amaotonovel Chapter 1296 It seems the world is about to descend into chaos.
Chapter 1296 It seems the world is about to descend into chaos.
He gave a gentle smile, like the first melting of snow!
"haven't seen you for a long time."
She took a deep breath, as if she wanted to say something, but a thousand words stuck in her throat, and in the end, they only turned into a soft sigh with a sob: "You...you've finally come!"
She subconsciously took a step forward, as if she wanted to reach out her hand, but the emperor's composure and the gazes of the many officials around her made her stop her movement. However, her slender fingers, tightly clenched in her sleeve, had already turned slightly white from the force.
Xiao Ce was somewhat stunned by Nan Xi's reaction...
Yin Pan'er, meanwhile, was observing Xiao Ce and Nan Xi with a somewhat scrutinizing gaze...
She was clearly asking if Xiao Ce was hiding something from her...
Xiao Ce and Nan Xi were indeed just business partners before.
However, Xiao Ce was actually rather slow to react at that time, or perhaps things were simply a mess.
Nanxi was focused on restoring his kingdom, so neither of them had that thought at the time.
However, after Xiao Ce helped Nanxi unify the country, the Western Regions Federation was established, and the Xiao Kingdom subsequently provided strong support to the Western Regions.
The Western Regions are developing rapidly, and as Nanxi thinks about her past with Xiao Ce, the feelings that were planted sometime ago begin to grow...
Moreover, as East Asia grew stronger, her longing for Xiao Ce intensified.
After all, women are attracted to strength.
Moreover, what about a strong woman like Nan Xi? These days, she's been thinking day and night about what would happen if Xiao Ce came.
She definitely wouldn't miss out on Xiao Ce again!
However, despite her turbulent emotions, she didn't show it too much.
Forcibly suppressing his turbulent emotions, he turned his gaze to Yin Pan'er beside Xiao Ce, his excitement turning into genuine warmth and a hint of barely perceptible envy: "Pan'er, you're here too."
Yin Pan'er smiled and gave a graceful bow: "Sister Nanxi, it's been a long time. I hope you've been well."
She naturally placed her hand gently on Nanxi's arm, conveying silent comfort and support, skillfully defusing Nanxi's momentary loss of composure.
Nan Xi felt Yin Pan'er's thoughtfulness, his tense body relaxed slightly, and he returned a grateful glance.
Her gaze then fell on the little mudfish that was following closely behind Yin Pan'er, looking uneasy, with a hint of inquiry.
Clearly, Nanxi had misunderstood and thought the child was his.
Xiao Ce introduced at the opportune moment: "This child is called Little Mudskipper. We brought him from the capital. He's a clever child."
Nan Xi nodded slightly, not asking any further questions. His imperial majesty had largely returned, but the burning intensity in his eyes as he looked at Xiao Ce remained undiminished.
She turned to Zhou Huai'an and Gulimiza, who were standing to the side, her voice regaining its cool and calm tone, yet carrying an undeniable force: "Minister Zhou, Gulimiza, the Prince and Princess have come from afar and must be weary from their journey. Immediately prepare for them to bathe and change in Chengxin Palace, and serve them the finest feast. No one is to approach within a hundred paces of Chengxin Palace without being summoned!"
Zhou Huai'an and Gulimiza made a gesture of invitation.
Gulimiza personally escorted them. Chengxin Hall was not a council hall, but a quiet side hall located deep within the Western Regions Protectorate, built against the mountain.
Inside the hall, hot spring water was drawn and used to build several white marble bath pools of varying sizes. Steam rose from the pools, and low tables made of fragrant cedar wood, unique to the Western Regions, were placed beside them. On these tables were brand-new clothes and bath oils, exuding a delicate fragrance of calming snow lotus and jujube blossoms.
Outside the palace, the defenses were tight, with Zhou Huai'an personally leading men to guard the perimeter, ensuring that no one would disturb them within a hundred paces.
Seeing this environment, Xiao Ce couldn't help but sigh.
Xiao Ce said to Yin Pan'er, "Pan'er, what I love most is taking a bath... It's just that I haven't had the opportunity to do so lately, so I've had to put this hobby aside..."
After Xiao Ce said that, both Gulimiza and Yin Pan'er blushed.
After all, they were both... by Xiao Ce in the bath...
We were exhausted after the long journey.
Xiao Ce and Yin Pan'er, served by their maids, bathed and changed in adjacent baths.
The warm spring water washes away the fatigue of the journey, and the tense nerves slowly relax.
