Chapter 476: Chapter 394: Don’t See Me Off

By the time Xiao Mo returned to Prince Shuang’s Mansion, it was already evening.

The setting sun fell, casting its light over the world.

At the entrance to Prince Shuang’s Mansion, a man sat on the steps, a wine jug in hand. He had changed out of his armor and was now in plain clothes.

Unlike the figure on the battlefield wreathed in Blood Qi, the man in plain clothes now looked like an ordinary, wealthy gentleman, or perhaps a common Martial Artist.

"You’re back."

Upon seeing Xiao Mo, Xiao Shi tilted his head back, took a swig of wine, and smiled.

"Father." Xiao Mo bowed before asking, "Why are you sitting by the gate?"

"Waiting for you, of course," Xiao Shi said with a smile. "Are you free? How about a walk?"

"If you’re asking, Father, then of course." Xiao Mo nodded.

"Let’s go, then." Xiao Shi set down the wine jug, stood, and dusted himself off before walking into the mansion.

Xiao Mo walked beside him.

They chatted casually about the battlefield, exchanging their thoughts on the matter.

Xiao Shi also asked what His Majesty had said to Xiao Mo, and Xiao Mo answered truthfully. There was nothing to hide.

After hearing about the conversation between his son and His Majesty, Xiao Shi fell silent for a moment but said nothing more.

As they walked on, Xiao Mo gradually realized they were getting closer to his mother’s courtyard.

Xiao Mo glanced at his father, who showed no intention of turning away.

About fifteen minutes later, Xiao Mo and Xiao Shi arrived at Zhou Ruoxi’s courtyard.

Although Zhou Ruoxi was now the mistress of the Xiao Family, she still lived in this simple, small courtyard.

Many members of the extended family had tried to persuade her to move into the main courtyard of the Xiao Mansion, saying this small one was beneath her station.

But Zhou Ruoxi would only offer a faint smile and say she had grown used to it.

Joy flashed in Zhou Ruoxi’s eyes when she saw her son had returned.

However, her heart skipped a beat when she saw the man beside Mo’er, and she quickly called for Cuicui from the kitchen.

Zhou Ruoxi stepped forward and curtsied. "I greet Your Highness."

Cuicui quickly stood behind her and bowed as well. "This servant greets Your Highness."

"There are no outsiders here; there’s no need for such ceremony," Xiao Shi said with a smile. "Xiao Mo and I were just strolling through the estate and ended up here. I hope we aren’t disturbing you?"

"..." Xiao Mo was momentarily speechless.

’He was the one who clearly led the way here on purpose.’

At this thought, Xiao Mo lifted his head and glanced at his father.

’Could it be that Father was too embarrassed to come to Mother’s courtyard, so he brought me along to ease the awkwardness?’

"Of course not. Please, have a seat, Your Highness." Zhou Ruoxi invited Xiao Shi into the courtyard. "Please wait a moment, Your Highness. I will go prepare some tea for you."

"That won’t be necessary." Xiao Shi shook his head. He glanced toward the kitchen, sniffing the aroma of food wafting out. "Are you about to have dinner? Do you always cook yourselves? Why not have the servants do it?"

"I don’t have much to do on most days, so Cuicui and I cook together. After so many years, we’ve grown used to it," Zhou Ruoxi replied. "It’s already evening. If Your Highness doesn’t mind, would you like to stay and have dinner with us?"

"Since you’ve offered, Ruoxi, it would be rude of me to refuse," Xiao Shi said with a smile, accepting.

"..." Zhou Ruoxi was taken aback.

She had only been asking out of politeness; she never expected His Highness to accept so readily...

"Please wait a moment longer, Your Highness. The food will be ready soon." Snapping out of her daze, Zhou Ruoxi curtsied once more before quickly pulling Cuicui into the kitchen.

While Zhou Ruoxi cooked, which took about half an hour, Xiao Shi stood up and walked slowly around the small courtyard, his gaze calm and gentle.

Soon, the meal was ready.

The family ate dinner together in the courtyard.

For Xiao Mo, eating dinner like this, as a family of three, was a first. It felt quite strange.

