We Agreed On Experiencing Life, So Why Did You Immortals Become Real? Chapter 398: We Womens Tears Are Shed for Our Beloved to Cherish
Previously on We Agreed On Experiencing Life, So Why Did You Immortals Become Real?...
Half a year had elapsed following Xiao Shi's demise and Xiao Mo's assumption of command over the Northern Frontier army.
During this interim, while border skirmishes occurred sporadically, tranquility largely prevailed across the Qin Kingdom. Many ordinary citizens even lost sight of the ongoing conflict with other nations.
Regarding any developments concerning the Qin Kingdom's crown prince, updates remained scarce.
Despite continuous recommendations of various royal princes by ministers, the Qin Kingdom's sovereign had yet to endorse any candidate.
The position of crown prince thus remained unoccupied.
Certain court officials speculated that His Majesty might intend to sire another prince and groom him as a successor.
Other officials mused that His Majesty awaited the birth of an imperial grandson from the Frost Prince and Third Princess Qin Siyao, though the Frost Prince and Third Princess were not yet wed.
Regardless, His Majesty's intentions remained an enigma to all.
In contrast, the Qin Kingdom's ruler involved Qin Siyao in the daily management of state affairs.
In the initial stages, Qin Siyao's engagement with court matters was somewhat unpolished, yet her profound talent was undeniable.Indeed, the Qin Kingdom's ruler had long recognized his daughter's exceptional intelligence, evidenced by celestial phenomena at her birth.
However, her sheltered upbringing had rendered her somewhat carefree, her inherent talents suppressed by a disposition of laziness. What the Qin Kingdom's ruler had not anticipated was the astonishing speed at which she absorbed knowledge once she applied herself seriously.
With incisive guidance from key points, Qin Siyao grasped concepts swiftly, demonstrating an uncanny ability to extrapolate from minimal information, requiring only simple prompts from her father.
This brilliance was unfortunately confined by her gender.
Had Qin Siyao been a third prince, the mantle of crown prince might well have been beyond the reach of her two brothers.
The sole regret of the Qin Kingdom's ruler was the limitation of his own lifespan.
Had he been granted a few more years to subtly pave the path for his daughter, her future endeavors might have been less arduous. Yet, in this world, such "ifs" did not exist.
Furthermore, throughout this same six-month period, Empress Shi's health steadily deteriorated.
Xiao Mo paid frequent visits to Empress Shi within the palace walls.
Perhaps unable to bear the thought of parting from her daughter, Empress Shi clung to life, her final breath yet to depart.
From Xiao Mo's perspective, Empress Shi's tenacity in enduring thus far was remarkable, but the inevitable end loomed large.
Xiao Mo sensed that the final days of this virtuous empress were likely imminent, possibly within the coming days.
On a particular morning, Qin Siyao approached her mother's chambers as was her custom, intending to prepare her mother's medicine. However, Empress Shi gently clasped her daughter's wrist, a soft smile gracing her lips. "Siyao, Mother feels disinclined towards medicine today. There is no need for you to trouble yourself. Would you accompany Mother for a stroll, my dear?"
Upon hearing her mother's words, Qin Siyao seemed to grasp their underlying meaning. A slight tremor passed through her eyes, and a delicate mist veiled her beautiful gaze.
Qin Siyao pressed her lips together, valiantly holding back the tears that welled within her. She managed a smile, nodding in affirmation. "Of course, Mother. Siyao shall help you rise immediately."
Assisted by her daughter, Empress Shi rose and took a seat before the ornate vanity.
Qin Siyao meticulously applied her mother's makeup and assisted her in changing her attire.
Approximately half an hour later, Empress Shi, with Qin Siyao by her side, emerged from their chambers.
Together, they proceeded, step by deliberate step, towards the imperial mausoleum within the palace grounds.
The cenotaphs of the First Prince, Qin Jingsu, and the Second Prince were both situated in this solemn place.
"Siyao, from this moment onward, you must diligently care for your father. He is a man who prefers to manage all matters personally and exerts himself excessively. You must offer him counsel frequently. Your father will heed your words above all others."
As they strolled along the path, Empress Shi imparted this solemn charge to Qin Siyao.
"I understand, Mother," Qin Siyao replied, lowering her head in agreement.
"Moreover, it is beneficial that your father permits you to oversee state affairs. In the future, you should also dedicate more attention to matters of the court. As for those officials, with the exception of your husband, Xiao Mo, you must not place your trust in anyone else. Do you comprehend?"
"I comprehend, Mother."
"Also, and this is important, we wives must cultivate magnanimity. Mother is aware of your deep affection for Xiao Mo, and he reciprocates your love. However, matters of the heart are unpredictable. It would be ideal if Xiao Mo were to take no other wives, but should he one day choose to do so, do not allow anger to consume you."
"Mmm, rest assured, Mother. I shall not become angry."
"You must properly manage household affairs for Xiao Mo. In the future, if you and Xiao Mo have children, you don't need too many. Too many isn't good either, but you can't have too few. One boy and one girl would be quite nice."
"After Mother dies, tell your father not to hold a grand funeral. Now the nation is stretched thin. Once someone is dead, there's no need to waste that money. Just hold a simple ceremony. Mother will be buried beside your two brothers. After Mother is gone, she can find them."
"Also, Mother knows you have a soft temperament, but sometimes you cannot be softhearted, or you'll be bullied."
"Besides Xiao Mo, never cry in front of others. We women's tears aren't shed for others to see. They're shed for our beloved to cherish."
"Have you clearly remembered everything Mother said?"
"Mm." Qin Siyao's voice carried a trace of choking, "Mother, rest assured. Siyao has remembered everything."
"Good that you've remembered."
Before she realized it, Empress Shi had already arrived before her two sons' tombs.
Empress Shi walked forward, lightly brushed her robes, and knelt gracefully on the ground. She extended her hand and gently stroked the white tombstone.
"Jingsu, Jingyuan, Mother has come to see you. But after this, it will be hard on Siyao. Jingsu, Jingyuan. Siyao, she... can she really hold on?"
Empress Shi's breathing became increasingly faint. Her eyelids grew heavier and heavier as if drowsy. Her voice became even more like falling leaves, barely audible.
As Empress Shi's final word fell, her eyes gradually closed. She lowered her head, as if falling asleep, only she would never wake again.
"Mother."
"Mother."
"Mother."
Kneeling beside her, Qin Siyao tightly grasped her mother's sleeve. Her eyes could no longer bear the weight of her tears, which flowed down like a spring.
The silent mausoleum echoed with the young woman's calls again and again, yet no one ever responded.
In the imperial study, the Qin Kingdom's ruler suddenly felt a pain in his chest and pressed it tightly.
"Your Majesty..."
Eunuch Li hurried forward in alarm.
The Qin Kingdom's ruler waved his hand, telling him to withdraw.
The Qin Kingdom's ruler looked toward a delicate jade carving on the desk. That jade carving was a gift Empress Shi had personally made for the Qin Kingdom's ruler when she entered the palace years ago.
And at this moment, cracks had already appeared in the jade carving.
"It's alright, Xin'er."
The Qin Kingdom's ruler extended his hand and tenderly stroked the jade carving.
"This husband will soon come to accompany you."