The little loach was led by an older palace maid to a small pond in a side room. Looking at the smooth, jade-like pond walls and the rising steam, the child was so nervous he didn't know what to do with his hands and feet. Only after the maid's patient reassurance did he cautiously step into the water, a look of unbelievable comfort spreading across his face...
He didn't seem quite used to this level of service...
An hour later, everyone looked completely refreshed.
Xiao Ce changed into a dark blue casual robe with cloud patterns, looking much more energetic. He hadn't taken a bath in quite some time...
Yin Pan'er wore a moon-white ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) embroidered with light gold lotus blossoms, exuding elegance and gentleness. She had initially intended to have Gulimiza serve her, but considering she had important business to attend to later, she refrained from making that arrangement...
The little loach also put on a well-fitting new set of fine blue cotton clothes. Although it was still a little reserved, its eyes were full of novelty and excitement.
Led by palace maids, they walked through the corridor and arrived at the warm pavilion on the other side of Chengxin Hall.
The warm room was brightly lit, but not glaringly so.
A large, low-legged table in the style of the Western Regions has been set up!
The table was laden with a dazzling array of delicacies from the Western Regions!
The steaming hot, crispy roasted whole lamb exudes an enticing aroma of cumin; the glistening, plump pilaf is garnished with raisins and dried apricots; golden-brown naan bread is stacked to the side; large platters of fresh, vibrant seasonal fruits; and several jugs of deep red, richly aromatic Western Region grape wine.
The air was filled with the mouthwatering aroma of food and spices.
Although the little mudskipper was following behind Xiao Ce, it was already sniffing the air with all its might, twitching its nose as it went...
Nanxi was already seated in the main seat, having changed out of her dragon-patterned everyday clothes and into a softer apricot-yellow brocade robe. Her hair was also looser, adorned only with a simple jade hairpin. She had lost some of the emperor's aura and gained more of the gentle grace of a mistress.
Gulimiza sat to her left, her crimson official robes now replaced by a light red casual dress, making her look radiant and beautiful. Chief Secretary Zhou Huai'an sat to her right, his expression respectful.
There were only four palace maids serving by his side, all of whom were Nanxi's absolute confidants, trained since childhood. Their movements were light and agile, and their eyes were calm.
"Your Highness, please take a seat, Sister Pan'er."
Nan Xi raised her hand in greeting, and when her gaze fell on Xiao Ce, the fleeting complex emotions she felt were well concealed, leaving only polite concern. "You must be tired from your journey. Have some food first to ease your fatigue. These are all Western Region delicacies. If Your Highness or Sister Pan'er doesn't like them, I'll have someone prepare some Central Plains cuisine..."
Xiao Ce waved his hand: "It's fine as it is. I've been wanting this for a while now..."
Yin Pan'er smiled and nodded in agreement.
As they spoke, they took the little loach and sat down in the spot that had been reserved for them.
The little mudfish said awkwardly, "Your Highness, I think I won't sit down."
The little loach said that, but it had never seen such a sight before. Its eyes widened as it looked at the table full of delicacies it had never seen before.
Xiao Ce said to the little mudskipper, "Sit down. Since I've brought you along, I'm not treating you like a servant..."
Seeing this, the little loach sat down and didn't stand on ceremony...
But he remembered the rules that Yin Pan'er had taught him on the way, and only dared to sip the warm milk tea poured by the palace maid, not daring to move around.
The banquet began, and the atmosphere was initially tinged with the awkwardness of a long-awaited reunion and the restraint of court etiquette!
The palace maids quietly served dishes and poured wine...
As the host, Nanxi first raised his glass to welcome Xiao Ce and his party.
After a few glasses of fine wine, the atmosphere in the warm pavilion gradually became lively.
Gulimiza began enthusiastically introducing the special dishes on the table, especially the unique marinating method of the whole roasted lamb. Yin Pan'er listened with great interest and asked questions from time to time.
Encouraged by Yin Pan'er, Little Mudskipper carefully picked up a piece of mutton that was cut up and coated with golden fat, put it in his mouth, and immediately squinted his eyes in happiness.
However, Xiao Ce keenly noticed that there was always a subtle sense of solemnity between Nan Xi's brows.
Although she was all smiles and laughter, her gaze would occasionally fall on him, filled with inquiry and a hint of barely perceptible worry.
Finally, after tasting an exquisite dessert, Nanxi put down the silver spoon, picked up a plain white silk handkerchief, and gently dabbed the corner of her lips.
The relaxed atmosphere inside the warm pavilion seemed to freeze for a moment.
