As Rongguo's post-war reconstruction gradually got on track, Lin Wan'er and Xiao Yichen were finally able to take a break from their busy affairs. The feelings between them, which had been temporarily suppressed by the war and responsibilities, began to thaw slowly, like a frozen stream in spring, and then surged and quickly warmed up.

On a bright and sunny morning, Xiao Yichen deliberately ended his morning exercise early and went to Lin Wan'er's residence. He gently knocked on the door, feeling inexplicably nervous, as if he had returned to the naive and ignorant boy he once was.

Lin Wan'er opened the door and saw Xiao Yichen standing there. She was slightly taken aback, then smiled sweetly and said, "Yichen, why are you here so early today?"

Xiao Yichen scratched his head, somewhat embarrassed, and said, "Wan'er, I have less to do today. I was thinking that we haven't spent much time together in a long time, so I'd like to go for a walk with you. Would you like to?"

A hint of surprise flashed in Lin Wan'er's eyes, and she nodded happily: "Of course I'm willing."

They walked side by side out of the General's Mansion, strolling slowly along the ancient streets of Rong Kingdom's capital. The shops on both sides of the street had returned to their former bustling state, with vendors' cries rising and falling, displaying a dazzling array of fresh fruits and vegetables, and exquisite handicrafts. Xiao Yichen would occasionally turn to look at Lin Wan'er, his eyes filled with tenderness and affection. When he saw Lin Wan'er's gaze linger on a small item, he would buy it without hesitation and hand it to her.

"Wan'er, this hairpin suits you very well. You'll look beautiful wearing it." Xiao Yichen said with a smile, personally inserting the hairpin into Lin Wan'er's hair.

Lin Wan'er's cheeks flushed slightly as she gently stroked her hairpin, her heart filled with sweetness: "Yichen, you are always so thoughtful."

They arrived at the outskirts of the capital, where there was a tranquil lake with crystal-clear water that reflected the blue sky, white clouds, and the surrounding lush forests. Wildflowers of all kinds bloomed along the lakeshore, their fragrance filling the air with a gentle breeze.

Xiao Yichen took Lin Wan'er's hand and walked to the grass by the lake to sit down. They quietly watched the fish swimming around in the lake, enjoying this rare tranquility and comfort.

"Wan'er, do you still remember the first time we met?" Xiao Yichen suddenly broke the silence and turned to look at Lin Wan'er.

Lin Wan'er nodded slightly, a hint of reminiscence in her eyes: "Of course I remember. I was deeply attracted to you when you were so heroic on the battlefield."

Xiao Yichen gently held Lin Wan'er's hand and said, "Actually, from the first moment I saw you, I had a special feeling in my heart. But at that time, as a general, I was responsible for protecting the country and dared not easily reveal my feelings."

Lin Wan'er leaned on Xiao Yichen's shoulder and whispered, "I know, Yichen. We've been through so much together over the years, and it's these experiences that have made me even more certain of my feelings for you."

They poured out their hearts to each other, reminiscing about the past, from the shyness and curiosity of their first meeting, to sharing life and death on the battlefield, and supporting each other during the post-war reconstruction. Each memory was like a precious jewel, inlaid on the canvas of their relationship, making it even more magnificent and colorful.

Before they knew it, the sun was gradually setting in the west, and the sky was dyed a magnificent red. Xiao Yichen stood up and pulled Lin Wan'er, saying, "Wan'er, let's go to the mountain over there to watch the sunset. It must be beautiful."

They climbed the winding mountain path to the summit, where the setting sun, like a giant fireball, slowly sank below the horizon. The entire world was bathed in golden light, and the distant mountains, rivers, and villages appeared dreamlike and ethereal.

Xiao Yichen gently embraced Lin Wan'er from behind and whispered in her ear, "Wan'er, I love you. In this life, I wish to be with you forever, never to be separated."

Tears welled up in Lin Wan'er's eyes. She turned around and hugged Xiao Yichen tightly: "Yichen, I love you too. No matter what the future holds, I will always be by your side."

Under the beautiful sunset, they embraced and kissed, as if the whole world had shrunk to just the two of them. In that moment, their love was elevated and became even more unbreakable.

From then on, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er would spend time together whenever they had a spare moment. They would plant flowers and grass together in the garden of the General's Mansion, watching the plants thrive under their careful care, their hearts filled with joy.

"Wan'er, look at this orchid. You planted it yourself, and now it's blooming so beautifully, just like you." Xiao Yichen pointed to a blooming orchid and said to Lin Wan'er with a smile.

