At dawn, the first ray of morning sun shot through the window lattice.

This was a cottage situated in the valley.

In the soft light and shadows of the morning glow, countless motes of dust danced silently up and down.

On a couch by the window, Shu Shenhui lay with eyes open, gazing at Jiang Hanyuan sleeping beside him, head to head. Scene after scene from last night floated through his mind.

…When she didn’t return, he had come here to fetch her, finally finding her in that cliff cave. Steeped in sorrow, yet still like every day she had lived these twenty-plus years, bearing everything alone. He had finally been provoked to anger by her stubbornness and left her behind. But this time, how could he possibly do as he had that rainy night, never looking back again? He had returned to find her weeping alone in the darkness. He held her as she cried until late into the night when she grew exhausted and completely calmed. Only then did he carry her down the mountain, sharing one horse with her, protecting her in his embrace as they slowly rode back to this valley.

He knew this was the place she was willing to return to. Here lay her sleeping relatives.

Fan Jing hadn’t gone far, always bringing people to quietly follow behind. She had remained quiet and silent, entrusting her entire being to him, leaning back against his chest. One hand lightly circled her waist while the other held the reins. With the gentle swaying of their mount’s movement, his chin occasionally brushed against the soft hair at the back of her head.

At that time, distant snow mountains were serene, overhead stretched a deep blue night sky, stars brilliant, illuminating the pair sharing one horse in the wilderness below.

That stretch of road was as quiet as if in a dream.

After bringing her back to this dwelling where Yan family members came to guard the tombs, she continued sleeping deeply in his embrace until now, when day had broken.

Countless times last night, he had wished the moment could become eternal, that sunrise would never appear. Yet day still came, not delayed even half a moment by his wishes.

Shu Shenhui didn’t speak of leaving, nor did Jiang Hanyuan urge him to go. They seemed to tacitly forget about this matter.

In this valley where her relatives eternally rested, he stayed to accompany her for three full days.

At night, they shared one couch, doing nothing except sleeping together through long slumbers. During the day, he accompanied her riding beneath snow peaks, along lakeshores, climbing high hills, crossing ravines, until sunset and stars filled the sky. Or they would go nowhere at all, just sitting together at the valley mouth, facing the snow mountains and that lake, watching from morning to evening.

Such days he had never experienced before in his life. They seemed monotonous, yet he felt no boredom whatsoever. He loved this tranquil place. His only regret was how each dawn and dusk passed in the blink of an eye.

The third day.

This was a deep autumn afternoon, clear and bright with high autumn sun. The air was dry and clean, as if filled with the crisp breath from snow mountains and lake water.

They sat together, leaning against that tree at the valley mouth, quietly watching the eternally captivating snow peaks and the lake across from them.

The valley was embraced by mountains on three sides, blocking the wind. The sun felt warm on their bodies. Neither spoke, over these three days, they hadn’t exchanged a single word. She gradually grew drowsy, her eyelids heavy. He removed his cloak and covered her, letting her head rest on his lap.

She fell into deep sleep, long lashes drooping to cover her eyelids.

A few withered yellow leaves occasionally drifted down silently from overhead, landing on the ground near them. Not a breath of wind.

The surroundings were utterly quiet.

She slept for a long time, from the brilliant afternoon sun until now at sunset.

Shu Shenhui felt his leg beginning to go numb from her using it as a pillow, but he was unwilling to wake her or move even slightly. Leaning against the tree trunk behind him in the slanted, golden, warm evening light streaming in from outside the valley mouth, he closed his eyes, savoring a daydream he had just had while dozing with her.

Right here beneath this autumn tree, he had dreamed of a little girl standing beside him, tilting her head, eyes wide with apparent curiosity as she looked at him. The little girl was beautiful as jade and snow, with eyes exactly like hers. Her hair was styled in twin buns, and she wore a beautiful little dress. She was smiling at him, her eyes curved with laughter. From the first moment he saw that smiling face, Shu Shenhui felt deeply captivated by her. In the dream, he thought that even if she wanted the stars from the sky, he would unhesitatingly agree and then find every possible way to pluck down the stars and personally give them to her. He hoped she could always smile like that – carefree and fearless, with a smooth life.

When Shu Shenhui awoke, the corners of his mouth curved slightly upward. He seemed to still feel the overwhelming tenderness and joy that had filled his chest in the dream.

Opening his eyes, he instinctively looked down at her and discovered she had awakened at some point.

