We Agreed On Experiencing Life, So Why Did You Immortals Become Real? Chapter 368: Peace Year After Year

Following Xiao Mo's tribulation breakthrough into Nascent Soul, the ruler of the Qin Kingdom dispatched servants with congratulatory presents.

Moreover, countless court officials seized the moment to offer gifts, eager to build favorable connections with Xiao Mo.

Truth be told, Xiao Mo now occupied a position of supreme authority. Commanding the Northern Frontier lay undoubtedly in his future. Nobody wished to miss out on clinging to his rising star. Nevertheless, beyond the Qin Kingdom ruler's offerings, Xiao Mo rejected every other present.

A few days later, New Year's Eve arrived.

Families across the land strung up lanterns and festive trimmings, driving away the old year to embrace the new, exchanging faded spring couplets and door gods for vibrant replacements.

Be it in the Qin Kingdom or foreign lands, the door god always depicted the selfsame individual.

Legends hailed him as the pioneering human sword immortal of the ancient divine age, humanity's chieftain who cleaved open heavens and earth, shattering the gods' tyranny. Yet, with eons elapsed, no true likeness of this human progenitor endured. Posterity drew solely from legendary accounts, letting fancy guide their brushes.

Thus, door gods adorning entrances nationwide portrayed one man, yet their faces differed noticeably.

Xiao Mo and Qin Siyao affixed spring couplets and door gods as well, though Frost Prince's Manor sprawled immensely, so they jointly decorated merely the grand entrance and their private courtyards.

The rest of the courtyards naturally fell to the maids' hands.

Once spring couplets and door gods stood ready at Frost Prince's Manor, Xiao Mo and Qin Siyao hastened to Xiao Prince's Manor.

"Mother, Aunt Cui, we're back."

From beyond the courtyard, Qin Siyao called out joyfully, laden with New Year presents.

"What brings Siyao here?"

Zhou Ruoxi rushed forward delightedly to welcome them. Cuicui swiftly relieved Xiao Mo and Qin Siyao of their New Year gifts, setting them upon the stone table.

Zhou Ruoxi expected Mo'er to join her for the New Year, yet Siyao's presence surprised her. She figured Siyao would head to the palace to keep company with her father emperor and mother empress.

"Siyao naturally came to celebrate the New Year with Mother." Qin Siyao sweetly clasped her mother-in-law's hand.

"But His Majesty's side..." Zhou Ruoxi hinted gently.

"No worries, Mother. Though Siyao hasn't fully entered the household, she's already Xiao family. Besides, Father Emperor has my brothers with him, so missing one changes nothing. Mother Empress approved too."

As she spoke, Qin Siyao feigned grievance, her voice tinged with worry.

"Does Mother not want Siyao here?"

"Silly child, how can you say that? Mother couldn't be happier." Zhou Ruoxi lightly poked Qin Siyao's brow, fully aware of her playful charm. "I'll whip up your beloved crescent moon meat later."

"Thanks, Mother. You're the best." Qin Siyao gleefully clung to Zhou Ruoxi's arm, nuzzling against it blissfully.

"Enough, you two. Time for tea."

Nearby, Xiao Mo grinned, beckoning Qin Siyao.

"Coming!" Qin Siyao replied. "Mother, we'll put up your spring couplets perfectly neat."

"Go on then." Zhou Ruoxi squeezed Qin Siyao's dainty hand.

Snatching the spring couplets from the table, Qin Siyao bounced over to Xiao Mo's side with delight.

Xiao Mo shunned spells, climbing a ladder like any mortal to affix the couplets flanking the courtyard entrance.

Xiao Mo penned the upper and lower lines; Qin Siyao inscribed the horizontal scroll.

Their handwriting, though shy of calligraphy masters, looked quite handsome.

Observing the pair at work, Zhou Ruoxi's lips lifted in a soft smile. These blissful days felt almost dreamlike...

With couplets done, Qin Siyao dashed to the kitchen, aiding Zhou Ruoxi and Cuicui in readying the New Year's Eve feast.

