We Agreed On Experiencing Life, So Why Did You Immortals Become Real? - Chapter 440: It Is Elder Sister's Turn Now New 5 days ago Xiao Mo did not refuse, and followed Qin Siyao to her chambers.The Han Jiu Palace at this hour was not particula
Xiao Mo did not refuse, and followed Qin Siyao to her chambers.
The Han Jiu Palace at this hour was not particularly quiet, and was even somewhat lively.
After all, Qin Siyao had only just entered the palace not long ago, and the great majority of the palace maids had nothing in particular to keep them busy.
Several of them had gathered together to chat, their hands moving through their work in a leisurely, half-hearted manner but the moment they saw their mistress and His Majesty step into the Han Jiu Palace, they were so startled that they rushed forward at once, knelt on either side of the path, and called out in unison, “Your servants respectfully welcome His Majesty and Consort Mu back to the palace!”
“Rise.”
Xiao Mo gave a nod and gestured for them to get up.
“Go and do whatever it is you need to do. There is no need to be overly rigid within the Han Jiu Palace. Just mind the rules and that will be enough.”
Qin Siyao waved her hand and added her own words.
“Thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you, Consort Mu.” The palace maids responded in unison.
Qin Siyao paid them no further attention and led Xiao Mo into the inner room.
“Brother Emperor, please have a cup of tea first.”
Qin Siyao guided Xiao Mo to a seat, then poured a cup of tea and held it out to him with both hands.
Xiao Mo looked at the teacup in Qin Siyao’s hands, a faint hesitation crossing his expression.
“Does Brother Emperor fear that Mu Jiu has put poison in it?” Seeing Xiao Mo’s expression, Qin Siyao let out a soft laugh. “Please set your mind at ease, Brother Emperor. Even if it meant poisoning herself, Mu Jiu would never let Brother Emperor come to the slightest harm.”
“You misunderstand, my beloved consort. How could I possibly worry that you would put poison in it? I was simply thinking about what is on your mind right now.”
Xiao Mo glanced at the woman before him and accepted the teacup.
Although Xiao Mo addressed Qin Siyao as “my beloved consort,” which carried a certain warmth on the surface, it actually concealed a far greater sense of distance beneath it.
Qin Siyao naturally heard the guarded undercurrent in Xiao Mo’s tone, and understood that he was deliberately alluding to the events of the previous night but Qin Siyao did not dwell on it, and continued to smile as she said, “Has Brother Emperor managed to guess what is on your servant’s mind right now?”
“I cannot.”
Xiao Mo shook his head and took a sip of tea.
“This morning, National Preceptor Jiang told me that both you and Ruxue are after the same thing. Yet no matter how I think it over, I truly cannot figure out what could possibly be in this small imperial palace that would interest either of you.”
“Is that so?”
A faint smile lingered in Qin Siyao’s eyes as she gazed deeply into Xiao Mo’s.
“Whatever could it be? It truly is difficult to guess.”
“Would my beloved consort perhaps satisfy my curiosity?” Xiao Mo asked.
“Please forgive your servant, Brother Emperor. There are certain things whose causes and consequences weigh too heavily, and your servant cannot tell you just yet.”
A flicker of guilt passed through Qin Siyao’s eyes.
Especially when Qin Siyao recalled what Yan Ruxue had written in the agreement the previous night, which had also confirmed some of her own suspicions.
A shadow of heaviness and worry passed through her eyes as well but it lasted only an instant before Qin Siyao suppressed every trace of emotion that had surfaced in her gaze.
“Although your servant cannot yet tell Brother Emperor everything, please rest assured. There will come a day when your servant has taken care of all that needs to be taken care of, and on that day, your servant will certainly tell you everything. But before that time comes, Brother Emperor will need to wait a little longer.”
Qin Siyao looked at Xiao Mo with a gentle smile.
“Let us not speak of these things anymore. Your servant has nearly forgotten the real reason for coming.” Qin Siyao shifted the subject. “There is a gift your servant wishes to give Brother Emperor.”
“A gift?” Xiao Mo asked, puzzled.
“Yes. Consider it part of your servant’s dowry. Please wait a moment, Brother Emperor.”
With those words, Qin Siyao walked to one side of the room, retrieved a small box from a chest, and placed it before Xiao Mo.
The box was opened, and what Xiao Mo’s eyes fell upon was a mask and a small clay figurine.
The moment Xiao Mo saw the clay figurine and the mask, his heart began to beat faster and faster, beyond his control.
Xiao Mo was certain he had never seen either of these two objects before, and yet he felt an inexplicably deep sense of familiarity toward them.
He even felt that these two objects were of extraordinary importance to him, as though they naturally and rightfully belonged to him.
It was a truly strange feeling.
“This little clay figurine, your servant shaped it herself as a child and has kept it ever since.”
Just as Xiao Mo was sinking into that peculiar emotion, Qin Siyao smiled and spoke.
“Your servant always thought that on the day she married, she would give this little clay figurine to her future husband. And now, that day has finally come.”
