Xia Zhiqing didn't know if her sister was saying such things to comfort her, or if she was sincere. Her face turned slightly pale, no longer possessing the composed demeanor of the past. She looked up at her sister, her mouth showed a hint of grievance and self-blame, and her voice carried a slight sob:

"No matter what, it's me who has wronged you."

Xia Zhining shook her head, took off her embroidered shoes, got on the bed, hugged her knees and snuggled next to Xia Zhiqing, then said: "If anyone should apologize, it should be me..."

"Hmm?"

"If it weren't for my insistence on seeking revenge back then, dragging you along, sister, you wouldn't have lost yourself, nor ended up where we are today," Xia Zhining said.

"Zhining..." Xia Zhiqing turned her head, staring blankly at the profile that was not much different from her own.

Xia Zhining continued, "If I hadn't ruined your engagement back then, perhaps you would have been married by now, not in Qingzhou, and wouldn't have been affected by the war, so..."

As she spoke, Xia Zhining looked into her sister's eyes and said, "Sister, you haven't wronged me. If you're really struggling with guilt at heart, just consider it repaying a debt to me."

"Zhining, don't say that. As for what happened back then, I... I've long forgotten it," Xia Zhiqing said.

"In that case, I'll forget about today's events too, so please forget them soon as well, sister."

"Zhining... thank you." Xia Zhiqing hugged Xia Zhining tightly, tears of gratitude welled up in her eyes, easing a lot of the guilt in her heart.

Xia Zhining: "..."

Sister still thanks me.

It's like being sold and still counting the money for them.

"Alright, alright, stop crying." Xia Zhining gently patted her sister's jade-like back, using a tone as if coaxing a little girl, wiping away the tears at the corner of her eyes, and once her sister's emotions had calmed a bit, she said seriously:

"Now that the bastard isn't here, sister, tell me seriously, have you really fallen for that bastard?"

Xia Zhiqing's body slightly stiffened. Seeing her sister's serious gaze, she hesitated for a moment, then nodded slightly, murmuring, "Zhining, actually... he's not that bad."

"I know." Xia Zhining pursed her lips, saying: "On the battlefield, I've already witnessed his bravery, decisiveness, strong capabilities, and a natural aura of leadership. If judged from a faction standpoint, what he did to me actually wasn't significant."

Xia Zhiqing widened her eyes.

"He's a rebel, and we, sister, are daughters of officials. We are on opposing sides, and when he captured us, in his eyes, we were simply trophies. The military books say that the victor has the right to dispose of the spoils of war. It has been this way since ancient times; after the founding of the Great Song, didn't the Grand Ancestor Emperor forcibly take the empress, consorts, and princesses of the previous dynasty into the harem?"

Though these words were spoken from a bystander's perspective, as a "victim," hearing this made Xia Zhiqing feel her worldview shatter. With her heart in turmoil, she said, "Zhining, what exactly are you trying to say?"

"What I mean is, as trophies, our treatment hasn't been bad; we've avoided inhumane mistreatment and have enjoyed enough freedom. In this war-torn chaotic world, we've found a foothold. So sister, don't mind me; just be with him," Xia Zhining said.

Xia Zhiqing was somewhat stunned, raising her head to touch Xia Zhining's forehead, muttering, "No fever!"

Xia Zhining grabbed her sister's hand, saying, "Sister, I'm serious. I also figured it out; in this world, relying solely on us sisters to head to Jiangnan is impossible. Guard Liu and the others have started families in Pingting County, so they surely won't leave with us.

It's time we find someone to rely on."

"Zhining, are you really okay?" Xia Zhiqing doubted whether her sister's mind was affected due to agitation. Hearing her words made Xia Zhiqing feel a bit unfamiliar.

Xia Zhining shook her head, then said, "If you hadn't fallen for him, I wouldn't be saying these things. But now that you have, I can't disrupt it anymore, for your sake..."

As she spoke, Xia Zhining took a deep breath and said, "I'm willing to join you in becoming his woman."

At these words, Xia Zhiqing's chaotic thoughts were dispelled by this thunderous statement, leaving only shock and astonishment in her eyes.

"Zhining, do you know what you're saying?"

"Sister, have you forgotten? When we were little, we agreed to marry the same man when we grew up. Now that you've set your heart on that bastard, I can't just leave you, right?"

"But..."

"Sister, both our chastity has been given to him; shouldn't he be held accountable?"

Xia Zhiqing was left speechless by her sister's logic, then said, "But back then, didn't you say that if I chose a husband, he had to satisfy you as well? But he..."

"That bastard barely qualifies, after all. His literacy rivals yours, and his martial arts surpass mine. Most importantly, you like him," Xia Zhining mentioned, sounding as if she was saying it for her sister.