Xiao Mo tried to get Cuicui to sit and eat with them, but she just kept shaking her head, absolutely refusing.

It wasn’t until Xiao Shi told her to sit and eat with them that Cuicui finally, nervously, took a seat and began to eat in tiny bites.

When dinner was over, Xiao Mo sensed that his father wanted to say something to his mother, so he found an excuse and left with Cuicui.

After Xiao Mo and Cuicui left, only Xiao Shi and Zhou Ruoxi remained in the courtyard.

Zhou Ruoxi looked somewhat constrained.

After all, the time Xiao Shi had spent with Xia Qingke was already numbered, to say nothing of the time he spent with Zhou Ruoxi.

Being alone together now naturally felt a little awkward.

"It’s been hard on you all this time," Xiao Shi began slowly. "I know the affairs of the Xiao Mansion are numerous, not to mention all the day-to-day squabbles of the branch families that you have to preside over."

"My hardships are nothing compared to yours, Your Highness." Zhou Ruoxi smiled and shook her head. "Besides, this is all part of my duty. Still, only after becoming the mistress of the Xiao Family have I come to understand how difficult things must have been for the primary wife."

"Neither of you has had it easy," Xiao Shi sighed. "Without you both, with me away on campaigns year after year, I can’t imagine what a mess this house would be in."

Zhou Ruoxi turned her head, blinking as she looked at Xiao Shi. "Your Highness, did you come to see me today because there’s something you wish to say?"

"Not anything specific. It’s just that... a man only sees certain things clearly when he reaches a certain age."

Xiao Shi took a sip of his tea and let out a long sigh.

"My other concubines married me for my power and status. And I gave them power and status in return, helping their fathers rise through the ranks and ensuring them a life of splendor and comfort.

But it is only you and Qingke toward whom I feel truly guilty.

Qingke was the only daughter of the former Prime Minister Wei. She gave up a position as an Imperial Consort to insist on marrying me, and as a result, I might not even see her once in two or three years.

And you were the daughter of a City Lord. You could have married a man of equal social standing, but instead, I stole you away to be my concubine, leaving you to spend your days in this courtyard.

You are different, and yet you are very much alike.

Neither of you ever cared for riches, status, or power. All you ever wanted was a peaceful, stable life.

And that, ironically, is the one thing I am least able to give you."

"Your Highness, you speak too gravely."

Zhou Ruoxi shook her head, her fingers twisting the hem of her dress.

"I was given to Your Highness by my father. It’s not as if you stole me away.

Since coming to the Xiao Mansion, even though I am only a concubine, I have never been mistreated. I am already very content.

Most importantly..."

Zhou Ruoxi lifted her head, her gaze drifting beyond the courtyard. "After I had Mo’er, I never once felt lonely."

"Sigh... It is precisely because you and Qingke are both of this nature that I feel even more at a loss..."

Xiao Shi sighed once more, finished the tea in his cup, and stood up.

"Ruoxi, I’ll be leaving now.

In the past, whenever I left, I never said goodbye to you.

Coming to your courtyard this time was partly to talk with you, and partly to finally say a proper goodbye."

"Is Your Highness going on a military campaign?" Zhou Ruoxi asked as she stood up.

Xiao Shi shook his head. "Not a campaign. In a few days, I must return to the Northern Wilderness. Xiao Mo has to go as well, but don’t worry. He will be back soon."

"And when will Your Highness return?"

Zhou Ruoxi asked.

In the past, Zhou Ruoxi would never have asked such a question.

But for some reason, an indescribable worry now bloomed in her heart.

Hearing his wife’s question, he did not answer. He simply bent at the waist and, with a smile, gave her a deep, formal bow.

As she watched her husband’s formal gesture, Zhou Ruoxi’s gaze wavered, her mind momentarily blank.

This was the final rite of parting a man of the Qin Kingdom performed for his wife before leaving home.

It was a common custom.

But this was the first time for them.

"Don’t see me out."

Xiao Shi straightened up, turned, and walked away.

Zhou Ruoxi snapped back to reality, taking a single step forward in her small embroidered shoes, but Xiao Shi was already far in the distance.

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