The day after Xiao Shi returned to court in triumph, all the reward edicts were officially issued.
Among them, the most shocking was the Qin Kingdom’s ruler's marriage bestowal.
When the imperial edict bestowing marriage between Xiao Mo and the Third Princess Qin Siyao spread throughout the imperial capital, both n and won wailed in lant.
Actually, the n were relatively fine.
Because they knew that Her Highness the Princess, praised as the most beautiful woman among all nations and the ruler's beloved daughter, could never possibly be theirs. In the future, she would certainly marry so dignitary.
Now that Her Highness the Princess was marrying the Frost Prince, this way, it could be considered keeping the fertile water within one's own field rather than letting it flow to outsiders. However, many won, especially those well-bred young ladies, truly believed they could marry the Frost Prince.
And even if they couldn't marry the Frost Prince, at least, as long as the Frost Prince didn't marry anyone else, wouldn't the Frost Prince belong to everyone?
Since the Frost Prince belonged to everyone, didn't that an they always had a chance?
But unexpectedly, the Frost Prince was about to marry the Princess.
This left many won heartbroken, gloomy, and washing their faces with tears.
Even after news spread that Xiao Mo was getting married, many courtesans temporarily stopped receiving clients, their hearts already broken. However, most people still felt that the Frost Prince and Her Highness the Princess were truly a talented man and beautiful woman, extrely well-matched, and all were happy to see it happen.
After the engagent was announced, the wedding date had not yet been determined.
This was normal.
Qin Kingdom weddings were extrely particular, especially for the imperial family.
Therefore, they must select an auspicious day according to both parties' birth dates and tis, celestial phenona, and Qin Kingdom's national fortune but regardless, with parents' orders and matchmakers' arrangents, the two were also mutually attracted, and the imperial edict had been announced to the world. This marriage was already set in stone.
And because of the two matters of annexing Zhei Kingdom and the imperial wedding ceremony, starting from the imperial capital, the entire Qin Kingdom fell into a festive atmosphere.
Friends from the Northern Frontier army still temporarily remaining in the city also successively ca to congratulate Xiao Mo.
Three more days passed.
Qin Kingdom and Chu Kingdom were still fighting at the border. Although Qin Kingdom had already gained the advantage, Chu Kingdom stuck like a plaster and wouldn't leave.
Therefore, the Qin Kingdom's ruler planned to have soone lead an army to tear off this plaster, lest it affect his mood.
The Qin Kingdom's ruler asked for Xiao Mo's opinion. Xiao Mo recomnded Xiahou Nan to go.
The Qin Kingdom's ruler readily agreed, and Xiahou Nan also accepted the order.
A month later, Xiahou Nan led his army and joined forces with the eldest prince Qin Jingsu.
After greatly defeating the Chu army, Xiahou Nan imdiately returned to court in triumph together with the eldest prince.
Although the battles the eldest prince fought were not as difficult as those of the Northern Frontier army, regardless, this ti the eldest prince had defended the border, not only preventing Chu Kingdom from further expanding its advantage but even winning many victories. This undoubtedly raised the eldest prince's prestige.
In comparison, the second prince's prestige appeared rather ordinary.
At this ti, whether in the court or among the people, everyone felt His Majesty should establish the eldest prince Qin Jingsu as crown prince.
Even the Qin Kingdom's ruler had the sa intention, deliberately arranging so matters for the eldest prince to handle.
Qin Jingsu appeared very composed, without that kind of joy after gaining favor, even more steady than before.
After the eldest prince had so free ti, he first went to Xiao Mo's residence to congratulate Xiao Mo and his younger sister on their joyful union.
Qin Jingsu brought Xiao Mo extraordinary treasures, and secretly there was still an intention to recruit him. However, Xiao Mo politely declined, firmly refusing to involve himself in matters of succession.
Another half month passed, and the engagent was set. On the seventh day of the seventh month next year, an auspicious day, Xiao Mo and Qin Siyao could hold their grand ceremony.
