Love and choices across time and space

Like a weary painter, the fading light of sunset casts a final, warm orange glow over this remote town. The bluestone-paved streets, bathed in this soft light, appear quaint and tranquil, yet tinged with a hint of mystery. The wind blows quietly, stirring up dust that whispers of the town's hidden past.

Li Yifeng and Princess Changle snuggled together as they entered this unfamiliar town. Li Yifeng, the young man who once toiled in the roasted nuts shop, now looked haggard, his eyes bloodshot. His hair was a tangled mess, wet with sweat, clinging to his skin. His once neat clothes were now tattered, stained with dust and blood, with several visible tears that betrayed the hardships of their escape. His steps were heavy and stumbling, each one seeming to exhaust all his strength, yet his eyes still revealed determination and concern for Princess Changle.

Princess Changle, the daughter of a royal family, had lost her former luster. Her silky, smooth hair, uncombed, fell carelessly over her shoulders, strands fluttering in the wind. Her face was as pale as paper, her eyes, once bright as stars, now filled with fear and exhaustion, their rims red and swollen, evident from countless tears. Her magnificent palace dress was already tattered, its hem ripped by thorns and branches, the delicate embroidery blurred and thread-fragmented, a symbol of her broken heart. Her delicate, jade-like feet were covered in blisters and wounds, and every step was a piercing pain.

Their appearance instantly shattered the town's tranquility. The woman selling vegetables on the street stopped what she was doing, her wrinkled face filled with surprise and curiosity. Her eyes widened, the scale hanging in the air, forgotten to put it down, as she muttered to herself, "Where did this person come from? Why is he so disheveled?"

The old man carrying the firewood also stopped. His spine, bent by time, trembled slightly. He squinted his eyes and looked carefully at Li Yifeng and Princess Changle. His rough hands tightly grasped the firewood, and a hint of doubt lingered in his rough voice: "Did they encounter some natural disaster or man-made disaster?"

The children playing on the street corner stopped playing and gathered around, staring at the two strangers with innocent eyes. One of the braver children tugged at Li Yifeng's clothes and asked, "Big brother, where are you from?"

Li Yifeng tried his best to avoid everyone's curious gazes, tightly holding Princess Changle's hand and moving his feet with difficulty. His voice was hoarse and low: "Don't ask too much, we are just passing by."

Princess Changle buried her head deeply in Li Yifeng's arms, trying to avoid these strange gazes. Her body trembled slightly, like a frightened bird.

They entered a somewhat shabby inn. The lobby was filled with the aroma of food and the sounds of people. Several burly men sat around a table, drinking and playing finger-guessing games. Their faces were flushed red from the alcohol, and their laughter was rough and unrestrained. "Wu Kui Shou, six six six!" one of the men shouted at the top of his lungs, nearly knocking over his glass.

In a corner, an old man was drinking alone, his eyes hazy, as if immersed in his own world. His beard was gray, and the wrinkles on his face were like the ravines of time, each one filled with stories.

Behind the counter, the innkeeper was clacking away on his abacus, a look of fatigue and impatience on his face. Hearing footsteps, he looked up and saw Li Yifeng and Princess Changle. He frowned slightly, but managed a professional smile. "Sir, would you like to stop by or stay the night?"

Li Yifeng took a deep breath and tried to make his voice sound calmer: "Please give us a clean room if you can stay at the hotel."

The innkeeper looked them up and down, a hint of hesitation flashed in his eyes, but he nodded. "Okay, waiter, take the two guests to the room upstairs."

The waiter responded and led them upstairs. The room was small, but reasonably tidy. A simple wooden bed sat in the corner, its bedding looking rather worn. A tattered table and chair sat by the window, and a washbasin sat on the floor.

Li Yifeng and Princess Changle walked into the room and collapsed on the bed exhausted. Princess Changle couldn't help but burst into tears again, her voice filled with tears: "Yifeng, what should we do?"

Li Yifeng suppressed his fatigue and gently patted Princess Changle's shoulder: "Princess, don't be afraid, I will find a way to protect you."

Li Yifeng went downstairs to the lobby and found a corner to sit down. People in the inn were still secretly looking at him from time to time and whispering about him.

"These two people don't look like ordinary people. Could it be that they committed a crime and escaped?" A young man in coarse clothes whispered.

"I don't think so. Judging from the woman's temperament, she must be from a wealthy family." A man with pockmarks on his face retorted.

Li Yifeng couldn't help but feel nervous when he heard these discussions. He clenched his fists and tried to keep himself calm.

At this time, a middle-aged man dressed in gorgeous silk walked up to Li Yifeng, looked him up and down, with a shrewd light in his eyes: "Brother, looking at your appearance, you must be in big trouble. I have some connections in this town, maybe I can help you. But, the reward..." As he said, he stretched out a hand and made a gesture of asking for money.

Li Yifeng looked at him warily and said coldly, "Thank you for your kindness, Excellency. I can handle it myself."

The middle-aged man sneered: "Hmph, you don't know what's good for you. Don't regret it." After saying that, he turned and left.

Li Yifeng ate something in a hurry and returned to his room.

"Princess, we can't stay here for long. We have to leave as soon as possible." Li Yifeng said.