Jiang Hanyuan lay quietly on his lap, looking up at those eyes gazing down at her.

In this man’s eyes, hazily, she seemed to see the lake colors beneath the snow mountains.

As she watched, the corners of her eyes gradually reddened.

Shu Shenhui gazed at her for a moment, then raised his hand toward her, finally gently touching her face with his fingertips.

This was the first time in three days he had reached out to touch her.

She continued gazing at him. He used his thumb to gently caress her reddened eye corners, then slowly, extremely naturally, bent down toward her. His face descended inch by inch until finally their lips met and touched.

He began kissing her. At first his kisses were light, as if tentative, afraid of startling her – somehow he always felt she remained in a dream, not truly awakened. But soon he sensed she wasn’t refusing or avoiding him. She was so compliant, unprecedented so. Unable to help himself, he kissed her deeply. When a moment later she raised her arms, clinging to his neck like ivy and kissing him back.

How could he withstand such response from her? Feeling her arms encircle him, her warm soft tongue entwining with his, his heart raced wildly, hot currents surging through his chest, as if countless fine needles pricked beneath his skin. He suddenly released her lips, gasping several breaths, then hurriedly pulled that warm cloak still wrapped around her, lifted her bodily from the ground, and quickly carried her into the cottage, placing her on the couch where he had slept beside her for several nights.

Though this wasn’t their first intimacy, his fingers trembled slightly as he removed her clothing. His eyes grew hazy from surging heat. He felt like a youth on his first tryst with his beloved.

The sun sank lower. Darkness fell. Above the valley, stars grew bright, brilliant as burning lamps. He thought the relatives and ancestors sleeping nearby should graciously forgive what he was doing to her. But even if they felt offended, he couldn’t care. His eyes could no longer contain anything else. Between heaven and earth, through sunset and moonrise, with the universe turned upside down, tonight at this moment, only she, Jiang Hanyuan, remained.

Scalding sweat seeping from his pores dripped onto her skin. Shu Shenhui felt boundless joy. Yet even so, deep in his heart, another feeling still shadowed him.

He always felt that from the moment she awoke lying on his lap, quietly gazing at him, until now, even as he engaged in such passionate intimacy with her, she still seemed to be dreaming, never truly awakened.

She seemed to take him for someone else.

This feeling was extremely strong. He couldn’t help remembering that sentence she had once said. He could never forget it.

A pang of sourness, along with tremendous freedom and pleasure, like a fierce dragon suddenly roared from the depths of his heart, bursting from his chest, opening its maw to swallow him whole.

But as long as she could find comfort, could completely forget her sorrows, even if only for this brief moment, he didn’t care. He was willing to be the person she used to vent her emotions to. He even felt somewhat comforted by this.

His arms gathered her into his embrace, making her entwine with him, skin against skin, tightly connected with no gap between them.

“Sisi. Sisi.” He continuously whispered her name.

“Whatever you want to do is fine. I can do anything.”

That hoarse, somewhat bewitching voice spoke softly in her ear, constantly enticing her.

She gradually stopped. Just as he began feeling uneasy, thinking she had awakened, suddenly she exerted force, flipping over to push him flat beneath her. Then she pressed him underneath her.

In the darkness, Shu Shenhui felt her long hair falling onto his chest, tickling his naked skin. He was surrounded by the most superficial tingling pleasure. He couldn’t help laughing softly. As soon as the laughter began, she pounced like a little tiger, arms randomly embracing him.

“Your Highness—”

In the darkness, a call from her entered his ears.

When this “Your Highness” came from her mouth, it was murmured, her voice hoarse and trembling.

She seemed moved by passion.

He felt as if hearing her call him in such a tone for the first time-or rather, not “as if” but definitely. Even during those intimate days and nights in Qiantang, he had never heard her call him like this.

The instant that voice entered his ears, Shu Shenhui felt his entire body tremble. Before he could fully react, he heard her use that passionate, trembling voice to softly call him “Your Highness” once more.

This was the most wonderful sound he had ever heard in his life, more pleasing than the most skillful musicians’ bells and music at court banquets.

These successive calls of “Your Highness” struck directly at his heart’s core. Instantly, his thoughts burned to ash. She had turned him into an unbridled wild horse, a ravenous beast freed from its cage. His hands fiercely embraced her as he kissed her.

This brief yet endless night, they demanded each other like this, sleeping, waking to demand again, repeating several times until finally exhausted, depleting their last bit of strength before he held her in his arms and completely slept.

