We Agreed On Experiencing Life, So Why Did You Immortals Become Real? Chapter 362: Why Must You Put On Such a Show!

Back at the imperial palace, after taking a bath, Xiao Mo sat cross-legged on his bed again.

With just a thought, he dove back into the Book of a Hundred Lives.

The moment Xiao Mo returned to the Book of a Hundred Lives, he tried recalling events from the real world.

He remembered plenty of details, but certain events felt sealed off, refusing to surface no matter how he tried.

This was truly unlike his first three lives.

In those first three lives.

After exiting the Book of a Hundred Lives, the cultivation methods from inside grew fuzzy under the book's divine consciousness safeguard, yet he could still recall major figures and incidents. But this time, upon leaving the Book of a Hundred Lives, everything vanished from memory.

Even upon re-entering the Book of a Hundred Lives, fragments of real-world memories had been wiped clean by the book.

Xiao Mo believed this was yet another soul-protection measure from the Book of a Hundred Lives.

Xiao Mo shook his head.

Dwelling on it for ten days or half a month wouldn't yield answers anyway. For now, he'd proceed step by step.

Time flowed steadily within the Book of a Hundred Lives, with Xiao Mo staying put in the imperial city.

These days marked the most relaxed and enjoyable stretch Xiao Mo had savored since childhood.

Daily, he'd pore over books or hone spear skills in the courtyard, then head back to Xiao Manor alongside Siyao to dine with his mother.

Qin Siyao visited Xiao Mo's place every single day.

The Qin Kingdom’s ruler had already decreed their marriage. Though Qin Siyao hadn't formally entered as bride, she acted just like any wife, fully established as the rightful lady of the Frost Prince's manor.

While Xiao Mo read or wrote, Qin Siyao tended to him with tea and water, ground ink, readied brushes and paper, or unrolled painting scrolls nearby to sketch Xiao Mo's likeness.

The four arts—music, chess, calligraphy, painting—had been drilled into Qin Siyao back then solely to escape the palace for Xiao Mo. She rarely touched them otherwise, but now, tracing her beloved's features on canvas filled her with endless delight.

The more she painted, the happier Qin Siyao grew, feeling she could capture Xiao Mo forever. Yet no brushstroke ever matched his real allure.

Occasionally, she'd drag Xiao Mo into chess matches.

Qin Siyao's skills fell short of Xiao Mo's, naturally.

She suffered crushing defeats often, but soon learned to retract her pieces.

Any misstep, and she'd puff her cheeks, pulling back her stone.

As the woman across from him kept undoing moves, Xiao Mo stayed silent, merely smiling faintly and pressing on. Still, Qin Siyao couldn't claim victory, dropping round after round.

After so many losses, Qin Siyao puffed up like a fish, eyes glistening with tears.

In such moments, Xiao Mo would concede a game to her.

Despite losing all day for just one win, Qin Siyao beamed like a delighted child.

During this period, tiring of shuttling between Princess Manor and Frost Prince's Manor, Qin Siyao simply relocated to the Frost Prince's Manor.

She'd initially eyed Xiao Mo's courtyard, but reconsidered it improper before the wedding rites.

Thus, Qin Siyao settled right next door to Xiao Mo.

Qin Siyao knew cooking and dish prep, yet never served Xiao Mo her creations.

When Xiao Mo inquired why.

Blushing, Qin Siyao replied, "My cooking isn't perfected yet. The food doesn't taste good. Once I've mastered it, I'll cook for you."

With that, she'd dash from the courtyard, offering the dishes to her two elder brothers instead. Xiao Mo thought Siyao held herself to overly strict standards.

The dishes she whipped up looked appetizing and aromatic, in his eyes.

To boost her spirits, Xiao Mo sneaked a taste from her cooking one day.

That single bite churned his Golden Core physique's stomach for a full day.

Xiao Mo couldn't fathom how ordinary spirit beast meat, sans odd ingredients, ended up so disastrous.

Suddenly, he pitied the First and Second Princes.

The Frost Prince's Manor started plain, but post-marriage decree, Qin Siyao fetched in spirit stone miniature peaks, plus assorted spirit blooms and herbs.

Spirit fish now swam in the pond, as she joyfully adorned every corner.

Only the distant wedding kept her from fully festooning the bridal chamber, Xiao Mo mused.

Court affairs, meanwhile.

Remained utterly quiet.

The reforms Xiao Mo suggested to the Qin Kingdom’s ruler went unacknowledged, unspoken in officialdom. Yet the ruler quietly pursued reform paths, dismissing ministers' proposals.

Court officials grasped what the ruler sought—no fools among them—but dared not voice it.

Xiao Mo got it fully.

His proposed changes threatened immense powers.

A misstep could rally nobles to shatter Qin Kingdom, inviting foreign incursions. Still, the Qin Kingdom’s ruler did proclaim guest minister recruitment from abroad.

Building on Xiao Mo's three-tier system, the ruler crafted detailed rules.

Three core principles stood out.

First, pure meritocracy, ignoring origins. Fallen nobles, ragged commoners, even enemy agents qualified if truly skilled.

Second, deeds over fame. Promotions hinged on solid achievements, especially battlefield exploits and policy wins. Empty talk of virtue gained no traction in Qin.

Third, the ruler amped rivalry among guest ministers.

With high turnover and no heritability, today's elite could tumble tomorrow on flops.

Thus, Xiao Mo foresaw fierce clashes: winners ascend, middling fade, failures plummet.

Capable ones, though, earned lavish Qin rewards and honors.