“As for this mask, Brother Emperor should not be put off by how old it looks, or by the faint traces of rust on it. This mask has a very long history. It is said to be a traditional ceremonial piece from the ancient Qin Kingdom.”
“It is said that in the ancient Qin Kingdom during important festivals, men would wear this kind of mask and perform a war dance, praying for peace and blessings.”
“Your servant thinks that if Brother Emperor were to wear this mask, it would suit you wonderfully. Would Brother Emperor like to try it on?”
As she spoke, Qin Siyao’s eyes blinked with eager anticipation. Looking at the mask resting on the table, Xiao Mo reached out and lifted it, placing it over his face.
Xiao Mo raised his head and looked at the silver mirror in the room, gazing at his own reflection, and his expression grew increasingly distant and hazy.
He shook his head, gathered his thoughts, and moved to remove the mask from his face.
“Brother Emperor, wait…” Qin Siyao gently caught Xiao Mo’s wrist.
“What is it?” Xiao Mo asked.
“Your servant would like to look a little longer.” Qin Siyao smiled at Xiao Mo.
“Is it really that fine-looking?” Xiao Mo asked.
Qin Siyao gave a nod, and reached out her fair, slender hand to gently brush against Xiao Mo’s cheek, her eyes shimmering with a soft and tender light.
“Brother Emperor wearing this mask…”
“Looks wonderful…”
“Here.”
“And here too.”
“This spot needs a sweep as well.”
“And the table needs wiping too.”
…
In the front courtyard of Ning Xue Palace, Xiao Chun was directing the palace maids in sweeping the yard.
Xiao Chun had entered the palace together with her young mistress the previous night but in order to let her mistress give His Majesty a surprise, and to let him discover that the Yan family’s daughter he was taking as his wife was the very same young lady he had encountered three times before, Xiao Chun had hidden herself within the procession.
Xiao Mo, who had been so busy his head was spinning, had indeed not noticed Xiao Chun.
What ultimately left Xiao Chun feeling disappointed was this: her young mistress had indeed given His Majesty a surprise.
His Majesty had even been on the verge of spending the night in her mistress’s chambers bsut who could have expected that His Majesty, having been too exhausted and having drunk too much wine, simply collapsed and fell fast asleep right then and there.
Otherwise, her young mistress might very well have conceived the imperial heir last night.
“Did none of you see the leaves over there? Why are you not sweeping them up?”
The more she thought about it, the more Xiao Chun felt it was a terrible shame. She puffed out her cheeks and called out to the palace maids with a tone full of feeling.
Before long, however, the sound of a carriage approaching reached them from outside Ning Xue Palace.
“Young Mistress, you are back.”
Seeing her mistress return to Ning Xue Palace, Xiao Chun walked forward happily.
“Mm.” Yan Ruxue gave a nod and smiled. “How was it? Quite dull here in the palace, was it not? I already told you that you did not have to follow me into the palace. If you wish to leave now, I can send you out.”
“Not at all, Young Mistress. It is not dull at all.” Xiao Chun shook her head quickly. “Your servant has followed Young Mistress since childhood. Wherever Young Mistress is, your servant will naturally be there too. Please do not send your servant away.”
“Since you are willing to stay, I am more than glad. Why would I want to send you away?” Yan Ruxue smiled and flicked her finger lightly against Xiao Chun’s forehead.
“Hehe…” Xiao Chun rubbed her forehead, and happily hugged her mistress’s arm. She looked around behind her mistress and said, “Young Mistress, did His Majesty not come back with you?”
“His Majesty has likely gone to Consort Mu’s palace,” Yan Ruxue said with easy composure.
Xiao Chun immediately became anxious. “Young Mistress, His Majesty has gone to Consort Mu’s palace. Does that not mean His Majesty and Consort Mu might… what if Consort Mu conceives the imperial heir first? This…”
“All right, all right.” Yan Ruxue patted her on the head. “I am going back to my room to rest. Go do what you need to do. But remember, the palace is not like the Yan residence. Do not break the rules. Understood?”
“Yes, Young Mistress…”
Xiao Chun lowered her head, wondering in her heart how her young mistress could be so utterly unworried.
Competing for the emperor’s favor in the inner palace was a serious matter.
She had read about it in story books. Competing for favor in the inner palace could even come down to a fight to the death and yet her young mistress remained exactly as she always was, as though no matter what happened, nothing was ever truly a great matter in her eyes, always so utterly unhurried and composed.
Yan Ruxue said nothing more, turned, and walked back into her bedchamber and the very instant Yan Ruxue stepped into the room, a formation that blocked all divine sense from probing inward was laid out within the chamber.
When Yan Ruxue turned around, a young girl in a pale green dress was standing before her.
“Elder Sister…” Little Green called out softly, her expression carrying a hint of urgency.
Little Green had followed the procession into the palace the previous day, but had not had a chance to speak with her elder sister alone this entire time, and had very nearly been driven mad with anxiety.
“Whatever it is, say it slowly. Have a cup of tea first.”