Because there was still a long ti, Li Jing and others first returned to their fiefs to garrison them and would return to the capital next year to attend the banquet.
At the sa ti, the eldest young master of the Xiao Manor, Xiao Yichuan, was also returning to Tao Mountain Sect. Xiao Mo and Qin Siyao both saw him off outside the city.
"During this period, all the nations are relatively well-behaved. Third Brother only needs to prepare for the wedding. As for so minor skirmishes at the borders, Third Brother need not concern yourself. General Xiahou is sufficient to take on great responsibility. His Majesty should also not trouble you, soone about to get married," Xiao Yichuan said to Xiao Mo.
"Mm, I know," Xiao Mo nodded and looked at Xiao Yichuan. "Eldest Brother, I wonder how First Mother has been recently? Is she well?"
Since returning to the capital, Xiao Mo had not gone to pay respects to First Mother.
Mainly because although her second son wasn't killed by him, he was captured by him. It was awkward for him to et her.
"Alas," Xiao Yichuan sighed. "After Mother learned of Yishe's matter, she was indeed very sad. But Third Brother, rest assured, Mother does not bla you. Mother even asked to tell Third Brother to thank you for capturing Yishe and sending him back to the military camp. This prevented Yishe from ultimately making an even greater mistake and ruining the Xiao family's reputation."
Hearing this, Xiao Mo lowered his head and nodded without speaking.
Actually, regarding his first mother, Xiao Mo had no particular objections.
She had never targeted his mother and did everything according to the manor's rules.
Especially since the Northern Pacification Prince was away from ho year-round, all the managent of household affairs was done by this first mother.
As a woman, it was truly not easy.
"Alright, Third Brother and sister-in-law, please stop here. No need to see off further."
The three walked outside the city. Xiao Yichuan turned around and bowed to Xiao Mo and Qin Siyao.
"Father will return to the Northern Frontier tomorrow to thoroughly cleanse so stubborn Zhei Kingdom remnants. As for matters of the Xiao Manor, I trouble Third Brother to look after them."
"Naturally," Xiao Mo responded.
"Actually, Eldest Brother is quite selfish," Xiao Yichuan said with a smile. "This return to the military camp was actually Mother's intention, but in my heart, I actually hope more to live carefree in the world. I'm truly afraid of this Northern Pacification Prince title in the future. But fortunately, with Third Brother shouldering the banner, Father won't give it to ."
Xiao Yichuan patted Xiao Mo's shoulder. "Eldest Brother is leaving. If there's anything, feel free to send a ssage. Eldest Brother will definitely help!"
"If Eldest Brother needs anything in his cultivation, you can send a ssage anyti. Younger Brother will certainly help," Xiao Mo looked at his eldest brother whom he hadn't known long and truly felt sowhat reluctant to part.
"Ha ha ha, good! I'm off! Waiting to drink your wedding wine," Xiao Yichuan laughed heartily.
"Respectfully seeing off Eldest Brother!" Xiao Mo bowed.
"Respectfully seeing off Eldest Young Master," Qin Siyao also curtsied.
"Still calling Eldest Young Master?" Xiao Yichuan said cheerfully. "Sister-in-law should change how you address to Eldest Brother."
Qin Siyao looked sowhat shyly at Xiao Mo beside her.
Xiao Mo said with a smile, "Indeed, you should change how you address him."
Qin Siyao shyly pinched Xiao Mo's waist.
"Then sister-in-law respectfully sees off Eldest Brother..." Qin Siyao curtsied generously.
"Don't see off!"
Xiao Yichuan nodded and flew toward the distance.
At the sa ti, in the Second Prince's residence, that scholar from before was once again sitting before the second prince.
"Has the Second Prince still not considered clearly?" The scholar took a sip of tea. "Now the eldest prince's prestige is not low. If the Second Prince doesn't make a decision, then this humble one also cannot wait for the Second Prince any longer. In a few days, I will be leaving the Qin capital."
