"..." Hearing Xia Qingke's words, Xiao Mo lowered his head and remained silent.
Xia Qingke turned her head to look at Xiao Mo, "Mo'er, thank you.
If you hadn't brought Yishe back, Yishe would have eventually made a grave mistake.
If not for you, I don't know to what extent the reputation of the Xiao Manor, with its five generations of loyal ministers, would have fallen.
If not for you, I wouldn't know how I could face our ancestors in the underworld."
"What I did wasn't much," Xiao Mo shook his head. "On the contrary, Eldest Aunt, what you've done for the Xiao Manor is already more than enough."
"Enough? It was rely my duty as the Northern Pacification Prince's consort..."
Xia Qingke smiled gently.
"Mo'er, from now on, the Xiao Manor depends on you. I also believe that with you here, the Xiao Manor will certainly not decline, but you will also be very, very tired. You've truly worked hard."
Xiao Mo wanted to say sothing, but at this mont didn't know how to speak.
"Alright, chatting with this old woman must be quite boring. Mo'er, could you help call your mother over? I want to see her one last ti." Xia Qingke looked at Xiao Mo with pleading in her eyes, as if afraid he would refuse.
"Actually, Mother is already here. She wants to see you," Xiao Mo said.
"That's wonderful. Quickly let your mother co in." A trace of joy flashed in Xia Qingke's eyes.
"Yes."
Xiao Mo walked out.
At this ti, outside the door of the Xiao Manor's principal wife's room, quite a few people had already gathered.
Among them were ladies from various branches and separated families of the Xiao Manor, wives of court ministers, as well as noblewon who were usually on good terms.
"Frost Prince."
Seeing Xiao Mo co out, everyone bowed in unison.
"Everyone need not be so polite." Xiao Mo returned a simple bow, then said to his mother, "Mother, Eldest Aunt seems to have sothing to say to you."
"Mm."
Zhou Ruoxi nodded and walked in.
The conversation between Xia Qingke and Zhou Ruoxi lasted a very long ti, even longer than her talk with her own eldest son.
As for what the two discussed, no one knew, but Xiao Mo and the others could mostly guess.
A full two hours later, Zhou Ruoxi finally walked out of Xia Qingke's room. Xiao Mo saw that his mother's eyes were red-rimd, as if she had cried for a long ti.
Xia Qingke also called many relatives and friends into the room.
It wasn't until the sun set that everyone finally dispersed.
In the evening, after Xia Qingke simply ate a al, she sat up and had the maid Huanying help her with her grooming.
After putting on her clothes and arranging her appearance, Xia Qingke leaned against the headboard, saying she wanted to sleep for a while and asked Huanying to go out first.
Past the hour of si, Huanying walked in carrying a basin of water, saying softly, "Madam, let this servant wipe down your body."
But Xia Qingke didn't respond, only leaned against the headboard with a slight smile, motionless.
"Madam?"
Huanying's eyes trembled as an ominous premonition rose in her heart.
"Madam!!!"
The water basin in Huanying's hands fell, spilling water everywhere and wetting the floor.
Huanying collapsed at the bedside, crying loudly.
In the quiet night, only that one tree swayed gently.
The next day, news of the Xiao Manor's principal wife's passing spread throughout the entire imperial capital.
The Qin Kingdom's ruler personally ca to the Xiao Manor to attend the funeral.
The funeral's specifications were extrely high, second only to an empress's.
After Xia Qingke's passing, Zhou Ruoxi beca the Xiao family's principal wife.
Regarding the position of the Xiao family's principal wife, Zhou Ruoxi actually didn't want to take it. She had already grown accustod to a peaceful life but before Xia Qingke passed away, she had persuaded Zhou Ruoxi for a long ti, and Zhou Ruoxi finally agreed.
Moreover, in the current Xiao Manor, only Zhou Ruoxi had the qualifications to beco the Xiao family's principal wife.
