Chapter 425 - 356: To Gaze Upon You, Until the End of Time
Chapter 425: Chapter 356: To Gaze Upon You, Until the End of Time
After settling the army, Xiao Shi led his generals into the palace to receive their rewards.
Xiao Shi had already reached the pinnacle of officialdom, so there were no higher rewards to bestow. Nevertheless, the Sovereign of Qin still granted him several honorary titles. As for fiefdoms and Gold, those were naturally included.
The other generals who had already been ennobled also received expanded fiefdoms, rewards of Gold, or promotions in rank and title based on their military achievements.
As for the surrendered general, Xiahou Nan, who had "forsaken darkness for light" and "returned from a strayed path," he had performed a great service by breaking through the Wei Capital. Thus, his merits outweighed his past offenses. He was ennobled as General Fubo and was even permitted to serve in the Qin Kingdom’s Imperial Court.
The Sovereign of Qin asked Xiahou Nan whether he wished to enter the Imperial Court or guard a territory.
Xiahou Nan expressed his wish to become Xiao Mo’s Vice General.
Upon hearing this, all the ministers in the great hall were stunned and looked toward Xiao Mo.
The Sovereign of Qin also glanced at Xiao Mo, then readily agreed.
Li Jing, who served under Xiao Mo, was also finally ennobled as a marquis in this war of annihilation against Wei. He was granted a fiefdom of two prefectures in the former Wei Kingdom.
Although these two prefectures were not particularly wealthy, Li Jing had at least fulfilled one of his life’s ambitions.
When he heard he was being ennobled, it was the first time Xiao Mo had ever seen such a composed, middle-aged general become so emotional he was on the verge of tears.
It was clear that although Li Jing usually seemed indifferent to so-called noble titles, he cared deeply about it in his heart. It had almost become an obsession.
Zhao Guang was also ennobled as a marquis, receiving one prefecture in the former Wei Kingdom based on his military merits.
In addition, all the generals under Xiao Mo’s command received rewards corresponding to their achievements in battle.
As for Xiao Mo.
As the greatest contributor to the war against Wei, Xiao Mo’s title remained "Frost King," but his fiefdom was a six-prefecture heartland area that included the Wei Capital!
The strategic military towns and critical mountain passes surrounding Xiao Mo’s fiefdom were all granted to the subordinates he led.
These men, who had been through life and death with Xiao Mo, were exceptionally loyal.
To be honest, when Xiao Mo learned of his fiefdom, his mind raced. ’He must be testing me.’
’Because as soon as I return to my fiefdom, I’ll have the resources to declare myself king.’
Therefore, Xiao Mo refused three times, unwilling to accept.
But the Sovereign of Qin insisted on granting the fiefdom to Xiao Mo.
In the end, Xiao Mo had no choice but to accept.
’But on second thought,’ Xiao Mo mused, ’it does make sense.’
’After the Northern Wilderness Army conquered the Wei Kingdom, there must have been voices in the Imperial Court worried that the King North Desolate would rebel.’
’But the Sovereign of Qin suppressed them all.’
’And Xiao Shi indeed did not disappoint the Sovereign of Qin. He led the army back to the capital and relinquished his military authority.’
’It’s just that the Sovereign of Qin then returned the military authority to Xiao Shi.’
Xiao Mo had heard that his father and the current Your Majesty were childhood friends. They were extremely close, even frequently sleeping in the same bed.
’Could their trust in each other be partly due to this reason?’ Xiao Mo wondered.
’Furthermore.’
’I entered the Iron Tiger Army, was unconventionally ennobled as the Frost King, then was thrust into the Northern Wilderness Army to lead sieges. He even tacitly approved of my association with his most beloved daughter.’
’In the Warring States Period, with its ethos of "repaying kindness with one’s life," it goes without saying how much the Sovereign of Qin has promoted me. If I were to betray him, I’d surely be reviled by the entire world. My reputation would be utterly ruined.’
’That’s probably why the Sovereign of Qin felt at ease rewarding me so generously. He wants to groom me into a true confidant.’
After the rewards were bestowed, the court session ended, and the ministers dispersed. However, Xiao Mo was summoned to the Imperial Study by the Sovereign of Qin.
...
"Your subject, Xiao Mo, pays his respects to Your Majesty."
Arriving at the Imperial Study, Xiao Mo bowed respectfully.
"Hahaha..." Seeing Xiao Mo, the Sovereign of Qin quickly walked over and helped him up, saying with great delight, "Frost King, this time you single-handedly defended Yanmen Pass, defeated the Great Pillar of the Country Du Beiwang, secured the surrender of Xiahou Nan, and broke the Wei Capital. Each of these great deeds has shaken the world. We are truly gratified!"
"It is all thanks to Your Majesty’s promotion. Without Your Majesty, your subject would be nothing more than a common soldier," Xiao Mo said humbly.
"You silver-tongued rascal." The Sovereign of Qin clapped Xiao Mo on the shoulder. "The rewards you received in the Imperial Court were what you deserved. But We are fond of you and intend to grant you one more request. Speak! What do you want?"
