NCCnovel Chapter 1306 Eva is Missing
Chapter 1306 Eva is Missing
"Those temples have become much more disciplined, no longer daring to arbitrarily exploit believers or seize land as they used to. The people have benefited, so naturally they trust him and our government."
"And I'm in charge of military law and public order. Those old nobles who dared to cause trouble, bandits and bullies, and those foreign spies who wanted to fish in troubled waters, every single one of them, were dealt with by me and my men until they were completely subdued! The laws of our Xiao Kingdom... oh no, the East Asian Federation are ironclad! Princes are subject to the same laws as commoners. We killed some, imprisoned some, exiled some, and the rest all kept their tails between their legs."
"The security situation in India now is so much better than before, where you have to carry bodyguards everywhere you go!"
Seeing that Xiao Ce didn't interrupt, Hu Yidao continued, "As for Commander Eva! She's truly amazing!"
As he spoke, admiration appeared in his eyes!
"After Eva arrived, she put into practice the workshops, road construction, school establishment, and water conservancy projects that she and Princess Yin Pan'er had set up in the northern desert and Xiao Kingdom, adapting them to the local conditions of India."
"Especially road construction! In the past, the roads between the various states of India were so bad that they were impossible to travel on. Now, with the construction of paved roads and the introduction of trains (although not yet fully covered), the travel of caravans has become a hundred times more convenient!"
"And those water conservancy projects, digging canals to divert water, building reservoirs, have enabled many poor places that used to rely on the weather to grow two seasons of rice! Now that the people have enough to eat, who would still follow those charlatans and local tyrants and make a fuss?"
He became more and more excited as he spoke, spittle flying from his mouth: "And another thing is that after the establishment of the East Asian Federation! Our trade will take off!"
"We have opened up all the trade routes with the Western Regions, the Turks, the Slavs, and the Xiao Kingdom itself! Spices, gems, cotton cloth, and tea from India are being shipped out, while ironware, machinery, kerosene, and novelties from abroad are being brought in."
"The market in Brahma City is now more than three times larger than it was back then! The commercial taxes collected are incredibly lucrative! Governor Eva used this money to build several new-style schools and even hired teachers from Xiao Kingdom and the Western Regions. Your Highness, you once said that no matter what, we must first unify our thinking..."
"As long as our thoughts are aligned, our goals can be aligned..."
Xiao Ce and Yin Pan'er listened with smiles of relief on their faces.
Yin Pan'er said to Xiao Ce from the side, "Your Highness, what you said before was true... and it can be considered to have come true..."
"It's truly a win-win situation... In fact, everyone is better off..."
Hearing Yin Pan'er's words, Hu Yidao nodded in agreement and said, "That's right, that's indeed the case... I didn't quite understand the concept of the global village that His Highness mentioned before... but now I understand..."
"Moreover, I not only understood, but I also had a profound feeling... It's really good..."
Just then, Xiao Ce said to Hu Yidao, "Hu Yidao, by the way, does Eva ever come back this late?"
As Xiao Ce spoke, he glanced outside.
Because at this moment, it was completely dark.
After hearing Xiao Ce's words, Hu Yidao subconsciously glanced outside.
He shook his head, then said awkwardly, "Your Highness, you've really asked me a question... I didn't supervise Commander Eva. I don't know either..."
Xiao Ce nodded, realizing that his question might have been somewhat problematic.
Xiao Ce said to Hu Yidao, "By the way, Hu Yidao, you haven't had dinner yet, have you..."
Upon hearing Xiao Ce's words, Hu Yidao laughed and said, "That's right... Your Highness, look at my head! I'll go and prepare a banquet for you right away..."
Xiao Ce waved his hand, then said to Hu Yidao, "You don't need to go to such lengths to prepare a banquet. Go and tidy up, and then we'll just have some simple home-cooked dishes..."
Hu Yidao waved his hands repeatedly, his rugged face full of apology: "Your Highness, what are you saying! With you and the Princess Consort here, how could I not do my best? Please wait a moment, I will make the arrangements right away! No extravagance, just the few of us, let's have something hot to eat!"
"President Eva must have been held up by some personal matter... Let's eat and wait..."
After hearing Hu Yidao's words, Xiao Ce nodded without standing on ceremony...
He was indeed a little hungry...
He turned and strode out to give orders, his booming voice echoing in the outer corridor, carrying an undeniable urgency.
