A Shocking Dream

He wondered to himself, could he really only choose one between power and love? At this moment, a breeze blew through the courtyard, rustling the leaves, as if telling of this endless melancholy and secret.

"They left overnight?" At dawn, Qin Rongchen received the news that Lin Wunian had left overnight. His body suddenly froze, as if frozen in place, his face filled with astonishment and disbelief.

Qin Rongchen could never have imagined that Lin Wunian would be so resolute, leaving quietly and without warning under the cover of night. A complex mix of emotions instantly welled up in his eyes: loss, confusion, and, most of all, deep bewilderment. Despite the numerous animosities between him and Lin Wunian, he felt there was still time to resolve them, to make amends.

The attendants beside him dared not utter a word, cautiously observing the Sage King's expression. Qin Rongchen remained silent for a long time, his fists clenched until his knuckles turned white. He turned abruptly and strode towards the courtyard where Lin Wunian had once lived. The courtyard was empty, only a familiar scent lingered, as if telling of her past presence.

Qin Rongchen walked into the room, which was meticulously tidy, as if she had never been there. Only a faint, elegant scent of hers lingered in the air. The candle had long since been snuffed out, a small piece of cooled wax clinging to the wick, like a story that had come to an abrupt end. Qin Rongchen's heart ached suddenly, as if it were being gripped tightly by an invisible hand.

Even though he knew in his heart that Lin Wunian had been reluctant to care about him for some time, the loss and melancholy he felt when he knew she had left so quietly and without even a word of farewell still overwhelmed him like a surging tide. He slowly walked to the table, his fingers lightly brushing across the smooth surface, as if he could still feel the warmth of her presence there.

Qin Rongchen's eyes were filled with pain and confusion. He recalled the time he had spent here with Lin Wunian. Her words and actions had illuminated his heart like the warm spring sun. But now, all that remained was this empty room and his heart filled with loneliness. He looked around, trying to find even the slightest trace of her, but he found nothing.

Qin Ruoyu rushed over after hearing the news, his heart filled with anxiety and confusion. He had originally thought that he would come here to say goodbye to Kankan properly. He had rehearsed the parting scene countless times in his mind. He would carefully hand the gift he had prepared to her and tell her his feelings.

Even more than that, he eagerly anticipated learning from Lin Wunian when she would bring Kankan to the capital to reunite with Yuanyuan. However, when he arrived, he found the house deserted and hushed. Kankan and Lin Wunian had already departed overnight, leaving behind no words. Qin Ruoyu stood blankly in the center of the courtyard, staring at the closed door and lifeless windows, a deep sense of loss welling up in his heart.

He slowly walked into the room where Kankan had lived. Everything was neatly arranged: the bed was neatly folded, the tables and chairs neatly placed. There was no sign of anyone having played or laughed here before. Qin Ruoyu's steps were heavy. He walked to the table, his fingers lightly touching the surface, as if he could still feel Kankan's presence.

"Why did he leave like this?" Qin Ruoyu muttered to himself, a hint of melancholy in his voice that was hard to conceal. He thought of Kankan's gentle eyes and the careful way she bandaged him. He thought of the good times they had spent together. Those memories were like sharp blades, deeply piercing his heart.

Qin Ruoyu turned and left the room, gazing up at the faint morning light on the horizon. A mixture of emotions washed over him. He didn't know why they had left in such a hurry, nor did he know where to find them. But he knew this sudden separation left him feeling empty, as if he had lost something important. He stood there silently for a long, long time, letting the cool morning breeze caress him, his thoughts drifting far away, trying to find a clue in his memory about their whereabouts.

Qin Ruoyu stood in the deserted courtyard when a sudden flash of inspiration struck him. Yuanyuan, the girl far away in the capital, was Kankan's sister. Yes, Lin Wunian and the others would definitely go find Yuanyuan; it seemed inevitable.

At this thought, Qin Ruoyu's furrowed brow gradually relaxed, and the haze in his heart began to dissipate. He seemed to already see the scene of their reunion in a courtyard somewhere in the capital in the near future. Lin Wunian would remain as calm and composed as ever, Kankan would still have that gentle smile, and Yuanyuan would greet them with her warmth and playfulness. Then, everyone would sit together, and laughter and joy would once again fill the silence after their separation.

Qin Ruoyu, feeling relieved, took a deep breath, temporarily putting his feelings of loss and melancholy behind him. He turned and walked towards Qin Rongchen. Qin Rongchen was standing alone at the door of the room where Lin Wunian had lived. His back looked lonely and desolate, and a strong aura of sadness emanated from him.

Qin Ruoyu walked over gently and patted Qin Rongchen on the shoulder, "Uncle, don't be too sad. I think they must be going to the capital to find Yuanyuan. This is not a farewell forever, we will meet them again." Qin Ruoyu's voice was calm and steady, with a hint of soothing power.

Qin Rongchen turned his head slightly, with pain and confusion still in his eyes, "How can you be so sure?" His voice was a little hoarse, as if he was trying hard to suppress his inner emotions.

Qin Ruoyu raised the corner of his mouth slightly, revealing a confident smile. "Uncle, think about it. Yuanyuan is Kankan's sister. Lin Wunian entrusted her to my care for a few days. Now that she has left so quietly, the most likely possibility is that she is heading to the capital."

After listening to Qin Ruoyu's words, Qin Rongchen was silent for a long time, then nodded slowly, "I hope it's as you said." Although he still had doubts and uneasiness in his heart, Qin Ruoyu's words also gave him a glimmer of hope, and his desperate mood seemed to be slightly relieved.

Qin Rongchen's heart and eyes were now filled with only Lin Wunian's figure. Her departure was like a deep ravine in his heart, leaving him completely unable to think about anything else. Once, he could still calmly remind Qin Ruoyu to always remember his identity and not get too deeply involved in emotional matters.

Qin Ruoyu, watching his uncle in such despair, felt a mixture of emotions. He was deeply aware of his feelings for Kankan, and he also understood that his uncle was no longer able to care about him and Kankan. His uncle's words of warning were still fresh in his mind, but once the seeds of love were planted, they were not easily uprooted. On the one hand, he felt heartache for his uncle's pain, but on the other, he couldn't help but worry about his own and Kankan's future.