EBE Chapter 1315 Meeting
Chapter 1315 Meeting
"Especially since my subordinates had been in close contact with him, that sense of oppression was something no stand-in could fake. In the shipyard, although his words carried a hint of sarcasm, that disdain and certainty emanated from his very bones. And the aura he exuded when he spoke..."
"Oh?" Emperor Shahar astutely grasped the key point: "What did he say?"
The hooded man clearly recounted: "His first demand was to confirm the safety of his wife and child, making it a prerequisite for cooperation. His subordinates informed him that his wife and child were acting as his sincere guarantors. He neither confirmed nor denied this. After that, there was no further communication; he remained silent throughout. He showed no reaction whatsoever to our destination, as if he hadn't heard a thing."
"You didn't even ask where this is?"
Crown Prince Ries frowned, his eyes filled with deeper suspicion: "Being blindfolded and taken to a completely unfamiliar environment, anyone would instinctively want to know where they are. How could he resist asking? Either he's incredibly stupid, or..."
His sharp gaze swept over Eva and her father. "He... he's just so confident, he knows exactly where he is, or he doesn't care at all!"
Eva's eyelashes trembled almost imperceptibly, and her clasped fingers tightened, making her knuckles appear even paler against the backdrop of the purple velvet.
She forced herself to maintain a calm exterior, but her heart was in turmoil.
Xiao Ce's calmness was both expected and unexpected...
But his silence, without asking anything, even the lack of a question about the location, made her feel a strange unease.
Was he not asking because he was certain he knew? Or... did he simply not take the Slavic palace's imprisonment seriously?
She knew Xiao Ce quite well; he was an incredibly intelligent man, almost demonic, even though they had captured him.
However, his unusual reaction made her even more uncertain...
Emperor Shah did not respond to Rhys immediately. His insightful eyes slowly swept over his kneeling subordinates, then looked at Eva, and finally landed on his eldest son.
A brief silence fell over the hall, broken only by the crackling of the wall lamps and the barely audible breathing of the three people.
"Eva, what do you think?" Emperor Shahar finally spoke, his voice low and unreadable, yet carrying an invisible pressure, directly addressing the most crucial figure!
"Your husband doesn't seem surprised by our invitation. Is his calm and composed demeanor a sign that he already knows we brought him here?"
Before Eva could speak, the burqa-clad man beside her said, "Your Majesty, we haven't revealed anything throughout the entire process. He has no way of knowing where he is right now..."
Eva took a deep breath, raised her head to meet her father's gaze, and tried to keep her voice calm and even: "Father, the plan has been executed flawlessly so far, with every step under our control. Ace and Bahar's actions were flawless, Hu Yidao's investigation was successfully misled, and Xiao Ce's performance at Shiva's Tears was in line with our plan; he ultimately chose to go to the appointment alone."
"As for his composure throughout, it's simply his nature. He was the same way when facing thousands of troops in the Turkic lands."
She paused, as if emphasizing a key point: "As for not asking about the location... perhaps he thinks it's pointless to ask before confirming my and Yuanwang's safety. His pride won't allow him to show any weakness under threat."
"Pride?" Rhys sneered, a hint of disdain in his voice!
"In an absolute cage, pride is worthless! I think he's just putting on an act, or perhaps he's not Xiao Ce at all! Don't forget that staff and cassock; no matter how convincingly Ace and the others made it, there's no guarantee they won't have flaws! His silence all the way might have been his way of observing, searching for our weaknesses! Father, I suggest we just send someone to check if it's real or not..."
"Shut up, Rhys! Don't forget who our opponent is!"
Emperor Shah's voice suddenly turned stern, like an icicle piercing the air, interrupting the Crown Prince's somewhat impatient speech. The temperature in the hall seemed to drop even further.
The old emperor's gaze pressed down on Rhys as if it were a physical object, silencing him instantly. A trace of resentment flashed across his face, but he dared not speak again.
"Besides, bringing him here wasn't our request..."
As he spoke, Shahar looked at Eva and said, "You've arrived, but the gentleman hasn't arrived yet?"
Eva shook her head: "No more, but it should be soon!"
