Chapter 437: Chapter 365: Husband

Xiao Mo looked at the dishes on the table and considered trying a bite to see what they really tasted like.

But then, a White Cold Bird landed in the courtyard, pecked at a piece of eggplant, and promptly keeled over.

Xiao Mo immediately abandoned the thought, looking at the Second Prince with even greater admiration.

’It seems the Second Prince has built up a resistance to Siyao’s cooking...’

"Come, brother-in-law. The ladies have gone off to amuse themselves, so let’s have some tea."

Smiling, Qin Jingyuan poured Xiao Mo a cup of fine tea.

Xiao Mo nodded and accepted it. "Second Brother, it seems you and Sister-in-law have a good relationship."

"It’s alright." Qin Jingyuan offered a small smile. "I’m only with her because of a marriage contract. It’s nothing like you and Siyao, who are deeply in love and have known each other since childhood."

"Sometimes, a marriage contract can lead you to the right person," Xiao Mo said slowly. "I believe Second Brother and the Eldest Princess are destined to live in perfect harmony."

"Hahaha." Qin Jingyuan laughed. "Then I shall hope your auspicious words come true."

"Speaking of which," Qin Jingyuan asked Xiao Mo, "I hear you’ve already started assembling your own retinue?"

"I’ve gathered some people and recruited a few Guest Ministers. It’s a modest start."

"That’s quite good." Qin Jingyuan sipped his tea. "I know it wasn’t easy for you to get where you are today, brother-in-law. And this is only the beginning for you. The future of the Qin Kingdom will depend on you."

"You flatter me, Second Brother. You and the Eldest Prince are both prodigies. For the Qin Kingdom to have you both is its greatest fortune."

"The Qin Kingdom’s fortune? Hahaha..." Qin Jingyuan laughed heartily but didn’t continue the topic. He simply raised his head and gazed at the vast winter sky.

Seeing the forlorn and complex look in Qin Jingyuan’s eyes, Xiao Mo also remained silent.

These days, the entire Imperial Court practically considered the Eldest Prince the de facto Crown Prince. His Majesty seemed to share this sentiment and had even begun selecting a fief for Qin Jingyuan.

Perhaps not long after his wedding, Qin Jingyuan would have to leave the Capital City.

And those who once surrounded the Second Prince had gradually left to join the Eldest Prince’s side.

The matter of the Qin Kingdom’s Crown Prince was all but settled.

"Let’s not talk about this." Qin Jingyuan put down his teacup. "I hear your Spear Technique is unparalleled, brother-in-law, and that you’re the disciple of the Spear God. We have yet to test our skills against each other. Care to spar?"

"Of course. Then please excuse my impudence," Xiao Mo agreed.

"Why be so polite with family? Come!"

Qin Jingyuan casually plucked a branch from a tree, then tossed a wooden stick to Xiao Mo.

With one using a branch as a sword and the other a stick as a spear, they began to spar in the courtyard.

Two incense sticks later, Qin Siyao and Ji Yue returned to the courtyard and were surprised to see Xiao Mo and her second brother in the middle of a spar.

"Alright, alright, stop fighting! The new year is almost here, what if one of you gets hurt?"

Qin Siyao hurried over and pulled Xiao Mo and her second brother apart.

"Since Siyao has spoken, let’s stop for today." Qin Jingyuan tossed the branch aside. "You truly live up to your name as the world-renowned Frost King. Brother-in-law, your Spear Technique is truly superb."

"You flatter me, Second Brother. Your Sword Technique was also an eye-opener for me," Xiao Mo said with a cupped-fist salute.

"Come on. If you hadn’t been holding back, you would have knocked me out within twenty rounds."

Qin Jingyuan waved a hand dismissively, then looked at the five Cyan Glaze Fish his sister was holding in a Glazed Bowl and said with a smile.

"I only had six of those in my pond, and you took five of them?"

"Didn’t I leave one for you, Second Brother? If it weren’t for Sister-in-law’s sake, I wouldn’t have left you any at all," Qin Siyao huffed.

"Oh, right. I also noticed you have a lot of other nice things in your courtyard, Second Brother. For example, that Thousand Mountain Jade, that Moonlight Flower, and the Clear Heart Snow Cicada... I’ll take them all. I’ll have someone come pack them up and move them to Prince Shuang’s Mansion later. I thank you in advance, Second Brother."

Qin Siyao placed her hands before her and performed a graceful curtsy.

"You little rascal..." Qin Jingyuan laughed and pointed at his sister. "You’re not even married yet and you’re already trying to empty out your brother’s house? Fine, fine. Don’t worry about sending someone. I’ll have my servants deliver them to Prince Shuang’s Mansion."

"Hee hee... In that case, I’d be rude to refuse." Qin Siyao’s eyes curved into crescents. "Well then, Second Brother, Sister-in-law, Xiao Mo and I won’t disturb you any longer."

