Traveling through another world to stir the emperor's heart

Jun Lingyuan and Feng Qingyue strolled along the small street for a while, and unknowingly arrived at the river.

An exquisite pleasure boat, decked out in colorful lanterns, sat docked by the river. A gentle breeze swayed the lanterns, and the surrounding water shimmered like countless tiny pieces of gold.

Jun Lingyuan suggested: "Qingyue, let's go sit on that pleasure boat." Feng Qingyue nodded in agreement.

The two stepped onto the pleasure boat, which was elegantly decorated. The table was laid with fresh fruit, delicate pastries, and a pot of delicately fragrant tea. Jun Lingyuan pulled Feng Qingyue to sit by the window, where they could take in the panoramic view of the river. Occasionally, a small boat would pass by, accompanied by bursts of laughter.

Feng Qingyue picked up the teacup and took a sip. At that moment, she was thinking about Jun Lingyuan's opinion of her after the incident with Ye Qin. More precisely, Jun Lingyuan's perception of the original owner. She put down the teacup, her eyes fell on Jun Lingyuan's face, and asked softly, "Lingyuan, do you still remember what I looked like when you first met me?"

Jun Lingyuan was stunned for a moment, then lost in his memories. "I first met you when the general brought you to a palace banquet. But I only saw you from afar then. You were among the crowd, so I didn't have much of an impression. The first time I truly remembered you was when you fell from a tree at the palace banquet. I suddenly felt someone drop down in front of me, and when I saw it was you, you looked so panicked, like a frightened deer, yet with a unique agility."

Feng Qingyue's heart stirred, and she secretly sighed. It turned out that the Feng Qingyue he had truly known was herself all along. Before, Feng Qingyue and he had no connection, but she had unknowingly begun to care about him. She couldn't help but wonder, if one day she went back and the original owner returned, would they still be able to get along like they did now? Would he be able to tell that it wasn't her?

Jun Lingyuan listened to Feng Qingyue's inner thoughts and watched her changing expressions. He remained calm on the surface, but deep down he was terrified that she would leave, that the old Feng Qingyue would return. So, seemingly nonchalantly, he said, "Qingyue, a question suddenly occurred to me today. If you really like someone, would you do anything for them?"

Feng Qingyue was startled. She didn't understand why Jun Lingyuan suddenly asked this. She looked up at him and saw a probing look in his eyes. She felt a little flustered, but she feigned composure and replied, "Lingyuan, if you truly love someone, you'd naturally be willing to do a lot for them. But 'everything' is too absolute. There are always things that go against your principles and bottom line that you can't do."

After hearing Feng Qingyue's answer, Jun Lingyuan raised his eyebrows slightly and asked, "Oh? Then what does Qingyue think are principles and bottom lines?"

Feng Qingyue's heart was in turmoil. She didn't know what Jun Lingyuan was trying to find out. She took a deep breath and replied, "For example, harming innocent people and betraying one's country—those are the bottom line. No matter how much you love someone, you can't do these things."

Jun Lingyuan nodded slightly, and then continued: "What if it's just some small things, such as changing your preferences, or giving up something for that person?"

Feng Qingyue felt as if Jun Lingyuan was pressing her harder and harder. She pursed her lips and said, "If two people are in love, making these small changes for each other is also a manifestation of love. But if it's unrequited love, doing so might be a bit foolish."

Jun Lingyuan's lips curled up into a faint smile. He approached Feng Qingyue and asked softly, "Qingyue, will you do this for me?"

Feng Qingyue's face flushed instantly. She glanced at Jun Lingyuan with a reproachful look and said, "Lingyuan, why are you so strange today? You keep asking all these inexplicable questions."

Jun Lingyuan sat up straight and said with a smile, "I'm just suddenly curious about Qingyue's thoughts."

Feng Qingyue felt that Jun Lingyuan's curiosity was more than just a simple one. She felt as if Jun Lingyuan had noticed something, but she couldn't be sure. She secretly warned herself to be more careful and not let her secret be discovered.

At this moment, the pleasure boat was still moving slowly on the river. The sunlight shone through the window onto the two of them, casting a warm shadow. However, Feng Qingyue felt that this seemingly calm atmosphere concealed undercurrents.

Although Jun Lingyuan stopped questioning Feng Qingyue, his mind was completely occupied by her words. He sat there quietly, seemingly admiring the scenery of the river outside the window, but in fact, Feng Qingyue's words kept echoing in his mind.

He gazed at the shimmering river, thinking to himself, "Qingyue's words seem to indicate that she's a principled person. If her feelings for me are deep enough, will she stay for me?"

Feng Qingyue breathed a sigh of relief when Jun Lingyuan stopped asking questions. She secretly observed Jun Lingyuan and noticed that while he appeared calm on the surface, a subtle hint of contemplation lingered in his eyes. She grew increasingly uneasy, wondering if Jun Lingyuan had guessed something.

Feng Qingyue watched Jun Lingyuan's absent-minded expression, feeling a pang of guilt. She knew her existence was a secret, a secret that could explode at any moment, affecting not only herself but Jun Lingyuan as well. But she didn't know what to do. Should she continue to hide it, or find an opportunity to tell him everything?

Jun Lingyuan weighed the various possibilities in his mind. If Feng Qingyue truly loved him, he wondered, could he find a way to keep her by his side forever? But how would he go about it? He had never encountered such a difficult situation before. It felt like facing an invisible enemy, not knowing how to strike.

Feng Qingyue sighed softly. She felt as if a veil had separated her from Jun Lingyuan. Though thin, it prevented them from truly reaching each other. She longed to be with Jun Lingyuan without any barriers, but her secret was like a chasm between them.

Jun Lingyuan said, "Qingyue, the sun is shining brightly. Do you want to go to the bow of the ship and take a look?"

Feng Qingyue responded, and the two of them stood up and walked towards the bow. The wind was quite strong at the bow, blowing Feng Qingyue's hair. Jun Lingyuan couldn't help but reach out and smooth her hair. This gentle gesture made Feng Qingyue's heartbeat suddenly quicken. She raised her head and looked at Jun Lingyuan, her eyes filled with complicated emotions.

Jun Lingyuan looked into Feng Qingyue's eyes, as if trying to find the answer from her gaze. He whispered, "Qingyue, no matter what happens, I hope you can stay by my side."

Feng Qingyue was touched, but she was afraid it was just a momentary warmth. She wondered if Jun Lingyuan would still say such words if he knew the truth. She lowered her head slightly, and said with a guilty conscience, "Lingyuan, I will always be with you."

Jun Lingyuan felt a little relieved after hearing Feng Qingyue's words. But he knew that this was just the beginning, and there was still a long way to go before Feng Qingyue could truly trust him.

Under the warm sunshine, the pleasure boat continued to sail slowly on the river. The two stood at the bow, each with their own thoughts, yet both enjoying this moment of tranquility and warmth.