The surroundings were completely silent, so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Those rough men seemed to know what meaning this thin piece of paper held for their commander. After three days of waiting, there was finally a result. Everyone’s faces showed joy as they quietly waited for the good news that was about to come.

Then, after a long time, there was still no sound. Everyone looked at Qin Zhiyan with confusion, only to discover that Great Qin’s war god’s face was as pale as accumulated snow, his eyes full of pain.

“Your Highness!” An elderly witch doctor noticed something was wrong and was about to ask, when suddenly they saw Qin Zhiyan’s body tremble as he spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, spraying it all over the tender yellow bird.

“Your Highness!” All the officers and soldiers rushed forward to catch Qin Zhiyan’s falling body. The Nanjiang witch doctors crowded around, and after just one look, their faces changed dramatically as they shouted sternly, “No good! Break camp immediately and go to Huaxian City to find the Grand Elder. Perhaps there’s still a thread of hope!”

In the midst of chaos, the bird covered in blood cried out sharply and flew out of the tent. After circling in the air several times, it saw an officer come out and draw his bow to shoot at it. The bird was startled and immediately fled frantically like an arrow from a bow, flying down toward the deep earth ravine.

In the cold wind, that white paper was trampled viciously under countless large feet. The awkward handwriting on it clearly read: “Life, death, fortune and misfortune together, hardship through water and fire side by side, before flowers turning again under the moon, intimate whispers and tender moments – but what can be done? Your heart is like a towering rock, my feelings tender as willow silk. Willow silk can break in winter’s cold, but please let even rocks be moved to shift.”

In the desolate cold wind, tremendous wind and snow suddenly swept and raged. In no time, they buried that fluttering paper cruelly under the white snow.

From noon to dusk, Qing Xia and Zhu Xiaodie waited eagerly for Xiao Ying’s return. As the sky gradually darkened, Qing Xia’s heart grew cold inch by inch. Zhu Xiaodie was so anxious that sweat beaded on her forehead as she kept speaking good words for that little bird.

Just when the two had almost completely lost hope, a sharp, panicked cry suddenly rang out. The two were greatly energized and quickly looked up. Zhu Xiaodie whistled to call it, and the bird dove into her arms, covered in blood from head to toe. In the strong smell of blood, a faint fragrance of premium fritillaria floated out.

Qing Xia stood dazedly in place, all the blood in her body turning ice cold.

The sun had set in the west. Looking up, the moon was bright and stars sparse – it was already night.

All around, hundreds of grasses swayed, the night wind whispered. Below Tianyi Gorge, the green pond’s water rippled, peacefully forming a pool. The pond water flowed over small stones, winding into a stream that meandered westward. Around the water were tall, dense camphor trees with overlapping leaves. The cold moonlight scattered down faintly, illuminating the leaves with white brightness. By the green pond was a patch of giant rocks standing tall. A woman with a slightly pale complexion wore white cotton robes with a blue sash, her black hair like ink and eyes like water. Her dark long hair hung to her waist – from afar, she looked like a fairy in the night, pure and otherworldly.

Chu Li in light robes and loose sash stood far away among the waist-high grass, looking up at the white-robed woman sitting with her knees drawn up on the giant rock. His expression was dejected, a trace of melancholy drifting lightly from his body. Following the woman’s raised head, his gaze projected onto that towering steep cliff, his eyes peaceful and distant, making it impossible to see the turbulent waves within.

Not knowing how much time passed, the night wind grew stronger. Chu Li slowly walked to Qing Xia’s side, removed his outer robe, and draped it over her thin shoulders.

With Qing Xia’s alertness, she naturally saw him coming long ago, but for some reason only said softly at this moment, “You walking around casually at this time – if someone sees you, it’s very dangerous.”

Chu Li didn’t answer, only said gravely, “The night wind is cold. Come back with me.”

“Mm,” Qing Xia nodded and was about to get up, but having sat for so long, her foot was numb and she nearly fell from the giant rock. Chu Li quickly supported her with swift hands and sharp eyes, but saw her shoes were already soaked through with water stains spreading up to her calves, and the hem of her skirt was also wet. The man’s brows furrowed slightly, then he turned his back, extended both hands from behind, and said gravely, “Get on.”

Qing Xia looked at him once, lowered her head without speaking, and just hammered her numb calf hard twice with her hands, then jumped to the ground. After a slight stumble she stood steady, kicked her legs, and prepared to walk back herself.

Who knew that just as she took a step, she was suddenly pulled back by a great force. Chu Li’s face was dark, his eyes black as ink, his brows tightly locked as he said almost word by word, “Do you so dislike having any connection with me?”

Qing Xia was stunned, raised an eyebrow, shook her head and said, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She turned to leave.

“Are you so eager to go up and share a bed with him?” Chu Li suddenly stepped forward and said sternly.

Qing Xia’s eyes were sharp, her face showing anger as she said gravely, “Chu Li, don’t make trouble unreasonably. I don’t want to fight with you right now.”

