Chapter 395: Chapter 335: Then I’ll Go Find You, and You Still Have to Like Me
"Take care, Eunuch Li. Xin’Er, see Eunuch Li out."
"I will take my leave."
Eunuch Li left the courtyard, escorted by the maid.
Xiao Mo gazed at the decree in his hand, his brow furrowed slightly.
Xiao Mo had considered all sorts of appointments the Sovereign of Qin might grant him, but he never expected to be assigned to the Snow-Trampling Dragon Cavalry.
As for what the Sovereign of Qin was truly thinking, how could Xiao Mo not know?
’Indeed, being the ’Frost King’ really isn’t so easy.’
Putting away the Holy Decree, Xiao Mo shook his head, left his mansion, and drove his carriage toward the Princess’s Mansion.
Just a moment ago, he had been hesitating about whether to go see Siyao.
But there was no need to hesitate now.
At the very least, he had to say goodbye to her.
After the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, Xiao Mo arrived at the main gate of the Princess’s Mansion.
"Greetings, Frost King!"
The guards standing watch before the main gate bowed to Xiao Mo.
"Mm."
Xiao Mo gave a simple acknowledgment and walked straight in.
Qin Siyao could freely enter Xiao Mo’s Prince Shuang’s Mansion.
And Xiao Mo could freely enter Qin Siyao’s Princess’s Mansion.
In the past, however, Xiao Mo would always have the gate guards announce him.
But now, Xiao Mo figured Siyao was surely sulking, so it was better for him to go straight in.
Not long after entering the Princess’s Mansion, Xiao Mo saw the maid, Hua Sheng.
"Sister Hua Sheng," Xiao Mo said, giving a cupped-fist salute.
Even as a child, Xiao Mo had been unable to see through Sister Hua Sheng’s Realm.
Now, when he was on the verge of forming his Golden Core, he still couldn’t perceive her Realm.
"Greetings, Frost King." Sister Hua Sheng curtsied with a smile. "Frost King, have you been bullying our Princess again? The Princess has been locked in her room for the better part of the day."
"Well..." Xiao Mo looked awkward, unsure how to explain.
"Hehehe..." Hua Sheng chuckled lightly. "Alright, alright, you should go on, Frost King. You know our Princess’s temperament. Her temper flares up quickly, but it fades just as fast. The Princess is very easy to coax, especially when it’s the Frost King. Just say a few sweet words, and she’ll be all smiles again."
"Oh, right." Hua Sheng placed the Jade Plate of pastries she was holding into Xiao Mo’s hands. "Frost King, could I trouble you to deliver these pastries to the Princess for me?"
After speaking, Hua Sheng placed her hands in front of her, curtsied once more, and walked away.
Holding the pastries, Xiao Mo walked toward the courtyard where Siyao lived.
When he reached her door, Xiao Mo knocked.
"Sister Hua Sheng, I don’t feel like eating pastries today."
From within the room came Qin Siyao’s somewhat dejected and mournful voice.
"It’s me," Xiao Mo replied.
"Eh? Xiao Mo?"
Hearing Xiao Mo’s voice, Qin Siyao, who was lying on her bed, felt her delicate body tremble. She shot up, her pretty eyes blinking, a hint of panic in her expression.
"Xiao Mo, you... why are you here..." Qin Siyao dove under the covers, wrapping herself up like a spring roll, and then sat up, staring nervously at the door.
As if the blanket were a Barrier that could protect her.
"There’s something I need to tell you," Xiao Mo said.
"Wh-what is it?" Qin Siyao asked nervously.
"How about we take a walk through the Imperial City? We can talk as we walk," Xiao Mo suggested.
"I... I’m a little tired. I d-don’t really want to go..." Qin Siyao clutched the blanket, her thin lips pressed tightly together.
In truth, Qin Siyao desperately wanted to see Xiao Mo too.
But whenever she thought about the things she’d said to him, she was overcome with embarrassment and had no idea how to face him.
Even just hearing his voice made her subconsciously want to hide far away, yet her heart longed for him to be by her side.
"Then shall I come in and talk?" Xiao Mo asked.
"N-no..." Qin Siyao said hurriedly. "My room is a mess, and my makeup isn’t done, and I... I..."
"Alright." Xiao Mo didn’t press the issue. "I’ll leave the pastries outside the door then. Also, a Holy Decree just arrived from the Imperial Palace. In two days, I’ll be leaving for the Northern Wilderness. I came today to say goodbye."
