This strategy originated from Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty relocating the capital to Luoyang.
Mother was indeed right—knowing history provides wisdom, and understanding the past illuminates the present. He had learned to apply it flexibly!
The gleeful little demon king personally drafted the imperial decree. If leaving the palace weren’t so inconvenient, he would have gone to the General’s residence himself to deliver it!
But the little rascal’s eyes sparkled with a new idea: "Summon her to the palace. I’ll personally announce the decree and present her with the token."
"As you command, this servant will go at once," Eunuch Huang replied with a smile before departing.
Jin Cheng paced around the imperial study, his mind flooded with memories of the time spent with his mother. The past three years had flown by as if it were only yesterday—from his initial dislike of her to growing fond of her, then relying on her.
It was Xu Wan who had guided him back to the right path, given him a mother’s warmth, and earned a place in his heart forever.
Given the gravity of the matter, the three grand councilors also hurried over to wait with him for Xu Wan’s arrival.
"Lady of General Zong has arrived."
Xu Wan smiled the moment she saw Jin Cheng and respectfully bowed. "This humble wife, Xu, greets Your Majesty. May the Emperor live ten thousand years."
The kneeling and salutation were mandatory rituals—no one could skip these formalities when meeting the Emperor.
With so many people present, the little demon king suppressed his urge to rush over and cling to his mother like a child. Instead, he cleared his throat, held up the decree, and proclaimed loudly, "Xu Wan, receive the imperial edict."
Xu Wan raised an eyebrow, puzzled by his actions, but when Zong Zhao gave her a reassuring glance, she relaxed and waited.
The little demon king unfurled the decree and read joyfully, "By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Foster mother Xu Wan, gentle, virtuous, and compassionate, has raised Us with boundless love. Her contributions to the nation are immeasurable. Henceforth, she is conferred the title of First-Rank Auxiliary Saintess, bestowed with a pardon token exempting her from palace announcements, kneeling in court, and even death—a testament to Our filial devotion. So it is decreed."
Xu Wan looked up sharply. While she had expected some reward, she never imagined it would be so grand.
This wasn’t just a first-rank noble title—it carried the weighty designation of "Auxiliary Saintess."
Jin Cheng beamed. "Auxiliary Saintess, won’t you accept the decree?"
Xu Wan glanced at the three grand councilors again. Seeing no objections, they must have already discussed this. She promptly replied, "This humble wife, Xu, accepts the decree. Many thanks for Your Majesty’s grace."
The little demon king dashed over, shoving the decree into one hand and the token into the other, reminding her, "From now on, the Auxiliary Saintess need never kneel before Us again. This is a privilege We grant solely to you—the only one in the entire realm!"
Warmth surged in Xu Wan’s chest, her eyes glistening. She smiled. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Thank you, Jin Cheng.
She whispered it in her heart.
After the decree was read, everyone withdrew, leaving Xu Wan to examine the token and the edict in her hands.
Free from formalities, the little demon king bounded over cheerfully. "Mother, Mother, look! Isn’t my calligraphy improving? I drafted several copies of the decree, and this one turned out the best!"
Xu Wan was momentarily startled by the sudden shift in his address, but she quickly recovered. Of course—when alone, he was still her Jin Cheng. That would never change.
She smiled. "It truly is beautiful. Your handwriting grows more elegant by the day. Show it to the officials later—they’ll surely praise you in private too."
Jin Cheng puffed up proudly. "Hehe, of course! I’m the most incredible person under heaven—it’s only right they admire me! Mother, keep this safe. They said there’s only one token, so I made sure you got it first."
Xu Wan tucked it carefully into her robes, promising, "I’ll guard it well. No one will take it!"
"Hahaha…"
Mother and son chatted in the imperial study for a long while until, abruptly, the little demon king said, "Mother, you still owe me one request. Remember?"
Xu Wan nodded. "I do. What is it? Have you decided what you want?"
Jin Cheng nodded vigorously, eyes sparkling. "Yes! I’m absolutely certain!"
"Oh? What is it?" Xu Wan was curious now.
The little demon king fidgeted for a few seconds before confessing shyly, "Mother… I want you to give me a little empress. When she grows up, she can come to the palace to keep me company."
Xu Wan’s pupils shook violently. "??!!??"
Struggling to stay composed, she asked, "Do you hear yourself? You call me ‘Mother,’ yet you want to marry your sister?"
Jin Cheng tugged her sleeve, whining, "But I’m not your real son! We share no blood! Anyway, I’ll need a wife when I grow up—why not raise one at home instead of marrying some stranger…"
Xu Wan subtly pushed his arm away, distancing herself. "When discussing this topic, don’t say ‘our family.’ I don’t want my mind filled with forbidden romance plots."
"Haha," the little demon king giggled. "Fine, then—your family, your family! Just give me a little wife, okay? I swear I’ll make her empress. I’ll draft the decree right now!"
Seeing him march toward the desk, Xu Wan yanked the brat back in alarm. "Stop! She doesn’t even exist yet—why are you so impulsive?"
Jin Cheng pouted. "Then promise me! You said you’d grant one request!"
"And I also said you could change it if it was impossible. What’s going on in that little head of yours?" Xu Wan paused, calculating. "Look, it’s May now. Even if I conceived this year, the baby wouldn’t arrive until next year. You’d be twelve years older—a grown man marrying a fresh blossom? Wouldn’t that make you a cradle robber?"
The little demon king bristled. "Twelve years isn’t old! Father is six years older than you—we’d just double that. It’s practically the same!"
Xu Wan gaped. "That’s not how math works!"
"Hehe, close enough, close enough!"
Though he joked, the loneliness in his eyes was unmistakable. He truly longed for someone to stay with him in the palace—forever.
Xu Wan understood but still gently advised, "You’re still young, so let me explain: First, whether a baby is a boy or girl is up to fate. If I have a son, your plan fails. Second, even if it’s a daughter, your father and I will respect her wishes. We won’t force her into the palace just to fulfill your request."
Jin Cheng nodded earnestly and raised his hand in oath. "I know, I understand. Don’t worry, Mother. I’ll treat her wonderfully. Only if she agrees will she enter the palace—I’d never force her!"
Xu Wan side-eyed him. "You’re awfully confident I’ll have a daughter."
Jin Cheng grinned. "If not, just try again! I believe in you and Father."
Xu Wan: "!!!"
What do you take us for?!
"I’ll strangle you, you little devil!"
Having dropped his bombshell, the little demon king scrambled away, laughing as Xu Wan chased him around the study.
"Hahaha…"
General’s Residence.
The entire mansion was celebrating Xu Wan's conferment, filled with joy and jubilation.
Xu Wan told Zong Zhao about Jin Cheng's unreasonable demand, to which Zong Zhao responded with a four-word verdict: "Sheer nonsense."
