Beauties in Simulation Cross over into Reality

“Then can you like me?”

Qin Siyao’s voice echoed softly through the courtyard.

Hearing the words from the young woman before him, Xiao Mo’s expression faltered.

But before Xiao Mo could say a word, Qin Siyao came to her senses. Her cheeks grew progressively redder, and she looked so exquisitely shy.

“I… You… Um…” Qin Siyao’s voice trembled slightly, her words becoming incoherent.

“I didn’t say anything, and you didn’t hear a thing! Yep! That’s right!”

With that, Qin Siyao scrambled to her feet and fled the courtyard. She hastily climbed into her carriage and rushed back to her manor.

“Welcome back, Princess…”

Hua Sheng, who was sweeping the courtyard, smiled and curtsied.

But Qin Siyao didn’t even acknowledge her. Head down, she ran straight into her room and slammed the door shut with a loud SLAM.

Staring at the closed door, Hua Sheng blinked, wondering, ’What’s wrong with the Princess this time?’

「In the room.」

Qin Siyao was once again splayed face-down on her bedding, her head buried in a pillow. Her fair insteps were stretched taut as she kicked her feet relentlessly against the mattress. The motion caused the hem of her skirt to ride up, revealing her slender, snow-white, and delicate calves.

’What… what was I even saying…?’

’Will Xiao Mo think I’m weird?’

’How am I ever going to face him again…?’

’Will he think I’m too forward…?’

Qin Siyao peeked out from her pillow, her eyes brimming with unbearable embarrassment. The more she thought about it, the more she wanted to find a hole and crawl into it.

“’It’s all Sister Hua Sheng’s fault!’ Qin Siyao pouted. ’If Sister Hua Sheng hadn’t said all those weird things to me, I never would have said that to Xiao Mo… It’s all her fault!’”

’But…’

After calming down a little, Qin Siyao lay on her side, hugging a pillow tightly.

A stray lock of hair brushed across her fair cheek. The more she pictured Xiao Mo’s face, the faster her heart beat, as if it no longer belonged to her.

She buried her face in the pillow again, her muffled voice emerging from the cushions. “But I just like him… What am I supposed to do…?”

…

「Meanwhile, in the Qin Kingdom Royal Palace.」

In the Imperial Study, a Go board was already set up before the Sovereign of Qin. The containers for the black and white stones were in place, as if he were waiting for someone.

Roughly an incense stick’s time later, a man dressed in a dark brocade robe entered the Imperial Study.

The man was powerfully built, exuding a Blood Evil Qi that instantly marked him as a veteran who had clawed his way through seas of blood on the battlefield.

His court robe was outlined with vermilion brocade at the collar, lapel, and cuffs. A subtle pattern of intertwined clouds and beasts was woven into the dark fabric. At his waist, he wore a leather belt studded with jade and inlaid with gold, from which hung decorative purple and cyan silk cords.

Among all the Princes, there were few whose ceremonial dress could rival his.

“This subject greets Your Majesty.”

Prince Zhenbei, Xiao Shi, saluted the Sovereign of Qin with a cupped fist, his resonant voice echoing through the Imperial Study.

“Hahaha, Prince Zhenbei, there’s no need for such ceremony.”

The Sovereign of Qin laughed and descended from his soft couch to personally help Xiao Shi to his feet, his tone full of warmth and cordiality.

“Prince Zhenbei, you guard our frontiers. Last time, when the Flame King destroyed the Wei Kingdom, you led the Snow-Trampling Dragon Cavalry and pushed into the Wei Kingdom, preventing them from sending support. For such a great accomplishment, I hardly know how to reward you.”

Xiao Shi said respectfully, “Your Majesty is too generous. It is this subject’s duty to share the burdens of the kingdom. There is no need for rewards!”

“That will not do. Rewards must be given where they are due. If you perform such a great service, Prince Zhenbei, and I fail to reward you, what would others think of me?”

The Sovereign of Qin seemed to think seriously for a moment.

