Floating life reflects two lotuses

"Return all these gifts." Xiao Jinlian's voice was calm yet cold, exuding undeniable authority. She casually picked up a gold-embossed letter from the table; the envelope's design was exquisite and luxurious, clearly the work of a high-ranking official. She twirled the letter between her fingers, then tossed it back onto the table. "Tell them that this princess has no need for these 'kindness'."

Silan, standing to the side, paused slightly and asked cautiously, "Princess, some of these gifts are indeed very valuable, such as the Western Region glass sent by the Vice Minister of Revenue, and the rare southern spices found by the Minister of War... Wouldn't it seem... awkward to return them directly like this?"

"Seems cold and heartless?" Xiao Jinlian raised an eyebrow, a faint smile appearing on her lips. "Perfect. Let them know that this princess has never needed these hypocritical tests."

“But, Princess, these people are all important officials in the court. If we could make use of them…” Si Lan was interrupted by Xiao Jinlian before she could finish speaking.

“No need.” Xiao Jinlian’s smile vanished, her tone revealing an undeniable coldness. “Their purpose is all too clear now that they’ve just been released from confinement. They want to test my attitude and see if I’m eager to regain my influence. If I show even the slightest eagerness now, I’ll fall right into their trap. The best course of action now is to remain aloof and distant, so they can’t see through me.”

Silan nodded in agreement: "This servant understands, I will go and do it right away."

The room fell silent again. Xiao Jinlian leaned against the window, her gaze falling on the unopened gift boxes and letters on the table, a thoughtful look in her eyes. At that moment, Chu Wanlian's voice echoed in her mind, her tone tinged with mockery: "I never expected that a dignified princess would learn to manipulate people's hearts like this."

“This is not about playing with people’s hearts.” Xiao Jinlian smiled faintly, turning her gaze to the window. “This is the way of survival. Your father has been able to tolerate me until now not because of his benevolence, but because of my sense of propriety.”

Chu Wanlian sighed softly, "You are really calm. However, if we only return the gifts, I'm afraid they won't let it go easily."

“Of course not.” Xiao Jinlian’s tone became colder. “So I will also have Silan arrange for people to spread the word that I am in meditation to express my gratitude. On the surface, I will keep a low profile, but in reality, I will keep them guessing about my attitude. At the same time, I want some people to think that I know nothing about Consort Yan’s affairs, so that they will lower their guard.”

Chu Wanlian's voice suddenly turned serious: "What about your 'father'? What will he think of your actions?"

Xiao Jinlian gently raised her hand, touching the white jade bracelet on her wrist, her gaze deep: "His trust in Consort Yan has wavered; he just needs an opportunity to balance things out. If I appear composed enough, he will know that I am the one who can control the situation." Chu Wanlian couldn't help but laugh: "It seems you've made the most of my identity as the 'Princess'."

“I have no choice in the matter,” Xiao Jinlian sighed softly, her eyes becoming even more resolute. “Next, I need to see Li Heng. He is the key to this game, and I must make sure he is on my side.”

Chu Wanlian's tone held a hint of amusement: "It would be best if it were all for this game of chess!"

Xiao Jinlian did not answer directly, but smiled slightly, looked up at the starry sky outside the window, her eyes filled with complex emotions: "That's for sure."

The night was as dark as ink, and the streets and alleys of the imperial city appeared deep and quiet under the faint moonlight. Only the soft sound of carriages rolling over the bluestone road broke the silence. Chu Wanlian sat in the carriage, her fingertips lightly touching the white jade bracelet on her wrist. Her gaze was cast out the window through the curtain, her expression calm but deep in thought.

The carriage slowly came to a stop in a secluded clearing in the woods. Chu Wanlian lifted the curtain, her long dress trailing on the ground beneath the cloak, outlining an elegant figure. The woods were silent, save for the rustling of the leaves in the cold wind. A familiar figure emerged from the shadows; Li Heng, clad in a dark cloak, strode forward, a hint of joy in his eyes.

"Lian'er." Li Heng stood in the woods, his voice low, with a hint of relief in his eyes, "I'm finally able to see you. You suffered during your confinement."

Chu Wanlian smiled slightly, a hint of teasing in her eyes: "I wouldn't say I've suffered, but I've certainly had a lot of free time these days. You, on the other hand, must have worked quite hard to break Consort Yan's scheme, right?"

Li Heng stopped in front of her, his gaze sweeping over her as if to confirm her well-being. There was a hint of helplessness in his voice: "Although there were loopholes in Consort Yan's formation, your father did not lift your confinement entirely because of her. He is also observing your performance during this period."

Chu Wanlian raised her eyes, her gaze flickering slightly, but a faint smile appeared on her lips: "He can't see through me precisely because your arrangements were so meticulous. My freedom was something we won together."

