vrcanaries Chapter 1300 Future Plans
Chapter 1300 Future Plans
The two then looked at each other, their feelings for each other overflowing.
Xiao Ce's kiss finally landed on her slightly parted red lips, initially a tentative touch like a dragonfly skimming the water, filled with immense tenderness.
Her lips were soft and fragrant, with the salty taste of tears and a unique sweetness.
Gulimiza's body stiffened instantly, then went completely limp.
She responded awkwardly yet with boundless enthusiasm, her eyes tightly closed, clumsily mimicking his movements. Years of pent-up emotions surged forth like a flood bursting its banks.
She was no longer a girl forced to wait, but a woman bravely facing her desires. Her arms tightened, as if she wanted to meld herself into his body.
The kiss deepened, becoming tender and passionate. The moonlight fell silently, witnessing this belated intimacy.
The shadows of the grapevines swayed gently in the night breeze, whispering softly, as if providing accompaniment for the long-separated lovers.
After an unknown amount of time, until both of them were somewhat out of breath, Xiao Ce reluctantly stepped back slightly.
Gulimiza's cheeks were flushed as if she were drunk, her eyes were hazy, and her lips were slightly swollen and red, glistening alluringly in the moonlight.
She leaned against Xiao Ce's chest, panting heavily, her heart still pounding wildly.
"Your Highness..." she called softly, her voice carrying a languidness after being aroused and a sigh of satisfaction.
Xiao Ce rested his chin on the top of her head, inhaling the fragrance of jujube blossoms mixed with sunlight in her hair, his arms still tightly encircling her slender yet powerful waist.
"Ok?"
"Am I...am I dreaming?"
Gulimiza raised her head, her eyes still somewhat dazed, carrying a hint of uncertain vulnerability.
Xiao Ce felt a pang in his heart, and lowered his head again to place a gentle and solemn kiss on her lips.
“It’s not a dream, Miza.” He looked at her, his eyes deep and earnest. “I’m here, and you’re here too. I will make up for the regrets of the past with the future.”
This was not a frivolous promise, but the truest voice of his heart at that moment. Faced with this sincere and passionate emotion, he could not avoid it, nor did he want to betray it.
A startling light flashed in Gulimiza's eyes—a profound happiness born from being cherished and appreciated.
She stopped talking, but snuggled closer to him, her cheek pressed against his warm chest, listening to his steady and powerful heartbeat, and felt incredibly at ease.
The two sat in the pavilion, embracing each other, whispering under the moonlight, recounting their experiences since their separation and sharing their vague hopes for the future.
Gulimiza recounted her amusing experiences and difficulties at the Trade Bureau, while Xiao Ce shared some less somber experiences from the West. Time seemed to slow down and become exceptionally gentle at that moment.
As night deepened, the dew grew heavier. Xiao Ce felt the person in his arms shiver slightly. "Are you cold?"
he asked in a low voice.
Gulimiza shook her head, then nodded, snuggling closer to him: "It's a bit cold, but... I don't want to go back."
Xiao Ce chuckled, pulling her closer and warming her with his body heat. "Silly girl," he kissed the top of her head, "there's plenty of time. Let's go back, don't catch a cold."
Although reluctant, Gulimiza knew he was right and nodded obediently. Xiao Ce picked her up and carried her in his arms. Gulimiza gasped in surprise, then shyly buried her face in his chest. He carried her and walked steadily back to the bedchamber. The room was warm and cozy, with soothing incense curling gently from the burner.
Xiao Ce gently placed her on the large, soft bed. Gulimiza's heart raced again as she nervously watched him.
Xiao Ce bent down, once again...
This time, it was more intimate and lingering than it had been in the pavilion.
His hand traced the curves of her body, igniting flames.
Gulimiza's body melted in his arms, turning into a pool of spring water, responding awkwardly yet passionately, as if she wanted to pour out all the longing and desire accumulated over the years in this one night.
The gauze curtains hung down, concealing the enchanting atmosphere of the room.
Moonlight streamed through the window lattice, gently spilling onto the carpet in front of the bed, silently guarding this belated, passionate union.
...
The next morning.
Sunlight streamed through the delicate window lattices, casting dappled shadows on the smooth floor of the bedchamber. A faint, comforting scent of incense filled the air, along with a…
A subtle, languid, and ambiguous feeling.
Xiao Ce was awakened by a very familiar yet extremely urgent sound of footsteps and heavy breathing.
