We Agreed On Experiencing Life, So Why Did You Immortals Become Real?

The main courtyard of the Xiao Manor.

The First Madam Xia Qingke was still trimming the flowers and plants. However, every movement Xia Qingke made seemed like unconscious behavior, as if she were pondering something.

“Madam.”

The maid Huanying entered the courtyard and bowed to Xia Qingke.

“Mm.” Xia Qingke nodded and turned to look at Huanying. “Well? Did the Third Madam accept the things?”

Ever since Zhou Ruoxi had been granted the title of Imperial Lady, Xia Qingke, as the First Madam, had to give Zhou Ruoxi treatment befitting a principal wife. However, Zhou Ruoxi hadn’t changed courtyards, nor had she accepted service from other maids. She still lived in that small courtyard.

To avoid gossip, Xia Qingke often had people send gifts, but Zhou Ruoxi hadn’t accepted most of the valuable items.

This time, Xia Qingke had sent some pastries and silk.

“In reply to Madam, the Third Madam has accepted them and asked this servant to thank Madam,” Huanying responded.

“From now on, if the Third Madam needs anything, have the manor’s people do their best to satisfy her requests. Do you understand?” Xia Qingke instructed.

“Understood, Madam.” Huanying nodded, then presented a letter. “Oh yes, Madam, this is a letter that Consort Die had someone deliver. Please review it.”

Xia Qingke took the envelope, opened it and read it again and again, her brow furrowing involuntarily.

“Madam… has something happened in the palace?” Huanying asked.

Huanying knew that Consort Die in the palace was Madam’s good sister. They had grown up together since childhood.

Madam would often go to the palace to visit Consort Die.

Similarly, Consort Die would frequently write letters to the First Madam, telling her about matters in the palace.

“The Prince has returned to the capital,” Xia Qingke said slowly, putting down the letter. “As soon as the Prince returned to the capital, His Majesty summoned him to the palace. His Majesty gave the Prince many rewards, then ordered the Prince to lead the Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry on an expedition against Zhei Kingdom.”

“Madam, isn’t it normal for the Prince to go on expeditions? Is there something different about this expedition?” Huanying didn’t quite understand.

“The Prince has indeed campaigned abroad for many years, which is normal,” Xia Qingke sighed. “However, this time, His Majesty is sending Xiao Mo to the Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry to assist the Prince in the campaign against Zhei Kingdom.”

“Eh?”

Huanying was stunned.

During this time, the name Huanying had heard most often was that of the Third Young Master Xiao Mo.

The Third Young Master Xiao Mo had captured twenty-one cities of Wei Kingdom, achieving great merit. He had even been directly granted a princely title, and even his mother Zhou Ruoxi had been granted the title of Imperial Lady.

At this point, Zhou Ruoxi was no longer just a concubine. Her status was equal to that of the Madam herself and naturally, Xiao Mo was also no longer just a son born of a concubine.

Since Xiao Mo was no longer a concubine’s son, he naturally had the qualification to inherit the hereditary title of “Northern Pacification Prince.”

Although Xiao Mo was now also a prince, in Qin Kingdom, the Four Pacification Princes and the Great Pillars of the Nation were of much higher rank and had much more power than a “Frost Prince!”

Not to mention that among the Four Pacification Princes, the Northern Pacification Prince held the highest position.

Previously, she had heard that Xiao Mo had beaten up the Second Young Master in front of five thousand Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry soldiers.

Now, Xiao Mo was going to join the Northern Frontier Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry to assist the Prince in campaigning against Zhei Kingdom.

The Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry was the foundation of the Xiao Manor.

If Xiao Mo could establish a firm foothold in the Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry…

Combined with His Majesty’s high regard for Xiao Mo…

Then the qualification for “hereditary succession” would be in danger for the First Young Master and Second Young Master.

“The Prince will return to the manor tonight. I’ll go to the kitchen in a bit to prepare some dishes the Prince usually likes to eat,” Xia Qingke said slowly.

