Chapter 334 I believe I won't be wrong this time either.

"Then can you like me?"

Qin Siyao's voice echoed softly in the courtyard.

Hearing the woman's words, Xiao Mo's expression froze slightly.

Before Xiao Mo could say anything, Qin Siyao, realizing what was happening, blushed even more, her shy expression almost dripping with affection.

"I...you...that..." Qin Siyao's voice trembled slightly, and she was even somewhat incoherent.

"I didn't say anything, and you heard nothing! Okay! That's it!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Qin Siyao took long strides under her skirt and ran out of the courtyard as if fleeing. She quickly got into the carriage and rushed back to her residence.

"Your Highness, you're back!"

Peanut, who was sweeping the yard, smiled and bowed.

But Qin Siyao didn't respond at all. With her head down, she ran straight back to her room and slammed the door shut.

Looking at the tightly closed door, Peanut blinked, wondering what was wrong with Her Highness this time?

Inside the room.

Qin Siyao lay face down on the bed again, burying her head in the pillow. Her fair and delicate feet were stretched out and patted the bed up and down. Her skirt was lifted by the girl's movements, revealing her fair, delicate and shapely calves.

"What am I saying?"

"Will Xiao Mo think I'm strange?"

How am I supposed to face him now?

"Won't he think I'm too forward?"

Qin Siyao peeked out from under the pillow with incredibly shy eyes. The more she thought about it, the more she wanted to find a hole to crawl into.

"It's all Peanut Sister's fault!" Qin Siyao pouted. "If Peanut Sister hadn't said those strange things to me, I wouldn't have said those things to Xiao Mo. It's all Peanut Sister's fault!"

"But."

After calming herself down a bit, Qin Siyao lay on her side on the bed, hugging her pillow tightly.

A strand of hair brushed against her fair cheek. The more she thought about Xiao Mo's appearance, the faster her heart beat, as if her heart no longer belonged to her.

The woman buried her face in the pillow again, her voice muffled as she said, "But I just love him, what am I going to do?"

Meanwhile, in the Qin royal palace.

In the imperial study, a chessboard and black and white chess boxes were already set out in front of the King of Qin, as if waiting for someone to arrive.

About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, a man dressed in a dark brocade robe entered the imperial study.

The man was burly and exuded a bloodthirsty aura, clearly someone who frequently fought on the battlefield, surviving countless battles and drenched in seas of blood.

His court robe was trimmed with vermilion brocade around the collar and cuffs, with subtle cloud and beast patterns on the fabric. He wore a jade-adorned and gold-inlaid leather belt around his waist, and a purple sash and blue jade pendant hung from it.

Among all the kings and nobles, few could match his level of dress and decorum.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects."

Prince Xiao Shi of Zhenbei bowed respectfully to the King of Qin, his powerful voice echoing throughout the imperial study.

"Haha, Prince Zhenbei, there's no need for such formalities."

The King of Qin smiled and stepped down from the soft couch, personally helping Xiao Shi up, his tone full of warmth.

"The Prince of Zhenbei guards the border. Last time, when the King of Yan destroyed the State of Wei, the Prince of Zhenbei led the Snow-Treading Dragon Riders to invade the State of Wei, preventing Wei from sending reinforcements. I don't know how to reward him for such merits."

Xiao Shi respectfully replied, "Your Majesty is too kind. Sharing the nation's burdens is my duty, and there is no need for any reward!"

"That won't do. He should be rewarded. Otherwise, if I don't reward the Prince of Zhenbei for such a great service, what will others think of me?"

The King of Qin seemed to think about it seriously for a moment.

"I will reward you with ten thousand taels of gold, ten thousand herbs of various spiritual medicines, and five thousand catties of black iron. I will send them to the Northern Wilderness Army on a chosen day. In addition, I will grant you the titles of three marquises of a thousand households. I have heard that the three generals He Zui, Zhao Ming, and Hu Yuexin have made great contributions, so I will reward them with these titles."

"Oh, by the way, I've also heard that the three veteran generals Ding Yixun, Wang Jie, and Yuwen Zhou are getting on in years. Why not simply promote them back to the capital and appoint them to the Ministry of War? What does the Prince of Zhenbei think?"

A strange light flashed in the eyes of the Prince of Zhenbei, but he quickly suppressed it and thanked the Emperor, saying, "On behalf of all the generals, I thank Your Majesty."

"Hahaha, the Snow-Treading Dragon Riders are the sharpest blade of my Qin Kingdom, why should I thank them?"

The King of Qin pulled the Prince of Zhenbei to sit down.

"Come, come, Prince Zhenbei, it's not easy for you to return to the capital. We haven't played chess in so long. How about you keep me company and play a game of chess today?"

"Your subject dares not disobey."

Xiao Shi responded, opened the chessboard cover, and began playing chess with the King of Qin.

As the chess pieces landed crisply on the board, the King of Qin spoke up: "Actually, I envy the Prince of Zhenbei quite a bit."

"Your Majesty, what makes you say such a thing? I am terrified." Xiao Shi uttered a single word, but his face showed no sign of fear.

"The Prince of Zhenbei has three fine sons, especially Xiao Mo, whom I truly adore," the King of Qin said with a smile. "Has the Prince of Zhenbei heard of Xiao Mo's deeds?"

“Of course I’ve heard about it.” Xiao Shi nodded. “That kid is indeed quite good. He conquered twenty-one cities of Wei, which is enough to show that he hasn’t disappointed His Majesty.”

"It's more than just good."

The King of Qin placed a piece and then took a few more black pieces from the chessboard.

"Xiao Mo is both a scholar and a warrior, and mature beyond his years. King Yan praised Xiao Mo highly, especially after Xiao Mo became famous in the battle of Frost Red City. His song 'Frost Red Breaking the Formation Song' spread throughout the country. When I saw Xiao Mo, I felt that he had the heroic spirit of the Prince of Zhenbei in his youth!"

When Xiao Mo returned to the court, I bestowed upon him the title of king because of his merit in destroying the country. However, many court officials said that my reward was too generous.

After much thought, I feel that I may have indeed overpraised Xiao Mo.

He still needs military achievements to prove to the court that I had not misjudged him.

Xiao Shi raised his head, puzzled, and asked, "What does Your Majesty mean?"

The King of Qin smiled slightly: "Wei has been destroyed, but Wei is constantly harassing the borders of Qin, which is extremely annoying. This time, while the morale of Qin's army is high, I want to send the Prince of Zhenbei to lead the army to conquer Wei!"

As the saying goes, "Like father, like son."

Although Xiao Mo is young, he possesses the talent of a general. I intend to have him command 50,000 Snow-Treading Dragon Riders to assist the Prince of Zhenbei. I wonder what the Prince of Zhenbei thinks?

"."

After a long silence, Xiao Shi responded.

“Since it is Your Majesty’s will, I naturally have no objection. However, the Snow-Treading Dragon Cavalry is no different from other armies. Wei has many generals and is not like an ordinary small country. If my son’s abilities are insufficient, I am afraid that his position will need to be reassigned.”

"That's no problem at all!" The King of Qin nodded.

"However."

The King of Qin rolled up his sleeves and placed another piece.

"When I was the Crown Prince, although I was constantly scolded by the late Emperor, I had one advantage that even the late Emperor could not criticize."

That means you have good eyesight.

The King of Qin smiled slightly: "I believe I won't be wrong this time either."

(End of this chapter)