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墨書 Inktalez
Yin Luo smiled and stepped into the courtyard. It was already spring, and the trees in the yard were particularly lush. Yin Luo couldn't help but pause, gazing at the greenery, feeling a bit lost in thought.
Unknowingly, two years had already passed.
She remembered when she had descended the mountain; it was still the scorching summer, the heat felt as if she had been living in a boiler all day. Now, in the blink of an eye, it was already the second spring, with only one year left until the three-year mark.
A woman brought out a little boy who was over a year old. He walked unsteadily, his features delicate and charming. The woman held his hand and squatted beside him, gently saying, "Huan'er, call your mother."
Yin Huan lifted his tender face and asked innocently, "Isn't mother Huan'er's mother?"
The woman laughed cheerfully and replied, "Father and mother are just accompanying Huan'er. Huan'er's real mother is her."
Yin Huan looked up at Yin Luo, tilting his head in confusion.
Yin Luo squatted down and extended her hand gently, saying, "Huan'er, I am your mother."
Yin Huan looked at her and suddenly burst into giggles, saying, "Pretty sister! Mother, pretty sister!"
He pointed at Yin Luo, laughing joyfully.
The woman glanced at Yin Luo and quickly said, "Miss, please don't mind. Huan'er has never met you since he learned to speak; it's normal for him not to recognize you. In the future, he will know who his mother is."
Yin Luo looked up at her and smiled lightly, saying, "It's fine. Mother, you go ahead with your tasks; I'll sit with Huan'er for a while."
The woman responded and went back inside the house.
Yin Luo immediately reached out her hand, and Yin Huan, unafraid of death, quickly opened her arms. With a knowing smile, she picked up Yin Huan and placed her on a small wooden stool in the courtyard. From her bosom, she took out a lock and said, "Yin Huan, do you like it? This is the Longevity Lock that Mother sent you. I hope you will be healthy and live a long life."
The child was still too young to understand much; she simply picked up the lock and began to play with the bell on it.
Unknowingly, Yin Luo stayed in this courtyard until afternoon.
She remembered that year when she found Yin Huan; he was just over a month old and had been abandoned by someone. At that time, seeing him so pitiful stirred her compassion, so she took him in and found a family to care for him. If things went well in the future and she could escape safely, she would definitely take this child with her. But if she couldn't escape, she would have to entrust him to this elderly couple.
As they parted, the sun was setting, already dusk.
"Princess," Qin Liu Yan approached and handed her a secret letter. "This was sent by the emperor's messenger. The people mentioned here are his trusted confidants placed around you over the years. The emperor said that if we can incite chaos within Li Country, he has the means to ally with neighboring small countries and invade Li Country. Even if he can't break through in one go, as long as chaos continues within Li Country and the borders are in crisis, it will give them an opportunity. At least in the future, they won't have to live under others' control!"
Yin Luo tucked away the paper and mounted her horse. "Contact all these people mentioned here but hold off on any actions for now. The three-year period hasn't arrived yet; I still need one more crucial piece on the board. Everything will wait for my command!"
Qin Liu Yan acknowledged her orders.
The calm before the storm was the hardest to endure. This year, Li Country faced continuous disasters; Mu Changqing often ran around in a frenzy dealing with various issues. Internal political strife was intense. Throughout this year, Mu Fengyan spent more time among the common people to understand their hardships. Although he didn't accomplish anything significant, he gained considerable public support. In contrast, Mu Changqing in the court resorted to ruthless measures to stabilize the situation, which drew criticism from the populace. Over these years, his overwhelming power led many citizens to voice their grievances for Mu Fengyan, arguing that he should step down from his heavy responsibilities and return authority to the emperor.
A year passed, and the three-year deadline approached.
Once again it was a scorching summer day; fortunately, it was cool in the mountains. Over this past year, she had rarely left her home or had much contact with outsiders. The martial arts teacher from her past had long been dismissed; instead, she preferred inviting masters to teach etiquette. She remained at home during her leisure time copying scriptures; now several boxes of scriptures had piled up, indicating that her self-cultivation phase should come to an end.
One morning as usual, she served the flowers and plants outside the palace with Qin Liu Yan, watering each pot carefully. Although there was much humidity in the mountains, it was summer after all; under the scorching sun, some delicate flowers struggled to survive. Thus every morning she tended to them meticulously.
"Princess, Guardian Qin, a group of people has come down from the mountain; could they be Prince and his associates?"
Qin Liu Yan paused and looked at Yin Luo.
Yin Luo turned to her and smiled slightly, saying, "He mentioned in his letter that he would arrive in three days. Could it be that he has come now? Liu Yan, go take a look."
