We Agreed On Experiencing Life, So Why Did You Immortals Become Real? Chapter 395: Has Your Majesty Truly Decided?
Previously on We Agreed On Experiencing Life, So Why Did You Immortals Become Real?...
Ten days had quietly slipped by since Xiao Mo's return to the imperial capital of the Qin Kingdom.
During this period, a considerable number of court officials and prominent families expressed a desire to visit the Xiao Manor and the Frost Prince Manor. However, both Xiao Mo and Xiao Shi resolutely kept their doors shut, declining all visitors.
Xiao Mo also made frequent trips to the palace, utilizing the jade token to visit Qin Siyao and Empress Shi.
Empress Shi's condition deteriorated with each passing day.
Despite Qin Siyao diligently preparing and administering medicine daily, and Empress Shi taking various medicinal pills,
When one's final moments approached, even immortal medicine held no sway. Nevertheless, Empress Shi cooperated fully with her treatments each day, often taking strolls in the courtyard hand-in-hand with Qin Siyao.
Xiao Mo fully grasped Empress Shi's underlying intentions.
Empress Shi was aware that the medicine was futile, but she understood even more profoundly that the more desperately Siyao tried to heal her now, the less remorse Siyao would carry after her passing.
In addition to his palace visits, Xiao Mo would spend time with his mother or discuss matters of military strategy with Xiao Shi.
The border conflicts had not yet ceased.Every day, message-carrying flying swords arrived from the front lines, directly delivered to the Xiao Prince Manor.
The father and son frequently collaborated, analyzing the trajectory of future battles to formulate their strategic responses.
And during Xiao Mo's sojourn in the capital, the entire imperial city began to stir with anticipation.
"Who will ascend to the position of crown prince?" became the paramount concern for everyone.
As the situation stood, the eldest and second princes had already departed from this world, and His Majesty had no other sons remaining.
The current course of action might necessitate selecting a candidate from the established branch families and formally adopting him.
It was precisely this delicate matter that had ignited such a lively discussion within the court.
A significant number of officials, setting aside their official duties, jointly submitted petitions to the Qin Kingdom's sovereign, advocating for the swift adoption of outstanding heirs from noble families to ensure the state's stability.
If these officials were this fervent, then the members of the Qin Kingdom's royal branch families were beyond excited.
Who wouldn't desire their son to be adopted into the palace?
Even if, legally speaking, they would sever ties with their son post-adoption, he remained their own flesh and blood, and undeniable benefits would surely accrue to them in the future.
For a time, across the entirety of the Qin Kingdom, ambition began to brew in everyone's hearts.
One day, Zhang Yi, Baili Xi, and Jian Shu paid a visit to the Frost Prince Manor, seeking to ascertain Xiao Mo's stance on the matter.
The trio declared their unwavering support for whomever Xiao Mo ultimately endorsed.
In truth, a considerable number of individuals within the court were keenly interested in the perspectives of Frost Prince Xiao Mo and Northern Pacification Prince Xiao Shi.
After all, this father and son duo had amassed such significant merit that they could genuinely sway the selection of the future crown prince. Yet, Xiao Mo merely shook his head, stating he held no personal opinions and would defer entirely to His Majesty's decision. Whoever His Majesty appointed, he would support, though it was impossible for Xiao Mo not to feel a sense of unease.
The Qin Kingdom was currently navigating a critical juncture, requiring the court's unified efforts. However, due to the issue of the crown prince, the populace was becoming unsettled, with many officials contemplating strategic alliances to establish themselves as early supporters.
Xiao Mo returned to the Xiao Manor, intending to seek his father's counsel on the prospective selection of the crown prince.
When it came to matters of the court, Xiao Mo felt his father possessed a far deeper understanding than he did.
"I am aware of your concerns, Xiao Mo. However, you need not trouble yourself with this affair. His Majesty undoubtedly has his own strategies in mind. If my assessment is correct, His Majesty already has a candidate in contemplation," Xiao Shi remarked with a smile.
"His Majesty has a candidate already?" Xiao Mo inquired, surprise evident in his voice.
"I am merely speculating. Whether it proves accurate remains to be seen. However, individuals, when confronted with mortality, tend to possess remarkable clarity."
Xiao Shi rose and placed a hand on Xiao Mo's shoulder.
"In comparison, you should focus on preparations. I suspect that the day after tomorrow, you will need to accompany me to the Northern Frontier."
"I am required to go this time as well?"
Xiao Mo knew that his father intended to depart for the Northern Frontier as soon as possible after returning to the capital. His prolonged stay in the Qin Kingdom's imperial capital was already quite unusual.
The corners of Xiao Shi's lips upturned into a smile, "This time, your presence is indispensable."
…
"Father Emperor, you summoned your daughter?"
Upon receiving the summons, Qin Siyao presented herself in the imperial study.
At that moment, the Qin Kingdom's ruler was engrossed in reviewing official documents.
"Siyao has arrived." Noticing his daughter's entrance, he lifted his head with a smile, patting the memorials nearby. "Siyao, come assist your Father Emperor with some duties." Qin Siyao approached her father emperor's side, inquiring with a touch of confusion, "What tasks can your daughter assist Father Emperor with?" "These memorials and documents, naturally," the ruler of the Qin Kingdom personally poured his daughter a cup of tea. "Previously, when I managed these state affairs, your eldest and second brothers would lend a hand. Now, with only me remaining, I wish for you to serve as my aide." "But Father Emperor... Siyao is a woman..." Qin Siyao looked toward her father. "How can a woman be involved in governance? Is this not somewhat improper?" "In my Great Qin, I decree what is proper," the Qin Kingdom's ruler responded with a smile. "First, peruse these memorials, then utilize the vermillion brush to make your reviews directly. I shall observe your capabilities." "..." Despite a lingering sense of hesitation, seeing her father emperor's determined demeanor, Qin Siyao could only offer a curtsy. "Yes, Father Emperor." Seating herself beside her father, Qin Siyao commenced her review of the memorials. The documents encompassed matters of military strategy, agricultural policies, the promotion and impeachment of officials, and various other critical areas. Having been exposed to such affairs since her youth, and possessing a considerable capacity for learning, Qin Siyao found herself not entirely adrift when examining these memorials. Upon completing her reviews, Qin Siyao presented the memorials to her father for his examination. The Qin Kingdom's ruler reviewed them once more, then proceeded to explain to Qin Siyao the aspects she had overlooked, the individual characteristics of certain officials, and which memorials could be swiftly set aside without wasting valuable time. As the evening advanced and the setting sun began to dip below the horizon, the Qin Kingdom's ruler passed another stack of memorials to his daughter. "Siyao, take these and review them. Present them to me tomorrow." "Yes, Father Emperor..." Though Qin Siyao undeniably felt a degree of fatigue, her willingness to alleviate her father emperor's burden meant she harbored no complaints. After Qin Siyao departed from the imperial study, the Qin Kingdom's ruler couldn't help but let out a sigh, as if addressing an unseen presence. "This girl detests reading and writing the most. In the past, if I assigned her this much 'homework,' she would have been bouncing off the walls. Yet now, she hasn't uttered a single word of protest." Emerging from behind a screen, Prime Minister Li, who had maintained his concealed presence throughout, stepped forward and gazed toward the window. Across the plaza outside the imperial study, clad in palace attire, she was seen carrying a substantial pile of memorials as she headed towards her sleeping quarters. Prime Minister Li withdrew his gaze and turned to the Qin Kingdom's ruler. "Has Your Majesty truly made up your mind?" The Qin Kingdom's ruler gathered his sleeves, a subtle curve gracing the corner of his lips. "Why should I not?"