We Agreed On Experiencing Life, So Why Did You Immortals Become Real? Chapter 401: You’ll Know When the Time Comes

Time seemed to vanish like a swift steed glimpsed through a crevice.

Unbeknownst to everyone, another half a year had gracefully slipped by.

The King of Qin had still not designated an heir to the throne.

Despite the ceaseless submissions of memorials from his court officials, the King of Qin would merely cast a cursory glance at them.

Subsequently, for any memorial that “insisted on the establishment of a Crown Prince,” the King of Qin refused to even acknowledge them.

Qin Siyao, too, felt it was inadvisable for her father to leave the position of Crown Prince vacant indefinitely. Thus, she inquired of her father, “Is there perhaps a suitable candidate to be adopted into the royal lineage as an heir?”

However, Qin Shengtian merely offered a smile to his daughter and replied, “None of those individuals measure up to you.”

Upon hearing her father’s response, Qin Siyao presumed he was merely jesting and gave it no further thought.

In truth, Qin Shengtian was vocalizing his genuine sentiments.

Within Qin Shengtian’s heart, he truly believed that the potential heirs presented by the court officials paled in comparison to his own daughter.

“Enough. Regarding the matter of appointing a Crown Prince, Siyao, you need not concern yourself with it. I have someone specific in mind already,” the King of Qin declared, a smile gracing his features as he spoke to his daughter.

“Eh? Father already has someone in mind? Who might it be?” Qin Siyao asked, her curiosity piqued.

“I shall not divulge it to you, my dear child, not just yet,” Qin Shengtian’s lips curved upwards. “When the opportune moment arrives, you shall discover.”

“Very well...”

Left wanting for an answer, Qin Siyao felt a twinge of disappointment but refrained from pressing the issue further. Instead, she continued to sit by his side, assisting her father in reviewing the official documents.

In the Emperor’s study at this moment, in addition to Qin Shengtian’s primary writing desk, a separate desk had been thoughtfully arranged for his daughter.

Qin Shengtian observed his daughter nearby, a mixture of emotions stirring within him.

In earlier times, when Qin Shengtian withheld an answer from Qin Siyao, she would often react with a tantrum, insisting vehemently on a clear response.

But now, Qin Siyao did not push for details. Instead, she diligently utilized the time to manage state affairs.

Qin Shengtian recognized this change as a sign of his daughter’s burgeoning maturity.

Yet, paradoxically, this very maturity brought a pang of sorrow and a sense of guilt to Qin Shengtian’s heart.

The sun began its slow descent towards the west.

The evening sky was painted in hues of deep red by the fading sunlight.

Gentle rays of light streamed through the window, casting their glow upon the father and daughter within the Emperor’s study.

Soon, the day was on the verge of concluding.

“Father, it is growing late. Your daughter shall take her leave and return to the Frost King’s residence first,” Qin Siyao announced.

Having completed the memorial before her, Qin Siyao lifted her head. Observing that the hour was appropriate, she stood and bid her father farewell.

“Off to prepare a meal for Xiao Mo once more, I presume?” Qin Shengtian remarked with a smile.

“Indeed. Every evening now, I prepare meals for Xiao Mo,” Qin Siyao confirmed, a hint of pride echoing in her voice. “Xiao Mo declares that the dishes I prepare are truly delectable.”

“You, cooking for Xiao Mo each night—your father has yet to savor a single dish you’ve made,” Qin Shengtian sighed theatrically.

Qin Siyao couldn't help but give her father a playful, rolling gaze. “Previously, Siyao wished to cook for Father, but Father consistently declined with various excuses, did he not?”

“Hahaha…” Qin Shengtian erupted in hearty laughter. “Was it not because your two elder brothers worried about my constitution, thus specifically cautioning me against sampling your culinary creations rashly? Now that your cooking has reached such heights, Father absolutely must indulge.”

Qin Siyao’s eyes curved into crescent moons. “If that is the case, then Siyao shall prepare lunch for Father tomorrow.”

“Mhm, excellent,” Qin Shengtian nodded in agreement.

“Then, Father, your daughter departs. Tomorrow, I shall prepare an entire banquet of exquisite dishes for you!” Qin Siyao executed a slight bow, then moved towards the writing desk, gathering all the memorials into a storage pouch before gracefully exiting the Emperor’s study.