In the study, Qin Jingyuan rubbed the cup in his hands, remaining silent for a long ti.
The scholar was not anxious and simply waited for Qin Jingyuan's answer.
After a long while, Qin Jingyuan raised his head and looked directly into the scholar's eyes. "I agree to your conditions!"
Hearing the second prince make his decision, the corners of the scholar's mouth curved upward. He stood and bowed. "Second Prince, rest assured. Jin Kingdom will certainly not disappoint the Second Prince."
The ti it takes to burn one incense stick later, the scholar left the second prince's study.
Qin Jingyuan looked at the teacup on the table, remaining silent for a long ti.
Unknowingly, more than a month passed.
There wasn't much ti left until the New Year.
Just as the Qin Kingdom's palace was busily preparing inside and out for next year's wedding between the Frost Prince and the Third Princess, Jin Kingdom's envoys ca to Qin Kingdom on a diplomatic mission.
Regarding Jin Kingdom's diplomatic mission, many people including Xiao Mo felt sowhat puzzled.
Although Jin Kingdom and Qin Kingdom's relationship wasn't particularly bad, it wasn't particularly good either.
Because neither could do anything to the other, everyone had always maintained superficial harmony but unexpectedly, Jin Kingdom would actively send envoys to Qin Kingdom.
"I wonder what matter brings Jin King's envoys to our Qin Kingdom?" At the welcoming banquet, the Qin Kingdom's ruler personally received the Jin envoys.
"In response to the Qin King," the Jin Kingdom envoy stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Our king ordered us to co because he wishes to request a joyful matter from Your Majesty."
"A joyful matter?" The Qin Kingdom's ruler picked up his wine cup and took a sip. "Let's hear it."
"Our king has long heard that your esteed nation's Second Prince Qin Jingyuan is exceptionally talented, both civil and martial, mature and steady, and handso in appearance. Moreover, our Jin Kingdom and yours are neighbors and should naturally look after each other. Our Jin Kingdom's eldest princess possesses an orchid heart of fragrant quality, dignified and beautiful bearing, and has now reached marriageable age. Our king wishes to request a marriage alliance with your esteed nation to form a bond between Qin and Jin. I wonder what Your Majesty thinks?"
As soon as the Jin Kingdom envoy's words fell, everyone looked at him.
"..."
The Qin King looked at the envoy before him and also remained silent for a long ti.
Five days later, Qin Kingdom and Jin Kingdom jointly announced an edict stating that Qin Kingdom's Second Prince Qin Jingyuan and Jin Kingdom's Eldest Princess Ji Yue would marry in the ninth month of next year to form a bond between Qin and Jin.
Because of Qin Kingdom's etiquette, among direct line relatives, if multiple people were getting married in the near future, the elder must go first.
Therefore, Xiao Mo and Qin Siyao's wedding could only be postponed, and a new auspicious day would need to be found.
Regarding her wedding being postponed, Qin Siyao was naturally very angry.
Although Qin Siyao knew what a marriage alliance between Qin Kingdom and Jin Kingdom ant, and even if she made a fuss it would be useless and she would even be called immature, Qin Siyao still felt unhappy.
During these days, Qin Siyao frequently entered the palace, chattering in her father emperor's ear and throwing small tantrums.
The Qin Kingdom's ruler also felt he truly owed his daughter, so he couldn't say much. He could only endure it. Whenever his daughter ca, the Qin Kingdom's ruler avoided her as much as possible.
In comparison, Xiao Mo felt there was sothing slightly suspicious about this matter.
Although Qin Kingdom had now annexed Zhei Kingdom and Jin Kingdom had annexed Zhongshan Kingdom, both nations needed to digest these territories, and a marriage alliance at this ti was indeed a good thing, Xiao Mo always felt sothing wasn't quite right.
Especially when the eldest prince was very likely to be established as heir apparent, Qin Kingdom and Jin Kingdom ford a marriage alliance.
This was all too coincidental, even sowhat hasty.
He always felt that sothing major was about to happen.
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