Qin Liu Yan accepted the order and left, returning shortly after to report, "Princess, it is indeed Prince and his party!"
Yin Luo's eyes flickered as she set down the gourd in her hand and smiled lightly, "Since they have arrived, we should go welcome them."
She went into the inner hall to change into a plain white Long Skirt. Although it was simple, the collar and cuffs were adorned with scattered peach blossoms, elegant yet exquisite. Her long hair was styled into a bun, secured with a Crimson Peony Hairpin, adding a touch of nobility. A long sash of the same peach color cinched her waist, from which hung a piece of Hetian Jade. The Long Skirt trailed on the ground, flowing gracefully with her movements. Qin Liu Yan followed closely behind her as they exited, her gaze heavy.
This outfit was neither extravagant nor trendy; it was a uniquely stylish choice that exuded freshness and elegance, reflecting the benefits of her years of self-cultivation.
In the scorching summer heat, those climbing the mountain naturally suffered more. Yin Luo and the others stood at the mountain top, having already witnessed the hardships faced by the group ascending. Although they could see them approaching, the mountain path was difficult to traverse; it took them an entire hour to reach this point.
From afar, they saw a group waiting at the summit. The foremost figure was strikingly beautiful; just one glance stirred countless ripples in Mu Changqing's heart.
Three years!
He had waited painfully through over a thousand days and nights. Now, he could finally have her wholeheartedly by his side. The joy within him was beyond words.
He quickened his pace, unknowingly leaving everyone else behind as he ascended alone.
"Servant pays respects to Jin Wang!"
The voices rose and fell around him but could not compare to that one person ahead.
Yin Luo lowered her body as Mu Changqing walked up to her and held her hand. Yin Luo raised her head, and they looked at each other. For a moment, he was reluctant to break this gaze with words, but it was Yin Luo who spoke first, smiling gently, "Prince."
"Call me Changqing."
Mu Changqing pulled her inside, and Yin Luo chuckled lightly, lifting her skirt as she followed him in.
This place had once been built by his orders, but after it was completed, he had never come here. He had only glanced at it from afar, knowing she was here made his heart feel incredibly at ease.
He led Yin Luo into the hall, and immediately someone presented tea. Mu Changqing waved them away, pulling Yin Luo to sit on his lap, gazing into her clear eyes. Within her pupils was a bright light: "After three years apart, you are even more enchanting than before."
Yin Luo smiled slightly but then frowned as she looked at him, reaching out to take his mask.
Mu Changqing instinctively placed his hand over hers and met her gaze. For a moment, the tension in his heart eased, and he withdrew his hand.
Yin Luo easily removed his mask.
It was still that face, extraordinarily handsome and captivating.
She carefully traced the contours of his face: "Prince, you seem a bit more haggard than before."
Mu Changqing was taken aback for a moment before laughing and holding her hand: "Because I've been worried about you. I haven't slept well for half a month; isn't it natural to look haggard?"
Yin Luo chuckled softly, gazing at him: "Are you really that happy to see me?"
Mu Changqing cupped her face in his hands and stared at her for a full minute before suddenly pulling her tightly into his embrace: "It's more than just happiness. For these three years, over a thousand days and nights, you've entered my dreams every night. I don't know how long it's been since I've slept well just waiting for this day! Luoluo... this time, you won't leave again, right?"
Yin Luo's gaze froze, and she lowered her eyelids in a place where he couldn't see, softly replying, "As long as the prince is willing, Luoluo will guard the prince for a lifetime!"
Mu Changqing's body trembled, seemingly filled with extreme joy. He released Yin Luo and without hesitation leaned down to kiss her.
Yin Luo said nothing, only reached out her hand to hold him tighter.
After three years apart, every feeling was etched deep in their hearts. The two stayed in the hall until evening before coming out. The night on the mountaintop was so quiet that only the sound of the wind and rustling leaves could be heard.
Yin Luo led Mu Changqing to the back mountain, a perfect spot where the sounds of the wind came from both sides, and below was a patch of grass and flowers, making it ideal for stargazing.
"There are so many affairs in court; are you really okay not attending the morning court?"
Holding her close, Mu Changqing chuckled lightly and said, "This king has worked hard for them for so many years. If I can't spare a few days to accompany my wife, then this Prince Jin is truly exhausting!"
Yin Luo chuckled softly and replied, "You're saying that again. Regardless, the current situation in court is turbulent. If you weren't stationed there, how could you control the situation?"
Mu Changqing fell silent for a while before he sighed softly and said, "I always have a bad premonition, but I can't figure out why. It feels like something significant is about to happen."
Yin Luo was taken aback and sat up from his embrace, looking at him closely with lowered eyes. "What are you worried about?"
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