We Agreed On Experiencing Life, So Why Did You Immortals Become Real?

Chapter 405: Siyao, Father... Is Gone

Qin Siyao vigorously shook her head, casting out that unacceptable thought from her mind.

Qin Siyao turned her head and glanced at her father.

Seeing that her fatherʼs expression was still as good as usual, she breathed a sigh of relief in her heart.

Before she realized it, Qin Siyao and her father had arrived at the bedchambers where her eldest and second brothers had lived.

Under normal circumstances, princes of Qin Kingdom would live in the palace until age sixteen, each with their own palace halls. Only after sixteen would they move out of the palace and establish their own residences. However, because Qin Jingsu and Qin Jingyuan had a very good relationship as children, the two lived together. It wasnʼt until Qin Jingyuan turned sixteen that the two left the palace together.

Although this palace hall had been unoccupied for a long time, the layout and furnishings inside remained exactly as they had been originally.

Looking at this familiar place, Qin Siyao couldnʼt help but think of her eldest and second brothers. Her eyes lowered gently, and her jade hands unconsciously gripped her dress. However, she quickly forced herself to be spirited and continued following beside her father.

”Back in those days, when your eldest brother was just born, I walked back and forth outside, my heart extremely anxious. Only when your eldest brother truly came into the world did my heart finally settle down. However, as the eldest son, I never gave Jingsu a pleasant expression.”

The Qin Kingdom’s ruler adjusted his sleeves and said with a smile, changing how he referred to himself from ”zhen” to ”I.”

”Back then, I was extremely strict with Jingsu. Whenever he did something wrong, at the lightest I would scold him, at worst I would beat him.
And at that time, he was only a three-year-old child.

Actually, I knew that Jingsu was already doing very well but I always felt it wasnʼt enough.

Your mother couldnʼt bear to see me beat and scold Jingsu either. However, even though your motherʼs heart couldnʼt bear it, she knew that your eldest brother might assume the role of Qin Kingdomʼs ruler in the future and had to be strictly disciplined, so she didnʼt stop me.

Later, your second brother was born.

When your second brother was born, your eldest brother was very happy.

First, because he was going to have a younger brother.

Second, because your second brotherʼs birth made your eldest brother feel that with a younger brother, my attention wouldnʼt always be on him, and I wouldnʼt constantly beat and scold him.

The day your second brother was born, your eldest brother waited outside the door for a long time.

When your eldest brother saw his younger brother, his entire face lit up with joy.

After that, your eldest brother took better care of his younger brother than I, his father, did.

At that time, he was only three and a half years old.

As the two gradually grew up, your second brother would constantly run after your eldest brother.

Your eldest brother also lived more happily than before.

Because I, your father, wouldnʼt only focus on your eldest brother anymore, but would also watch your second brother.

And with a younger brother, he wouldnʼt feel lonely.

Later, after your mother had you, your second brother also took on the appearance of being an older brother.”

Speaking thus, a gentle light flashed in Qin Shengtianʼs eyes.

”Actually, I knew that your eldest brother had no interest in the throne whatsoever.

Compared to being the crown prince of Qin Kingdom, your eldest brother preferred the life of a free-wandering crane. He wanted more to be a carefree cultivator, expressing his feelings among the mountains and waters.

Your eldest brother saw things too clearly.

He knew that power wasnʼt anything particularly good.

For foolish people, power is a tool for better indulgence but for people with aspirations and responsibilities, power is a weight they must bear for life, from when you take it up until you die.

Originally, your eldest brother simply thought that as long as he had a younger brother, Jingyuan could become the crown prince, and he could leave the court but unexpectedly, your eldest brother also became somewhat unable to bear it.

Jingsu knew that Jingyuanʼs personality was somewhat stubborn. He felt that if he ascended to the throne, he would likely work himself to death in that position.

And it was at that time that Jingsu developed the resolve to become crown prince.

Your second brother was naturally strong-willed, admired your eldest brother, and also wanted to surpass your eldest brother, so regarding the crown prince matter, your second brother truly wanted to compete with your eldest brother.

Originally, I was happy to see this happen.

Under such competition, the two would grow faster together.

When Jingyuan proposed ʼmarrying the Princess of Jin Kingdom to scheme against Jin Kingdom,ʼ I also knew this matter would certainly be extremely dangerous for him but in my heart, I thought, I thought Jingyuan could turn danger into fortune and our Qin Kingdom would greatly defeat Jin Kingdom, even swallow this major threat in one stroke!

When your eldest brother wanted to campaign against Jin Kingdom to avenge your second brother, if I had been firmer and not let your eldest brother go, perhaps your eldest brother wouldnʼt have met with disaster.

