlike the you of my childhood, that night, you led three thousand Ironclad Army, alarming the entire capital. I thought to myself then, why should I be your enemy?"

The King Wu'an spoke with a sigh, full of reminiscence.

He recounted Xiao Minghuang's past experiences in the Xia Kingdom in detail. Many years had passed, and Xiao Minghuang could not remember those events clearly, but the King Wu'an could describe every detail perfectly, as if it had happened just yesterday.

"... Princess, in the first half of my life, I served the late emperor with utmost loyalty, but in the second half, I went astray, becoming entangled in the struggle for the throne, and in the end, all my efforts were in vain. If it weren't for the princess's sudden appearance, even my only granddaughter would have been hard-pressed to survive."

"Now, I am an old man on my deathbed, and the only thing I cannot let go of is my granddaughter. I hope the princess will treat her well!"

As he spoke, King Wu'an struggled to his feet and knelt deeply before Xiao Minghuang, his eyes red and filled with tears.

Xiao Minghuang hurriedly helped him up, saying, "Your Highness, what are you saying? Xiu'er and I are in love and have pledged our lives to each other. Even if Your Highness hadn't said it, I would have treated Xiu'er with all my heart. Why do Your Highness have to make such a grand gesture? It's truly too much for this junior!"

"I am very pleased that the princess thinks this way!" King Wu'an wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes and said with satisfaction.

Then, he said to Xu Xiuer, "Xiu'er, come and help your grandfather."

Xu Xiuer obeyed his orders and stepped forward to support his arm. With the help of the support, King Wu'an slowly stood up, forcing a smile on his aged face.

419. Bequest

"Grandpa, please stop talking and take good care of yourself!"

Xu Xiuer offered her concerned advice.

King Wu'an did not answer, but instead pointed to a corner of the room and said, "Xiu'er, help your grandfather there."

Xu Xiuer didn't understand why, but she still did as she was told.

And so, with his granddaughter's support, King Wu'an slowly walked to the corner of the wall.

Then, he raised his trembling, aged hand and groped around on the wall for a couple of moments.

Click!

All I saw was...

A hidden compartment suddenly appeared in the wall.

In a small, hidden compartment, barely half the size of a person, two antique books were quietly stored.

Xu Xiuer was stunned, and asked in surprise, "These two books..."

"Hehe..."

King Wu'an pointed to two books, his voice trembling, and said, "These two books, along with the one I gave you before, together form a complete set. Without any one of them, you cannot understand its contents..."

Xiao Minghuang, standing to the side, was completely baffled, wondering what the grandfather and grandson were trying to evade.

"Grandfather..."

Xu Xiuer's eyes reddened, and a strange pang of sadness welled up in her heart.

Grandpa was already on his deathbed, yet he still thought of her.

"Keep it safe... keep it safe..." King Wu'an instructed, panting heavily.

Xu Xiuer bit her lip and choked out, "Yes! I will cherish it!"

"From now on, you must take good care of yourself..." The King Wu'an showed a relieved expression. He wanted to raise his hand to touch his last remaining family member in this world one last time...

However, his arms grew weaker and weaker, and eventually fell limply down, forever.

"Grandfather!!"

Xu Xiuer's eyes were red, and tears streamed down her cheeks.

King Wu'an is gone!

"Your Highness!"

Xiao Minghuang was also heartbroken; she hadn't expected things to develop this way.

The body of King Wu'an slumped onto the chair.

His facial expression gradually froze, finally returning to calm.

His gaze towards his granddaughter on his deathbed was filled with tenderness and longing; that love and doting affection made Xiao Minghuang very sad...

He wasn't truly without a chance to survive, but he gave up.

Or perhaps they're simply unwilling to pursue it anymore.

"What joy is there in living, what fear is there in dying? Xiu'er, your grandfather is a true warrior!"

"His magnanimity is far beyond my reach!"

Xiao Minghuang bowed deeply, then settled him on the bed and pulled the blanket over him.

"Grandpa, don't worry, I will definitely take good care of what you left me."

Xu Xiuer took one last look at the body of King Wu'an before leaving the room.

"Xiu'er, those three books are things that the Prince repeatedly told you to keep safe before he passed away. If you have time, you should read them carefully. Maybe there are things he wanted to tell you in them."

Xiao Minghuang reminded him.

"Um!"

Xu Xiuer nodded emphatically.

With the passing of King Wu'an, Xu Xiuer will have to observe mourning for him, which will likely require her to remain in the Xia Kingdom for an extended period of time.

Worried about the schemes of the Daoist Siming, Xiao Minghuang did not linger at the Wu'an King's Residence. After giving the steward a few brief instructions, she hurriedly left.

But before she left, the steward of the Prince's mansion seemed hesitant to speak, yet also reluctant to say something.

Is there something you need?

Xiao Minghuang asked.

The prince's steward hesitated for a moment, then suddenly knelt down and cried, "I beg the princess to avenge the old prince!"