Love and choices across time and space

A fierce wind howled and raged across the vast wasteland, like the furious roar of heaven and earth. Sand and rocks flew everywhere, obscuring the sky and the sun. Every grain of sand was like a sharp arrow, mercilessly lashing at Li Yifeng and Princess Changle.

Li Yifeng's clothes fluttered wildly in the gust of wind, the once thick fabric now ripped and tattered by sharp thorns, dangling in wisps from his body. His chest heaved violently, sweat and dust streaking muddily across his bronze skin. His eyes were firm and resolute, yet shone with deep despair. Those eyes, once bright as stars, were now bloodshot from the wind and sand, yet the light within them remained unextinguished, reflecting his endless love for Princess Changle and his determination to protect her.

He held Princess Changle's hand tightly, and her hands trembled slightly from excessive tension and strength. His knuckles turned white and veins bulged, as if he wanted to integrate Princess Changle's hand into his life, never to be separated.

"Princess, don't be afraid, I will never let them catch you!" Li Yifeng's voice was almost broken in the strong wind, but it still carried unquestionable firmness.

Princess Changle's delicate frame teetered in the fierce wind, her once magnificent palace dress now shimmering. The hem of her skirt had been ripped by sharp branches, its delicate embroidery tattered. Her cascading black hair fluttered wildly in the wind, disheveled and obscuring her delicate yet pale features. Her eyes were filled with fear and exhaustion, but deep within that fear shone a gleam of unwavering trust and affection for Li Yifeng.

"Yifeng, as long as you are by my side, I am not afraid of anything." Princess Changle's voice was as thin as a thread, but with a heartbreaking strength.

The wind grew stronger, as if it wanted to swallow them up in this endless wasteland. Behind the wind, the rapid sound of horses' hooves was like bursts of muffled thunder, coming from far away and shaking the earth slightly.

"Oh no, Princess, they are chasing us!" Li Yifeng's heart suddenly tightened, and his voice was filled with tension and despair.

Princess Changle's body froze instantly. She looked in the direction where the sound of horse hooves came from, and saw dozens of pursuers in black armor galloping towards them like ghosts in a cloud of dust.

The leading general was a massive figure, towering on horseback like an iron tower. His face was as cold as ice, and his eagle eyes, piercing and piercing, shone with a chilling light. His black armor gleamed with an icy gleam in the sunlight, like a messenger of death.

"Princess, come back with us quickly and don't make any more futile struggles!" The general's voice was as loud as a bell, piercing through the strong wind and striking the hearts of Li Yifeng and Princess Changle.

Li Yifeng's eyes were wide open, burning with rage, "Don't even think about it! Even if we die, we must die together!" His roar echoed in the wind, with a determination to fight to the death.

Princess Changle broke free from Li Yifeng's hand, held her head high and faced the general, "I will never go back! Don't even think about breaking us up!" Although her voice was trembling, it was full of unyielding will.

The general snorted coldly, a sneer of contempt on his face, "This is not up to you!" With his order, the soldiers behind him dismounted and rushed towards Li Yifeng and Princess Changle like a tide.

Li Yifeng suddenly protected Princess Changle behind him, "Princess, leave quickly!" His voice was urgent and firm.

However, Princess Changle held onto the corner of his clothes tightly, "No, Yifeng, I won't leave you!"

Without a second thought, Li Yifeng turned and faced the charging soldiers. He launched a flying kick, knocking down a soldier in front of him, but was instantly surrounded by other soldiers. Their fists rained down on Li Yifeng, and Li Yifeng fought hard, but was ultimately outnumbered.

"Yifeng!" Princess Changle screamed miserably and wanted to rush over to help, but was held back by two soldiers.

"Let me go! Let me go!" Princess Changle struggled desperately, her tears drifting in the wind, and her voice became hoarse with despair.

Under the siege of the soldiers, Li Yifeng gradually lost his strength. Blood oozed from the corner of his mouth, but his eyes remained firm as he looked at Princess Changle, as if telling her: Don't be afraid.

At this moment, the general took action himself. He punched Li Yifeng in the abdomen with a heavy punch. Li Yifeng bent over in pain. Then, he kicked him to the ground.

"Yifeng!" Princess Changle's scream pierced the sky.

The soldiers rushed forward, pinned Li Yifeng to the ground, and tied his hands behind his back with ropes.