Soon, eunuchs filed in and quickly set up an exquisite round table in the side hall, on which were placed several delicate Indian specialties: golden curry chicken pieces that exuded a rich aroma, perfectly roasted tandoori fish, fresh vegetable salad with yogurt dressing, fragrant Indian fragrant rice, and freshly baked naan.
Though not luxurious, it exuded a homely warmth and thoughtfulness. Hu Yidao even specially had someone warm a pot of low-alcohol Tianzhu fruit wine.
"Your Highness, Your Highness, young man, please have a seat!"
Hu Yidao personally pulled out chairs and invited Xiao Ce and Yin Pan'er to sit down, and then called out to Xiao Niqiu.
The little mudfish's eyes lit up as it looked at the table full of novel foods. It only sat down carefully after Yin Pan'er nodded.
As Xiao Ce looked at the food in front of him, Hu Yidao seemed to have immediately sensed Xiao Ce's concerns...
Hu Yidao said to Xiao Ce, "Your Highness, although these are Indian delicacies, they were all made by our own people..."
"Absolutely clean and hygienic!"
Xiao Ce laughed when he heard Hu Yidao say that, and then nodded.
The atmosphere at the dinner was harmonious...
Hu Yidao served Xiao Ce and Yin Pan'er food attentively, telling them about the customs and anecdotes of India, trying to dispel the gloom brought by the waiting.
He vividly described how, at a Buddhist sermon, Master Sangye used Buddhist teachings to influence a group of remnants of the old aristocracy who were trying to cause trouble, which made everyone smile.
Xiao Ce also inquired about the military equipment of India and the situation on the border, and Hu Yidao patted his chest to assure him that the border was impregnable.
After several rounds of drinks and half the dishes...
Hu Yidao looked at Xiao Ce, his eyes filled with genuine joy and a touch of emotion. He raised his wine cup and said solemnly, "Your Highness, speaking of children... I haven't yet formally congratulated you! Commander Eva has given birth to a little prince for you, very robust, with a robust and chubby face, and his eyebrows and eyes are just like yours! His spirit is amazing, he will surely be an outstanding person in the future!"
Xiao Ce nodded upon hearing this: "I only recently learned about him, and I don't even know his name yet..."
Hu Yidao grinned, his eyes full of blessings: "The Commander-in-Chief personally named him 'Xiao Yuanwang'! He hopes that he can be like Your Highness, with a long-term vision and a heart for the world!"
"Xiao Yuanwang..."
Xiao Ce murmured the name as if savoring the most precious nectar in the world.
An indescribable warmth welled up from the bottom of my heart, instantly dispelling the fatigue of the journey and the anxiety of waiting.
This is the continuation of his bloodline, proof that he has taken root in this foreign world.
Yin Pan'er smiled gently beside him and lightly took Xiao Ce's hand, which was under the table. She could feel the slight tremor in his palm and the heavy excitement of becoming a father for the first time.
"A good name!" Xiao Ce's voice was slightly hoarse. He tilted his head back and drank the fruit wine in his glass in one gulp. It was spicy and sweet, just like his mood at that moment.
After a few rounds of drinks, Xiao Ce's gaze once again fell upon the deep night outside the window, his brows furrowing almost imperceptibly.
He put down his spoon and asked in a deep voice, "Hu Yidao, it's completely dark. Eva... Chief, has she ever stayed out this late before? Where does she usually spend the night?"
Hu Yidao's smile froze instantly; only then did he belatedly realize the seriousness of the situation. In fact, even during the meal, his heart had begun to pound...
He slammed down his wine glass...
"No... Your Highness, now that you ask, I realize something is amiss!"
Hu Yidao's expression turned serious. He rubbed his face vigorously to get rid of some of the alcohol, and tried hard to recall: "Although the Grand Commander is busy with affairs, his schedule has always been very regular. Especially after the little prince came by his side, unless it was an extremely important foreign affairs activity or an urgent military situation that required working through the night, he would never stay out of the palace overnight, let alone... he would never stay out so late with the little prince!"
Moreover, when I saw her during the day, she seemed perfectly normal and didn't mention any major arrangements that would require her to leave the palace!
A strong sense of unease instantly gripped Hu Yidao's heart.
As the deputy commander-in-chief, he was responsible for the commander-in-chief's security and some internal affairs. If Eva really had an important trip, he couldn't possibly be unaware of it! Especially when she was taking the young prince out!
