A Shocking Dream

Kou Yurou was displeased, yet helpless. She knew a lot about the rumors surrounding the Holy Maiden of the Yun Nation, and seeing her today only made her believe them even more. She didn't dare to provoke such a mysterious person, and she couldn't. Kou Yurou lowered her eyes slightly, trying to conceal her inner emotions. She knew that in this situation, she couldn't show any dissatisfaction.

Qin Rongchen's gaze was fixed on Yunshuang, filled with deep affection and longing, as if he wanted to carve her into his heart. For so many years, he had searched for her, yearned for her, yet he had never imagined she would appear before him in this way. Shuang'er, I have imagined countless times the scene of us meeting again, perhaps on a quiet mountain path or on a bustling city street, but I never expected it to be at this moment, at this lively yet unpredictable birthday banquet.

Qin Rongchen tried hard to restrain himself from being impulsive, as he knew very well that this was not the right time. He clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging into his palms, trying to use the pain to remind himself to stay calm. However, actions can be restrained, but those loving eyes cannot be restrained no matter what. That gentle gaze, like the warm spring sun, seemed to be able to melt everything in the world. Every time he looked at her, the longing in his heart surged like a tide, and those past memories, those sweet moments, emerged before his eyes one by one. How he wanted to rush up, unveil her, hold her tightly in his arms, and tell her about the longing and pain of these years. But he couldn't, he couldn't ruin it all because of his impulse, he had to wait, wait for the right time.

Qin Rongchen was restraining himself, trying not to act impulsively. It was inappropriate at the moment, and his actions could be restrained, but the loving look in his eyes was irresistible. That gentle gaze seemed to melt everything in the world.

This look caught the attention of several others. Su Yijing frowned slightly. He knew Qin Rongchen too well, and he knew exactly what that look meant. Qin Ruoyu also noticed the emperor's uncle's strangeness and was filled with curiosity. Qin Ronghuan, on the other hand, saw it all, and a hint of vigilance flashed in his eyes.

Yun Shuang could feel Qin Rongchen's burning gaze, but she didn't care. In her opinion, with so many people here, what could he do?

"Saint, why don't you take off your veil? How can you drink like this?" Qin Rongchen couldn't help but speak as he watched her not move her chopsticks. His eyes were filled with anticipation, eager to see the face beneath the veil and confirm whether she was truly the one he had in mind.

"Sage King, you may not know this, but our Saint Daughter neither eats nor drinks." The woman beside Yun Shuang explained. Yun Shuang's words startled everyone. How could she survive without food or water? Everyone looked at each other, their hearts filled with confusion and curiosity.

Qin Rongchen frowned slightly, staring intently at Yun Shuang, trying to find more clues from her. But Yun Shuang just sat there quietly, as if oblivious to everything around her.

"I didn't expect that the Saint has such rules. I wonder what the Saint wants to eat. I will send someone to find her." Qin Ronghuan asked with a hint of curiosity on his face.

"Thank you, Your Majesty. The nectar from the mountains, the lotus pods in the pond, and the flower stamens in the forest are all that is needed." Yunshuang's voice was cold and calm.

"This..." Qin Ronghuan was momentarily speechless. Everyone looked at each other, their faces showing embarrassment. Where could they find these nectar-filled lotus buds in the middle of winter? Everyone muttered to themselves, feeling that the Yun Kingdom Saint's request was extremely difficult.

Qin Ronghuan frowned slightly, pondering how to respond. He didn't want to lose face in front of the Holy Maiden of Yun Nation, but this request was indeed difficult to meet. He looked at the eunuch beside him, who understood and quickly lowered his head, not daring to speak.

"Since the Saint has come to Daqi, why not follow the local customs? You're eating these anyway, so how would they know if you and I don't tell them?" Qin Rongchen's mouth curled up slightly, a hint of ridicule in his eyes. He leaned forward slightly, his eyes fixed on Yunshuang, as if waiting for her response.

