Chapter 361 The green hills remain, but white hair has turned gray (4000 words)
Reality.
The capital of Zhou, the Qin envoy's residence, the backyard.
A girl wearing a light pink dress sat on a stone bench in the courtyard.
The girl lowered her head and knitted shoes with great care.
Mo Yue, the personal maid standing to the side, watched intently from her master's side.
Mingyue couldn't quite understand why, ever since His Majesty arrived in the capital, besides studying Zhou etiquette and customs and handling Qin government affairs, he would sit in the courtyard weaving shoes whenever he had free time.
What Moët & Chan couldn't understand the most was...
Since I began serving His Majesty, I have never seen His Majesty make shoes, but now it seems as if His Majesty has made countless shoes, with each stitch so skillful.
"Okay, it's finally done."
As the last stitch fell, Qin Siyao picked up the shoe, tugged at it, pulled it, and checked it carefully, worried that there might be any loose stitches.
After confirming that there was nothing wrong with the shoes, Qin Siyao slowly put them down.
"Your Highness, are these shoes made for men?" Mingyue asked curiously.
"Of course." Qin Siyao's lips curled up. "You silly girl, have you ever seen a woman with such big feet?"
"Could it be that Her Highness the Princess intends to present this pair of shoes to the King of Zhou?" Mingyue seemed to understand something.
Since they are men's shoes, His Majesty can only give them to the King of Zhou.
"Okay." Qin Siyao stood up, put the shoes back in the box, and said, "Let's go, come with me to the palace. I want to see His Majesty."
As soon as she finished speaking, Qin Siyao personally carried the box, her long legs swaying beneath her skirt, and happily walked out of the courtyard.
Watching His Majesty's departing figure, Mo Yue quickly followed.
only.
Mo Yue wondered if it was just her imagination.
Mingyue felt that since her emperor arrived in the Zhou Kingdom, his personality seemed to have become more lively and cheerful, just like a little girl.
"Your Majesty, Mu Jiu has come to play with you. Is Your Majesty home?"
Outside the Yangxin Palace of the Zhou Dynasty royal palace.
A light, cheerful female voice drifted into the room.
Xiao Mo's consciousness slowly withdrew from the Book of a Hundred Lifetimes and eventually returned to his body.
"call"
Xiao Mo took a deep breath and slowly opened his eyes.
These days, Xiao Mo has spent far too long in the Book of a Hundred Lifetimes.
When Xiao Mo woke up, the sense of disorientation and the pain in his soul were even greater than before.
Fortunately, Xiao Mo quickly calmed down.
After his consciousness returned to his body, Xiao Mo tried to recall the events that occurred in the Hundred Lifetimes Book.
Unfortunately, I don't remember anything.
In the previous three lifetimes, when I left the Book of a Hundred Lifetimes, my memories were only like being shrouded in a hazy mist. Although they were blurry, I could still vaguely remember some people and events.
But now, when he tries to recall what he experienced in the fourth life in the Book of a Hundred Lifetimes, he can't remember anything at all.
He had even completely forgotten one of the names from his fourth incarnation.
"Your Majesty, may Mu Jiu come in?" Qin Siyao called from outside the door.
Xiao Mo nodded: "Of course, Mu Jiu, please come in."
"Okay."
Qin Siyao happily pushed open the door, entered the room, and closed the door behind her, keeping the maid Mingyue outside.
"Your Majesty, are you alone in your room? Don't you have any maids to serve you?" Qin Siyao asked, looking at the box from left to right with curiosity in her eyes, as if she wanted to find out something.
“No.” Xiao Mo shook his head. “Normally, the palace maids wait outside the door. If anything happens, Wei Xun informs me.”
"I see," Qin Siyao stepped forward. "Is Your Majesty cultivating Taoism? Have I disturbed Your Majesty?"
"It's just meditation, I won't disturb you."
Xiao Mo brushed aside his clothes, got out of bed, and poured himself and Qin Siyao a cup of tea.
Xiao Mo couldn't help but glance at Qin Siyao a few more times.
When Xiao Mo first met Qin Siyao, he felt a vague sense of familiarity.
For some reason, Xiao Mo felt an even stronger sense of familiarity and warmth in his heart.
"I wonder what brings Mu Jiu to me?" Xiao Mo asked with a smile, shaking off his strange thoughts.
"Mu Jiu has something she wants to give to His Majesty." Qin Siyao happily ran forward, her skirt fluttering in the warm afternoon sun.
The girl opened the box, inside was a brand new pair of shoes.
Upon seeing these shoes, Xiao Mo's mind went blank for a moment.