Lin Wan'er gently inhaled the fragrance of the orchid and said, "The beauty of this orchid is inseparable from your care. Just like our relationship, it needs our joint care."

They would also read and write together in the study, exchanging their insights and experiences. Xiao Yichen would explain military strategy to Lin Wan'er, while Lin Wan'er would share anecdotes and stories from the martial arts world with Xiao Yichen. Through the exchange and collision of knowledge, they not only deepened their relationship but also broadened their horizons.

On a quiet night, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er were playing chess in the study. The candlelight flickered, illuminating their focused faces. Lin Wan'er held a white piece, sometimes lost in thought, sometimes making a move, her eyes revealing intelligence and agility. Xiao Yichen, meanwhile, gazed intently at the board, calmly responding to each of Lin Wan'er's moves.

"Wan'er, your chess skills have improved again," Xiao Yichen praised with a smile.

Lin Wan'er smiled mischievously: "It's all thanks to your excellent teaching, Yichen."

During the game, they would occasionally argue about a move, but these arguments did not affect their relationship. Instead, they helped them understand each other's ways of thinking better.

Besides spending time together in the general's mansion, they also traveled together. They rode horses, exploring the famous mountains and rivers of Rong Kingdom, experiencing the local customs and traditions. On their journeys, they encountered all sorts of people: kind and simple farmers, talented scholars and poets, and chivalrous heroes of the martial world.

During their travels, they came to an ancient town. This town was famous for its unique folk culture and traditional handicrafts. Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er strolled along the town's streets, admiring the quaint buildings and exquisite handicrafts on both sides.

They entered a pottery workshop and watched the artisans skillfully craft various pottery pieces, their hearts filled with admiration. Lin Wan'er said to Xiao Yichen, "Yichen, look at these pottery pieces. Each one contains the artisans' hard work and wisdom, just like our relationship, which has become so precious after being refined by time and experience."

Xiao Yichen nodded in agreement and said to the workshop owner, "Boss, we would like to make a piece of pottery by hand. Is that alright?"

The workshop owner readily agreed. Under the craftsman's guidance, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er began making pottery. Their hands were covered in clay, but their faces beamed with happy smiles. After much effort, they finally created a uniquely shaped piece of pottery.

"Wan'er, let this pottery be a testament to our love," Xiao Yichen said to Lin Wan'er, looking at the pottery in his hand.

Lin Wan'er carefully took the pottery and said, "It will definitely become our most precious treasure."

As time passed, Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er's feelings for each other deepened during these ordinary yet heartwarming days. Their love story spread among the people of Rong Kingdom, becoming a celebrated tale. People admired their bravery on the battlefield, but even more so their unwavering loyalty in love.

Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er also know that their relationship was hard-won, and they will cherish each other even more and walk hand in hand through every spring, summer, autumn and winter in the future.

On a tranquil afternoon, the sunlight lazily spilled into the courtyard of the General's Mansion. Xiao Yichen was practicing his spear techniques there, his movements agile and powerful, each move showcasing his profound martial arts skills. Lin Wan'er watched quietly from the side, her eyes filled with admiration and affection.

Suddenly, Xiao Yichen turned around, his spear inadvertently thrusting towards Lin Wan'er. The speed was so fast that Xiao Yichen himself had no time to stop. At this critical moment, a strange light flashed in Lin Wan'er's eyes. Her body reacted instinctively, slightly turning to the side and dodging the spear's edge with incredible agility.

Upon seeing this, Xiao Yichen was startled. He stopped what he was doing and looked at Lin Wan'er with a face full of doubt: "Wan'er, how... how did you do that just now? Such speed and reaction are not something an ordinary person can possess."

Lin Wan'er inwardly cried out in alarm. She knew that she had used her mind-reading ability in the critical moment, which made her reaction speed far exceed that of ordinary people. She lowered her head slightly, trying to hide her panic: "Yichen, I... I've just been training in the martial world for a long time and have developed some agility."

Xiao Yichen frowned. He knew that although Lin Wan'er was skilled, her reaction just now was too bizarre. He stepped forward, gently lifted Lin Wan'er's chin, looked into her eyes and said, "Wan'er, don't lie to me. I can sense that you are hiding something from me."

A hint of hesitation flashed in Lin Wan'er's eyes, but she still shook her head: "Yichen, it's really nothing. Don't overthink it."

Xiao Yichen looked at her, still harboring doubts, but he didn't want to pressure Lin Wan'er. He sighed softly and said, "Alright, Wan'er. If there's anything you don't want to say, I won't force you. But I want you to know that no matter what happens, I'll be by your side."

