bestfiction Chapter 263 Missing
Chapter 263 Missing
In the royal garden of the Nanzhao Kingdom's palace, flowers bloomed in profusion, their vibrant colors swaying gently in the breeze and releasing a rich fragrance. Xiao Nanyi wore a dark blue brocade robe, a bright yellow jade belt cinching his waist, from which hung a smooth jade pendant that tinkled melodiously with his movements. Xiao Nanyao, on the other hand, wore a pale yellow silk skirt embroidered with delicate butterfly patterns; with each step, she moved like a butterfly in flight.
Xiao Nan Yi and Xiao Nan Yao chased and played on the lawn of the Imperial Garden, their laughter echoing throughout the garden. Tired from playing, the two sat down on the lawn. Xiao Nan Yao gazed at the sky, a hint of melancholy in her eyes: "Brother, Mother has been gone for so long. When will she come back?"
Xiao Nanyi also looked up at the azure sky, his heart filled with longing: "Mother has gone to do something very important. She will come back when she finishes."
"But I miss my mother so much. I dream about her when I go to sleep at night." Xiao Nanyao's eyes were slightly red, and her voice was choked with sobs.
Xiao Nanyi reached out and gently touched Xiao Nanyao's head: "I miss my mother too, but we must be good and not let her worry."
At this moment, a eunuch hurried over and bowed respectfully to the two of them: "Your Highness, Your Highness, His Majesty, His Majesty summons you to the Imperial Study."
Xiao Nan Yi and Xiao Nan Yao exchanged a glance, stood up, and followed the eunuch toward the imperial study. Along the way, Xiao Nan Yao grew increasingly anxious, tightly gripping Xiao Nan Yi's hand: "Brother, could it be that Mother is coming back?"
Although Xiao Nanyi was also full of anticipation, she still comforted him, "Don't worry, you'll know when you get there."
Upon arriving at the imperial study, the two saw Xiao Jingchuan sitting on the dragon throne, reviewing memorials. Hearing footsteps, Xiao Jingchuan looked up, a gentle smile on his face: "Yi'er, Yao'er, come here."
Xiao Nan Yi and Xiao Nan Yao walked up to Xiao Jing Chuan and bowed, saying, "Father."
Xiao Jingchuan put down the memorial in his hand and looked at the two children: "Did you have fun in the Imperial Garden today?"
Little Nanyao pouted and whispered, "I'm happy, but I miss my mother a little. Father, when is Mother coming back?"
A hint of tenderness flashed in Xiao Jingchuan's eyes. He reached out and hugged Xiao Nanyao in his arms: "Yao'er, be good. Mother is going to take care of some important matters. I will be back soon."
"But it's been so long, and I've been looking forward to my mother coming back every day," Xiao Nanyao said, leaning against Xiao Jingchuan's chest, sounding aggrieved.
Xiao Nanyi stepped forward and asked earnestly, "Father, what exactly did Mother go to do? Why did she stay away for so long?"
Looking into the expectant eyes of his two children, Xiao Jingchuan felt a surge of affection. He sighed softly and said, "Mother has gone to find something important that can help the Nanzhao Kingdom. This matter concerns the future of our country, which is why Mother will be away for a while."
"Will Mother be in danger?" Xiao Nanyao asked anxiously, her eyes filled with worry.
“Mother has many powerful guards protecting her, she will be fine,” Xiao Jingchuan comforted her. “You must believe in Mother, she is very brave and intelligent.”
Xiao Nanyi nodded: "I believe in Mother. When Mother comes back, I want to show her all the paintings I've drawn during this time."
"I also want to give my handicrafts to my mother," Xiao Nanyao quickly added.
Xiao Jingchuan smiled and said, "Alright, when Mother comes back, she will be very happy to see how sensible you are. During this time, you must be good and listen to your father, understand?"
"Understood, Father," Xiao Nan Yi and Xiao Nan Yao said in unison.
Xiao Jingchuan chatted with the children for a while, inquiring about their studies and lives. Looking at their innocent smiles, his heart was filled with warmth.
Before they knew it, dusk was falling, and the afterglow of the setting sun shone on the windows of the imperial study, casting a golden glow. Xiao Jingchuan said to the two children, "It's getting late. You should go back to your palaces to rest. If you need anything, come to your father anytime."
"Yes, Father." Xiao Nan Yi and Xiao Nan Yao got down from Xiao Jing Chuan's arms, bowed, and turned to leave the Imperial Study.
