Love and choices across time and space

The night fell like thick ink, weighing heavily on the palace, shrouding the magnificent building in a gloomy silence. Princess Changle's bedroom was like a forgotten island, the faint candlelight dancing on the window paper, as if in a desperate struggle against the darkness.

Princess Changle wore a meticulously remade black nightgown. The fabric, originally her favorite Shu brocade, had been cut to facilitate movement. The nightgown tightly hugged her exquisitely shaped figure, accentuating her slender waist and long legs. A black veil covered her face, revealing only a pair of bright, star-like eyes that gleamed with a mixture of determination and fear. Her hair was strategically pulled up, hidden beneath a black headscarf, though a few unruly strands had slipped out playfully, swaying gently against her fair cheeks.

The princess twisted the corners of her clothes tightly with her hands, and said in a trembling but firm voice: "Yifeng, I am ready. No matter what difficulties and obstacles lie ahead, I will never retreat."

Li Yifeng was also dressed in a black nightgown. He was tall and muscular, and the nightgown fit him exceptionally well, highlighting his broad shoulders and tight muscles. A sharp dagger hung at his waist, the gemstone inlaid on the hilt gleaming faintly in the candlelight. Li Yifeng's face was resolute and handsome, and the deep eyes beneath his sword-like brows were filled with determination and deep affection. He walked up to the princess, gently shook her hand, and said, "Don't worry, Princess. Yifeng will protect you."

The two exchanged glances, took a deep breath, and slowly opened the door. The corridor outside was silent, save for the whistling of the wind. They stepped out of the room with great caution, each step feeling like treading on knife-edge, their heartbeats distinct in the still night.

Li Yifeng cautiously blazed the trail ahead, his eyes warily scanning the surroundings, ears listening for any suspicious sounds. The princess followed closely behind, her breathing rapid, her veil rising and falling with each breath. Suddenly, a nightingale chirped from a nearby tree, and the princess shuddered with fear. Li Yifeng immediately turned and placed a finger to his lips, signaling the princess to remain silent.

They continued on, winding through winding corridors. The lanterns hanging on the corridor walls swayed in the wind, casting eerie shadows. The princess's heartbeat grew increasingly rapid, almost as if it were about to burst out of her throat.

"Yifeng, I'm so nervous." The princess' voice was as thin as a mosquito.

"Don't be afraid, Princess. I'm here." Li Yifeng comforted her.

Finally, they arrived at the foot of the palace wall. In the darkness, the towering wall looked like an insurmountable mountain, daunting.

Li Yifeng squatted down and said in a firm tone: "Princess, you step on my shoulders and I will take you up."

The princess hesitated, bit her lip, and then carefully stepped on Li Yifeng's shoulders. Li Yifeng slowly stood up, holding the princess's feet tightly with both hands. The veins on his forehead bulged, and he used all his strength to push the princess up.

"Princess, be careful!" Li Yifeng's voice became hoarse due to the exertion.

The princess struggled to climb up the palace wall, and just when she was about to succeed, she heard the footsteps and voices of patrolling guards in the distance.

"You have to be careful tonight and make sure nothing goes wrong."

"Yes, if anything happens to the princess, we'll all lose our heads."

The princess froze instantly, nearly falling off the palace wall. "Yifeng, what should I do?" Her voice was tinged with tears.

Li Yifeng looked up at the princess and said firmly, "Princess, don't be afraid. Hide first and don't make any sound."

He quickly hid behind a rockery nearby, pressing his body against it, not daring to breathe. The patrolling guards' footsteps were getting closer and closer, and every step felt like it was stepping on his heart.

"Look here, everyone, be careful."

"Yes!"

Li Yifeng gripped the dagger tightly, his palms sweaty. He prayed silently in his heart, hoping that the patrolling guards would not discover them.

Fortunately, the patrolling guards didn't find any trace of them, and the footsteps gradually faded away. Li Yifeng walked out from behind the rockery and called softly, "Princess, they're gone. Pull me up quickly."

The princess stretched out her hand and with great effort finally pulled Li Yifeng up to the palace wall. The two sat on the wall, breathing heavily.

"Yifeng, can we escape?" The princess looked at the unknown darkness outside the palace wall, her heart filled with fear and confusion.

