We Agreed On Experiencing Life, So Why Did You Immortals Become Real? Chapter 361: The Green Mountains Remain, White-Haired and Desolate

Reality.

Zhou Kingdom Imperial Capital, Qin Kingdom Envoy's Residence, Back Courtyard.

A maiden in a pale pink gown perched on a stone bench within the yard.

Her lovely face tilted downward, she stitched the shoes with focused precision and care.

Her attendant Mingyue remained at her side, gazing fixedly without glancing away.

Mingyue struggled to comprehend why, since Her Highness reached the capital city, beyond studying Zhou Kingdom's manners, traditions, and managing Qin Kingdom business, she spent all spare moments seated in the yard crafting shoes.

What baffled Mingyue further was this detail.

Throughout her service to Her Highness, Mingyue had never witnessed her crafting shoes, but now it appeared as if Her Highness had done so endlessly, each needle and thread executed with masterful skill.

"Done, finally finished."

As the final stitch landed, Qin Siyao lifted the shoes, tugged them firmly, stretched them out, then examined them closely once more, anxious about any flawed seams.

Satisfied that the shoes held no flaws, Qin Siyao gently placed them aside.

"Your Majesty, Princess, are these shoes crafted for a man?" Mingyue inquired with curiosity.

"Of course," Qin Siyao's lips arched into a smile, "You silly girl, don't tell me you've seen a woman with such big feet?"

"Could it be that Princess intends to present these shoes to the Zhou Kingdom's ruler?" Mingyue appeared to grasp the idea.

Men's shoes meant her lady could only gift them to the Zhou Kingdom's emperor.

"Mm." Qin Siyao rose to her feet, settling the shoes into a box and arranging them neatly, "Let's go, accompany me to the palace, I'm going to see Brother Emperor."

With that, Qin Siyao grasped the box herself, her long legs striding beneath her skirt as she cheerfully exited the yard.

Watching Her Highness's receding form, Mingyue hastened after her.

Yet... Mingyue wondered if it was mere fancy on her part.

She sensed that since Her Highness entered Zhou Kingdom lands, her demeanor had turned more vibrant and joyful, much like... a young lass.

"Brother Emperor, Mujiu has come to play with you... Brother Emperor, are you there?"

Outside the Yangxin Palace in Zhou Kingdom's Imperial Palace.

A light, joyful feminine voice drifted into the chamber.

Xiao Mo's divine sense gradually pulled back from the Book of a Hundred Lives, returning fully to his flesh.

"Whoosh..."

Xiao Mo drew in a deep breath and gradually parted his eyelids.

Over recent days, Xiao Mo had lingered excessively within the Book of a Hundred Lives.

Upon awakening, the disorientation gripped him tighter, and his soul ached more intensely than previously.

Luckily, Xiao Mo swiftly steadied his mind and spirit.

Once his awareness settled back into his true form, Xiao Mo attempted to recollect events from the Book of a Hundred Lives, yet sadly, nothing surfaced.

In the initial three lives, exiting the Book left memories shrouded in faint fog. Though hazy, he could dimly recall figures and incidents, but now, probing the fourth life's experiences yielded utter blankness...

Not even one name from the fourth life came to mind.

"Brother Emperor, may Mujiu come in?" Qin Siyao called from beyond the entrance.

Xiao Mo nodded, "Of course you can, Mujiu, please come in."

"Alright!"

Qin Siyao gleefully shoved the door open and stepped inside, shutting it behind her, thus leaving attendant Mingyue outdoors.

"Brother Emperor, are you by yourself in here? Don't you have palace maids serving you at night or such?" Qin Siyao clutched the box, peering around curiously, eyes sparkling as if hunting for something.

"No," Xiao Mo shook his head, "Usually, the palace maids stay outside the door. For any matters, Wei Xun informs me."

"I see," Qin Siyao advanced, "Then was Brother Emperor cultivating? Did I interrupt you?"

"Just meditating, no disturbance."

Xiao Mo swept his sleeves and descended from the bed, pouring tea for himself and Qin Siyao.

Xiao Mo found himself glancing extra at Qin Siyao.

When Xiao Mo first encountered Qin Siyao, a subtle familiarity stirred within him.

Now, inexplicably, that familiarity and closeness swelled even deeper in Xiao Mo's heart.

"I wonder what brings Mujiu to visit me?" Xiao Mo dismissed his odd musings and smiled as he inquired.

"Mujiu has a gift for Brother Emperor." Qin Siyao bounded forward in tiny steps, her skirt fluttering amid the warm afternoon glow.

