sbdcsierra Chapter 1297 Nanxi's Feelings
Chapter 1297 Nanxi's Feelings
Xiao Ce was not surprised when he heard Nan Xi's words.
In truth, these words are utterly absurd to anyone who hears them...
As Xiao Ce spoke, he turned to Nan Xi and said, "Don't you find those things unbelievable...?"
Nan Xi nodded to Xiao Ce, then said, "That's right, that's indeed the case..."
As Nan Xi spoke, she looked at Xiao Ce's expression, and she always had a bad feeling.
She then turned to Xiao Ce and said, "Your Highness, what you said wouldn't be..."
Before Nan Xi could speak, Xiao Ce gave a wry smile, nodded to Nan Xi, and said, "That's right, what I said is true..."
Nan Xi's expression turned extremely grim after hearing Xiao Ce's words.
"What? That...is all true?"
Yin Pan'er said to Nan Xi, "Sister Nan Xi, that's right. Right now in Xiao Kingdom, we already have a machine... that machine can bring the dying back to life, and they are all invulnerable to weapons and have physical abilities far exceeding those of ordinary people..."
Nan Xi's expression turned ugly when he heard Yin Pan'er say that.
Xiao Ce continued, "Not only that, there are also many, many mechanical iron men outside... They are just like machines, and they have no pain or fear! As long as they are not destroyed, they can fight to the last moment."
Nan Xi's expression turned ugly after hearing Xiao Ce's words: "Then how come I've never heard of this before..."
Nanxi had no doubt about what they said.
He firmly believed it...
Xiao Ce said, "Because they have their own goals, and their goal isn't currently aimed at you..."
As Xiao Ce spoke, he recounted what had happened at the Creation Base.
Nan Xi listened to Xiao Ce's words...
If just anyone said that, Nanxi wouldn't believe a word they said.
However, it was Xiao Ce who said these words.
Xiao Ce did not hide anything from Nan Xi, including telling her about the Hidden Dragon Tomb.
Of course, Xiao Ce omitted the details of time travel.
After listening to Xiao Ce's words, Nan Xi remained silent for a moment before making a summary.
"So, Your Highness, you mean these people are from outer space... and their goal is to enslave our entire world, or even destroy our planet?"
This Nanxi truly lives up to her title as Empress; her comprehension and acceptance abilities far surpass those of ordinary people.
Actually, this is all thanks to the Tianji Academy.
The Tianji Academy compiled some knowledge into books, which were then given to the children to study.
These have all become basic knowledge, including some aspects of astronomy.
Just then, Xiao Ce nodded and said to Nan Xi, "Nan Xi, you don't need to be nervous. These things have nothing to do with you. Even if we fall, you will be the last to fall."
Upon hearing Xiao Ce's words, Nan Xi gave a bitter smile and then said to Xiao Ce, "Your Highness, you are truly joking. When the nest is overturned, no egg remains unbroken..."
Is there anything we need to do?
Xiao Ce smiled at Nan Xi, then waved his hand and said, "For now, maintaining the status quo is the biggest help you can give... Besides, I really didn't come here with any other intentions; I just wanted to come and see you all..."
Nan Xi nodded and said to Xiao Ce, "Alright, Your Highness, if you need any help, please don't hesitate to ask. We people of the Western Regions know very well that the prosperity of the Western Regions is inseparable from you... We would be willing to give up everything we have..."
Xiao Ce smiled and nodded at Nan Xi, then said, "Alright, I understand your feelings. Actually, it's not that I don't want to serve you. It's just that we simply don't know how..."
Seeing this, Nan Xi smiled and said, "Then come and look around... Let go of those things in your heart... perhaps it will be helpful..."
Xiao Ce raised his glass to Nan Xi and said, "That's right, that's exactly what I mean..."
The atmosphere instantly became more harmonious.
Just then, Gulimiza said to Xiao Ce with an eager expression, "Your Highness, do you think there is a way for Xiao Kingdom to be brought back to life...?"
After seeing Gulimiza's question, Xiao Ce nodded and then said to Gulimiza, "That's right, that's indeed the case. Of course, there are side effects... such as losing some memories... and I wonder if the machine creation base that gave us this can control it..."
Although Xiao Ce said this, he already had a definite answer in his heart.
