We Agreed On Experiencing Life, So Why Did You Immortals Become Real?

Chapter 407: I, Ill See You Off

On the third day after the Qin Kingdom’s ruler passed away, the imperial capital of Qin Kingdom held a coronation ceremony.

Although this coronation ceremony was simple, most importantly, it was symbolic.

From this point on, Qin Siyao became the legitimate sovereign of Qin Kingdom and on the very day Qin Siyao officially held her coronation ceremony.

With the imperial capital of Qin Kingdom as the center, all kinds of auspicious signs appeared within a radius of ten thousand li.

These were not auspicious omens deliberately fabricated by officials to curry favor, but events that truly occurred.

Even after Qin Siyao ascended the throne, winter was not as cold as before, and the weather showed signs of warming somewhat.

It could be anticipated that this yearʼs spring would arrive earlier than usual.

After officially ascending the throne, the first thing Qin Siyao did was to hold a funeral for her father in her capacity as the sovereign of Qin Kingdom.

Qin Siyao followed her fatherʼs wishes and kept the funeral simple in all aspects.

Compared to the past, when Qin Siyao would cry at funerals and forcibly hold back tears.
This time, as Qin Siyao presided over her fatherʼs funeral, her state of mind appeared much more stable.

Even though she had just ascended to that position, her every action and movement carried the bearing of an emperor.

It was as if suddenly, the originally confused little girl was no longer imitating adults in her actions, but had truly grown up.

All the eunuchs in the palace were also completely dismissed.

Only maidservants remained within the palace.

Huasheng remained Qin Siyaoʼs personal attendant. However, compared to when Huasheng used to be carefree and relaxed every day, from now on, Huasheng would need to manage all affairs within the palace and would no longer be as relaxed as before.

After the funeral ended, Qin Siyao also devoted herself wholeheartedly to government affairs.

As Qin Siyao was now the sovereign of Qin Kingdom, she naturally lived in the imperial palace every day.

Although Xiao Mo, as Qin Siyaoʼs future husband, and moreover with his current overwhelming power, could stay in Qin Siyaoʼs bedchamber every day without issue, and not a single person would dare gossip but Xiao Mo had not yet done so.

Xiao Mo still lived at the Frost Prince Manor.

Xiao Mo only went to the imperial study when attending court or when there were matters to discuss.

After all, Qin Siyaoʼs identity was now too special, and no matter what, he himself was ultimately just a subject.

In Xiao Moʼs view, if he constantly went to the imperial palace at this time, it would rather give the impression of having ”ulterior motives.”

Was this realm the Qin familyʼs or the Xiao familyʼs?

Even if Xiao Mo didnʼt think that way, how would those supporters of the Xiao family think?

Among the ministers and generals currently close to the Xiao Manor, quite a few hoped for Xiao Mo to ascend to that position.

As long as Xiao Mo proclaimed himself emperor, their status would soar from that point on.

Not to mention that border affairs were becoming increasingly tense.

The Northern Frontier was now conducting large-scale military training, and Xiao Mo needed to frequently return to the Northern Frontier to show his presence.

Never mind frequently entering the imperial palace, even the Frost Prince Manor, Xiao Mo rarely returned to a few times.

However, in Qin Siyaoʼs view, although she and Xiao Mo could not see each other every day, and even when they did meet, it was with several ministers together in the imperial study, and both sides had to maintain superficial courtesy but Qin Siyao knew that such days would not last too long.

For now, the most important thing was to stabilize the court and the warfare throughout the realm.

After some time passed, when Qin Kingdomʼs situation stabilized and this great war ended, then she could formally hold a wedding ceremony with Xiao Mo.

At that time, Xiao Mo could legitimately move into the imperial palace.

Finally, as long as she and Xiao Mo had offspring, raised them to adulthood, and cultivated them into a qualified sovereign, she could transmit the throne to the child.

When that time came, she could retreat to the mountains and forests with Xiao Mo, and never again concern herself with worldly affairs.

For the sake of their future life, she could wait.

And one month after Qin Shengtian passed away, great battles occurred again at the borders.

Qi Kingdom and Zhao Kingdom, hearing that the sovereign of Qin Kingdom had passed away, both wanted to strike while Qin Kingdomʼs hearts were unsettled.

In addition, within Qin Kingdom itself, some people also began to harbor ulterior motives.

Because the sovereign of Qin Kingdom had died and Qin Siyao had just ascended the throne, moreover as a woman, the minds of some feudal lords became restless.

Since ancient times, there had never been a woman who served in the position of sovereign.

They felt that women could not shoulder great responsibilities.

No matter how much His Majesty doted on the Third Princess, he would not transmit the throne to her!

So they insisted that His Majestyʼs edict must be fake, and this was definitely a forged testament by the three dukes of the court!

Because among the three dukes, two had once been Xiao Moʼs retainers, and Xiao Mo had shown them the grace of recognition. The remaining Prime Minister Li also was on good terms with Xiao Mo.

Xiao Mo and the others were disrupting court discipline, wanting to control the government and turn the Qin familyʼs realm into the Xiao familyʼs realm!

