Chapter 78: Luo Tian's Calamity 8

  Listening to Nalan Xixi's arrangement, He Xian's expression gradually became serious.

  Three more people took orders and went to do things. The house had half fewer people. The atmosphere suddenly solidified. Narlan Xianuo's right hand gently stroked the rough surface of the long whip in his hand. Faintly red wet fingers were not detected.

  "Huo Zhi." Nalan Xixi's voice suddenly didn't sound so cold and decisive, but instead had a hint of fatigue.

  He nodded in agreement, seeing the fresh blood on her fingers, his face slightly pale.

  "Alright, I'll leave it up to you." She looked up at him, her eyes filled with unconditional trust.

  He gazed up at those cold eyes. An unprecedented entrustment. So heavy that it almost made him forget to breathe. "Understood."

  "He Xian." Nalan Xixi raised her eyes and looked at He Xian.

  "I want to follow the master." He didn't listen to her and was being unreasonable like a child.

  "You and Guan Long must protect the Empress Dowager and the Princess at all costs. Not a single mistake can be made."

  "Master."

  "This is an order." Nalan Xixi's expression was slightly cold, leaving no room for negotiation.

  The city of Luoyang is filled with joy and celebration. Lanterns are hung everywhere, and there is a sense of grandeur.

  Women meet and chat happily. They make an appointment to go out together tomorrow to see the Jade Dragon Frame that has been re-launched. Or they whisper about the extraordinary talent of a foreign prince.

  Children holding windmills and sugar people shuttle through crowded streets, singing new nursery rhymes to praise the great achievements of Luo Tian Dadi, and this ceremony is about to become the most grand coronation ceremony in the history of Luo Tian Continent.

  The men were talking about the great harvest this year. Proudly, they spoke of how their king had bravely repelled the Qiang people last year. They regarded being a subject of Luo Tian as the highest honor. Like their king, they were proud and confident, as if every sunrise was for their prosperity and strength.

  But nobody knows that when they are indulging in the joy brought by superficial beauty, a tremendous change is taking place in Luotian. It's the calm before the storm. It's the prosperity before destruction.

  Everything is being laid out for the impending loss. The more you gain, the more you lose. The happier and more joyful this moment is, the more painful and desperate the next second will be.

  Suburban wooden house.

  Huang Pu Ling sat in front of the stove, personally brewing a pot of hot wine. His face always had an indescribable smile. Originally like clear spring water, his eyes seemed to be those of a pure and innocent young man, always carrying a seemingly genuine smile. Many people believed it to be true, but only those who knew him well understood that this smile was used to conceal something.

  The door was opened. Yuexing walked in with a light step. She bowed respectfully. "Master, everything is ready."

  Huang Pu Ling nodded. "You say... This time I won't underestimate Nalan Xixi."

  "This time it will surely be absolutely foolproof."

  Huang Pu Ling smiled lightly, "I hope so. At this moment, she must think that my attention is all on her and will try every means to stay out of the way to control the situation. However, she definitely didn't expect that this is exactly what I want."

  The crescent moon rises without curving the corners of my mouth. "The master is wise and virtuous."

  Huang Pu Ling put away his smile. "When can those 500,000 troops arrive."

  "By tomorrow at the latest. They have already split into five routes and found the names of five countries. No one will think they are your people."

  Huang Pu nodded. "The sooner the better. It's best if they don't even have a chance to catch their breath."

  "Besides..." Huang Fu Ling stood up and pulled up Ou Yue's hand. "That matter must be accomplished."

  Her body trembled slightly with the moon's gentle touch. A mix of emotions swirled within her. It was only at times like these that he would show such tenderness towards her. Yet, despite this, she still succumbed to the emptiness of his affection, drifting towards death.

  "I would rather die than betray my lord."

  Luli Palace

  Nalan Xixi had just returned to the palace and went to take a bath and change her clothes. After finishing her toilette, she was already so tired that she could hardly keep her eyes open. She hadn't had a good night's sleep for several days and nights. And probably after today, she wouldn't have any chance to sleep soundly again.

  Nangong Jin didn't know where she had gone. She also didn't have time to ask.

  Lying on the bed, Nalan Xinnuo closed his eyes and soon fell asleep.

  In the dim light, it seemed like there was an extra hand around her waist. That hand was warm and gentle, lightly embracing her waist, holding her close to his chest. Nalan Xianuo placed her hand on top of his warm hand.

  He hugged her from behind and gently kissed her snowy shoulder.

  Starting from today, everyone in the world will know that she is his woman.

  "Last time you lost at chess to me, so... we're going to Donghai." He whispered softly.

  However, Nalan Xixi immediately woke up. "Who said I lost to you? You're the one who's cheating."

  She turned around and faced Nan Gong Jin with a gentle expression, her original anger suddenly extinguished. Her face slightly red, she looked away, avoiding his gaze.

  He held her, speaking softly: "Wherever we go is fine, as long as it's just the two of us. Maybe there will be a little one added later on. At that time, I can indulge in entwining myself around you, binding you and me together. You take one step, and I'll follow with another."

  Nalan Xixi couldn't help but smile. She turned around, pinched his high-bridged nose. "I'm not going to run away, why follow so closely."

