novelaction Chapter 1298 Dan Lei
Chapter 1298 Dan Lei
The two of them just stared at each other, as if they had traveled through several years.
He saw the affection in her eyes, an affection that had been suppressed for so long by her imperial status, but could no longer be completely hidden.
A slight stirring in his heart, he reached out and gently patted her arm, the gesture natural yet carrying a comforting strength: "Nanxi, there's no need for words of gratitude between us. Seeing this place become better, seeing the people live in peace and prosperity, is the best reward for me."
His touch, through the fabric, carried a warm, firm pressure!
Nanxi felt as if the place where he had patted her was on fire. She took a deep breath, suppressing the pounding in her heart, her voice trembling slightly.
There were so many things I wanted to say, but the words just wouldn't come out.
Those sweet words of love that I pondered day and night, I swallowed back down when they reached my lips...
With a slightly flushed face, she pointed ahead and said, "Hmm... Wenhua Pavilion is just ahead. That child Danlei... will surely be overjoyed to see the Prince."
Xiao Ce found it amusing to see Nan Xi, the dignified ruler of the Western Regions, behaving like a shy, unmarried young woman.
Thinking this to himself, he still blurted out, "He probably doesn't remember me..."
...
The two continued on their way...
Soon they arrived at Wenhua Pavilion, located in front of a secluded courtyard deep within the Protectorate.
The architecture here is a combination of the Xiao Kingdom and the Western Regions, but it is more in the style of the Xiao Kingdom.
This spacious and bright study is filled with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves on all four walls, displaying a variety of books, from weighty classics to brightly colored picture books. The air is filled with the faint scent of ink and the fresh aroma of pine.
Several bright gas lamps illuminated the room as if it were daytime.
In the center of the study, a figure was facing away from the door, hunched over a large rosewood desk, engrossed in writing something.
Upon hearing footsteps, the figure immediately turned around.
Even though Xiao Ce was mentally prepared, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes when he saw Dan Lei turn around.
This child is growing up so fast!
Dan Lei was wearing a well-fitting sapphire blue brocade robe with a jade belt around his waist.
Although he is only five years old, he is as tall and strong as a seven or eight-year-old child!
He had broad shoulders and a thick back, a large frame, a round face, healthy wheat-colored skin, thick eyebrows and big eyes, a straight nose, and his features showed both the heroic spirit of his mother, General Dan, and the honest and steady features of his father, Da Lei.
Especially those bright, dark eyes, which resembled General Dan's, were now looking at the uninvited guest at the door with curiosity and a hint of wariness.
When he recognized Nanxi, who was wearing a bright yellow brocade robe, his wariness instantly turned into affection. A bright smile bloomed on his little face, and he called out in a loud voice, "Auntie Nanxi!"
He put down his calligraphy brush and leaped off the large chair like a nimble little leopard, his movements childlike yet landing with remarkable steadiness.
His gaze then fell on Xiao Ce.
Although Xiao Ce was only dressed in casual clothes today, his demeanor, which had been tempered by years of high office and the trials of life, as well as his tall and upright figure, naturally carried an invisible sense of oppression.
Danlei blinked her big eyes, a mixture of doubt and innate courage in her eyes. Instead of flinching, she puffed out her little chest and, imitating an adult, respectfully cupped her hands in a salute. In her childish but clear voice, she asked, "Auntie, who is this adult?"
In fact, Danlei already had some suspicions, but he wasn't sure for the time being...
Nanxi smiled gently, stepped forward, and naturally took Danlei's chubby little hand, leading him to Xiao Ce: "Lei'er, this is the man your aunt often mentions to you, your father's best brother, and also our great benefactor in the Western Regions, Xiao Ce, Prince Xiao. Quickly call him Uncle Xiao."
"Uncle Xiao?!"
Dan Lei's eyes widened instantly, his little mouth slightly agape, his surprised expression utterly adorable. He had clearly heard the name Xiao Ce countless times from his mother and Nan Xi, knowing him to be a legendary figure.
The surprise quickly transformed into overwhelming excitement and reverence when the real person was standing right in front of him.
He suddenly broke free from Nanxi's hand, took a step forward, tilted his head back, and stared intently at Xiao Ce's face with his bright black eyes, as if to confirm whether it was real.
Then, he did something that made Xiao Ce and Nan Xi burst out laughing!
He stretched out his chubby little hand and cautiously, with a hint of probing, gently poked Xiao Ce's large hand hanging by his side.