"Your subject... does indeed have one matter, and I hope Your Majesty will grant it." This time, Xiao Mo was not modest.
"Oh?" Seeing that Xiao Mo didn’t demur, the Sovereign of Qin’s interest was piqued. "Let’s hear it."
"Your subject wishes for..."
...
Half an hour later, Xiao Mo took his leave from the Imperial Study.
After leaving the palace, Xiao Mo’s first thought was to see his mother.
But, looking at the object in his hand...
Xiao Mo felt that this time, he really couldn’t go back alone.
Boarding a carriage, Xiao Mo headed for the Princess’s Mansion.
Upon entering the Princess’s Mansion, the Maids wanted to announce him, but Xiao Mo stopped them.
After asking them where the Princess was, Xiao Mo walked straight to the rear courtyard.
"First like this..."
"Then like this..."
"And then this..."
"That’s not right... Why does it look different?"
Just as he reached the courtyard gate, Xiao Mo heard a woman’s voice, as clear as a Silver Bell.
Hua Sheng, who was watering flowers, looked up toward the courtyard’s arched gate.
Xiao Mo gave a slight smile as a greeting.
Hua Sheng nodded in return, then pretended not to have seen him and continued watering the flowers.
Xiao Mo concealed his presence and crept into the courtyard. The engrossed young woman didn’t notice him approaching at all.
"What are you doing?"
Xiao Mo spoke as he reached the young woman’s side.
"AH!"
Qin Siyao jumped, startled. She quickly looked up at the man before her, and her frightened eyes turned to delight. "Xiao Mo, y-you, what are you doing here? ...Weren’t you still receiving your rewards?"
"That ended a while ago." Xiao Mo looked at the object in the young woman’s hands and asked with a smile, "What’s this?"
"N-nothing..." The young woman quickly hid the shoes behind her back.
"The Princess wants to make a pair of shoes for Young Master Xiao," Hua Sheng said with a light laugh, covering her mouth.
"Those are shoes?" Xiao Mo was taken aback for a moment. "I honestly couldn’t tell."
"Xiao Mo!" Qin Siyao’s cheeks flushed red as she turned away, pouting and muttering, "I’m not talking to you anymore."
"Really not talking to me?" Xiao Mo asked with a smile, looking at her graceful figure in the pink dress.
"Nope, not talking!" Qin Siyao huffed.
"Then what do you think this is?" Xiao Mo dangled the Scroll in his hand in front of Qin Siyao.
"Hmph, it’s just a Holy Decree, isn’t it?" Qin Siyao turned her head away. "When I was little, I even drew a turtle on one of Father’s Holy Decrees."
"Alright then." Xiao Mo took two steps back and unrolled the Scroll in his hand. "Third Princess Qin Siyao, receive the decree."
"Eh?"
Qin Siyao froze, blinking her eyes.
"Third Princess Qin Siyao, receive the decree," Xiao Mo repeated with a smile.
"You..."
The young woman turned around, her cheeks puffed out. She gave Xiao Mo a coquettish glance, but in the end, she placed her hands in front of her and curtsied.
"Your daughter, Qin Siyao, receives the decree..."
"We have heard that Heaven and Earth have their place, and Yin and Yang are in harmony. Of all human relations, none is more important than marriage.
The Third Princess, Qin Siyao, is gentle and virtuous, prudent by nature. Her heart is as pure as an orchid, a treasure nurtured in the imperial palace. Her celestial beauty and jade-like grace are unmatched in the world, her elegance refined. With both virtue and appearance, her exemplary conduct has long been known and has captured Our heart.
The Frost King, Xiao Mo, is a pillar of our mountains and rivers, a bastion of our nation. The light of his spear reaches the heavens; he has repeatedly expanded our borders in the northern deserts. His loyalty pierces the sun; his might shakes the eight wildernesses. He is truly a cornerstone of the country, Our right-hand man.
We have heard that these two are a match made in heaven, a bond forged by fate.
We hereby bestow upon the Third Princess, Qin Siyao, and the Frost King, Xiao Mo, the blessing of a marital union."
After reading the Holy Decree, Xiao Mo looked at the young woman before him and smiled gently.
"Third Princess Qin Siyao, do you accept the decree?"
Hearing Xiao Mo’s voice, Qin Siyao stood frozen in a daze. A long, long time passed before she came to her senses, her clear eyes blurring with crystalline tears.
It was as if she suspected she was dreaming.
"Princess, it’s time to accept the decree," Hua Sheng said softly, walking to her side.
A moment later, the young woman came to, her fair cheeks blushing like peach blossoms.
"Your daughter... accepts the decree."
She raised her lovely face and gazed adoringly at the man she loved. Her voice, choked with an emotion that could melt bones, trembled as tears streamed from the corners of her eyes, which overflowed with affection:
"From this day forward.
I shall support my husband and raise our children, and my eyes will be only for you.
Until the end of time."