“Additionally, I’ll write a letter to Yichuan. It’s about time he came down from the mountain.”

At the Frost Prince’s residence, Xiao Mo sat in the courtyard in a daze.

Recalling the words Qin Siyao had said not long ago and her shy expression as she ran out, Xiao Mo couldn’t help but smile and shake his head.

Actually, in Xiao Mo’s heart, he had already had an answer to the question Qin Siyao asked.

It was just that given Siyao’s current personality, she would probably avoid him for several days and just as Xiao Mo was contemplating whether to go to the Princess’s residence to find Siyao now, a maid entered the courtyard and bowed to Xiao Mo. “Your Highness, Eunuch Li from the imperial palace has arrived.”

“Please invite Eunuch Li in,” Xiao Mo said.

Usually when Eunuch Li came, it meant His Majesty had some matter.

“Yes.” The maid bowed and quickly left the courtyard.

Before long, Eunuch Li entered the courtyard. Xiao Mo stood up to greet him, cupping his fists in salute. “Greetings, Eunuch Li.”

“Frost Prince need not be so polite. It should be this servant paying respects to the Frost Prince,” Eunuch Li said, bowing respectfully.

Xiao Mo smiled. “I wonder what brings Eunuch Li here…”

“Ahem, ahem, ahem.” Eunuch Li coughed a few times, and a eunuch beside him brought forward a red tray.

Eunuch Li lifted the red cloth, took out the imperial edict, and proclaimed to Xiao Mo, “Frost Prince Xiao Mo, receive the edict!”

“I, who have received Emperor’s exalted mandate and bear the solemn charge of the ancestral temple, govern all within the realm and safeguard the multitude of subjects.

Recently, the Northern Frontier has been unsettled, with barbarian cavalry watching our borders. The Wei usurpers presumptuously proclaim themselves, invading our territories.

Every time I review border reports, I am vigilant day and night.

Frost Prince Xiao Mo, you soared in the northern desert. In the past, you wielded your golden spear to break Wei Kingdom, leading iron armor against powerful armies. Your achievements are recorded on banners, your merit inscribed on ceremonial vessels.

Now I specially appoint you as Left General of the Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry. Two days hence, proceed to the Northern Frontier to assist Northern Pacification Prince Xiao Shi in the expedition against Zhei Kingdom, to spread the prestige of our Qin Kingdom!”

“This subject, Xiao Mo, receives the edict!”

Xiao Mo accepted the imperial edict.

Eunuch Li looked at Xiao Mo with a smile. “Frost Prince, this expedition against Zhei Kingdom is of great importance, and the Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry is quite different from other armies. His Majesty asked this old servant to tell the Frost Prince: Think carefully, act boldly.”

“Please tell His Majesty on my behalf that Mo will certainly not disappoint His Majesty’s expectations,” Xiao Mo said.

“Good.” Looking at this talented young hero before him, Eunuch Li somewhat understood why His Majesty liked the Frost Prince so much. “In that case, this servant will return to the palace to report.”

“Farewell, Eunuch Li. Xin’er, see Eunuch Li out.”

“Farewell.”

Eunuch Li left the courtyard, accompanied by the maid.

Xiao Mo looked at the edict in his hand, his brow furrowing slightly.

Xiao Mo had considered various appointments the Qin Kingdom’s ruler might give him, but he hadn’t expected to be sent to join the Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry.

As for what the Qin Kingdom’s ruler was truly thinking, how could Xiao Mo not know?

“Indeed, this position of ‘Frost Prince’ is not so easy to hold.”

Putting away the edict, Xiao Mo shook his head, left the residence, and drove his carriage toward the Princess’s residence.

Just earlier, he had been hesitating about whether to go see Siyao but now there was no need to hesitate.

At the very least, he needed to say goodbye to her.

Half the time it takes to burn a stick of incense later, Xiao Mo arrived at the entrance to the Princess’s residence.