Everyone was shocked by this; even Qin Ruoyu was stunned. How could the Imperial Uncle's words to the Holy Maiden of the Yun Nation be so joking today? He paid her special attention and even took the initiative to speak to her, completely unlike his usual cold and sarcastic tone. Qin Ruoyu was filled with confusion. He frowned slightly, his gaze shifting back and forth between Qin Rongchen and Yun Shuang. He had never seen the Imperial Uncle like this before; his eyes seemed to hold some unspoken emotion.

Qin Ronghuan's face darkened slightly, displeased with Qin Rongchen's actions. This brother, always aloof and aloof, was so special to the Holy Maiden of Yun Nation today, which made him feel a little uneasy. He secretly clenched the wine glass in his hand, a hint of vigilance flashing in his eyes.

Yun Shuang raised her eyes slightly, looking at Qin Rongchen with a cold gaze. Her eyes were as cold as a thousand-year-old ice, devoid of any warmth. "Sage King, you're joking. Rules cannot be broken." Her voice remained flat, without a trace of emotion. She raised her chin slightly, her gesture carrying an unquestionable firmness.

Qin Rongchen did not give up. "Why are you so stubborn, Saint? In my Daqi, there are no such strange rules." There was a hint of provocation in his eyes, as if he was deliberately provoking her. He raised his eyebrows slightly, and the smile on the corner of his mouth became more obvious.

"The Sage King has drunk too much. Watch your words and actions." Qin Ronghuan looked at Qin Rongchen with a hint of warning in his tone. He couldn't guess Qin Rongchen's thoughts, but he could tell that his attitude towards this Saint Girl was different from others, so there must be something fishy going on. Qin Ronghuan's eyes became more sharp, and he secretly calculated how to deal with this situation.

Yun Shuang sat there, feeling the multitudes of eyes scrutinizing her, as well as Qin Rongchen's piercing gaze. It was as if those eyes were piercing through her veil, revealing her true face. Her heart tightened slightly, feeling a sense of unease. She stood up and saluted, saying, "Your Majesty, thank you for your hospitality, but I'm feeling unwell, so I'll take my leave now. I won't disturb you all." Yun Shuang knew it wouldn't be good to stay any longer. Rather than fidgeting, she found an excuse to leave. Her voice was cold and calm, without a trace of emotion.

Qin Ronghuan frowned slightly, a hint of hesitation in his heart. He didn't want the Holy Maiden of the Yun Nation to leave so soon, but he couldn't find a good reason to keep her. "Since the Holy Maiden isn't feeling well, please return and rest. I can send the imperial physician if needed." Qin Ronghuan nodded slightly, his expression etched with concern. He knew the Holy Maiden of the Yun Nation held a special status; any mishap in Daqi could cause unnecessary trouble.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Yun Shuang bowed slightly, her voice still cold. Her gaze lingered briefly within the hall, seemingly casually glancing at Qin Rongchen before quickly retracting. Then, under the gaze of everyone, she gracefully turned and slowly departed with her attendants.

The atmosphere in the hall had become somewhat tense with Yunshuang's departure. Qin Rongchen's gaze followed the cyan figure closely, and an indescribable sense of loss welled up in his heart. He wished he could speak to her again, even if it was just a few simple words, to bring some solace to the longing in his heart.

Qin Ronghuan's suspicions grew as he watched Qin Rongchen's expression. This brother, usually aloof and aloof, never speaking to anyone, was so utterly attentive to the Yun Nation Saint today. It was truly puzzling. He secretly decided to send someone to closely monitor Qin Rongchen and the Yun Nation Saint's actions, just in case anything unexpected happened.

With the Saint gone, Kou Yurou was left feeling proud. She raised her chin slightly, a hint of arrogance in her eyes. Though the Yun Nation Saint was enigmatic, she had ultimately left the bustling palace. Now, Kou Yurou was once again the center of attention.