The footsteps, like heavy war drums, came from afar, pounding the ground with an undisguised urgency and power, sounding particularly abrupt in the quiet morning of the Protectorate.
Along with the sound of footsteps came that signature loud voice, which roared through the door:
"Your Highness! Your Highness! Are you inside? It's me! Da Lei has arrived! Your Highness! I've missed you so much!"
The sound was like a thunderclap from a clear sky, instantly shattering the tranquility of the morning and completely waking Xiao Ce from his deep sleep.
He suddenly opened his eyes, still a trace of lingering confusion, which was quickly replaced by clarity and a hint of helplessness.
Who else but Da Lei could have such a dynamic and energetic style, capable of turning any occasion into a training ground?
He subconsciously looked to his side.
Gulimiza was clearly awakened by the earth-shattering noise, rubbing her sleepy eyes, her gaze still somewhat dazed.
When she met Xiao Ce's gaze, the intense and intimate memories of the previous night instantly flooded back, and her wheat-colored cheeks flushed bright red, like a ripe apple.
Embarrassed, she quickly pulled up the quilt and covered herself completely, leaving only her messy black hair scattered on the pillow.
Xiao Ce looked at the bulge under the covers and chuckled. He sat up, the quilt slipped down, revealing his muscular upper body.
He was about to respond to the impatient guy outside the door when there was a rapid knocking.
"Your Highness, are you awake? It's me, Da Lei! Why did you come without even telling me?"
Upon hearing the noise, Xiao Ce subconsciously rubbed his temples.
"Da Lei, with all the noise you're making, do you think I'm fast asleep? Wait a minute..."
Upon hearing Xiao Ce's voice, Da Lei gave an awkward laugh: "Alright, Your Highness, did I wake you up...?"
Xiao Ce smiled helplessly, but he could still understand Da Lei's feelings...
At this moment, Gulimiza also remembered, and Xiao Ce, looking at the somewhat haggard Gulimiza, said, "Don't get up, rest a while longer..."
Looking at Xiao Ce's words, Gulimiza truly felt like she was about to fall apart...
She nodded obediently.
As Xiao Ce spoke, he opened the door.
Just as he was about to speak, Xiao Ce was genuinely surprised to see Da Lei looking completely drained...
Xiao Ce pointed at Da Lei and said, "Da Lei...you...you..."
Before Xiao Ce could speak, he saw General Dan, who was beaming, behind Da Lei.
General Dan said to Xiao Ce with a hint of annoyance, "Your Highness, you should talk to him... I told you Your Highness you were still asleep. He wouldn't listen... he insisted on coming..."
General Dan looked curiously into the house as he spoke...
Seeing General Dan's curious expression, Xiao Ce didn't follow her lead. Instead, he said to General Dan, "General Dan, it's been a long time..."
General Dan smiled and nodded at Xiao Ce: "Your Highness, yes... it's been a long time... I'm so happy to see you... By the way, you haven't met Dan Lei yet, have you..."
Xiao Ce smiled and said to them, "I saw him last night... Dan Lei is being taught very well."
General Dan gave an awkward smile: "It's all thanks to His Majesty Nanxi; I didn't have to put in much effort..."
Their lively scene attracted Yin Pan'er as well...
After Yin Pan'er arrived, General Dan and Da Lei both bowed to her.
Yin Pan'er greeted them warmly with a smile, "General Dan, Da Lei, there's no need for such formalities..."
Yin Pan'er glanced into the room and, seeing that Gulimiza was still asleep, said, "Everyone hasn't had breakfast yet, right? Let's have breakfast together."
General Dan nodded after hearing Yin Pan'er's words: "Alright, I remember the Prince used to like having breakfast together..."
Yin Pan'er said with a smile, "I've already sent someone to make arrangements..."
Then, she looked at Xiao Ce and said, "Your Highness, please invite His Majesty Nanxi over as well."
Xiao Ce smiled and nodded upon hearing this, then said, "Of course..."
Yin Pan'er made a gesture of invitation, and at that moment Gulimiza also came out of the house.
General Dan stood to the side with a gossipy look on his face...
Gulimiza blushed slightly as she greeted them, and General Dan and the others didn't say much, giving her an "I understand" look.
At Yin Pan'er's invitation, they went there.
Yin Pan'er still prepared a round table. When Nan Xi came over, her pretty face seemed a little haggard. Her bright yellow casual clothes made her skin look as white as snow, and there was a hint of gentleness between her brows.