The moment Xiao Mo’s words fell, the sound of a young woman’s soft, bare feet hitting the floor came from inside the room. PATTER.
Immediately after, the door to her boudoir was thrown open.
Before Xiao Mo could even react, Qin Siyao was standing in front of him.
She was still wearing that same pale pink dress, but because she had been lying in bed for so long, her hair was slightly disheveled. Her fair ankles were bare on the floor, as if she’d forgotten the coldness of the ground.
"Y-you’re going to the Northern Wilderness?" Qin Siyao stared blankly at Xiao Mo.
"Yes." Xiao Mo nodded and repeated, "Your Majesty’s decree has been issued. I depart in two days."
"Then... then how long will you be gone?" Qin Siyao’s eyes trembled, her small hands clenched tightly.
"It should be several years, at least."
Xiao Mo answered truthfully.
"The Qin Kingdom’s morale is high right now, while the Monarch of the Wei Kingdom is fatuous and incompetent. Their Imperial Court is a mess, and the common people are full of grievances. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
"His Majesty likely wants to seize this chance to annex the Wei Kingdom in one fell swoop.
"Once the Wei Kingdom is taken, the northern border of the Qin Kingdom will be secure, and we can focus on dealing with the other great powers like the Qi and Chu Kingdoms."
"I... I’m going to see my father! I’ll talk to him!"
As she spoke, Qin Siyao started to run out of the room.
But her fair wrist was suddenly caught by Xiao Mo.
"What are you going to see His Majesty for?" Xiao Mo asked.
"I... I’ll tell my father not to let you go on the expedition!" Qin Siyao said anxiously.
"Silly girl, what good would it do for you to go see His Majesty?" Xiao Mo’s tone held a trace of helplessness. "I am a Military General. Leading troops on campaigns is normal. If I stayed in the Imperial City and did nothing, what would be the point of His Majesty making me a king?"
"But..."
Qin Siyao’s eyes wavered, as if she were about to cry.
"But Xiao Mo, even if it’s as you say and the Wei Kingdom’s court is a mess, the Wei Kingdom is still a major power. Its famous generals and elite soldiers are far more numerous than ours.
"On this expedition, if something were to happen to you..."
Xiao Mo shook his head. "Once you’re on the battlefield, life and death are fated. The soldiers on the front lines can die, so why can’t I? What makes me so special?
"Besides, Siyao, have you ever thought about something?
"Why is it that you can come and go from Prince Shuang’s Mansion as you please, and why can I seek you out at any time, without a single word from the palace.
"Does Siyao really think His Majesty doesn’t know?"
Xiao Mo tucked a stray strand of her hair behind her ear. "I’ve been made a king now, and my mother has been granted a title. My status is no longer just that of an illegitimate son of the Xiao Mansion. This time, if I conquer the Wei Kingdom, the reward His Majesty will give me... should be..."
Xiao Mo didn’t finish his sentence, but Qin Siyao already understood what he meant, and a blush crept onto her cheeks.
"So..." Xiao Mo reached out and wiped away the glistening teardrop at the corner of the young woman’s eye. "...all the more reason I must go."
"Eh?"
Qin Siyao looked up, staring blankly at Xiao Mo.
By now, the blush on the young woman’s cheeks had spread to the tips of her ears.
Soon, the young woman lowered her head in embarrassment, her small hand gently tugging on the hem of Xiao Mo’s robe. In a voice as faint as a mosquito’s buzz, she said, "Even if you don’t go, you can still have that reward. That reward... can only be yours..."
"But I can’t let the world gossip about her. I want to marry her properly, with all the official rites. I want her to have a grand wedding," Xiao Mo said with a smile.
Qin Siyao made a small fist and lightly tapped Xiao Mo’s chest. "What are you saying... It’s... it’s so embarrassing..."
"So, Siyao... about those things you said to me before, that question you asked..."
Xiao Mo looked directly into Qin Siyao’s eyes.
"If I come back from this campaign, then I will love you."
"And if I don’t come back..."
Xiao Mo was only halfway through his sentence when Qin Siyao reached out a finger and gently pressed it against his lips.
The young woman lifted her head, looking seriously into the eyes of her beloved:
"If you don’t come back.
"Then I will go find you.
"And you still have to love me!
"You can’t escape me!"