Recruitment came via two routes.

Referrals or self-nominations both worked.

Designated officials vetted candidates.

Passers earned 'guest minister' rank, then pitched to the ruler.

The ruler tasked them with trials: diplomacy abroad, advisory roles, troop commands, project leads, etc.

Success brought posts and ranks.

Up to Prime Minister potential.

Success also rewarded referrers.

The edict's spread amplified Qin guest minister calls.

Talents in the capital penned letters to Frost Prince's Manor, seeking audiences.

Xiao Mo welcomed them all.

He unearthed several standouts.

First came Bai Qi, a Qin native, burly beyond his years, orphaned young.

At thirteen, avenging his mother's bully by slaying the rich Young Master, he fled to Qi Kingdom with her, evading capture seven years.

Months back, a kin's death drew him home riskily for the funeral.

Hearing of open guest slots, Bai Qi aimed high.

Though merely Qi Refinement, his aptitude shone, starved only of resources. Ambitious, strategy-savvy, if tempered from raw ferocity, boundless prospects awaited.

Next was Zhang Yi.

Eloquent soul from Chu Kingdom, now three centuries old.

Noble-born, Dragon Gate stage, pupil of Guiguzi in persuasion arts, a master schemer.

Early flops with lords led to Chu humiliations and frames, scattering kin. He wandered to Qin.

Zhang Yi timed advances perfectly, knew bounds, blended daring with tactics, read situations flawlessly.

Third: Baili Xi.

From lowly Yu Kingdom stock, spirit-rootless mortal, uncultivable.

Sixty now.

In this realm, such a non-cultivator neared death's door.

A maid's report of 'a sixty-plus elder seeking guest minister role' stunned Xiao Mo, yet he granted entry.

There, Xiao Mo found vast knowledge, keen human insight, personality dissection prowess, and profound statecraft depth—a governance genius.

Appointing him guest minister, Baili Xi urged Jian Shu's summons.

Xiao Mo dispatched Baili Xi's missive to fetch Jian Shu.

Frost Prince's swift hires inspired masses to self-recommend at the manor, mostly schemers chasing perks sans skill.

Xiao Mo tasked Xiahou Nan with 'screenings,' diverting them westward.

Xiahou Nan approved some for personal meets.

Xiao Mo forwarded Bai Qi and crew to the ruler, who rejoiced, conversing overnight with Zhang Yi and Baili Xi.

For Bai Qi, the Qin King deemed him too sharp-edged for polish, dispatching to Northern Frontier forces as future Xiao Mo vice.

Plus, the ruler let Xiao Mo build his squad, echoing Xiao Shi's wishes.

Xiao Mo sensed the ruler and father eyed him for eventual Northern Frontier command.

Near Spring Festival, the ruler recalled Xiao Mo's old comrades cityward.

Including fist-training pals Xiao Yang, Xiao Fu, and Iron Tiger Army mates.

Among Xiao clansmen, only Xiao Yang, Xiao Fu, Xiao Dashi impressed Xiao Mo; he enlisted them.

His Iron Tiger survivors—Zhao Wei, Xu Yongsheng et al.—had exited alive, gifted in cultivation and arms, battle-hardened further. Xiao Mo took them aboard.

They bunked with Xiahou Nan westward; General Xiahou drilled them, Xiao Mo joined boozy gatherings often.

Ten days pre-New Year, Jin Kingdom's Eldest Princess Ji Yue reached Qin's capital.

Half-year early: scout customs, signal Jin sincerity.

With Second Prince's bride here, Xiao Mo and Qin Siyao paid respects at his manor.

Second Prince and future empress hosted them warmly.

Though Ji Yue's looks hit eighty percent of Qin Siyao's—and Siyao topped all nations' beauties—eighty percent still dazzled devastatingly.

Plus, her refined air refreshed like spring winds. Gestures bespoke noble poise, upholding Jin royals honorably, fitting Second Prince's match superbly, clicking instantly with Qin Siyao.

Post-departure, Qin Siyao grumbled, "How'd a gem like Sister Ji Yue end up with my dung-heap brother?"

Xiao Mo deemed Second Prince worthy of the Jin princess. Yet something nagged: their vibe felt aloof.

Not mere arranged-marriage reluctance, but visceral revulsion from Qin Jingyuan's core.

…

Second Prince's residence.

After ushering Xiao Mo and Qin Siyao out, Jin Princess Ji Yue withdrew to the yard.

"Siyao and the rest gone?"

In the yard, Second Prince Qin Jingyuan downed a wine cup.

Never a drinker before, now since betrothal, Qin Jingyuan drowned solo daily, seeking oblivion.

"Yes, husband, the Princess and others have departed." Ji Yue affirmed.

"Mm." Another cup vanished.

Snow blanketing his shoulders, Ji Yue shed her cloak, approached from behind to cloak him.

"Don't touch me!"

Her hand grazed his shoulder; Qin Jingyuan bolted upright.

Ji Yue quivered delicately, lips bitten, frozen in place.

"You're just a pawn. This union's no dream of yours. Drop the act! Scram!"

Qin Jingyuan bellowed at Ji Yue.

Her hands shook, tears welling. Softly, "Snow falls thick, chill bites deep. Husband, mind your health..."

Ji Yue curtsied, clutched the cloak, and retreated indoors.

Sky snow thickened relentlessly.

Qin Jingyuan slumped on stone, cup by cup.

At last, he hurled the cup, sprawled in drifts, swigged straight from jug till snow entombed him gradually.