Chapter 309 Men, Generally, Are Not Good Things (4000 words)

When Xiao Mo carried Qin Siyao out of the forest, it was already late afternoon.

Just as the hunting ceremony ended, the other members of the royal family also began to leave the Imperial Hunting Forest.

When the King of Qin saw his daughter being carried out by Xiao Mo, he knew something must have happened, and he quickly went forward.

"Siyao, what's wrong?" Empress Shi asked her daughter, her eyes filled with concern.

"Father, Mother, Xiao Mo and I encountered a Crescent Moon Wolf, then we tripped and fell, and now we can't walk." Upon seeing her father and mother, Qin Siyao's aggrieved feelings immediately surfaced.

"Imperial Physician!" the King of Qin called out to the accompanying physicians and cultivators.

In fact, even without the Qin king's orders, the accompanying physicians and cultivators could tell that Princess had a problem with her foot and quickly stepped forward to treat her.

The female healer's hand rested on Qin Siyao's ankle, emitting a faint glow.

Soon, Qin Siyao felt that her little feet no longer hurt at all, and even happily jumped around a few times.

"Your subordinate failed to protect the princess properly, and I beg Your Majesty for punishment." Xiao Mo clasped his hands in apology.

Before the King of Qin could speak, Qin Siyao stepped in front of Xiao Mo and said:

“Father, this has nothing to do with Xiao Mo. Besides, if it weren’t for Xiao Mo, I would have been eaten by that wolf. It was Xiao Mo who killed that Azure Moon Wolf by himself and saved me.”

The King of Qin, suppressing his surprise, looked at Xiao Mo's blood-stained, torn fist and asked, "You killed the Azure Moon Wolf all by yourself?"

"Your Majesty, that Azure Moon Wolf was old and weak, which is why I was able to capture it," Xiao Mo replied truthfully.

"Even an old wolf is not something an ordinary Qi Refining Realm cultivator can handle." The King of Qin nodded in satisfaction. "You are indeed quite good, possessing the demeanor of your father back then. Would you like any reward?"

Xiao Mo shook his head: "As the princess's guard, it is my duty to protect her safety. I am already extremely grateful that His Majesty did not hold me accountable for the princess's injury, so how could I dare to ask for a reward?"

"Hahaha, you little brat, why do you talk like an adult? If I say I'll reward you, then I will!"

The King of Qin waved his hand.

"A reward of one hundred taels of gold and fifty bolts of brocade will be given to the third young master of the Xiao family."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Since the King of Qin had already spoken, Xiao Mo had no choice but to accept it.

"Father, stop talking now, let the imperial physician examine Xiao Mo quickly," Qin Siyao said anxiously, tugging at her father's sleeve.

"Siyao, don't worry. Martial arts practitioners are physically strong, which is something a little girl like you can't compare to."

The King of Qin gently patted his daughter's head.

"Xiao Mo, go and rest for a while. Let the imperial physician take a look at you. If you go back injured, your mother will worry too."

"It's Your Majesty!"

Xiao Mo thanked her again.

"Hurry, hurry, let the imperial physician take a look."

He had just straightened up when Qin Siyao pulled him by the sleeve and led him to the imperial physician, so that the female physician from the medical family could take a good look at him.

Before long, everyone emerged from the Hunting Forest.

The cultivators responsible for counting the prey also brought out the game that the royal children had hunted and piled it aside.

The one who caught the most prey was the Second Prince, Qin Jingyuan.

Next is the eldest prince, Qin Jingsu.

Then came the sons and offspring of the various princes.

The eldest prince and the second prince both hunted down an eighth-grade magical beast.

The strength of an eighth-grade magical beast is comparable to that of a cave dwelling realm cultivator, while these two princes are only at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage.

It is evident that, in addition to having sufficient resources to cultivate their martial arts realm, these two princes possessed considerable talent in martial arts and were also extremely diligent in their daily practice.

Xiao Mo also vaguely guessed why the King of Qin had not yet established a crown prince.

Both the eldest and second princes are outstanding, which is indeed a dilemma.

Moreover, by not designating a crown prince, their competition with each other keeps the atmosphere tense and motivates them to cultivate.

However, not establishing a crown prince will ultimately pose many hidden dangers.

But Xiao Mo felt that this was not something he needed to care about.

Xiao Mo didn't expect that he thought he and the princess had hunted the fewest prey, but they ended up ranking third from the bottom.

Because she didn't come in last, Qin Siyao was overjoyed. She put her hands on her hips, raised her chin, and looked as proud as a little hen.

