Hearing Ye Xi's words, both Enjou and Nabelin were overwhelmed with astonishment.
Ye Xi looked at Nabelin, his gaze revealing a hint of appreciation. "To have the courage to hide your identity and join the Royal Guard in a kingdom that was rotting five hundred years ago... your bravery is worthy of praise."
"Nabelin, you deserve this glory, so there is no need to feel inferior."
In those days, it was rare for a woman to even dare to become a swordsman, let alone enter the Royal Court. Once her identity was exposed, the consequences would have been unimaginably miserable! This courage alone was enough to completely outclass many men.
"So, what did you do when the kingdom was in peril?"
Nabelin lowered her head. "I... I only protected a small child..."
"I see."
Ye Xi smiled and said, "As a woman, in the face of the kingdom's calamity, you protected a young child."
"If it were an ordinary woman, she would likely have only been able to await death, let alone save another."
"But Your Majesty... that child turned into a Hilichurl..."
Hearing Nabelin's words, Ye Xi sighed slightly. "That is the curse of The Heavenly Principles, and that is why we must resist."
"Eh?!"
Nabelin suddenly felt very strange. Why? Why was her heart beating so violently?
She suddenly felt that Ye Xi standing before her was shining! All along, she had lived in fear, terrified that her identity would be discovered. Terrified that someone would accuse her of cowardice and timidity! If the late King Irmin had known she was a woman, it would certainly have been a dead end!
She had thought that after being exposed before Ye Xi, she would not escape the death penalty. But...
But Ye Xi's words made her feel a blazing warmth in her heart! Someone understood her! It turned out that even if she only saved one child, she didn't need to feel inferior!
"Your Majesty... Wuwuwu..."
"There is no need to weep, Nabelin. Revert to your human form."
"Yes...!"
Hearing Ye Xi's words, Nabelin closed her eyes and mobilized the power of the Abyss. In the next moment, the Abyss pollution all over her body vanished completely, revealing her original face and figure.
Ye Xi nodded repeatedly as he watched. Just now, Nabelin had only revealed her long hair and half of her profile. Now that she had fully reverted to a human appearance, one couldn't help but marvel at her beauty.
Her features were very cold and glamorous, like an ice-mountain beauty. She wore her hair in a high, long ponytail, and her figure was curvaceous; she was a complete beauty. Moreover, she must not have been very old when she was infected back then, looking like a face of no more than twenty years.
"A very beautiful face, Nabelin."
"Ehh—!?"
Hearing Ye Xi's praise, Nabelin's stern little face was covered in a scarlet flush, and her heart pounded incessantly. She suddenly felt that the new King was truly so gentle! Completely different from the cold impression she had imagined! It was enough to make one fall for him, unable to extricate oneself!
"Like Enjou, you may address me as 'Lord' from now on."
Nabelin was so moved she was about to cry upon hearing this, and she hurriedly nodded. "Thank you for your grace, Lord Ye Xi!"
"Mn."
After restoring her human body, even her voice became much more pleasant to hear. Although somewhat cool and clear, it was very feminine at this moment.
"So, Nabelin, are you willing to offer your life for me?"
"This subordinate is willing!"
Nabelin did not hesitate in the slightest. She prostrated herself at Ye Xi's feet, nodding repeatedly. "If it is for Your Majesty, I am willing to offer my everything!"
She still feared death. But if it was for Ye Xi! She would absolutely not be afraid! Because she felt Ye Xi's benevolence! After knowing her identity as a woman, Ye Xi was not angry, but instead praised her greatly. Even saving a single child during the crisis was a praiseworthy deed in Ye Xi's mouth.
This made her feel that Ye Xi was truly so sublime! He was the person she wanted to pledge her life and loyalty to! She had only one thought in her heart now, and that was submission!
"Very good."
Ye Xi nodded and spoke, "Let's end it here for today."
"Additionally, Enjou."
"Those outdated rules of the old kingdom should be abolished."
"Men and women working together makes the work not tiring; do not discriminate against women."
"Yes! Lord Ye Xi!"
Watching Ye Xi's departing back, Enjou breathed a sigh of relief and slowly stood up.
"Nabelin, that you were able to survive is entirely due to the King's mercy!"
"In the future, you must contribute all your strength in the mission to rule the Four Nations!"
Nabelin nodded, unable to help but sigh with emotion. "What a benevolent King! I will offer all my loyalty!" She felt that she had already obtained powerful strength. This was all bestowed by Ye Xi!
"Alright, Nabelin, it is time to complete our work."
"Work? But My King did not assign any work!"
"Did you not understand My Lord's final words?"
Nabelin was stunned for a moment and repeated, "Men and women working together makes the work not tiring..."
"Correct!"
