Love and choices across time and space

The night in Chang'an was like a thick piece of black satin. The scattered lights flickered on it, but could not penetrate the deep darkness. Inside the imperial palace, Princess Changle's chambers were quiet and oppressive, the air filled with anxiety and anticipation.

Princess Changle wore a gown of moon-white silk, as thin as a cicada's wing. The delicate fabric clung to her exquisite figure like a second skin. The delicate orchids embroidered on the gown shimmered in the dim candlelight, seemingly revealing the princess's innermost secrets. Her long, flowing hair cascaded down her shoulders like a cascade of black satin, a few playful strands brushing against her jade-white face, adding a touch of delicate grace. However, her once lively eyes were now shrouded in a deep sorrow. Her slender brows were slightly furrowed, and her rosy lips were pursed, revealing her inner anxiety and tension.

The princess slowly approached the dressing table, each step heavy. With delicate fingers, she gently opened the ornately carved drawer. Inside, a jeweled box inlaid with dazzling gems lay quietly, emitting a mysterious and alluring glow. Her hands trembled slightly, as if the box weighed a thousand pounds. When she finally opened it, the gold and silver jewelry within gleamed dazzlingly in the candlelight, each piece carrying memories of her past and hopes of her present.

"Chun Tao, this is my last hope." The princess' voice was as gentle as petals in the breeze, filled with endless sorrow and determination.

Chuntao quickly walked to the princess's side and knelt in greeting. She was dressed in the pale green dress of a palace maid, her sleeves fluttering, and the pink ribbon tied around her waist accentuated her slenderness and femininity. Chuntao raised her head and looked at the princess with a firm gaze. "Don't worry, Princess. I will fulfill my mission." Her large eyes sparkled with determination on her round face, and her small nose tilted slightly upward, exuding an air of stubbornness.

The princess nodded slightly and handed the brocade box to Chuntao. "Be careful not to let anyone find out."

Chuntao took the brocade box with both hands and nodded heavily, "Princess, don't worry, Chuntao understands." After saying that, she carefully hid the brocade box in her arms, turned around and left quietly.

Meanwhile, in a humble inn outside Chang'an, Li Yifeng sat in a corner, brow furrowed. The room was filled with an air of age, the plaster peeling from the walls, and the wooden floorboards creaking softly from the wear and tear of time. Li Yifeng wore a slightly worn, dark blue gown. Though its texture was rough, it still made him look tall and straight. His hair was casually tied atop his head, with a few strands cascading across his forehead, lending him a wild air.

Li Yifeng's eyes were focused and anxious, darting around the room as if searching for something. Suddenly, he stood up and began pacing the room. The wooden planks beneath his feet creaked in protest, straining under the weight. "Rations, water bottles, clothes... every single one of them must be perfect," he muttered to himself, a hint of anxiety and uneasiness in his voice.

Li Yifeng walked over to the bed, picked up a worn bundle, and dumped the contents onto the bed one by one. He carefully examined each item, his expression focused as if they were the most precious treasures in his life. "I wonder if this dry food is enough. I need to check the water bag for leaks," he said as he began to rearrange the bundle.

At this moment, there was a gentle knock on the door. Li Yifeng's body tensed instantly. He looked towards the door warily, his hand unconsciously reaching for the sword at his waist. "Who?"

"It's me, Zhang San." A low and familiar voice came from outside the door.

Li Yifeng's tense nerves instantly relaxed. He quickly walked to the door and opened it. Zhang San flashed in. He was a burly man with a broad back and strong waist. His square face exuded boldness and righteousness. He was wearing a black warrior's uniform and a wide belt around his waist, from which hung a sharp long sword.

"Brother Li, I came to see how you are preparing." Zhang San's voice was loud and powerful, echoing in the room.

Li Yifeng shook his head helplessly, "Brother Zhang, I'm very uneasy, afraid that there might be something missing."

Zhang San walked forward and patted Li Yifeng on the shoulder, "Don't worry, Brother Li, I have prepared some silver for you." As he said that, he took out a heavy purse from his arms and handed it to Li Yifeng.

Li Yifeng took the purse, tears of gratitude flashing in his eyes, "Brother Zhang, I have no way to repay you for such a great kindness."

Zhang San laughed heartily. "Brother Li, you are being polite. I just hope you and the princess can escape safely and live a happy life."

Li Yifeng held Zhang San's hand tightly and said, "Brother Zhang, don't worry. Yifeng will definitely live up to your expectations."

Zhang San nodded and said, "Brother Li, time is running out and I can't stay here long. Please be careful." After saying that, Zhang San turned around and left the room. His determined figure gradually disappeared into the night.

Li Yifeng closed the door, returned to the bed, and carefully placed the silver Zhang San had sent him at the bottom of the bundle. Then, he carefully checked the items he had prepared again, and only after confirming that they were correct did he breathe a sigh of relief.

A few days later, one morning, sunlight filtered through thin clouds, gently shimmering across the streets and alleys of Chang'an. Inside the palace, the princess, under the pretext of going to a temple to pray, quietly slipped out through a side door with Chuntao and another personal maid, Xiaohe.

The princess wore a simple light blue dress today, topped by a white cape. The hem of the cape was delicately embroidered, adding a touch of elegance to her demeanor. She wore a white veiled hat, the tulle draped over her head, obscuring her stunning features. Chuntao and Xiaohe also wore the attire of ordinary palace maids, trying not to attract attention.

"Princess, please slow down," Chuntao said softly, her eyes darting around, alert to any movement. Her face, lightly powdered, looked even more charming. In her hands, she clutched a small bundle containing the princess's belongings.