Lin Wan'er was deeply moved and gently hugged Xiao Yichen: "Yichen, thank you for your trust."

However, this matter did not end there. At a banquet at the general's mansion, Lin Wan'er spoke with a distinguished guest. This guest was a high-ranking official of Rong Kingdom, a man of deep thoughts and keen insight into people's hearts. During their conversation, Lin Wan'er unconsciously used her mind-reading ability to try and understand the guest's views on Rong Kingdom's relations with its neighboring countries.

Unexpectedly, the distinguished guest's expression suddenly changed. He stared intently at Lin Wan'er, his eyes filled with shock and wariness: "Miss Lin, you... you can actually read my mind? Are you a human or a ghost?"

Lin Wan'er was shocked; she hadn't expected this distinguished guest to discover her mind-reading ability. She hurriedly explained, "Sir, you misunderstand. I'm just observant and can deduce your thoughts from your expressions and words."

But the VIP clearly didn't believe her explanation. He stood up and said loudly, "Hmph! Don't try to deny it. Your eyes, your reactions, all tell me you're no ordinary person. Do you possess some kind of sorcery?"

Upon hearing the distinguished guest's words, everyone at the banquet turned their gaze to Lin Wan'er. Xiao Yichen also heard the commotion and hurriedly went to Lin Wan'er's side, asking in a low voice, "Wan'er, what's going on?"

Lin Wan'er was extremely anxious, unsure how to explain. Just then, the distinguished guest said again, "General, this Miss Lin beside you is probably not simple. She actually knows what I'm thinking. If this is used by someone with ulterior motives, it will pose a huge threat to Rong Kingdom."

Xiao Yichen looked at Lin Wan'er, his eyes filled with a complicated expression: "Wan'er, are you really hiding something from me?"

Lin Wan'er knew that she could no longer hide the truth. She took a deep breath and slowly said, "Yi Chen, I do have a secret I haven't told you. I was born with a special ability to read other people's minds, which is called mind reading."

Xiao Yichen was shocked by Lin Wan'er's words. He had never imagined that such a miraculous ability existed in the world: "Wan'er, why have you been keeping this from me all this time?"

A hint of helplessness flashed in Lin Wan'er's eyes: "Yichen, this ability is too special. I'm afraid you will distance yourself from me because of it, and I'm afraid it will bring trouble to you and the General's Mansion."

Xiao Yichen was silent for a moment. He looked at Lin Wan'er and said slowly, "Wan'er, although your abilities have shocked me, I will not distance myself from you because of this. You are the woman I love, and no matter what kind of person you are, I will stay by your side. However, this secret must not be known to anyone else, otherwise it will bring you danger."

Lin Wan'er was deeply moved. She nodded and said, "Yichen, I understand. I will be careful."

However, things didn't go as smoothly as they had imagined. The distinguished guest secretly informed some officials in the court about Lin Wan'er's ability to read minds, and soon the news spread throughout the upper echelons of Rong Kingdom. Many people were terrified and wary of Lin Wan'er's abilities, and they petitioned the emperor to take action against her.

Upon learning of this, the Emperor was also concerned about Lin Wan'er's abilities. He summoned Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er, and in the main hall of the palace, the Emperor looked at them with a serious expression: "Lin Wan'er, I am aware of your ability to read minds. Do you know the threat this ability would pose to my empire if it were misused?"

Lin Wan'er hurriedly knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, I have absolutely no intention of abusing this ability. I have always kept this ability a secret and will only use it when necessary, and always for the benefit of Rong Kingdom."

Xiao Yichen also knelt down immediately, pleading for Lin Wan'er: "Your Majesty, Wan'er is kind-hearted and loyal to Rong Kingdom. She has never done anything to harm Rong Kingdom. Please, Your Majesty, see the truth."

After a moment of contemplation, the Emperor said, "I will spare you both for the time being, considering your contributions to the Rong Kingdom and the fact that Lin Wan'er has not committed any evil deeds. However, you two must remember that you must not allow this ability to cause any trouble, or I will not let you off lightly."

Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er quickly expressed their gratitude: "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty."

After leaving the palace, Xiao Yichen looked at Lin Wan'er and said, "Wan'er, it seems we need to be more careful from now on. Your abilities have attracted too much attention, and we must find a way to deal with it."

Lin Wan'er nodded: "Yi Chen, I understand. I will try my best to control myself and not use mind-reading lightly anymore."

