A Shocking Dream

Qin Ruoyu looked at the sad Qin Rongchen and said softly, "Uncle, if you had known this earlier, it would have been too late. You've been with her for so long and you haven't recognized her. She no longer has the same feelings for you as before."

Qin Rongchen's figure swayed slightly, his face filled with dejection and self-mockery. He had never imagined that fate would play such a joke on him. Once, he and she were in love, making promises to each other. He thought they would have a bright future. But now, everything has changed.

He thought that as long as he revealed his identity, they could rekindle their old relationship.

"Uncle, perhaps letting go is also a kind of love." Qin Ruoyu looked at Qin Rongchen who was lost in thought and couldn't help but persuade him again.

Qin Rongchen smiled bitterly: "Let go? How easy is that? I once promised her a prosperous life, but now I can only watch her drift away." His eyes were filled with endless regret and reluctance, and his mind kept surfacing every little detail of their time together.

In that peach blossom forest, they had played together, her laughter as clear and sweet as a silver bell, and the wreath she had woven for him, still carrying her tenderness and love. But now, the peach blossoms remained, but the woman was completely different.

Qin Rongchen knew he couldn't remain depressed like this. He was the emperor's uncle, shouldering the heavy responsibility of his family and country. However, his heart felt as if it was being torn apart.

Qin Rongchen recalled Lin Wunian's eyes, and a mixture of emotions filled his heart. It had been his fault that he had hurt her so deeply, leaving her struggling in pain and despair.

Seeing her again now, she had moved on from the pain of the past. Her face was serene, her eyes brimming with peace. She chatted and laughed with him, her every move revealing a sense of ease. He should have been relieved, should have been happy about her rebirth.

But why did his heart ache as if it were being torn apart? Was it guilt gnawing at his soul, or was it his undying love for her? He thought of the good times they had shared, the sweet memories he had destroyed with his own hands.

"She can forget the past and start anew. This is the best outcome." Qin Rongchen warned himself in his heart, but his feet could not help but move closer to her. With each step, the pain in his heart intensified. He was afraid to face her, but he longed to be close to her.

He knew that the gap between them could never be bridged again. He could only taste the bitter fruit of his own making alone in this abyss of pain and regret his past mistakes for the rest of his life.

Qin Rongchen sat in the quiet courtyard, the moonlight shining on him, and his thoughts involuntarily drifted back to the time he and Lin Wunian spent at the old mill.

At that moment, swords clashed, their backs pressed together, each breath audible. Lin Wunian, sword in hand, agile and swift, each swing radiating fearless courage. Together, they battled the oncoming zombies, sweat drenching their clothes, yet a bond quietly blossomed in their shared fate. During a lull in the battle, Lin Wunian's bright, resolute eyes gazed at him, a stubborn smile playing on his lips. That moment was etched deeply into his heart.

Now, knowing that she was doing well, Qin Rongchen felt a mixture of emotions. "Loving someone doesn't mean you have to own her. Knowing that she's doing well and that she's given up on me, I shouldn't let her relive her pain, right?" He muttered to himself, as if trying to convince himself.

He thought of the promises he had made to her, those sweet words still echoing in his ears, but now they were only a secret in the deepest part of his heart. He knew that if he disturbed her peaceful life at this moment, it would only bring her trouble and pain, which was what he least wanted to see.

Qin Rongchen slowly stood up, gazing at the bright moon in the sky, as if seeing Lin Wunian's serene face. He silently prayed in his heart, wishing her world would always be sunny and bright, even though there would always be an unfillable void in his heart. He knew that this was another form of love: letting go, letting her fly freely in the sky that belonged to her, while he, carrying this memory with him, would watch over her happiness, without asking when he would return.

Qin Rongchen raised his eyes to look at Qin Ruoyu, his eyes firm: "Ruoyu, her identity is only known to you and me. Don't let anyone else know, otherwise it will be disastrous, including your grandmother."

Qin Ruoyu's face was solemn, knowing full well the magnitude of this matter. The "Lin Bingshuang" Qin Rongchen had mentioned was a name shrouded in palace secrecy. If the Empress Dowager knew of Lin Bingshuang's existence, she would certainly not let her go.

"Uncle, what should we do?" Qin Ruoyu asked softly.

Qin Rongchen pondered for a moment and said, "We can only be more cautious and must not let anyone know her identity. You must not tell her about her identity to me either. I will pretend that I don't know."

Qin Ruoyu nodded slightly. He understood that the Emperor's uncle's actions were all to protect Lin Wunian. However, the Emperor's uncle's love seemed to exceed his imagination. He had thought that the Emperor's uncle would pursue Lin Wunian at all costs and rekindle their relationship. Unexpectedly, after revealing her identity, the Emperor's uncle chose to wait silently.

Qin Ruoyu is well aware of his uncle's frustration and deep affection. His status as the emperor's uncle is like a shackle, locking down his emotions and actions. Lin Wunian's life story is also implicated in the influence of other countries, and their love is destined to be thorny from the beginning.

"Uncle, I thought you would go after Lin Wunian." Qin Ruoyu frowned slightly, with a hint of doubt and unwillingness in his eyes. He really couldn't understand why the uncle who always cared about Lin Wunian in his heart would behave differently now.

Qin Rongchen raised his eyes, and there seemed to be an unfathomable deep pool in his deep eyes. He shook his head gently, "Some things are not as you think." After that, he stood with his hands behind his back, his clothes fluttering gently in the wind, like an immortal who was isolated from the world, but his slightly pursed thin lips revealed a hint of suppressed emotions.

Qin Ruoyu felt anxious and took a step forward. "Uncle, you and her were so deeply in love, how can you let her go so easily now?" His voice rose unconsciously, carrying the impulse and enthusiasm unique to young people.

Qin Rongchen was silent for a moment, gazing at the distant mountains, his thoughts drifting back to the past. Those beautiful memories were like shining stars embedded in his heart. However, the trajectory of his fate had quietly changed. The struggles of various forces made him realize that he was burdened with too many responsibilities and missions, not just romantic ones.

"I have my own considerations, you don't understand." Qin Rongchen's voice was low and hoarse, as if he was suppressing the waves in his heart. He knew that Qin Ruoyu was young and full of energy, so it was difficult for him to understand his helplessness and determination.

Qin Ruoyu looked at the lonely yet determined figure of the emperor's uncle, feeling a mixture of emotions. He had originally thought that the love between the emperor's uncle and Lin Wunian was unwavering, but now all this made him confused and at a loss.