Chapter 394: Chapter 335: Then I’ll Go Find You, and You Must Like Me Too
In the main courtyard of the Xiao Mansion.
The First Madam, Xia Qingke, was still trimming her flowers.
But her every move seemed subconscious, as if she were lost in thought.
"Madam."
The maid, Huan Ying, entered the courtyard and curtsied to Xia Qingke.
"Mm." Xia Qingke nodded, turning to Huan Ying. "Well? Did the Third Madam accept the gifts?"
Ever since Zhou Ruoxi had been granted a noble title, Xia Qingke, as the First Madam, was obligated to treat Zhou Ruoxi with the honors befitting a primary wife.
But Zhou Ruoxi had neither moved to a new courtyard nor accepted the service of other maids, remaining in her small residence.
To avoid gossip, Xia Qingke frequently sent gifts, but Zhou Ruoxi refused to accept most of the more valuable items.
This time, Xia Qingke had sent some pastries and silk.
"Madam, the Third Madam accepted them. She also asked me to thank you on her behalf," Huan Ying replied.
"From now on, if the Third Madam needs anything, see to it that the mansion staff provides it. Do you understand?" Xia Qingke instructed.
"Understood, Madam." Huan Ying nodded and handed her a letter. "Oh, and Madam, this letter is from Consort Die. Please, read it."
Xia Qingke took the letter, opening it and reading it several times. Her brow furrowed.
"Madam... has something happened in the Imperial Palace?" Huan Ying asked.
Huan Ying knew that Consort Die was the madam’s sworn sister, and that they had grown up together.
The madam often went to the Imperial Palace to visit Consort Die.
Likewise, Consort Die frequently wrote to the First Madam, sharing news from the palace.
"The Prince has returned to the capital," Xia Qingke said slowly, setting down the letter. "As soon as he arrived in the Capital City, he was summoned to the Imperial Palace by His Majesty. His Majesty bestowed upon the Prince numerous rewards, then ordered him to lead the Snow-Trampling Dragon Cavalry on a campaign against the Wei Kingdom."
"Madam, isn’t it normal for the Prince to go on a campaign? Is this one different somehow?" Huan Ying asked, not quite understanding.
"It’s true, the Prince is always away at war," Xia Qingke sighed. "But this time, His Majesty has ordered Xiao Mo to join the Snow-Trampling Dragon Cavalry and assist the Prince in his campaign against the Wei Kingdom."
"Huh?"
Huan Ying was stunned.
Lately, the name she had been hearing most often was the Third Young Master, Xiao Mo.
The Third Young Master, Xiao Mo, had conquered twenty-one cities of the Wei Kingdom, a monumental achievement for which he was directly ennobled as a Prince. Even his mother, Zhou Ruoxi, was granted a title.
At this moment, Zhou Ruoxi was no longer a mere concubine; her status was now equal to the First Madam’s.
And Xiao Mo, by extension, was no longer just the son of a concubine.
That meant he was naturally eligible to inherit the Hereditary Title of Prince Zhenbei.
Although Xiao Mo was now a Prince himself, in the Qin Kingdom, the Four Guardian Princes and the Great Pillar of the Country were of a much higher status than the Frost King! Their power was far greater, too.
And Prince Zhenbei was the foremost among the Four Guardian Princes.
She had even heard that Xiao Mo beat the Second Young Master in front of five thousand men of the Snow-Trampling Dragon Cavalry.
And now, he was being sent to the Northern Wilderness to join the Snow-Trampling Dragon Cavalry and help the Prince campaign against the Wei Kingdom.
The Snow-Trampling Dragon Cavalry was the very foundation of the Xiao Mansion’s power.
’If Xiao Mo manages to establish a foothold within them...’
’Combined with His Majesty’s favor...’
’Then the First and Second Young Masters’ claim to the Hereditary Title would be in jeopardy...’
"The Prince is returning to the mansion tonight. I’ll go to the kitchen later and prepare some of his favorite dishes," Xia Qingke said slowly.
"Also, I’ll write a letter to Yichuan. It’s time for him to come down from the mountain."
...
「Prince Shuang’s Mansion.」
Xiao Mo was sitting in the courtyard, lost in thought.
Recalling Qin Siyao’s recent words and the shy look on her face as she ran off, Xiao Mo couldn’t help but smile and shake his head.
’In my heart, I already have an answer to her question.’
’It’s just that, with Siyao’s personality, she’ll probably avoid me for a few days.’
Just as Xiao Mo was wondering whether he should go to the Princess’s Mansion to find Siyao, a maid entered the courtyard and curtsied. "Prince, Eunuch Li from the Imperial Palace is here."
"Show Eunuch Li in, please," Xiao Mo said.
’Usually, a visit from Eunuch Li means His Majesty needs something.’
"Yes." The maid curtsied and hurried from the courtyard.
A moment later, Eunuch Li entered the courtyard. Xiao Mo rose to greet him, offering a cupped-fist salute. "Eunuch Li."
"Frost King, there is no need for such courtesy. It is I who should be paying respects to you," Eunuch Li said, bowing deeply and respectfully.
Xiao Mo smiled. "And what brings you here today, Eunuch Li?"
"AHEM..." Eunuch Li cleared his throat, and a junior eunuch at his side brought forward a red platter.
Eunuch Li lifted the red cloth, took up the Holy Decree, and proclaimed, "Frost King Xiao Mo, receive this Holy Decree!"
"We, by the Mandate of boundless Heaven and the sacred trust of the Ancestral Temple, rule over the Four Seas and nurture Our myriad subjects.
Of late, the Northern Wilderness has known no peace. The Hu Cavalry probe Our borders, and the Wei Captives have usurped titles and invaded Our lands.
We are filled with trepidation day and night upon reading the reports from the frontier.
Frost King Xiao Mo: a hawk soaring over the northern wastes. In the past, you shattered the Wei Kingdom with a golden spear and led iron-armored soldiers against a mighty foe. Your accomplishments are recorded on banners of victory, your merit inscribed upon the sacred tripods of the state.
We hereby appoint you Left General of the Snow-Trampling Dragon Cavalry. In two days, you are to proceed to the Northern Wilderness to assist Prince Zhenbei, Xiao Shi, in the campaign against the Wei Kingdom, and so display the might of Our Qin Kingdom!"
"Your subject, Xiao Mo, accepts this decree!"
Xiao Mo accepted the Holy Decree.
Eunuch Li smiled at Xiao Mo. "Frost King, this campaign against the Wei Kingdom is of grave importance. The Snow-Trampling Dragon Cavalry are unlike any other army. His Majesty asked this old servant to pass on a message to you: Ponder with care, but act with courage."
"Please, Eunuch Li, relay a message to His Majesty for me: I will not fail to live up to His Majesty’s expectations," Xiao Mo said.
"Good." Looking at the brilliant young man before him, Eunuch Li began to understand why His Majesty was so fond of the Frost King. "In that case, I shall return to the Imperial Palace and report that I have delivered the decree."
