Chapter 435 - 364: I Want to Look at the Plum Blossoms a Little Longer
Chapter 435: Chapter 364: I Want to Look at the Plum Blossoms a Little Longer
STARE—
Meeting his fiancée’s smoldering gaze, Xiao Mo smiled and explained, "Miss Lian travels the world. She probably just happened to arrive in the Qin Kingdom."
"Oh," Qin Siyao replied.
"However, Miss Lian’s future in the Martial Dao is indeed limitless, and she’s also brilliant in military campaigns. If she were to join our Qin Kingdom, she would certainly make significant contributions."
"Just making contributions to the Qin Kingdom?" Qin Siyao huffed.
"Of course." Xiao Mo chuckled, finding Siyao’s jealousy rather cute. "Don’t overthink it. Miss Lian and I are just friends."
"Hmph!" Qin Siyao turned her head away, her small hands fidgeting in front of her as she muttered under her breath, "I’m not overthinking it at all..."
"In that case, I’ll have someone tell Miss Lian that I’m not home, and that she should go directly to the Ministry of War," Xiao Mo said with a smile.
"Don’t..." Qin Siyao turned back, her head lowered. "You... you can see her. It’s fine. I’m not the jealous type. Why shouldn’t you see her?"
"Really?" Xiao Mo asked.
"Re... Of course, it’s true..." Qin Siyao nodded. "I... I’ll head back first..."
With that, Qin Siyao ran out and returned to her own courtyard. Then, she secretly flattened herself against the wall, eavesdropping with her Divine Sense.
’This girl.’
Xiao Mo knew Siyao was definitely eavesdropping with her Divine Sense, but he didn’t mind, nor did he set up an Array to block detection by Divine Sense.
"Please show Miss Lian in," Xiao Mo said to the Maid.
"Yes, Prince."
The Maid curtsied and withdrew.
Before long, Lian Li walked into Xiao Mo’s courtyard.
Looking at the woman he’d come to know through combat, Xiao Mo genuinely felt like he was meeting an old friend.
She was currently dressed like a Female Knight wandering the martial world, possessing a carefree air, the dignity of a general with many years of service, and the refined grace of a high-born lady.
"This humble woman, Lian Li, pays her respects to the Frost King." Lian Li cupped her fist in salute to Xiao Mo.
"Miss Lian, there’s no need for such formalities. It has indeed been a long time since we last met." Xiao Mo gestured for her to rise and asked curiously, "Miss Lian, you wish to become a Guest Minister of my Qin Kingdom?"
"Why, is that not allowed?" Lian Li said with a smile. "Could it be that the Frost King looks down on this humble woman?"
"Of course not." Xiao Mo poured Lian Li a cup of tea. "If the Qin Kingdom could receive your aid, Miss Lian, it would naturally be our great fortune. I’m just a little surprised, that’s all."
Lian Li shook her head, a hint of sorrow in her eyes.
"These past days, I’ve traveled through the Allied States, watching the common people and the endless wars between nations, and I’ve been deeply moved.
I wanted to try and help others, but what good is helping one person, or ten, or a hundred?
With the Allied States in constant conflict and the wars never-ending, all of it is in vain.
Not long ago, I heard my uncle has already surrendered to the Qin Kingdom and is serving under the Frost King.
So I came to the Qin Capital to catch up with my uncle.
As we were talking, my uncle said that the Frost King has the ambition to pacify the world, and the ability to do so as well.
And right now, the Qin Kingdom is recruiting talented people from all over.
My uncle advised me to stay in Qin.
After thinking it over for a few days, I decided to come visit the Frost King and humbly request the position of Guest Minister, to assist you, and also to repay your past kindness."
"You’re too modest, Miss Lian. If you don’t mind, you can first serve as my Vice General and stay in the Capital City. Later, based on your military achievements, I can grant you an official post. How does that sound?" Xiao Mo asked.
"That would be most appropriate. Thank you, Frost King," Lian Li said, expressing her gratitude.
"By the way, I heard the Frost King is getting married." Lian Li took a Jade Pendant from her Storage Pouch. "This humble woman doesn’t have much to offer. This Jade Pendant is called a Marriage Charm. I carved it myself, so it’s nothing precious. I wish the Frost King and the Princess a hundred years of happy union and to grow old together."
Xiao Mo accepted the Jade Pendant. "On behalf of Siyao, thank you, Miss Lian."
"Then this humble woman will take her leave and not disturb the Frost King any longer."
"Take care, Miss Lian." Xiao Mo bowed in farewell.
Lian Li cupped her fist in salute, gave Xiao Mo one last, deep look, and turned to leave.
About the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn after Lian Li left the Xiao Mansion, Qin Siyao finally came to Xiao Mo’s courtyard.
Compared to her earlier jealousy, Qin Siyao’s expression now looked much more relaxed.
"Is Miss Lian gone?" Qin Siyao asked.
"She’s gone." Xiao Mo smiled and took out the Jade Pendant. "This Jade Pendant is a congratulatory gift that Miss Lian made by hand. It’s a Marriage Charm. The man and woman each wear one half, and when put together, they form a complete whole."
