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

### Chapter 208: I Found Him, But He Can't Find Me Xiao Mo halted his steps, his gaze falling upon the woman standing before him. He gently waved a hand, instructing, “Fetch a jar of the finest osmanthus wine.” “Yes, Your Majesty.” Wei Xun quickly bowed and retreated. After Wei Xun departed, Xiao Mo approached the woman, asking, “I wonder what Fairy Jiang is looking at?” Jiang Qingyi did not avert her gaze, continuing to look upward with curiosity. “What is the purpose of this watchtower of yours?” “This watchtower doesn't have much use,” Xiao Mo replied. “It's a place where past rulers of the Zhou Kingdom would come to escape the frustrations of state affairs, a place for them to indulge in the view and clear their minds.” Jiang Qingyi nodded slightly, then inquired, “Does Your Majesty visit here often?” “Not really.” Xiao Mo chuckled. “Firstly, I have no state affairs to attend to. Secondly, the tower is so high, I’d probably exhaust myself climbing up.” Jiang Qingyi turned her head, her eyes blinking as she looked at Xiao Mo. “What’s wrong?” Xiao Mo asked, a bit puzzled. “Nothing.” Jiang Qingyi shook her head and turned her gaze back to the tower. Xiao Mo then proposed, “Would Fairy Jiang like to go up for a look?” “You just said you didn’t want to go up,” Jiang Qingyi noted. “It’s dull to go alone. But with company, it’s different,” Xiao Mo smiled. Jiang Qingyi paused briefly, then agreed, “Alright.” As the words fell, Jiang Qingyi took Xiao Mo by the wrist, leaping lightly to land on top of the watchtower. Together, they stood at the tower's peak, gazing out at the scenery. The gentle breeze toyed with their garments, brushing their cheeks and hair. Though the wind carried a hint of chill, it was invigorating. From this vantage point, the entire palace was laid out before them. Though the Zhou Kingdom was small, its palace was grandly built. It was also Xiao Mo’s first time seeing the entirety of the palace. Jiang Qingyi spoke softly, asking Xiao Mo, “Isn’t Your Majesty’s bedroom elsewhere? Why come here?” Xiao Mo rested his hands lightly on the railing, looking out into the distance. “The Empress Dowager invited me to Lingxin Palace today to reminisce and to try on the wedding dress. I just left from there.” “Oh.” Jiang Qingyi responded simply. Silence once again stretched between them. But Xiao Mo felt no awkwardness. During their time together, quiet moments had become common, for Fairy Jiang was never one for many words. After a quarter-stick of incense’s worth of time, Jiang Qingyi suddenly asked: “Is your future empress... beautiful?” “Hmm?” Xiao Mo was momentarily startled, not expecting her question. “She should be considered beautiful...” Xiao Mo replied. “After all, she’s hailed as the foremost talented woman and the most beautiful in Zhou. But, I’ve never seen her myself.” As he spoke, Xiao Mo's tone dwindled, followed by a light sigh. “This Miss Yan, she’s a pitiful person, talented and beautiful, she might never have wished to enter the palace. But, born into such a family, she may have had no choice.” “Heh.” As Xiao Mo finished, Jiang Qingyi let out a cold laugh. “What’s wrong, Fairy Jiang?” Xiao Mo noticed the change in her tone. There seemed to be some opinion about Yan Ruxue. “Nothing.” Jiang Qingyi turned her head to the other side, a hint of displeasure in her expression. Since she remained silent, Xiao Mo didn’t press further. In the days he'd spent with Fairy Jiang, he'd grown accustomed to her occasional mood swings. As they continued to look at the distant scenery, Wei Xun arrived below with the osmanthus wine, waving repeatedly. “What’s up with him?” Jiang Qingyi glanced down at Wei Xun and asked indifferently. “It’s the wine I asked him to bring earlier.” Xiao Mo explained with a smile. Jiang Qingyi slightly furrowed her brows. In the next moment, she extended her hand, and with a flick towards the wine jar in Wei Xun's hands, it flew into her grasp with ease. She unsealed it and tilted her head back to drink. The cool liquid trickled down her chin, slightly dampening her collar. After casually wiping her lips, Jiang Qingyi tossed the jar to Xiao Mo, simply saying, “Drink.” Xiao Mo: “...” “What is it?” Her tone carried a faint hint of a challenge. “Are you averse because I've drunk from it?” “It’s not that.” Xiao Mo laughed, accepting the jar. “Since Fairy Jiang doesn’t mind, what’s there for me to say?” With that, he raised the jar and drank heartily. Seeing Xiao Mo drinking from the same spot she had, a subtle flush crept beneath her veil. Xiao Mo lowered the jar, wiping his lips, and praised, “This wine is indeed excellent.” “It’s alright.” Jiang Qingyi responded softly, leaning gently against the railing. “Fairy Jiang seems troubled today, is something amiss?” Xiao Mo suddenly inquired, observing her profile. Jiang Qingyi tilted her head, questioning in return, “Why do you ask?” “Because I often see you lost in thought, as though burdened with many worries,” Xiao Mo replied with a gentle tone. “It's nothing much.” Jiang Qingyi snatched the jar from Xiao Mo, sideways taking a sip, “It’s just that I’m looking for someone.” “Someone?” “Mhm.” Jiang Qingyi bent down, her arms resting on the railing. “Is this person important to you?” “Not important.” “.” To Xiao Mo, this seemed contradictory. If not important, why search? “What’s that expression about, Your Majesty?” Jiang Qingyi noted his speechless look, squinting slightly. Xiao Mo shook his head, “I was just wondering, after Fairy Jiang finds this important yet unimportant person, then what?” Jiang Qingyi took another sip of wine. Perhaps it was the wine, but today, she spoke more than usual. “After finding him.” Her pale hand tightened around the jar. “I want to tell him I've grown up. I’m no longer that little girl. I've fulfilled my promise and become a capable sword cultivator. But. He’s no longer here.” Hearing her gentle words, Xiao Mo smiled, “This person must truly mean a lot to Fairy Jiang.” “I said! Not important!” Jiang Qingyi’s voice was firm. “Alright, then it’s not important.” Xiao Mo conceded to her words, “However, I believe that Fairy Jiang will find him, and he will be pleased with your accomplishments.” “What if I find him, but...” Jiang Qingyi tucked her hair behind her ear, her starry eyes like swords, as if weathered by eternal winds. After a long pause, she turned, meeting Xiao Mo's gaze directly: “I found him. But he can’t find me.” (End of the Chapter)