Shahar nodded, then said to the burqa-robed man, "You see him first... see if he reacts at all... record his every move..."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
After finishing speaking, the man in the cloak bowed again, stood up, and backed away from the hall, his figure quickly disappearing into the shadows of the corridor outside the door, like a silent ghost.
The heavy, carved wooden door slowly closed, isolating the inside from the outside world.
Only the three members of the royal family remained in the hall. Rhys's face still held resentment. He turned to his father, his voice low but filled with urgency: "Father! This is a rare opportunity! Xiao Ce is now like meat on a chopping block! Why be so cautious? What if he has some secret arrangements, or what about Yin Pan'er, Hu Yidao..."
Shahar said to Rhys, "Alright, don't be afraid... I think they probably don't know... If they did, Yin Weiyong would probably have already sent word, but it's very quiet in Xiao Kingdom..."
Just then, Rhys said, "Father, all our guessing here is just a guessing game! Xiao Ce is as cunning as a fox, and his greatest strengths are bluffing and understanding people's hearts."
"His silence throughout the journey was either a feigned composure or an assurance that we wouldn't dare do anything to him, or even... he might actually have some hidden tricks or reliance that we don't know about!"
He paused, his gaze sweeping over Eva's pale face, before continuing, "But one thing is certain: he cares about Eva, he cares about that child! That's his weakness, and also our most real bargaining chip!"
"Since he's come so cooperatively, why don't we give him a little something to sweeten things up and completely dispel our doubts? Let Eva go see him!"
"How can we meet her? Sending Eva would just expose our scheme, wouldn't it?" Shahar pressed, his eyes sharp as he asked.
“It’s very simple!” Rhys’s lips curled into a cold smile.
"Actually, Xiao Ce is definitely nowhere to be found! Eva and Xiao Yuanwang have both been captured by us. And he doesn't even know who we are..."
“Isn’t Sister Eva always worried about Yuanwang and also concerned about her husband? Let’s have the guards escort her!”
She was taken to the prison cell as if she were truly a hostage controlled by us to coerce Xiao Ce.
Then, have her tell Xiao Ce herself that because she cooperated with us in the capture, we've shown mercy and allowed the couple a brief meeting to see if they and their child are safe for the time being. Of course, Eva should appear fearful and helpless, ideally... with some injuries or tied up, to make it more realistic!
He looked at Eva, his eyes devoid of any warmth, only filled with cold calculation!
Before Eva could speak, Rhys continued, "Sister, you know Xiao Ce well, and you're best at acting in front of him. This time, you'll be the one to confirm it!"
If he really were Xiao Ce, seeing you like this, no matter how well he concealed it, his eyes, his aura, even the slightest twitch of his muscles wouldn't escape your notice! Anger? Heartache? Suppressed killing intent?
You can definitely tell whether these emotions are genuine or feigned! If he remains unmoved, or reacts completely inappropriately... Hmph, then Xiao Ce's identity deserves further investigation! We can then immediately take more direct measures to pry open his mouth!
As Shahar listened to Rhys's plan, his wrinkled face remained expressionless, but a glint of light flashed in his deep-set eyes.
He nodded slowly, very slowly.
"Hmm... that's not a bad idea. Appeal to their emotions, observe their subtle changes, and you'll be able to tell the truth from the falsehood."
He spoke slowly, turning his gaze to Eva with an undeniable air of authority: "Eva, what do you think? For the future of the empire, and to completely dispel any doubts and ensure the authenticity of the bargaining chips in our hands, this risk is worth taking."
Besides, haven't you always wanted to see Yuanwang for yourself? This is a perfect opportunity. I'll have a guard take you to see Yuanwang from afar before sending you to see Xiao Ce.”
Then, Rhys gave Eva a meaningful look and said, "You haven't seen him in a long time either..."
Eva felt a chill run from the soles of her feet straight to the top of her head, instantly freezing her limbs and bones.
The father's question seemed to offer a choice, but in reality, there was no way out.
She opened her mouth, as if to say something, but her throat felt like it was blocked by ice shards, and no sound came out...
