Chapter 339: Take Me to See Him, Okay?

Jiang Heng whispered, "Please, sir, step into the jar."

"Your Highness, if they enter the Royal City, it will surely alarm the Great Khan."

"Perhaps you should report directly to the Great Khan; it would show greater openness."

"Before meeting them before the Great Khan, Your Highness must display the magnanimity of the sole heir to the Khanate, to show the Great Khan that you have a heart that embraces the world."

"After that, we can act."

Bateer frowned, "Afterwards? What are you planning, sir?"

Jiang Heng said seriously, "Leave the matters after that to me; Your Highness need not inquire further."

"Only in this way, should any mishap occur, Your Highness can remain uninvolved."

"For Your Highness's grand ambitions, even if it means sacrificing myself, I am willing."

"Sir!" Bateer was deeply moved, "Very well! Then I will fulfill my role as Great Prince and await your good news."

Jiang Heng solemnly bowed, "Thank you, Great Khan!"

Bateer brightened with joy.

"Great Khan! That's right! As long as Jifeng never rises, I will be the next Great Khan!"

A few days later, Xiao Ningxun and his party finally arrived at the Royal City.

Xiao Ran was the first to impatiently pull back the carriage curtain and peek out, "Wow! Is this the Royal City of Xilu?"

The scene before them was completely different from any city in Zhongyuan.

There were neither towering walls nor rows of houses.

Only a vast, boundless white sea merged with the steppe.

Tens of thousands of felt tents of varying sizes and decorations covered the entire gently sloping plain as far as the eye could see.

In the central area, dozens of massive tents clustered around the most magnificent Golden Tent like stars surrounding the moon.

"So this is what the Royal City looks like," Tuan Tuan perched at the window, her little face full of awe.

The sleeping Fan Fan, who had been soundly asleep, seemed startled by the unfamiliar aura, twitched his ears, and groggily opened his eyes.

The back of the Royal City was a chain of rolling verdant mountains.

The mountains were more massive and lofty than the sacred mountain guarded by the Grey Wolf tribe, their peaks shrouded in swirling mist; the slopes were a deep jade, appearing tranquil and mysterious under the blue sky.

Qing Qing whispered, "That is the steppe's sacred mountain, the forbidden land that the White Deer tribe has guarded for generations, located within that mountain."

The carriage entered the Royal City, carts and horses weaving together, while shepherds and merchants in various tribal garb came and went.

Amid the bustling crowd were the bleats of cattle and sheep and the aroma of roasted meat, creating an extraordinarily lively atmosphere.

Their carriage was not particularly eye‑catching, but the divine steeds of Black Cloud and Red Cloud, along with the Zhongyuan ornaments on the vehicle, still drew many curious glances.

"Huff—" Xiao Er halted the carriage.

Xiao Ningxun asked, "What is it?"

"Someone's approaching from ahead, as if heading straight for us."

The few exchanged glances and disembarked.

Tuan Tuan, cradling Fan Fan, looked forward curiously.

A squad of roughly twenty rugged cavalry broke through the crowd and marched straight toward them.

The leader, about thirty years old, wore a splendid robe of sapphire blue trimmed with gold, his features three‑parts resembling Jifeng, and was Great Prince Bateer.

Qing Qing's complexion changed, "Bateer, the Great Prince has come personally to receive us."

He lowered his head to glance at the Zhongyuan attire on his body, brushed his now very different face, and felt a little steadier.

Bateer halted his horse a short distance away, dismounted, and strode forward.

Harichage bowed, "Harichage of the Keli tribe, I salute the Great Prince."

Bateer raised his hand toward him, "You are the warrior who earned the white feather of the divine eagle at the horse‑racing festival? Well done."

He turned to Xiao Ran and the others, his smile radiant and voice booming, "You are the distinguished guests from the Fiery Nation, aren't you? I, Great Prince Bateer of Xilu, have come especially to welcome you!"

Xiao Ningxun and Xiao Ran exchanged a glance.

Xiao Ningxun stepped forward, placed his right hand on his chest, performed the steppe salute, "Nine Prince Xiao Ran of the Fiery Nation, Count Wenhui Xiao Ningxun, Princess Jiayou of the State and companions, have come to pay respects to the Great Khan of Xilu."

He paused, "We are honored by the Great Prince's personal reception."

"Hahaha, distinguished guests need not be so formal!" Bateer laughed heartily, appearing very cheerful.

"I have already reported to Father Khan. It's just unfortunate that today the tribal leaders who have traveled from afar are discussing important matters with Father Khan."

"Father Khan has ordered me to arrange a comfortable rest for you honored guests, and tomorrow we will hold a banquet in the Golden Tent to refresh and welcome you!"

His words were considerate, his demeanor friendly.

Had the few not known early that his relationship with Jifeng was as hostile as water and fire, they might truly have thought him a warm, hospitable, brother‑like person.

Xiao Ran assumed the prince's bearing, smiled and replied, "Thank you, Great Khan and Great Prince, for your generosity; we shall follow your lead."

"Very well! Everyone, follow me." Bateer remounted, leading the way himself, with cavalry flanking on both sides, squeezing the carriages in the middle.

The party passed through the bustling market, heading toward the center of the Royal City.

Finally, they stopped at a quiet spot about a hundred paces from the Golden Tent.

Here stood three white felt tents noticeably taller than the surrounding ones.

Bateer made a beckoning gesture, "These three tents are what I have prepared for you."

"They may not match the craftsmanship of Zhongyuan houses, but on the steppe they are excellent enough, not neglecting you."

Xiao Ningxun bowed in thanks, "Great Prince, your arrangements are so thorough; we are immensely grateful."

"It is my duty!" Bateer gestured, and a dark‑skinned robust man stepped forward.

The man, about forty years old, wore a curved sword at his waist, his aura steady, clearly a master.

Bateer raised his hand and pointed at the man, "This is Tie He, the most capable centurion under my command, exceedingly reliable and meticulous."

He patted Tie He on the shoulder, "Tie He, from this moment on, you lead a team stationed here to protect Lie Kingdom's honored guests."

"Whatever they need, big or small, you must do your utmost to satisfy."

"If you encounter any difficulty, come report to me directly, understood?"

"Yes! Your Highness!"

Tie He bowed to Xiao Ningxun and his party, his movements flawless, without a single fault.

Protection? Or surveillance? Or both?

Xiao Ningxun understood clearly in his heart, yet his face showed no reaction: "Then I will trouble Warrior Tie He."

"The honored guests have come far and are weary; I will not disturb them."

"Please rest assured; someone will bring meals in the evening."

"Is he Uncle Ji's older brother?"

Tuan Tuan stepped forward holding Fan Fan, lifted his little face, and stared straight at Bateer: "Uncle Crown Prince, you are Uncle Ji's older brother, right?"

Bateer's smile unchanged: "Oh? You must be Princess Jiayou, do you know my younger brother?"

"Yes!" Tuan Tuan nodded vigorously, "Uncle Ji is very nice, I really like him!"

"Where is he? Will you take me to see him?"

Bateer's smile froze.

Xiao Ningxun stepped forward and lightly placed his hand on his sister's shoulder: "My younger sister is young and speaks bluntly; I hope the Crown Prince will excuse her."

"However, we have come this time specifically to thank the Second Prince in person; I wonder if now is convenient?"