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"They’ve brought back nearly ten carts of different things—" Dechio was nearly unable to control his tone. "And they've completed the circumnavigation of the globe!"
This was the fastest Hedy had ever changed clothes.
She hadn’t expected things to progress so smoothly. It seemed that the world map she and Leonardo had drawn together had played a part, or perhaps it was divine blessing.
Leonardo hurriedly handed the children over to the nannies and guided Hedy toward the conference room.
"Do you think they've found the East?" he asked quickly.
"I don't know—let's hope so," she tightened her grip on his hand, feeling her heart race faster.
"The East, the one Marco Polo talked about, and Zayton!" Leonardo almost struggled to find the right words. "What dynasty is there now? Or did they go to the Americas?"
"I hope they bring me some good news," Hedy began to breathe deeply. "I've been waiting for their fleet for a year and a half—"
The two of them hurried toward the conference room like children eager to receive gifts on Christmas, their attendants following behind, mirroring their every step.
The door to the conference room was wide open, and the sounds of Niccolo and others speaking were already clear.
The moment Hedy stepped into the room, her heart skipped a beat.
She knew she had completely rewritten history.
From the restructuring and unification of Italy, to the birth of Protestantism, to the elevation of royal power, and the comprehensive upgrades in politics and education...
But in this moment, the East and West were finally no longer isolated. The glorious empires hidden across the ocean were now echoing back.
Nine large chests were lined up, each facing her, wide open.
Columbus, nearing forty, now had a thick beard, accompanied by several attendants with similar beards. They all bowed to the prince and queen, signaling for them to view the extraordinary gifts laid out in the room.
White porcelain vases and plates were neatly arranged, filled with luxurious silks and brocades to prevent shaking, with fragrant tea leaves tucked into the gaps.
In addition, there were large jars of black and white pepper, countless spices, pearls, embroideries, gold, and silver—
"Your Majesty," Columbus approached Hedy, holding another small box, his steps measured. "We found Zayton, and along the way, we met the lord and kings there."
"The prosperity and strength of the Eastern city are exactly as His Highness described."
Leonardo took the box from him, signaling for Hedy to open the gift.
Hedy took a deep breath for a few seconds before opening the box.
At the very top was a diplomatic document, remarkably in both Chinese and English, and the format was incredibly clear.
Her heart skipped a beat, and an instinctive sense of foreboding began to form in her mind.
As she lifted the document, another gift embedded with sapphires was revealed.
"This is a special gift from the emperor, meant for you," Columbus smiled. "It took me quite some time to figure out how to use it."
When she saw the object, her pupils contracted in shock.
She recognized it.
It was a Colt 1917 revolver.
——