“Zhuang Qingxia!” Chu Li suddenly gripped Qing Xia’s shoulders tightly, his eyes seeming to shoot fire as he said, “I already don’t mind that you constantly think of him, I already don’t mind that you call his name in your sleep, I already don’t mind everything you did in the past. I don’t mind anything anymore. I even clearly know that as soon as you escape to safety you’ll definitely see me as an enemy and throw yourself into another’s arms. But can you – when facing me, when you can’t see him – can your eyes look only at me instead of staring blankly up above?”

Qing Xia looked expressionlessly at the frenzied man, a trace of pain slowly rising from her heart like a storm that cut her heart to pieces.

Chu Li, I already gave you a chance. But why, when I decided to stay by your side, did you cruelly push me away? Now when I’ve changed my mind, why do you repeatedly try to win me back? That guilt from you torments me day and night, keeping me awake and unable to sleep peacefully. What pushed me into such a difficult abyss – was it merciless fate, or your willfulness and selfishness?

The woman’s eyes were clear and sharp as snow, carrying tremendous composure and determination. She reached out and resolutely pried open Chu Li’s fingers one by one. Finally, under his pitch-black gaze, she slowly stepped back.

“Be careful going back, don’t let anyone discover you.”

Among the swaying grass, the slender woman in white robes with flowing hair slowly walked through the waist-high grass and gradually disappeared from sight.

In the desolate night wind, the young man in light robes stood for a long time. For a moment, he seemed to return to that night over ten years ago. The cold moonlight scattered faintly on his body when his father emperor issued the order for him to go to Eastern Qi as a hostage. All the accompanying palace maids and nannies secretly wept bitterly, regretting following this useless master. His mother, leading his young brother, passed through the magnificent golden palace without even glancing at him, like a brightly colored painting.

He was still very young now, not yet twenty-five, but why standing here at this moment did he suddenly feel he was already so old? His whole life had been desperately fighting fate for survival, but in the end, he didn’t even understand what he truly wanted.

That sentence he once said in Yunxiang Great Hall echoed in his ears again – he had said that in this world, nothing could compare with Southern Chu’s ten thousand li of rivers and mountains. How determined he had been then, with the magnificent scroll of rivers and mountains spread across his heart, vast and sweeping across the six directions and four corners, making his faith as solid as rock, immovable.

But now, he suddenly regretted it.

So the so-called hegemonic grand plans and ten thousand li of territory couldn’t compare to one of her warm smiles.

Qing Xia, do you know? When I ascended the great throne and looked down upon the six directions, my heart was empty inside.

The solitary moon withered, hundreds of insects quietly chirped. Chu Li smiled faintly at the corner of his mouth – I’m already mired deep in mud, how can I extricate myself?

Having walked for less than an incense stick’s time, Zhu Yuanqing’s figure flashed over. Qing Xia was slightly stunned and instinctively looked back. Not seeing Chu Li’s figure, she finally breathed a sigh of relief and went forward with a light smile, saying, “Minister Zhu, in such a hurry – what’s the matter?”

Seeing Qing Xia, Zhu Yuanqing’s expression relaxed somewhat as he smiled, “There’s a banquet in Fengming Palace, and we’re just waiting for you. I heard from Xiao Die that you were at Tianyi Gorge, so I came to find you.”

“Oh,” Qing Xia quickly nodded, afraid that Chu Li might accidentally run into them when he returned, and said, “Then let’s hurry over.”

Passing through flowers and brushing willows, crossing forests and rivers, they reached the magnificently imposing Fengming Palace. Faintly hearing the sound of strings and bamboo instruments, melodiously lingering endlessly in the ears. Several Penglai girls saw Zhu Yuanqing and quickly came forward with flushed faces, bowing their heads in salute, “Brother Zhu, the young lady and all the elders are inside the palace, just waiting for you two.”

Zhu Yuanqing smiled in response and strode forward with Qing Xia.

The jade steps curved upward, and agate palace lanterns on both sides of the gate were inlaid with night pearls, brilliantly colorful and dazzlingly bright.

The great doors opened, and Qing Xia’s eyes lit up. She saw in the spacious great hall, light and shadows flickered with crowds of people. Gorgeous brocade carpets were magnificent and splendid. Well-dressed nobles sat on both sides with cups clinking and laughter flowing. String and bamboo music played as dozens of lavishly dressed women with colorful ribbons and flowing sleeves, slender waists and full hips, danced gracefully and seductively. What a scene of singing, dancing, and prosperity.

All seated in the hall were people of real power in Penglai Valley. Seeing Qing Xia enter, they all stood up and bowed in succession. Qing Xia nodded and smiled in greeting, guided by Zhu Yuanqing to sit next to Lin Mubai. Below them, Yang Feng sat properly upright. Seeing Qing Xia, he smiled warmly. Beside him, the green-robed girl Lie Yunji was also talking and laughing, even grinning and greeting Qing Xia.