We Agreed On Experiencing Life, So Why Did You Immortals Become Real? Chapter 357: Mother Can Finally Let Go

Inside the kitchen of a courtyard in Xiao Manor, Zhou Ruoxi busied herself cooking while maidservant Cuicui helped her lady.

Normally, Zhou Ruoxi prepared just one or two dishes to share with Cuicui. With only the two of them, their appetites stayed small. Yet today's feast proved abundant, for Zhou Ruoxi knew her son would rush home for a meal once back in the capital.

"Mother, your child has returned."

Sunset painted the sky as Xiao Mo's voice echoed from beyond the courtyard.

Upon hearing her son's call, Zhou Ruoxi swiftly plated the steaming dishes. She dried her hands and dashed outside. "Mo'er is back, and Her Highness the Princess too."

"Auntie Zhou..."

Qin Siyao offered a curtsy, her face lightly flushed.

"Mo'er, seat the Princess. Dinner's almost served," Zhou Ruoxi beamed softly.

"Auntie Zhou, I... I'll help you too," Qin Siyao gathered her skirt and stepped quickly into the kitchen. She resembled a new bride eager to impress her mother-in-law and earn favor.

Xiao Mo settled on a stone stool, gazing at the courtyard's familiar sights.

From his birth to this day, the courtyard appeared utterly unchanged, just as it always had.

Each homecoming, these well-known surroundings filled Xiao Mo with deep peace, letting worldly chaos fade away.

As though battlefield slaughter lay worlds apart, impossibly remote.

Could Xiao Mo fail to grasp it?

Much of why Mother shunned Frost Prince Manor and clung to this courtyard stemmed from her desire to offer him an unaltered haven upon return—a spot for true respite.

"Mo'er, waited long? Food's all set."

After roughly one incense stick's time, Zhou Ruoxi and Qin Siyao emerged bearing dishes.

Xiao Mo moved to relieve his mother of the piping-hot plates.

Cuicui set out bowls and chopsticks, then the group gathered round the courtyard's stone table for supper.

Mother's cooking retained its timeless flavor, unaltered in the least—yet how could time freeze all things unchanged?

Xiao Mo glanced up, spotting a single white strand amid Mother's flowing black locks.

Only then did Xiao Mo grasp that Mother had reached forty-seven, approaching half a century...

And what span marked a common mortal's life?

"Young Master, what's amiss? Why the furrowed brow after your victory?" Cuicui grinned, noting the young master's pensive look.

"Nothing," Xiao Mo smiled, shaking his head. "Just pondering how Aunt Cui's in her forties now. Won't you seek a husband?"

"Young Master, honestly!" Cuicui puffed her cheeks. "Why chase marriage? A bad match means lifelong regret. Better for Cuicui to stay with Mistress—far freer."

"You," Zhou Ruoxi sighed, shaking her head, then told Xiao Mo, "I've suggested suitors to your Aunt Cui before, but she refused. So be it. She keeps me fine company here."

"Young Master, with Mistress's word, you can't chase me off," Cuicui clung to Zhou Ruoxi's arm.

"Drive away Aunt Cui? Perish the thought," Xiao Mo chuckled, shaking his head.

To Xiao Mo, Aunt Cui remaining unmarried suited perfectly.

"On that note..." Cuicui eyed her young master, then Her Highness. "Though Young Master cultivates, he's past twenty. When's the wedding? Cuicui awaits cradling a little young master."

Cuicui's words dropped, and shy Qin Siyao ducked her head lower, nibbling daintily.

Zhou Ruoxi and Cuicui shared a look, sensing sparks between the pair.

"Today, I came to share news with Mother and Sister Cuicui," Xiao Mo grinned, producing the imperial edict. He rose, offering it reverently to her. "Mother, His Majesty granted your child a marriage."

"Eh?" Zhou Ruoxi paused, wiped her hands hastily, and accepted the scroll.

Reading it, tears glistened in Zhou Ruoxi's eyes. She beamed at her son and Siyao, voice quivering. "Wonderful, truly splendid..."

