Beauties in Simulation Cross over into Reality

The day after Xiao Shi returned to the capital in triumph, the official edicts for all rewards were issued.

Among them, the most shocking was the marriage bestowed by the Sovereign of Qin.

When the Holy Decree from the Sovereign of Qin, arranging the marriage between Xiao Mo and the Third Princess Qin Siyao, spread throughout the Imperial City, men and women alike wailed in despair.

The men, in fact, took it relatively well.

They knew the Princess, hailed as the most beautiful woman in the Allied States and the apple of the Sovereign’s eye, was never within their reach. She was always destined to marry some powerful noble.

Now that the Princess was marrying the Frost King, it was, in a way, keeping it all in the family.

But many women, especially the high-born ladies, truly believed they had a chance to marry the Frost King.

’And even if I can’t marry the Frost King,’ they thought, ’as long as he doesn’t marry anyone else, doesn’t that mean he belongs to everyone?’

’And if he belongs to everyone, doesn’t that mean I always have a chance?’

But they never expected that the Frost King would be marrying the Princess.

This left many women utterly heartbroken, sullen, and washing their faces with tears.

When news of Xiao Mo’s impending marriage spread, even many women in the brothels temporarily stopped receiving clients, their hearts shattered.

However, most people still felt that the Frost King and the Princess were a perfect match—a talented man and a beautiful woman—and were happy to see it happen.

After the engagement was announced, the wedding date had not yet been set.

This was normal.

Weddings in the Qin Kingdom were elaborate affairs, especially for the Royal Family.

An auspicious date had to be chosen based on the couple’s birth charts, celestial phenomena, and the fortune of the Qin Kingdom.

But regardless, it was a match made by their families and approved by matchmakers. Moreover, the two were deeply in love, and a Holy Decree had announced it to the world. The marriage was set in stone.

Because of the annexation of the Wei Kingdom and the royal wedding, a festive atmosphere spread from the Imperial City throughout the entire Qin Kingdom.

Friends from the Northern Wilderness Army who were still in the city came one after another to congratulate Xiao Mo.

「Three days later.」

The Qin and Chu Kingdoms were still locked in battle at the border. Although Qin had the upper hand, the Chu Army clung on like a stubborn leech, refusing to leave.

Therefore, the Sovereign of Qin planned to send a large army to tear this leech off, lest it ruin his mood.

The Sovereign of Qin asked for Xiao Mo’s opinion, and Xiao Mo recommended Xiahou Nan for the task.

The Sovereign of Qin readily agreed, and Xiahou Nan accepted the command.

A month later, Xiahou Nan led his army to join forces with the Eldest Prince, Qin Jingsu.

After routing the Chu Army, Xiahou Nan returned to the capital in triumph alongside the Eldest Prince.

Although the battles the Eldest Prince fought were not as arduous as those of the Northern Wilderness Army, he had still defended the border.

By preventing the Chu Kingdom from gaining a further advantage and even winning numerous victories, he had undoubtedly enhanced his own prestige.

In comparison, the Second Prince’s reputation seemed rather average.

At this point, both the Imperial Court and the common people felt it was about time for His Majesty to name the Eldest Prince, Qin Jingsu, as the Crown Prince.

Even the Sovereign of Qin seemed to share this sentiment, deliberately assigning certain matters for the Eldest Prince to handle.

Qin Jingsu, for his part, remained composed. He showed no sign of elation at being favored and, in fact, acted with even greater gravitas than before.

As soon as the Eldest Prince had some free time, he went straight to the Xiao Mansion to congratulate Xiao Mo on the joyous union with his sister.

Qin Jingsu brought Xiao Mo impressive treasures and subtly tried to recruit him, but Xiao Mo politely declined, determined not to get involved in matters of succession.

「Another half-month passed.」 The wedding date was set. The Qixi Festival of the coming year was an auspicious day for Xiao Mo and Qin Siyao to hold their grand ceremony.

