Chapter 63 The Contract of the Soul
The walls of Fengwu City gradually receded behind them, and the wheels of the carriage made a rhythmic creak as they rolled over the newly paved stone road. The current emperor and the Grand General of the State chose an inconspicuous blue-canopied carriage and thus "disguised" themselves for their journey.
Bai Lian leaned against the window, her fingertips parting a sliver of the curtain, allowing the flowing lights and noise from outside to seep in bit by bit.
“Look over there,” Galorin’s gentle voice sounded beside her, “The Suzaku Avenue has been almost completely cleaned up. The Ministry of Works has been working day and night, and it’s finally starting to look a bit like it used to be.”
Bai Lian looked in the direction he pointed and saw that the familiar streets were still in ruins, but there were also cleared streets and shops that had stubbornly opened for business.
People were already bustling around the shops, and the air was filled with the aroma of earth, new wood, and steaming food—a vibrant energy born of survival that overwhelmed the bitterness left by the war.
"That's nice," she said softly, her eyes reflecting the light from the window.
As Galorin watched her smile gently bloom, the anxiety that had been weighing on her heart for days finally eased a little.
“We’ve agreed that tonight it will only be ‘Young Master Lin’ and ‘Miss Lian’ traveling together,” he said with a smile.
Bai Lian turned her head and met his smiling eyes.
Garo Lin removed his dragon robe and crown, and wore only a dark blue casual dress. His black hair was tied up with a simple jade hairpin. He had lost some of the awe-inspiring majesty of an emperor and gained more of the refined and handsome appearance of a noble young master.
A faint smile curved her lips: "Alright, I'll do as Young Master Lin says."
The carriage stopped at a relatively spacious street corner. As soon as the two stepped out, a wave of noise hit them.
The sounds of vendors hawking their wares, laughter, children chasing and playing, and the enticing aromas wafting from various food stalls weave together a vivid and lively picture of everyday life in the city.
"Sugar figurines! Sweet and crunchy sugar figurines!"
Bai Lian's gaze was drawn to an old sugar-blowing craftsman. With a few deft strokes, he sculpted a lifelike little rabbit. She tilted her head and stared at it for a long time, a look of girlish curiosity appearing on her face.
Upon seeing this, Galorin immediately signaled his attendant to pay, and he handed her the crystal-clear sugar rabbit, like a young man eager to please his beloved.
Bai Lian took it, carefully licked it, and the sweetness instantly melted on her tongue. She looked up and met his doting gaze. Her heart skipped a beat, and she lowered her head, eating it in small bites, her ears even feeling a little hot.
A feeling slowly flowed in her heart. During her time recuperating, her heart seemed to have "thawed," and she became much softer.
The two moved slowly with the flow of people. Galo Rin stood beside her, subtly shielding her from the crowd. Passing a stall selling velvet flowers, he stopped, picked out a simple magnolia-shaped one, and gently pinned it in her hair. "It's very beautiful," he said, examining it closely with tender eyes.
Bai Lian raised her hand and touched the soft petals, without refusing.
A crowd had gathered around a lantern riddle stall ahead, with slips of paper covered in riddles hanging under colorful lanterns. Bai Lian became interested and pulled Jia Luo Lin to squeeze forward.
She had just read out one of the questions when Galorin pondered for a moment before answering. The stall owner clapped her hands and said, "This young master is very clever! This rabbit lantern is yours."
Galorin immediately presented the rabbit lantern to Byakuren as if it were a treasure.
Galorin guessed the next few riddles right away, and soon his arms were full of winnings, all small trinkets. He kept holding one but leaving another behind, completely losing his composure, but he was all smiles.
Looking at the strikingly beautiful young "couple," the stall owner smiled and said to Galorin, "Young master, you and your wife are truly a perfect match!"
The word "Madam" filled Galo Lin with joy. He turned to look at Bai Lian, and seeing that she only paused slightly and did not refute him, he turned and continued walking forward.
A thought struck him, and he hurriedly instructed his attendant to tip the stall owner before rushing after him. His free hand naturally took Bai Lian's hand.
The warmth of palms touching is more comforting than the surrounding noise.
They walked aimlessly side by side, passing a stall selling children's toys, with rattles, windmills, and bamboo dragonflies displayed in abundance. Bai Lian slowed her pace, her gaze falling on a small rattle, her eyes somewhat unfocused.
As she walked further, her attention was drawn to a brightly lit area with the sounds of workers chanting. There, a tributary of the moat was being dredged and repaired overnight, and many workers were working hard, chanting in unison.
Jialuolin led her up to the second floor of a teahouse. Facing the bustling scene, he said in a low and solemn voice, "Lian'er, look. This is what I want to protect with you. It's not the cold palace, not the empty power, but this vitality, this hope, and the people here's expectations for tomorrow."
