Love and choices across time and space

The palace dungeon was like a dark abyss, emitting a suffocating atmosphere of oppression and despair. Water droplets slowly dripped down the damp stone walls, making a crisp yet heart-pounding sound. The faint candlelight flickered in the wind, as if threatened to be swallowed by darkness at any moment.

Li Yifeng leaned against the cold stone wall, slowly sliding down and sitting on the ground. His clothes were ragged and bloodstained, and his once heroic face was now covered with fatigue and vicissitudes. But his eyes remained firm, like a flame burning in the darkness, staring intently in the direction of Princess Changle.

Princess Changle huddled in a corner, her delicate body trembling. Her hair was disheveled, tangled in strands and plastered to her pale cheeks. Tears streamed from her swollen eyes, streaking across her gaunt face, leaving heartbreaking streaks. Her gorgeous palace dress had long lost its luster, its torn hem stained with dirt.

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

Princess Changle raised her head at the sound, and her eyes met Li Yifeng's. In that instant, time seemed to freeze, and the surrounding darkness and coldness seemed no longer important.

"Yifeng..." Princess Changle's voice was filled with endless sadness and nostalgia.

Li Yifeng struggled to stand up, dragging his heavy feet, and walked towards Princess Changle step by step. With every step, the wounds on his body felt a sharp pain, but his eyes never left the princess.

Finally, he walked in front of the princess, slowly squatted down, stretched out his trembling hand, and gently stroked the princess's cheek.

"Princess, don't be afraid, I'm here." Li Yifeng's voice was gentle and firm.

Princess Changle held Li Yifeng's hand, put it on her face, and felt the faint warmth.

"Yifeng, do we really have no way out?" Princess Changle's eyes were filled with fear and despair.

Li Yifeng took a deep breath, trying to make his voice sound calm and powerful. "Princess, since this world can't hold our love, let's follow the example of Liang Zhu and transform into butterflies, accompanying each other forever."

Princess Changle was slightly startled, then a flicker of determination flashed in her eyes. "Okay, Yifeng, I'm willing to go to hell with you."

Li Yifeng hugged Princess Changle tightly, as if he wanted to merge her into his body.

At this moment, a chaotic sound of footsteps came from outside the dungeon, mixed with the shouts of the jailers and the sound of chains clashing.

Li Yifeng and Princess Changle looked at each other, and there was no fear in each other's eyes.

The cell door was suddenly opened, and dazzling light poured in instantly, forcing them to squint their eyes.

"Hmph, they are still so affectionate!" The head jailer smiled grimly, with a cruel glee on his face.

Li Yifeng glared at them, "You cold-blooded beasts!"

The head jailer waved the whip in his hand and said, "You are still stubborn even when you are about to die!" Then he lashed at Li Yifeng.

Princess Changle screamed, "No!" She desperately stood in front of Li Yifeng.

The whip landed heavily on Princess Changle's back. Her body trembled violently, but she clenched her teeth and didn't make a single moan.

"Princess!" Li Yifeng felt heartbroken. He supported Princess Changle's shaky body.

"I'm fine..." Princess Changle said weakly.

The head jailer sneered, "Princess, why are you doing this? Is it worth it for such a lowly person?"

Princess Changle raised her head, her eyes filled with anger and contempt, "In my heart, he is nobler than any of you!"

The head jailer was furious and said, "Separate them!"

Several jailers rushed forward and forcibly pulled Li Yifeng and Princess Changle apart.

"Princess!" Li Yifeng struggled hard, but to no avail.

"Yifeng!" Princess Changle burst into tears.

At this time, a eunuch hurried over and said, "Hurry up, the emperor has ordered that they be detained here for the time being and await their fate."

Although the head jailer was unwilling, he did not dare to disobey the imperial decree. He could only glare at Li Yifeng and Princess Changle fiercely and said, "You are lucky. Wait, you will suffer!"

After the jailers left, the dungeon returned to deathly silence.

Li Yifeng and Princess Changle stared at each other across the bars of the cell.

"Princess, the injuries on your body..." Li Yifeng's voice was full of concern and self-blame.

Princess Changle shook her head gently. "This little injury is nothing. As long as I can be with you, I'm not afraid of anything."

The dungeon was even colder at night, and Princess Changle's body was shaking constantly due to injuries and cold.

Li Yifeng was extremely anxious. He took off his tattered coat and tried to pass it to Princess Changle. "Princess, put this on. It will keep you warm."

Princess Changle refused, "No, Yifeng, you keep it for yourself."

Li Yifeng insisted, "Princess, if you get frozen, I'll be heartbroken."

Princess Changle had no choice but to take the coat, her eyes filled with emotion.

"Yifeng, it would be wonderful if we could really turn into butterflies." Princess Changle's voice was as soft as a dream.

Li Yifeng looked at the princess and said, "Princess, even if I turn into a butterfly, I will always be by your side."

After an unknown amount of time, Princess Changle fell into a deep sleep due to her injuries and exhaustion. However, Li Yifeng did not dare to close his eyes, and kept an eye on the princess's condition.

Suddenly, there was a faint sound of footsteps. Li Yifeng pricked up his ears alertly and clenched his fists.

A dark shadow quietly approached the cell.

"Who?" Li Yifeng shouted in a low voice.

The shadow lowered his voice and said, "It's me, I'm here to save you."