Only when he felt the warmth and real touch from his fingertips did Dan Lei become absolutely certain.
His face flushed with excitement. He took a step back, stood properly, and then solemnly clasped his hands together, bowing deeply to Xiao Ce. He shouted loudly, "Dan Lei greets Uncle Xiao! May Uncle Xiao be blessed with good fortune and peace! I've finally met Uncle Xiao in person!"
His demeanor and voice are exactly like a miniature version of Da Lei, even his honest and earnest nature is exactly the same.
Xiao Ce was amused by Dan Lei's childlike yet earnest actions, and a warm feeling welled up in his heart. He leaned down, reached out his large hand, and gently ruffled Dan Lei's fluffy head, then said, "What? Have you seen me after I died?"
Upon hearing Xiao Ce's words, Dan Lei chuckled and then said to Xiao Ce, "Uncle Xiao, you're so humorous. I've only ever seen your portrait before... but you're much more handsome and imposing than in the portrait..."
Xiao Ce laughed even harder when he heard Dan Lei say that.
Xiao Ce was probably going to take back his earlier idea; this Dan Lei was much more emotionally intelligent than his father, Da Lei!
"Good boy, no need for such formalities. Get up." Seeing that he was still bowing, Xiao Ce said softly, "Let your uncle take a good look at you. Hmm, you're quite strong, like your father, and you also have your mother's heroic spirit."
Dan Lei straightened up, puffing out his little chest, letting Xiao Ce look him over, his little face full of pride: "Father said that a man should grow strong and powerful so that he can protect the people he wants to protect! Mother said that strength alone is not enough, one must also be wise, like...like Uncle!"
He immediately put what he had learned to use, reciting all the things his parents had taught him, and at the end, he didn't forget to flatter Xiao Ce, showing his cleverness to the fullest.
"Oh? What else did your mother say about your uncle?" Xiao Ce asked with interest, and sat down on the armchair next to him, gesturing for Dan Lei to sit as well.
Danlei didn't stand on ceremony. He climbed onto a small round stool covered with a soft cushion and sat down, his two short legs dangling in the air.
He tilted his head and thought for a moment, then counted on his fingers, "Mother said that Uncle Xiao is the greatest hero in the world! His martial arts are unparalleled, and his wisdom is unmatched! He's the person Father admires most! Mother also said that Uncle is incredibly powerful; he can defeat so many bad guys all by himself! Aunt Nanxi often says the same thing..."
He paused, looked at Nan Xi, and said with a grin, "Auntie always loves to look at Uncle's portrait, saying that Uncle is the most...most capable person in the world!"
He almost said "most handsome," but seemed to think that "most capable" was more in line with the image of a hero, so he changed his mind at the last minute.
Nanxi blushed slightly at his innocent words and playfully patted his little shoulder: "Lei'er, don't talk nonsense!"
Danlei shrank his neck, stuck out his little tongue, and looked playful.
Xiao Ce laughed heartily, in an extremely pleasant mood: "Your mother and Aunt Nanxi are both right, but your uncle isn't that accurate. It's you, though."
He pointed to the papers spread out on the desk: "Still studying so late? What are you writing?"
In fact, based on Xiao Ce's understanding of General Dan and Da Lei, their child must be exceptionally skilled in martial arts.
However, Danlei seems to be doing well in his studies as well...
I just asked that one question.
Upon hearing this, Dan Lei immediately perked up, jumped off the stool, and ran to the desk. He carefully picked up the piece of paper he had just written on and presented it to Xiao Ce like a treasure: "Uncle, look! I'm copying the Thousand Character Classic, homework assigned by the teacher! Today I have to finish copying the section 'Heaven and Earth were dark and yellow, the universe was vast and desolate'!"
Xiao Ce took the paper. Although the childish handwriting was still a bit crooked, each stroke was extremely careful, the structure was clear, and the force penetrated the paper, already showing some strength and character.
For a five-year-old child, this handwriting is already remarkable, and the focus and perseverance shown are even more precious.
Xiao Ce nodded approvingly and said, "Hmm, your handwriting is quite good, very neat, and it's clear you've put in the effort."
After praising him, he then tested Dan Lei, saying, "Heaven and earth were dark and yellow, the universe was vast and boundless! Do you know what these eight characters mean?"
Danlei nodded vigorously, stood ramrod straight, and recited the explanation aloud like a little adult: "The sky is dark blue-black, the earth is yellow, and the universe was formed in a state of chaos and ignorance. The sun rises and sets, the moon waxes and wanes, and stars fill the boundless space..."
