Kneel or not to kneel, that is the question.
Having an acquaintance as Emperor is troublesome; Xu Qing couldn't just pretend not to recognize him. Since he recognized him, as an apparent subject of Dayan, he had to have some reaction, right?
Xu Qing's eyes flickered as he wondered whether to take out the dog-beating stick and give this middle-aged man a hit, and later, like in the past, feed him a Forgetfulness Pill, pretending he never came...
But this approach merely treats the symptoms, not the root cause.
Fortunately, Xu Qing was experienced and savvy; even without physical means, he had ways to resolve the current awkwardness.
Xu Qing bowed deeply and said:
"Your Majesty, I am of a unique identity, running a funeral shop, and it's most taboo for me to kneel to others, so I dare to bow with folded hands instead."
As soon as Xu Qing finished his salute, he was assisted up by Zhu Huai'an who had hurriedly taken two steps forward.
"Brother Xu, what are you doing? You and I are like brothers; there's no need for such formalities."
The former little chubby boy, today's Emperor of Dayan, was holding Xu Qing's hand with an expression of extreme sincerity.
This little chubby boy...
No, that's not right.
Xu Qing's heart stirred slightly; the person before him was no longer the chubby boy of the past, but an emperor whose majesty was naturally evident without anger.
Yet his memories lingered in the past, and when they met, Zhu Huai'an's demeanor and attitude differed from before, and even his physique had changed greatly.
Although Zhu Huai'an's gaze was indeed sincere, Xu Qing could still discern a difference compared to the Wu Family brothers.
"Your Majesty's remembrance of past friendship is truly admirable, but there's still a difference between ruler and subject. If Your Majesty insists on regarding me as a brother, it actually places me in a position of disloyalty."
"Oh, you, why so old-fashioned." Though he said so, Zhu Huai'an discreetly relented, and said: "Then I'll address Brother Xu as 'Qingjia,' to show our closeness."
"..."
Qingjia, a term used only for subjects.
Zhu Huai'an's intent was self-evident.
Sure enough, after talking for less than half an hour, Zhu Huai'an bluntly said: "I owe my current success to the nine-word mantra Brother Xu gave me back then, plus those protective talismans..."
"Now that my great enterprise is achieved, I must repay the favor of old!"
Zhu Huai'an suddenly stood up, his eyes blazing with intent: "I wish to share this vast empire with you! In the court, you could enter the cabinet and partake in decision-making; in the future, regardless of wealth and glory, I will never fail you!"
After speaking, Zhu Huai'an again held Xu Qing's hand and said spiritedly: "Once you enter the cabinet, you and I, ruler and minister, will work in unison, and surely eliminate the past administration's shortcomings and establish this dynasty's foundation."
"Then, for sure, it will be a golden era of peace and prosperity."
"What do you think, Brother Xu?"
Xu Qing looked at Zhu the Emperor who suddenly reverted to addressing him as Brother Xu, and remained unmoved.
"Your Majesty's great hospitality is indeed touching, but I still cannot agree."
Xu Qing got up and walked to the shop's entrance, gazing at the street, and pondered: "Governing a great nation is like cooking a small delicacy; neither the timing nor the experience can be lacking. Zhiyuan accompanied Your Majesty in battles across the lands, while Wencai governed local areas for nearly a decade; only they can be considered virtuous and talented. As for me..."
Xu Qing retracted his gaze, turned to Zhu Huai'an, and smiled: "I only know how to prepare the dead for burial, how could I cook? Let alone enter the cabinet and engage in decision-making."
"Your Majesty knows me of a millennium; you should understand, besides this ancestral business of funerary services, nothing else can move me."
"Otherwise, I wouldn't have stopped at becoming a Scholar after passing the imperial exams."
Zhu Huai'an frowned slightly; he had never thought Xu Qing stopped pursuing higher exams for this reason, but if so, why did he take the imperial exam with the Wu Family brothers to become a Scholar?
Upon hearing Zhu Huai'an's query, Xu Qing responded with a cryptic comment:
"The Scholar title allows me to meet officials without kneeling, and exempts duties and taxes, which benefits my shop management here..."
As a Crown Prince, Zhu Huai'an never cared whether a Scholar was exempted from taxes or needed to kneel; who could demand a Crown Prince to kneel?
Hearing Xu Qing's explanation, Zhu Huai'an was speechless.
The reason for taking the Scholar exam was indeed quite straightforward!
But if Xu Qing thought this would deter him, he was wrong.
Zhu Huai'an knew of certain events between the Wu Family brothers and Xu Qing, and it could be said that without Xu Qing, the Wu brothers wouldn't have survived till today.
And Zhu Huai'an himself might not have reached the northern frontier, let alone overthrowing Dayong and unifying the realm.
Someone dwelling in the marketplace, yet capable of influencing the destiny of the current Emperor, and two prominent ministers, how could he be an ordinary person?
Zhu Huai'an gazed at the aloof Corpse Driver, who repeatedly declined him, his determination only growing stronger.
The more unattainable, the more he wanted to attain it!
"Brother Xu, do not underestimate yourself. The nine-word mantra you granted me was highly praised by Marquis Yongxiang back then, who deemed it crucial for my survival."
Marquis Yongxiang was none other than the old minister Gongsun Jin, who supported Zhu Huai'an.
However, this title was bestowed after Zhu Huai'an ascended the throne, as an honorary title.
After acknowledging Xu Qing's contributions, Zhu Huai'an took out a brocade pouch embroidered with a golden dragon pattern, containing several nearly exhausted talismans.
"Brother Xu gave me numerous Peace Talismans and Exorcism Talismans in the past; I regarded them merely as tokens of friendship until several narrow escapes revealed their true efficacy."
"After entering the capital, I specifically asked a Celestial Master to identify them, who claimed these talismans must have been crafted by a master proficient in talismanic arts."
Zhu Huai'an stepped forward, suddenly cupping his hands and bowing deeply: "I am deeply aware of my elder brother's talents, and I implore you not to forget our past friendship and accept my invitation today."
"..."
Xu Qing reached out to support Zhu Huai'an, preventing him from bowing completely.
Matters had reached this point; an ordinary person would no longer be able to refuse.