Chapter 442 - 370: Yan and Chu Amass Troops at the Border, Preparing to Invade the Territory
Chapter 442: Chapter 370: Yan and Chu Amass Troops at the Border, Preparing to Invade the Territory
’I can’t figure it out.’
Xiao Mo simply could not figure out what the Sovereign of Qin was thinking.
’Could it be that the Sovereign of Qin is so confident in his son that he believes he would never rebel? Or that even if he did, he has the power to suppress him?’
But His Majesty was no fool. Xiao Mo was sure he knew about this and must have his own plans.
Not long after, in the Imperial Court, many ministers also tried to advise the Sovereign of Qin against it.
But the Sovereign of Qin wouldn’t listen at all.
The Jin Kingdom, however, did make a gesture of its own.
The land bordering the Qin Kingdom had originally been the homeland of the Yue Kingdom.
But the Jin Kingdom had moved first, annexing Yue.
Now, it seemed as if the Qin and Jin Kingdoms had struck a deal. The Sovereign of Qin granted the prefectures of Luzhou and Jinzhou to Qin Jingyuan, while the Jin Kingdom gave half of the former Yue Kingdom’s territory to their new son-in-law as a dowry.
On the surface, this exchange seemed to benefit the Qin Kingdom, as it gained a vast swath of land.
But this all rested on the assumption that Qin Jingyuan would not cause trouble.
Xiao Mo didn’t know what His Majesty was thinking. ’Perhaps His Majesty truly does trust his second son.’
Soon, the wedding of the Second Prince, Qin Jingyuan, and the Eldest Princess of the Jin Kingdom arrived as scheduled.
The international wedding was exceptionally grand and solemn.
The Jin Kingdom even dispatched their Empress and Prime Minister to attend.
The Second Prince’s wedding ceremony was held in the Imperial Palace.
Civil and military officials sat in the vast plaza of the outer palace, congratulating the new couple.
Qin Siyao watched her new sister-in-law, dressed in a phoenix crown and brocade, walk step by step toward the Sacrificial Altar, led by her second brother. She listened as the two of them performed their wedding rites on the altar, swearing oaths to heaven and earth.
Qin Siyao’s eyes sparkled.
She even found herself fantasizing about her own wedding to Xiao Mo next year, imagining it would be just as grand.
The month after the Second Prince’s wedding, the Sovereign of Qin issued an Imperial Decree: the Eldest Prince, Qin Jingsu, was to be named Crown Prince.
Although everyone from the Imperial Court to the common folk already knew this was coming...
...when the Imperial Decree was announced to the world, many still sighed with emotion.
The contest between the two brothers, fought both openly and in the shadows, had finally come to an end.
In the end, the position of Crown Prince belonged to the Eldest Prince, Qin Jingsu.
Now that the Crown Prince had been established, Qin Jingyuan could no longer remain in the Capital City. He had to depart for his fiefdom.
Faced with this outcome, Qin Jingyuan appeared remarkably composed, and a sense of calm seemed to settle over him.
In Xiao Mo’s view, this was actually a good thing for Qin Jingyuan.
At least now, he would no longer have to scheme and plot for that position.
On the day of his departure, after bidding farewell to his father the Sovereign, his mother the Empress, and his eldest brother, Qin Jingyuan came to the Frost King’s Mansion to give the last Cyan Glaze Fish to his sister.
Xiao Mo and Qin Siyao then escorted the Second Prince out of the Imperial City.
Besides Xiao Mo and Qin Siyao, very few people came to see the Second Prince off. Not a single minister from the Imperial Court was present, fearing the Crown Prince might misunderstand and think they still had ties to the Second Prince.
"Brother-in-law, Sister, this is far enough. Don’t see me off any further."
Qin Jingyuan turned and smiled at the couple.
"Second Brother..." Tears welled in Qin Siyao’s eyes as she held out a food container. "I made this for you. For you and Sister-in-law to eat on the road."
"Thank you, Siyao." Qin Jingyuan took the container, feeling its warmth. "After today, I won’t be able to eat your cooking anymore. I’ll be sure to savor these last few dishes."
"Don’t say that, Second Brother..." Qin Siyao gently wiped the tears from her eyes. "If you like it, I’ll come find you in Luzhou and cook for you there..."
"Hehehe, alright..."
Qin Jingyuan chuckled and nodded, his tone gentle.
"But Siyao, you’ll be getting married next year. After you’re married, you won’t be a little girl anymore. Your eldest brother will only get busier, and I won’t be around to look after you. You have to rein in that willful temper of yours.
From now on, focus on being a good wife and mother. Don’t meddle in too many things; just manage your household and keep it in good order.
Do you understand?"
"I understand, Second Brother..." The more he spoke, the more heartbroken she felt. "And don’t talk like that. It’s not like we’ll never see each other again. Why does it sound like a final farewell...?"
"Hahaha... you have a point." Qin Jingyuan laughed. "Then I won’t say any more."
Qin Jingyuan turned his head to look at Xiao Mo. "Brother-in-law, my sister was spoiled by us, her brothers, since she was little. But while she may be a bit willful, she is an exceptionally gentle and kind woman.
If Siyao does anything wrong in the future, I hope you’ll be patient with her, Brother-in-law.
I know that arguments between a husband and wife are inevitable.
Sometimes, when Siyao gets angry, just try to coax her a little. As men, it’s only right that we be more patient.
Siyao is easy to please. She won’t stay angry for long."
"Second Brother, I understand," Xiao Mo nodded.
"Good." Qin Jingyuan reached out and clapped Xiao Mo firmly on the shoulder. In a heartfelt tone, he said, "My troublesome little sister... I’m leaving her in your hands now..."
Xiao Mo bowed with his hands clasped. "Please rest assured, Second Brother."
"Alright, it’s about time. We should be going." Qin Jingyuan took a step back and bowed. "There’s no need to see us off further. I will take my leave."
"Have a safe journey, Second Brother."
Xiao Mo and Qin Siyao both bowed in farewell.
Qin Jingyuan straightened up and, with a smile, helped his wife into the carriage.
Amidst a cloud of dust, the long procession of carriages gradually disappeared from their sight.
After Qin Jingyuan left, the Crown Prince, Qin Jingsu, moved into the Eastern Palace and became increasingly busy. With no one to eat her cooking, Qin Siyao grew a little melancholy.
In the end, Qin Siyao decided to raise a few cats and dogs in her courtyard, along with some chickens and ducks.
Every day, she would cook a meal and feed it to them.
Although at first, the cats, dogs, chickens, and ducks would all faint after eating her food...
...Qin Siyao thought, ’Once I practice enough that they can eat my cooking and remain unharmed, I can finally cook for Xiao Mo!’
The peaceful days passed one by one.
During this time while waiting for their wedding, Xiao Mo sometimes felt that life was too good—so good that it made him uneasy.
Then one day, while Qin Siyao was in the kitchen cooking as usual...
A white-feathered eagle flew down from the sky.
Xiao Mo’s focus sharpened.
There were no white-feathered eagles in the Imperial City of Qin. It could only have come from the Northern Wilderness.
Xiao Mo extended his arm, and the eagle landed decisively on it.
He removed the letter tied to the eagle’s ankle.
The message was brief, but Xiao Mo stared at it for a very, very long time—
"The kingdoms of Yan and Chu have massed troops on the border, preparing to invade."