jdhmnovel Chapter 313 Border, Preparation
Chapter 313 Border, Preparation
Xia Chenghao said softly, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness, a hint of understanding, and a hint of hidden affection.
"For the sake of the people of both countries, you and I must shoulder this responsibility." Cen Jiexiao nodded slightly in agreement and continued.
She knew Xia Chenghao understood what she meant, and that he understood her difficulties. There seemed to be some kind of tacit understanding between the two of them, but there seemed to be a thin veil between them, making it difficult to see or grasp.
The atmosphere in the pavilion grew somewhat tense. The two men stopped talking and simply sat quietly, each lost in thought. The warm yellow light of the lanterns shone on their faces, outlining their complex expressions.
Xia Chenghao's gaze fell on Cen Jiexiao's face again, and the emotions revealed in his eyes were even more complicated, with appreciation, admiration, love, and helplessness. He knew that the relationship between them was destined to be complicated and subtle.
Cen Jiexiao cast her gaze into the distance, her eyes filled with confusion, determination, and helplessness. She knew that the road she was walking on was destined to be full of thorns and challenges.
The silence between them seemed to contain a thousand words, yet it felt as if it contained nothing. Perhaps some things didn't need to be spelled out. A tacit understanding between them was the best outcome.
This silence made the distance between the two seem closer, yet also farther.
Xia Chenghao's fingers tapped lightly on the table, making a slight sound that broke the silence in the pavilion. He raised his head and looked at Cen Jiexiao with a hint of determination in his eyes.
"No matter what, I will do my best to protect you and Xixiang." Xia Chenghao said firmly, his voice full of promise, responsibility, and affection!
When Cen Jiexiao heard Xia Chenghao's words, her heart trembled slightly. She raised her head and looked at Xia Chenghao, her eyes slightly complicated, like gratitude, like touching, very complicated.
"Thank you, Your Highness." Cen Jiexiao said softly, with a hint of evasion in her voice.
Perhaps, some things don't need to be explained too clearly.
"Jiexiao!" Xia Chenghao suddenly reached out and held Cen Jiexiao's hand.
Xia Chenghao held Cen Jiexiao's hand, and she felt a warm current coming from his palm, which made her heart tremble. She wanted to pull her hand back, but found that Xia Chenghao was holding it very tightly.
"Your Highness..." Sister Cen Xiao felt a little uncomfortable and wanted to pull her hand back.
"Sister Xiao, you know, I have always envied Chen Zigui, including Chai Zhen." Xia Chenghao's voice was low and hoarse.
Cen Jiexiao was stunned and didn't understand why Xia Chenghao suddenly mentioned them.
"They can stand by your side openly, guard you and protect you. But I can only watch you from afar." There was a hint of bitterness in Xia Chenghao's voice.
Cen Jiexiao's heartbeat was getting faster and faster, and she felt her cheeks getting hot. She wanted to say something, but found that she couldn't say anything.
"Sister Xiao, let me hold you for a while, just a while..." Xia Chenghao suddenly pulled Sister Cen into his arms and hugged her tightly.
Cen Jiexiao's body leaned stiffly against Xia Chenghao's arms, and she felt her breathing become rapid. She wanted to push Xia Chenghao away, but found that she had no strength at all.
In the breeze-swept pavilion, the air grew thicker, almost slicing into pieces, almost oppressive even to the breath. Cen Jiexiao's slightly trembling hands silently betrayed her inner tension and uneasiness. Though she tried to conceal it, the emotions buried deep within her surged uncontrollably like a tidal wave.
Her brow furrowed slightly, as if she were resisting an invisible force within her that was pushing her away from another equally important emotion. Cen Jiexiao knew that the relationship between her and Xia Chenghao was like a thread dangling between their hearts. If they weren't careful, it would turn into a tangle of troubles, plunging them into endless struggle and hesitation.
At this moment, an indescribable feeling of depression gradually enveloped her heart, which was an unpredictable fog between responsibility and personal feelings. She told herself firmly: the chain that bound them must not be taken another step forward, even though the mood at the moment was so strong and so difficult to control.
Just as she was trying to break free from the web of vision and heart, a hurried and urgent sound of footsteps broke into this delicate tranquility. Her always accurate intuition made her heart shudder. Who was this sudden intruder? This strange yet familiar young man broke into her thoughts like the wind, injecting a new anxiety into the already complicated moment.
Xiaoman appeared outside the pavilion. She was covered in dust, as those who traveled to deliver information always did, as if to attest to the toil and hardship they endured. She was a key member of the Qiming Group, always delivering crucial intelligence at crucial moments.
Her eyes held a resolute gaze, her steps punctuated by an unwavering sense of mission. When Xiaoman's voice rang out, like a thunderclap, shattering the seemingly frozen moment between Cen Jiexiao and Xia Chenghao, she continued to pant, the sweat on her forehead gleaming faintly in the sunlight.
"teacher."
She bowed vigorously with a meticulous attitude, starting with a hint of respect, as if to calm everyone present. But what followed was the uneasiness that made people's hearts hang in the balance.
"Emergency intelligence has arrived from the border: Beidi has been in secret contact with Li Yusheng of the Zhenxi Army. The situation is not good. I'm afraid a border crisis is imminent!"
This statement rang like a warning bell in Cen Jiexiao's heart, and her complex emotions were instantly drowned out by rationality and a sense of urgency. The various thoughts that had been swirling in her mind vanished with the clear and concise report. Her mind was now calm and clear, and she quickly analyzed the situation she faced, which was not to be underestimated.
Cen Jiexiao knew that at this moment she had to put the overall situation first, put aside the tangled emotions just now, and put all her focus on the center of the incident which could affect the livelihoods and safety of countless people.
She took a deep breath, her eyes gleaming with a decisive light. She faced Xia Chenghao and said firmly and apologetically, "Your Highness, we must act quickly and cannot let the situation get out of control."
Xia Chenghao lowered his eyes reluctantly. Although the moment his hands loosened was filled with reluctance and bitterness, he knew deep down that Cen Jiexiao's decisiveness and rationality were the reason why he couldn't help but approach her. It was precisely because of this clear mind, unaffected by emotion, that he willingly became her staunch support.
Finally returning to reality from all the fragments, he responded with his unique calmness: "I will mobilize the troops in Xixiang to assist in defending the city and will definitely not let the situation worsen."
Cen Jiexiao nodded gently, saying nothing, responding to his decision with silent gratitude. She regained her sense of responsibility and the fortitude that lay within it, and turned away. "Xiaoman, gather the Qiming team and prepare for the response."
As the order was given, Xiaoman quickly disappeared from the spot. In this brief moment, only Cen Jiexiao and Xia Chenghao were left standing quietly there.