She looked up, staring directly at Xiao Ce, and asked him, "
"Your Highness, your sudden arrival in the Western Regions was not officially announced beforehand, not even to Master Da Lei... Could it be that something urgent has happened in Xiao Kingdom... or in the West?"
Her tone was concerned, but the keen insight and sense of responsibility befitting an emperor made it impossible for her not to think deeper.
She knew Xiao Ce; unless there was a special reason, he wouldn't have appeared here so discreetly, or even somewhat abruptly.
Upon hearing this, the warm pavilion instantly fell silent!
The palace maid who was serving the dishes stopped what she was doing and stood at her sides.
Gulimiza's smile faded, and the same worry appeared in her eyes as she looked at Xiao Ce. Although Xiao Ce had told her he had come to see Da Lei and the Western Regions... she still felt that Xiao Ce wasn't the kind of person who would come to a temple without a reason...
Zhou Huai'an straightened his back, listening intently to Xiao Ce's answer.
Seeing the tense atmosphere in the room, Xiao Ce smiled slightly, then looked up to meet Nan Xi's slightly nervous gaze.
He slowly put down his wine glass, a gentle smile appearing on his face.
His actions and smile immediately eased the tense atmosphere considerably...
Xiao Ce smiled and said, "Nanxi! Relax. There is something going on, but it's not some imminent disaster for Xiao Kingdom or the Western Regions, so there's no need to be so tense."
He picked up a slice of melon and handed it to the little loach beside him, who was watching eagerly. The little guy immediately took it and started nibbling on it.
"Besides, my main reason for coming to the Western Regions this time is indeed to see you all! Although things outside are a tangled mess and I can't sort them out... I just wanted to come and clear my head..."
"I had long heard that the Western Regions are now the true heart of East Asia, and after coming here, I can confirm that it is indeed true. The grandeur of the Three Passes far exceeds my expectations. You, Miza, and everyone from the Western Regions have done an excellent job."
This must have warmed the hearts of both Nanxi and Gulimiza, especially Gulimiza, whose wheat-colored cheeks flushed slightly.
Xiao Ce changed the subject, his tone still calm but with a hint of deeper meaning: "There are indeed some things that I need to tell you in advance so that you can make plans early! This matter is not about the current war, but about a more covert and infiltrative threat."
Upon hearing Xiao Ce's words, the atmosphere at the scene instantly became tense again.
Nanxi and his group immediately tensed up.
Xiao Ce looked around, but no one spoke.
Nanxi immediately understood and said to Xiao Ce, "Your Highness, you can absolutely trust the people here! They're all on our side!"
After Nan Xi finished speaking, he asked, "What threat? Is it the Westerners' weapons, which are far superior to ours?"
"Actually, we do have some Western merchants here. Some of these Western merchants have said that while their weapons are powerful, they are far from overwhelming. I believe that with the development of our Tianji Academy, we can catch up with their technology in less than three years..."
After hearing Nan Xi's words, Xiao Ce shook his head and said, "No... those were actually threats that could be controlled by humans... Now a mysterious force has emerged... they are far beyond human imagination..."
Nan Xi immediately tensed up upon hearing this.
If anyone else had said these words, Nanxi would have thought they were exaggerating and trying to mislead people...
However, since these words came from Xiao Ce, they have a certain credibility...
Xiao Ce nodded, then asked, "Do you believe in the possibility of resurrection?"
Xiao Ce's words made Nan Xi smile helplessly: "Your Highness, you're joking with me again... How could such a technique possibly exist in this world... If such a technique existed, wouldn't the world already be in chaos?"
Xiao Ce did not answer Nan Xi directly, but continued to ask, "Do you think there are people in this world who are invulnerable to swords and spears and whose skills are several times better than Da Lei's?"
Upon hearing this, Nanxi frowned slightly and nodded: "Being invulnerable to swords and spears is unlikely... but there might be people more skilled than Da Lei!"
Xiao Ce said, "I meant that we can mass-produce people who are more skilled than Da Lei..."
Upon hearing Xiao Ce's words, Nan Xi replied without hesitation, "Impossible...that's absolutely impossible...how could it be? They're not machines, how could they be mass-produced?"
After hearing Nan Xi's words, Xiao Ce smiled slightly and continued to ask, "Then do you think there is a weapon in this world that can break through fine steel and is hundreds or even thousands of times stronger than current weapons?"
Nan Xi nodded: "I believe it will exist, but that's in the distant future, not now... If these things really existed, the world would probably be in chaos again!"