Li Yifeng was extremely surprised. "My benefactor, why did you save us?"

The shadow didn't answer and quickly opened the cell door.

"Follow me quickly!" the black shadow urged.

Li Yifeng helped Princess Changle up and followed the black shadow out carefully.

They moved through the narrow corridors of the palace, each step filled with fear. The surrounding palaces cast eerie shadows in the moonlight, as if hiding countless dangers.

"Be careful!" The black shadow suddenly stopped and signaled them to be quiet.

A team of patrolling guards passed by in front. Li Yifeng and Princess Changle held their breath nervously until the guards were far away, then they continued to move forward.

Finally, they came to a secluded corner of the palace.

The shadow pointed to a gap in the wall and said, "Exit from here."

Li Yifeng said gratefully, "My benefactor, your kindness is so great that I cannot repay you."

The shadow waved his hand, "Go quickly, don't get caught again."

Li Yifeng and Princess Changle squeezed out of the gap and came to the wilderness outside the palace.

The wilderness at night was silent and cold, and the wind blew through the grass, making a rustling sound.

"Princess, can you hold on?" Li Yifeng looked at Princess Changle worriedly.

Princess Changle bit her lip and said, "Yifeng, I can do it."

Li Yifeng supported Princess Changle and walked forward step by step.

However, their whereabouts were discovered.

"Over there! Don't let them get away!" The pursuers' shouts came from behind.

Li Yifeng's heart tightened, "Princess, run!"

They ran desperately, but Princess Changle was too weak and her speed gradually slowed down.

"Yifeng, don't worry about me, just go by yourself." Princess Changle said while panting.

"No, Princess, I will never abandon you!" Li Yifeng held Princess Changle's hand tightly.

At this moment, a black shadow suddenly appeared and stopped the pursuers.

"Go!" the black shadow shouted.

Li Yifeng and Princess Changle hesitated for a moment, but finally continued to run forward.

They didn't know how long they ran until they could no longer hear the sound of their pursuers.

Princess Changle could no longer hold on and fell to the ground.

"Princess!" Li Yifeng panicked.

He picked up Princess Changle and found that she was unconscious.

Li Yifeng looked around and found a dilapidated temple not far away.

He carried Princess Changle into the temple and gently placed her on the ground.

"Princess, you must wake up." Li Yifeng was anxious.

He searched the temple for something to keep warm and finally found some worn-out bedding.

Li Yifeng covered Princess Changle with the quilt, then sat beside her and prayed silently.

After an unknown amount of time, Princess Changle slowly opened her eyes.

"Yifeng..." Her voice was so weak that it was almost inaudible.

"Princess, you're awake, that's great!" Li Yifeng cried with joy.

Princess Changle forced a smile, "Yifeng, am I a burden to you..."

"Princess, don't say that. As long as you can get better, I'm willing to do anything." Li Yifeng said.

At this time, the sky gradually brightened.

Li Yifeng and Princess Changle decided to move on and find a safe place.

They walked through rugged mountain roads and passed through dense forests, experiencing hardships along the way.

Finally, they came to a quiet little village.

Li Yifeng knocked on a door.

A kind peasant woman opened the door and felt pity for them when she saw their miserable appearance.

"Come in quickly," said the peasant woman.

Li Yifeng burst into tears of gratitude, "Thank you, sister-in-law."

The peasant woman prepared food and hot water for them, and Princess Changle's health gradually improved.

In this small village, Li Yifeng and Princess Changle spent a peaceful time.

However, they knew that this peace would not last long.

One day, Li Yifeng went out to fetch water, and when he came back he found that Princess Changle was missing.

He looked around, his heart filled with fear and worry.

Finally, he found Princess Changle on the hillside outside the village.

"Princess, why did you run out alone?" Li Yifeng asked anxiously.

Princess Changle looked into the distance and said, "Yifeng, I don't want to implicate you anymore. Please go..."

Li Yifeng was stunned, then hugged Princess Changle tightly, "Princess, what nonsense are you talking about? I will never leave you."

Princess Changle burst into tears, "Yifeng, I really love you..."

At this moment, the sky was suddenly covered with dark clouds and thunder rumbled.

"Oh no, it's going to rain." Li Yifeng pulled Princess Changle and ran back.

Back at the farmhouse, the rain was pouring down.

At night, the rain continued to fall.

Li Yifeng and Princess Changle sat in front of the window, listening to the sound of rain, with a thousand thoughts in their minds.

"Yifeng, if there is an afterlife, I want to meet you again." Princess Changle said.

Li Yifeng held Princess Changle's hand and said, "Princess, in the next life, I will definitely find you early and protect you for the rest of your life."

The rain continued until dawn.

The next day, when they woke up, they found that the imperial army had surrounded the village.

"Li Yifeng, Princess Changle, you can't escape!" the pursuers shouted.

Li Yifeng and Princess Changle walked out of the farmhouse, hand in hand, and faced the pursuers.

"Even if we die, we will be together." Li Yifeng said.

Princess Changle nodded, "Yifeng, I'm not afraid."

At this moment, a strange light suddenly appeared in the sky, enveloping them.

In the light, the bodies of Li Yifeng and Princess Changle gradually became transparent, transforming into two beautiful butterflies, entwined with each other and flying into the sky.

The pursuers were stunned and looked at the butterfly disappearing in the sky, at a loss as to what to do.