However, even if it's confirmed.
Xiao Ce also did not intend to say it.
"What? Do you have family or friends who also have incurable diseases?"
Gulimiza nodded, then said to Xiao Ce, "Indeed, he's a servant who's been with me for a long time..."
As Gulimiza spoke, seemingly worried that this person's status wasn't high enough and he wasn't qualified, she added to Xiao Ce, "Your Highness... although this person is my servant, he's closer to me than my family..."
“Gulmiza, you don’t need to say that… I can give this machine to anyone. However, I still maintain that if there’s even a sliver of hope, I don’t recommend using it. Because nobody knows what the side effects might be, and nobody knows whether those side effects are acceptable…”
"Of course, if it's a situation where death is inevitable, then there's nothing that can be done!"
Gulmizza said, "I want her to give it a try..."
After Gulimiza spoke, it seems that Nanxi also sent someone to...
Xiao Ce already knew what was going on just by looking at them.
Before they could speak, Xiao Ce said to Gulimiza and Nan Xi, "Here's what we'll do: gather all these people together, and then prepare to go to Xiao Kingdom. I said I could bring them back to life, but let's discuss the pros and cons... As long as you have no objections, I naturally have no problem accepting them all..."
"There's only one requirement! It has to be someone you trust..."
After listening to Xiao Ce's words, they all nodded.
Clearly, they felt there was no reason not to go.
After all, the worst outcome is death, isn't it?
Is there anything worse than death? Probably not...
After a few rounds of drinks, it was getting late.
Nanxi said to Xiao Ce, "Your Highness, are you sure you don't want to inform General Dan and General Da Lei?"
Xiao Ce waved his hand.
He then remembered what Gulimiza had said earlier and asked Nanxi, "Nanxi, Gulimiza said their child, Danlei, is with you?"
After hearing Xiao Ce's words, Nan Xi smiled and said, "That's right, I didn't let him come because he was in class..."
Nanxi then turned to Xiao Ce and said, "Your Highness, would you like to see Dan Lei?"
Xiao Ce put down his wine cup, looked at Nan Xi, and nodded solemnly: "Nan Xi, take me to see Dan Lei. That child, it's been so long. When I last saw him, he was just... a newborn..."
Nan Xi was slightly taken aback, but upon hearing Xiao Ce's words, she was still somewhat pleased.
A knowing glint flashed in her eyes. She put down her silver chopsticks, gracefully wiped her lips with a handkerchief, and nodded, saying, "Alright. The child should be studying at 'Wenhua Pavilion' right now. I'll take the prince there."
Her gaze shifted to Yin Pan'er and Gulimiza, questioning them.
Yin Pan'er was incredibly intelligent and immediately understood.
She smiled gently, naturally took the arm of Gulimiza beside her, and said to Nanxi and Xiao Ce, "Sister, Your Highness, please go ahead. I just heard from Sister Miza that her trading company has acquired a batch of excellent Hetian jade and is looking forward to inviting me to appraise it."
"Since I've come all the way to the Western Regions, I must broaden my horizons and pick out some new and interesting things for my sisters in the capital."
Her words were impeccable, giving her a reason to leave while also making it seem reasonable.
Gulimiza reacted quickly, immediately replying with just the right amount of enthusiasm and intimacy: "That's right! Sister Pan'er, that batch of jade is of excellent quality, warm and smooth like grease. I specially kept a few of the best pieces, just waiting for an expert to appreciate them. Sister has a discerning eye, she will surely be able to pick the best."
As she spoke, she stood up and gave a graceful bow to Xiao Ce and Nan Xi, "Your Highness, Your Majesty, then Sister Pan'er and I will take our leave now?"
Xiao Ce and Nan Xi exchanged a glance. Both were shrewd; how could they not see through the two's deliberate attempt to deceive them?
A knowing smile flashed in their eyes.
The two women worked together seamlessly, their actions were tactful and aboveboard, leaving no room for criticism, yet their intentions were made crystal clear.
However, Xiao Ce was not happy because the two of them were generous.
On the contrary, I feel somewhat disappointed.
After all, palace dramas are all about scheming and plotting to win favor.
However, things are completely different for him, strictly speaking.
Yin Pan'er and Gulimiza are both her women, especially Gulimiza, who hasn't seen her for so long.