"Go on, go on." Qin Jingyuan gave a wry smile. "If you don’t leave soon, you’ll be taking my bed next."

"I’ll see you out," Ji Yue said with a gentle smile.

"No, no, Sister-in-law, you should stay with Second Brother. We’re all family, there’s no need to be so formal." Qin Siyao clung to Xiao Mo’s arm.

"Indeed. Please don’t see us out, Sister-in-law. Siyao and I will take our leave."

"Take care."

After bidding their farewells, Xiao Mo and Qin Siyao left the courtyard.

Once Xiao Mo and Qin Siyao’s figures disappeared from his sight, the smile on the Second Prince’s face slowly faded, leaving no trace of his previous joy.

Seeing her husband’s cold expression, Ji Yue stood respectfully to the side, looking somewhat frightened.

But in the end, Ji Yue still stepped forward and said softly, "Husband, it’s cold. Let’s go inside."

"Leave me alone."

Qin Jingyuan slapped her slender hand away, picked up the discarded wine jug, and took a long swig. He then went into his room alone, shutting the door firmly behind him.

...

Outside the Second Prince’s Mansion, Xiao Mo and Qin Siyao opted not to take a carriage. They sent a servant ahead with the Cyan Glaze Fish and decided to stroll back to Prince Shuang’s Mansion themselves.

Seeing Qin Siyao’s happy expression, Xiao Mo smiled. "What’s made you so happy?"

"It’s nothing much. I just felt that I really clicked with Sister-in-law while we were chatting."

Qin Siyao gave a little shake of her head.

"Sister-in-law told me many things about the Jin Kingdom, and she’s proficient in zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Also, I can tell that she actually cares a lot about Second Brother.

Xiao Mo, to be honest, I wasn’t very optimistic about this marriage at first. It wasn’t because their wedding took our date, but because I felt they were being forced together and wouldn’t be a good match.

But now, I don’t think so anymore.

Sister-in-law is a wonderful woman.

And Second Brother seems to like her too.

You see?

Even though they’re not married yet, they already address each other as husband and wife."

"That is good..." Xiao Mo replied.

’But something about the way the Second Prince looked at the Eldest Princess from the Jin Kingdom felt... off.’

Just as Xiao Mo was pondering, Qin Siyao turned her head to glance at him.

Then, she looked away again, her mind involuntarily recalling her earlier conversation with her sister-in-law—

"Siyao, why do you and the Frost King still call each other by your names?"

Ji Yue asked curiously by the lotus pond.

According to the customs of the Qin Kingdom, once a couple is engaged, even if they aren’t yet married, they can change how they address each other.

"It’s... it’s not that I want to..."

Qin Siyao picked up a stone, tossed it into the lotus pond, and said plaintively.

"We’ve known each other since we were children, so I guess we just got used to calling each other by our names. That blockhead Xiao Mo doesn’t seem to have noticed, and I’m too embarrassed and don’t know how to bring it up with him..."

"Hmm... I do have an idea. Do you want to hear it?" Ji Yue thought for a moment and said with a smile.

"What is it?" Qin Siyao’s eyes lit up.

"It’s this..." Ji Yue leaned close to Qin Siyao’s ear and whispered softly.

As Qin Siyao listened, a faint blush appeared on her cheeks, but her eyes grew brighter and brighter.

...

"Siyao... Siyao... Siyao."

"Ah? What is it?" Qin Siyao snapped out of it.

"And you’re asking me what’s wrong?" Xiao Mo flicked her forehead. "What’s wrong with you? What are you daydreaming about?"

"I... I’m fine..." Qin Siyao said, feigning innocence.

"The market is just ahead. Do you want to buy anything?" Xiao Mo asked.

"No, not really..." Qin Siyao shook her head. "Let’s just walk back slowly."

"Alright."

’This girl seems to be up to something again,’ Xiao Mo thought.

"Xiao Mo..." Qin Siyao fidgeted with the hem of her robes. "Let’s play a little game, shall we?"

"What kind of game?"

"I’ll call your name, and you just have to answer."

"What kind of game is that?"

"Oh, don’t worry about it! Just play with me, please, please..." Qin Siyao shook Xiao Mo’s arm.

"Alright," Xiao Mo said with a resigned sigh. "Let’s play."

"Xiao Mo..." Qin Siyao called out softly.

"Mm," Xiao Mo answered.

"Xiao Mo."

"Mm."

Qin Siyao called Xiao Mo’s name again and again, and Xiao Mo answered each time.

He lost count of how many times he had answered.

"Xiao Mo."

"Mm."

Finally, Qin Siyao bit her lip, raised her head, and softly called out, "H-Husband..."

Xiao Mo froze. The woman beside him lowered her head, her cheeks flushed a furious crimson.

Xiao Mo chuckled softly and replied:

"Mm, my wife..."

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