Traveling through thousands of years, I only love you

The faint light of dawn filtered through the mottled window lattice, gently casting a shadow on the bed where Xiao Yi and Li Lingyuan lay. Li Lingyuan whimpered in her sleep and slowly awoke, only to find herself tightly embraced by Xiao Yi, his chin resting lightly against the top of her head.

"Awake?" Xiao Yi's voice was hoarse and lazy as if he had just woken up, but full of doting.

"Yeah." Li Lingyuan's cheeks flushed, and she looked up at him slightly, "There's no need to attend the morning court today, so we can stay in bed a little longer."

"Okay." Xiao Yi raised his lips into a faint smile, tightened his arms slightly, and pulled her closer to him.

After a long moment, the two reluctantly rose. The palace maids filed in, carrying exquisite clothing and toiletries. Li Lingyuan chose a long, aquamarine silk dress, the hem of which swayed gently with her movements, like the gurgling of water. Xiao Yi donned a deep purple brocade robe, which accentuated his tall, imposing figure.

After breakfast, they walked hand in hand to the pavilion in the center of the lake in the Imperial Garden. Inside, a chessboard and tea sets were already set out. A gentle breeze blew across the lake, rippling the surface and bringing with it the delicate fragrance of lotus flowers.

"Lingyuan, how about we play a game of chess today?" Xiao Yi smiled and sat down on the stone bench, picking up a black piece.

"Okay, don't show mercy." Li Lingyuan was not willing to be outdone. He sat opposite and picked up a white piece.

The two of them played back and forth, the black and white pieces crisscrossing the chessboard. Li Lingyuan would sometimes frown in thought, sometimes beam with joy, her concentration making Xiao Yi lose his focus.

"Xiao Lang, don't be distracted." Li Lingyuan gave him a reproachful look.

"It's my fault, please don't blame me, my lady." Xiao Yi came back to his senses with a smile and placed a piece on the board.

After the game, they strolled through the garden. When they passed a patch of flowers, Xiao Yi suddenly stopped, picked a beautiful rose, and gently inserted it into Li Lingyuan's hair.

"My princess, you are so beautiful." Xiao Yi stared at her, his eyes full of affection.

Li Lingyuan's face flushed instantly. She lowered her head and whispered, "You are the only one who can make me happy."

In the afternoon, sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting a speck of light across the ground. Xiao Yi brought Li Lingyuan to the stables, selected two docile horses, and prepared to leave the palace for a stroll.

They rode slowly out of the palace and along the suburban road, which was lined with lush green trees and birds singing happily in the branches.

When they reached a quiet forest, Xiao Yi dismounted from his horse, walked to Li Lingyuan, stretched out his arms and carried her off the horse.

"Lingyuan, look here." Xiao Yi took her hand and walked to a big tree. Their names and a heart were carved on the trunk.

"This is..." Li Lingyuan looked at it in surprise.

"I secretly carved it a few days ago and wanted to give you a surprise. This is our secret place." Xiao Yi explained with a smile.

Li Lingyuan was deeply moved. She stood on tiptoe and kissed Xiao Yi lightly on the lips: "Xiao Lang, thank you."

It was already late when they returned to the palace, which was brightly lit and had a romantic dinner prepared for them.

In the banquet hall, candlelight flickered and flowers surrounded the room. Xiao Yi and Li Lingyuan sat opposite each other, with the table laden with delicacies and fine wine.

Xiao Yi raised his glass, looked at Li Lingyuan and said, "Lingyuan, the time I spent with you today is the most beautiful memory of my life. I hope we can stay together like this forever."

"I feel the same way, Xiao Lang." Tears flashed in Li Lingyuan's eyes. She clinked glasses with him gently and drank it all in one gulp.

After the dinner, they came to the courtyard of the palace. There were many lanterns in the courtyard. Xiao Yi held Li Lingyuan's hand and walked among the lanterns.

"Lingyuan, do you still remember the scene when we first met?" Xiao Yi suddenly asked.

"Of course I remember. I felt that you were different at that time." Li Lingyuan recalled with a happy smile on his face.

They stopped in the courtyard. Xiao Yi held Li Lingyuan in his arms and whispered in her ear, "Lingyuan, I love you forever."

"I love you too, Xiao Lang." Li Lingyuan hugged him tightly, as if time had stopped.

In the days that followed, their palace life remained filled with sweetness and warmth. Xiao Yi would accompany Li Lingyuan to visit the palace's old maids, listening to their stories and legends of the palace's past. Li Lingyuan would grind ink for Xiao Yi while he practiced calligraphy, and occasionally, playfully, draw a small flower on his rice paper.

Once, the palace held a poetry conference. Li Lingyuan and Xiao Yi attended together, reciting poems and composing lyrics, their talent captivating everyone. Afterward, Xiao Yi took Li Lingyuan to a corner of the garden and secretly recited a love poem he had written for her. Li Lingyuan was so moved that tears welled up in her eyes. She snuggled in Xiao Yi's arms, feeling the happiest person in the world.

On summer nights, they would cool off on the palace roof. Lying on mats, gazing up at the starry sky, Xiao Yi would recount modern astronomy to Li Lingyuan, while Li Lingyuan would recount ancient astrological legends. A gentle breeze brought a touch of coolness, and they gradually fell asleep in each other's company.

With the passing of seasons, autumn quietly arrived. The maple leaves in the Imperial Garden gradually turned red, like a sea of ​​crimson. Xiao Yi and Li Lingyuan would wander through the maple forest, collecting beautifully shaped leaves to make into bookmarks or specimens upon returning to the palace.

On a rainy autumn day, they sat on a couch in the palace's warm room, embracing each other. Xiao Yi told Li Lingyuan about modern movies and music, and Li Lingyuan listened with curiosity, her eyes gleaming with longing. As Xiao Yi watched her, he secretly decided to create more beautiful memories for her.

Their sweet palace life resonated like a melodious love song throughout the ancient palace. Every day was filled with surprises and touching moments, each moment brimming with love. In each other's company, they spent one beautiful day after another, becoming the most enviable couple in the palace, and filling the entire palace with an atmosphere of happiness.