Love and choices across time and space

Night fell over the palace dungeon, a cold, damp atmosphere permeating every corner. Several dim oil lamps hung on the dungeon walls, their flames flickering in the breeze, as if they would go out at any moment.

Li Yifeng huddled in the corner of the cell, his body covered in wounds, his clothes tattered and tattered, blood stained and clinging to the tattered fabric. His hair draped across his face, obscuring his once vibrant eyes. Now, they revealed endless despair and pain.

He raised his head with difficulty, peering through the bars of the cell across from him at Princess Changle, also imprisoned. She sat quietly on the ground, her face as pale as paper, her beautiful features haggard from days of torture. Her clothes were no longer gorgeous, and her skirt was stained with stains and dust.

"Princess..." Li Yifeng's voice was hoarse and weak, as if squeezed out from the depths of his throat.

Princess Changle slowly raised her head, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, but was quickly replaced by sadness.

"Yifeng, are you... okay?" Her voice trembled and tears welled up in her eyes.

Li Yifeng endured the pain in his body and forced a smile. "Princess, I'm fine. As long as I can be with you, this little bit of suffering is nothing."

Princess Changle shook her head slightly, tears finally falling. "Yifeng, it's all my fault. If it weren't for me, you wouldn't have ended up like this."

Li Yifeng struggled to climb to the fence and reached out to hold the princess's hand. "Princess, don't say such things. Being able to fall in love with you is the greatest honor of my life."

Princess Changle tightly grasped Li Yifeng's hands, which were cold and trembling. "Yifeng, I'm afraid we'll never be able to leave this dungeon again, and we'll never be able to fulfill our vows."

Li Yifeng's eyes grew firm. "Princess, even so, I have no regrets. If I can't be with you forever in this life, then we will go to the underworld together and continue our love in the next life."

Princess Changle's eyes flashed with determination. "Okay, Yifeng, in the next life, we must be born into an ordinary family and live an ordinary but happy life."

At this moment, there was a noisy sound of footsteps outside the dungeon, mixed with the laughter and insults of the jailers.

"Humph, this ignorant couple is still being affectionate with each other!"

"Tomorrow is the day they will die. Let's see how long they can continue to be so arrogant!"

Li Yifeng's eyes widened in anger as he roared outside, "You bunch of beasts, you will not live happily ever after!"

When the jailers heard his shouting, they laughed even louder.

Princess Changle gently pulled Li Yifeng's hand. "Yifeng, don't bother with them. It will only cause you more trouble."

Li Yifeng took a deep breath and calmed himself down. "Princess, I'm sorry for wronging you."

The two were silent for a moment before Li Yifeng spoke again. "Princess, if there is an afterlife, I would like to build a small house for you among the green mountains and clear waters, plant flowers in front of it, and we can work together from sunrise to sunset."

Princess Changle's face showed a trace of longing. "Yifeng, if there is an afterlife, I would like to weave cloth and tailor clothes for you, bear children for you, and share the joy of family life with you."

Tears glistened in Li Yifeng's eyes. "Princess, I will never let you be alone on the road to the underworld."

Princess Changle nodded and leaned against the fence, as if she had already seen the beautiful scene of the afterlife.

As the night deepened, the temperature in the dungeon dropped. Li Yifeng took off his tattered coat and tried to pass it to Princess Changle. "Princess, it's cold at night. Please put it on."

Princess Changle shook her head. "Yifeng, you're seriously injured and need to stay warm."

The two were in a stalemate, and finally Li Yifeng covered the princess with clothes.

At this moment, a melodious flute sound came from afar, the sound was sad and moving, as if telling their tragic fate.

Li Yifeng listened attentively, tears streaming down his face. "Princess, the flute sounds like it's played for us."

Princess Changle closed her eyes, listened to the flute, and her heart was filled with emotion.

The next morning, sunlight shone through the narrow window of the dungeon, shining on the two of them. Li Yifeng slowly opened his eyes and saw Princess Changle looking at him quietly.

"Princess, a new day has come, but we..." Li Yifeng's voice was full of helplessness.

Princess Changle smiled faintly. "Yifeng, with you by my side, I have nothing to fear, even if it's my last day."

At this moment, hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the cell, followed by Taizong's voice.

"Open the cell!"

The jailers did not dare to disobey and quickly opened the cell door.

Taizong walked into the cell and looked at the two haggard men, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.

"Are you... really so determined?" Taizong's voice was filled with anger and helplessness.

Li Yifeng and Princess Changle looked at each other, then knelt together in front of Taizong.