Although there is nothing special about these shoes.
But Xiao Mo felt a pang of sorrow in his heart, even a faint, throbbing pain.
"Your Majesty, what's wrong?" Qin Siyao asked anxiously. "Are these shoes not nice? Mu Jiu will make you a new pair."
As she spoke, Qin Siyao reached for the box.
"No, they're very beautiful." Xiao Mo picked up the shoes from the box and smiled. "Did you make these shoes?"
"Yes." Qin Siyao nodded. "How was it? Your Majesty, wasn't Mu Jiu amazing?"
"Yes, impressive, you did a really good job." Xiao Mo nodded.
"Then Your Majesty, please try it on quickly. If it doesn't fit, Mu Jiu can go back and have it altered," Qin Siyao urged happily.
"I'll give it a try."
Xiao Mo changed into the new shoes made by Qin Siyao.
At first, Xiao Mo thought the shoes might be either too big or too small.
But to my surprise, they fit perfectly and were very comfortable.
"What does Your Majesty think? Do you think it's suitable?" Qin Siyao asked, clenching her small hands and blinking her eyes.
"It fits perfectly, and it even feels more comfortable to wear than those made by the Weaving Bureau," Xiao Mo said truthfully.
"I'm glad Your Majesty is happy."
Qin Siyao looked at the shoes Xiao Mo was wearing, a slight smile playing on her lips, and a tenderness that was hard to describe flashed in her eyes.
"Thank you, Mu Jiu, but since you've given me something, I can't just accept it for nothing." Xiao Mo asked his soon-to-be wife, "What would you like, Mu Jiu?"
"Hmm," Qin Siyao placed her small hand on her fair chin, thought seriously for a moment, then looked at the sky outside, her eyes brightening, "Your Majesty, when I came to the capital before, I saw a very beautiful place. Would Your Majesty accompany me to see it?"
Now?
Xiao Mo looked out the window. It was already past mid-Shenshi (3-5 PM), and the sun would soon be setting.
"Mmm," Qin Siyao tugged at Xiao Mo's sleeve, "It's ready now."
"Okay, let's go then."
Xiao Mo did not refuse.
He also felt that he should go out for a walk and relax a bit.
Before long, Xiao Mo had prepared carriages and horses, which were no different from those of ordinary wealthy families, enough to conceal his identity.
Guided by Qin Siyao, the carriage headed towards the outskirts of the capital.
About two incense sticks later, the carriage stopped at the foot of a mountain.
The group went up the mountain and reached the summit.
Once he was sure the surroundings were safe, Wei Xun waved his hand and retreated with his guards, standing watch on the path leading up the mountain.
At the top of the mountain, there were only three people: Xiao Mo, Qin Siyao, and the maid Mingyue.
At this moment, the setting sun gradually began to sink in the west.
The once blazing sunset had turned a deep red, and the last rays of sunlight slanted across the mountain ridge, painting the rocky cliffs a warm orange hue.
The distant mountains, layered like indigo, gradually unfold and merge into a thin purple haze.
Flocks of birds swept across the crimson sky, their wingtips piercing the clouds and shattering them into countless scale-like crimson clouds.
The evening light slid down the stone wall beside them, inch by inch, like gathering a piece of golden silk that had been rolled up all day.
The world is ablaze with vibrant red, like a bride in red bridal attire, gently lifting her veil, shy yet filled with anticipation for the future.
Xiao Mo sat atop the mountain, gazing at the vast expanse of land and sky.
Qin Siyao gently brushed the hem of her skirt, revealing her long, slender, fair legs. She sat sideways beside her future husband, watching the setting sun together.
"What do you think, Your Majesty? Is this place beautiful?" Qin Siyao turned her head to look at Xiao Mo and asked softly.
"Yes, it's really good." Xiao Mo nodded. "The most beautiful scenery in the world is the natural creation between heaven and earth. This mountain is located among the mountains. You can look down on the towering peaks and see the human world. It also seems like you can reach out and touch the clouds and pluck the stars and moon."
Xiao Mo turned his head and looked at the girl beside him: "I don't know how Mu Jiu discovered this place? I didn't even know this place existed."
"Mu Jiu has loved mountains and rivers since she was a child. Every time she goes to a place, she will look at the mountains and ridges. These days, Mu Jiu has some free time and will take a walk in the suburbs. Your Majesty, you have lived in the deep palace for a long time and rarely leave the capital, so naturally you don't know about this place."
Qin Siyao covered her mouth and chuckled softly. Beneath her long eyelashes, her alluring eyes lifted slightly as she looked at his face.
"And does Your Majesty know? There's another story behind this mountain."
