A Shocking Dream

Lin Bingshuang felt at that moment that her superior figure had become a mistake. A gentle breeze blew through the plum garden, sending petals cascading down like a pink rain. The faint fragrance of the flowers permeated the air, but it failed to alleviate the slightly tense atmosphere.

"Yu Rou." Kou Jing suddenly came up with an idea and called softly.

"Empress Dowager." Kou Yurou emerged, clad in a pink cape that accentuated her youthful beauty. She was like the most beautiful flower in the plum garden, gleaming in the sunlight. The sunlight, streaming down her body, seemed to drape her in a golden veil.

"Yu'er, it's rare for Yurou to come to the palace, go and accompany her to appreciate the flowers."

"Grandmother, my grandson still has..." Qin Ruoyu really didn't want to stay with Kou Yurou. A hint of helplessness appeared on his face, and his brows furrowed slightly. At this moment, the breeze blew again, ruffling his hair, as if expressing his inner reluctance.

"What else? Don't you want to listen to what I say?"

"Grandson doesn't dare. Yu Rou, let's go." Qin Ruoyu glanced at Qin Rongchen and walked to another place helplessly. His steps were a little heavy, and every step seemed to be on a road he was unwilling to take.

"Rong Chen, since you're here, if for no other reason than this is the first time the Holy Maiden of the Yun Nation has come to my Daqi Imperial Palace. As a courtesy host, shouldn't you show her around the palace?"

"Yes." Qin Rongchen agreed calmly, but his heart was filled with joy. His eyes gleamed with anticipation, as if he couldn't wait to be alone with Lin Bingshuang. At this moment, the sunlight shone on his face, outlining his handsome features and making him look even more charming.

Agreeing so quickly? Qin Rongchen's response caught Kou Lanzhi and Kou Jing off guard, especially Kou Jing, who felt something was amiss and was filled with confusion. In front of everyone, Qin Rongchen took off his cloak and offered it to Lin Bingshuang, who didn't refuse. A gentle breeze rustled their clothes, as if witnessing this tender moment.

"Mother... this..." Kou Lanzhi couldn't believe her eyes. The Sage King was so gentle at that moment. Her eyes were full of surprise, and her mouth was slightly open, as if she was shocked by the scene before her.

Kou Jing said nothing, simply watching the two of them leave the plum garden. The plum blossoms were still in full bloom, their delicate blossoms seemingly telling a series of untold stories. After a long pause, he said, "Send someone to investigate the Saint's background."

"Yes."

"Is the Queen Mother suspicious?"

Kou Jing still didn't say anything. She always had a bad feeling.

"What are you doing? I don't need it." Leaving the plum garden and reaching a deserted area, Lin Bingshuang looked at her cloak, a complex mix of emotions welling up in her heart. She had tried to pull it off earlier in the garden, but Qin Rongchen had held it down, refusing to let her. She didn't want to appear overly intimate in front of everyone and cause unnecessary trouble, but she also felt somewhat helpless about Qin Rongchen's concern.

"Don't take it. Look at your hands, they're so cold, and you say they're not." Taking advantage of the fact that no one was around, Qin Rongchen gently took Lin Bingshuang's hand and held it in his own. The warm touch entered Lin Bingshuang's palm, and her heart trembled slightly. She could feel Qin Rongchen's concern, but she was also worried that such an action would bring bad consequences.

Lin Bingshuang thought to herself: How could he still be so impulsive, completely disregarding the consequences? Our current situation is so delicate, and we could be in trouble if we are not careful. Qin Rongchen, on the other hand, felt distressed: Why are her hands so cold? What on earth has she been through all these years?

"I'm used to it. No need to blow. I'm not cold." Lin Bingshuang stopped Qin Rongchen from blowing hot air on her and pulled her hand back. She didn't want Qin Rongchen to worry too much about her, nor did she want him to be in danger because of her.

"Shuang'er, are you still blaming me?" Qin Rongchen asked when he saw her resistance. He was filled with anxiety, afraid that Lin Bingshuang was still blaming him for his inability to do anything back then.

Lin Bingshuang's heart softened. "Have I ever blamed him?" In fact, I also know his helplessness and pain over the years, and he has been working hard. "Qin Rongchen, you just did these things in front of so many people, have you ever thought about what others will think? Doing this will only harm you and me." Although she said this, she understood Qin Rongchen's intentions in her heart.