Enjou pushed up his glasses frames with his finger and said in a deep voice, "My Lord's meaning is very obvious: he wants to establish a Palace Maid Squad!"
"My Lord is wise and treats everyone equally."
"So, since there is a Royal Guard, naturally there must also be a Maid Squad."
"Only this can be called 'men and women working together'!"
Nabelin suddenly came to a realization and nodded repeatedly. "So that's what 'men and women working together' means! I thought it just meant the literal meaning."
"Humph."
Enjou smiled and said, "My Lord's wisdom is boundless; how could his words only have a literal meaning?!"
"My Lord is seeing if we can penetrate the profound meaning within; this is a test!"
"If we are incompetent, My Lord will certainly discard us!"
"Nabelin, you still have many, many things to learn."
"Yes!"
After the conversation ended, the two returned to the homeland of Khaenri'ah through the Abyssal Rift.
....
When Ye Xi came out, he smelled the fragrance of breakfast. With many women in the house, the last things to worry about were chores and delicious food.
Arriving at the dining room, Keqing and Ganyu's attire instantly lit up Ye Xi's eyes. They were actually in Sumeru style, and even Lumine had changed into Sumeru clothes, looking extremely beautiful.
At this moment, Lumine was scanning Keqing and Ganyu's delicate bodies with ill intentions, her gaze full of wretchedness. Keqing looked guarded, deeply afraid that Lumine would get handsy while she wasn't paying attention.
Seeing Ye Xi arrive, Keqing hurriedly stood up and asked, "Master Ye Xi, can we go to Liyue today?"
"We have already thoroughly tasted the fruits here; we can go to Liyue Harbor to discuss this business deal!"
"As expected of the Yuheng Star..."
Ye Xi exclaimed, "Thinking about work first thing in the morning, you really are disciplined."
Keqing smiled awkwardly upon hearing this. She just felt that if another day passed, how would she sleep in the same room as Ganyu at night? After all, with what happened yesterday, it would be very awkward!
"Very well, we will set off for Liyue Harbor after the meal."
Ye Xi did not refuse. Anyway, having finished the matter of the 'Bestow' experiment, they could set off for Liyue Harbor. He needed to quickly complete the ore transaction and then come back to engage in infrastructure construction.
Seeing Ye Xi nod, Keqing instantly felt joy in her heart. "Good! Ganyu has no objections, right!"
"Eh!? No..."
Hearing this, Ganyu's heart was filled with reluctance for the delicious fruits. She hadn't eaten enough yet! But, since it was for work, she had no choice but to return to Liyue Harbor.
The breakfast was light and not greasy, and soon everyone had filled their stomachs.
"Then let us prepare to set off."
Hearing Ye Xi's words, Dunyarzad asked, "Miss Keqing, your clothes aren't dry yet, what should be done?"
"Clothes!?"
Before Keqing could answer, Lumine, who was to the side, had eyes shooting out beams of light!
"Dunyarzad, where are my wives' clothes!? Just leave them to me for safekeeping~"
"Hehehe... Ah-Qing and Ganyu's intimate small clothes must be as fragrant as before..."
As soon as these words came out, the girls in the room all let out meaningful exclamations of surprise.
"Oh~ There's a story! Keqing~"
"The Traveler is so amazing, even the Liyue Qixing..."
"Impressive, impressive!"
"Hahahaha, as expected of the Traveler!"
Even Ye Xi had a face full of question marks. Good lord, this girl plays quite wild!
Wait...
Before!?
Ye Xi looked at Keqing and Ganyu, a meaningful smile emerging on his face. "Keqing, it seems you and Lumine... uh, really know how to play."
"Ehh—!?"
"No, no such thing! Don't listen to the Traveler speaking nonsense!"
"Master Ye Xi, you... don't get the wrong idea!"
Keqing and Ganyu were full of panic, their pink cheeks instantly flushing red.
The nearby Lumine looked heartbroken. "Ah-Qing, that's not what you said before! At that time in bed... Mmph!"
Keqing hurriedly covered Lumine's mouth, speaking as if she were dying of shame and indignation: "Traveler! Stop talking—!"
"Mmph mmph!"
Lumine nodded, looking as if she were giving a guarantee.
Keqing only then released her hand, though by now her pretty face was so red it looked like it was about to bleed.
"Ah-Qing, if you want me not to tell, it's not impossible. Leave the clothes to me~ Hehehe..."
Lumine put her hands on her hips, her face full of a bad grin.
"You—! You're actually pushing your luck!"
Keqing was just about to get angry, but upon seeing Lumine's playful look, she immediately surrendered. "Fine, fine..."
"But, you cannot do strange things with my clothes!"
"Roger that~"
Lumine looked smilingly at Ganyu who was to the side...
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