Chapter 358 The State of Jin will not disappoint the Second Prince (3000 words)
The day after Xiao Shi returned to the capital in triumph, all the imperial edicts of conferment and rewards were officially issued.
The most shocking of all was the marriage bestowed by the King of Qin.
When the imperial decree from the King of Qin bestowing marriage upon Xiao Mo and the Third Princess Qin Siyao spread throughout the capital, both men and women wailed in despair.
Actually, the man is fine too.
Because they knew that the princess was hailed as the most beautiful woman in the country and was the apple of the king's eye. There was no way it would be their turn; she would definitely marry some powerful and wealthy man in the future.
Now that Her Highness the Princess and the Frost King are married, it can be said that the good fortune is not going to outsiders.
However, many women, especially those from prominent families, genuinely believed that they could marry the Frost King.
Moreover, even if she doesn't marry the Frost King, at least as long as the Frost King doesn't marry someone else, isn't the Frost King everyone's?
Since the Frost King belongs to everyone, does that mean I will always have a chance?
But unexpectedly, the Frost King was about to marry the princess.
This left many women heartbroken, depressed, and in tears.
Even after the news of Xiao Mo's impending marriage spread, many courtesans temporarily stopped seeing customers, their hearts broken.
However, most people still think that the Frost King and the Princess are a perfect match and are happy to see them get together.
The engagement has been announced, but the wedding date has not yet been set.
That's normal.
Marriage was extremely elaborate in the Qin state, especially among the royal family.
Therefore, it is essential to choose an auspicious day based on the birth dates and times of both parties, as well as celestial phenomena and the national fortune of the Qin state.
Regardless of the circumstances, the marriage was arranged by their parents and the matchmaker, and the two were deeply in love. The imperial edict was even proclaimed to the world, making the marriage a done deal.
Because of the annexation of the State of Wei and the royal wedding, the entire State of Qin was filled with joy, starting from the capital.
Xiao Mo's friends from the Northern Wilderness Army who were still in the city also sent their congratulations one after another.
Three more days passed.
The Qin and Chu states were still fighting on the border. Although Qin had gained the upper hand, Chu was like a stubborn leech, refusing to leave.
Therefore, the King of Qin planned to send a large army to remove this nuisance, so as not to affect his mood.
The King of Qin asked Xiao Mo for his opinion, and Xiao Mo recommended Xiahou Nan to go.
The King of Qin readily agreed, and Xiahou Nan accepted the order.
A month later, Xiahou Nan led his army to join forces with the eldest prince, Qin Jingsu.
After decisively defeating the Chu army, Xiahou Nan and the eldest prince returned to the capital together.
Although the battles fought by the eldest prince were not as difficult as those fought by the Northern Wilderness Army.
In any case, this time the Crown Prince defended the border, not only preventing the State of Chu from further expanding its advantage, but also winning many battles, which undoubtedly enhanced the Crown Prince's prestige.
In comparison, the second prince's reputation was rather average.
At this time, both the imperial court and the common people felt that His Majesty should soon establish the eldest prince, Qin Jingsu, as the crown prince.
Even the King of Qin had the same idea, deliberately assigning some matters to the eldest prince.
Qin Jingsu appeared very composed, showing no joy at being favored, and even more so than before.
After having some free time, the eldest prince went to Xiao Mo's residence to congratulate Xiao Mo on his marriage to his sister.
Qin Jingsu brought Xiao Mo some valuable treasures and secretly tried to recruit him, but Xiao Mo declined, determined not to get involved in the matter of becoming the crown prince.
Another half month passed, and the engagement was set for the Qixi Festival next year, an auspicious day for Xiao Mo and Qin Siyao to hold their grand ceremony.
Since there was still plenty of time, Li Jing and the others returned to their fiefdoms to guard them first, and would return to the capital for the banquet the following year.
At the same time, Xiao Yichuan, the eldest son of the Xiao family, was also returning to the Taoshan Sect. Xiao Mo and Qin Siyao saw him off as he left the city.
“Right now, the states are all relatively peaceful. Third brother, you only need to focus on preparing for the wedding. You don’t need to worry about the minor skirmishes on the border. General Xiahou is capable of handling the important tasks, and His Majesty probably won’t trouble you, who is about to get married,” Xiao Yichuan said to Xiao Mo.
"Yes, I know." Xiao Mo nodded and looked at Xiao Yichuan, "Big brother, I wonder how Aunt is doing lately? Is she alright?"
Since returning to the capital, Xiao Mo has not visited his aunt.
The main reason is that although he didn't kill her second son, he did capture him, and he doesn't want to meet with her.
"Sigh," Xiao Yichuan sighed. "When Mother learned about Yishe's matter, she was indeed very sad. But don't worry, Third Brother, Mother doesn't blame you. In fact, Mother asked me to tell you—thank you for capturing Yishe and sending him back to the military camp. This prevented Yishe from making a bigger mistake and ruining the Xiao family's reputation."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Mo lowered his head and nodded, remaining silent.
Actually, Xiao Mo didn't have much of a problem with his aunt.
She never targeted her mother and always acted in accordance with the rules of the household.
Especially since the Prince of Zhenbei was away from home most of the year, this old woman took care of everything at home.
Being a woman is indeed not easy.
"Alright, Third Brother and Sister-in-law, you can stay here. There's no need to see me off any further."
The three walked outside the city, and Xiao Yichuan turned around and bowed to Xiao Mo and Qin Siyao.