“I shall award you 10,000 taels of Gold, 10,000 stalks of various Spirit Medicines, and 5,000 jin of Profound Iron, to be delivered to the Northern Wilderness Army on an auspicious day. In addition, there are three titles of Thousand Households Marquis. I hear the contributions of Generals He Zui, Zhao Ming, and Hu Yuexin were immense, so these titles shall be granted to them.

Oh, and one more thing. I’ve also heard that the three veteran generals, Ding Yixun, Wang Jie, and Yu Wenzhou, are getting on in years. Why don’t we simply promote them back to the Imperial Court to serve in the Ministry of War? What does Prince Zhenbei think of this proposal?”

A flicker of something unreadable passed through Prince Zhenbei’s eyes, but he suppressed it just as quickly. “On behalf of my generals, this subject thanks Your Majesty,” he said, expressing his gratitude.

“Hahaha, the Snow-Trampling Dragon Cavalry is the sharp blade of my Qin Kingdom. What need is there for thanks?”

The Sovereign of Qin pulled Prince Zhenbei to sit down.

“Come, come. It’s not often you return to the Imperial City, Prince Zhenbei. It’s been too long since we played a game. How about you indulge me in a match today?”

“This subject would not dare to refuse.”

Xiao Shi responded, then opened the lid of the stone container and began the match with the Sovereign of Qin.

As the stones clicked crisply against the board, the Sovereign of Qin spoke. “You know, I am actually quite envious of you, Prince Zhenbei.”

“Why would Your Majesty say that? This subject is alarmed.” Xiao Shi placed a stone, but his expression showed no trace of alarm.

“Prince Zhenbei has three fine sons. Especially Xiao Mo. I am truly fond of that boy,” the Sovereign of Qin said with a smile. “Have you heard of Xiao Mo’s deeds, Prince Zhenbei?”

“Of course, I have heard,” Xiao Shi nodded. “The boy is indeed capable. He conquered twenty-one cities of the Wei Kingdom, so I suppose he has not disappointed Your Majesty.”

“Far more than just capable.”

The Sovereign of Qin placed a stone, then removed several black stones from the board.

“Xiao Mo is skilled in both pen and sword, and mature beyond his years. His performance as the Flame King has drawn endless praise. He became famous in a single battle before Frost Red City, and his ’Frost Red Battle Song’ is now known throughout the Allied States. The moment I look at Xiao Mo, I see your own heroic spirit from when you were young, Prince Zhenbei!

Upon Xiao Mo’s return to court, I ennobled him as a Prince for his achievement of destroying a kingdom. But, you see, quite a few court officials have said the reward is too generous.

I’ve been thinking it over recently, and it occurs to me that perhaps I am in danger of ruining him with excessive praise.

He needs more military accomplishments to prove to the court that my faith in him was not misplaced.”

Xiao Shi looked up, puzzled. “Your Majesty means to say?”

The Sovereign of Qin smiled faintly. “The Wei Kingdom has been destroyed, but the Wei Kingdom constantly harasses the borders of our Qin Kingdom. It’s an endless nuisance. This time, while the morale of our grand army is high, I want you, Prince Zhenbei, to lead an expedition to destroy the Wei Kingdom!

And as the saying goes, father and son are the best soldiers to send into battle.

Xiao Mo, though young, has the makings of a great commander. I want him to lead fifty thousand of the Snow-Trampling Dragon Cavalry to lend you a hand, Prince Zhenbei. What are your thoughts on this?”

“…”

After a long silence, Xiao Shi responded.

“Since it is Your Majesty’s will, this subject naturally has no objection. However, the Snow-Trampling Dragon Cavalry is no ordinary army. The Wei Kingdom has numerous commanders and is not like some common small nation. If my son’s abilities prove insufficient, I’m afraid I will have to adjust his command.”

“Of course, that’s no problem!” The Sovereign of Qin nodded.

“However.”

The Sovereign of Qin rolled up his sleeves and placed another stone.

“When I was the Crown Prince, although I was constantly berated by the late Emperor, I had one good quality that even he could not dispute.

And that is my good eye for talent.”

The corners of the Sovereign of Qin’s mouth curved up slightly. “I trust my judgment will not be wrong this time, either.”