In the crowd, a man and a woman shared a passionate kiss on the fragrant long street. Though no one paid them attention, the scene was utterly intoxicating.
“Qin Zhiyan, we will be together forever. We will overcome all hardships. The pain has passed, and nothing will ever come between us again. We will depend on each other, never part, never abandon one another, through life and death, forever side by side.
Qin Zhiyan, tell me, is that alright…”
That night, Qin Zhiyan’s spirits were truly exceptional—better than they had ever been. They walked until very late, solving lantern riddles, watching dragon boats, drinking plenty of spicy Fanggui wine, eating noodles from street stalls, riding swaying flower boats, doing all the things they had never done before, like a pair of children who had played themselves wild.
Only when Qing Xia grew somewhat tired did they sit by Mingyang Lake, gazing at the lights of all Pengyang City. Qing Xia leaned against Qin Zhiyan’s shoulder, her thoughts drifting so far away. Between her breaths, she could smell the fresh scent of green grass and drooping willows.
Qin Zhiyan’s voice carried such distant quality, like ethereal song lyrics, gently resonating by her ear: “Yima’er…”
“Mm?” Qing Xia’s voice was drowsy—she seemed about to fall asleep.
The man laughed softly and said, “I’m truly happy today.”
“I have never been this happy,” Qin Zhiyan gazed ahead, his voice gentle as he continued, “Being able to watch fireworks with Yima’er, being able to drink strong wine with Yima’er, being able to stroll the streets with Yima’er, buy things, solve lantern riddles, eat noodles—it’s all so wonderful.”
“I’m very happy too,” Qing Xia smiled and said, “When I’m with you, I’m happy doing anything.”
Qin Zhiyan chuckled softly: “Yima’er, is the outside world really like those foreigners said—with so many countries and so many strange customs?”
“Yes,” Qing Xia laughed and said, “Beyond the great sea, there are many, many more countries. There are Europeans, Africans, Americans—white, yellow, and black people who all look completely different. Each continent has so many countries. Our Great Qin is just such a tiny little dot on the world map. Every place has different customs and traditions. The world is so vast. If you’re willing, we can set sail across the ocean, go to Africa, go to America, go to the Sahara Desert, see Egypt’s pyramids, see the Nile River, go to the Bermuda Triangle. We can visit many, many places and travel to every corner of the world. My sailing skills are especially good—you have no idea.”
Qin Zhiyan laughed gently, his breath warming the top of Qing Xia’s head, tickling slightly. His voice was like rich Fanggui wine—mellow and lingering: “Yima’er has always been capable. You’re the strongest woman I’ve ever met. No matter what happens, you can always turn misfortune into blessing and handle everything with ease.”
Qing Xia suddenly laughed, her face flushing with embarrassed rosiness as she said, “You can’t praise me like that—I’ll get conceited.”
“You deserve to be conceited,” the clear breeze from the lake surface blew over, lifting both their hair strands to tangle together intimately. “Yima’er, I love you very much. I want to live with you forever, want to take care of you, spoil you, protect you, keep you from wind and rain, keep you from being bullied, keep you from being sad, from crying, from heartbreak. I want you to always be able to smile happily and live joyfully. I want to take you to famous mountains and great rivers, build a cottage in places with beautiful scenery. I want to have a beautiful child with you, then watch him slowly grow up. I want to see what you’ll look like when you’re old, when you’ll lose your teeth, when you’ll grow white hair. I want to lie under the sunshine, holding your hand, fanning you. I want to plant a courtyard full of vegetables with you, fertilize and water them ourselves, learn to make pastries, watch you wake up every morning and eat breakfast I made with my own hands. I want to accompany you through a lifetime, and when you’re old, hear you say that being with me in this life—you truly have no regrets.”
Qing Xia’s eyes suddenly grew moist. She didn’t know if it was because the wind from the lake was too humid, or if she was truly very sleepy. Her lips just gently curved upward. Listening to the man’s gentle, lingering words, she laughed softly, lightly, happily, and slowly said, “It will happen. We will definitely be together forever. We’ve walked through life and death, we’ve experienced conspiracies and traps. Prince Qin is gone, the Crown Prince is gone, Prince Yan and Prince Xiang are all gone. We’re just ordinary people now. No one here knows us. We can travel together, tend flowers, grow vegetables. We won’t bother with anyone—we’ll just live happily together like this. You must keep your word, wait for that day when we’re old, wait for me to say those words.”
Qin Zhiyan suddenly laughed, his smile like the wind on the lake surface—so light, so gentle.
“Yima’er, meeting you is the happiest thing in my life.”
