We Agreed On Experiencing Life, So Why Did You Immortals Become Real? Chapter 383: The Final Great Battle Is Ultimately Coming
Previously on We Agreed On Experiencing Life, So Why Did You Immortals Become Real?...
"..." Upon hearing Xia Qingke's words, Xiao Mo bowed his head and stayed quiet.
Xia Qingke turned to gaze at Xiao Mo, "Mo'er, thank you.
Had you not rescued Yishe, she would have committed a terrible blunder in time.
Without you, the Xiao Manor's prestige—earned through five generations of devoted officials—might have sunk to dire lows.
Without your aid, I couldn't face our forebears in the afterlife."
"What I did was nothing great," Xiao Mo shook his head. "Instead, Eldest Aunt, your efforts for the Xiao Manor go far beyond enough."
"Beyond enough? It was simply my role as the Northern Pacification Prince's consort..."
Xia Qingke gave a tender smile.
"Mo'er, the Xiao Manor now relies on you. I firmly believe it won't falter under your watch, though you'll grow extremely weary. You've worked so hard."
Xiao Mo longed to reply, yet words escaped him right then."Enough talk with this old lady—it must bore you greatly. Mo'er, please summon your mother. I wish to behold her once more." Xia Qingke eyed Xiao Mo with a begging look, fearing he might deny her.
"Mother is right here already. She longs to see you," Xiao Mo stated.
"How splendid. Hurry and bring your mother inside." A spark of delight gleamed in Xia Qingke's eyes.
"Yes."
Xiao Mo stepped out.
By then, a crowd had gathered outside the Xiao Manor's principal wife's chamber.
Present were ladies from the manor's branches and distant branches, ministers' wives, and friendly noblewomen.
"Frost Prince."
As Xiao Mo appeared, all bowed as one.
"Everyone need not be so polite." Xiao Mo offered a quick bow back, then addressed his mother, "Mother, Eldest Aunt wishes to speak with you."
"Mm."
Zhou Ruoxi nodded and entered.
The exchange between Xia Qingke and Zhou Ruoxi dragged on much longer than her discussion with her firstborn.
No one knew their exact words, yet Xiao Mo and the rest could largely infer them.
After a solid two hours, Zhou Ruoxi at last emerged from Xia Qingke's room. Xiao Mo observed his mother's eyes rimmed red, as though from extended tears.
Xia Qingke invited numerous kin and companions into her room too.
Only as the sun dipped did the assembly finally scatter.
In the evening, following a simple repast, Xia Qingke sat upright and let maid Huanying aid her toilette.
Once clad and adorned, Xia Qingke propped herself against the bedhead, stating she craved some sleep and bidding Huanying to leave first.
Beyond the si hour, Huanying entered with a water basin, murmuring softly, "Madam, let this servant wipe your body."
Xia Qingke offered no answer, just reclined against the headboard bearing a faint smile, perfectly still.
"Madam?"
Huanying's eyes quivered while a grim foreboding swelled within her.
"Madam!!!"
Huanying's basin crashed down, water flooding the ground and soaking it through.
Huanying slumped by the bed, wailing bitterly.
In the hushed night, solely that single tree whispered in the breeze.
The following day, tidings of the Xiao Manor's principal wife's death swept across the imperial capital.
The Qin Kingdom's sovereign arrived in person at the Xiao Manor for the funeral.
The funeral rites boasted utmost grandeur, surpassed only by an empress's.
Post Xia Qingke's demise, Zhou Ruoxi took up the Xiao family's principal wife mantle.
Zhou Ruoxi truly desired not the principal wife seat, having relished her tranquil existence; yet prior to her end, Xia Qingke pled with her at length until Zhou Ruoxi consented.
Furthermore, within today's Xiao Manor, none but Zhou Ruoxi qualified for principal wife.
Seven days flew by.
By Qin Kingdom rite, Xia Qingke's seventh-day service marked the funeral's close.
