We Agreed On Experiencing Life, So Why Did You Immortals Become Real? Chapter 414: Big Sister Wants to Be Selfish Once

The word regarding Qin Siyao’s adoption of Qin Lan’er as her daughter echoed throughout the entire imperial court. For the assembled ministers, His Majesty’s choice to select a child from the imperial lineage for adoption was, without question, an excellent development. Even if the designated Crown Prince was not Her Majesty’s own flesh and blood, at the very least, the Qin dynasty finally possessed a Crown Prince. Frankly speaking, they harbored no genuine expectation that His Majesty would leave behind heirs of her own bloodline. From the perspective of many, the very moment the Frost King departed from this world, a significant portion of His Majesty’s heart had seemingly withered as well. However, the prevailing issue was that this adopted Crown Prince was, in fact, a young woman. It wasn't that a female could not bear immense responsibilities. His Majesty herself was a woman, and her actions over the years were evident for all under the heavens to witness. In the estimation of most, even the most virtuous emperor in existence would struggle to match her accomplishments. Yet, could this young girl truly emulate what His Majesty had achieved in the future? Consequently, a considerable number of ministers once more presented their petitions, urging His Majesty to select a different adopted prince. Confronted by the court's collective remonstrances, Qin Siyao maintained her silence. Having committed to her decision, she was resolute and unwilling to alter her course. She personally undertook the education of Qin Lan’er, imparting knowledge of reading, writing, and scholarly pursuits. Qin Lan’er, blessed with natural intelligence, absorbed information with remarkable speed. Furthermore, Qin Siyao was astonishingly pleased to discover that Qin Lan’er possessed a significant aptitude for cultivation. In Qin Siyao’s estimation, Qin Lan’er’s cultivation talent was on par with her own. With such potential, and bolstered by rare natural treasures, Qin Lan’er was poised to become at least an Immortal Realm cultivator in the future. Should Qin Lan’er encounter fortunate opportunities later on, achieving the Ascension Realm would not be an insurmountable feat. Even if she fell short of becoming an Ascension Realm cultivator, reaching an age of several thousand, or even ten thousand, years would pose no difficulty whatsoever for Qin Lan’er. Qin Lan’er, sensing her Majesty’s profound expectations, dedicated herself wholeheartedly to her studies and cultivation {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t}. She was determined not to disappoint her elder sister, the Sovereign… As days turned into weeks, seasons changed, and time marched onward. Qin Lan’er’s affection for her elder sister, the Sovereign, deepened with each passing day. Within Qin Lan’er’s heart, her elder sister, the Sovereign, was capable of anything, and every endeavor she undertook was executed with unparalleled brilliance. Yet, Qin Lan’er observed that her elder sister, the Sovereign, would occasionally recline in the courtyard, her gaze lost