Qing Xia leaned against Qin Zhiyan’s shoulder and laughed softly: “And isn’t it the same for me? Qin Zhiyan, heaven is finally going to start treating us well. There’s still a long road ahead. We must support each other as we walk forward. Neither of us can give up easily.”
“Mm,” Qin Zhiyan nodded, his eyes like March lake water as he said, “Right, neither of us can give up easily.”
Hearing his resolute words, Qing Xia suddenly felt happy. She looked at Qin Zhiyan and suddenly said softly, “Qin Zhiyan, let me play a tune for you. You only taught me one before—this is a tune from my hometown that I learned myself.”
“That sounds wonderful.” Qin Zhiyan smiled with delight.
Qing Xia took out that long flute, held it to her lips, and said, “This tune is called ‘Quiet Moon,’ dedicated to my dearest Qin Zhiyan, hoping he stays healthy and forever happy.”
Qin Zhiyan’s eyes were so gentle, with a faint glow, brilliant like stars at the horizon.
The light tune slowly echoed through the air. Gentle ripples arose on the quiet lake surface. The entire world seemed to quiet down. The distant clamor and lively crowds felt so far from them. Between heaven and earth, only the two of them seemed to remain, yet it felt so warm.
Qin Zhiyan, do you know? As long as you’re here, I have confidence to face anything. As long as you’re here, I’m not afraid of anything. As long as you’re here, I can be strong and carry on.
But you must be here, you must be here—as long as you’re here.
That night, Qin Zhiyan insisted on carrying Qing Xia back. Though Qing Xia refused repeatedly, she finally gave in. She carefully climbed onto Qin Zhiyan’s back, afraid he might collapse from weakness.
Fortunately, he didn’t. Though Qin Zhiyan looked thin, his back was so broad. Qing Xia lay on his back, her arms around his neck, her pointed chin resting in the hollow of his nape. They walked across white stone arched bridges, past flowing streams, along quiet lakeshores, through flourishing flower groves, past bustling markets, past tall lantern platforms. So many people cast various looks their way—disdainful, jealous, envious, and blessing. But Qing Xia paid no attention and didn’t even look. She only focused intently on Qin Zhiyan’s brow and eyes, watching his profile, occasionally using her garment to wipe sweat from his forehead.
The moon that night was truly beautiful—big and round, hanging high in the sky, so bright and clear. The wind was good too, blowing softly with the fresh scent of flowering trees. The weather was perfect—neither cold nor hot.
Everything was so wonderful that years later, when they recalled that evening again, they couldn’t help but smile.
When they returned to the residence, it was already the fourth watch. Dawn was faintly breaking at the horizon. They lingered in the room, and Qin Zhiyan had never been so passionate before—again and again, soft yet fervent kisses covering every corner of her body. Every inch of her skin trembled and quivered. This was satisfaction like never before, intense love and intoxication wrapping them tightly.
They made love countless times until Qing Xia fell asleep from exhaustion. She could still feel Qin Zhiyan beside her, gently kissing her brow and lips, speaking some words in a low voice that she couldn’t make out clearly.
Some worry rose in her heart, but she still suppressed it. In such a blissful moment, her heart refused to think about unhappy things.
She thought that since Qin Zhiyan could be like this, perhaps his body was getting better, perhaps nothing would happen. She smiled a big happy smile and gradually sank into dreams.
This sleep was the most peaceful she’d had in a long time. All her thoughts were set at ease, all her worries were set aside. Like a happy woman, she waited for her beloved to kiss her awake, so she subconsciously lingered in the warm bed, reluctant to wake for a long time.
The sun rose and gradually set. Qing Xia slept the entire day. When she opened her eyes, golden light already filled the outside. She frowned, seeming somewhat confused, her throat a bit blocked, yet still called Qin Zhiyan’s name softly. But the surroundings were empty—not a soul was there.
She suddenly felt afraid and hurriedly sat up, but suddenly felt aches throughout her body. Looking down, she saw her entire body bore traces of last night’s passion, and her face immediately flushed crimson. Just as she moved, she suddenly discovered on the empty bed a stack of clean light blue dress clothes—a beautiful, simple style that was exactly Qing Xia’s favorite kind. Underneath was placed a warming charcoal box. The clothes had been scented and were still warm.
Qing Xia couldn’t help but laugh. Qin Zhiyan was probably outside.
She dressed herself and saw several plates arranged on the table, all covered with lids turned upside down. Qing Xia lifted the covers and found all her favorite dishes, though the colors and aromas were quite different—clearly not cooked by Bi’er. Qing Xia picked up chopsticks and tasted a bite, finding the flavor actually quite good, and the smile in her eyes deepened.