Xiao Shi quitted the capital toward the Qin-Jin frontier.
In that time, Xiao Shi posted at the border, ever guarding against the Jin Kingdom.
Regarding Xiao Yichuan, bereft of mother and young sibling, with Xiao Mo bolstering the Xiao Manor, his heart held scant bond to the mortal empire.
"Third Brother need not see me off any further. Elder Brother will take his leave now." Beyond the imperial city, Xiao Yichuan wheeled about and declared.
Xiao Mo ceased his steps, "Elder Brother, may you have a smooth journey."
"With you guarding Xiao Manor now, this elder brother can depart without a single worry. Elder Brother likely won't come back after today, but still, if there's any matter where Elder Brother can lend a hand, just send a sword message straight to Tao Mountain Sect." Xiao Yichuan clapped Xiao Mo's shoulder firmly.
"Third Brother thanks Elder Brother deeply. May Elder Brother's cultivation path be ever smooth." Xiao Mo bowed respectfully.
"Take good care of yourself too, Third Brother."
Xiao Yichuan and Xiao Mo shared their farewell wine, each taking a sip.
Though Xiao Yichuan seemed utterly carefree outwardly, Xiao Mo understood full well that their mother's death had struck his elder brother a devastating blow.
Xiao Mo wondered whether this tragedy might evolve into his elder brother's inner demon.
Once Xiao Yichuan had flown off into the distance, Xiao Mo heaved a sigh and made his way back to the imperial city.
Due to the Xiao family's principal wife's passing, Xiao Mo had to observe a three-year mourning period. Marriage was off-limits during this time, filling him with guilt towards Qin Siyao. Yet she never raised the topic of their union. Every day, she tended to his daily affairs, and her culinary skills had soared—not merely edible now, but genuinely delectable.
Even without Qin Siyao bringing it up, Xiao Mo felt compelled to clarify things with her, lest unease gnaw at his heart forever.
"Siyao, about our wedding..." During a midday meal shared by the pair, Xiao Mo finally broached the subject.
"It's fine, Husband."
Qin Siyao smiled gently, shaking her head as she placed a pork rib into Xiao Mo's bowl.
"I understand exactly what Husband means to say, but our wedding isn't pressing right now.
Madam Xia has only just departed, and with Husband in mourning, how could we sensibly hold the ceremony?
Besides, the border teeters on the edge, a colossal battle fast approaching. How could this concubine allow Husband to divide his focus with wedding preparations?"
"I'm sorry..." Xiao Mo uttered, laden with guilt.
"This concubine has already stated it—Husband needn't apologize."
Qin Siyao set her chopsticks aside, rose to her feet, and nestled onto her husband's lap.
"Moreover, Husband can't dodge this wedding, for this concubine will engrave it in her memory eternally.
Eternally, understand?"
"Why do Siyao's words carry such a chilling edge?" Xiao Mo wrapped his arms around Qin Siyao's lithe waist.
"Chilling?" Qin Siyao lightly poked Xiao Mo's forehead in jest. "Then Husband must etch this wedding into his soul. This concubine won't easily forgive Husband, you know."
"I know." Xiao Mo replied, grinning.
"Your Highness, Her Highness the Princess..."
Right as Xiao Mo and Qin Siyao shared their intimate exchange, a maid entered the courtyard.
Qin Siyao hastily slipped off Xiao Mo's lap, turning away with a bashful flush.
"What's the matter?" Xiao Mo inquired.
"The First Prince awaits outside the courtyard. He relays that His Majesty summons you to the palace," the maid reported.
"Did the First Prince mention who else has been called?" Xiao Mo's brow furrowed.
The maid nodded, "The First Prince mentioned Prime Minister Li, General Xiahou, Lord Wu'an, and various other military leaders have all received the summons..."
"Got it. Inform the First Prince I'm coming right away."
A grave seriousness settled over Xiao Mo's face.
In the end, the climactic grand battle was upon them.