Since there was still a long time to wait, Li Jing and the others returned to their fiefdoms to stand guard, planning to rush back to the Capital City for the banquet next year.

At the same time, the Xiao Mansion’s eldest young master, Xiao Yichuan, was also preparing to return to the Taoshan Sect. Xiao Mo and Qin Siyao saw him off outside the city.

”For now, the Allied States are relatively quiet. Third Brother, you just need to focus on preparing for your wedding. You don’t need to worry about the minor skirmishes on the border. General Xiahou is more than capable of handling them, and His Majesty is unlikely to trouble a man who is about to be married,” Xiao Yichuan said to Xiao Mo.

”Mm, I know.” Xiao Mo nodded and looked at Xiao Yichuan. ”Eldest Brother, I was wondering, how has First Madam been recently? Is she well?”

Since returning to the capital, Xiao Mo hadn’t gone to pay his respects to the First Madam.

’It’s mainly because, although I didn’t kill her second son, I was the one who captured him. It would be awkward for me to face her.’

”Sigh...” Xiao Yichuan sighed. ”Mother was truly heartbroken when she learned about Yishe, but rest assured, Third Brother, she doesn’t blame you. In fact, Mother asked me to tell you this—thank you, Third Brother, for capturing Yishe and sending him back to the military camp. You prevented him from making an even greater mistake and ruining the Xiao Family’s name.”

Hearing this, Xiao Mo lowered his head and nodded without a word.

’To be honest, I don’t hold much of an opinion about this First Madam of mine.’

’She never targeted my own mother; she always did everything by the book, according to the mansion’s rules.’

’Especially with Prince Zhenbei away from home for years on end, it was this First Madam who managed everything in the household.’

’It certainly wasn’t easy for her as a woman.’

”Alright, Third Brother, Sister-in-law, you can stop here. No need to see me off any further.”

The three of them walked to the city gates, where Xiao Yichuan turned and bowed to Xiao Mo and Qin Siyao.

”Father is returning to the Northern Wilderness tomorrow to completely purge the stubborn remnants of the Wei Kingdom. I’ll have to trouble you, Third Brother, to look after matters at the Xiao Mansion.”

”Of course,” Xiao Mo replied.

”Actually, your eldest brother is quite selfish,” Xiao Yichuan said with a smile. ”Returning to the military camp was Mother’s idea, but in my heart, I’d much rather roam the world freely. I’m truly afraid of becoming the future King North Desolate. But thankfully, with Third Brother here to carry the banner, Father won’t give the title to me anyway.”

Xiao Yichuan clapped Xiao Mo on the shoulder. ”Eldest Brother is leaving now. If anything comes up, just send word to me. I will definitely help!”

”Eldest Brother, if you need anything for your cultivation, feel free to send word to your little brother at any time. I will certainly help as well.” Looking at the elder brother he had only known for a short while, Xiao Mo felt a genuine reluctance to part.

”Hahaha, good! I’m off! I’ll be waiting for an invitation to your wedding feast,” Xiao Yichuan laughed heartily.

”Farewell, Eldest Brother!” Xiao Mo bowed with his hands clasped.

”Farewell, Eldest Young Master,” Qin Siyao also said with a curtsy.

”Still calling me ’Eldest Young Master’?” Xiao Yichuan said cheerfully. ”Sister-in-law, it’s about time you started calling me ’Eldest Brother’.”

Qin Siyao glanced shyly at Xiao Mo beside her.

Xiao Mo said with a smile, ”It is indeed time for a change.”

Qin Siyao shyly pinched Xiao Mo’s waist.

”Well then, your sister-in-law bids Eldest Brother farewell...” Qin Siyao said with great poise, dropping into a curtsy.

”No further!”

Xiao Yichuan nodded, then leaped into the air and flew off into the distance.

...

「Meanwhile, in the Second Prince’s Mansion.」

The same scholar from before was once again sitting across from the Second Prince.