But at that time, what I thought was that it would be good for your eldest brother to resolve his inner conflict. Moreover, having the crown prince campaign, and for his younger brotherʼs revenge no less, would greatly boost the morale of our soldiers.

But unexpectedly, both your eldest and second brothers died on the battlefield because of my selfishness.

I failed them.”

”Father.” Qin Siyaoʼs eyes reddened as she gripped her fatherʼs hand. ”Father must not say such things. Your daughter believes that whether itʼs Eldest Brother or Second Brother, neither would blame Father.”

”Yes.” Qin Shengtian lifted his head and exhaled deeply. ”With your eldest and second brothersʼ personalities, how could they possibly blame me? But how can I not blame myself?”

”Father.” Qin Siyao pressed her thin lips together, not knowing how to console him.

”Iʼm fine.” Qin Shengtian smiled and patted his daughterʼs hand. ”Letʼs go, letʼs wander around some more.”

”Mm.”

Qin Siyao nodded, wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, and took one last look at the palace where her eldest and second brothers had once lived.

Qin Shengtian continued walking with his daughter.

The places they walked through were all courtyards that Qin Siyao and her two brothers had frequently visited as children.

Like the grasslands of Sacred Heart Garden, where Qin Shengtian brought his wife and others to enjoy themselves. At that time, Qin Jingsu and Qin Jingyuan were reciting texts, while Qin Siyao happily chased butterflies nearby.

Like the lotus pond of Summer River Garden, where Qin Siyao ran after her eldest and second brothers and accidentally fell into the water. Fortunately, a maid pulled her up in time, but when Qin Shengtian heard about it, he still severely reprimanded Qin Jingsu and Qin Jingyuan.

Like the forest of Autumn Moon Garden, where every autumn, Qin Shengtian would bring Empress Shi and his children to appreciate the autumn scenery, then quiz his two sons on their studies. Qin Siyao loved watching her two brothersʼ awkward and nervous expressions when they couldnʼt answer their fatherʼs questions. It was very amusing.

Before they knew it, as they walked, it was already noon.

”Father, letʼs go back. Itʼs time for lunch.” Qin Siyao said.

”No rush. Just ahead is Hongxiu Palace where your mother used to live. Your father is a bit tired. Letʼs go sit there for a while, then return.” Qin Shengtian said.

”Alright.” Qin Siyao nodded without thinking much of it.

The two finally walked to Hongxiu Palace.

Hongxiu Palace now had not a single palace maid and appeared quite desolate.

Qin Siyao cleared the accumulated snow from the stone stools in the courtyard, then helped her father sit down before sitting beside him.

At this moment, fine snow began falling from the sky again, as if the white clouds hanging in the sky had shattered into pieces.

”Thinking back to those days, when your grandfather passed away and I had just assumed this position, each family and clan sent their clanʼs daughters over.”

A trace of reminiscence flashed through Qin Shengtianʼs eyes, along with an extremely rare tenderness.

”How could I not know what those aristocratic clans meant?

They simply wanted, since I hadnʼt yet married, for their clanʼs daughters to become Qin Kingdomʼs empress.

At worst, they wanted them to become consorts but at that time, I, your father, hadnʼt even stabilized my position yet. If I had married a daughter of an aristocratic clan, I might not have been able to better control court affairs.

Moreover, I devoted myself entirely to court matters. Every day I couldnʼt finish reviewing memorials. How could I have the mind to think about romantic matters?

But some things, it seems, arenʼt something you can avoid just because you donʼt want to do them.

One day, after finishing reviewing memorials, I casually walked around to clear my mind and ended up coming to this place.

At that time, your mother was sitting in this very position, eating peach blossom pastries one after another.

She stuffed her mouth full, like a hamster.

What made me most amused and exasperated was that when your mother saw me coming, though I was clearly wearing the yellow imperial robes, the first thing your mother did wasnʼt bow to me, but instead hurriedly stuff the remaining pastries from the jade plate into her mouth, as if afraid I would eat her pastries.

At that time, I thought, how could there be such a gluttonous woman? And yet she was so beautiful but it was precisely this kind of woman who made me, whenever I had leisure time, bring some pastries and come to Hongxiu Palace to chat with her.

For your mother, compared to me as a person, pastries seemed to have more appeal to her.”

Speaking thus, the Qin Kingdom’s ruler smiled.

”Later, after I completely stabilized the court, I formally married your mother.

After your mother became empress, at first she didnʼt know what to do, but she constantly learned how to manage the rear palace, frequently read classics of the various philosophical schools, and contemplated how to be a good empress.

Regarding her own clan, your mother never showed favoritism. Whenever Shi family descendants wanted to enter the court as officials, the greatest obstacle wasnʼt me, but rather your mother.

