"Mu Ruoyan!" Lin Xihe's voice carried a hint of reproach, but her eyes were full of heartache and regret.

He had never mentioned those things to her. If she had known he would suffer so much pain those days, she would never have lost her temper with him, much less let him bear those torments alone.

“They tried many methods, and only this one worked. Although it’s unclear how long it will last, twenty years… should be no problem.” Mu Ruoyan gently stroked Lin Xihe’s hair, her gaze tenderly falling on her face.

Seeing her so upset for him, her eyes brimming with tears, he felt an indescribable sense of satisfaction.

Her tears were for him, her heartache was for him, which made him feel that all the pain was worthwhile.

"But... how much suffering will you have to endure?" Lin Xihe's voice trembled, her fingers gripping his sleeve tightly.

"It's not that exaggerated."

Mu Ruoyan chuckled and casually ruffled her hair: "You think it'll hurt me to death?"

"But I don't want you to be in pain..." Lin Xihe's voice lowered, her eyes reddening terribly.

“Once a year is fine, but once a month… how can you stand it?” She couldn’t hold back any longer, threw herself into his arms, and tears silently streamed down her face, soaking his clothes.

Mu Ruoyan remained silent for a moment, her heart not entirely unmoved by the thought of that excruciating pain.

The pain was several times more intense than being pierced by swords; each time it felt like his bones were being crushed inch by inch. Yet, even so, he endured it willingly. Because by enduring it only once a month, he could have twice as much time to spend with her.

However, he also had moments of fear.

He feared that if this continued, his body would gradually weaken, that one day he would not be able to hold on any longer, and that when that happened, she would despise him and leave him.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but recall his previous plans.

"Actually... I once thought that if there was no antidote, I would just walk the last part of the road with you like this. After I die, whether you want to marry Ji Zhuo or Gu Qinghuai, I will not care anymore."

His voice was low and tinged with bitterness: "But with this method, I became greedy. I want to be with you longer, much longer... so that you belong only to me, and stay by my side only."

He gently patted her back, as if to comfort her, or perhaps to comfort himself.

He never imagined that the two of them would end up like this. When he came from the North, he had only one thought in mind—to bring her back and keep her by his side no matter what. Even if she was unwilling, even if she hated him, he didn't care.

But now, they can be like ordinary lovers, understanding each other and staying together.

All of this was so wonderful that it felt somewhat unreal to him.

Knowing all this, Lin Xihe had no choice but to treat him even better.

On the third day, the visiting delegation from the North set off to return home.

Under Xu Qi's escort, Lin Xihe and Ling Xue waited early on the road to the Northern Border. As soon as Mu Ruoyan arrived, she boarded his carriage directly.

At the same time, the Great Hao and the Western Regions officially went to war.

The Western Regions received a secret letter written by Sun Ningxiang herself. The letter detailed the situation of the Western Regions' border defenses and mentioned that the Emperor of Dahao was deeply poisoned by his obsession with elixirs and was nearing the end of his life.

The caravan headed north. Mu Ruoyan had come at a fast pace, but the return journey was extremely slow.

Lin Xihe showed him great care every day, which often made him feel dazed, unable to distinguish whether this was reality or a beautiful dream.

During the long journey, Lin Xihe only received the first letter when she was nearing the northern border.

"For me?" Lin Xihe couldn't help but be a little surprised.

"Yes, it was written by Ji Zhuo." Mu Ruoyan handed her the letter, her tone calm.

The letter arrived along with an urgent report to him, but he did not open it and handed it to her unopened.

Lin Xihe took the letter, shrank to a corner of the carriage, and carefully opened the envelope.

The letter was brief; Ji Zhuo simply informed her that he had met with Gu Qinghuai and that they were both safe and sound, asking her not to worry. At the end of the letter, he specifically reminded her to take good care of herself and not to worry about them.

After reading the letter, Lin Xihe slowly moved to Mu Ruoyan's side and asked softly, "Would you like to take a look?"

Mu Ruoyan looked up, glanced at her, and said in a flat tone, "You wanted to hide outside the car when you opened the letter, but now you're showing it to me?"

After he finished speaking, he lowered his head and continued to review the memorials in his hands.

Now, the political affairs of the North have gradually fallen on his shoulders, and memorials are being sent in one after another, requiring his review one by one.

Lin Xihe couldn't help but smile as she looked at his feigned indifference.

She gently placed the letter beside him and said softly, "If you don't want to read it, I'll put it away. But there's really nothing in the letter, just letting you know I'm safe."

Mu Ruoyan paused for a moment, but ultimately held back and said calmly, "I won't look at it. You can keep it safe."

Lin Xihe folded the letter and felt that Mu Ruoyan's temper was getting better and better.

She leaned gently on his shoulder and whispered, "Don't worry, you're always the oldest, and you're my favorite."

When Lin Xihe first said this, Mu Ruoyan would frown and argue back, but after she said it so many times, he just let it go and stopped arguing.

Lin Xihe, however, had her own plans. She thought that if she let him get used to hearing these kinds of words, perhaps one day he would truly accept them.

After all, it's not impossible.

"Save your breath and eat this fruit. You've been eating less and less these past few days."

After Mu Ruoyan finished speaking, she used her hand, which was not holding a pen, to push the washed fruit toward Lin Xihe.

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