A five-year-old goddess, raised to become an emperor for all time through a bronze mirror.

Meanwhile, Guangling Kingdom—

Inside Pei Yunjing's bedchamber, candlelight flickered, casting dappled shadows on the walls.

The candlelight flickered gently in the breeze, as if silently telling the story of the night's tranquility and depth.

The hall was filled with a faint scent of sandalwood, which mingled with the warmth of the candlelight, creating a tranquil and mysterious atmosphere.

Pei Yunjing sat upright in front of the phoenix bronze mirror, while his cool and handsome face was reflected in an ordinary mirror on the other side.

His features were exquisite, and his eyes were deep and indifferent, as if they held countless unresolved secrets.

The candlelight cast a soft glow on his face, outlining his sharp features, but also adding to his loneliness and aloofness.

The candlelight flickered slightly, casting shadows on him as if draping him in a hazy veil.

The hall was silent except for the soft crackling of the burning candles, as if whispering the secrets of the night.

Pei Yunjing sat there quietly, his gaze fixed on the phoenix bronze mirror in front of him.

Just then, the scene of Ji Yichen bravely saving Nian Nian earlier that day suddenly appeared in the mirror; this scene was like a sharp sword, piercing straight into his heart.

His heart was immediately filled with fear and unease, fearing that Nian Nian might develop feelings for Ji Yichen because of this.

This worry, like a raging torrent, instantly overwhelmed his reason.

In an instant, a sharp pain suddenly erupted from his body.

Those were toxins that had accumulated over the years, and now they were like a powder keg that had been ignited, completely out of control.

He felt a sweet taste in his throat, followed by a mouthful of blood gushing out and splashing onto the phoenix bronze mirror.

"puff……"

The bright red bloodstains on the bronze mirror were shocking, like a blooming blood-red flower, forming a stark contrast with Pei Yunjing's pale face, which was as white as paper.

The streak of blood flowed slowly down the mirror's surface, like glistening teardrops, seemingly silently conveying the owner's endless pain and resentment deep within.

Pei Yunjing clutched his chest tightly, coughing violently one cough after another, as if he were coughing up his internal organs.

His body trembled uncontrollably, and each cough felt like torture, making it unbearable for him.

However, even so, he endured the pain and refused to collapse easily.

His fingers had turned deathly pale from the excessive force, and thin strands of blood were still seeping from between his fingers.

But his gaze remained unwavering, and the fleeting hint of panic within it was quickly swallowed up by an even stronger will.

He knew that at this moment, he absolutely could not fall down, he absolutely could not fall down here, at this moment!

He trembled and, with great difficulty, slowly extended his hand, which seemed to be weighed down by a thousand pounds.

He strained forward with all his might, trying to gently wipe away the shocking bloodstains on the mirror with his sleeve.

However, no matter how hard he tried, that bright red mark was like a deep imprint on his heart, so stubborn that it was hopeless and impossible to erase.

At this moment, Pei Yunjing's eyes became increasingly deep and complex.

His gaze was fixed on the scene in the mirror, and the image of the person he longed for kept flashing through his mind—the one he had always silently protected and cherished like a treasure…

But now, under the protection of another person, Niannian revealed a look in his eyes that he had never seen before.

That look in his eyes contained trust, dependence, and some indescribable emotions, all of which were so unfamiliar to Pei Yunjing.

“Niannian…” Pei Yunjing murmured involuntarily, his voice so hoarse it was almost inaudible, filled with an endless sense of powerlessness.

At this moment, his heart was like a turbulent ocean, with various emotions intertwined, forming a huge contradiction and struggle.

He desperately wanted to rush forward, open his arms, and shield his beloved behind him;

Pei Yunjing wished he could be her only support, to shelter her from the wind and rain.

However, reality is cruel.

He and Nian Nian are separated by a thousand years...

Just then, the guards outside the palace suddenly heard strange noises coming from inside. They rushed in with panicked expressions.

Just then, they suddenly caught a glimpse of Pei Yunjing's pale, bloodless face and the shocking sight of blood scattered on the ground.

In an instant, fear surged into their hearts like a raging tide, instantly engulfing them;

Everyone was terrified, as if they had lost the ability to think and act, and could only stand there blankly, at a loss.

"Your Highness! What's wrong with you? Quickly! Go and summon the imperial physician!" One of the guards shouted at the top of his lungs, his face full of fear and his voice trembling so much it was almost incoherent.

Hearing his shout, the others snapped out of their daze and swarmed around Pei Yunjing, trying to support the swaying figure that seemed about to collapse at any moment.

However, facing the concerned and anxious gazes of everyone, Pei Yunjing simply waved his hand lightly, his movements appearing somewhat weak.

Despite enduring excruciating pain, he clenched his teeth and forced himself to suppress any groans of agony.

He mustered all his strength and said slowly in a weak but unusually firm tone, "No need... to summon the imperial physician, I... I'm fine."

As soon as he finished speaking, he felt a sudden dizziness, his vision went completely black, and his body involuntarily leaned forward, about to faint.

At the critical moment, Pei Yunjing, with her strong willpower, took a deep breath and tried to calm her chaotic mind.

He knew that if he so easily showed his vulnerability, it would not only worry those around him, but could also affect the development of the situation.

Therefore, no matter how difficult it is, he must persevere and never show weakness in front of others.

He slowly stood up, walked to the window, gazed at the twinkling stars in the night sky, and silently vowed in his heart:

No matter what happens, he will protect Nian Nian, even if... she will never know his feelings.

…………

Meanwhile, in the modern world, Niannian's heart was also stirred.

She didn't know why, but Ji Yichen's image kept echoing in her mind—his eyes, his words, and the way he left.

Her heart began to race involuntarily, and an indescribable feeling quietly began to grow within her.

Niannian shook her head, trying to banish those chaotic thoughts from her mind.

She told herself that it was just a chance encounter, an unexpected act of help, and she shouldn't have any expectations of Ji Yichen that went beyond a classmate relationship...