”Has the Second Prince still not made up his mind?” the scholar asked, taking a sip of tea. ”The Eldest Prince’s prestige is quite high now. If you do not make a decision soon, then I will no longer be able to wait for you. In a few days, I must leave the Qin Capital.”

In the study, Qin Jingyuan kneaded the cup in his hands, remaining silent for a long time.

The scholar wasn’t anxious; he simply waited for Qin Jingyuan’s answer.

After a long while, Qin Jingyuan raised his head and looked the scholar directly in the eye. ”I accept your conditions!”

Hearing the Second Prince’s decision, the corners of the scholar’s mouth curved up. He rose and bowed. ”Rest assured, Second Prince. The Jin Kingdom will not disappoint you.”

An incense stick’s time later, the scholar left the Second Prince’s study.

Qin Jingyuan stared at the teacup on the table, silent for a long time.

...

Unwittingly, another month passed.

There wasn’t much time left before the New Year.

Just as the Qin Kingdom Royal Palace was bustling with preparations for the Frost King and Third Princess’s wedding next year, an envoy from the Jin Kingdom arrived in Qin.

The arrival of the Jin envoy left many people, including Xiao Mo, feeling somewhat puzzled.

Although relations between the Jin and Qin Kingdoms weren’t bad, they weren’t particularly good either.

Since neither could overpower the other, they had always maintained a superficial peace.

But no one expected the Jin Kingdom to take the initiative and send an envoy to Qin.

”I wonder, for what purpose has King Jin sent an envoy to my Qin Kingdom?”

At the welcoming banquet, the Sovereign of Qin personally received the Jin envoy.

”Reporting to the King of Qin.” The Jin envoy stepped forward and bowed. ”Our King has ordered us to come here to request a joyous matter from Your Majesty.”

”A joyous matter?” The Sovereign of Qin raised his cup and took a sip. ”Let’s hear it.”

”Our King has long heard that your nation’s Second Prince, Qin Jingyuan, is exceptionally talented, skilled in both literature and martial arts, mature, and handsome.

Our Jin Kingdom and yours are neighbors, and it is only right that we support each other.

Our Jin Kingdom’s Eldest Princess is virtuous, dignified, and beautiful, and has now reached a marriageable age.

Our King wishes to propose a marriage with your esteemed nation to form an alliance between Qin and Jin. I wonder what Your Majesty thinks of this?”

The moment the Jin envoy finished speaking, all eyes turned to him.

...

The King of Qin looked at the envoy before him, silent for a long time.

Five days later, the Qin and Jin Kingdoms jointly issued a decree: The Second Prince of Qin, Qin Jingyuan, and the Eldest Princess of Jin, Ji Yue, would be married in the ninth month of the following year, forging an alliance between Qin and Jin.

According to the rites of the Qin Kingdom, if multiple members of the direct line were to be married around the same time, the elder must go first.

Therefore, Xiao Mo and Qin Siyao’s wedding had to be postponed, and a new auspicious date would have to be found.

Qin Siyao was naturally furious that her wedding was being postponed.

’Even though I know what a marriage alliance between the Qin and Jin Kingdoms means... and even if I throw a tantrum, it won’t do any good. I’ll even be called immature!’

But Qin Siyao was still unhappy.

These past few days, Qin Siyao frequently went to the Imperial Palace to whisper complaints in her royal father’s ear and throw minor tantrums.

The Sovereign of Qin also felt he had wronged his daughter, so he couldn’t say much and could only endure it. Whenever his daughter came to see him, the Sovereign of Qin would make himself scarce.

Xiao Mo, in contrast, felt that there was something strange about this matter.

Although the Qin Kingdom had now annexed the Wei Kingdom and the Jin Kingdom had annexed the Zhongshan Kingdom, and both nations needed time to absorb these new territories—making an alliance through marriage a good thing at this moment—Xiao Mo couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong.

Especially since Qin and Jin were forming an alliance just when the Eldest Prince was on the verge of being named Crown Prince.

It was all a bit too coincidental, and even a little rushed.

’I have a feeling something big is about to happen.’