Li Yifeng was breathing heavily, his eyes filled with resentment and anger.

Princess Changle was forcibly dragged towards the horses by the soldiers. She struggled constantly, and her feet left deep marks on the ground.

"Princess!" Li Yifeng shouted at the top of his lungs.

Princess Changle looked back at Li Yifeng, her eyes full of attachment and reluctance.

The soldiers threw Li Yifeng and Princess Changle roughly onto the horses, and then galloped towards the palace.

Along the way, Li Yifeng's heart seemed to have fallen into a bottomless abyss. He looked at Princess Changle beside him, his heart filled with self-blame and guilt.

Princess Changle's face was covered with traces of tears, and her eyes were empty, as if her soul had left her body.

Finally, they returned to the palace, whose towering walls looked particularly eerie in the afterglow of the setting sun.

Li Yifeng and Princess Changle were dragged into a dark and damp dungeon. The dungeon was filled with a foul odor, and the torches on the wall flickered with a faint light, making the shadows around them even more hideous.

Li Yifeng was thrown heavily to the ground, and the wounds on his body came into contact with the cold and wet ground, causing a piercing pain. But he didn't care about that. He struggled to raise his head, looking for Princess Changle.

Princess Changle was also thrown into the corner, her body shaking constantly.

"Princess, how are you?" Li Yifeng crawled towards Princess Changle with difficulty.

Princess Changle raised her head and looked at Li Yifeng, tears gleaming in her eyes, "Yifeng, I'm fine. As long as I can be with you, nothing else matters."

Li Yifeng crawled to Princess Changle and leaned against the wall. "Princess, it's all my fault. I've hurt you."

Princess Changle shook her head gently, "No, Yifeng, this is our destiny."

At this moment, the dungeon door was slowly pushed open, and a eunuch walked in with small steps. He had a hypocritical smile on his face, but his eyes revealed indifference and ruthlessness.

"Princess, His Majesty has asked me to persuade you. As long as you change your mind, His Majesty may give you a lighter sentence." The eunuch said in a shrill voice.

Princess Changle turned her head away and said coldly, "I have made up my mind and will never compromise with my father."

The eunuch sighed helplessly, "Princess, why are you doing this?" After that, he turned and left, and the dungeon door closed again.

Li Yifeng looked at Princess Changle, his heart filled with pain and helplessness.

Time seemed to stand still in this dark dungeon, and every minute and every second seemed so long.

After an unknown amount of time, the dungeon door was opened again, and a group of guards walked in holding torches.

"Take them out!" the leading guard shouted.

Li Yifeng and Princess Changle were roughly dragged out of the dungeon by the guards. They were weak and their steps were staggering.

The sunlight shone on them, but did not bring any warmth, only endless pain.

They were brought to the palace's main hall. The hall was magnificent with carved beams and painted buildings, but in their eyes, it was like a cold hell.

Taizong sat on the dragon throne, his face as gloomy as a thundercloud about to erupt. His eyes shot towards Li Yifeng and Princess Changle like sharp swords, filled with anger and disappointment.

"Rebellious girl, do you know your mistake?" Taizong shouted angrily, his voice echoing in the hall, shaking people's hearts.

Princess Changle raised her head and looked directly into Taizong's eyes, not flinching. "Father, I am right. Yifeng and I are truly in love. I beg you to grant us your blessing!"

Taizong slammed the table and stood up, "How dare you! As a princess, how can you be so shameless and violate the royal etiquette!"

Li Yifeng knelt on the ground with a thud, "Your Majesty, this is all my fault. Please let the princess go!"

Taizong looked at them coldly, "You have committed such a grave mistake, and you still think I will let you go?"

At this time, a minister stood up and said, "Your Majesty, the princess is young and ignorant, and has been deceived by this treacherous man. I hope Your Majesty will show leniency to her."

Other ministers also echoed.

Taizong pondered for a moment and said, "Throw Li Yifeng into the death cell and await execution! Princess, confine yourself to the palace and reflect on your actions!"

Princess Changle collapsed to the ground as if struck by lightning, "Father, no!"

Li Yifeng was dragged away by the guards. His eyes were always looking at Princess Changle, full of reluctance and attachment.

Princess Changle shouted Li Yifeng's name at the top of her lungs, until her voice gradually faded into the depths of the palace...