Princess Changle opened her eyes, filled with fear and exhaustion: "I'll do as you say."

Just as they were about to leave, a sudden commotion came from the door of the inn. Li Yifeng looked through the window and saw a group of soldiers walking towards the inn.

"Surround this place and don't let anyone go!" the leading officer shouted.

Li Yifeng was startled and cried out inwardly: "Princess, we've been discovered."

Princess Changle's face instantly turned pale as paper, and her body began to tremble uncontrollably.

The inn was in chaos, and guests fled in panic, some hiding under the tables, while others rushed to the back door.

Li Yifeng pulled Princess Changle to hide in the corner of the room and wrapped her tightly with a quilt.

"Princess, don't be afraid, I will protect you." Li Yifeng's voice was firm and powerful. His hand tightly gripped the hilt of the sword, and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

The officers and soldiers searched room by room, and the heavy footsteps were getting closer and closer, as if every step was stepping on their hearts.

Li Yifeng's heart was in his throat, his breathing became rapid, and his eyes were fixed on the door.

Suddenly, the door was pushed open and several soldiers rushed in.

"Found it!" an officer shouted excitedly.

Li Yifeng drew his sword without hesitation and engaged the soldiers in a fierce fight. His swordsmanship was sharp, and each move was filled with power and determination. However, after days of running around, his strength was gradually failing.

"Princess, run!" Li Yifeng shouted loudly.

Princess Changle stood still, her eyes full of determination: "No, I want to be with you."

Just then, the innkeeper suddenly appeared.

"Sir, these two are my distant relatives. What have they done wrong?" The innkeeper tried to plead for them with a smile on his face.

The officer glared at the boss and said sternly, "They are important criminals of the imperial court. How dare you protect them?"

The innkeeper quickly apologized with a smile, "Sir, I really don't know. Is there some misunderstanding here?"

The officer ignored his explanation and waved his hands to signal his men to continue arresting him.

Li Yifeng seized the opportunity, pulled Princess Changle out of the room, and ran out of the town.

The officers and soldiers were chasing closely behind, and the shouts and the sound of horse hooves echoed in the streets of the town.

Li Yifeng took Princess Changle through the narrow streets, and the shouting behind them was getting closer and closer.

"Yifeng, I can't run anymore." Princess Changle said panting, her steps getting slower and slower.

"Princess, hold on a little longer!" Li Yifeng was extremely anxious. He looked back at the officers and soldiers who were chasing him relentlessly, and a trace of determination flashed in his eyes.

They ran to a woods outside the town and hid behind a big tree.

The officers and soldiers searched everywhere in the woods, and their footsteps and shouts echoed in the woods.

"We must find them!" The officer's voice rang out in the woods, with unquestionable majesty.

Li Yifeng and Princess Changle held their breath, not daring to make a sound. They huddled close together, their heartbeats remarkably clear in the silent woods.

Suddenly, a bird flew up from a tree, attracting the attention of the officers and soldiers.

"Over there!" The officers and soldiers walked towards them.

Li Yifeng's heart tightened. He glanced at Princess Changle and said, "Princess, let's run separately."

Princess Changle held Li Yifeng's hand tightly, tears welling up in her eyes: "No, I want to be with you."

"Princess, none of us can escape this way, believe me." Li Yifeng's voice was gentle and firm.

Princess Changle nodded with tears in her eyes: "You must be careful."

They ran in different directions.

Li Yifeng ran desperately in the woods, branches and thorns scratching his face and body, but he didn't care. He had only one thought in his mind, that is, to escape the pursuit of the officers and soldiers and protect the safety of Princess Changle.

Princess Changle struggled to navigate the woods with her petite frame. Her heart was beating so fast it felt like it was about to burst from her chest. Suddenly, she tripped over a branch and fell to the ground.

"Princess!" Li Yifeng heard the voice and wanted to go back to save her, but he knew that if he went back at this time, neither of them would be able to escape.

Princess Changle gritted her teeth, got up from the ground and continued running forward.

At this moment, the officers and soldiers discovered Princess Changle.

"Catch her!" the officer shouted.

Princess Changle looked at the soldiers who were getting closer and closer in despair, her heart filled with fear.

In the end, Princess Changle was captured by the soldiers and brought back to the town.

Li Yifeng hid in the distance, watching this scene, tears blurring his eyes. His fists were clenched tightly, his nails digging deep into his flesh.

"Princess, wait for me, I will definitely come to save you." Li Yifeng swore secretly.

He turned and disappeared deep into the woods, continuing his difficult escape.

The woods at night were particularly eerie. Moonlight filtered through the gaps between the leaves, casting patches of light and shadow. Li Yifeng groped his way through the woods alone, taking every step carefully, fearing to alert the dangers around him.

His clothes were torn by the branches, and the wounds on his body were stinging from the sweat. But he didn't care about these things. His heart was only concerned about Princess Changle and his determination to save her.

After walking for an unknown amount of time, Li Yifeng finally emerged from the woods. He came to a stream, squatted down, and washed his face with the cool water to sober himself up.

"Princess, you must wait for me." Li Yifeng looked at the bright moon in the sky and said silently in his heart.