“Greetings, Frost Prince!”

The guards at the gate bowed to Xiao Mo.

“Mm.”

Xiao Mo gave a simple response and walked straight in.

Qin Siyao could freely enter and leave Xiao Mo’s Frost Prince residence.

Xiao Mo could also freely enter and leave Qin Siyao’s Princess residence. However, previously, Xiao Mo would always have the guards announce his arrival but now, Xiao Mo felt that Siyao must be sulking, so it was better for him to just go in directly.

Not long after entering the Princess’s residence, Xiao Mo saw the maid Huasheng.

“Sister Huasheng.” Xiao Mo cupped his fists in salute.

When he was young, Xiao Mo couldn’t see through Sister Huasheng’s cultivation level.

Now, even though he was about to form his Golden Core, he still couldn’t see through Sister Huasheng’s cultivation level.

“Greetings, Frost Prince.” Sister Huasheng bowed with a smile. “How did the Frost Prince bully our Her Highness the Princess again? Her Highness the Princess has locked herself in her room for most of the day.”

“This…” Xiao Mo looked embarrassed, not knowing how to explain.

“Hehehe.” Huasheng chuckled softly. “Alright, alright, Frost Prince, go ahead. You know our Princess’s temperament. Her temper comes quickly and goes quickly. Her Highness the Princess is very easy to coax, especially when facing the Frost Prince. As long as you say a few kind words, Her Highness the Princess will be all smiles again.”

“Oh yes.” Huasheng placed the jade plate filled with pastries in her hands into Xiao Mo’s hands. “Frost Prince, please help me deliver these pastries to Her Highness the Princess.”

With that, Huasheng placed her hands in front of her, bowed, and walked away.

Xiao Mo carried the pastries and walked toward the courtyard where Siyao lived.

Reaching the door of her room, Xiao Mo knocked.

“Sister Huasheng, I don’t want to eat pastries today.”

From inside the room came Qin Siyao’s somewhat dejected and resentful voice.

“It’s me,” Xiao Mo responded.

“Eh? Xiao Mo?”

Hearing Xiao Mo’s voice, Qin Siyao, who had been lying on the bed, trembled slightly. She suddenly raised her delicate head from the bed. Her beautiful eyes blinked, and her expression carried some panic.

“Xiao Mo, you… why did you come?” Qin Siyao burrowed into the quilt, wrapping herself up like a spring roll. Then she sat on the bed, nervously looking toward the door.

It was as if this quilt were a barrier that could protect her.

“There’s something I need to tell you,” Xiao Mo said.

“What… what is it?” Qin Siyao asked nervously.

“How about we walk around the imperial city? Talk while we walk?” Xiao Mo asked.

“I… I’m a bit sleepy. I don’t… don’t really want to go,” Qin Siyao said, clutching the quilt and pressing her thin lips tightly together.

Actually, Qin Siyao really wanted to see Xiao Mo but when Qin Siyao thought about what she had said to Xiao Mo, she felt so embarrassed that she didn’t know how to face him.

Even just hearing Xiao Mo’s voice made her instinctively want to hide far away, yet her heart wanted him to be by her side.

“Then should I come in to talk?” Xiao Mo asked.

“No… don’t,” Qin Siyao quickly said. “My room is very messy, and I haven’t fixed my appearance yet. I… I…”

“Alright then.” Xiao Mo didn’t force it. “Then I’ll leave the pastries outside the door. Also, the imperial palace just delivered an edict. Two days from now, I have to go to the Northern Frontier. I came today to say goodbye to you.”

And just as Xiao Mo’s words fell, from inside the room came the sound of the girl’s fair feet making contact with the floor with a “patter.”

Immediately after, the door to the girl’s boudoir suddenly opened.

Before Xiao Mo could react, Qin Siyao was standing in front of him.

She was still wearing that pale pink dress, but because she had been lying on the bed too long, her hair was somewhat disheveled. Her fair ankles stood on the ground, as if she had forgotten the floor’s coldness.