He turned back and looked at her intently: "I never intended to lock you away in the palace, to make you a canary to be worshipped. What I want is for you to stand shoulder to shoulder with me and share in the magnificent scenery of this land."
The night breeze ruffled the stray hairs on Bai Lian's forehead, stirring her heart as well. She looked into Jia Luolin's eyes, still bright in the night, reflecting the lamplight and her own image, overflowing with an unprecedented sincerity and respect.
He always understood her, even better than she thought.
The last bit of resentment in her heart caused by the position of "Empress" was melted away by her sincere feelings at this moment.
Bai Lian did not answer immediately, but stepped forward and stood beside him.
A gentle evening breeze blew, and seeing Bai Lian remain silent, Jia Luolin felt a little uneasy. He quickly explained, "Lian'er, I didn't say this to get your consent. No matter what you think, in my heart, my empress can only be you." He lightly tapped his heart with his fingertip. "I will wait for you, until you also willingly place your heart with me."
After she finished speaking, Bai Lian still did not react immediately.
On the contrary, this "heartfelt confession" made the emperor, who had conquered battlefields and dominated the court, somewhat embarrassed.
"So you know what shame is?"
Just as Galo Rin was considering finding an excuse to escape, she suddenly looked up at the sound and met Bai Lian's bright smile. Her eyes were glistening with tears, but they were brighter than the stars.
She looked into his eyes, sighed almost imperceptibly, and said softly, "Silly boy...didn't you already retrieve my heart from that sea of suffering and cherish it dearly?"
"From then on, I gave you my heart." Bai Lian was too embarrassed to say the second half of the sentence.
Galo Lin was taken aback at first, then an overwhelming joy welled up inside him. He chuckled softly and pulled her tightly into his arms.
“Yes, I’ve brought her back.” He whispered in her ear, “Now that you’ve brought her back, you can’t leave for the rest of your life.”
Bai Lian pressed her cheek against his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat and feeling the peace, and softly replied, "Okay."
The evening breeze was cool, and he took off his outer robe and draped it over her without a word. The robe, carrying his body heat and cool scent, enveloped her and dispelled the chill.
Bai Lian adjusted her clothes, leaned against the railing, and looked down at the flowing river of lights below and the faint outline of the palace in the distance. Jia Luolin stood beside her, her arm naturally encircling her waist, and pulled her closer to her.
"Are you tired?" he asked, his voice especially gentle in the quiet night.
Bai Lian shook her head, the magnolia blossom in her hair gently brushing against his chin. "Not tired. It's like... a very long, but beautiful dream." A dream of breaking free from the heavy past and facing one's true feelings.
“Then let this dream continue.” Galo Lin tightened his arms, pulling her closer. “Lian’er, I know you have lofty aspirations and care for the common people. From now on, I want every inch of this Phoenix Kingdom to bear the imprint of your will, alongside my name. Not as the Empress, but as the White Lotus, as my most trusted comrade-in-arms and most beloved partner.”
It is no longer an imperial edict of investiture, but a covenant of souls.
Bai Lian turned around, meeting his deep and ardent gaze. The wind on the bridge ruffled her long hair, and her eyes shone with an astonishing light.
“Okay.” She answered clearly, her voice not loud, but firm and resolute, “Galorin, I believe you.”
This was the first time she had called him by his full name, with a solemn sense of complete surrender.
"I will accompany you to see and protect this vast land."
Starlight and lamplight intertwined behind her, creating a hazy backdrop. She looked up at him with a hint of acceptance. Galo Lin's heart surged with excitement, and he could hardly contain himself. He slowly lowered his head, and his warm lips carefully and tenderly covered hers.
There was no forceful plunder, only endless tenderness and promises. It was a belated kiss, a confirmation of their mutual feelings. Under the night sky of the capital, after the smoke of war had cleared, on the stone bridge that carried hope and the future.
Bai Lian trembled slightly, then closed her eyes, her long eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings across his cheek. She didn't resist; in fact, she awkwardly tried to respond.
This subtle response, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, rippled with immense joy in Galorin's heart.
The surroundings were completely silent, except for the clear sound of each other's heartbeats.
On the carriage ride back, Bai Lian finally succumbed to exhaustion and fell into a deep sleep, leaning against Jia Luolin's shoulder. Her breathing was even, and her face held a serene and relaxed expression.
Galorin adjusted her position to make her more comfortable, gently brushed a strand of hair away from her cheek with her fingers, and lingered on her sleeping face for a long time, filled with the preciousness of something lost and found again.
The carriage drove smoothly toward Phoenix Dance City, its majestic silhouette gradually emerging into the night.
Just as the carriage passed through the palace gate, it suddenly came to a stop. A guard disguised as a servant quietly approached the carriage window and, through the curtain, reported in a very low voice:
"Your Majesty, an urgent message from the border, delivered over 800 li."
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