The princess nodded slightly and quickened her pace. They avoided the patrolling guards and the busy maids and eunuchs and successfully arrived at the side gate of the palace.

By then, a modest carriage was already waiting. The driver was a simple, middle-aged man named Fu Bo. He was dressed in a gray, coarse cloth, his hair a little dishevelled, and his face marked by the marks of time. He was a trusted confidant appointed by the princess in advance, and he was deeply loyal to her.

The princess, Chuntao and Xiaohe quickly got on the carriage, which started slowly and headed towards the agreed location.

Inside the carriage, the princess was nervous and excited. She clutched her handkerchief tightly, her palms wet with sweat. "Chun Tao, do you think Yi Feng will be waiting for us there?" The princess' voice trembled slightly, revealing her inner uneasiness.

Chun Tao comforted her, "Don't worry, Princess. Master Li will definitely be waiting for you there."

At the appointed location, Li Yifeng had been waiting anxiously for a long time. He was astride a white steed, its coat as white as snow, its body sleek and its hooves powerful. Behind him, Li Yifeng was leading another chestnut horse, also plump and strong, with an extraordinary presence. Li Yifeng was dressed in a black suit, with a black belt around his waist. A sword hung from it, its hilt inlaid with gems, gleaming brightly in the sunlight. His face was filled with anticipation and nervousness, his gaze constantly gazing into the distance.

"Why hasn't the princess come yet? Did something go wrong?" Li Yifeng murmured to himself, his heart full of worry.

Just as he was getting anxious, the sound of a carriage came from afar. Li Yifeng's eyes lit up instantly. "Princess!" he shouted excitedly. His voice echoed in the empty suburbs, filled with endless joy and anticipation.

The carriage stopped, and the princess got off with the help of Chuntao and Xiaohe. Li Yifeng quickly dismounted and walked quickly to the princess.

"Princess, I'm sorry for making you suffer." Li Yifeng looked at the princess affectionately, his eyes full of pity. His voice was gentle and low, as if he was afraid of disturbing the beauty in front of him.

The princess shook her head and said, "As long as I can be with you, I am not afraid of any hardship." There was a determined light in the princess' eyes, and that light was like the brightest star in the night sky.

Li Yifeng helped the princess onto the maroon horse, then climbed on himself. "Let's go!" He gave the order, and everyone set off.

Along the way, the spring breeze gently caressed their faces, bringing a touch of coolness. The princess's long hair fluttered in the wind, like black satin. She held the reins tightly, her eyes filled with longing for the future.

"Princess, are you okay?" Li Yifeng would turn around and look at the princess from time to time, asking with concern. His voice drifted on the wind, full of tenderness and care.

"Yifeng, I'm fine. Let's hurry on our way." The princess' voice was firm and powerful, and her face was filled with a happy smile.

Chuntao and Xiaohe rode on the same horse, following closely behind the princess and Li Yifeng. Xiaohe's face was full of nervousness and anxiety. She tightly grasped the corner of Chuntao's clothes, "Sister Chuntao, can we really escape?"

Chun Tao comforted her, "Don't be afraid, Xiao He. As long as we follow the princess and Master Li, we will be able to live a free life."

However, what they didn't know was that the palace was in chaos because of the princess's disappearance. When Taizong learned of the princess's disappearance, he was furious, and his majestic face was distorted by anger.

"A bunch of trash! You can't even take care of the princess!" Taizong roared, his voice echoing in the palace, shaking everyone.

The Imperial Guards sprang into action, conducting a blanket search throughout Chang'an City. Li Ming, the commander of the Imperial Guards, stood in the square of the Imperial Palace and loudly commanded the soldiers, "Search thoroughly, leaving no corner untouched!"

At night, the princess and Li Yifeng and the others arrived at a secluded forest. Li Yifeng found a clearing and built a bonfire. Everyone gathered around the fire, their tired faces reflected in the orange flames.

"Princess, the journey may be difficult, but I swear to keep you safe." Li Yifeng looked at the princess, his eyes filled with determination. His face looked particularly resolute in the firelight.

The princess nodded, "Yifeng, I believe you." Her eyes were gentle and firm, as if she had nothing to fear as long as Li Yifeng was by her side.

Chuntao and Xiaohe were quietly preparing dry food. Chuntao took out some dry food and water from her bag and handed them to the princess and Li Yifeng. "Princess, Master Li, please eat something first."

At this moment, a rustling sound suddenly came from the woods. Li Yifeng stood up alertly and drew his sword. "Everyone, be careful!"

A group of men in black rushed out from the woods and surrounded them in an instant. They were all dressed in black night clothes, with black cloth covering their faces, revealing only a pair of cold eyes.

"Protect the princess!" Li Yifeng shouted, rushing towards the man in black. His swordsmanship was fierce, and every move was filled with the determination to kill.

The princess was protected by Chuntao and Xiaohe, her eyes filled with fear and worry. "Yifeng, be careful!" The princess's cry rang out in the chaos.

Li Yifeng fought hard, his clothes were torn several times, and blood stained his clothes red, but he still did not retreat. Finally, under his tenacious resistance, the men in black gradually lost and fled.

"We can't stay here for long, let's go!" Li Yifeng shouted.

Everyone quickly packed up their things, mounted their horses and continued on their journey.

As the night deepened, the moon hid in the clouds, as if unable to bear witness to their difficult journey. Their figures gradually faded away in the moonlight, and what awaited them ahead were more unknown dangers and challenges.