He spoke clearly and simply, yet he grasped the core meaning, and even went on to elaborate on some astronomical knowledge that Confucius had taught.
The admiration in Xiao Ce's eyes deepened.
This child not only has a good physical foundation, but is also quite intelligent. What's even more remarkable is his calm and studious attitude, which is completely unlike that of a five-year-old child.
On second thought, Da Lei must have had something extraordinary about him to stand out among the many talented members of Xiao Dingshan's Twelve Fiends. He couldn't have become the leader just by being strong in martial arts!
"Lei'er is so wonderful!" Nanxi praised softly from the side, her eyes full of affection!
"The Master praised you today for reciting the Analects so well."
Dan Lei was a little embarrassed by the praise and scratched his head, but then straightened his chest and looked at Xiao Ce, his bright black eyes sparkling with expectation: "Uncle Xiao, after my father came back this time, he didn't spend much time with me. He just stayed at home with my mother and wouldn't let me go back... What are they doing?"
Hearing Dan Lei's innocent question, Nan Xi felt somewhat embarrassed and didn't know how to answer.
Xiao Ce smiled and then said, "Your father and mother are catching up; after all, it's been so long..."
"So, your parents were both great generals, heroes. You're good at your studies, but how are your martial arts skills?"
Danlei was, after all, just a child, and Xiao Ce quickly diverted his attention with a few words. He clenched his little fists and said to Xiao Ce with a firm tone, "Uncle Xiao, I've been practicing. My mother said she wants me to become a great hero like you and Daddy, to protect you in the future..."
"What ambition!" Xiao Ce praised sincerely.
He stood up, walked over to Danlei, squatted down, and looked the child in the eye. "Talking without doing is no good. Come on, let your uncle see how your boxing is going. Show your uncle a set right here in the yard."
"Really?"
Danlei's eyes instantly lit up like dazzling stars, his excitement overflowing. He immediately looked at Nanxi, seeking her approval.
Nan Xi smiled and nodded: "Go ahead, be careful, don't fall."
Nanxi herself has no children, and she has always had a very good relationship with General Dan, so she has always treated Dan Lei as her own son.
"Great!"
Danlei cheered and dashed out of the study like a whirlwind, running into the serene courtyard bathed in moonlight.
In the corner of the courtyard, there is a small training ground, paved with bluestone slabs, and some small stone locks and wooden stakes suitable for children.
It's clear that this kid prefers martial arts to studying.
This is not surprising; it's something he carries in his genes.
Danlei stood in the center of the courtyard, took a deep breath, his small face tensed, and his eyes instantly became focused.
He assumed a starting stance, and although he was young, his posture was quite impressive, exuding a calm and composed aura.
Immediately afterwards, he let out a childish but clear shout, and his small body began to move.
His footwork was agile, sometimes leaping like a nimble cat, sometimes pouncing like a tiger cub.
The little fists swung around, creating a whooshing sound. Although the strength was still shallow, the moves were fluid and well-coordinated, demonstrating both offense and defense. It was clear that the child had undergone rigorous instruction and diligent practice.
He performed a simple introductory boxing routine with great power and vigor, brimming with youthful energy. Especially at the end, he suddenly ducked and swept his leg, then stood firmly on his feet, his small chest heaving, a little sweat glistening on his forehead, his big eyes sparkling as he looked at Xiao Ce and Nan Xi, full of anticipation for their praise!
"it is good!"
Xiao Ce couldn't help but applaud and cheer. The talent and temperament this child displayed reminded him of General Da Lei and General Dan back then, and even surpassed them.
He stepped forward, ruffled Danlei's hair again, and praised him generously: "You fought very well! Your footwork was steady, and your punches were powerful. Given time, you will definitely become a great player! You are much better than your father was at that age!"
Danlei blushed with joy and chuckled as he received praise from Uncle Xiao, whom he admired most.
"Alright, Lei'er, it's getting late, it's time to rest."
Nanxi stepped forward, took out a silk handkerchief, and gently wiped the fine sweat from Danlei's forehead!
"I have to get up early to go to school tomorrow."
Although Dan Lei was still a little reluctant to leave, he obediently nodded: "Okay! Goodnight, Aunt Nanxi! Goodnight, Uncle Xiao!"
He bowed respectfully to Xiao Ce again, and then, led by his personal old nanny who had rushed over upon hearing the commotion, he walked towards his bedchamber, turning back every few steps...