Sensing her own "extraordinary" culinary prowess all too well, Qin Siyao assisted from the sidelines rather than leading the cooking.

Meanwhile, Xiao Mo lounged at the courtyard's stone table, etching warming formations. These would preserve the dishes' heat upon serving.

As dusk fell and the final dish emerged from the kitchen, Xiao Mo wrapped firecrackers around a bamboo pole by the gate.

"Let me ignite it, let me..."

Gripping an incense stick, Qin Siyao itched to spark the firecrackers, yet flinched back each time her hand neared the fuse...

"Wife, can you manage? If not, let me." Xiao Mo teased smilingly.

"I can totally do it!" Qin Siyao huffed, eyes twinkling. "Ah! Idea! Husband, over here!"

Ere Xiao Mo could protest, Qin Siyao tugged him close.

One arm around Xiao Mo, she tentatively extended the incense with the other.

The fuse caught; like a startled kitten, Qin Siyao burrowed into Xiao Mo's chest.

Xiao Mo caught on instantly, scooping her up with a sigh and dashing inside. Trailing them, explosive crackles erupted.

After the final bang faded, Xiao Mo and the rest gathered round the stone table.

"This new year, Siyao and Husband toast Mother a century of life and enduring vitality like the Southern Mountain. To Aunt Cui growing ever more radiant."

"Thanks, Mo'er and Siyao."

"Grateful, Young Master and Princess."

Zhou Ruoxi lifted her cup. "We toast Mo'er and Siyao white-haired unity, hearts entwined eternally, prosperity unending."

"Cheers!"

Blessings wafted through the yard as Qin Siyao rose beaming, clinking cups all around.

New Year's Eve dinner done, night cloaked the sky.

The imperial capital of Qin Kingdom buzzed anew.

Qin Kingdom cherished a tradition.

On New Year's Eve, a lantern festival unfolded.

Post-feast, families flocked to town streets for the vigil, jointly heralding the fresh year.

Xiao Mo's household joined in.

The quartet exited the yard onto capital streets teeming with revelers, vibrant beyond measure.

Lanterns bathed the long avenue in cozy amber light.

Silk orbs dangled from eaves and boughs, inscribed with "fortune" or floral avian sketches.

Crimson banners fluttered ceaselessly before shops, dancing in the breeze.

Laughter mingled with children's glee, distant gongs and drums, hawkers' crisp shouts—blending harmoniously, far from chaotic.

Sweet pastry scents intertwined with candied chestnut roast, wafting teasingly into nostrils.

From the arched bridge's heart, gazing down, river lights speckled the surface.

Folk knelt at steps, launching lotus lanterns that meandered with the flow, weaving a shimmering ribbon mirroring sparse stars above.

Qin Siyao linked arms with her mother-in-law, whispering excitedly about street novelties near her ear.

Lantern glow softened Zhou Ruoxi's gaze to utmost tenderness.

They paused at a silk flower stall. Qin Siyao plucked a pale pink bloom, grinning as she displayed it to her mother-in-law.

Cuicui trailed demurely, hands folded, beside mistress and young miss.

Xiao Mo lingered a step behind, beholding his nurturing mother, cherished wife, and Aunt Cui—long beyond mere servant, raised alongside him.

Midnight struck; bells pealed across the capital.

"Whoosh~"

"Whoosh~"

"Whoosh~"

Fireworks soared skyward in succession, unfurling like nocturnal blossoms.

Bells and bursts proclaimed the new year's dawn.

"Husband, hurry! Fireworks are bursting..." Qin Siyao whirled, beckoning with her lithe hand.

"Young Master, quick! This servant saved prime viewing for you." Cuicui urged.

"Mo'er." Even crowd-averse Mother called softly.

"On my way."

Xiao Mo smiled faintly, striding up.

Fireworks proliferated, slashing the firmament in radiant arcs.

Silver chrysanthemums cascaded filigreed petals. Ere they dimmed, scarlet peonies erupted beside, clustering gloriously.

Sparkles twinkled earthward like gentle luminous showers. At last, faint smoke trails curled about the waning crescent.

As though this eve, every hue dissolved into profound night.