Seven days passed.
According to Qin Kingdom customs, after Xia Qingke's seventh day morial, the funeral completely ended.
Xiao Shi left the capital and went to the border between the Qin Kingdom and Jin Kingdom.
During this period, Xiao Shi stationed himself at the border, keeping watch on the Jin Kingdom.
As for Xiao Yichuan, his mother and younger brother had both passed away, and with Xiao Mo supporting the Xiao Manor, he no longer had much attachnt to the mortal dynasty in his heart.
"Third Brother need not see off any further. Elder Brother will take his leave now." Outside the imperial city, Xiao Yichuan turned and said.
Xiao Mo stopped walking, "Elder Brother, may you have a smooth journey."
"Now that the Xiao Manor has you, this elder brother has nothing to worry about. Elder Brother probably won't return after this, but I'll still say this, if there's anything Elder Brother can help with, send a sword ssage to Tao Mountain Sect." Xiao Yichuan patted Xiao Mo's shoulder.
"Third Brother thanks Elder Brother. I wish Elder Brother smooth cultivation." Xiao Mo bowed.
"Third Brother as well, you must take good care of yourself."
Xiao Yichuan and Xiao Mo each drank their parting wine.
Although Xiao Yichuan appeared carefree, in reality, Xiao Mo knew that their mother's death had dealt a great blow to his elder brother.
Xiao Mo also didn't know if this matter would beco his elder brother's inner demon.
After Xiao Yichuan flew far away, Xiao Mo sighed and returned to the imperial city.
Because of the Xiao family's principal wife's death, Xiao Mo needed to observe mourning for three years. During these three years, he couldn't marry, which made Xiao Mo feel sowhat guilty toward Qin Siyao. However, Qin Siyao didn't bring up the marriage. She cared for Xiao Mo's daily needs every day, and the als she cooked also improved greatly. Not only were they edible, the taste was actually quite good.
Although Qin Siyao didn't ntion it, Xiao Mo still felt he needed to explain to Siyao, otherwise he always felt uneasy in his heart.
"Siyao, regarding our wedding..." One noon when the two were eating together, Xiao Mo spoke.
"It's alright, Husband."
Qin Siyao smiled and shook her head, adding a piece of pork rib to Xiao Mo's bowl.
"I know what Husband wants to say but our wedding isn't urgent.
Now that Madam Xia has just passed away and Husband is in mourning, how could it make sense to marry ?
Moreover, the border is now critical, and a great battle is imminent. How could this concubine let Husband be distracted by wedding matters?"
"I'm sorry..." Xiao Mo said guiltily.
"This concubine already said, Husband need not apologize."
Qin Siyao put down her chopsticks, stood up, then sat in her husband's lap.
"And besides, this wedding, Husband cannot escape from it because this concubine will rember it forever.
Forever, you know."
"Why does what Siyao is saying sound a bit frightening?" Xiao Mo embraced Qin Siyao's slender waist.
"Frightening?" Qin Siyao playfully tapped Xiao Mo's forehead. "Then Husband had better rember this wedding well. This concubine won't let Husband off, you know."
"I know." Xiao Mo said with a smile.
"Your Highness, Her Highness the Princess..."
Just as Xiao Mo and Qin Siyao were having their heart-to-heart talk, a maid walked into the courtyard.
Qin Siyao quickly stood up from Xiao Mo's lap and turned around shyly.
"What is it?" Xiao Mo asked.
"The First Prince is waiting outside the courtyard. He says His Majesty has summoned you to the palace," the maid said.
"Did the First Prince say who else is going?" Xiao Mo frowned.
The maid nodded, "The First Prince said that Pri Minister Li, General Xiahou, Lord Wu'an, and other military commanders have all been summoned..."
"I understand. Tell the First Prince I'll co imdiately."
Xiao Mo's expression gradually grew solemn.
The final great battle was ultimately coming.
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