“This young lady…”

Gazing at his somewhat depleted desk, Qin Shengtian offered a smile tinged with helplessness.

Ever since her mother’s passing, each time this daughter departed from the Imperial Study, she would invariably take with her the memorials that he had yet to finalize.

How could Qin Shengtian possibly be unaware? She was concerned for his health and did not wish for him to overexert himself.

“Cough, cough, cough…”

Only after his daughter had departed did Qin Shengtian cease his pretense and succumb to a relentless coughing fit.

“Cough, cough, cough!”

As the coughing subsided somewhat, Qin Shengtian reached for the teapot by his side and poured himself several cups of tea.

The handkerchief resting upon the desk was now stained with crimson blood.

Closing his eyes and drawing a deep, steadying breath, Qin Shengtian commenced the process of regulating his internal Qi, utilizing his spiritual sense to meticulously examine his own body from within.

After the duration of an incense stick had passed, Qin Shengtian's eyes slowly fluttered open. While his countenance conveyed resignation and a distinct unwillingness, a profound sense of calm acceptance in the face of impending mortality was more evident.

“It appears… my journey ends here.” Qin Shengtian’s lips curved into a faint smile, as if offering a quiet statement to himself. “So be it. Having reached this point in my life was already a significant feat. What more could one possibly desire?”

With the handkerchief put away, Qin Shengtian dismantled the protective formation array. He then called out towards Eunuch Li, who had been diligently standing guard outside the Imperial Study all this time. “Enter.”

“Your Majesty…”

Eunuch Li hastened into the Imperial Study, executing a deep, respectful bow.

“Summon Prime Minister Li, Grand Marshal Baili, and Imperial Censor Doctor Huo Shu. I intend to draft an imperial decree,” Qin Shengtian declared with composed serenity.

Eunuch Li’s heart gave a powerful lurch.

His Majesty’s physical condition had been deteriorating with each passing day, and now he was calling for the Three Excellencies, solely to draft an edict—could the edict he was preparing possibly be—

a final testament…

“You old fool—what are you standing there spacing out for? Why have you not departed? ” Qin Shengtian playfully jabbed a finger towards Eunuch Li’s nose, chiding him with a chuckle.

“Yes, Your Majesty. This old servant shall depart this instant!”

Eunuch Li discreetly swiped at the corner of his eye before promptly withdrawing, his steps quickening as he exited the Imperial Study.

Upon receiving the summons, Prime Minister Li and the others immediately made their way to the palace.

The following day.

Qin Siyao returned to the Imperial Study once more and, in her customary fashion, assisted her father in reviewing the official documents.

As midday approached, Qin Siyao personally prepared a meal for her father within the Imperial Kitchen.

While his daughter was occupied with cooking, the ruler of Qin specifically summoned Xiao Mo to the palace.

At noon, Qin Shengtian partook in the meal prepared by his daughter.

Though Qin Shengtian's palate registered that the dishes Siyao had prepared were not as refined as those crafted by the skilled chefs of the Imperial Kitchen,

in the depths of his heart, he perceived the food his daughter made as surpassing countless worldly delicacies.

“Father, what are your thoughts? Does your daughter’s cooking taste good?” Qin Siyao inquired, her tone filled with hopeful anticipation.

“Good. It is truly good.” Qin Shengtian nodded affirmatively. “Father had never imagined that in this lifetime, I would still have the opportunity to savor food prepared by you, my dear girl. Truly, I shall have no regrets even if I were to pass away now.”

“Father, why utter such inauscitious words.” Qin Siyao personally placed a bowl of rice before her father. “If Father wishes for it, then your daughter shall prepare meals for Father every single day.”

“Hehehe.” Qin Shengtian offered neither confirmation nor denial.

Following their meal, Qin Shengtian instructed her to proceed to the Censorate to retrieve certain documents.

And precisely as Qin Siyao departed, Qin Shengtian entrusted a letter into Xiao Mo’s hands.

“Your Majesty, what is this?” Xiao Mo inquired, a look of bewilderment on his face.

Qin Shengtian stroked his beard, a gentle smile gracing his lips as he spoke, “This letter—you are to read it only after you have returned. Remember this: ensure Siyao does not lay eyes upon it.”