The maiden unveiled the box, displaying a fresh pair of shoes within.

Upon seeing these shoes, Xiao Mo's thoughts briefly halted.

Though the shoes held no extraordinary features.

Still, a pang of bitterness welled in Xiao Mo's heart, accompanied by a subtle twinge.

"Brother Emperor, what's wrong?" Qin Siyao's gaze revealed worry, "Are these shoes not nice? Then Mujiu will craft a new pair."

With those words, Qin Siyao reached to reclaim the box.

"No, they're very nice." Xiao Mo retrieved the shoes from the box and grinned, "Did you make these shoes?"

"Yes," Qin Siyao nodded, "How about it? Brother Emperor, isn't Mujiu amazing?"

"Mm, amazing, they're indeed well made." Xiao Mo nodded.

"Then Brother Emperor, try them on quickly. If they don't fit, Mujiu will go back and alter them." Qin Siyao urged eagerly.

"Let me try them."

Xiao Mo slipped into the new shoes fashioned by Qin Siyao.

Initially, Xiao Mo expected the shoes to pinch or slack, yet surprisingly, they hugged his feet ideally and felt exceedingly cozy.

"What does Brother Emperor think? Do they feel suitable?" Qin Siyao pressed her delicate hands together, batting her eyes.

"Very suitable, they even feel more comfortable than those made by the Weaving Bureau." Xiao Mo answered honestly.

"As long as Brother Emperor likes them, that's good."

Qin Siyao eyed the shoes adorning Xiao Mo's feet, her lips lifting faintly, an elusive softness gleaming in her gaze.

"Thank you, Mujiu. However, since you've given me something, I cannot simply accept it for nothing." Xiao Mo regarded his prospective bride, "Is there something Mujiu would like?"

"Emmm..." Qin Siyao rested her dainty hand on her pale chin, pondering deeply, then glanced at the outer sky, eyes lighting up, "Brother Emperor, when I came to the imperial capital before, I saw a place that was very beautiful. Brother Emperor, would you accompany me out to see it?"

"Right now?"

Xiao Mo peered through the window. Afternoon had waned well past its peak, sunset approaching swiftly.

"Mm..." Qin Siyao tugged Xiao Mo's sleeve, "Right now would be good..."

"Alright, then let's go."

Xiao Mo didn't decline.

He too sensed the need to venture out and stroll, easing his tension.

Soon, Xiao Mo readied a carriage and team. These vehicles resembled those of affluent households, sufficient to mask their status.

Guided by Qin Siyao, the carriage rolled toward the capital's fringes.

After roughly two incense sticks' time, the carriage halted at a mountain base.

The group ascended the peak.

Verifying the area's security, Wei Xun signaled and retreated with guards to guard the trail.

Atop the summit lingered just three: Xiao Mo, Qin Siyao, and attendant Mingyue.

Now, the sun dipped steadily westward.

The once-blazing dusk shifted to pure crimson, final beams slanting over ridges, bathing cliffs in glowing amber.

Distant peaks stacked in deep blue hues merged gradually into soft lavender haze.

Birds in flocks streaked the heavens like crimson ribbons, wings piercing clouds, scattering them into crimson flakes across the vault.

Twilight cascaded from nearby crags, inching downward like coiled golden threads spilled all day long.

Across sky and land, vivid scarlet reigned, akin to a bride in scarlet robes shyly peeking from beneath her veil, brimming with hopeful anticipation.

Xiao Mo rested on the mountaintop, beholding the vista.

Qin Siyao smoothed her skirt edge delicately, her pale slender legs folded as she sat sideways next to her betrothed, sharing the view of the sinking sun.

"What does Brother Emperor think? Is this place beautiful?" Qin Siyao swiveled to face Xiao Mo, whispering softly.

"Mm, truly excellent." Xiao Mo nodded, "The world's beautiful scenery is nothing more than the natural creation between heaven and earth. This mountain is located among the mountain ranges, from which one can both overlook the towering peaks and ridges and see the fires of human habitation, yet it feels as if one could reach out to explore the layered clouds and pluck the stars and moon."

Xiao Mo shifted to view the maiden nearby, "I wonder how Mujiu discovered this place? I didn't even know about it."

"Mujiu has loved mountains and waters since childhood. Every time I arrive at a place, I look at the mountain ranges and peaks. These past days, Mujiu has had some free time and would also walk around the outskirts. Brother Emperor has lived long in the deep palace and rarely leaves the imperial city, so naturally you wouldn't know about this place."

Qin Siyao veiled her mouth in a soft chuckle, her long lashes framing eyes that lifted coyly to his features.

