boyutpedia Chapter 265 Joyful Face
Chapter 265 Joyful Face
In the royal garden of the Nanzhao Kingdom's palace, sunlight streamed in like golden gauze, adorning the entire garden with brightness and warmth. Xiao Nanyi wore a dark blue brocade robe, the hem embroidered with delicate cloud patterns, and the jade pendant at his waist swayed gently as he ran. Xiao Nanyao wore a pale yellow silk skirt, the hem embroidered with lifelike butterflies, each step seemingly accompanied by a fluttering dance.
"Brother, look how beautiful this flower is!" Little Nanyao ran happily to a blooming peony, squatted down, and carefully stroked the petals, her eyes full of joy.
Xiao Nanyi walked over with a smile and nodded, saying, "She is very beautiful, but no matter how beautiful she is, she can't compare to Mother." When Mother was mentioned, a trace of sadness flashed in their eyes; they hadn't seen Gu Liuli for far too long.
Just then, a eunuch rushed over, his face beaming with excitement: "Your Highness, Your Highness, the Empress is back!"
"What? Mother is really back?" Xiao Nanyao was stunned at first, then her eyes lit up with surprise, and her voice trembled slightly with excitement.
Xiao Nanyi also looked incredulous and asked anxiously, "Are you telling the truth? Don't try to fool us!"
The eunuch nodded hurriedly: "It's absolutely true, Her Majesty the Empress is currently in the Imperial Study with His Majesty!"
"Great!" Xiao Nanyao cheered, grabbed Xiao Nanyi's hand, and ran towards the Imperial Study. She ran so fast that a few strands of hair fell out of her hair bun, but she didn't care at all. Xiao Nanyi was also walking hurriedly, his heart filled with the eagerness to reunite with his mother.
Along the way, Xiao Nanyao kept repeating, "Mother is finally back! I missed her so much!" Xiao Nanyi didn't say anything, but the way he held Xiao Nanyao's hand tightly revealed his excitement.
Soon, they arrived at the door of the Imperial Study. Little Nanyao didn't even bother to knock, pushing the door open and rushing inside: "Mother!"
Gu Liuli was talking to Xiao Jingchuan when she heard the familiar yet urgent call and turned around abruptly. The moment she saw Xiao Nanyi and Xiao Nanyao, her eyes instantly welled up with tears, and she opened her arms wide: "My darlings!"
Xiao Nanyao ran into Gu Liuli's arms, hugged her tightly, and cried loudly, "Mother, why did you only come back now? Yao'er missed you so much." Tears flowed uncontrollably, wetting Gu Liuli's clothes.
Xiao Nanyi quickly walked up to her, his eyes reddening and his voice slightly choked: "Mother, Yao'er and I look forward to your return every day."
Gu Liuli held Xiao Nanyao in one arm and pulled Xiao Nanyi into her other, hugging the two children tightly in her arms. Tears welled up in her eyes as she said, "Mother missed you both too. My darlings have all grown up." She gently stroked Xiao Nanyi and Xiao Nanyao's heads with tender and loving movements, as if trying to make up for the time she had missed.
Looking at this heartwarming scene, Xiao Jingchuan's eyes were filled with tenderness and relief. He smiled and said, "Alright, stop crying. Your mother is back now."
Little Nanyao looked up, tears still streaming down her face, and sobbed, "Mother, where did you go? Why were you gone for so long?"
Gu Liuli gently wiped away Xiao Nanyao's tears and said, "Mother went to a very far place to find something that is very important to the Nanzhao Kingdom."
"Has Mother been found?" Xiao Nanyi asked curiously.
Gu Liuli nodded with a smile: "We found it, and we also encountered many wonderful things. I'll tell you about them later."
Xiao Nanyao then stopped crying and smiled, taking Gu Liuli's hand and saying, "Mother, my brother and I have prepared a gift for you."
"Oh? What kind of gift is it?" Gu Liuli asked with interest.
Xiao Nanyi turned and picked up an exquisite wooden box from the table beside her. She carefully opened it, revealing a painting and a hand-woven sachet inside. The painting depicted her family of three playing in the Imperial Garden. Although the artistry was somewhat immature, every stroke was filled with longing for Gu Liuli. The sachet was embroidered with Gu Liuli's name; every stitch was a testament to Xiao Nanyi's heartfelt sentiments.
"Mother, this is a drawing I made. I hope you like it," Xiao Nanyi said shyly.
"Mother, this sachet is for you. You should take it with you when you go out from now on." Xiao Nanyao stuffed the sachet into Gu Liuli's hand.
Gu Liuli accepted the gifts, her eyes filled with emotion: "My darlings, Mommy loves them so much. This is the most precious gift I've ever received." She hugged the painting and sachet tightly to her chest, as if they were the most precious treasures in the world.
For the rest of the time, Xiao Nanyi and Xiao Nanyao surrounded Gu Liuli, asking her countless questions. Gu Liuli patiently answered them one by one, vividly recounting her experiences in the far north, the wondrous sights she encountered, the companionship of the Nine-Tails, and the magic of the Ice and Snow Pearl. Xiao Nanyi and Xiao Nanyao listened intently, sometimes surprised, sometimes excited, as if they too had embarked on a wondrous adventure with Gu Liuli.