in contemplation of the distant horizon. On occasions when no pressing matters of state demanded her attention, her elder sister, the Sovereign, would abscond from the palace, seeking solace at a private estate. It was there, at that estate, that her elder sister, the Sovereign, would spend the greater part of her days. Qin Lan’er harbored no understanding of what made this particular estate so special. The only enduring image imprinted in her memory was the colossal inscription above the gates: “Frost King’s Residence,” a sight she encountered each time she lifted her eyes upon arrival. Unbeknownst to them, another decade had gracefully slipped away. For the ephemeral lives of mortals, a few decades represent a significant portion of their existence. For cultivators, however, a span of ten years is but a fleeting interval for a single period of secluded cultivation. Yet, for Qin Siyao, these past ten years felt as if they had stretched on far longer than a century. Qin Lan’er, once a mere six-year-old child, had blossomed into a young woman of sixteen, her cultivation realm now reaching the early stages of the Cave-Abode Realm. While still possessing a degree of inexperience in matters of governance, her performance was commendable, requiring only further practical application and refinement. What brought Qin Siyao even greater peace of mind was Qin Lan’er’s proactive engagement with texts concerning agriculture, hydrology, and similar disciplines. Moreover, she frequently took the initiative to venture amongst the common populace, observing their lives firsthand. Regarding Qin Lan’er’s marital prospects, Qin Siyao felt no urgency, nor did she exert any pressure. It was undeniable that Qin Lan’er had reached an age suitable for marriage, but she was no ordinary mortal; her lifespan was destined to be exceptionally long. Interestingly, Qin Lan’er seemed to have cultivated a warm rapport with a descendant of the Xiao family, with whom she would occasionally engage in shared intellectual discourse. The Xiao family, it must be noted, was not the prominent entity it had been several decades prior. The family no longer boasted a “Northern Pacification King,” nor did they command the “Northern Wasteland Army.” At present, the Xiao family constituted merely an ordinary noble household. However, as long as the Xiao family’s descendants refrained from engaging in any unlawful activities, tormenting others, or forcibly taking women, Qin Siyao would naturally extend a measure of benevolent oversight toward them. Indeed, the Xiao family had proven itself to be quite principled. Following the passing of Xiao Mo, Xiao Gui ascended to the position of family head, with Xiao Yang providing his able assistance. As was customary, the children of the Xiao family were instructed from a young age in both scholarly pursuits and martial arts, ensuring no aspect was neglected. Furthermore, owing to the exemplary conduct set by the Xiao family’s ancestor, Xiao Shi, and Xiao Mo, and with Xiao Gui’s increased emphasis, upon becoming head of the family, on ensuring the younger generation fully comprehended the heroic deeds of the three founding ancestors,