Li Yifeng held the princess's hand and looked at her firmly: "Princess, believe me, as long as we work together, we will be able to escape."

The two of them mustered their courage and jumped off the palace wall. The moment they landed, the princess accidentally twisted her ankle and gasped in pain.

"Princess, how are you?" Li Yifeng asked anxiously.

"It's okay, I just sprained it. I can still walk." The princess said while enduring the pain.

Li Yifeng supported the princess as they ran out of the palace. The streets were empty, their footsteps echoing only on the cobblestones. The cold moonlight cast a shadow on the ground, illuminating their hurried figures.

Suddenly, a group of imperial guards appeared in front of them. Holding torches, they illuminated the road ahead, and their armor gleamed coldly in the firelight.

"Stop! Who are you?" the commander of the imperial guards shouted.

Li Yifeng and the princess turned and ran, with the imperial guards chasing them closely.

"Run separately!" Li Yifeng shouted to the princess.

The princess ran in one direction, while Li Yifeng led the imperial guards in another. He moved through the narrow alleys like a ghost.

"Hold still, or I'll shoot you!" The voice of the commander of the imperial guards sounded behind him.

Li Yifeng's heartbeat quickened, and his breathing became rapid. But his steps did not stop at all, instead he ran faster and faster.

Suddenly, he slipped and fell to the ground. The imperial guards quickly surrounded him.

"Let's see where you can run!" said the commander of the imperial guards with a sneer.

Li Yifeng slowly stood up, holding the dagger tightly in his hand, his eyes full of determination: "It's not that easy to catch me!"

At this moment, the princess' voice came. "Don't hurt him!"

It turned out that the princess did not run far. When she saw Li Yifeng being surrounded, she ran back.

"Princess, why are you back?" Li Yifeng was surprised and happy.

"I can't leave you alone." The princess's eyes were firm.

The commander of the imperial guards saw the princess and immediately knelt down to salute: "Your Highness, what are you doing..."

"Get out of the way, or I'll die in front of you!" The princess pulled out a dagger and put it against her neck.

The commander of the imperial guards turned pale with fear: "Your Highness, this is absolutely not allowed!"

Taking advantage of the panic of the imperial guards, Li Yifeng and the princess escaped again. They ran into a dark alley filled with a pungent smell and the walls were covered with moss.

"Princess, hold on, you'll be safe soon." Li Yifeng comforted her.

The princess nodded, her forehead covered with sweat and her face as pale as paper.

Finally, they ran out of the alley and came to a river. The river water shone silvery in the moonlight, and the waves rippled and made a gurgling sound.

"Princess, let's cross the river." Li Yifeng said.

The princess looked at the rushing river, a trace of fear flashing in her eyes: "I can't swim."

"Don't be afraid, Princess, I will protect you." Li Yifeng pulled the princess into the river.

The river water was icy cold, and the princess couldn't help but shiver. Li Yifeng hugged the princess tightly and swam hard towards the other side. The current hit their bodies, making their progress extremely difficult.

The imperial guards chased to the riverside, looked at the figure gradually disappearing into the river, and shook their heads helplessly.

Li Yifeng and the princess finally reached the other side. They were soaking wet and in a state of disarray. After reaching the shore, they collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath.

"Princess, are you feeling warmer?" Li Yifeng asked.

The princess nodded: "Much better."

The two of them huddled by the fire, exhausted.

"Yifeng, what if we get caught?" the princess asked worriedly.

Li Yifeng held the princess's hand and looked at her firmly: "Princess, even if you are caught, I will protect you and will never let you get hurt even if I die."

The princess looked at Li Yifeng with emotion, tears in her eyes: "Yifeng, I have no regrets in my life for being able to meet and fall in love with you."

At this moment, footsteps were heard outside the wooden house. Li Yifeng and the princess exchanged nervous glances. Li Yifeng picked up his dagger and stared at the door vigilantly.

The door was pushed open and a dark figure walked in. "Who?" Li Yifeng shouted.

"Don't be nervous, it's me." It turned out to be Li Yifeng's good friend Zhang San.

"Zhang San, why are you here?" Li Yifeng asked in surprise.