Her tone was gentle, yet carried a hint of aloofness. Li Heng's heart skipped a beat. The "Chu Wanlian" before him still smiled, but now possessed an indescribable certainty and depth. He couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "Lian'er, you seem to have changed a lot these past few days."

Chu Wanlian paused slightly, then turned away to cover her tracks, the hem of her cloak fluttering in the wind. She gazed into the depths of the forest, a hint of mockery in her voice: "People always change. You don't think I'm still as naive as before, do you?"

Li Heng was silent for a moment, a complex look flashing in his eyes. He said softly, "It's not naivety, but... you've become more unpredictable. Every move you make now makes me feel like you're a mystery."

Chu Wanlian turned to look at him, her gaze gentle yet tinged with a hint of mockery: "And you? Do you want to get closer, or do you want to stay away?"

Li Heng's gaze locked onto her face. He slowly took a step forward, forcing her to lean against the carriage. He gently lifted her chin and whispered, "I don't know. You are still the princess in my memory, but not entirely. I don't know if this is a good thing, or if it makes it harder for me to let you go."

Chu Wanlian's heart trembled slightly, as if pierced by his burning gaze. She subconsciously wanted to step back, but found that the carriage blocked her way, so she could only look up at him and say, "Brother Liheng, I...we can't do this."

"Why not?" Li Heng's voice was even lower, with a hint of stubbornness in it. "Lian'er, from the first time you blocked that dagger for me, I knew that you were unique to me."

After speaking, he slowly lowered his head and gently placed his lips on her forehead. In that instant, time seemed to stand still, leaving only the rustling of leaves in the wind and the sound of their breaths as they drew closer.

"Lian'er," Li Heng called softly, his voice hoarse but carrying an irresistible force, "There are some things we should perhaps face."

He slowly raised his hand, his fingertips gently touching her cheek. The warm touch made Chu Wanlian almost want to run away. However, she found herself bound by some invisible emotion, unable to move.

“Brother Liheng…” Her voice was so low it was almost inaudible, her tone filled with contradiction and unease, “We… can’t do this.”

Li Heng looked down at her, a faint smile playing on his lips: "Why not? From childhood to adulthood, haven't I been clear enough about my feelings for you?"

Xiao Jinlian's heart skipped a beat, and Chu Wanlian's voice echoed in her mind, her tone carrying a hint of restrained admonition: "Xiao Jinlian, don't forget our agreement, and don't let anyone discover anything unusual."

She snapped out of her daze, raised her hand to block Li Heng's approach, and said with feigned composure, "Brother Li Heng, now is not the time to talk about feelings. We both have responsibilities to bear, and we shouldn't let these things disturb us."

Li Heng paused for a moment, then chuckled softly, his gaze growing increasingly profound: "Responsibility? Lian'er, that's clearly not what you think."

Xiao Jinlian's heart tightened, and she suddenly turned around, not daring to look into his eyes again: "You and I both know that Consort Yan will not let this go. The most important thing for us now is to bring Consort Yan down."

Li Heng did not approach further, but stood behind her, his gaze filled with complex emotions. His voice was low and firm: "Lian'er, no matter where you place me, I will not change. You are right, as long as Consort Yan's power is not eliminated, we will not have peace."

She didn't answer, clutching the corner of her cloak tightly, concealing all her complex emotions.

A rustling of leaves broke the silence between them as the wind blew through the woods. Xiao Jinlian took a deep breath, slowly turned around, her gaze still calm: "Brother Liheng, I know your good intentions, but right now we should act rationally. As for other things... perhaps we can discuss them after the situation stabilizes."

Li Heng looked at her, remained silent for a moment, and finally nodded: "Okay, I'll wait for you."

This time, he didn't approach her again, but just silently watched her, as if he wanted to etch this moment deep into his heart.

At Li Heng's suggestion, the two avoided the turmoil of the capital and went to a courtyard in the suburbs to rest. The bamboo shadows swayed in the courtyard, and the night breeze was cool, creating a relaxing atmosphere.

Li Heng poured her a cup of tea and said softly, "Over the years, I have experienced many life-and-death situations on the frontier, but the only thing that has kept me going is to protect you after returning to the capital."

Li Heng was silent for a moment, then suddenly gently took her hand.

Xiao Jinlian paused, her gaze falling on a shallow scar on the back of his hand, a pang of sadness rising in her heart. She slowly raised her hand and touched the scar: "Brother Liheng, you're always like this... making me unsure how to face you."

"Then don't overthink it." Li Heng smiled slightly, his eyes as gentle as a lake. "Just remember, we will always be together."

Xiao Jinlian closed her eyes, forcing herself to suppress her emotions.

The two remained silent, and the sound of the night breeze rustling the bamboo leaves seemed to whisper to them.