When Shu Shenhui awoke again, daylight was bright. She still lay quietly beside him, hair disheveled, limbs relaxed, eyes closed in deep sleep.

Shu Shenhui didn’t move. Eyes closed, he slowly savored those two calls of “Your Highness” from last night before opening his eyes, gently separating from her, dressing, and going outside.

Three days had passed.

He had to wake from this dream.

Her Uncle Fan still patiently waited outside the valley mouth. Moreover, his people had also arrived, waiting here with two urgent reports.

One was from Chang’an, personally written by the Worthy Prince. Besides reporting court matters and inquiring about His Majesty’s condition, it asked when he could return to the capital with the young emperor.

The young emperor should not yet have reached Chang’an. The Worthy Prince’s writing showed no urging, but anxiety leaped from between the lines.

The second urgent report came from Jiang Zuwang. Scouts sent by Jiang Zuwang reported that recently, dramatic changes had occurred in the Beidi imperial court. While the emperor remained bedridden, Prince Nan Chi Shu had allied with an uncle to stage a palace coup, ambushing the palace road. In one day, he successively killed the crown prince and several other brothers with whom he had conflicts, washing the court in blood to become the new Beidi emperor and successfully claim the throne.

Jiang Hanyuan awakened, slowly opening her eyes to see brilliant sunlight outside the window, rather dazzling.

She felt her whole body still languorous, not wanting to move even her fingers. Closing her eyes again, memories of last night flooded her mind.

Opening her eyes once more, she turned to see emptiness beside her.

He was no longer on the couch; only her clothes remained by the pillow.

She stared blankly for a moment, then slowly sat up.

Coming outside, she saw him standing alone at the valley mouth, apparently gazing at the snow lake across from them. As if sensing something, he suddenly turned. Their eyes met as he walked back toward her.

She immediately went to meet him. They walked toward each other, finally meeting and stopping beneath the tree where they had sat and slept together yesterday afternoon.

“Sisi, I must go.” He spoke immediately upon meeting.

Dappled sunlight filtered through the branches overhead, falling on his face. This face showed no smile now, but the gaze looking at her was very gentle.

Jiang Hanyuan was silent for a moment, then slowly said: “Take care.”

These were the parting words he had left her days ago.

He smiled, his features relaxing: “You too.” After a pause, he added: “You especially must take care!”

His tone was extremely solemn.

Jiang Hanyuan also smiled, meeting his gaze and nodding: “I will.”

He then fell silent as if lost in thought. After a moment, a faint horse’s neigh came from outside the valley mouth. He started, looked toward her, and slowly said: “Sisi, before leaving, I want to discuss a few more matters with you.”

“Regarding Jian’er, I sense he will soon be able to stand on his own. As for me, it’s increasingly inappropriate for me to continue as regent. He already has the strength for personal rule and the heart for leadership. If I continue overstepping, it will benefit neither him nor me. After returning this time, depending on circumstances, I will restore power to him as soon as possible.”

“There’s another matter I want to mention. Today, I just received news that the Beidi court has undergone dramatic changes, with Chi Shu now in power. People in different positions, even facing the same situation, will think differently. Moreover, this person is no reckless fool. Having inherited the throne but with an unstable position, what calculations he’ll make regarding our Great Wei cannot be predicted. But for Great Wei, this is an excellent opportunity. This year’s autumn harvest is already showing results across regions. Though final totals aren’t yet reported, from current numbers, it meets my expectations. We’ve prepared for this war for years – the opportunity has arrived and cannot be missed. After returning, I’ll quickly mobilize troops and provisions to launch military action to reclaim our Great Wei’s northern gateway. When that time comes, Yanmen will be entrusted to you.”

“Rest assured, Your Highness. The General will spare no effort and not disappoint Your Highness’s trust!” Jiang Hanyuan immediately responded.

Shu Shenhui nodded: “Bingzhou Prefect Chen Heng can be completely trusted. If you ever have urgent matters but cannot easily contact me, you can also seek him. He’s closer to you.”

Jiang Hanyuan nodded.

Another horse’s neigh reached their ears.

She glanced back toward the valley mouth, then turned back with a smile: “I must also return to Yanmen. Let me see Your Highness off partway.”

Shu Shenhui didn’t decline. That day, both groups set out on the return journey.