Cuicui peeked over, then bowed gleefully. "Congratulations, Young Master! Congratulations, Your Highness! Cuicui toasts your happy union, long life together! And seven or eight plump little boys!"

"Aunt Cui..." Qin Siyao flushed, pulling at Cuicui's sleeve.

The once-vibrant girl now blushed demurely, carrying a wife's poise.

"Let's dine," Zhou Ruoxi dabbed her tears softly. "Such joyous news."

Zhou Ruoxi caressed the edict tenderly, her face alight with bliss.

Xiao Mo couldn't recall Mother's last such radiant smile.

Post-dinner, Xiao Mo escorted Qin Siyao to Princess Manor.

Over coming days, Xiao Mo lingered at Xiao Manor with his mother, skipping Frost Prince Manor. Soon, though, Xiao Shi called him.

Xiao Mo reentered the courtyard under deep night. Mother sat there still, edict on her lap, staring skyward at stars.

"Mother," Xiao Mo stepped in, bowing. "Not abed yet?"

"No," Zhou Ruoxi smiled, patting the bench beside. "Will Mo'er talk with Mother?"

"Of course," Xiao Mo agreed, sitting close.

"Mo'er, know Mother's deepest daily fret?" Zhou Ruoxi gazed warmly.

"Your child's safety?" Xiao Mo ventured.

"Mm."

Zhou Ruoxi nodded.

"No mother ignores her child's peril. Your Iron Tiger Army stint worried me. Campaigns heightened it. Learning of your lone stand at Yanmen Pass, I sought tidings endlessly. Heaven spared you, bringing triumph. I hoped for relief then. Yet one worry lingered: your union."

Zhou Ruoxi traced the edict lightly, murmuring, "Mother's but a mortal, lifespan scant past a century. You, Mo'er, cultivate with peerless talent. They predict realms beyond mortal dreams. I should rejoice. Instead, dread grew—you'd stray alone, uncared for, sorrows unshared. Now, relief washes over me..."

She patted his head gently, like his toddler days.

"Your cool resolve borders stubbornness. Many maidens adore you; proposals flooded me. But loveless bonds? Futile. And suitors eye your status, not heart. Luck smiled with Siyao—a fine girl, gentle soul. Your steel meets her silk; her tears melt your ire. She's simple to delight—sweet words restore her joy. Know this: Siyao scorned Buddha once. Yet amid your campaigns, she built a shrine, chanting prayers for you."

"In spare moments, she learned my recipes, kept my loneliness at bay with chatter. Hearing of Yanmen's peril, she slipped city bounds. Punished by His Majesty with confinement, I visited often. She confessed seeing your worn boots, yearning to craft new ones. I taught her. Siyao grasps swift, but cooking and sewing lag. Still, ruined pairs didn't deter her."

Zhou Ruoxi chuckled. "That tenacity mirrors yours, I wager."

Xiao Mo bowed his head, mind flashing to Siyao's shoe-making that day.

"All's well now..."

Zhou Ruoxi smiled at her son.

"Siyao cultivates too, talent rivaling yours, Mo'er. Henceforth, mutual companionship awaits. Should Mother depart one day, peace settles."

"Mother, no such talk," Xiao Mo protested.

"Heh heh, why hush it? Birth, decay, illness, death—heaven's unyielding law."

Zhou Ruoxi gazed at the starry night.

"Mo'er, tales say the departed become stars. Someday, glancing up, you might spy Mother watching you and Siyao."

"Mother..."

"Enough," Zhou Ruoxi returned the edict. "Night deepens—retire. I'll linger here. Mind: never mistreat Siyao, or Mother's wrath follows."

"Yes. Rest soon, Mother," Xiao Mo pocketed it, bowed, and entered his room.

In the courtyard, Zhou Ruoxi sat, hands clasped, contemplating the ebony sky.

Soon, sensing oddity, she stretched her delicate palm.

Snow-white petals wafted down, settling in her hand, dissolving slowly.

"Cough, cough, cough..."

Zhou Ruoxi coughed lightly, eyed the drifting blooms overhead, and smiled faintly.

"Snow falls..."