Xiao Ce sat to her right, with Yin Pan'er next to him.
Gulimiza's cheeks flushed slightly, and her eyes occasionally drifted towards Xiao Ce, filled with the shyness and satisfaction of first love. She deliberately sat down below Yin Pan'er.
Da Lei and General Dan sat on the other side with their son Dan Lei. Dan Lei was full of energy, his big eyes curiously taking in the table full of delicious food and Uncle Xiao, whom he had never seen before. Da Lei, on the other hand, had two light dark circles under his eyes and tried his best to straighten his back, but the occasional little gesture of secretly rubbing his waist still betrayed his "hard work".
General Dan was beaming, occasionally giving Da Lei a reproachful glare before gently wiping the jam from the corner of his mouth. Little Mudskipper sat properly next to Yin Pan'er, but his eyes sparkled as he looked at the food he had never seen before, trying hard to suppress the urge to swallow.
Seeing this harmonious scene, Xiao Ce smiled knowingly...
He definitely enjoys being in a lively atmosphere...
"Come on, don't be shy, try our Western Region breakfast."
Nanxi smiled and took the lead, picking up a thin-skinned naan bread to signal everyone to start eating.
Da Lei broke the silence while eating: "Your Highness! You've finally arrived! You don't know, as soon as I heard you were here, I wanted to rush over in the middle of the night! Dan'er wouldn't let me, saying you had a long journey and needed to rest..."
As he spoke, he popped a baked bun into his mouth, which was so hot that he was panting as he ate it.
General Dan nudged him lightly with his elbow, annoyed. "You're so loud! The Prince and Princess have been traveling a long way and naturally need to rest. Do you think everyone sleeps like a pig like you?"
Danlei giggled, mimicking his mother: "Daddy's like a pig!"
Everyone couldn't help but chuckle. Xiao Ce also laughed, looking at Da Lei's aggrieved yet satisfied expression, and teased, "I think General Dan is right, with that much energy, you must have had a good workout last night!"
Da Lei blushed deeply, chuckled awkwardly, and dared not reply. General Dan, on the other hand, was quite poised and gave Xiao Ce a sidelong glance: "Your Highness, you're joining in the teasing too!" But his eyes were clearly filled with happiness.
Yin Pan'er smiled and smoothed things over, handing a piece of honey-smeared naan to Little Mudskipper: "Little Mudskipper, try this, it's sweet." She then beckoned to Dan Lei, "Lei'er, what do you want to eat? Auntie will get it for you."
Danlei immediately pointed to the plate of golden samsa: "Aunt Pan'er, I want that!"
Gulimiza regained her usual liveliness and began enthusiastically introducing the dishes: "Your Highness, Sister Pan'er, this is samsa, filled with mutton. It's best eaten hot. This milk tea is made with special spices; it warms the stomach and refreshes the mind. And this jam was made last autumn with wild sea buckthorn; it's sweet and sour and appetizing..."
Xiao Ce and Yin Pan'er sampled each dish, praising them highly. Xiao Ce especially loved the mutton samsa, eating two in a row. Yin Pan'er, on the other hand, had a particular fondness for the sweet pears and figs. The little loach ate cautiously, but its eyes grew brighter and brighter, clearly captivated by the novel and delicious flavors.
Looking at the scene before him, Nanxi smiled knowingly and then asked, "Your Highness, you've come all this way not only to see us and the changes in this land, but also to see if you have any specific plans for the future? Is there anything in the Western Regions that I can fully cooperate with?"
Xiao Ce put down his milk tea cup, his smile still gentle, but a subtle, complex emotion flickered deep in his eyes. He glanced around at everyone sitting at the table, his gaze lingering on each familiar or new face for a moment, as if trying to etch this heartwarming scene into his heart.
Xiao Ce's voice was steady and clear: "Nanxi, Mizha, General Dan, seeing the Western Regions so prosperous and stable under your governance, with people living in peace and contentment, trade routes running unimpeded, the new army valiant, and children carefree... I am truly gratified and relieved. This is even better than I had imagined. I came here to see you all... seeing that you are all well, I will now go and visit other places..."
Nan Xi didn't interrupt, but just looked at Xiao Ce with curiosity.
Xiao Ce then said to Nan Xi, "Next stop, let's go to India. See Eva, and my child whom I've never met... We'll also visit the Northern Desert Royal Palace along the way. After picking up Eva in India, we'll go to the Slavic countries; there seems to be an ancient ruin and tomb there..."