“You… you’re going to the Northern Frontier?” Qin Siyao stared blankly at Xiao Mo.

“Yes.” Xiao Mo nodded and repeated, “His Majesty’s edict has already come down. I’ll depart two days from now.”

“Then… how long will you be gone?” Qin Siyao’s eyes wavered, her small hands clenching tightly.

“At the very least, it should be several years.”

Xiao Mo answered truthfully.

“Right now, Qin Kingdom’s morale is high, and the ruler of Zhei Kingdom is incompetent and tyrannical. The court is in complete chaos, and the common people are full of complaints. This is a rare opportunity.

His Majesty probably wants to take this chance to annex Zhei Kingdom in one fell swoop.

As long as we take Zhei Kingdom, Qin Kingdom’s northern border will have no more worries, and we can focus on dealing with great nations like Qi Kingdom and Chu Kingdom.”

“I… I’ll go find Father Emperor! I’ll talk to Father Emperor!”

With that, Qin Siyao was about to run out of the room but her pale wrist was immediately caught by Xiao Mo.

“What are you going to find His Majesty for?” Xiao Mo asked.

“I… I’ll tell Father Emperor not to send you on the expedition!” Qin Siyao said anxiously.

“Silly girl, what good would it do if you went to His Majesty?” Xiao Mo’s tone carried a hint of helplessness. “I’m a military general. Leading troops on expeditions is normal. If I just stayed in the imperial capital doing nothing, then what would be the meaning of His Majesty granting me this princely title?”

“But…”

Qin Siyao’s eyes wavered, as if she were about to cry.

“But Xiao Mo, even if it’s as you say and Zhei Kingdom’s court is in chaos now, Zhei Kingdom is still a great nation. It has far more renowned generals and elite soldiers than Wei Kingdom.

On this expedition, if something happens to you…”

Xiao Mo shook his head. “Once you step onto the battlefield, life and death are in fate’s hands. The soldiers in the front lines will die. Why should I not be able to die? What makes me so special?

Moreover, Siyao, have you ever thought about something?

Namely, why can you freely enter and leave the Frost Prince’s residence, why can I also find you at any time, yet the palace hasn’t said a word about it.

Does Siyao think His Majesty doesn’t know?”

Xiao Mo swept some of the messy hair by her ear behind it. “Now that I’ve been granted a princely title and my mother has been granted the title of Imperial Lady, my status is no longer just that of a concubine’s son of the Xiao Manor. If we destroy Zhei Kingdom this time and His Majesty wants to reward me, it should be…”

Xiao Mo didn’t finish speaking, but Qin Siyao already understood his meaning. Her cheeks flushed red.

“So,” Xiao Mo reached out his hand and wiped away the crystalline tear at the corner of the girl’s eye, “I must go even more.”

“Eh?”

Qin Siyao raised her head and stared blankly at Xiao Mo.

At this moment, the blush on the girl’s cheeks had spread to her ears.

Soon, the girl lowered her head shyly. Her small hand gently tugged at Xiao Mo’s sleeve, her voice as soft as a mosquito’s. “If you don’t go, you can still get that reward. That reward can only be yours…”

“But I can’t let her be gossiped about by the world. I want to marry her properly, with all due ceremony. I want her to marry gloriously,” Xiao Mo said with a smile.

Qin Siyao clenched her small pink fists and lightly pounded Xiao Mo’s chest. “What are you saying? So… so embarrassing…”

“So, Siyao, what you said to me before, what you asked me…”

Xiao Mo looked directly into Qin Siyao’s eyes.

“After this expedition, if I return, I’ll like you.”

“If I don’t return…”

Xiao Mo had only gotten halfway through his words when Qin Siyao reached out her finger and gently pressed it against Xiao Mo’s lips.

The girl raised her delicate head and looked earnestly into her beloved’s eyes.

“If you don’t return, then I’ll go find you.

You’ll have to like me! You can’t escape from me!”