Chapter 536: Chapter 440: Now It’s Big Sister’s Turn

Xiao Mo did not refuse, following Qin Siyao to her chambers.

Hanjiu Hall wasn’t quiet at the moment; in fact, it was rather lively.

After all, Qin Siyao had only recently entered the palace, so most of the Palace Maids had little to do.

A few of them had gathered to chat, idly working on the tasks at hand.

However, when they saw their mistress and Your Majesty enter Hanjiu Hall, they were startled and hurried forward, kneeling on either side and calling out in unison:

"We servants welcome Your Majesty and Lady Mu back to the palace..."

"You may rise."

Xiao Mo nodded, allowing them to rise.

"Go on about your duties. There is no need to be so formal in Hanjiu Hall, just as long as you don’t break the rules."

Qin Siyao added with a wave of her hand.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. Thank you, Lady Mu," the maids chorused.

Paying them no more mind, Qin Siyao led Xiao Mo into the room.

"Brother Your Majesty, please have some tea first."

Qin Siyao guided Xiao Mo to a seat, poured a cup of tea, and offered it to him with both hands.

Xiao Mo glanced at the teacup in Qin Mujiu’s hands, a hint of hesitation in his expression.

"Could it be that Brother Your Majesty is worried Mujiu would poison you?" Qin Mujiu asked with a soft laugh, seeing his expression. "Please rest assured, Brother Your Majesty. Mujiu would sooner poison herself than allow even the slightest harm to come to you."

"Beloved Consort, you misunderstand. How could I possibly worry that you would use poison? I was merely pondering what thoughts are currently occupying your mind."

Xiao Mo glanced at the woman before him and took the teacup.

Although Xiao Mo’s use of "Beloved Consort" to address Qin Mujiu sounded somewhat intimate, it actually concealed a greater sense of distance.

Naturally, Qin Siyao detected the wariness in Xiao Mo’s tone and knew he was intentionally alluding to the events of the previous night.

But Qin Siyao paid it no mind, smiling as she replied, "Then has Brother Your Majesty managed to guess what I am thinking right now?"

"I cannot guess."

Xiao Mo shook his head and took a sip of tea.

"This morning, National Master Jiang told me that you, Mujiu, and Ruxue both desire the same thing. I have thought long and hard, but I truly cannot imagine what, in this small Imperial Palace, could possibly interest both you and Ruxue."

"Indeed..."

A faint smile played in Qin Mujiu’s eyes as she gazed deeply into Xiao Mo’s.

"I wonder what it could be? It certainly is a difficult thing to guess."

"Then would my Beloved Consort be willing to satisfy my curiosity?" Xiao Mo asked.

"Please forgive me, Brother Your Majesty. There are some matters whose consequences are too grave. I cannot tell you about them just yet."

A flicker of guilt flashed in Qin Siyao’s eyes.

This was especially true as she recalled what Bai Ruxue had written in their agreement the previous night, which had also confirmed some of her own suspicions.

An even heavier, more worried look flickered in her eyes.

However, it was only for an instant. Qin Siyao quickly suppressed all the emotions that had surfaced in her eyes.

"Although I am unable to tell you everything right now, Brother Your Majesty, please rest assured. One day, once I have dealt with everything, I will be sure to tell you. But before that, Brother Your Majesty will need to wait a little longer."

Qin Siyao looked at Xiao Mo with a smile.

"But enough about that, I’ve almost forgotten the important business at hand." Qin Siyao changed the subject. "I have a gift for you, Brother Your Majesty..."

"A gift?" Xiao Mo asked, puzzled.

"Yes. You could consider it part of my dowry. Please wait a moment, Brother Your Majesty."

With that, Qin Siyao walked to the side of the room, retrieved a small box from a chest, and placed it before Xiao Mo.

The box opened to reveal a mask and a small clay figure.

The moment Xiao Mo saw the small clay figure and the mask,

his heart began to race, beating uncontrollably faster.

Xiao Mo was certain he had never seen these two items before, yet they felt incredibly familiar.

In fact, Xiao Mo felt that these two items were exceptionally important to him!

It was as if these two items had always belonged to him.

The feeling was truly strange.

"I sculpted this little clay figure when I was a child and have kept it ever since."

Just as Xiao Mo was lost in these strange emotions, Qin Siyao spoke with a smile.

"I always thought that when I one day married, I would give this little clay figure to my future husband. And now, I finally have that chance."

"As for this mask, don’t mind that it looks a bit old and has some rust spots, Your Majesty. It has a long history. Legend has it that it is a traditional facial ornament from the Ancient Qin Kingdom."

"It is said that during major festivals in the Ancient Qin Kingdom, men would wear this type of mask to perform war dances, praying for peace and blessings."

"I think this mask would look wonderful on you, Brother Your Majesty. Would you like to try it on?"

As she spoke, Qin Siyao blinked, looking at Xiao Mo with great anticipation.

Looking at the mask on the table, Xiao Mo reached out and placed it on his face.

Xiao Mo lifted his head to look at his reflection in the room’s silver mirror, his expression growing increasingly dazed.

Shaking his head, Xiao Mo collected his thoughts and moved to take the mask off his face.

"Brother Your Majesty, wait..." Qin Siyao gently took hold of Xiao Mo’s wrist.

"What is it?" Xiao Mo asked.

"I want to look a little longer," Qin Siyao said, smiling at Xiao Mo.

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