That evening, Xiao Mo and Qin Siyao arrived at the Second Prince’s Mansion.
To be honest, Xiao Mo hadn’t particularly wanted to attend the banquet, but back when he was in the Iron Tiger Army, he had indeed received considerable favors from the Second Prince.
Even though he hadn’t actively sought them, he had, in fact, reaped the benefits of the Second Prince’s goodwill.
Therefore, it would have been difficult to justify not attending.
But Xiao Mo still stuck to his principles—he was determined not to get involved in the succession struggle between him and the Eldest Prince.
’I absolutely cannot pick a side.’
’Otherwise, things will get very troubleso.’
’The reasoning is simple—I can be loyal to the current Sovereign of Qin and to the future Sovereign of Qin, but I cannot be loyal to a future Crown Prince.’
Qin Siyao walked beside Xiao Mo. She raised her head and stole a glance at him before quickly looking away, a thoughtful expression in her eyes.
Before long, they reached the entrance to the main hall of the Second Prince’s Mansion and heard the majestic, imposing strains of the "Frost Red Battle Song."
Just then, the Second Prince, Qin Jingyuan, was already walking over to greet Xiao Mo and Qin Siyao.
"My apologies for not greeting you sooner. Please forgive , Frost King." Qin Jingyuan walked up to Xiao Mo enthusiastically and warmly took his hand.
"So, Second Brother, you only ask for Xiao Mo’s forgiveness and not mine?" Qin Siyao teased from the side.
"Nonsense, Third Sister. We see each other all the ti; there’s no need for such formalities between us. The Frost King, however, is a rare and honored guest."
With that, Qin Jingyuan led Xiao Mo by the hand and hurried into the main hall.
"Co, co, Frost King! Take a look at the entertainnt I’ve prepared. I’m sure you will enjoy it."
Xiao Mo was led to a seat in the main hall by Qin Jingyuan.
Qin Jingyuan clapped his hands, and a troupe of female dancers ca forward. They began to dance gracefully to the "Frost Red Battle Song," their movents seemingly reenacting Xiao Mo’s great battle at Frost Red City.
However, as it was a dance, it naturally lacked the grim lethality of a true battlefield, possessing instead a certain artistic grace.
Xiao Mo could tell this dance was no last-minute rehearsal. It was likely that Qin Jingyuan had prepared it long ago, just waiting for him to attend this banquet. Moreover, the chosen dancers were all exceptionally beautiful.
The dancers even gazed at Xiao Mo with a seductive charm, as if they were ready to receive his favor at a mont’s notice.
Sitting beside Xiao Mo, Qin Siyao took small sips of her tea, all the while keeping a close watch on his eyes.
Qin Siyao saw that Xiao Mo was sitting ramrod straight, looking every bit the Righteous Gentleman, his gaze not lingering on any of the won for too long.
She couldn’t help but feel a little spark of joy in her heart.
"What did you think, Frost King?" Qin Jingyuan asked with a smile once the dance concluded.
"The dance was truly excellent. Your Highness has gone to great trouble," Xiao Mo said, making sure to be gracious. "However, Your Highness, please don’t call Frost King. Xiao Mo is fine."
"Hahaha, very well." Qin Jingyuan nodded. "You and I have known each other for a long ti. There’s really no need to be so formal."
Qin Jingyuan took a sip of wine. "Xiao Mo, your campaign against the Wei Kingdom, conquering twenty-one cities in a row, was no small feat. Today you return in triumph, and while I have little to offer, I happen to have a White Snow-Trampling Horse. They say a fine horse befits a hero. I hope you won’t find it lacking..."
The mont he finished speaking, Qin Jingyuan signaled to his attendants.
They imdiately understood and led in a warhorse that had been prepared in advance.
The warhorse was pure white and magnificently built. Every part of its body looked powerful and robust. Just by standing there, it exuded an imnse, oppressive presence.
"What a fine horse!"
Xiao Mo exclaid in heartfelt admiration.
During his years in the army, Xiao Mo had ridden many fine horses.
But they all seed to pale in comparison to this one.
"As long as you like it, Xiao Mo, this Snow-Trampling Horse is yours," Qin Jingyuan said, delighted to see Xiao Mo’s satisfaction.
"Your Highness, this is too valuable." Xiao Mo shook his head. "How could I possibly accept it?"
"What’s so valuable about it?" Qin Jingyuan said with a laugh. "It is this Snow-Trampling Horse’s honor to ride into battle with you, Xiao Mo, and make a na for itself in the pages of history. If it were to beco anyone else’s mount, I would feel it was a terrible waste!"
"But..." Xiao Mo was about to refuse again.
But at that mont, an attendant walked into the hall and announced, "Your Highness, the Eldest Prince is here."
Hearing that his eldest brother had arrived, a flash of displeasure crossed Qin Jingyuan’s eyes, but he quickly suppressed it. He rose to his feet and said, "Well, hurry up and invite my Eldest Brother in! No, on second thought, I’ll go and welco him myself."
"No need to trouble yourself, Second Brother. I’ve already let myself in."
As the voice faded, the Eldest Prince, Qin Jingsu, walked into the hall.
"Eldest Brother."
"Greetings, Eldest Prince."
Xiao Mo and Qin Siyao rose to greet him.
"Frost King. And I didn’t expect to see you here as well, Third Sister."
Qin Jingsu returned their salutation with a bow, then turned to his second brother with a smile.
"Hahaha, Second Brother, this isn’t very brotherly of you. Inviting Third Sister and the Frost King for drinks, but not ? Your big brother is heartbroken."
"How could you say that, Eldest Brother?" Qin Jingyuan explained. "You’re occupied with countless state affairs every day, unlike your idle younger brother. I was rely afraid of disturbing you."
"Hahaha, no matter how busy I am, I must still make ti for my siblings! Otherwise, if we let too much ti pass, we’ll grow distant, won’t we?"
Qin Jingsu clapped his hands, and an attendant at his side brought forward several jugs of wine.
"These jugs of wine were personally brewed by the Wine Immortal. Father Sovereign rewarded them to so ti ago, and I’ve never been able to bring myself to drink them. But today, with us brothers gathered and the Frost King present, let’s not stop until we’re all drunk."
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