And how could they, as descendants of the Qin imperial family, tolerate this!

In reality, how could Xiao Mo not know their thoughts?

No matter how high-sounding these peopleʼs words were, they were merely concealing their own ambitions.

What they wanted was just two words: the throne!

For a time, quite a few feudal lords possessing Qin Kingdomʼs imperial bloodline raised their armies one after another.

Some generals also joined in the rebellion.

After all, who didnʼt want to wield overwhelming power in the court like Xiao Mo?

Of course, Xiao Mo felt that among these rebelling feudal lords, aside from some who were truly blinded by power and not clear-headed.

There were probably quite a few feudal lords who had connections with Qi Kingdom and Zhao Kingdom.

Perhaps they wanted to coordinate from within and without with Qi Kingdom and Zhao Kingdom. However, regarding the opponentʼs true motives, Xiao Mo already felt it didnʼt matter.

Xiao Mo ordered the generals of the Northern Frontier to lead troops to suppress the rebellion, and he himself personally led the army forth.

All along, Xiao Mo and the Northern Frontier had engaged in direct confrontations with other nations.

These feudal lords of Qin Kingdom had no clear understanding of the Northern Frontier army and Xiao Mo.

Some even felt that Xiao Moʼs reputation exceeded his reality.

They believed that with the Northern Pacification Prince gone, the Northern Frontier was no longer the Northern Frontier of the past but when the Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry appeared before them, trampling their armies and crushing their cities.

They realized how absurd their previous thoughts had been.

The Northern Frontier was still that Northern Frontier, and moreover was even stronger than before!

Any feudal lord who rebelled had their entire family executed by Xiao Mo.

The aristocratic families connected with them also had not a single survivor left.

Quite a few feudal lords and aristocratic families, seeing the situation turning unfavorable, wanted to surrender but Xiao Mo simply did not give them such an opportunity.

Xiao Mo even found it somewhat laughable.

How could there possibly be a way back from rebellion?

After these aristocratic familiesʼ surrenders were rejected by Xiao Mo, they could only fight to the death with Xiao Mo but their subordinates did not think the same way.

What did your rebellion have to do with us subordinates?

The generals under these feudal lords all had, to varying degrees, people who were on good terms with the Northern Frontier.

Not to mention that Xiao Mo held righteousness, as he was suppressing the rebellion by imperial decree.

Moreover, Qin Kingdomʼs national strength was currently flourishing, and a great war with Qi Kingdom and Zhao Kingdom was imminent. The soldiers more wanted to go to the border to kill enemies and earn merit. Who would want internal strife at this time? To cross blades with their fellow countrymen.

So quite a few feudal lords were killed by their subordinate generals before Xiao Mo even made a move.

In less than a year, Xiao Mo suppressed all internal strife.

Although this internal strife involved many parties, it had little impact on the common people of Qin Kingdom, and casualties on both sides were also low.

After all, quite a few soldiers, upon seeing Xiao Mo, lost the desire to continue fighting.

Qin Siyao also took this opportunity to implement reform laws in the court.

Aside from Xiao Mo, the military authority of feudal lords in various regions was greatly restricted.

The finances of the feudal states also had to be controlled by the imperial capital.

High-ranking officials also had to be dispatched by the court and were not permitted to establish them independently.

In addition, the various titles of Qin Kingdomʼs great aristocratic families could only be inherited for two generations.

Tax exemptions on land for nobility and court officials were all canceled, with taxes collected the same as for ordinary citizens.

As for the selection and appointment of new officials in the court, Qin Siyao used recommendation system. Local officials or centrally designated personnel would select talents to become officials through investigation and recommendation.

The number of talents recommended each year was limited, and moreover, those recommended ultimately had to undergo personal examination by the sovereign of Qin Kingdom.

In addition, Qin Kingdom would hold three progressively advancing examinations each year.

The examination content mainly focused on Confucianism, Legalism, Daoism, Mohism, military strategy, and agriculture.

Scholars who passed the three examinations would enter the palace for an imperial audience. The sovereign of Qin Kingdom would grant them official rank or appoint them at a selected time.

Qin Siyaoʼs actions harmed the interests of many great aristocratic families. After all, there were only so many positions. If others occupied the positions, what about their own clans?

So ministers submitted memorials one after another.

In their view, women were inherently weak, not to mention that Qin Siyao had been pampered since childhood.

They felt that as long as they strongly opposed it, Qin Siyao would definitely rescind the order but Qin Siyao simply did not listen to the opinions of these court ministers and great aristocratic families.

Qin Siyao persisted in her actions, even demoting some who stuck their heads out and even dismissing them from office.

Internally, Li Ge, Baili Xi, and Jian Shu supported Qin Siyaoʼs decision.

Externally, there was Xiao Moʼs Northern Frontier army stationed, and moreover the Northern Frontierʼ arrangement and infiltration of Qin Kingdomʼs military officers reached every corner. Not to mention that Xiao Mo had recently killed quite a few feudal lords and nobility.

In the end, these aristocratic families could only grudgingly accept it.