"I was worried about you guys, so I came to see if there was anything I could do to help," said Zhang San.

The princess breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Thank you, Master Zhang."

Zhang San took out some dry food and water from his arms and handed them to them: "Hurry up and eat something to replenish your energy."

Li Yifeng and the princess took the dry food and water and began to eat them voraciously.

"What are your plans next?" Zhang San asked.

Li Yifeng pondered for a moment and said, "Let's find a safe place to hide first and make plans after the storm has passed."

Zhang San nodded: "Okay, I'll keep an eye on the situation for you guys outside."

After Zhang San left, Li Yifeng and the princess rested in the cabin for the night. The next morning, sunlight shone through the gaps in the leaves onto them.

They continued on their escape. Along the way, they avoided the crowds and took the side roads. The princess's foot injury became more and more serious, and she walked with a limp.

"Princess, let me carry you on my back." Li Yifeng said.

The princess hesitated for a moment: "How can this be possible?"

"Princess, don't hesitate any longer, time is running out." Li Yifeng carried the princess on his back without saying a word.

The princess lay on Li Yifeng's back, her heart filled with emotion. She could feel Li Yifeng's body temperature and his heavy breathing.

After walking for an unknown amount of time, they arrived at a small town that was bustling with activity.

"Let's find a place to change clothes first to avoid attracting attention." Li Yifeng said.

They found an inn in the small town and asked for a room.

"Princess, please rest in your room. I'll go buy some clothes and food." Li Yifeng said.

The princess nodded: "Be careful."

Li Yifeng left the inn and bought some clothes and food at the market in the small town. When he returned to the inn, he found that the princess was gone.

"Princess! Princess!" Li Yifeng shouted anxiously.

At this time, a waiter came over and asked, "Sir, what are you looking for?"

"My wife is missing. Have you seen her?" Li Yifeng asked.

The waiter shook his head: "I didn't see it."

Li Yifeng was extremely anxious and looked everywhere for the whereabouts of the princess.

It turned out that the princess was targeted by a group of hooligans. They broke into the room while Li Yifeng was away and took the princess away.

"Little beauty, come with us, we promise to give you delicious food and drinks." The ruffians said with a grin.

The princess struggled hard: "Let me go!"

Just then, Li Yifeng found them. "Let go of the princess!"

The hooligans burst into laughter when they saw Li Yifeng: "Boy, you want to be a hero and save the beauty? Don't you see who we are?"

Li Yifeng's eyes widened in anger: "You bunch of scum, don't even think about taking the princess away today!"

The hooligans rushed forward and started fighting with Li Yifeng. Li Yifeng was agile and knocked down several of them in a few moves. However, the other side was outnumbered and Li Yifeng gradually lost the upper hand.

At the critical moment, Zhang San arrived with a group of people. "Brothers, go!"

With the help of Zhang San and others, the ruffians were beaten and fled.

"Princess, are you okay?" Li Yifeng ran to the princess and asked with concern.

The princess shook her head: "I'm fine, thanks to you."

"We can't stay here for long, let's leave quickly," said Zhang San.

Li Yifeng and the princess followed Zhang San and others out of the town and continued to flee.

After several days and nights of travel, they finally arrived at a remote mountain village.

"Let's live in seclusion here." Li Yifeng said.

The princess nodded: "As long as I can be with you, anywhere is fine."

They built a simple house in the mountain village and lived a peaceful life. However, the peaceful days did not last long.

One day, Li Yifeng went out hunting and the princess was alone at home doing housework. Suddenly, a group of strangers broke into their home.

"Who are you?" the princess asked in horror.

"Humph, we are here to take you back on orders." said the leader.

The princess' heart sank instantly.

At this moment, Li Yifeng came back and was furious when he saw the scene.

"Don't even think about taking the princess away!" Li Yifeng raised his hunting rifle and fought a desperate battle with the enemy.

After a fierce battle, Li Yifeng and the princess finally escaped the enemy's pursuit, but they also knew that this place was no longer safe.

"Princess, we must continue to escape." Li Yifeng said.

The princess' eyes were full of determination: "Okay, I will follow you wherever you go."

They set out on the road of escape again. The future was full of unknowns and dangers, but their hands were always tightly held and the love in their hearts never extinguished.