Yunshuang's departure further irritated Qin Rongchen, who had been reluctant to come in the first place. His only desire was to confirm whether she was indeed him. Despite the singing and dancing, Qin Rongchen had no interest in watching, and he drank several cups in quick succession. He simply tossed his glass on the table, staggered to his feet, and said with a dazed look in his eyes, "Your Majesty, I... am already intoxicated. I am afraid to disturb your pleasure by revealing my true feelings. I will take my leave." Before Qin Ronghuan could say another word, Qin Rongchen stumbled out of the hall. His figure gradually receded under the gaze of the crowd, leaving behind a cloud of confusion and speculation.

Qin Ruoyu looked at Qin Rongchen's back. He was puzzled by his uncle's behavior today. He had never seen his uncle lose his composure like this before. The usually calm and composed Sage King seemed like a completely different person today.

Su Yijing, on the other hand, could tell at a glance that Qin Rongchen was pretending to be drunk, and he was quite convincing. The corners of his mouth curled up slightly, revealing a barely perceptible smile. He knew Qin Rongchen too well; this man would do anything for the one in his heart.

At the hour of Mao, the palace was still lit by candlelight, but it wasn't as bright as day. A dim glow flickered, casting hazy shadows. A palace attendant, carrying a candle, carefully led Yunshuang toward the palace gates. The faint light flickered in the silent palace corridor, as if it could be swallowed by darkness at any moment.

Suddenly, several wild cats leaped from the corner, uttering shrill cries. The palace attendants fell to the ground in terror, their candles dropping and instantly extinguishing. Darkness enveloped them, and fear filled the air.

As the palace attendants frantically relit the candles, they discovered Yunshuang had vanished. She had been dragged to the other side of the palace wall by a man. The man, tall and straight, dressed in black, looked particularly mysterious in the night. Yunshuang frowned slightly, a flicker of alarm in her eyes. She tried to break free from the man's grasp, but his immense strength prevented her from moving.

Yunshuang knew who he was, so she remained silent. Outside the palace walls, the dim candlelight illuminated the two close shadows, a few centimeters apart. Yunshuang leaned against the wall, and Qin Rongchen's tall body blocked her way, his two hands blocking her left and right, holding her in his arms, leaving her nowhere to escape.

Qin Rongchen's eyes were as gentle as water, quietly looking at the woman in front of him. His heart was beating wildly, and the strong heartbeat seemed to tell of his inner excitement and joy. In addition, due to drinking, Qin Rongchen was steaming all over and smelled of alcohol. The faint smell of alcohol filled the air, mixing with his unique aura, forming a unique atmosphere.

Yun Shuang lowered her eyes slightly, not daring to meet his gaze. She could feel his warm breath brushing against her cheek, causing her heart to beat faster. She clasped her hands tightly together, trying to control her emotions.

Qin Rongchen looked at her, and a wave of pity welled up in his heart. He gently stretched out his hand, wanting to touch her cheek, but at the moment he was about to touch her, he hesitated again. He was afraid that his action would scare her and that she would run away again.

In this quiet corner, the figures of the two people were particularly clear under the candlelight.

Qin Rongchen didn't cover her mouth at first because he was afraid of mistaking her for someone else. A normal person would scream in this situation, but she didn't. He was sure she knew it was him, so he was so bold as to hold her in his arms and whispered softly, "Are you still running away?"

There was a hint of helplessness and nostalgia in his voice, as if questioning her escape over the years. His gentle tone was like a spring breeze, yet it carried an irresistible power.

"Have you seen enough? If you have, let me go." Yun Shuang met his gaze, her tone tinged with stubbornness. She tried hard to break free from his restraints, but his embrace was like a warm cage, preventing her from escaping.

The moment their gaze met, she saw the tear dripping from the corner of his eye. How could he… Yun Shuang's heart was filled with complex emotions. She had never seen him so vulnerable before. The tear seemed to drip into her heart, causing her to tremble slightly.

