The scenery of Lifen Mountain was truly enchanting. I watched as Qiyun Tian stood against the wind, his hair being tousled by the breeze, giving him an otherworldly appearance. He must have felt lonely, huh? Why do I feel this way? I turned my head to look at Qige, Qinglian, and the man who had been following us in disguise. Throughout the journey, none of them spoke, as if they were competing to see who had more endurance.

"What kind of person was I before?" I stood by Qiyun Tian's side, letting the wind blow my dark hair into disarray.

Qiyun Tian remained silent for a long time before speaking softly, "You were a strong person who always considered the bigger picture, who knew when to advance and when to retreat, and never sought vanity." Qiyun Tian casually described the past Pujun.

"Heh, so that's the kind of person I used to be." I didn't know why, but I believed what he said.

Qiyun Tian gazed into the distance, nodding slightly. He thought that if he had never been a prince, he could have lived carefree with Pujun, exploring the vast world together, traveling through mountains and rivers, without so many worries.

"Yes, because of you, I was able to fulfill an old man's dying wish," he said softly, almost inaudibly, but my keen ears caught it.

"What were you talking about?" Qiaotian suddenly spoke up, interrupting the words that were about to leave my mouth.

"Nothing, I was just asking him what kind of person I used to be," I smiled slightly and said to Qige.

Qige looked at Qiyun Tian, who had been standing with his back facing them all along, and thought, "Yuntian, you should tell her. The stability of Qi's territory relies on her abilities, which have hindered the enemy's forces. It has given us time to govern the court and bring peace to the people."

"Did Yuntian say that?" Not out of curiosity, but to know if Yuntian was sincere to Pujun.

"He said I used to be a capable person," that was my conclusion, although I didn't know exactly how capable I was. But I was glad that I could help him. However, I still didn't understand the meaning behind his last sentence.

"Yes, Yuntian is right. You were indeed very capable before," Qige smiled knowingly, thinking that Yuntian's words made sense. Pujun's capabilities were enough to make an average man feel inferior!

Looking up at the sun, it was almost noon. I came up with a fun idea in my head and happily said to them, "How about we have a meal here?"

Qinglian sighed as she watched Niangniang. Oh my goodness, Niangniang always thinks of things that others wouldn't think of. Qige felt that the present Pujun was much cuter than before, so she flew away under Qiyun Tian's signal. I looked curiously at the man who disappeared in an instant, then looked up at Qiyun Tian.

"I asked him to hunt for food since you wanted to eat here, and we didn't bring anything with us. Someone needs to prepare it," Qiyun Tian looked at my puzzled expression and explained gently.

"Then I'll go find some firewood," I said and turned around to run off.

"Niangniang, miss," Qinglian looked at Niangniang running away happily and called out softly. But she realized that she couldn't interfere. She furrowed her brows deeply, feeling helpless.

Qiyun Tian couldn't rest assured to let Pujun wander alone in Lifen Mountain, so he had already followed her. Qige looked at the two people who had left and then at Qinglian, who remained in place without moving.

"Little girl, do you feel like you can't get close to your mistress anymore?" Qige hit the nail on the head, revealing Pujun's identity in Beichen Kingdom.

Qinglian's heart shook, but she didn't say anything. Her gaze deepened, and she clenched her hands slightly.

"You don't need to be afraid. Your mistress is originally from Qi's territory. She won't do anything to harm her," Qige felt that the little girl's identity wasn't as simple as a maidservant.

"Since she won't harm the mistress, why don't you let us leave?" Qinglian's voice changed, sounding dignified.

"I'm afraid that's not something I can decide," Qige said helplessly, feeling conflicted as well. He wanted Yuntian to let Pujun go back to Beichen Kingdom, but Beichen Kingdom had strict ancestral rules. They placed great importance on bloodlines, and Pujun's identity couldn't be revealed. Moreover, it was rumored that the Beichen Empress was carrying the crown prince. After Pujun returned, she would face tremendous pressure. Even if Beichen Kingdom cherished Pujun, it would be difficult to resist the pressure from the court officials. Sacrificing one's personal desires for the country was inevitable. If Pujun stayed by Yuntian's side, she wouldn't let Pujun go easily. It's difficult...