Gradually, those aristocratic families who had originally opposed your mother becoming empress all fell silent.

Even among the common people, your motherʼs reputation grew greater and greater, and she was called a virtuous empress by Qin Kingdomʼs citizens and the student surpasses the master.

Siyao, Father also believes in you. As long as you want to do something and earnestly pursue it, you will certainly accomplish it.”

Qin Shengtian turned his head, smiled at his daughter, his expression carrying some pride.

”Siyao, during these nearly three years, youʼve become very skilled at handling various government affairs. Whether military matters, agriculture, or civil education, you have your own insights.

Yesterday, I showed the memorials you reviewed to Prime Minister Li and the others. They all praised you highly.”

”Itʼs all thanks to Fatherʼs good teaching.” Qin Siyao shook her head. ”Moreover, when your daughter encounters things she doesnʼt understand, not only does she have Father, but also her husband to explain things to her.”

”No, what Xiao Mo and I can teach you is limited.”

Qin Shengtian shook his head with relief.

”Youʼre truly very talented. Actually, Father has known for a long time that youʼre actually more intelligent than many, many people.

Whether in cultivation, governance, or other matters, youʼre more talented than Jingsu and Jingyuan.

You perhaps havenʼt even realized it yourself, but compared to many monarchs and nobles, youʼre far more excellent.

Itʼs just that in the past, Siyao, you were ordinarily a bit lazy. However, Siyao, youʼre still too kind.

The thoughts of those court officials, many youʼre not unable to understand, but you always feel they might not be as bad as you think in your heart but most of the time, those court officials are exactly as bad as you think.”

Qin Shengtian continued, as if giving his daughter final teachings.

”Siyao, you must remember, donʼt be afraid to speculate about others with the greatest malice.

Siyao, you must also remember, donʼt treat everyone as a bad person. The world also has no shortage of idealistic people.

Siyao, you must especially remember, water can carry a boat but can also overturn it. No matter what, donʼt let the common people lose hope, lose their livelihood.”

”Father.” Qin Siyaoʼs eyes wavered, and her eye sockets couldnʼt help but redden.

”Silly daughter, Father is just talking with you. Why do you look like youʼre about to cry?”

Qin Shengtian smiled.

”Alright, alright, enough of that. The imperial kitchen seems quite close to Hongxiu Palace. Why donʼt you go to the imperial kitchen and casually make two dishes? Weʼll eat lunch right here. How about it?”

”Yes, Father.” Qin Siyao wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes. ”Your daughter will go right away. Father, please wait a moment.”

”Mm, good.” Qin Shengtian nodded.

Qin Siyao gathered her dress and ran out of Hongxiu Palace.

In the spacious front courtyard, Qin Shengtian removed the jade pendant from his waist.

Without the magical treasureʼs concealment, Qin Shengtianʼs life flame, like an ember that could be extinguished at any moment, was exposed to the heavy snow.

”Xinʼer, soon, Iʼll be coming to see you all.”

Qin Shengtian looked beyond the courtyard gate and murmured softly.

”Itʼs just that, after Iʼm gone, Siyao will truly be all alone.

Will that Xiao Mo boy bully her?

Can she really hold up by herself?

Was I truly wrong to give her this heavy burden?

Sheʼs just a woman, a daughter weʼve always doted on.

Iʼm truly selfish, truly not a qualified father.”

Qin Shengtianʼs consciousness grew heavier and heavier. His vision became increasingly blurred. Gradually, he could no longer hear the sounds around him, nor could he feel the cold.

”Siyao, forgive Father for giving everything to you.”

”Siyao, forgive Father for being unable to accompany you.”

”Siyao, Father... is gone.”

The manʼs hands rested on his knees, his back straight as he sat on the stone stool. His eyes slowly closed, never to open again.

”Father, I casually made two dishes. Please see if theyʼre to your taste.”

Half an hour later, Qin Siyao carried a food box and jogged into Hongxiu Palace. However, when Qin Siyao entered Hongxiu Palace and saw her father sitting on the stone stool with his eyes closed, Qin Siyaoʼs expression froze like an icy lake.

Her footsteps involuntarily slowed, and her fingers gripping the food box tightened.

The woman pressed her thin lips tightly together and walked step by step toward her father.

”Father, your daughter made three dishes. One is braised spicy chicken, another is steamed moon-snow fish, and a warming pork heart soup.”

Her voice trembled.

Even though her father showed no response whatsoever.

She still spoke the names of the dishes while taking them out from the food box, placing them on the table, and serving her father a bowl of rice.

”Father... time to eat.”

Tears streamed down the womanʼs eyes, dripping onto the steaming hot rice.

”Time to eat, Father.”