"A story?" Xiao Mo asked curiously.
"yes"
Qin Siyao nodded, gazing at the setting sun on the horizon.
"Legend has it that a long, long, long time ago, this place was part of the ancient Qin Kingdom."
In the ancient Qin state, there was a princess.
This princess was pampered by her father, mother, and brothers since she was a child. She didn't understand anything and was carefree all day long.
One day, the princess met a little boy.
The little boy served as the princess's guard, protecting her and even saving her life.
Later, the little princess and the little boy grew up together.
The little boy had a high talent for cultivation and was very hardworking. He was also very good at military campaigns and became famous throughout the world at a young age.
And that little girl gradually grew into a young woman.
One day, the girl realized that she might have fallen in love with him.
When he returned to the capital in triumph after conquering the world, he asked the king of the ancient Qin Kingdom for a marriage proposal, which the king gladly accepted.
The girl was also very happy to marry him, hoping to be a good wife and mother and grow old with him.
The princess eagerly awaited her wedding day, hoping to wear a red wedding dress and a red veil, to bow to him in marriage, and to have him slowly lift her red veil on their wedding night.
But...
Perhaps it was because the girl had been too happy before.
Sometimes, being too happy requires paying something back.
Not long after.
The princess's father, mother, and two brothers have all passed away.
In the end, only the princess and her beloved remained as family.
He led his troops into battle time and time again, and time and time again his power and prestige shook the imperial court.
Every time he went to war, the princess would watch, wait, and gaze from this mountain.
He always manages to come back.
The princess also believed he would return.
But one time, the princess waited for a very, very long time, but he never returned.
As she spoke, the girl hugged her knees with both hands, a slight smile playing on her lips.
Her smile was like the moon seen through a thin mist; you could see its shape, but you couldn't feel the joy.
"Later, the princess disappeared."
Some say that the princess kept gazing at her fiancé until she became a stone.
Some people say that the princess kept searching for him, and that even finding a trace of his soul would be good.
But in any case, this mountain later got a name.
It is known as Wangjun Mountain.
"This princess of the ancient Qin Kingdom was also a devoted lover," Xiao Mo thought to himself, listening to Qin Siyao's story. "Was that princess eventually found?"
Qin Siyao turned her head and looked at the man beside her, her bright eyes filled with his image.
When Qin Siyao didn't answer, Xiao Mo turned to look at the girl and asked in confusion, "What's wrong?"
Qin Siyao gently stuck out the tip of her tongue, its pink hue like a newly blossoming petal, or the tender dew of dawn, before quickly disappearing into a smile: "Mu Jiu won't tell His Majesty now~"
Standing up, Qin Siyao gently patted the dust off her clothes with her small hands: "Your Majesty, the sun has already set. Let's go back, it will be dark soon."
"All right."
Xiao Mo also stood up.
Although Xiao Mo was still quite curious about how it would end.
But since the lively girl wasn't going to say anything, he decided not to ask her either.
Anyway, there's plenty of time later.
After descending the mountain, the two returned to the imperial city.
Because Qin Siyao wanted to walk around the city, Xiao Mo put her down and went back to the palace first.
On the streets of the capital, Qin Siyao bowed slightly and watched the carriage slowly drive away until it reached the end of the road.
The maid, Mo Yue, stood beside her master, rubbing her little hands together, still recalling the story the princess had told her earlier.
After much deliberation and hesitation, Mingyue couldn't help but softly call out, "Your Highness."
"What's wrong?" Qin Siyao asked.
"Your Highness, that story you told His Majesty before... I dare to ask, how did it end?"
Mo Yue's tone was apprehensive. She had loved these kinds of stories since she was a child and really wanted to know the ending.
"You want to know too?" Qin Siyao smiled gently.
"Mmm." Mo Yue nodded emphatically.
"Then this princess won't tell you either~"
Before anyone knew it, a mask appeared in the girl's palm.
Some areas on the mask were tinged with red, whether from rust or the blood of the mask's original owner was unknown.
And the mask's antiquity suggests it has endured countless years.
The girl smiled lightly, put on the mask, and walked forward.
Pedestrians on the road passed by the girl like fleeting shadows of time.
The princess in the story seems to be just like that, constantly moving forward.
I walked alone through the town, finding it desolate and lonely.
Sitting alone on a solitary boat by the river, everything seems ethereal.
Alone, I watch the hustle and bustle of the world, like a bird in flight.
Alone I gaze upon the sky filled with fireflies that transform into fragrant grasses.
Until the green hills remain, my hair has turned white and I am old.
(End of this chapter)
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