However, it's easier said than done. During a diplomatic negotiation with the Mu Kingdom, Lin Wan'er discovered that the Mu envoys harbored ulterior motives. On the surface, they sought peace with the Rong Kingdom, but in reality, they were secretly plotting a conspiracy. For the safety of the Rong Kingdom, Lin Wan'er had no choice but to use her mind-reading ability to read the thoughts of the Mu envoys.

She learned that the Mu Kingdom planned to launch a surprise attack when the Rong Kingdom was off guard, and that they had also planted spies in the Rong Kingdom's court to coordinate an attack from within and without to overthrow the Rong Kingdom's rule.

Lin Wan'er informed Xiao Yichen of this news, and Xiao Yichen decided to play along. On the one hand, they pretended to reach a peace agreement with Mu, and on the other hand, they secretly investigated Mu's spies in Rong and strengthened Rong's defenses.

During the investigation of the spies, Lin Wan'er once again used her mind-reading ability. By reading the inner thoughts of some suspicious individuals, she successfully identified the spies from the Mu Kingdom within the Rong Kingdom. After gathering evidence, the Rong Kingdom rounded up all the spies, completely thwarting the Mu Kingdom's conspiracy.

Although Lin Wan'er's mind-reading ability played a crucial role in this incident, she also knew that her abilities were becoming increasingly exposed. She worried that it would bring more trouble to Xiao Yichen and Rong Guo.

Xiao Yichen noticed Lin Wan'er's worry and comforted her, "Wan'er, don't be afraid. Although your abilities are special, as long as we use them properly, they can bring benefits to Rong Kingdom. I will always protect you."

Lin Wan'er leaned against Xiao Yichen's chest, her heart filled with warmth and gratitude. She knew that as long as Xiao Yichen was by her side, she could bravely face any difficulties.

Lin Wan'er's ability to read minds was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples in the Rong Kingdom's palace. Beneath the seemingly peaceful surface of the palace, undercurrents surged, and various forces began to stir.

Inside the magnificent palace hall, the Emperor sat high on his dragon throne, a hint of worry in his eyes. Below, the ministers whispered among themselves, their gazes frequently drifting to Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er standing to the side. Some were curious, some were wary, and most were calculating how to gain advantage for themselves in this sudden turn of events.

"General Xiao, Miss Lin, although I temporarily trust your loyalty, this matter concerns the stability of the court, and we must be cautious." The Emperor's voice echoed in the hall, breaking the unsettling whispers.

Xiao Yichen clasped his hands in a salute and said respectfully, "Your Majesty is wise. Your subject and Wan'er will do our utmost to prove our innocence and will never allow this ability to harm the court."

Lin Wan'er slightly curtsied and said, "Your Majesty, I am willing to accept any arrangement Your Majesty makes, as long as the Rong Kingdom remains peaceful."

However, not everyone readily believed them. Prime Minister Li stepped forward, stroked his beard, and slowly said, “Your Majesty, this old minister believes that Miss Lin’s abilities are too mysterious and unpredictable. Even if she has no ill intentions now, it is hard to guarantee that she won’t be exploited by treacherous individuals in the future, or that she herself will harbor rebellious thoughts. To prevent such a situation, this old minister suggests that Your Majesty restrict Miss Lin’s movements in the capital and send people to secretly monitor her.”

His words immediately sparked a flurry of discussion in the court. Some ministers echoed his sentiments, agreeing with the Prime Minister's assessment; while others, who were on good terms with Xiao Yichen, objected, arguing that the move was unfair and a sign of distrust towards a meritorious official.

Xiao Yichen was furious, but he knew he couldn't act impulsively at this moment. He suppressed his anger and said, "Prime Minister, Wan'er's loyalty to Rong is as clear as day. In the many battles with Mu, she disregarded her own safety and fought bravely against the enemy. She also used her abilities to help our army obtain intelligence on many occasions, which is why Rong's borders are safe. How can such a meritorious person be treated like this?"

Lin Wan'er also raised her head, looking firmly at the Prime Minister: "Your Excellency, your concerns are not without merit. But I, Lin Wan'er, act with integrity and uprightness. If I have any ill intentions, I am willing to be struck by lightning."

The Emperor frowned slightly. He glanced at Xiao Yichen, then at the Prime Minister, weighing the pros and cons in his mind. "Let this matter be set aside for now, and allow me to consider it further. Court adjourned!" With a flick of his sleeve, the Emperor ended the heated debate in court.

Back at the General's Mansion, Xiao Yichen's face remained gloomy. Lin Wan'er gently tugged at his sleeve and comforted him, "Yichen, don't be too angry. The Prime Minister is only thinking of Rong Kingdom; he just misunderstands my abilities."