"This Jade Pendant is beautiful. Miss Lian is truly skilled with her hands." Qin Siyao took the pendant, her fair, slender fingers stroking it gently.
"I told you, Miss Lian and I are just friends. There’s nothing between us. Do you believe me now?" Xiao Mo said with a gentle smile.
"I... I never said there was anything between you..."
Qin Siyao lowered her head, her voice lacking confidence.
"But, Xiao Mo..." Qin Siyao raised her head and looked earnestly into his eyes. "If you like her, you can take Miss Lian as a concubine."
"Silly girl, what are you talking about?" Xiao Mo gently tapped her on the head.
"I’m really not lying this time..." Qin Siyao covered her head like a squirrel. "As long as you’re good to me in the future and don’t ignore me, I really don’t mind if you take a concubine."
"You..." Xiao Mo pinched her small cheek. "Siyao, you said you would only ever love me in this life, right?"
"Yes, yes," Qin Siyao nodded.
"In that case," Xiao Mo said with a gentle smile, "why can’t I only love you in this life?"
"But, Xiao Mo..."
Qin Siyao looked up, her eyes blinking.
"Even if you come to love other women, I will still only love you for the rest of my life."
"..."
Gazing into her clear eyes, Xiao Mo froze for a moment. It felt as if something soft had gently stirred within his heart.
"Silly girl."
Xiao Mo flicked Qin Siyao’s forehead and strode out of the courtyard.
"Hey, Xiao Mo, did you hear me? I... I gave you a chance! This offer won’t last forever." Qin Siyao puffed up her cheeks and shouted after him. "If you don’t agree today, I won’t let you marry any other girls in the future!"
"No need." Xiao Mo waved his hand dismissively.
"You..."
Hearing Xiao Mo’s reply, Qin Siyao felt a little frustrated. She had finally worked up the courage to say those things...
But...
Xiao Mo’s answer was also like a peach blossom pastry, making her heart feel sweet and fluttery.
"What are you spacing out for? Are you coming or not? The plum blossoms in Qingxiang Garden have bloomed. Didn’t you say you wanted to go see them with me yesterday?" Xiao Mo said, turning around.
"Co... Coming..."
Qin Siyao put away the Jade Pendant and trotted to catch up, walking by Xiao Mo’s side.
Walking on the stone path in Qingxiang Garden.
Qin Siyao’s mood was as light as the snowflakes drifting down from the sky.
One moment she would look at the surrounding plum blossoms, the next at the man by her side.
After a little while, however, her gaze focused once more on Xiao Mo’s large hand.
A tiny thought slowly sprouted in the girl’s heart.
And this thought grew bigger and bigger, gradually consuming her entire mind.
’It should be fine, right?’
’This doesn’t count as being improper, does it?’
’We’re getting married the year after next.’
’Xiao Mo won’t think I’m a frivolous woman, will he?’
Qin Siyao’s heart beat faster and faster. Her gaze darted more and more frequently to Xiao Mo’s hand, her thoughts a tangled mess of silk thread.
Quietly, Qin Siyao’s fair, slender, jade-like fingers stealthily reached for Xiao Mo’s palm.
But every time she was about to touch his palm, she would pull back.
A moment later, however, her slender hand would sneak close to his once more.
After this repeated back and forth, Qin Siyao finally seemed to make up her mind, lightly hooking her index finger around Xiao Mo’s.
Then, her long, jade-like fingers slowly slipped between Xiao Mo’s own.
Finally, her fingers intertwined with Xiao Mo’s, their palms pressing together.
Feeling the warmth and roughness of Xiao Mo’s palm, Qin Siyao’s cheeks grew even redder.
Xiao Mo turned his head to the side and looked at the girl beside him.
Qin Siyao kept her head down, the blush on her cheeks spreading to the tips of her ears, like a plum blossom blooming in the garden.
The corners of Xiao Mo’s mouth curled up slightly. He pretended not to notice anything, but his hand slowly tightened around the girl’s soft, boneless one.
The strength in her beloved’s grip made the girl start slightly. Her head drooped even lower, but her body pressed closer to Xiao Mo’s.
Xiao Mo and Qin Siyao walked step by step through Qingxiang Garden.
White snow fell from the sky, slowly covering the footprints they left behind.
After walking a full circle around Qingxiang Garden, Xiao Mo said to Qin Siyao, "These snowy plum blossoms are indeed beautiful, but the snow seems to be getting heavier. Should we go back?"
"Let’s... let’s walk a little more..." Qin Siyao gently shook her head. "I want to look at the plum blossoms a little longer..."
"Then let’s walk a little more." Xiao Mo and Qin Siyao, their fingers intertwined, continued down the small stone path of Qingxiang Garden.
After walking for an unknown amount of time, Xiao Mo asked again, "Should we go back?"
"Just, just a little while longer..."
Another incense stick’s time later, Xiao Mo looked at the girl beside him. "Go back?"
"Just... just a little while longer..."
Qin Siyao tightly gripped Xiao Mo’s hand, feeling the warmth of his palm.
’Just a little while longer will be fine...’