"Moreover, Brother Emperor, do you know? This mountain of ours also has a story."

"A story?" Xiao Mo queried with interest.

"Yes..."

Qin Siyao nodded, staring at the horizon's sunset.

"Legend says, a very, very long time ago, this place was part of the ancient Qin Kingdom's territory.

Ancient Qin Kingdom had a princess.

This princess, from childhood, was doted upon by her father emperor, mother empress, and brothers. She understood nothing and was carefree all day long then one day, the princess met a little boy.

The little boy became the princess's guard, protecting the little princess and even saving her life.

Later, the little princess and little boy grew up together from childhood.

The little boy had high cultivation talent and was very diligent. He was even more formidable in military campaigns. At a young age, he became renowned throughout the world.

And that little girl gradually grew into a big girl.

One day, the girl realized she seemed to have fallen in love with him.

When he returned victorious from conquering the world and sought to marry her from the ancient Qin Kingdom's ruler, the ruler gladly agreed.

The girl was also very happy to marry him, only hoping from then on to support her husband and raise children, to grow old with him.

The princess looked forward to the wedding day, hoping to wear red wedding clothes, covered by a red bridal veil, to bow with him in worship, hoping he would gently lift her red bridal veil on their wedding night.

But.. perhaps it was because the girl had been too happy before.

Sometimes being too happy requires payment of some kind.

Before long, the princess's father emperor, mother empress, and two brothers all departed from this world.

In the end, only the princess and her beloved remained as family.

He led troops into battle time and again, his prestige shaking the court time and again.

Each time he went to war, the princess would watch from this mountain, waiting, looking...

Each time, he would return.

The princess also believed he would return but one time, the princess waited for a very, very long time, yet he never came back..."

As she spoke, the maiden drew her knees close with both arms, her lips bending into a gentle curve.

Her smile resembled moonlight veiled in gossamer mist, visible in form yet untouchable in delight.

"Later, the princess disappeared. Some people said this princess kept watching for her fiancé and turned into a stone.

Others said this princess kept searching for him, and even finding just a wisp of his remnant soul would be good but no matter what, this mountain later gained a name.

It was called Longing Mountain."

"This princess of ancient Qin Kingdom was also a devoted person," moved by Qin Siyao's tale, Xiao Mo sighed inwardly, "Did that princess find him in the end?"

Qin Siyao pivoted to behold the man at her side, her clear eyes brimming with his reflection...

Noting Qin Siyao's silence, Xiao Mo turned to the maiden and asked, bemused, "What's wrong?"

Qin Siyao playfully flicked her tongue tip, that pink hue like fresh petals kissed by dew, vanishing swiftly into her grin, "Mujiu won't tell Brother Emperor right now~"

Rising, Qin Siyao brushed dust from her form with tiny hands, "Brother Emperor, the sunset has already set. Let's go back, or else the sky will be dark soon."

"Alright..."

Xiao Mo stood as well.

Though Xiao Mo yearned to learn the tale's conclusion, with this spirited girl withholding it, he held back for the moment.

After all, endless days lay ahead.

Descending the mountain, the pair reentered the imperial city, and since Qin Siyao wished to wander the streets, Xiao Mo released her and headed back to the palace alone.

On the capital's avenues, Qin Siyao curtsied gracefully, observing the carriage fade into the distance.

Attendant Mingyue lingered by her lady, wringing her hands, still mulling the princess's earlier narrative.

After much inner debate, Mingyue at last whispered, "Princess..."

"What is it?" Qin Siyao responded.

"Princess, the story you told His Majesty earlier... this servant presumes... may this servant know how the story ended?"

Mingyue's voice held eagerness. Stories like these had enchanted her since youth, and she craved the ending.

"You also want to know?" Qin Siyao chuckled softly.

"Mm-hmm." Mingyue bobbed her head vigorously.

"Then this princess won't tell you either~"

Suddenly, a mask materialized in the maiden's palm.

Certain edges bore faint crimson, unclear if rust or blood from its former bearer.

Its ancient aura hinted at countless years weathered.

The maiden smiled faintly, donned the mask, and proceeded onward.

Streetgoers flowed past like temporal shades around the young woman.

The tale's princess seemed to tread thus, ever pressing ahead.

Traversing towns solitary, amid endless ruin.

Drifting alone in a lone skiff by rivers, all vaporous and remote.

Observing mortal bustle alone like soaring fowl.

Contemplating firefly skies turning to scented meadows alone.

Until verdant hills endure, amid hoary locks and solitude.