Qinglian had no idea about Qige's current thoughts. Firmly in her heart, she thought, "If there's a chance, I will definitely take the mistress back to Beichen."

While the two were contemplating Pujun's stay or departure, Pujun was currently enjoying herself, completely forgetting that she had come to collect firewood. Qiyun Tian, on the other hand, was following behind her, watching her chase after rabbits one moment and then busy trying to catch the colorful feathered birds resting on low branches the next.

Watching Pujun, who resembled a fairy in the forest, Qiyun Tian suddenly had the urge to take her away from the mundane world. The idea of retiring in seclusion had long been completed. He had stayed behind because of Yang Meiniang, thinking that she was no longer there, so there was no need to stay.

"Hehe," I happily chased after a cute little rabbit. Lifen Mountain was truly a fun place. It had so many creatures. If I could spend my whole life here, I wouldn't be bored. As soon as I had that thought, I spoke out, "Wouldn't it be great to spend our lives here?"

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

Qiyun Tian hadn't expected Pujun to have such thoughts. He approached her and gently caressed her cheek with his fingertips. His gaze was gentle as he looked at the peony flower on her forehead. Softly, he said, "Yes, it would be so beautiful to spend this lifetime with you here."

I stared fixedly at Qiyun Tian at that moment, feeling my heart move and ache for him. It was the first time I truly experienced the uncontrollable nature of love. What did this feeling represent? It was something I had never felt when I was with Xiao.

The birds chirped crisply, and a light mist seemed to envelop the things in the forest. Between the verdant trees, a pair of azure figures gazed at each other, their pale pink robe matching the white garment, creating a harmonious scene.

"You..." I didn't know what I wanted to say, but I felt that I should say something at this moment. However, before I could speak, Qiyun Tian interrupted me. With a smile, he gently said, "Yuntian."

"Huh... Yun... Tian..." I repeated the name dumbfoundedly, and before I could finish speaking, Qiyun Tian embraced me. I couldn't see his expression, but I could feel how tightly he held me.

"You... let... go... I... can't... breathe..." I muffledly said in his embrace.

"I like hearing you call my name," Qiyun Tian loosened his grip a bit but still held me in his arms.

With a brush, my face turned crimson. I pushed against his chest with force, wanting to get away from this man who made my heart beat irregularly. But I couldn't push him away as he held me tightly. In this situation where I had nowhere to escape, I felt like digging a hole three feet deep and burying myself.

"Please let me go first. It doesn't look good like this," I said with a flushed face, thinking, "Is he always like this today?"

"Wait a moment, just a little longer, okay?" Qiyun Tian's hands encircled my waist. Because of their similar heights, Qiyun Tian gently rested his head on my shoulder, using a tone he rarely used to speak.

Listening to his childlike request, a corner of my heart gently relaxed. I also understood why I had loved him before, why my heart had been entrusted to him. Was it right or wrong?

Qiao Aotian watched from a distance as Yuntian and Pujun embraced each other, wondering if it was fate. Since they met, got to know each other, and formed a bond, what had they sacrificed and given up for the sake of Qi Kingdom? He had seen it all, clear in his mind. If it weren't for Meiqing accidentally discovering the late emperor's final decree, he might not have fully understood why Yuntian treated Pujun the way he did. Now, seeing them like this, he was happy for them. However, there was still Yang Meiniang between them. This woman had destroyed her father's ambitions in order to gain Yuntian's trust. How could Yuntian keep her by his side? Was it only because she helped him eliminate those conspirators loyal to her father? Yuntian, you don't want to hurt Yang Meiniang, but do you know how deeply you've hurt Pujun? Pujun will lose her memories, and you understand the reason behind it, don't you?

Sigh... It seems there's nothing for me here anymore. I should go back! The stability of Qi Kingdom was achieved through great sacrifices, and I will govern the country well. Qiao Aotian looked deeply at the tender couple and considered it his farewell.

