Chapter 392 - 333: Can You Like Me?

"Please, take care on your way out."

"Thank you for your hospitality, Frost King."

"You’re too kind."

At the entrance of Prince Shuang’s Mansion, Xiao Mo rubbed the corners of his eyes after seeing off several ladies.

These ladies were the wives and daughters of the Flame King, Qin Huo’s, friends.

Xiao Mo was so famous that many women wanted to meet him. But since he never attended any banquets, they had their husbands or fathers ask the Flame King for a favor.

And so, the Flame King had sought out Xiao Mo.

The Flame King had helped advance Xiao Mo’s career significantly. Besides, Xiao Mo considered him a decent person and figured they would have many more dealings in the future. As such, Xiao Mo found it difficult to refuse and agreed to meet with the ladies.

To be honest, Xiao Mo found dealing with these ladies and their daughters more exhausting than fighting on the battlefield.

After they left, Xiao Mo returned to his residence and continued reading a Spear Manual.

Not long ago, the Flame King had told Xiao Mo that his new appointment would be announced soon. He added that it would be far from simple and that Xiao Mo should be prepared.

Xiao Mo didn’t know what the Flame King meant by "far from simple."

But Xiao Mo felt that no matter the appointment, he just had to do his best.

Just as Xiao Mo was engrossed in the Spear Manual, Qin Siyao walked into the courtyard.

"Siyao, you’re here." Xiao Mo looked up at Qin Siyao for a moment before lowering his head to his book again.

Xiao Mo was already used to Qin Siyao visiting his home. He had even told the Maids, "The Princess may enter and leave Prince Shuang’s Mansion as she pleases, without being announced."

As a result, Prince Shuang’s Mansion had become like a second home to Qin Siyao.

"Mhm," Qin Siyao hummed. She then sat down beside Xiao Mo, her voice a little nervous. "I... I made some pastries. See if you like them..."

"Thanks." Xiao Mo nodded, picking up a mung bean cake and taking a bite. "It’s delicious."

"If you like it, then have some more." Qin Siyao poured Xiao Mo a cup of water.

"Mm."

Xiao Mo nodded, continuing to eat the pastries while reading the Spear Manual.

But as he ate, Xiao Mo realized something was off.

He looked up at the young woman beside him and asked with a smile, "Why do you keep staring at me?"

"I... I wasn’t staring at you..." Qin Siyao shook her head. "Besides, if you weren’t looking at me, how would you know I was looking at you?"

Xiao Mo: "..."

Ignoring Qin Siyao, Xiao Mo went back to the Spear Manual in his hands.

But Qin Siyao continued to watch him, her eyes blinking slowly.

It was as if Qin Siyao could look at Xiao Mo for a lifetime and never grow tired of the sight.

"Are you sure there’s nothing you need?" Xiao Mo asked, looking up again.

"What... What would I need...?" Qin Siyao pressed her legs together, placed her small hands on her lap, and shook her head.

"Alright, then..."

Xiao Mo didn’t press the matter.

Setting down the Spear Manual, Xiao Mo felt a sudden inspiration. He took out his Long Spear and began practicing his Spear Technique, trying to fully internalize its principles.

Qin Siyao remained on the stone bench, watching him.

"The Princess’s illness is called ’Qingxin’."

"The only prescription is called ’Xielao’."

"Your Highness, you’ve fallen for Xiao Mo..."

Watching the man brandish his Long Spear before her, Qin Siyao recalled Sister Hua Sheng’s words, a dazed look in her eyes.

’Am I falling for him?’

’Is this what it feels like to love someone?’

’Do I really love Xiao Mo?’

Qin Siyao lowered her head, her small hand involuntarily pressing against her rapidly beating heart. She could feel her pulse quicken as a lovely blush crept onto her cheeks.

"Siyao, are you really alright?"

After practicing his Spear Technique twice, Xiao Mo walked over and looked at the young woman before him.

The usual Siyao was never this quiet.

"I... I’m really fine..."

Qin Siyao shook her head forcefully.

After a moment, however, Qin Siyao timidly raised her head, fidgeting with her pale fingers, and asked Xiao Mo, "Xiao Mo, when I arrived earlier, I saw a number of ladies at your residence. Who were they?"

"Oh, them? They are some of the wives and daughters of the Flame King’s friends. They’ve been wanting to meet me, so the Flame King sought me out. I couldn’t very well refuse him," Xiao Mo said honestly. "Is that what you were thinking about?"

"Of... of course not..." Qin Siyao turned her head away. "I was just thinking, what if you took a fancy to one of those young ladies and became bewitched by them? If that happened, I wouldn’t be able to come and hang out with you anymore, would I?"

"Hahaha," Xiao Mo chuckled. "For now, that’s not going to happen."

Hearing Xiao Mo’s reply, Qin Siyao stole a glance at him. "Why not? You’ve already come of age and should be married by now. With so many people seeking you for marriage proposals, is there really not a single woman who has caught your eye?"

"There really hasn’t been..." Xiao Mo put away his Long Spear, sat down beside Qin Siyao, and poured himself a cup of tea.

"Are none of those women good enough? I think they’re all quite beautiful." For some reason, Qin Siyao felt a little happy inside.

"It’s not that they’re not good enough, it just feels like... they’re not right for me," Xiao Mo said, shaking his head.

"Not right for you? Then what kind of woman do you like?" Qin Siyao asked curiously, a strange nervousness tightening in her heart as she spoke.

"What kind..."

Xiao Mo thought for a moment before answering casually.

"First, she has to be good to my mother. And be well-read and sensible.

"Second, she must have a cheerful personality and not keep things bottled up inside. Otherwise, it would be exhausting.

"Furthermore, she should be considerate. It would be best if she were someone I’m already familiar with, not someone I marry through an arrangement made by our parents.

"And finally, she has to be good-looking."

Sitting beside him, Qin Siyao listened intently to Xiao Mo’s words, counting on her fingers as she committed each point to memory.

"Then, Xiao Mo... what do you think of how I treat Aunt Zhou?" Qin Siyao asked, looking up.

"You’re wonderful to her," Xiao Mo smiled. "My mother says you’ve visited her often over the years and brought her many tasty things to eat. My mother is very fond of you."

A sweet joy, like a fresh spring flowing through her, filled the young woman’s heart. "Then, Xiao Mo, do you think my personality is cheerful? Am I well-read and sensible?"

"You’re very cheerful, and you’re well-read and sensible," Xiao Mo nodded.

"Then, Xiao Mo, do you think I’m considerate?" the young woman continued to ask.

"I’d say so. You were the one who helped me out of that awkward situation when your eldest and second brothers brought me gifts."

"Then, Xiao Mo, are we familiar with each other?"

"Of course. We’ve known each other since we were six."

"Then, Xiao Mo, do you think I’m good-looking?"

"Of course you’re good-looking. I could even hear of Siyao’s fame while I was fighting in the Wei Kingdom."

"Then, Xiao Mo..."

The young woman lifted her head, looking at the man beside her with blinking eyes.

"Can you like me?"