She was actually being so polite...
"Go ahead, spend some time with Pan'er," Nan Xi nodded and said gently.
In fact, Nanxi also hoped to have a chance to be alone with Xiao Ce.
After she finished speaking, she gave Zhou Huai'an a wink. Zhou Huai'an immediately understood, bowed and took his leave, and went to arrange for the guards to clear the area to ensure that Xiao Ce and Nan Xi's path to Wenhua Pavilion was quiet and undisturbed.
The clever little mudskipper followed behind Yin Pan'er, glanced curiously at Xiao Ce and Nan Xi, and was then gently pulled away by Yin Pan'er.
In an instant, only Xiao Ce and Nan Xi remained in the warm pavilion. The air seemed to quiet down, with only the faint crackling of the candlelight and the distant, indistinct hustle and bustle of the city remaining.
As the liveliness and enthusiasm of the banquet faded, a subtle atmosphere, tinged with both tension and anticipation, quietly spread.
"Let's go, my lord."
Nanxi stood up, her bright yellow brocade robe shimmering softly under the lamplight.
She did not summon any palace maids, but personally led the way for Xiao Ce.
The two walked out of the warm pavilion side by side and entered the corridor connecting to the main hall.
As night deepened, the lights of the Western Regions Protectorate, like stars embedded in the mountains, adorned the magnificent buildings, making them resemble a fairyland.
The corridors are winding and secluded, with exquisite tapestries depicting the scenery and historical legends of the Western Regions hanging on both sides. Moonlight shines through the carved window frames, casting dappled shadows on the floor.
The sound of their footsteps echoed softly in the empty corridor, and for a moment no one spoke.
Xiao Ce's gaze fell on Nan Xi's profile...
At this moment, having shed the majesty of an empress, Nanxi's brows carried a faint trace of weariness, which only accentuated her exquisite features, and her skin shone like jade in the moonlight.
He could sense the slightly accelerated heartbeat and a barely perceptible stiffness beneath the deliberate calmness maintained by the person next to him.
Her aura, as pure and cold as a snow lotus, became even clearer in the quiet night.
Nanxi's heart was also churning with emotions.
Xiao Ce's tall figure was right beside her, and that familiar aura, carrying a powerful sense of strength, enveloped her.
Years have passed, and his composure has deepened, but his eyes remain as profound as when we first met, as if they could see right through people's hearts.
Countless times when she was alone in the deep palace, she thought of him, of his heroic figure when he turned the tide and helped her restore her country, and of his burning gaze when he talked about his ideals for the new policies.
Now that the person is right before my eyes, so close, those feelings buried deep in my heart surged forth like thawing spring water, almost bursting through the dam of reason...
She could feel her cheeks burning slightly, and could only lower her eyes slightly, focusing on the path beneath her feet...
A moment of silence fell between them, until Nanxi finally broke the delicate stillness, his voice clear and melodious in the night: "Your Highness...you've had a hard time all these years."
This sentence contains so much: heartache for his tireless efforts, concern for his stirring up trouble in the West, and admiration for his unwavering commitment to his ideals.
Xiao Ce turned his head to look at her and said softly, "Serving the country and the people is nothing to brag about. But you have managed to govern such a vast Western Region so well, making it so prosperous and orderly, far better than I had imagined. That is the real hard work, and it is truly remarkable."
His words were sincere, filled with undisguised admiration.
Nan Xi felt a warmth in her heart, having received Xiao Ce's affirmation.
A faint smile unconsciously appeared on her lips, like the first melting of snow. With a touch of shyness, she said to Xiao Ce, "If it weren't for Your Highness's strong support back then, using all of Xiao Kingdom's resources to open up trade routes, establish new systems, and leave behind General Dan, Gulimiza, and other capable generals of Xiao Kingdom, Nan Xi alone would hardly have achieved what we have today."
"Your Highness... is the benefactor who restored the Western Regions."
As she spoke, Nan Xi stopped, turned around, and faced Xiao Ce with a serious expression, her clear, cold phoenix eyes filled with emotion...
Xiao Ce stopped and turned to look at Nan Xi, noticing her expression.
The two stood where the shadows of the corridor met the moonlight, their gazes meeting in the air.