"Not bad, not bad. It seems that the sons of Qin do have some ability."

Especially Jing Su and Jing Yuan, I never expected that the two of you, at the Foundation Establishment stage, could hunt down an eighth-grade magical beast. This is truly remarkable; you haven't disgraced me."

The King of Qin looked at the game piled on the ground and nodded in satisfaction.

"However, Qin Yu and Qin Jinyin, you two cousins ​​are four years older than Siyao, yet you hunt less game than Siyao."

"I'll have a good talk with your father later, and ask you what you do all day long."

Qin Yu and Qin Jinyin, the two children, lowered their heads and dared not speak.

Their father stood to one side, his face flushed.

I reckon they'll get a good beating when they get back.

“Jing Su, although you and your brother both hunted an eighth-grade magical beast, Jing Yuan killed more than you. Your brother won first place in this hunting competition.”

The King of Qin addressed the eldest prince, then took out a box containing the Fire Spirit Orb.

"Jingyuan, this Fire Spirit Orb is yours."

Qin Jingyuan happily stepped forward, accepted the Fire Spirit Orb, and said excitedly, "Thank you, Father!"

Xiao Mo glanced at the expression of the eldest prince, Qin Jingsu. Although the eldest prince seemed calm, there was actually a hint of unwillingness in his eyes, and he even tightened his grip on the longbow.

really.

These brothers are not nearly as close as they appear on the surface.

That makes sense.

Even close brothers need to keep clear accounts, let alone something like the throne.

Xiao Mo glanced at the little girl beside him.

Perhaps, for this little princess, she knew nothing about the relationship between her brothers.

But that's fine too, at least I can still have a happy childhood.

"This hunting ceremony is now over. Remember, the Qin state was founded on military might, and now is a time of chaos. Only by becoming strong can you devour others; otherwise, you will be devoured by these prey! Do you all understand?"

The King of Qin surveyed the crowd, his voice authoritative without being angry.

The disciples shouted in unison, "We understand!"

"Good, go back now." The King of Qin nodded, then said to the eunuch beside him, "Li Shen, as usual, distribute these game animals to some poor families in the capital."

Eunuch Li quickly replied, "Yes, Your Majesty."

"Return to the palace."

The King of Qin boarded the dragon carriage, and the eldest and second princes also mounted their horses.

Qin Siyao glanced at the dragon carriage, then at Xiao Mo, her expression showing a hint of reluctance.

Although Qin Siyao and Xiao Mo only spent a little over half a day together.

But Xiao Mo was the first person of Qin Siyao's age she had ever met, not to mention that they had been through life and death together.

"Siyao, let's go." The King of Qin called out to his daughter.

"Coming, coming," Qin Siyao replied, her big eyes looking at Xiao Mo. "The gift that Father bestowed upon you was given by Father. The gift I gave you was given by me, and I will definitely fulfill it."

"Alright, then thank you in advance, Your Highness."

Xiao Mo simply smiled and nodded.

In Xiao Mo's opinion, what does a childhood promise count for?

When this little girl grows up, she won't just forget what happened today, she'll probably forget everything from her childhood.

"Then I'm leaving," Qin Siyao said, clutching her clothes.

"Respectfully seeing off Your Highness." Xiao Mo clasped his hands in a salute.

Qin Siyao took one last look at Xiao Mo before walking towards the dragon carriage.

"Your Majesty, we respectfully see you off."

Amidst the chorus of voices, the imperial carriage disappeared from sight.

Half an hour later, Qin Siyao returned to the palace.

With the help of palace maids, Qin Siyao took a comfortable hot bath and changed into clean clothes.

Because Qin Siyao had not completed the homework assigned by her mother, she could only sit in the courtyard reciting poems and parallel prose.

But Qin Siyao couldn't concentrate on reading the book at all.

Qin Siyao was still thinking about the scene of her and Xiao Mo hunting in the Imperial Hunting Forest.

Although Xiao Mo and I almost fell into the wolf's jaws in the end, it was really fun.

"Ooh~"

Qin Siyao crossed her arms, her slightly protruding chin resting on her arms.

I really don't want to memorize my lessons; I really want to go play with Xiao Mo.

Xiao Mo told me that there were many fun and delicious things outside the palace, and I really wanted to try them!

"Siyao".

Just as the little girl was feeling a bit melancholy, the voice of the King of Qin came into the courtyard.

"Father."

Upon seeing her father arrive, Qin Siyao happily ran over.

"Reciting from a book," the King of Qin said with a smile, glancing at the books on the stone table.