"Let's go back. They must be getting anxious now," Yuntian said with just a nod, and then he released his arms.

Without his embrace, I felt that the world suddenly became vast and boundless. Suddenly, I felt like I was wandering alone in the world, feeling empty. In a panic, I reached out and grabbed his clothes. I looked at him like a lost child.

"Don't worry, I will never leave you again," Yuntian held my hand and said softly. It seemed like he was making a promise to me.

Why did my vision become blurry, and I couldn't see his expression through the mist? And what was sliding down my cheek? What happened to me?

Yuntian once again embraced me in silence, gently patting my back. But it made my eyes even more painful, as if something was about to burst out. The suppressed pain in my chest for so long seemed to find an outlet and slowly surged out.

"Sob~" I couldn't hold back the tears any longer, and they seeped from my lips. Helplessly, I clung tightly to his chest, burying my head deep in his embrace. I didn't want him to see my weakest side, but because of his words, I lost control and exposed the side I had never wanted others to see.

"Sob~ Sob~ Sob~" The sobbing gradually subsided, and my hands gradually lost their strength. My body leaned weakly against Yuntian's body, as if he didn't support my waist. I might have fallen.

When Pujun cried, Yuntian also felt pain. Over the past decade, Pujun had been the commander-in-chief, setting an example for everyone. How could she show such weakness? She was willing to give up everything a woman should have for him. Yet, he had hurt her so badly, shattering her heart. But he was deeply helpless, and whom could he talk to about it? He had thought that he would have time to reconcile his feelings with Pujun when they arrived here, but he could never have anticipated such an unfortunate event. He knew Meiniang's methods were cunning, but he couldn't imagine she would harm Pujun. Moreover, there was no evidence linking her to that incident. Now that Pujun had returned, as long as she was safe in the future, there was no need to trouble her.

Gently lifting the exhausted Pujun, Yuntian walked steadily back along the path they came from.

I rolled over and opened my eyes slightly, feeling a soft surface beneath me. Strange, I wasn't on Lifu Mountain, so who moved the bed here? I lazily opened my eyes and looked at the pink canopy. Slowly, I recalled what I had done and my face turned red involuntarily. Oh my, I actually cried in front of him, and what's worse, I fell asleep.

"Your Majesty, you're finally awake. You scared Qinglian to death," Qinglian ran over when she heard movement on the bed, anxiously checking on me. Seeing me staring blankly at the canopy, her anxious heart finally settled.

"Qinglian, I..." I started to speak but didn't know what to say to her. In the end, I just lowered my head in silence. I thought it would be better not to say anything to her and looked at the sky outside the window. The sun was already setting, casting a glow of evening colors. Did he leave?

"Qinglian, I'm hungry," I said softly.

"I have already prepared everything. I was afraid that you would wake up hungry," Qinglian said while bringing the food tray from the table, her heart pounding. Just now, the Empress seemed hesitant to say something, which made Qinglian very anxious.

I took the food tray carefully handed over by Qinglian and ate without much grace. The speed at which I devoured the food worried Qinglian, afraid that I might choke.

Main Residence of Prince Qi

It had been many days, and Meiniang gradually grew impatient. The more she thought about it, the more unwilling she became. Ever since that vixen entered the prince's residence, she found it difficult to eat and sleep. Images of Yuntian and that vixen enjoying each other's company kept tormenting her mind. It stabbed at her constantly, and Meiniang couldn't bear the jealousy in her heart. She paced back and forth in her room, considering usable and unusable schemes.

"Xiaolian, tomorrow prepare some pearl hairpins and silk fabric. This concubine wants to go and see the new sister..." Meiniang said, gritting her teeth and unwillingly speaking.

"Yes, Your Highness. Xiaolian will prepare everything," Xiaolian said cautiously, fearing that even a slight mistake would result in the same punishment as a few days ago. Since the prince brought back that woman, the Empress had taken out her frustrations on Xiaolian. Now, hearing the Empress speak like this, it seemed that the new lady would have a hard time.