Before they knew it, dusk was falling, and the afterglow of the setting sun bathed the imperial study in a warm yellow light. Looking at the happy family, Xiao Jingchuan said, "Alright, it's getting late. Let Mother rest."
Although Xiao Nan Yi and Xiao Nan Yao were a little reluctant, they nodded understandingly. Xiao Nan Yao hugged Gu Liu Li tightly again: "Mother, please don't leave us for so long again."
Gu Liuli nodded gently: "Okay, Mother promises you."
Led by eunuchs and palace maids, Xiao Nanyi and Xiao Nanyao left the Imperial Library with many backward glances.
The imperial study in the Nanzhao Kingdom's palace was tranquil and warm. Soft light filtered through the carved window lattices, casting golden dappled patterns on the floor. Xiao Jingchuan sat on the dragon throne, his vermilion brush moving slowly across the memorials, yet his mind was entirely elsewhere. Since Gu Liuli's departure, the imperial study seemed empty and desolate; her presence lingered in every corner, yet the air was thick with the loneliness of her absence.
"Your Majesty, the Empress has returned!" The eunuch's excited voice suddenly rang out from outside the door, instantly breaking the silence in the study.
Xiao Jingchuan's vermilion brush trembled violently, a drop of ink falling onto the memorial, staining it with a dark mark. He abruptly stood up, an incredulous look of surprise flashing in his eyes. He didn't even notice that the hem of his dragon robe had been caught on the corner of the table, and hurriedly strode towards the door.
"Liuli!" The moment Xiao Jingchuan saw Gu Liuli, all his longing, worry, and concern surged forth like a flood bursting its banks. His eyes instantly reddened, and his voice trembled slightly, filled with deep affection and longing.
Gu Liuli watched Xiao Jingchuan running towards her, her heart filled with mixed emotions, overwhelmed by a flood of longing. After a long separation and a difficult journey, she was finally back by his side.
The moment their eyes met, Xiao Jingchuan was already in front of Gu Liuli. Without the slightest hesitation, he opened his arms and embraced Gu Liuli tightly, as if using this hug to make up for all the separation and longing they had endured during this time. He held her so tightly, as if he was afraid that everything before him was just an illusion, and that if he let go, she would disappear again.
"Liuli, you're finally back. I missed you so much." Xiao Jingchuan murmured in Gu Liuli's ear, his voice choked with emotion. He gently stroked Gu Liuli's back, feeling her real presence, and the worry and unease in his heart gradually dissipated.
Gu Liuli leaned against Xiao Jingchuan's chest, tears welling up in her eyes. She hugged Xiao Jingchuan tightly, feeling his familiar scent and strong heartbeat. At this moment, she felt as if she had found a haven for her soul, and all her weariness and grievances gradually melted away in his warm embrace.
"Your Majesty, I'm back. I'm sorry to have worried you," Gu Liuli said softly, her voice tinged with weariness yet filled with reassurance.
Xiao Jingchuan gently released Gu Liuli, cupped her face in his hands, and examined her carefully. Her face looked slightly haggard, but her eyes revealed determination and tenderness. He gently wiped away the tears on her cheeks and said with heartache, "You've suffered along the way."
Gu Liuli shook her head slightly, her eyes filled with deep affection: "As long as I can complete the mission, it's all worth it. And the thought of returning to you and the children makes me willing to endure any hardship or fatigue."
Xiao Jingchuan embraced Gu Liuli again, gently kissed her forehead, and said with emotion, "In the days you were away, this palace seemed to have lost its vitality. I longed for your return every day. When dealing with state affairs, I would always unconsciously think of the times when you were by my side. Those days when we discussed national affairs together and planned for the future of Nanzhao are my most cherished memories."
Gu Liuli leaned against Xiao Jingchuan's chest, listening to his affectionate words, her heart filled with emotion. She whispered, "Me too. Every day I'm away, I miss you and the children, and I long to return to your side as soon as possible. This time, I not only brought back treasures that are of vital importance to the Nanzhao Kingdom, but I also learned many secrets, which I believe will greatly benefit the future of the Nanzhao Kingdom."
Xiao Jingchuan nodded slightly, his eyes sparkling with anticipation: "With you by my side, I am full of confidence. No matter what difficulties we encounter, we can overcome them together."
The two embraced for a long time, immersed in the joy and warmth of their reunion. At that moment, the whole world seemed to quiet down, leaving only the sound of their heartbeats and their deep breaths.
After a long while, Xiao Jingchuan slowly released Gu Liuli, took her hand, and walked to sit down beside the dragon throne. His hand was still tightly holding Gu Liuli's, as if he was afraid of losing her again.
"Liuli, tell me quickly, what have you been through along the way?" Xiao Jingchuan's eyes were full of concern and curiosity.
Gu Liuli leaned gently on Xiao Jingchuan's shoulder and recounted her experiences in the far north in detail, from her adventures in the mysterious garden to her exploration of the ruins, the blizzard she encountered, and the discovery of the Ice Bead and the mysterious book. Xiao Jingchuan listened intently, sometimes surprised, sometimes nervous, and sometimes relieved that she had returned safely.
"I never imagined you'd been through so much danger," Xiao Jingchuan said with heartache after hearing the story. "From now on, no matter what happens, we'll face it together, and I'll never let you risk your life alone again."
Gu Liuli smiled and nodded: "Okay, let's go together."