"Mmm." Qin Siyao lowered her head and said quietly, "If you don't memorize it, next time Mother will test Siyao and if you can't answer, you will be punished by Mother."

"Alright, then Father will read with Siyao." The King of Qin rubbed his daughter's head. "After Siyao finishes memorizing, Father will reward her. Siyao can have whatever she wants."

"Really?" Qin Siyao raised her head, blinking her eyes. "Father, you mustn't lie to Siyao."

"Of course it's true. When has your father ever lied to you?" The King of Qin smiled. "But it seems that Siyao has something she wants?"

"Mmm!" Qin Siyao nodded emphatically. "Father, if Siyao memorizes it well, can Siyao leave the palace?"

"Leave the palace?" The King of Qin was taken aback, not expecting his daughter to make this request. "Why does Siyao want to leave the palace?"

"Because my daughter wants to go to the Xiao residence to play with Xiao Mo," Qin Siyao replied excitedly.

"Looking for Xiao Mo?" The King of Qin paused for a moment, his expression showing some hesitation.

"Father, you just said that Siyao can have any reward she wants, so please grant Siyao's wish, please grant Siyao's wish."

Seeing her father's conflicted expression, Qin Siyao felt that he might not agree to her request, so she quickly shook his large hand in a coquettish manner.

"If Father Emperor doesn't agree, Siyao will ignore him."

Seeing that her father still wouldn't agree to her request, Qin Siyao pouted and turned away.

"Alright then." The King of Qin still couldn't refuse his daughter. "Then Siyao, you should study hard. Once you've finished your studies, your father will send you to the Xiao residence."

"Yay!" Qin Siyao jumped up and down happily. "Siyao knew Father Emperor was the best!"

Soon, Qin Siyao sat back down on the stone bench, picked up the book on the table, and began to recite it attentively.

Seeing his daughter's serious expression, the King of Qin couldn't help but feel uneasy.

How come these two kids are so close?

Even Siyao, who never liked reading, started reading seriously in order to be able to play with Xiao Mo.

“My daughter.” The King of Qin stepped forward and sat down beside his daughter.

"Dad, what's wrong?" Qin Siyao turned her head, her eyes full of clear childlike innocence.

"It's nothing, it's just that when you and Xiao Mo parted ways outside the Imperial Hunting Forest, Father Emperor vaguely heard you say that you gave Xiao Mo a gift that would definitely come true in the future. What was that gift?" the King of Qin asked with a smile.

"It's a gift from Mother to Father," Qin Siyao said matter-of-factly.

"A gift from your mother to me?" The King of Qin was even more puzzled.

"yes."

Qin Siyao nodded obediently.

"Wasn't Mother beating the drum for Father amidst the army? Father said it was the best gift he had ever received."

Now that Xiao Mo has saved my daughter, she wants to give him the best gift in the future.

"This..." The King of Qin was both amused and exasperated. "But Siyao, normally only a wife would beat the drum for her husband. You two are just friends. Or are you going to marry Xiao Mo when Siyao grows up?"

"Hmm," Qin Siyao bit her finger and thought about it seriously for a moment, "It's not impossible, because Xiao Mo is a good guy. When Siyao grows up, if she likes Xiao Mo, she can marry him."

"hiss"

Hearing his daughter's words, the King of Qin felt his heart clench.

"My daughter, listen to your father. Men are generally no good; they all like to deceive girls. Besides, you're still young and don't understand many things yet. Wait until you grow up..."

"Father, you're so noisy!"

While the King of Qin was talking nonstop, Qin Siyao pouted.

"Daughter needs to study now. Also, Father, you mustn't speak ill of Xiao Mo. He's a good person and my friend. If you speak ill of Xiao Mo, I won't talk to you anymore!"

The King of Qin smiled helplessly, but still patiently corrected his beloved daughter: "What your father says is the truth. A man must undergo many tests before he can..."

"Alright, alright, Father, you should go now. Your daughter needs to study. After I finish memorizing, I want to go play with Xiao Mo."

Qin Siyao jumped off the stone bench, pushing her father out of the pavilion with her little hands. Then she sat back down in the chair, covered her ears with her hands, and continued reciting poems and articles.

"This girl"

The King of Qin felt a complex mix of emotions as he looked at his daughter's earnest expression.

She was naturally pleased that her daughter was studying so diligently and conscientiously, but all of this was for the sake of seeing Xiao Mo.

This made the King of Qin somewhat uncomfortable.

Why does it feel like the little cabbage I've raised for so many years is about to run off with a pig?

(End of this chapter)