On the way back to the palace, Xiao Nanyao held Xiao Nanyi's hand and said, "Brother, let's prepare a gift for Mother together and give her a surprise when she comes back."
Xiao Nanyi smiled and nodded: "Okay, let's do it together."
Back in their palace, Xiao Nanyi and Xiao Nanyao immediately got to work. They found colored paper, scissors, paintbrushes, and other tools. Xiao Nanyi was in charge of drawing, while Xiao Nanyao helped with cutting and pasting. As they worked, they imagined the scene when Gu Liuli returned, their faces beaming with happy smiles.
Night fell as dark as ink, silently enveloping the palace of the Nanzhao Kingdom. Moonlight streamed through the carved window lattices, illuminating every corner of the imperial study and bathing everything in a cool, silvery glow. Xiao Jingchuan sat alone on the dragon throne, his desk piled high with memorials, but his gaze was not on the dense text. Instead, he looked out at the bright moon hanging high in the sky, his eyes filled with longing and loneliness.
He gently put down the vermilion brush in his hand, slowly stood up, and dragged his slightly tired body to the window. The courtyard outside the window was quiet, with only the gentle breeze rustling through the leaves, as if whispering the loneliness in his heart.
"Liuli, where are you? Are you alright?" Xiao Jingchuan murmured softly, his voice echoing in the quiet room, filled with endless longing.
Recalling the day Gu Liuli left, the sky was overcast, as if it too was saddened by this brief separation. Gu Liuli was dressed in a light and sleek outfit, looking dashing and heroic, yet she couldn't hide the reluctance in her eyes.
"Your Majesty, I will do my utmost to reach the far north and live up to your and the expectations of the Nanzhao Kingdom." Gu Liuli's voice was firm yet gentle. At that moment, Xiao Jingchuan looked at her, his heart filled with pride, but also with worry.
"The journey ahead is long and fraught with danger, so you must be careful in everything you do." Xiao Jingchuan held Gu Liuli's hand tightly, as if he could transfer his strength to her and protect her.
Gu Liuli nodded slightly, tears glistening in her eyes: "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will definitely return safely."
Now, Gu Liuli has been gone for many days. Every day after finishing his official duties, Xiao Jingchuan would come to the Imperial Study alone, missing her. He recalled every little detail of his acquaintance and friendship with Gu Liuli; those beautiful memories twinkled in his mind like brilliant stars.
He remembered their first meeting. Gu Liuli, dressed in a light blue silk dress, danced gracefully in the Imperial Garden, like a blooming lotus flower, beautiful and captivating. Her smile, like the warm spring sun, instantly illuminated Xiao Jingchuan's heart. From that moment on, he knew that this woman would become the most important person in his life.
They strolled together in the imperial garden, admiring the beauty of the four seasons; they admired the moon together in the palace, discussing poetry and songs; they worked together for the prosperity of the Nanzhao Kingdom, facing various difficulties and challenges together. Those warm moments have now become Xiao Jingchuan's most precious memories.
"Your Majesty, it's late, you should rest." The voice of the personal eunuch interrupted Xiao Jingchuan's thoughts.
Xiao Jingchuan turned slightly, looked at the eunuch, and waved his hand: "You may leave now. I would like to sit for a while longer."
Helpless, the eunuch bowed and withdrew. Silence returned to the imperial study. Xiao Jingchuan sat back on the dragon throne, picked up a memorial, and tried to focus his attention on state affairs, but Gu Liuli's image kept lingering in his mind.
He recalled Gu Liuli's gentleness and thoughtfulness; whenever he was troubled by political affairs, she would always listen patiently and comfort him with warm words. He recalled Gu Liuli's exceptional intelligence; when facing national affairs, she could always offer unique insights and help him solve problems. He recalled Gu Liuli's kindness and compassion; she cared about the suffering of the people and often went to the countryside to bring them warmth and help.
"Liuli, without you by my side, this palace seems to have lost its vitality," Xiao Jingchuan said softly, his longing surging like a tide.
Before he knew it, night had fallen, but Xiao Jingchuan was wide awake. He stood up and slowly walked out of the imperial study, heading towards Gu Liuli's palace. Along the way, moonlight shone on him, casting a long shadow.
Upon arriving at Gu Liuli's palace, the room was quiet, filled with a familiar fragrance. Xiao Jingchuan quietly entered the room, sat down beside Gu Liuli's bed, and stroked the pillow and blankets she had once used, as if he could still feel her warmth.
"Liuli, please come back soon. The children and I are waiting for you." Xiao Jingchuan's voice was choked with emotion. He so wished that Gu Liuli would suddenly appear in front of him and give him a warm hug.
