Chapter 481 - 398: A Woman’s Tears Are Cried for Her Beloved’s Heart to Ache
Chapter 481: Chapter 398: A Woman’s Tears Are Cried for Her Beloved’s Heart to Ache
Another half a year passed after Xiao Shi’s death and Xiao Mo took command of the Northern Wilderness Army.
During this half-year, aside from occasional skirmishes on the border, most of the Qin Kingdom remained quite peaceful. In fact, many commoners had even forgotten that the kingdom was currently at war with several other nations.
Meanwhile, there was still little progress regarding the matter of the Qin Kingdom’s Crown Prince.
The ministers continued to recommend the heirs of various princes with royal blood, but the Sovereign of Qin accepted none of them.
The position of Crown Prince remained vacant.
Some court officials speculated that His Majesty wanted to father another Prince to groom for the throne.
Others even guessed that His Majesty was waiting for the Frost King and the Third Princess, Qin Siyao, to have a grandson who could then inherit the throne.
But the Frost King and the Third Princess were not even married yet.
In any case, no one could fathom what His Majesty was planning to do.
Meanwhile, the Sovereign of Qin had Qin Siyao help him manage state affairs every day.
At first, Qin Siyao was indeed rather inexperienced when it came to handling the various matters of the Imperial Court.
But Qin Siyao was exceptionally talented.
In truth, the Sovereign of Qin had long known his daughter was very clever. After all, a celestial phenomenon had appeared in the sky when she was born.
It was just that his daughter had lived such a pampered life that she didn’t apply herself to many things. She was simply too lazy, so her talent remained hidden.
What the Sovereign of Qin hadn’t expected, however, was that once his daughter truly applied herself, the speed at which she learned was frankly terrifying.
The Sovereign of Qin only needed to give her a simple hint about a key point, and she would grasp it completely, even being able to draw other conclusions from a single example.
If only Qin Siyao had been born a man. If she were the Third Prince, her two older brothers might never have had a claim to the title of Crown Prince.
The only thing the Sovereign of Qin regretted was that he had too little time left.
’If I could just live a few more years to pave the way for my daughter, her future might be a little easier.’
But in this world, there are no what-ifs.
It was also during this half-year that Empress Shi’s health deteriorated day by day.
Xiao Mo also frequently visited the Imperial Palace to see Empress Shi.
Perhaps it was because Empress Shi simply couldn’t bear to leave her daughter, so she continued to cling to that last thread of life.
In Xiao Mo’s eyes, it was a true feat that Empress Shi had managed to hold on for so long.
But all things must come to an end.
Xiao Mo knew that the wise Empress’s end was likely only a few days away.
「Early one morning.」
Qin Siyao went to her mother’s chambers, just as she did every day, preparing to brew her medicine.
But Empress Shi took her daughter’s wrist and smiled. "Siyao, Mother doesn’t feel like taking her medicine today. Don’t trouble yourself. Just come for a walk with me, won’t you?"
Hearing her mother’s words, Qin Siyao seemed to understand something. Her eyes trembled slightly, and a faint film of tears misted over her beautiful eyes.
Qin Siyao pressed her lips together, forcing back her tears. She nodded with a smile and said, "Of course, Mother. Siyao will help you up."
Her daughter helped her up, and Empress Shi sat down at her dressing table.
Qin Siyao personally combed her mother’s hair and helped her dress.
An hour later, Empress Shi left her chambers with Qin Siyao.
Step by step, the two of them made their way toward the Imperial Mausoleum on the palace grounds.
The cenotaphs of the Eldest Prince, Qin Jingsu, and the Second Prince were both located here.
"Siyao, from now on, you must take good care of your father. He’s the type of person who insists on handling everything himself, and it’s too taxing. You must try to persuade him to rest more. He will only listen to you."
Empress Shi advised Qin Siyao as they walked.
"I know, Mother." Qin Siyao lowered her head and nodded.
"Also, it’s a good thing that your father is having you handle state affairs. From now on, you must pay close attention to the matters of the Imperial Court. As for the ministers... aside from your husband, Xiao Mo, you cannot trust any of them. Do you understand?"
"I understand, Mother."
"And another thing... as wives, we must be magnanimous. I know you love Xiao Mo, and he loves you, but love is a complicated thing. It would be best if he never marries another, but if one day he wishes to take a concubine, you must not be angry."
"Yes. Don’t worry, Mother, I won’t be angry."
"You must manage the household well for Xiao Mo. In the future, if you two have children, don’t have too many—that’s not a good thing—but don’t have too few, either. A boy and a girl would be perfect."
"After I die, tell your father not to hold a grand funeral. The kingdom’s finances are strained, and there’s no need to waste money on the dead. A simple ceremony will do. Bury me beside your two older brothers. That way, I can find them after I’m gone."
"Also, I know you have a gentle nature, but sometimes, you can’t afford to be soft-hearted. Otherwise, people will take advantage of you."
"Never shed tears in front of anyone but Xiao Mo. A woman’s tears aren’t for just anyone to see; they are for her beloved to cherish and feel pained by."
"Have you remembered everything I’ve told you?"
"Yes..." Qin Siyao’s voice was choked with a sob. "Don’t worry, Mother. Siyao has remembered everything..."
"Good, as long as you remember..."
Before she knew it, Empress Shi had arrived before her two sons’ tombs.
Empress Shi walked forward, smoothed the hem of her dress, and knelt gracefully on the ground. She reached out and gently caressed the white tombstones.
"Jing Su, Jing Yuan... Mother is coming to see you...
But things will be so hard for Siyao from now on...
Jing Su... Jing Yuan...
Siyao...
Will she truly be able to bear it...?"
Empress Shi’s breathing grew ever fainter, her eyelids heavier and heavier as if she were merely sleepy. Her voice became like a falling leaf, almost inaudible.
As Empress Shi’s final word faded, her eyes slowly closed. Her head drooped as if she had fallen asleep, only this time, she would never wake again...
"Mother..."
"Mother..."
"Mother..."
Kneeling beside her, Qin Siyao clutched her mother’s sleeve, her eyes finally unable to bear the weight of her grief as tears streamed down her face.
The young woman’s cries echoed through the silent mausoleum, again and again, but no one ever answered.
...
「In the Imperial Study.」 The Sovereign of Qin suddenly felt a sharp pain in his chest and clutched it tightly.
"Your Majesty..."
Eunuch Li rushed forward in alarm.
The Sovereign of Qin waved him away.
The Sovereign of Qin looked at a small jade carving on his desk. It was a gift Empress Shi had personally carved for him when she first entered the palace years ago.
And now, a crack had appeared on its surface.
"It’s all right, Xin’Er..."
The Sovereign of Qin reached out, gently stroking the jade carving.
’I’ll be with you soon...’