Yan Ruxue gently smoothed her skirt and sat down, pouring a cup of tea for Little Green. “What did the ruler of the Nine-Tailed Kingdom say? Did she agree to our terms?”
About half a year prior, great movements had stirred throughout the Demon Realm. The Nine-Tailed Kingdom in particular had been annexing surrounding smaller kingdoms, showing signs of intent to advance upon the Ten Thousand Laws Realm.
In order to keep the ruler of the Nine-Tailed Kingdom from disrupting her plans and interfering with her wedding, Yan Ruxue had sent Little Green to the Nine-Tailed Kingdom to ensure that it would not stir up any great trouble in the near future.
“That ruler of the Nine-Tailed Kingdom is as unreasonable as ever. She said that whatever she intends to do, she will do, and that no one will influence her decisions.”
Little Green shook her head and let out a sigh.
“Fortunately though, this ruler does not appear to have any intention of attacking the Ten Thousand Laws Realm at present. But ten years from now, there is no telling. After all, she is that old man’s granddaughter, having inherited her grandfather’s will. She even seems to be on the verge of becoming the supreme ruler of the entire Demon Realm.”
“Speaking of which, Elder Sister, what exactly did Elder Brother Xiao do to that ruler of the Nine-Tailed Kingdom in that one lifetime of his? Why does she hate him so deeply and to the very bone? Killing him once was not enough, and she has kept hunting him down all the way to now, refusing to let go across life after life?” Little Green asked her elder sister with puzzlement.
“Who knows?”
Yan Ruxue shook her head, her gaze drifting toward the sky beyond the window.
“The Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox clan is born of love, attains the Dao through love, and how many have died because of love? Among all the words in the world, it is this one word, ‘love,’ that is the most impossible to fathom.”
Yan Ruxue drew her gaze back and continued, “Since the ruler of the Nine-Tailed Kingdom is unwilling to reach an agreement with us, then let it be. We need only manage our own affairs. As for the Great Wall side of things, we must help where help is needed. Understood?”
“Understood, Elder Sister.”
Little Green answered but Little Green’s eyes shifted, and she looked as though she had something more she wanted to say but hesitated to voice.
Yan Ruxue glanced at Little Green and said gently, “There is nothing between the two of us that needs to be hidden. If you have something to say, say it directly.”
“Elder Sister… when will you be able to tell Elder Brother Xiao the truth and take him away with you? Even if there is still a broken deity above the clouds, beyond the Heaven Ascending Gate, what of it?”
“Elder Sister, you are now at the peak of the Ascension realm. If you were to further merge with the Four Seas and attain the Dao, could that broken deity truly stop you?”
Little Green bit her thin lip and voiced the doubts that had been weighing on her.
Ever since Elder Brother Xiao had left Elder Sister for the second time, and Elder Sister learned that he had been noticed by the divine beings above, she had immediately concealed her name and identity, retreating to the shadows and allowing Sizhu to serve as the face of the Lord of the Four Seas.
Sizhu was a woman who had, by a fortunate twist of fate, been taken in by Elder Sister as a disciple.
Thousands of years had passed, and the world had come to believe that the Lord of the Four Seas was a blue dragon at the peak of the Immortal realm. Only a handful of ancient figures from the most powerful great sects knew who the true Lord of the Four Seas actually was.
And the reason Elder Sister had done all of this was because Elder Brother Xiao had died for her sake in that lifetime. The bond of love and fate between Elder Sister and Elder Brother Xiao was like a red thread, and it had been noticed by that broken deity above.
Later, Elder Sister had expended enormous effort and used means that reached the very heavens to conceal that red thread from sight.
In order to prevent the broken deity above from following that red thread to find Elder Brother Xiao, Elder Sister could not allow the karmic bond between them to manifest too openly.
Otherwise that red thread would surface again, and catch that divine being’s attention once more but in Little Green’s eyes, Elder Sister’s current cultivation level was so terrifyingly high that as long as Elder Sister was willing, she could merge with the Four Seas and attain the Dao, and it was not impossible that she might step into that legendary second realm.
Did Elder Sister truly still need to appear before the world under a false identity?
“Foolish girl.”
Listening to her younger sister’s words, Yan Ruxue smiled softly and tapped her younger sister’s forehead.
“Who said that there is truly only one broken deity left in this world?”
“Elder Sister… what do you mean by that?” Little Green blinked blankly.
“In the ancient age, those legendary divine beings did indeed all die. But does that mean they will remain dead forever?”
Yan Ruxue shook her head, a shadow of heaviness flickering through her eyes.
“And who do you think it was, in that ancient age, who slew those gods seated high upon the clouds one by one?”
“If those gods could live again, who do you think would be the person they would hate the most?”
Listening to her elder sister’s words, Little Green’s eyes trembled, her throat tightened, but she did not dare to speak her guess aloud.
“Little Green…”
Yan Ruxue folded her hands together atop her well-proportioned thighs, her peach-blossom eyes drawing in all the warmth and tenderness that spring had to offer.
“Elder Sister does not want to lose him again…”
“He has protected Elder Sister twice.”
“This time…”
“It is Elder Sister’s turn.”