Xiao Yichen sighed: "Wan'er, you don't understand. The Prime Minister's actions are not simply for the sake of the court. He wields great power in the court and has always been wary of my prestige in the army. Now, your matter is just an excuse for him to suppress me."

Lin Wan'er was startled: "What should we do then?"

Xiao Yichen pondered for a moment and said, "We must be careful. On the one hand, you should try not to use mind-reading again, so as not to give anyone a handle to use against you; on the other hand, I need to contact some allies in the court to jointly fight against the Prime Minister's power."

In the days that followed, Xiao Yichen frequently visited the residences of several important officials in the court, attempting to persuade them to support him. Meanwhile, Lin Wan'er remained secluded in the general's mansion, trying to avoid causing unnecessary trouble.

However, Prime Minister Li did not stop there. He secretly instructed his men to spread rumors in the capital, saying that Lin Wan'er was a demoness descended to earth, and that her mind-reading ability was an evil sorcery that would bring disaster to the Rong Kingdom. For a time, panic gripped the capital, and many people avoided Lin Wan'er.

Lin Wan'er was deeply saddened upon learning of this. She hadn't expected her abilities to be so maliciously slandered. Xiao Yichen felt sorry for her and decided to retaliate.

Xiao Yichen sought out some of his friends in the martial arts world and asked them to help investigate the Prime Minister's misdeeds. After some effort, they finally discovered that the Prime Minister was colluding with some unscrupulous merchants, secretly embezzling and accepting bribes, and disrupting the government.

With this evidence in hand, Xiao Yichen went directly to see the Emperor. In the Imperial Study, Xiao Yichen presented the evidence to the Emperor one by one: "Your Majesty, Prime Minister Li appears to be loyal to the Emperor and patriotic, but in reality, he is greedy by nature, colluding with unscrupulous merchants to enrich himself. The reason he framed Wan'er was to eliminate dissidents and seize power for himself. If Your Majesty does not believe me, you may send someone to investigate."

The Emperor's face turned ashen as he looked at the evidence before him. He hadn't expected the Prime Minister to be so audacious. "General Xiao, I will handle this matter myself. You should return to your residence and remain silent."

Not long after, Prime Minister Li was dismissed and investigated by the Emperor, and his cronies were also implicated. This palace turmoil seemed to have subsided temporarily, but Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er both knew that this was only the beginning.

After the Prime Minister's downfall, the power structure in the court changed. Some forces that had previously been suppressed by the Prime Minister began to rise, vying for dominance in the court. Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er became the targets of various factions' attempts to win them over.

Some ministers came to the general's mansion with lavish gifts, trying to persuade Xiao Yichen to support them. Xiao Yichen politely declined them all, knowing that getting involved in these court intrigues would only put himself and Lin Wan'er in a more dangerous situation.

"My lords," Xiao Yichen said to the visiting ministers, "I only wish to defend the borders of Rong Kingdom and protect the peace of its people. I have no intention of getting involved in the court's factional struggles. I hope you will not make things difficult for me any further."

Lin Wan'er, using her mind-reading abilities, helped Xiao Yichen discern the true intentions of these ministers. She discovered that some of them, while outwardly respectful to Xiao Yichen, harbored ulterior motives and sought to exploit his prestige for their own purposes.

At a palace banquet, Lin Wan'er noticed something amiss again. A newly risen minister, Lord Wang, was conversing with other officials when his eyes darted around. A thought struck Lin Wan'er, and she secretly used her mind-reading ability. To her astonishment, she discovered that Lord Wang was actually plotting a conspiracy against the Crown Prince.

Lin Wan'er calmly informed Xiao Yichen of the news, and Xiao Yichen realized the seriousness of the matter. The Crown Prince was the heir apparent of Rong Kingdom; any mishap to him would inevitably cause turmoil in the court.

Xiao Yichen decided to secretly protect the Crown Prince and informed the Emperor of this matter. Upon learning of this, the Emperor was greatly shocked. He immediately strengthened the guards around the Crown Prince and ordered a thorough investigation of Lord Wang.

Thanks to Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er's efforts, Lord Wang's conspiracy was thwarted in time. The Crown Prince was extremely grateful to them, and the Emperor trusted them even more.

However, the power struggles within the court did not end there. As time passed, new forces and conspiracies emerged, and Xiao Yichen and Lin Wan'er, amidst this complex court intrigue, were like a small boat adrift in a turbulent sea, forced to proceed cautiously, constantly on guard against the next danger.