Xiao Ce's eyes instantly turned sharp as knives, and the warmth he felt when he heard his son's name was replaced by cold vigilance.
Moreover, Xiao Ce had felt somewhat uncomfortable ever since arriving in India, though he couldn't quite put his finger on what it was...
This feeling of unease intensified...
Yin Pan'er's smile faded, her eyes filled with worry: "Could it be that something urgent came up? Or did he go to Master Sangjie's place?"
"impossible!"
Hu Yidao shook his head decisively, denying it: "Master Sangjie's meditation place is in the West Garden of the palace, not far from the Chief Commander's residence. If he went there, the guards would definitely know. Besides..."
He stood up abruptly, his burly figure exuding a menacing aura: "This humble general will personally investigate! Please wait here, Your Highness and Your Highness!"
Hu Yidao could no longer sit still. He hurriedly took his leave and rushed out of the side hall like a whirlwind. The heavy footsteps echoed rapidly in the silent palace corridor, revealing the turmoil in his heart.
Time ticked by in the suffocating wait. Only the soft clinking of cutlery and the restless breathing of Little Mudfish remained in the side hall. The dishes on the table were long since cold, their aroma gone, leaving only solidified grease. Yin Pan'er gently comforted Little Mudfish, her gaze fixed on the doorway. Xiao Ce sat there, his fingers unconsciously tapping the table, his eyes deep and unfathomable, as if they could pierce through the walls and see everything happening outside. The air around him seemed to freeze, an invisible, oppressive pressure spreading out. He was no longer the father yearning for home, but had instantly reverted to the commander who had weathered countless storms and was keenly aware of immense danger.
About half an hour later, Hu Yidao's figure reappeared at the door.
His face was even worse than when he left, a pale, unbelievable pallor mixed with a bluish tinge, and fine beads of cold sweat even seeped from his forehead. The hideous scar on his face was particularly glaring under the light.
He strode up to Xiao Ce, not even bothering to bow, his voice heavy with an unprecedented tone and a barely perceptible tremor:
"Your Highness! Your Highness! Something has happened!"
Xiao Ce slowly raised his eyes, a cold glint flashing in them: "Speak."
"This humble general...this humble general questioned all the eunuchs and palace maids on duty today, as well as the commander of the palace gate guards!"
Hu Yidao's voice was hoarse with urgency, "Finally... the last clue came from a servant who was responsible for delivering flowers to the Grand Commander's bedchamber! He said that around one o'clock in the afternoon, when he delivered the flowers, he overheard Grand Commander Eva in her bedchamber speaking in hushed tones, seemingly arguing with someone, mentioning 'we must leave immediately,' 'for the safety of the distant viewpoint,' and 'we must not alert anyone'..."
Then, not long after, he saw the governor change into a very simple local woman's dress, wrapped tightly in a headscarf, holding the little prince who was also wrapped up, and accompanied only by two of his most trusted and skilled Slavic female guards!
He quietly slipped out through the small side gate on the west side, which was usually used for transporting miscellaneous items! That gate was usually only opened once and guarded by a special person, but today the guard said that the commander-in-chief personally ordered him to open it, and commanded him not to make a sound, and to act as if nothing had happened!
Hu Yidao took a breath, his eyes filled with regret and anger: "This subordinate has failed in his duty! He actually let the Commander-in-Chief and the Little Prince disappear mysteriously right under his nose!"
Nobody knows where they went! The identities of the two female guards have also been investigated; they are elderly women brought from Slavic lands by the Grand Commander, absolutely loyal and reliable, but they have no fixed contact points outside the palace! We've also inquired with Master Sanjay, who knows nothing about it and is quite shocked!
Xiao Ce listened quietly, his brows furrowed...
It seems his intuition was right after all...
"For the safety of those observing from afar..."
Xiao Ce slowly and deliberately repeated the sentence Hu Yidao had reported, his voice icy cold.
He abruptly stood up, his tall figure casting a long shadow under the lamplight. His gaze, sharp as a sword, pierced Hu Yidao: "Immediately seal off the news! Strictly prohibit any leaks! Mobilize all available resources, both overt and covert, investigate! Starting from that side gate, investigate every possible route! Investigate all suspicious strangers recently encountered inside and outside Fancheng! Especially..."
Xiao Ce said sternly, "Go and investigate whether there have been any recent rumors of... an Iron Man or a monster that is incapable of feeling pain or fear!"