At least they could console themselves that the recommendation and examination systems appointed not many officials each year, not enough to shake their foundations.

Soon, another year passed.

The first batch of officials who entered the court through recommendation and examination had been put to important use by Qin Siyao.

This matter also stirred up tremendous waves among the common people.

Although officials who entered the court through new channels numbered only seventy people, and most still started from the bottom.

At least this let the common people see, aside from killing enemies on the battlefield, another path of advancement!

Moreover, during the two years since Qin Siyao took office, she diligently attended to government affairs, personally handling everything, emphasizing agriculture and industry, emphasizing moral education. The common people could feel that their lives were getting better day by day.

This undoubtedly established considerable prestige for Qin Siyao.

Originally, voices among the people worrying about ”whether the Third Princess could govern” also became fewer and fewer.

Some even spoke of ”the Female Emperor within, the Frost Prince without.”

And just as Qin Kingdom became increasingly stable, Xiao Mo also felt that his preparations were about complete.

It was time for him to go to the border and end this Warring States period that had lasted for thousands of years!

Before Xiao Mo departed, he made various arrangements but what Xiao Mo could not let go of was his mother.

Starting from the year before last.

Xiao Mo discovered that his motherʼs health was getting worse and worse, frequently falling ill.

Medical sect cultivators had also examined his mother many times, but because his mother was too old and her body too weak, they could mostly only use mortal remedies.

To lighten his motherʼs burden and prevent her from exhausting her mind, Xiao Mo and Qin Siyao persuaded her many times before Zhou Ruoxi finally put down the Xiao family affairs.

At this time, although the matriarch of the Xiao family was still nominally Zhou Ruoxi, Xiao Mo had an aunt named Xiao Xiaoyue take charge of all affairs.

Only major matters required Zhou Ruoxi to make decisions.

The fourth day of the second month, the beginning of spring this year.

As usual, just as dawn broke, Qin Siyao rose from her bedchamber.

After washing up, Qin Siyao stepped out of her bedchamber and saw a man standing before her.

Looking at the man before her, Qin Siyaoʼs eyes wavered slightly, and her small hands involuntarily gripped her sleeves.

Since she ascended the throne, he had never come to the rear palace.

Now that he came to find her, how could Qin Siyao not know her belovedʼs meaning?

”Are you leaving?”

After a long while, Qin Siyao slowly spoke.

”Mm, itʼs time to go.”

Xiao Mo nodded.

”Right now the pressure at the border is too great, and our Qin Kingdom has also made full preparations. The great war that has continued until now, itʼs time for it to end. This subject has come today to bid farewell to Your Majesty.”

Hearing Xiao Moʼs words, Qin Siyaoʼs cherry lips parted slightly. She wanted to say something, but slowly closed them again.

”I, Iʼll see you off.” Finally, Qin Siyao said.

”Good.” Xiao Mo smiled faintly and did not refuse.

The two walked side by side on the palace road, heading toward the direction outside the palace.

Qin Siyao deliberately walked very, very slowly.

Xiao Mo was not in a hurry either, merely following her pace.

”After this subject departs from the capital today, the defense of the four city gates of the imperial capital, Your Majesty can entrust to Hei Daniu, Xu Yongsheng, Xiao Gui, and Xiao Dahai. These four will be absolutely loyal to Your Majesty, and Your Majesty can rest assured.

In addition, this subject has also left Lian Li in the imperial capital. After Hei Daniu is transferred from the Imperial Guards, Lian Li can lead the Imperial Guards. If Your Majesty has any matters, you may freely discuss them with him.

Li Ge, Baili Xi, and Jian Shu are all pillar ministers. They have only Qin Kingdom in their hearts, and having received grace from the late emperor, they will certainly do their utmost to assist Your Majesty.

The Northern Frontier has an intelligence organization called Huang Tower.

Huang Towerʼs master Qiu Wen has already arrived in the city.

Huang Towerʼs agents will assist Your Majesty in monitoring all officials. Qiu Wen will report the movements of some ministers to Your Majesty every day.

During the great war, Your Majesty should prioritize stabilizing the court above all else. The conflicts between the new officials and those old nobility, Your Majesty can mediate slightly, but should not intensify them.”

”I know.”

Qin Siyao nodded.

”As for Mother, I will also persuade her again to move into the palace so I can personally care for her. If Mother still refuses, then I will frequently visit her. Imperial physicians will also be stationed at the manor. Husband can rest assured.”

”With Your Majesty here, this subject is at ease.”

Xiao Mo said with a smile.

”However...”

Xiao Mo stopped walking and looked at his beloved before him.

”If this subject does not return, Your Majesty need not worry either. All affairs of the Northern Frontier, this subject has already arranged everything. At that time...”

Xiao Moʼs words had just reached halfway when Qin Siyao extended her finger and gently pressed it against Xiao Moʼs lips.

Qin Siyao raised her beautiful face and quietly gazed at the person before her:

”There is no ʼif.ʼ”

”There is no need for ʼat that time.ʼ”

”Husband only needs to remember...”

”This wife...”

”Will forever wait for husband to return.”