Hearing this, Xia Zhiqing felt touched but also thought that her sister's solution seemed rather good.

After a long while, Xia Zhiqing said, "What about his side?"

Knowing her sister had agreed, Xia Zhining sighed in relief. Although that bastard's plan had some hiccups, overall, it was successful. She said, "Sister, don't worry. If he learns we're willing to be with him, he'll be overjoyed, too happy to oppose."

"Then... I'll tell Mo Lang tomorrow."

...

December 30th.

Before Xia Zhiqing met Chen Mo, Xia Zhining found an excuse to see Chen Mo first and said, "You lucky bastard."

"What happened?" Chen Mo still didn't know that Xia Zhining had handled things for him.

"My sister has agreed. From now on, we'll both be your... women." Xia Zhining bit her lip as she spoke.

"Really?" Chen Mo's eyes lit up.

To have both sisters, especially twins, and to have them both physically and emotionally—what man wouldn't be excited?

"Don't get too happy." Xia Zhining pouted slightly and pinched Chen Mo, then said, "Later, my sister will talk to you about this. You need to act well and not give anything away."

"Don't worry."

...

Sure enough, shortly after Xia Zhining left, Chunhong came and said that Xia Zhiqing was looking for him to talk.

Chen Mo tidied himself up in front of the copper mirror and headed toward the back courtyard.

Today, Xia Zhiqing dressed rather simply. Her plain-colored silk brocade dress exuded an aura of tranquil elegance, as if she had washed away all the excesses.

She sat by the window, holding a lotus-colored handkerchief. Thinking about the conversation she was about to have, her heart inevitably grew nervous, gripping the handkerchief tightly.

Just then, the door opened, footsteps sounded, and a figure walked in.

Xia Zhiqing's gaze moved to the door, then she said to her sister, "Zhining, please leave for a while. I have something to say to him alone."

Xia Zhining's bright eyes flickered as she walked past Chen Mo and left the room.

As the door closed, Chen Mo stepped forward, looked at Xia Zhiqing, and softly said, "Zhiqing, she didn't give you a hard time, did she? I was worried all night and couldn't sleep."

Xia Zhiqing shook her head, stood up, and poured Chen Mo a cup of tea, her face slightly red: "Sorry... Mo Lang, for making you worry."

Chen Mo took the tea but didn't drink it, placing it aside. He gently pulled Xia Zhiqing into his embrace and said softly, "As long as you're fine. If anything happened to you, I wouldn't know how to live."

Those words were undoubtedly the most moving love words. Xia Zhiqing's nose twitched slightly as she nestled her forehead against Chen Mo's chest, dispelling much of her previous tension and melancholy. She said softly, "Zhining agreed... to our matter."

"That's great." Chen Mo looked delighted: "We won't have to sneak around like this anymore."

"Mm." Xia Zhiqing raised her fair face, pretending to hesitate, as if wanting to say something but holding back, lowering her head.

"What's the matter?" Chen Mo asked, holding Xia Zhiqing's delicate hand.

"Zhining is actually a good person, though a bit... willful and arbitrary, but she's kind-hearted. If someone takes care of her, she'd become more stable."

"I know what you mean. She's your sister, and now she'll be like my sister too. I'll take good care of her."

"Ah, I... I didn't mean it that way." Seeing the misunderstanding, Xia Zhiqing said:

"Our father and mother are no longer here. We're the only ones left to rely on each other, and now I have... you, Mo Lang. After starting a family, Zhining will feel very lonely. So, if you don't mind, please bring... Zhining into our family anyway. Her purity was given to you."

After speaking, Xia Zhiqing looked nervously into Chen Mo's eyes.

The young man frowned first, then said angrily, "Zhiqing, what do you take me for? Since I have you, how can I go and tangle with your sister, especially when I don't like her."

Upon hearing his words, Xia Zhiqing suddenly felt a wave of emotion and sweetness in her heart and promptly said:

"Mo Lang, don't get upset. I know you're not like that, but purity is important to a woman. She's given hers to you now. How can she start a family in the future? For my sake, I beg you..."

Xia Zhiqing held onto Chen Mo's arm, pleading.

Feeling the fullness and softness on his arm, Chen Mo nearly revealed his true nature and said, "Zhiqing, aren't you putting me in a difficult position? You know the conflict between her and me; I can take care of her, but making her my woman is somewhat excessive. Besides, would she agree?"

"She would."

"Hmm?"

"I mean, I will persuade Zhining to agree." Xia Zhiqing almost revealed the truth but seeing the young man troubled, she changed her approach and said, "And you wouldn't want to see a woman who looks almost exactly like me in another man's arms, would you?"

Chen Mo thought for a moment, sighed, and said, "Zhiqing, you really... give me headaches. Alright, for your sake, I agree."

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