Qin Rongchen ignored her words, staring at her intently, his eyes filled with a mixture of deep affection and pain. His eyes were like a deep lake, surging with endless longing. That gaze seemed to penetrate her soul, leaving her with nowhere to escape. There was also a hint of pleading in his eyes, begging her not to leave again, not to make him struggle in endless longing. That blazing gaze, like a burning flame, made Yunshuang's heart beat faster.

"You're always playing hard to get," Qin Rongchen said, raising his hand to touch her face through her veil. The familiar touch of his fingertips was a feeling he'd never experienced again. That gentle touch seemed to carry with it endless longing and yearning. At that moment, Qin Rongchen's heart was a whirlwind, a crisscross of emotions. He felt the joy of reunion, yet also the guilt and regret for the past. He thought back to the time they'd spent together, and those beautiful memories flashed through his mind like a movie.

"Sage King, please respect yourself." Yun Shuang turned away, not looking at him. Her voice was cold, yet it couldn't hide a hint of panic. Qin Rongchen saw her reaction, and his heart ached slightly. He knew he had hurt her so deeply that she was now so resistant to him. But he would not give up. He was determined to win her heart back.

"Self-respect? Shuang'er, you and I almost tried to distance ourselves, and now you're telling me to respect myself?" Qin Rongchen's lips curled into a wicked smile, his eyes full of playfulness. However, behind this playfulness, there was a deep sense of helplessness and pain. He wished so much that time could go back, so that he could make a new choice and not do the things that hurt her.

"The Sage King is plotting against the Holy Maiden of the Yun Nation. What do you think will happen if I shout now?" Yun Shuang's eyes flashed with a hint of threat. Qin Rongchen looked at her and smiled bitterly. This woman was always so stubborn. He knew she wouldn't actually shout, she was just being stubborn.

"Then shout, anyway..." Qin Rongchen said, leaning close to her ear, "I don't care about those words anymore. Besides, I won't be the one who suffers." His breath brushed against her ear gently, with a hint of ambiguity. Qin Rongchen's heart was filled with longing. He longed to hug her again, to kiss her, to tell her how much he loved her. But he also knew that now was not the time. He had to take it slow and let her accept him again.

This woman was always tough on the outside but soft on the inside. If she had wanted to resist, with her martial arts skills, she would have escaped long ago. Qin Rongchen knew her too well. After all, she still had him in her heart. He stared at her closely, his eyes full of confidence and expectation.

The warm breath from Qin Rongchen's ear made Lin Bingshuang's ears flush, and her face instantly turned red. The warm breath seemed to have a kind of magic, causing her heartbeat to speed up involuntarily. She tried hard to remain calm, but the blush spread uncontrollably.

"Qin Rongchen, you've gone too far." Lin Bingshuang's voice was filled with anger and shyness. She tried to break free from his embrace, but he held her tightly, making her unable to move.

Lin Bingshuang wanted to push him away, but before her hand touched his chest, Qin Rongchen hugged her in his arms, leaned his face against her neck and said, "Shuang'er, I've been looking for you for five years. I thought I would never see you again in this life. Shuang'er, don't leave me, I was wrong." His voice was full of pain and regret, and those affectionate words pierced Lin Bingshuang's heart like a sharp arrow.

A sudden chill hit her neck, and Lin Bingshuang was stunned. Was he really crying? A complex wave of emotions welled up in her heart, a mixture of heartache and helplessness. This man, once so proud and confident, was now shedding tears for her.

"Qin Rongchen, don't be like this, let me go first." Lin Bingshuang's voice was a little flustered. She didn't know how to face his feelings, she was afraid of being hurt again. But she also felt a little bit of pity in her heart, she didn't want to see him in such pain.

In this quiet corner, the two hugged each other tightly, as if time had stopped.