After nearly a year apart, they finally met!

When Shen Changqin saw her, his eyes were full of fervor and heartache.

He walked toward Ji Wanxin step by step and grasped her icy cold hand.

It was a touch he had long anticipated.

It also told him truly and tangibly that Ji Wanxin had really returned, and his efforts had not been in vain.

“Wanxin, you’ve finally come.”

The single utterance of “Wanxin” was called with such intimacy.

Ji Wanxin didn’t feel uncomfortable because of his intimate form of address. Her eyes, which inspired pity, held a trace of shyness and gratitude. She lowered her eyes slightly. “Young Master Shen’s wholehearted devotion to Wanxin—Wanxin has no way to repay it.”

“I don’t need you to repay me.”

“The Shen family is a distinguished household, while my Ji family has now fallen into ruin. Wanxin’s status is lowly.” “I don’t despise you.” Shen Changqin’s grip on her hand tightened, trying to make his words more sincere. “As long as you’re willing, I can stay by your side forever and am willing to care for you for a lifetime. Wanxin, I truly want to treat you well. His Majesty has also agreed with me that after some time passes, he will issue an edict bestowing our marriage. You won’t have to keep bearing the crime of your Ji family anymore.” From the first time Shen Changqin saw her, he had already fallen deeply in love with her. In this life and the next, he would marry no other. Even though the Ji family bore the crime of treason, and his own father had always opposed and obstructed him, he had always been a devoted and stubborn person. Once he set his sights on a woman, even if it meant braving fire and water or having his heart torn to pieces, he would not let go—all just to win a beauty’s smile.

Now, he had finally waited for this moment. Ji Wanxin was especially moved by his words. Given her current situation, almost everyone avoided her. Even those who coveted her appearance were unwilling to take the risk, fearing they too would fall under the crime of treason. But Shen Changqin was different. He did everything recklessly just for her. How could that deeply devoted and fervent dedication not move her? It was as if she had been thrown into an unfathomably deep, freezing pool. Dragging her barely surviving body, she desperately struggled. After experiencing despair time and time again, suddenly someone holding a torch slowly approached her, bringing her out of that cold place and giving her endless warmth.

And that person was Shen Changqin!

However—

She understood very clearly that this man was just her stepping stone to the clouds!

“Young Master Shen’s kindness, Wanxin keeps in her heart.” She allowed Shen Changqin to hold her hand.

And Ji Wanxin’s lack of struggle and lack of refusal made Shen Changqin even bolder. He reached out his hand toward Ji Wanxin’s ear, stroking the hair that fell beside her ear. The gentle, comfortable sensation flowed through his fingertips and plucked at his heartstrings, making them increasingly excited and burning hot.

Ji Wanxin turned her head and walked to the doorway. Looking at the collapsed potted plants and fallen leaves covering the courtyard, her eyes reddened. With her back to Shen Changqin, she said, “My entire Ji family has become criminals! It’s rare… that you still think of me.”

Shen Changqin stepped forward, stroking her slender shoulders, and said, “No matter what happens, I will never leave you. Wanxin, I truly want to treat you well.”

“I know.”

“It wasn’t your fault, and it has nothing to do with you. It was because your eldest brother was used by Prince Yi that things turned out this way. Let the past remain forever in the past.”

She smiled bitterly and said “mm.”

“I’ll first escort you into the palace to meet His Majesty. You’ll stay in the palace for a while. Once matters are settled, I’ll petition His Majesty.”

“Mm.”

Seeing her nod, Shen Changqin couldn’t have been happier—his persistence for so long had not been in vain.

Afterward, Shen Changqin brought her into the palace.

Ji Wanxin sent the little maid by her side to the Shen household.

This was her first time entering the palace. Her heart was anxious and also extremely curious. She followed carefully beside Shen Changqin, secretly observing her surroundings.

She finally understood why Ji Muqing had schemed so hard back then to become Crown Princess. These resplendent golden halls, the golden glazed tiles, the purple golden beam columns… each and every one displayed the palace’s extravagance, and also that power and status so close at hand.

No wonder countless people in this world would not hesitate to sacrifice their lives to occupy this place!

Because obtaining all of this meant standing at the center of power, able to wantonly exercise one’s desires.

A eunuch led the two toward the Imperial Garden. In the garden, Wei Yi wore light, comfortable clothing and held a long sword, practicing methodically with a martial arts master he had invited. His sword-wielding technique was already quite skilled, and even the force of his sword swings was just right. It was just that he had learned too late and was inevitably somewhat clumsy, knowing only some simple sword techniques that weren’t particularly impressive. But fortunately, he was diligent enough—if natural talent was insufficient, he would make up for it with later effort.

At this moment, he was already drenched in sweat!

His arms could barely muster any more strength.

The martial master taught from the side while saying, “Your Majesty, why not rest for a while?”

“I’m fine.”

“Your Majesty, if you wish to achieve success, it cannot be accomplished in a single day.”

Wei Yi swung his sword outward, his gaze fixed on the cold gleaming sword tip, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. “What I want is speed!”

Having spoken, the long sword thrust forward, severing a flower’s heart from a nearby plant.

The flower’s heart fluttered down and landed on the ground!

The martial master praised, “Your Majesty has made great progress.”

He smiled without speaking!

At this moment—

The eunuch led two people forward and bowed to one side. “Your Majesty, Lord Shen has arrived.”

Wei Yi didn’t respond, but his peripheral vision glanced in that direction, falling upon Ji Wanxin behind Shen Changqin. Not having seen her for so long, that woman still looked as before—sickly!

He laughed softly and continued practicing with his sword.

The sound of weapons being wielded echoed through the garden—whoosh, whoosh.

From the moment Ji Wanxin came over here, she had kept her head lowered, her hands clasped within her sleeves and twisting together. Hearing the sword sounds, she cautiously raised her head to look over there. She saw that man wielding his sword, his physique robust. His handsome face was covered in beads of sweat, revealing cold, sharp features with distinct angles and deep, keen eyes that emanated an enchanting luster. Those sword-like eyebrows, that high nose, those upturned lips—every feature proclaimed nobility and cold severity, with not the slightest trace of youthful naivety or ignorance.

This… was this still that foolish, idiotic child from before?

Was this still that fool who dared not speak after being bullied by Ji Yuanzhi?

Ji Wanxin couldn’t help but tremble all over. In her impression, Wei Yi wasn’t like this. Although she had learned he was now like an ordinary person, she never imagined it would be like this.

She couldn’t help but feel somewhat shocked.

Her heart involuntarily clenched tight.

Wei Yi left them hanging to the side for quite a while before finally stopping the movements of his hands. He tossed the long sword to the martial master and instructed, “You may withdraw first. Come again at this time tomorrow.”

“Yes.”

The martial master took his leave.

Wei Yi accepted the handkerchief handed over by a palace maid and wiped his sweat. He walked toward the pavilion nearby, not even turning his head as he said, “Lord Shen, come over.”

His voice was low and powerful! Carrying full威慑force!