Yan Cheng led household retainers, subordinates, and many citizens in respectfully seeing off the Regent Prince and his sister from Yunluo. Jiang Hanyuan left Fan Jing behind. Fan Jing separately selected a team to escort her back.

After setting out, by evening, the two groups traveled together to a crossroads on an ancient road.

Going south, he would take a shortcut through Xiao Pass to return to Chang’an. She would continue east back to Yanmen.

Their escorts, knowing the two might have parting words, each stopped far away along the roadside under their leaders’ guidance.

He gazed at her, slowly saying: “After I return, if all goes smoothly, at the latest by this time next year, I should be able to break free and do things I’ve wanted to do for a long time.”

Sitting on horseback, Jiang Hanyuan smiled: “Your Highness will surely achieve your heart’s desires! I offer early congratulations.”

Words of safety and care had been said too often. Neither said them again. At the crossroads, they stopped their horses and faced each other for a moment. She suddenly nodded to him, said “I’m leaving,” then lowered her eyes without looking at him again. She gently tugged the reins, urged her mount, changed direction, and was about to head toward Yanmen.

On the ancient road, the setting sun was infinite, wild grass was sparse. Her figure bathed in it seemed gilded with golden light.

She was about to leave, just like that.

When they would meet again was unknown.

Shu Shenhui watched her retreating figure. That question that had been stuck in his throat for so long suddenly seemed powerfully urged and burst out: “Sisi, may I ask you one more question that has deeply puzzled me?”

Jiang Hanyuan stopped her horse and turned: “What is it?” Her face bore a smile.

“That night of the Chang’an spring races, you were drunk at Princess Yongtai’s mansion. I came to take you home. Half-dreaming, half-awake, you looked at me and said, ‘You’re not him’—”

“To be honest, I thought you were dreaming of that person called Wu Sheng. Now I know it wasn’t him. So, who was that ‘him’? Could you let me know?”

After asking, he gazed at her unblinkingly.

The smile on her face gradually disappeared as she remained silent.

He waited a moment, showing slight annoyance – annoyance at himself.

He changed his words: “Forget it, I was presumptuous again! Why can I never learn? I shouldn’t have asked. Pretend I didn’t speak.”

After a pause, he continued in a relaxed tone: “I know what you most want now. I won’t forget. Return to Yanmen and await news from Chang’an. I’m off!”

He turned his horse to take the southern road.

Jiang Hanyuan watched him go as his escorts immediately followed. Hoofbeats fell on the ancient battlefield road, raising clouds of dry dust.

She watched and watched. As he grew more distant, so far he would soon be invisible, a strong impulse suddenly surged in her heart.

Driven by that impulse and an absurd, ominous feeling of permanent separation she couldn’t understand, she could no longer restrain herself. In an instant, she spurred her horse and chased after him.

He stopped on the road. Discovering it was indeed her pursuing him, he immediately ordered his escorts to wait and rode to meet her. Their horses met midway.

“He was someone I encountered by chance in the military camp when I was thirteen. At that time, he was also just a youth.”

Her chest rose and fell slightly, breathing somewhat rapidly.

He seemed startled, then quickly asked: “What happened after? Where is he now?”

“There was no ‘after.’ I took him to a place he wanted to go, then he left, returning to where he belonged. All these years have passed, and I have never seen him again. Until yesterday…”

She looked into this man’s eyes.

“Just yesterday, I seemed to see him again.”

“Your Highness, on this journey home, please take care!”

She gazed deeply at him, speaking word by word. Finished, she turned her horse and galloped back the way she came.

Shu Shenhui sat on horseback watching her riding figure depart until it completely disappeared, still not moving for a long time.

The setting sun sank, twilight vast. She had long since gone.

He came to his senses, suppressing the infinite sourness, loss, and deep regret in his heart, and slowly took his road.

Yes, regret. He regretted knowing her too late. When he and she finally met, her heart had already been captured by another youth who had played only a brief role in her life.

What kind of extraordinarily talented and handsome youth must he have been to make thirteen-year-old her remember him to this day from one brief encounter, even entering her dreams just yesterday?

Her passion had taken him for that other person. His doubts finally found confirmation.

But no matter, Shu Shenhui told himself again.

The rest of life was still long. At least now, her person already belonged to him. When he could shake off responsibilities and regain freedom, becoming again the youth he once was, he would have a lifetime to accompany her.

In the future, he would surely be able to drive that fortunate person from her heart and make her replace him with himself in her heart – it wasn’t impossible.

This is what he told himself in his heart.