Every descendant of the Xiao family held the realm dear and aspired to serve the state. The Xiao family had even produced an esteemed scholar in the civil examinations and a peerless champion in the martial examinations. Even though the Xiao Residence no longer wielded significant power, no one dared to dismiss the Xiao family's standing. The particular Xiao family descendant who was close with Qin Lan’er was known as Xiao Jing. This scholar's mastery of Confucian learning was indeed profound. By the age of twenty, he had already secured the top position in the civil examinations. Furthermore, his character was considered commendable. Therefore, when Qin Lan’er associated with him, Qin Siyao adopted a laissez-faire attitude. However, with the passage of time, Qin Siyao began to suspect she might have been mistaken. This was because Qin Lan’er and Xiao Jing appeared to be genuinely engrossed in discussions of scholarship and nothing more. Another three years elapsed. On a particular day, Lian Li sought an audience with Qin Siyao in the Imperial Study and requested to resign from her position. “Miss Lian is departing?” Qin Siyao inquired. “Indeed,” Lian Li affirmed with a nod. “Now that Qin is stable, all under heaven is Qin's dominion. Within its borders, all are subjects of Qin. The populace lives in peace and works diligently, and the realm has long been free from conflict. Should I remain in Qin, my utility has diminished significantly. Within this court, my presence or absence makes little difference. Moreover, certain court regulations constrain me to the point of suffocation. Rather than endure such constraints, I would prefer to venture into the rivers and lakes. At the very least, I can live with unfettered freedom.” “So… that is acceptable…” A faint shadow of regret flickered across Qin Siyao’s countenance. “Should Miss Lian desire to return for a visit, you are welcome at any time.” “My gratitude, Your Majesty,” Lian Li responded, inclining her head. Her expression was complex as she regarded Qin Siyao. “In truth, compared to myself, Your Majesty is the one who ought to ‘venture out.’” “The Frost King…” Lian Li softly nibbled her delicate lip, hesitated, yet ultimately uttered the words. “He… has already departed…” With those words, Lian Li fell silent. She clasped her fists in a formal salute, then turned and exited the Imperial Study. Within the confines of the Imperial Study, Qin Siyao raised her gaze and stared out the window, remaining in profound silence for an extended period. An additional five years passed. At the age of twenty-four, Qin Lan’er had become thoroughly acquainted with the majority of Qin's state affairs. Qin Siyao commenced delegating certain court matters to Qin Lan’er, intending to hone her skills. And Qin Lan’er, indeed, performed exceptionally. Every assignment entrusted to her by Qin Siyao was executed flawlessly, without the slightest error. However… Qin Lan’er was uncertain if it was merely her perception. She consistently felt that her elder sister, the Sovereign, seemed eager to transfer all state responsibilities to her as swiftly as possible. This sentiment was not confined to Qin Lan’er alone; other ministers shared a similar impression. It was true that the current Crown Prince was exceptionally capable. Training her with various state matters was not entirely inappropriate. Yet, it appeared as though Your Majesty was entrusting an excessive amount of responsibility. This did not feel like a gradual progression of cultivation; it more closely resembled a premonition that Your Majesty's days were numbered, prompting a desire for Qin Lan’er to assume the mantle of leadership without delay. Nevertheless, due to Qin's flourishing prosperity and the fact that Crown Prince Qin Lan’er had never faltered in her duties, the assembled ministers refrained from voicing any objections. Five years hence, at the age of twenty-nine, Qin Lan’er possessed the full capacity to shoulder immense responsibility. The court ministers lauded Qin Lan’er with unrestrained praise. In Qin Siyao’s estimation, even if she were to entrust the entirety of Qin to Qin Lan’er, no significant issues would arise. Another three years transpired. In that particular year, Li Ge, Baili Xi, and Jian Shu successively passed away. Qin Siyao personally attended their final farewells. These three ministers had never personally engaged in combat on the battlefield. However, from the moment the realm was unified to the present flourishing era, Li Ge and his two counterparts had diligently stabilized the court, toiled assiduously in governance, and laid an enduring foundation for all of Qin. Two years later, Qin Siyao resolved to construct a grand Sacrifice-to-Heaven Platform. This platform was conceptualized to utilize Mount Tai as the formation's central anchor, encompassing a thousand-mile radius as the array's extent, and requiring the mobilization of thirty thousand formation cultivators. Its construction was projected to span fifty years. This monumental platform would be sufficient to consolidate all the dynastic fortune of the realm emanating from the world of myriad arts. Upon hearing this news, the officials of the Qin court were utterly astonished. They could not fathom Your Majesty's intentions for such an expansive formation array. However, at this juncture, Qin Siyao's prestige had ascended to such heights that any decision she made was beyond the scope of ministerial remonstrance, provided she was resolute in her undertaking. And when the matter of constructing the Sacrifice-to-Heaven Platform reached the common populace, despite their lack of complete understanding, they unanimously offered their support. They harbored an unwavering faith that their sovereign would never err. Furthermore, of the rare natural treasures requisitioned by Qin Siyao, a substantial sixty percent were sourced from the mountain sects, while the remaining forty percent were drawn from the dynasty's resources. Qin's national strength, at this time, was incomparably robust.