Qin Rongchen felt a little disappointed: She was still worried about what others thought. Wasn't her love for me strong enough? "Shuang'er, are you concerned about me?" Qin Rongchen asked tentatively. He already had the answer in his heart, but he still wanted to hear her say it herself.

"If I blamed you, I wouldn't have come to Daqi to see you." Lin Bingshuang knew that Qin Rongchen had been living in guilt and self-blame for the past five years. She asked herself, had she ever blamed him? Her heart was filled with emotion: These years of experience have taught me a lot, and I also know how difficult it is for him.

It turned out that she didn't blame him, she was thinking about herself. Thinking of this, Qin Rongchen felt warm in his heart and planned to hold her hand.

At this time, a palace maid passed by and saw them there. When she stopped to pay her respects, she almost dropped the item in her hand. It seemed that the palace maid was shy when she saw Qin Rongchen.

"Qin Rongchen, it seems that even after all these years, your ability to attract bees and butterflies hasn't changed." For some reason, Lin Bingshuang habitually said this. She felt a little jealous. Although she knew Qin Rongchen's feelings for her, she couldn't help but feel uncomfortable when she saw other women's reactions to him.

"Hmm?" Qin Rongchen was stunned, then he understood what she meant. He grabbed her shoulders and said, "Shuang'er, you haven't been heard from for five years. You've made me worry about you for five years. I want you to make it up to me for the rest of your life." Qin Rongchen's eyes were sincere. He would cherish the person he had lost and found again even more. He would spend his whole life loving her. The feelings hidden in the heart are the most unforgettable. Once revealed, they will be unstoppable. Qin Rongchen is like this, and so is Lin Bingshuang. Looking into Qin Rongchen's eyes, Lin Bingshuang was filled with emotion: he is still the same, he has never changed in all these years. And hasn't she also always been concerned about him?

"Have you planted the plum blossom forest you planted for me?" Lin Bingshuang changed the subject. She didn't want to be overly sincere with him in such a place. She was a little flustered at the moment, afraid of getting too deeply involved in an emotional exchange where she could be discovered at any moment. She longed to hear Qin Rongchen's answer, but she was also worried about the unpredictable consequences of this relationship.

"I've planted them in Hanmei Villa. There, there are the bamboo forests, plum forests, and Epiphyllum flowers that you like. I will plant them for you as long as it's what you like." She always remembered what he said to her. At this moment, Qin Rongchen was smiling, and even his tone of voice was happy. For five years, Qin Rongchen planted everything she liked in Hanmei Villa and lived in the place she liked. He even thought that if he couldn't wait for her in this life, he would burn all those things when he left. What she hadn't seen, she couldn't let others see. Qin Rongchen's heart was full of expectations. He hoped that Lin Bingshuang could see his efforts and feel his deep affection. He imagined Lin Bingshuang's surprise and emotion when she saw those beautiful scenes, and his heart was filled with sweetness.

"Why are you doing this? If I really don't come back, will you wait for me forever?" Lin Bingshuang's words were filled with helplessness and heartache. She knew Qin Rongchen's persistence, but she was afraid that she would let him down. She didn't want Qin Rongchen to waste his life for her.

"Yes, this heart is only for you. It doesn't matter if you are Lin Bingshuang or Yunshuang, as long as you are you, I, Qin Rongchen, will only love you in this life." Qin Rongchen said, placing Lin Bingshuang's hand on his heart. Lin Bingshuang felt the quickening beating of his heart. Qin Rongchen's heart was unwavering, knowing that his feelings would not change despite time and distance. He hoped that Lin Bingshuang would believe him and accept his love.

Lin Bingshuang's heart was filled with ripples. She could feel Qin Rongchen's sincerity. She began to wonder if she was being too cautious and whether she should bravely accept this feeling.

"Have you been wanting to say these words for a long time?"

"Well, I wanted to say this the moment I met you seven years ago." Qin Rongchen's eyes were filled with tenderness and determination. He recalled the moment he first met Lin Bingshuang seven years ago, and the feelings that had quietly taken root in his heart had already sprouted. For all these years, he had buried these feelings deep in his heart, and now he finally had the opportunity to express them. Qin Rongchen felt extremely satisfied and happy. He hoped that Lin Bingshuang would understand his feelings and would spend the rest of his life with him.