Rebirth and Rewriting Fate

His lips gently covered hers. Yun Chu's eyes widened in disbelief at what she was experiencing. She could only feel Gu Ruoxiao's warmth through her lips.

He gave me a gentle kiss, then lifted his head slightly. "Do you believe me now?"

Yun Chu stared at him blankly, her dazed expression reflected in his eyes, his gaze as deep and affectionate as a pool of autumn water.

"Close your eyes," Gu Ruoxiao said, then lowered his head and deepened the kiss, his breathing becoming rapid and heavy. This kiss was not as fleeting as the first; he was conquering, as if trying to weave Yun Chu into his own life.

The kiss nearly made Yun Chu lose her footing, forcing her to lean on Gu Ruoxiao. Her face was flushed, and her eyes were slightly misty with tears. She rested against Gu Ruoxiao's chest, listening to his heart beating strongly.

Gu Ruoxiao helped Yun Chu sit down in a chair. He released Yun Chu's hands, took a step back, knelt down on one knee, and stretched out his hand to Yun Chu. "Are you willing to be with me and face the storms of the future together?" he said sincerely, his voice soft but unusually firm, his eyes glistening with tears.

Yun Chu looked at the person in front of her, the person she had liked for a long time, and the person she might continue to like in the future. Listening to his confession, looking at the hand extended to her, could she hold it? She asked herself.

"What about Dongchi? What about General Shen? What about Shangguan Wan'er?" Yun Chu had no choice but to ask these questions that loomed between them.

“None of that matters. I can handle all of this, trust me.” He shook his head at her, his voice trembling slightly, his heart filled with trepidation and anticipation. “So, are you still willing?”

Yun Chu looked directly at him, tears streaming down her face. She nodded gently, her voice choked with emotion, "I do." She offered her hand.

With their hands clasped tightly, Gu Ruoxiao pulled Yun Chu into his arms, and the two embraced tightly. At that moment, Yun Chu felt a peace and warmth she had never experienced before.

The two embraced for a long time. Yun Chu gently pushed Gu Ruoxiao away and looked at the person in front of her. "Haven't you had a good night's sleep in a long time?" she asked.

Gu Ruoxiao's eyes were bloodshot, and the dark circles under his eyes were impossible to suppress. He looked at her and smiled.

Yun Chu stroked Gu Ruoxiao's face, from his brows to his eyes. Gu Ruoxiao had probably been too busy these past two days to take care of himself; when he kissed her just now, the slight stubble that had sprouted prickled her painfully.

Yun Chu took his hand and stood up, then walked to the bedside and pressed him down. "Get some sleep, I'll stay with you," she said gently.

Gu Ruoxiao obediently took off his shoes and lay down on the bed, as docile as a kitten. He held Yun Chu's hand with his left and closed his eyes. Soon, Yun Chu heard his even breathing; he was truly exhausted.

Yun Chu tried to pull her hand away, but Gu Ruoxiao held it tightly. She had no choice but to use her other hand to reach for the blanket and pull it over Gu Ruoxiao. She looked at the person in front of her, her thoughts still lingering, and now there was a response.

Perhaps due to the two days and one night of travel, drowsiness washed over Yun Chu. She glanced at the distance between Gu Ruoxiao and the edge of the bed, took off her shoes, and lay down on her side. Leaning against him, she felt the warmth emanating from him and closed her eyes.

As he slept, Gu Ruoxiao suddenly opened his eyes, then seemed to remember something. He looked to his side and saw Yun Chu nestled against him like a kitten. Gu Ruoxiao turned to his side, covered Yun Chu with the blanket, gently lifted his head and kissed her forehead, then embraced her and closed his eyes again.

When Yun Chu woke up, she opened her eyes and saw a magnified version of Gu Ruoxiao's face in front of her, and she couldn't help but smile.

The sound of roosters crowing came from outside.

She moved slightly and found that she could pull her hand out. She carefully pulled her hand out, tiptoed out of bed, and carefully tucked Gu Ruoxiao in.

When Yun Chu opened the door, Chi Wu, Cheng Feng, and Mo Han were still standing outside.

"How is Master?" Chiwu asked anxiously.

"He's asleep."

"I'm finally asleep. I haven't had a proper sleep in days," Chengfeng said happily.

"Miss, have you and Master made up?" Mo Han asked.

Yun Chu looked at the three people in front of her. They were guarding the study, preventing anyone from getting close, but they could probably hear everything being said inside. Mo Han's question at this moment was probably to confirm whether it was her mistress's true intention.

"Okay." Yun Chu nodded. "Go and get some sleep. There's a big battle to fight tomorrow."

The three looked at each other, then agreed and withdrew.

Yun Chu sat down on the steps in front of the study. Guards still stood watch not far away. She looked up at the sky; it was no longer pitch black, but gradually brightening. She rested her chin on her hand, pondering her previous plan.

In truth, Yun Chu had figured it out on the way here. Killing Shangguan Wan'er would turn General Shen against the royal family, make it impossible for the Emperor to explain himself to the Shangguan family in court, and incite public resentment, further worsening the situation for the Great Jin Dynasty. But now, the other party wanted her. If something could be more important than Shangguan Wan'er's life, then only monetary gain remained. How many people knew about the treasure map? How did Dong Chi find out too? There must be something she didn't know behind this. She couldn't rest easy until she uncovered the mastermind.

Someone draped a coat over her shoulders and then sat down beside her.

"You're awake?" Yun Chu asked.

"Hmm. Why are you sitting here?" Gu Ruoxiao said, his eyes full of tenderness. He reached out and pulled Yun Chu close, letting her lean against him.

"I'm thinking about something."

"Ok?"

"How do you plan to resolve Miss Shangguan's matter?"

"There will be a way," Gu Ruoxiao said, looking straight ahead.

"Hand me over," Yun Chu said, straightening up.

Gu Ruoxiao looked up at her, released his arm from hers, and said angrily, "You still don't believe me."

"No, this is a decision I've thought through carefully," Yun Chu hurriedly explained.

Gu Ruoxiao fell silent. Yun Chu looked at him, her eyes darting around. She shook Gu Ruoxiao's arm and said coquettishly, "Brother Ruoxiao, Brother Ruoxiao, let me go."

"Don't call me that. I won't let you go no matter what." Gu Ruoxiao pulled her arm away and turned her head away from Yun Chu.

"I'm not acting impulsively. Listen to me, the other party wants me to go this time most likely because of the treasure. So I won't be in danger until I get the treasure." Yun Chu's tone earlier was indeed inappropriate; it had given her goosebumps. Her original approach was much more normal. She sighed and spoke normally.

"No way," Gu Ruoxiao firmly rejected.

“If anything happens to Miss Shangguan, we will both feel guilty. Besides, I must find out who is behind Dongchi,” Yun Chu said, holding Gu Ruoxiao’s hand.

Gu Ruoxiao remained silent.