Chapter 478 - 396: We Welcome Prince Zhenbei
Chapter 478: Chapter 396: We Welcome Prince Zhenbei
Xiao Shi and Xiao Mo left the Qin Kingdom’s Imperial City and headed for the Northern Wilderness.
Xiao Mo didn’t know why his father was bringing him to the Northern Wilderness.
Whenever Xiao Mo asked, Xiao Shi would always say, "You’ll know when you get there."
「Half a month later.」
Xiao Mo entered Desolate City, the state capital of the Northern Wilderness.
It was now winter, and a heavy, fluffy snow had begun to fall from the sky.
Compared to the snow in the Qin Kingdom’s Imperial City, the blizzards of the Northern Wilderness seemed far wilder.
And just as the saying goes, the local environment shapes its people. The residents of this northern city seemed as bold and untamed as the snow itself.
Most of the city’s inhabitants were taller and more powerfully built.
"Come and have some fun, young master..."
"Right this way, esteemed guest."
"Let me tell you about the Frost King, Xiao Mo! He’s our very own Prince’s third son. They say he was seen wielding a long spear..."
"Sangluo Wine! The finest Sangluo Wine! Fifteen wen a catty! A vintage guaranteed to pack a punch!"
The calls of women from the brothels, the shouts of innkeepers, and the boasts of storytellers and wine merchants all mingled together.
It was an ordinary scene, yet for some reason, it gave off the distinct feeling of the untamed martial world.
The streets were lined with more wine shops than anything else.
The Northern Wilderness was a desolate place, after all. The only thing it had in abundance was strong liquor, the most famous of which was Sangluo Wine.
Furthermore, in this northern city, most people—men and women alike—were armed with swords or sabers.
Xiao Mo had long heard that the people of the Northern Wilderness were martial and fond of drink.
It certainly seemed to be true.
For instance, in the taverns lining the road, a third of the patrons were women, each carrying the air of a female knight.
Among the traditional garments of Northern Wilderness women was a style of dress known as the "Northern Skirt."
In the Imperial City of the Qin Kingdom, the Northern Skirt would be considered scandalous, but here in the Northern Wilderness, it was perfectly ordinary.
The Northern Skirt was slit, but women usually wore shorts underneath that reached their upper thighs. The cut was both flattering and practical.
And most women of the Northern Wilderness had long legs.
Thus, with every step a woman took, the fair, slender legs visible beneath the skirt were an extremely eye-catching sight.
Before long, the horse-drawn carriage stopped at the entrance of Prince Zhenbei’s Mansion.
Xiao Mo and Xiao Shi alighted from the carriage and walked into Prince Zhenbei’s Mansion.
The moment he stepped into Prince Zhenbei’s Mansion, Xiao Mo saw the estate’s attendants and maids standing in two rows, shouting in unison, "We welcome Your Highness, the Prince!"
Looking at these attendants and maids, Xiao Mo discovered they were all Martial Dao Cultivators, and some of them were at impressively high Realms.
"Mm." Xiao Shi nodded and said to the assembled staff, "From this day forward, the Third Young Master, Xiao Mo, will be your new master. His word will be my word. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Your Highness!" the attendants and maids replied, then shouted in unison, "We welcome the Young Master!"
"Qiu Wen."
Xiao Shi called out.
"This servant is here."
A moment later, a maid stepped forward.
This maid was stunning. In Xiao Mo’s eyes, her beauty was second only to Qin Siyao, on par with the Eldest Princess of the Jin Kingdom, Ji Yue.
Her figure was also ridiculously curvaceous; even wearing a simple maid’s dress the color of misty rain, her chest looked as if it might burst through the fabric.
"Qiu Wen, from this day on, you belong to the Third Young Master. Understand?" Xiao Shi said.
A flicker of surprise crossed the maid’s—Qiu Wen’s—eyes, but she still nodded. "I understand, Your Highness."
Xiao Shi then turned back to Xiao Mo.
"Xiao Mo, take the next few days to rest here at Prince Zhenbei’s Mansion. If you need anything, just tell Qiu Wen."
"From this day on, Qiu Wen is yours. She is a virgin, and you may do with her as you please."
"There are many things you don’t understand yet. Qiu Wen does. She will explain them to you in due time."
"Yes, Father."
Xiao Mo nodded, then glanced at Qiu Wen.
’Such a woman... Her bone age is only fifty, yet her Realm has already reached Nascent Soul.’
’A woman like this would be treasured in any dynasty or Sect, a prodigy to be cherished.’
In Xiao Mo’s opinion, she was definitely more than a simple maid.
"Alright, I have matters to attend to, so I’ll leave you for now." Xiao Shi patted Xiao Mo’s shoulder. "I’ll come for you when everything is ready."
With that, Xiao Shi said no more and turned to leave the Prince’s Mansion.
Soon, the attendants and maids all dispersed.
Qiu Wen stepped forward, smiling. "Master, please come with me."
"Thank you, miss." Xiao Mo said, following Qiu Wen toward the rear courtyards of the Prince’s Mansion.
Prince Zhenbei’s Mansion in the Northern Wilderness was roughly the same size and layout as Prince Xiao’s Mansion in the Imperial City, only much plainer.
The mansion’s interior had no luxurious decorations, nor any precious Spirit Flowers and Herbs.
If he had to choose between the two, Xiao Mo found he preferred Prince Zhenbei’s Mansion.
Leading the way, Qiu Wen glanced at Xiao Mo. As if guessing his thoughts, she said with a knowing smile,
"There are no wives or concubines living in Prince Zhenbei’s Mansion. Instead, many of the Northern Desolate Generals use it as their lodging."
"So, many of the courtyards in this mansion actually belong to those generals."
"For example, there are courtyards for General Fang Weiming, General Zhang Kui, and General Liu."
"Oh, and Generals Li Jing and Zhao Guang, whom you know well. Whenever they come to Desolate City, they also stay here."
Hearing Qiu Wen’s words, Xiao Mo’s brow furrowed. His tone held a hint of wariness. "You seem to know a great deal about me, miss. Including the fact that I’m closest with General Li and General Zhao."