Floating life reflects two lotuses

The news of the lifting of the confinement order reached the princess's residence in the early morning, seemingly dispelling the gloom of the past few days. The maids' steps were lighter than usual. In the courtyard, Silan softly reported, "Princess, the Emperor has ordered the lifting of the confinement order. You are free to move about."

Xiao Jinlian put down the book in her hand, her eyes shifted slightly, and a faint smile appeared on her lips: "Father is indeed more wary of Consort Yan's methods."

Upon hearing this, Silan breathed a slight sigh of relief, but remained cautious: "Princess, although the confinement has been lifted this time, Consort Yan..."

"She won't give up so easily." Chu Wanlian's voice echoed in his mind, tinged with worry, "Jinlian, you need to be even more careful from now on."

“I know.” Xiao Jinlian walked slowly into the depths of the courtyard, stood under a pear tree in full bloom, her fingers lightly touching the petals, but her gaze was deep and firm. “In this game, we have only just reached the middle.”

The night was as dark as ink, and the princess's residence was shrouded in silence, save for the faint warmth emanating from the study's lamp. In the distance, the shadows of trees swayed, and the night wind stirred up a few fallen leaves. A tall, slender figure silently swept over the high walls of the residence, landing lightly, his robes fluttering slightly in the night breeze.

Li Heng, dressed in a dark robe, walked to the study door, raised his hand and gently pushed it open. He stood in the doorway, looking at Xiao Jinlian sitting under the lamp. She was focused, holding an unclosed star chart in her hand, her eyes fixed on the rune bracelet on the table.

Hearing soft footsteps, Xiao Jinlian looked up and saw Li Heng. A faint smile appeared on her face: "Brother Li Heng? Why are you here so late?"

Li Heng gently closed the study door, took a few steps closer, his gaze falling on her slightly tired face, his tone carrying a barely perceptible concern: "I heard that your confinement was lifted today, and I was worried, so I came to see you."

"I'm fine, don't worry." Xiao Jinlian smiled slightly and put away the star map in her hand. "On the contrary, you sneaked in at night, weren't you afraid of being seen?"

Li Heng looked at her, his eyes darkening. He suddenly reached out and stroked the slightly disheveled hair at her temples, and said in a low voice, "Lian'er, I can see that you have been exhausted these past few days."

Xiao Jinlian was slightly taken aback and leaned back a little, but she couldn't avoid his gentle gaze: "Although the formation has been broken, the secret behind it is far from over. I must find out the truth as soon as possible."

Li Heng frowned slightly, his tone low and firm: "Lian'er, you've shouldered too much of this alone. Why didn't you tell me? We can face it together."

Xiao Jinlian lowered her eyelids, seemingly trying to hide the emotions in her eyes, and said softly, "There are some things that I must do myself."

Li Heng's gaze lingered on her face. After a moment of silence, he suddenly chuckled softly, "Lian'er, you really haven't changed at all, but you've also really changed a lot."

"What do you mean?" Xiao Jinlian looked up at him, her eyes filled with a hint of inquiry.

Li Heng slowly approached, the dim candlelight outlining his features clearly. His gaze was deep, carrying a hint of inquiry and a barely perceptible tenderness. He reached out, his fingertips gently tracing Xiao Jinlian's cheek, leaving a faint sensation wherever his fingertips touched.

“I don’t know how to describe it,” he said in a low, magnetic voice, “You are still that smart, stubborn princess, but sometimes I feel a sense of unease about you because you are so unfamiliar to me.”

Xiao Jinlian held her breath, her gaze darting away, not daring to look him in the eye: "Brother Liheng, you're joking. I am still me, I've never changed."

"Is that so?" Li Heng lowered his head, meeting her gaze, his deep eyes seeming to see right through her. He gently cupped her chin, lifting her face slightly. "But why is it that whenever I look at you, I always feel like you're getting further and further away from me?"

His tone carried a hint of helplessness, yet also an undeniable force. Xiao Jinlian subconsciously took a step back, only realizing she had nowhere to retreat when her back touched the edge of the desk.

"Brother Liheng..." Her voice was as low as a mosquito's buzz, trembling slightly, whether from panic or the complex emotions in her heart.

Li Heng gazed at her, his eyes gradually softening and becoming focused. He slowly lowered his head, his forehead drawing closer until his lips gently touched hers. In that instant, Xiao Jinlian froze, her mind going blank. She tried to push him away, but found herself unable to move, as if utterly overwhelmed by this sudden warmth.

His lips were warm and soft, light as a feather, yet contained an irresistible power, as if carrying an unspeakable promise.

"Lian'er," Li Heng murmured softly, his voice low and hoarse, as if he were suppressing something, "No matter what happens, I will be by your side."

Xiao Jinlian slowly opened her eyes, looked up at him, and her bright eyes flickered with complex emotions. She opened her mouth, as if to say something, but in the end, nothing came out. She simply nodded slightly, as if acknowledging this unspoken feeling.

An ambiguous atmosphere filled the air, and time seemed to stand still. But as Li Heng gently stepped back, Xiao Jinlian suddenly remembered something. She lowered her eyes, her hand involuntarily gripping the edge of the table, and Chu Wanlian's voice faintly surfaced in her mind.

"Jinlian, did you promise me that you would never let your emotions interfere with our current situation?"

This familiar reminder jolted Xiao Jinlian awake, a surge of intense regret rising within her. She looked up at Li Heng, a flicker of struggle in her eyes, but her lips remained tightly pressed together. In the end, she could only whisper, "Brother Li Heng, you're too good to me, but there are some things I have to bear myself."

Looking at her conflicted yet feigned composure, Li Heng felt both pity and helplessness: "Lian'er, some things don't have to be borne alone. Whatever you want to do, let me be with you, okay?"

His words were as gentle as a spring breeze, yet they struck her heart directly. Xiao Jinlian gritted her teeth and whispered, "Thank you, Brother Liheng. The current situation is too complicated, and I don't want the people I care about to be in danger."

Li Heng looked at her, a hint of tenderness and heartache flashing in his eyes. He didn't say anything more, but simply reached out to smooth her hair, his voice gentle yet firm: "No matter what you decide, I will always be behind you, as long as you need me..."

As Li Heng's figure gradually disappeared into the night, Xiao Jinlian stood by the window, gazing at the courtyard bathed in moonlight in the distance, her heart churning with complex emotions.

"Jinlian," Chu Wanlian's voice rang in her mind again, her tone tinged with a hint of teasing, "Your flustered appearance just now was unlike your usual calm and decisive self."

Xiao Jinlian took a deep breath, a helpless smile playing on her lips: "Don't make fun of me. It was just... an accident."

"An accident?" Chu Wanlian chuckled. "Then why didn't you push him away?"

“I…” Xiao Jinlian was speechless, and finally sighed, “I just forgot.”

"Have you forgotten our agreement?" Chu Wanlian's voice carried a hint of mockery. "It seems you'd better understand that we will eventually return to where we belong."

Xiao Jinlian was silent for a moment, then looked up at the starry sky outside the window, her gaze gradually becoming firm: "Don't worry, I know what to do."

Moonlight shone on her profile, revealing a slightly dazed expression. She raised her hand to touch her forehead, recalling the intimate contact just moments before, a slight flutter in her heart.