"Father will be returning to the Northern Wilderness tomorrow to thoroughly cleanse away the remaining Wei forces that are still unwilling to give up. Third brother, please take good care of the Xiao family's affairs."
“That’s natural,” Xiao Mo replied.
"Actually, I'm quite selfish," Xiao Yichuan said with a smile. "Returning to the military camp this time was actually Mother's idea, but in my heart, I actually hope to live a carefree life in this world. I'm really afraid of the future King of the Northern Wilderness, but fortunately, with my third brother taking the lead, Father won't give it to me."
Xiao Yichuan patted Xiao Mo on the shoulder: "Big brother is leaving. If anything happens, feel free to send me a message, and I will definitely help you!"
"Brother, if you need anything during your cultivation, please feel free to send a message to me anytime, and I will definitely help you." Xiao Mo looked at his elder brother, whom he had only known for a short time, and he was indeed a little reluctant to part with him.
"Hahaha, okay! I'm off! I'll be waiting to drink your wedding wine." Xiao Yichuan laughed loudly.
"Respectfully seeing off elder brother!" Xiao Mo bowed.
"Respectfully seeing off the eldest young master." Qin Siyao also bowed slightly.
“Still calling me Young Master?” Xiao Yichuan said cheerfully. “Sister-in-law should start calling me Big Brother.”
Qin Siyao glanced shyly at Xiao Mo beside her.
Xiao Mo smiled and said, "It's indeed time to change how you address me."
Qin Siyao shyly pinched Xiao Mo's waist.
"Then, sister-in-law, I respectfully see off elder brother." Qin Siyao bowed gracefully.
"Don't send it!"
Xiao Yichuan nodded and leaped into the distance.
Meanwhile, in the Second Prince's residence, the same scholar from before sat down in front of the Second Prince once again.
"Has the Second Prince not made up his mind yet?" The scholar took a sip of tea. "The First Prince's reputation is quite high these days. If the Second Prince doesn't make a decision soon, I can't wait any longer. I will be leaving Qin Capital in a few days."
In the study, Qin Jingyuan kneaded the cup in his hand, remaining silent for a long time.
The scholar was not in a hurry; he simply waited for Qin Jingyuan's reply.
After a long while, Qin Jingyuan raised his head and looked directly into the scholar's eyes: "I agree to your conditions!"
Upon hearing the Second Prince's decision, the scholar's lips curled up, and he rose to bow, saying, "Second Prince, rest assured, the Jin Kingdom will certainly not disappoint you."
After an incense stick had burned, the scholar left the Second Prince's study.
Qin Jingyuan stared at the teacup on the table, remaining silent for a long time.
Before we knew it, another month had passed.
There isn't much time left until the Lunar New Year.
Just as the Qin royal palace was busy preparing for the wedding of King Shuang and the third princess the following year, an envoy from the Jin state was sent to the Qin state.
Many people, including Xiao Mo, felt some doubts about the mission from the State of Jin.
Although the relationship between the states of Jin and Qin was not particularly bad, it was not particularly good either.
Since no one could do anything to anyone else, everyone maintained a superficial harmony.
Unexpectedly, the State of Jin took the initiative to send an envoy to the State of Qin.
"I wonder what business the King of Jin has sent an envoy to my Qin state?"
At the welcoming banquet, the King of Qin took the initiative to receive the envoy from Jin.
"Reporting to the King of Qin," the Jin envoy stepped forward and bowed, "His Majesty has sent us here to request a joyous occasion from Your Majesty."
"A joyous occasion?" The King of Qin picked up his wine cup and took a sip. "Tell me about it."
"Your Majesty has long heard that your country's Second Prince, Qin Jingyuan, is exceptionally talented, skilled in both literature and martial arts, mature and steady, and handsome."
And since our state of Jin is a neighbor, we should look out for each other.
My eldest princess of Jin is intelligent, dignified, and beautiful, and is now of marriageable age.
His Majesty wishes to request a marriage alliance with your country to forge a friendly ties. What is Your Majesty's opinion?
As soon as the Jin envoy finished speaking, everyone looked at him.
"."
The King of Qin looked at the envoy before him and remained silent for a long time.
Five days later, the Qin and Jin states jointly issued an imperial edict—Qin's second prince, Qin Jingyuan, and Jin's eldest princess, Ji Yue, would marry the following September to solidify their alliance.
According to the Qin state's etiquette, if multiple members of a direct line of kin were to get married recently, the eldest member would be given priority.
Therefore, Xiao Mo and Qin Siyao's wedding had to be postponed and a new auspicious day had to be chosen.
Qin Siyao was naturally very angry that her wedding had been postponed.
Although Qin Siyao knew what a marriage alliance between Qin and Jin meant.
And even if you make a scene, it won't help, and you might even be told you're being unreasonable!
But Qin Siyao still felt unhappy.
These days, Qin Siyao often goes to the palace to nag and throw tantrums in her father's ear.
The King of Qin also felt that he owed his daughter a debt, so he couldn't say anything and could only endure it. Whenever his daughter came, the King of Qin would avoid her like the plague.
In comparison, Xiao Mo felt that there was something strange about this matter.
Although Qin has now annexed Wei and Jin has annexed Zhongshan, both countries need to digest these territories, so a marriage alliance at this time would be a good thing.
But Xiao Mo felt that something was not right.
Especially when the eldest prince was very likely to be made crown prince, the Qin and Jin states formed a marriage alliance.
All of this is too coincidental, and even a bit rushed.
I have a feeling that something big is about to happen.
(End of this chapter)
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