Thus, erecting such a grand platform would not deplete the populace nor drain the nation's coffers, having virtually no effect on ordinary citizens.

Consequently, the construction of the Sacrifice-to-Heaven Platform commenced with minimal resistance.

A decade passed, then two, followed by a third...

As the passage of time stretched on, the general populace, save for the mountain cultivators who vigilantly oversaw the Sacrifice-to-Heaven Platform, almost forgot about the most monumental undertaking ever commanded by the human race's dynasty.

Fifty years elapsed.

When the final high-grade spirit stone was meticulously placed, the last intricate rune etched, and the ultimate formation flag was buried deep within the mountain's heart,

instantaneously, mountains and rivers trembled, and vast waters churned violently.

The entire world, encompassing myriad arts, experienced a tumultuous shift in its atmospheric currents.

“RROOOAAARRR!”

Resounding dragon roars echoed repeatedly!

The collective dynastic fortune of the world of myriad arts flowed and converged towards the Sacrifice-to-Heaven Platform.

Masters of every Sect across the land raised their gazes towards the Sacrifice-to-Heaven Platform.

Even within the demon-race territories, a considerable number of formidable demons ascended to high vantage points, sensing the incredibly potent dynastic fortune.

“It should be sufficient.”

Within the imperial palace of Qin, Qin Siyao directed her gaze towards the Sacrifice-to-Heaven Platform, felt the gathered dynastic fortune, and whispered to herself.

In the third year subsequent to the Sacrifice-to-Heaven Platform's completion,

Qin was still favored with fair weather and opportune rains, and this era of tranquility had persisted for close to a century.

One fateful day,

while Qin Lan’er was occupied with state affairs within the Eastern Palace, Qin Siyao entered her study.

“Your Majesty,”

Upon sighting Qin Siyao, Qin Lan’er swiftly rose and offered a respectful bow.

“We need not observe such stringent formalities between ourselves.”

Qin Siyao regarded Lan’er with a gentle smile. “Lan’er, are you unburdened today?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Qin Lan’er promptly nodded. “Does Your Majesty require Lan’er’s assistance with a task?”

“That is not the case.”

Qin Siyao responded with a shake of her head.

“I simply wish for your company for a short while. How about it? Would you like to venture outside the palace grounds for a leisurely walk?”

“Most certainly.”

Hearing the imperial invitation for a stroll, Qin Lan’er’s eyes lit up, and she readily assented.

Despite her growth into adulthood, she still cherished moments of solitude with Your Majesty.

“However, Your Majesty, where shall we be headed?” Qin Lan’er inquired.

“Simply accompany me.”

Qin Siyao turned and took a step, poised to depart the palace.

Qin Lan’er swiftly mobilized her divine ability, moving to keep pace beside Qin Siyao.

Utilizing the Shrink-the-Earth Step, they traversed hundreds of miles with each stride.

Before long, they had already journeyed beyond the confines of the imperial capital.

Qin Lan’er turned her head, casting a glance at the sovereign beside her.

Throughout these preceding years, Qin Lan’er had harbored a persistent concern for her sovereign.

This stemmed from Your Majesty’s perpetually melancholic disposition.

Even during the rare instances when Your Majesty offered a subtle smile, that faint expression only amplified the ache in observers' hearts.

Qin Lan’er felt utterly clueless about how to bring genuine happiness to Your Majesty.

After learning the poignant narrative of Your Majesty and the Frost King, Qin Lan’er became even more uncertain of any actions she could take.

Ancient texts suggested that the passage of time could assuage many of the world’s sorrows.

Yet, for Your Majesty, would time truly offer any solace...

“Lan’er.”

Just as Qin Lan’er lowered her head in pensive silence, Qin Siyao spoke softly.

“You can now manage state affairs with remarkable ease. Your intellect is keen, and your talent for cultivation is exceptional. In the future, should you assume leadership of Qin, you will not falter in your duties any less than I have.”

“Lan’er will never attain Your Majesty’s level!”

Qin Lan’er declared immediately.

“Why such apprehension? I even harbored concerns you might attempt to seize the throne.”

Qin Siyao offered a smile.

“And there is something else I have kept from you.

“I truly wish you would address me as ‘Big Sister Sovereign,’ as you did in your youth, rather than solely as ‘Your Majesty.’ ”

“Big Sister Sovereign...”

Qin Lan’er’s cheeks flushed as she softly uttered the endearment.

“Mhm.”

Qin Siyao nodded, her smile widening.

“That does indeed sound far more pleasant.”

Qin Siyao extended her hand, mirroring their initial encounter, and gently stroked Qin Lan’er’s long hair.

“Now, what Big Sister is about to impart, you must engrave upon your heart. You must not forget these words.”

“The first matter concerns Li Wen, Liang Xue, Liu Dajin, and Shang Li. All four are individuals of great capability, suited for governing during times of prosperity. Previously, they were held in high regard by Chancellor Li and the others, but I deliberately contrived reasons to demote them and remove them from the capital. One justification was their youth, requiring further tempering. The other was to preserve them for your future utilization.

“Once I have departed, bring them back to the capital and integrate them into the Grand Secretariat. You may confidently entrust them with significant responsibilities.

“Their unwavering loyalty will be pledged to you.”