"Your Majesty, we cannot sleep in the same bed in life, but we wish to be buried in the same grave in death." Li Yifeng's voice was firm and resolute.

Princess Changle also said, "Father, please help us."

Taizong sighed deeply. "Forget it, forget it. I just can't bring myself to do it."

After saying this, Taizong turned and left.

Soon, Li Yifeng and Princess Changle were taken out of the dungeon and placed in a side hall in the imperial palace.

"Yifeng, can we really survive?" Princess Changle's heart was filled with worry.

Li Yifeng held the princess's hand. "Princess, since His Majesty has spared us, there must still be hope."

However, what they didn't know was that the various forces in the palace would not let them go. Some ministers with ulterior motives advised Taizong that Li Yifeng and Princess Changle should not be easily let go, otherwise the majesty of the royal family would be destroyed.

At the same time, the story of Li Yifeng and Princess Changle was also spreading among the people. Some sympathized with their plight, believing that they were truly in love and should not be treated so cruelly; others believed that they had violated the moral code and were unforgivable.

In the side hall, Li Yifeng and Princess Changle snuggled together.

"Yifeng, no matter what the future holds, I will never leave you." Princess Changle said.

Li Yifeng gently kissed the princess's forehead. "Princess, I do the same."

As the days passed, the fate of Li Yifeng and Princess Changle remained undecided, but their love grew stronger during this difficult time.

One day, Li Yifeng accidentally overheard a conversation between two palace maids.

"I heard that His Majesty is still worried about the princess and Li Yifeng."

"Yes, the ministers are urging His Majesty to punish them severely, but His Majesty seems a little reluctant."

Li Yifeng's heart was suddenly filled with worries.

Returning to the side hall, he told Princess Changle what he had heard.

Princess Changle frowned. "Yifeng, what should we do?"

Li Yifeng pondered for a moment. "Princess, we can only wait and trust that His Majesty will make a fair decision."

Just when they felt confused and helpless, a mysterious old man appeared outside the side hall.

"Young man, don't lose heart." The old man's voice was deep and powerful.

Li Yifeng and Princess Changle looked at the old man in surprise.

"You are..." Li Yifeng asked.

The old man smiled. "I'm here to help you."

The old man told them that if they wanted to change their fate, they had to find a key person - Wei Zheng, Taizong's most trusted minister.

"As long as Lord Wei Zheng is willing to speak for you, there may still be a glimmer of hope," said the old man.

Li Yifeng and Princess Changle looked at each other, and a glimmer of hope ignited in their eyes.

However, it was not easy to see Wei Zheng. They were under surveillance and restrictions everywhere in the palace. If they were not careful, they might fall into despair again.

But for each other and for their love, Li Yifeng and Princess Changle decided to take a risk.

After some twists and turns, they finally found Wei Zheng.

Wei Zheng looked at the two people in front of him and couldn't help feeling a little sympathy.

"Your love is indeed touching, but this matter is of great importance and I need to consider it carefully," said Wei Zheng.

Li Yifeng and Princess Changle quickly knelt down and begged.

"Lord Wei, please save us."

Wei Zheng pondered for a long time, then finally nodded. "Okay, I'll do my best to advise Your Majesty."

Thanks to Wei Zheng's efforts, Taizong finally summoned Li Yifeng and Princess Changle again.

"You know, I have already endured tremendous pressure by sparing you," Taizong said.

Li Yifeng and Princess Changle knelt down again to express their gratitude.

"Your Majesty, we are fully aware of your kindness and will behave ourselves from now on," said Li Yifeng.

Taizong sighed. "Well, I'll give you one chance. But you must leave the palace and never return."

Li Yifeng and Princess Changle were overjoyed and kowtowed to express their gratitude.

In this way, Li Yifeng and Princess Changle left the palace and started a new life.

They came to a remote village and lived a peaceful and happy life. Although their life was simple, their love grew deeper and deeper.

However, fate did not seem to want to let them go easily. One day, a sudden disaster struck the village, flooding, houses collapsed, and the villagers were displaced.

Li Yifeng and Princess Changle did not hesitate to join the disaster relief efforts. They helped the villagers rebuild their homes and overcome the difficulties.

In the process, their kindness and bravery won the respect and love of the villagers.

After a period of hard work, the village finally regained its former vitality.

Li Yifeng and Princess Changle stood on the top of the mountain in the village, looking at the scene in front of them, their hearts filled with emotion.

"Princess, after going through so many ups and downs, our love has become even more indestructible." Li Yifeng said.

Princess Changle smiled and nodded. "Yifeng, as long as you are by my side, I am not afraid of any difficulties."