  "I'm scared that every time I open my eyes, you're not by my side like before. I'm scared that I won't be able to find you. I'm scared that when I do find you, you'll be covered in scars. I'm scared that when I find you, you won't be able to look at me again. I'm scared that when I find you, you'll have forgotten about me. I'm scared that when I find you, you'll be in someone else's arms. So...I don't allow you to leave my side. Not even a step. You must stay within my line of sight. I don't allow you to get hurt. Don't look at anyone else. You can only be by my side. Only look at me. Only love me."

  Nalan Xixi's breath caught slightly. Nangong Jin held her tightly, as if he wanted to press her into his body. She still remembered that every night she slept with him, her body would be completely numb.

  In her arms, she can't turn over. With just a slight movement, he would reflexively hold her tightly and never let go. Those days had scared him so much that he didn't dare to loosen his grip on her hand again.

  Nalan Xixiao's eyes were slightly moist. She buried her head in his chest. "Why say such cheesy words. Do you think you're acting in an idol drama?"

  "Idol drama." Nangong Jin didn't understand what she was saying.

  Nalan Xixiao raised her head. "Yes, that's right. It's just a man saying some sweet words to a woman, and then the woman believes them all foolishly, pouring out her heart and lungs, and finally crying and wailing..."

  Nangong Jin swept her into his arms, holding her in a domineering embrace. "Tomorrow, I'll let the whole world know that you're my woman. Then we'll leave this place behind. Let me be your support. Let me spoil you."

  Nalan Xixi was taken aback. Her heart ached quietly.

  Tomorrow... Tomorrow. If we can get through tomorrow. I'll be a good girl and be your woman. Let you protect me. Let you spoil me. As long as... We're still together after tomorrow.

  Early morning. The sky is still dark. The palace is already bustling with activity.

  Today is a grand ceremony of conferring titles that has never been seen before in the Luotian Continent, or even the entire world. It is also the most magnificent and grandest ceremony since ancient times.

  The palace maidens knelt before the window and softly said: "Your Majesty, Princess, it's time to get up."

  Nalan Xixi owed a debt of gratitude to the young master. Nan Gong Jin suddenly woke up with a start and saw Nalan Xixi still by his side, his expression softened. He got out of bed, his sturdy upper body faintly visible under the mosquito netting. Several palace maids couldn't help but blush.

  Nan Gong Jin soon came to. Today was the day he had been expecting for nearly half a year. On this day, he would hold her hand and walk up to the palace together, accepting the worship of the people under heaven, witnessed by the gods, and from then on they would be together for life.

  He picked up Nalan Xianyu, who was still fast asleep, and held her in his arms like a baby, gently swaying back and forth. "Madam, hurry up and get out of bed. Today is an important day, can't be late."

  Nalan Xixi slowly opened her eyes, and in front of her was the chest of Nan Gongjin. The familiar fragrance surrounded her. She curled up in Nan Gongjin's broad embrace, gradually waking up.

  The clearer I am, the less I want to be clear.

  Watching Nalan Xixi with her eyes closed, yet she didn't say a word and didn't get out of bed. Nan Gongyin leaned in close to her ear and gently kissed her. "What's wrong?"

  Nalan Xixi took a deep breath and shook her head. "Nothing."

  The palace maid attended to the two of them as they got out of bed and washed up. The tailor's office brought in the altered ceremonial robes. Nalan Xinnuo deliberately slowed down her washing pace. Nan Gongyin had already finished washing up and was dressed in her ceremonial robe, but she was still washing her face.

  At this time, a eunuch walked in and said: "Your Majesty, all officials have arrived, they are waiting for you."

  Nangong Jin nodded. "It'll be fine soon."

  He turned back and said softly to Nalan Xingde: "I'll go first to receive the court's congratulations, and then I'll bring a team to welcome you at the auspicious hour."

  Nalan Xixi smiled slightly. "Mm, I'll wait for you."

  Nangong Jin turned around, ready to leave. Suddenly, his body stopped moving. A pair of hands appeared at his waist. Nalan Xinnuo was tightly embracing him from behind, holding him with a force she had never used before.

  She suddenly had a feeling, as if this farewell would be their last.

  She must remember this hug, no matter what she faces, as long as she remembers that there is such an embrace waiting for her, she will definitely fight with all her might to come back, and she must come back.

  "I'll wait for you. You must also wait for me. Definitely."

  Nangong Jin smiled lightly, turned around, and wrapped her in his arms. "Definitely."

  Nangong Jin left. Nalan Xianuo's eyes suddenly felt a little sore. She let all the palace maids retreat. Immediately, a white shadow carrying a petite girl flashed into the palace. No one noticed.

  "He had already given her medicine." Wu Chang handed the girl in his arms over to Nalan Xianuo. It was Xiaolian from that day.

  Xiao Lian was taken aback by Nalan Xinnuo's appearance, which was surprisingly similar to her own. But before she could process this, she was suddenly brought into the imperial palace, whisked away by a pair of ghostly figures who flitted about with an otherworldly speed, leaving her spirit shaken and her eyes unfocused.

  She had drunk a special medicine for her, so she couldn't say anything for the time being. She couldn't even escape and could only maintain her usual walking speed. At the mercy of others. Nalan Xianyu took out a package from under the bed, inside was a black dress. She quickly changed into it, put on a special mask, and then put the clothes she had just taken off on Xiaolian.

  "Someone's coming." She shouted out loud and immediately flew away with Suō Mìng Wú Cháng.

  The palace maid entered and saw Xiaolian standing still in her original position. She nodded her head. "Your Highness, it's time to change clothes."

  Xiao Lian did not refuse. The palace maids brought in the dresses one after another.