After a long while, Xiao Jingchuan slowly got up and left the palace. He knew that Gu Liuli was working hard for the future of the Nanzhao Kingdom, and he had to be strong and wait for the day she returned in triumph.
Back in the imperial study, Xiao Jingchuan sat back on the dragon throne, picked up his vermilion brush, and continued reviewing memorials. He told himself that only by handling national affairs well could he put Gu Liuli at ease and create a better Nanzhao Kingdom for her return.
In the far north, the world seemed shrouded in a vast white curtain, with howling winds carrying blizzards sweeping in like ferocious beasts. Gu Liuli and Jiu Li Mao had been exploring the ruins for a long time and were preparing to return when they were unexpectedly caught in this massive blizzard.
"This snow came so suddenly!" Gu Liuli tightened her cloak and shouted, but her voice was instantly swallowed by the howling wind. Snowflakes cut her cheeks like sharp blades, and the biting cold quickly seeped into every inch of her skin.
The nine-tailed cat jumped onto Gu Liuli's shoulder and rubbed its warm body against her face, seemingly offering comfort. Its nine tails danced in the wind and snow, shimmering with a faint light, trying to dispel the surrounding darkness and cold.
Gu Liuli took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. She looked around; everything was a vast expanse of white, and she couldn't tell which way to go. The path she had come from was already buried under thick snow. "We have to find somewhere to take shelter from this blizzard, or we'll freeze to death here!" she said to Jiuli Mao, her voice filled with both anxiety and determination.
The nine-tailed cat seemed to understand her words. Its eyes sparkled with a lively light as it stood up on Gu Liuli's shoulder and looked around. Suddenly, it meowed a few times in one direction and pointed with its paw.
Gu Liuli looked in the direction it pointed and vaguely saw a dark shape in the swirling snow, like a cave. "That might be our lifeline, let's go!" She hugged the Nine-Tails tightly and struggled towards the cave against the wind and snow.
The wind howled, and the blizzard raged, making every step incredibly difficult. Gu Liuli's legs felt like lead, the icy snow seeping into her shoes, and her feet had long since lost all feeling. But she had only one belief in her heart: to find a cave and survive.
The nine-tailed cat nestled tightly in her arms, warming Gu Liuli with its body heat. Its nine tails, like nine strong ropes, carved a narrow path for Gu Liuli in the wind and snow, helping her to withstand some of the onslaught of the wind and snow.
After walking for an unknown amount of time, Gu Liuli finally arrived at the cave entrance. Using her last ounce of strength, she rushed inside. The cave was filled with a damp atmosphere, but thankfully, there was no raging wind or snow; she was safe for the time being.
Gu Liuli slumped to the ground, panting heavily. Her cloak was soaked through with snow and ice, chilling her to the bone. The Nine-Tails jumped down from her arms, circled the cave once, and then ran back, nuzzling Gu Liuli's hand with its head, as if to tell her not to be afraid.
"Thank you, little one." Gu Liuli forced a smile and reached out to pat the Nine-Tails' head. She knew that in this desperate situation, the Nine-Tails was her only companion and support.
After resting for a while, Gu Liuli got up and began to check the cave. The cave wasn't large, but fortunately it was relatively dry, and there were some protruding rocks on the cave walls that could be used to shield her from the wind and snow. She found some dry branches and leaves in the cave and tried to start a fire to keep warm.
However, the damp environment made starting a fire extremely difficult. Gu Liuli tried several times without success; her hands were frozen red and almost numb. "Are we really going to be trapped here?" A sense of despair welled up in her heart.
Just then, the Nine-Tails suddenly leaped to the branch, its eyes gleaming with a strange light, muttering incantations. Suddenly, a faint flame ignited among the branches, gradually spreading. "Great!" Gu Liuli exclaimed in delight, quickly moving closer and placing her hands beside the flame, feeling the long-lost warmth.
In the firelight, Gu Liuli's complexion gradually regained some color. She looked at the Nine-Tails, her eyes filled with gratitude: "What is your background? How do you possess such miraculous abilities?"
The nine-tailed cat tilted its head, looking at Gu Liuli with a mysterious glint in its eyes, but didn't answer. It simply jumped onto Gu Liuli's lap, curled up into a ball, and enjoyed the warmth of the fire with her.
The blizzard outside showed no signs of stopping, and the howling wind lashed against the cave entrance, creating a terrifying sound. Gu Liuli leaned against the cave wall.