To make her deceive Xiao Ce? To portray herself as a pitiful victim kidnapped by her father and brother? To watch him possibly show pain or anger because of her? That would be even more cruel than stabbing her in the back!
She could almost imagine the storm that might have swept through Xiao Ce's deep eyes the moment he saw her "miserable state"!
That storm would shatter her already fragile heart completely.
What terrified her even more was that, with Xiao Ce's almost superhuman insight, would he instantly see through the fact that she was just acting? In that case, all her struggles and hardships would become, in his eyes, a complete and unforgivable betrayal!
Shahar seemed to sense Eva's inner conflict and said, "Eva, once you took that first step, there was no going back. And you should also know that the purpose of sending you to contact Xiao Ce was for the sake of our great Slavic nation..."
Then Rhys continued, his words like a venomous snake: "Think about the future, Eva. Only after we've taken this step carefully, confirming his sincerity and attitude, can we move on to the next step. Otherwise, if it turns out to be a trap, or if he has ulterior motives, the future will only be more dangerous."
"You should know what I mean..."
This blatant threat shattered the last shred of resistance in her heart.
She closed her eyes, her thick eyelashes trembling violently. When she opened them again, her beautiful Slavic blue eyes held only an empty, resigned calm, as if all the light had been drained away.
She lowered her head slightly and nodded, her voice dry.
"Yes, Father. For...for the future, and for the empire. I...I will go."
The voice was weak and feeble, without any strength.
"very good."
Shahar nodded in satisfaction, seemingly quite approving of Rhys's quick wit.
He ignored his daughter's distraught state and raised his voice: "Someone come here!"
The heavy palace doors opened again, and two burly guards, dressed in heavy palace armor and with expressionless faces, entered and stood at attention to receive orders.
"Bring Commander Eva..."
Shahalton paused for a moment, then changed his words, "Take Princess Eva to freshen up. Then, as Prince Rees instructed, prepare her and send her to the ice cellar. Remember, let her see the little prince from afar to make sure she knows the child is safe, so she can be more convincing in her 'acting'."
Tell the prisoner this is an extra favor, a courtesy given to him for his cooperation throughout, allowing him a brief meeting with his wife. Keep a close eye on his every move! Rhys, you personally lead a squad of elite soldiers to provide cover and eavesdrop at the entrance to the ice cellar. If there is any unusual activity, kill them without mercy!
"Also, none of you should give yourself away. Get fully armed and put on those black robes..."
"Yes, Father!" Rhys's eyes gleamed with bloodlust and anticipation as he bowed and accepted the order.
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Two guards stepped forward, their voices booming.
Eva was helped, or rather, semi-forcibly led away from the cold hall by two guards.
Her steps were unsteady, each step feeling like walking on cotton. Rhys's undisguised excitement was like a thorn in her side.
On the other side...
Xiao Ce sat quietly cross-legged on the cold stone bed.
Deep beneath the foundations of the royal palace fortress, the air is bitterly cold, as if frozen with ice crystals.
Outside the heavy metal door, there were only the breathing of two guards who stood like stone sculptures, and the faint echo of iron boots pounding the ground during the changing of the guard in the distance.
He closed his eyes, seemingly asleep, but Lingxu had already taken in the surrounding space of dozens of meters.
The texture of the cold stone walls, the frost condensing on the guards' armor, the faint airflow in the passage outside the door... every detail is crystal clear.
He knew very well that his act of using himself as bait had been very effective...
Just as he was calculating when they would return...
Suddenly, Lingxu detected a slight disturbance at the edge of his senses.
Footsteps!
More than one. Approaching from afar, carrying a deliberate heaviness and sluggishness...
Xiao Ce's eyes twitched slightly beneath his tightly closed eyelids, but his breathing remained steady and long.
coming!
as predicted.
The footsteps stopped outside the heavy metal door. Then came the harsh scraping sound of chains being opened and heavy bolts being pulled away.
“Squeak…”
The cold metal door was pushed open a crack, and an even more biting chill, along with the faint light from the outside passage, rushed in.
A rough voice rang out; they were all speaking a somewhat broken, unified language of the East Asian Federation, and it also sounded in Xiao Ce's ear: "Hey! You inside! You're lucky..."