After that night, the two gradually became more familiar with each other.
Azi often came to chat with him, and brought him medicine and meals. Di Jingcheng was naturally happy; being able to spend time with his beloved was something he longed for.
Azi learned a lot about the culture and characteristics of the Central Plains from him. She listened with great interest and also told Di Jingcheng about some of the customs of her village.
Azi has been feeling happy every day lately. Although she has always been carefree, the joy she feels from spending time with Xie Jingcheng these days is quite different from before, and she doesn't know why.
All she knew was that she liked being with this handsome man.
Today, she came to the small attic again with a smile on her face, carrying food in her hands. Di Jingcheng has been staying here for half a month, and his injuries have almost healed, so he no longer needs to take medicine.
She raised her hand and pushed open the door: "Jingcheng, I made some new pastries, they're a local specialty, you...try...something..." Azi looked at the empty room, her words trailing off, and she stood there stunned.
She put down her food, strode inside, and quickly looked around the room, her face full of anxiety: "Xie Jingcheng, Li Yannian!"
There was no one in the room, and their clothes were gone. They hadn't left anything behind, not even the clothes that Shi Geyi had lent them, which were neatly placed on the bed.
She ran outside, searching the hallway, the kitchen, and even her own room, but found no one. She rushed downstairs and bumped into Shi Ge Yimeng.
"Azi, what's wrong? Why are you in such a hurry?"
"Brother Yimeng, Xie Jingcheng and Li Yannian are missing!" Ranla Azi said, running past him and frantically searching the village, her eyes already brimming with anxious tears.
She didn't know why she felt so uncomfortable and anxious; it felt like a huge emptiness had been emptied from her heart.
She just didn't want him to leave; she wanted to see him again.
They searched from morning till night, even looking up the mountain where the two had met that day. Shi Ge Yimeng stayed by her side the whole time, feeling bad seeing her distressed.
The two returned home, and Azi went to the rooftop, sat on the swing woven from vines, and stared blankly, completely lost in thought.
Shi Geyi had never seen her like this before; she was usually lively and cheerful.
He stood aside, letting out a slow sigh.
"Azi, they should have left already. After all, they are from the Central Plains and will have to go back sooner or later," Shi Geyimeng comforted her softly.
"I know, but..." Ranla Azi said, not knowing how to express her feelings. She just felt a lump in her throat and was very uncomfortable.
"Azi, do you like Xie Jingcheng?" Shi Geyi Meng knew that Azi was naive and young, and didn't understand matters between men and women at all. She was afraid that Azi didn't even understand her own feelings.
Upon hearing this, Ranla Azi looked up in confusion: "Is it love?" She wasn't sure either. She had seen the men and women in the village talking about love and making vows of eternal love, but she had never experienced it herself and didn't understand it at all.
"Then what are Azi's feelings for me?" Shi Ge Yimeng smiled helplessly and gently patted her head.
Ranla Azi smiled and answered without hesitation, "Brother Yimeng is very good. He protects me and loves me like a real brother. I love him very much."
"I love Azi very much too, and I will protect Azi forever!" Shi Ge Yimeng's words were devoid of any romantic feelings. He never had the idea of marrying Azi; he only wanted to protect his younger sister for the rest of his life.
“I know!” Ranla Azi nodded.
“But Xie Jingcheng, when I talk to him, when I look into his eyes, when I’m with him, my heart pounds so hard it feels like it’s going to jump out of my chest. I’m so happy. I can’t bear to part with him, but he left without saying goodbye.” As Azi spoke, her eyes slowly dimmed.
"I think... I like him, but she's gone." The girl's thoughts were written all over her face, filled with sadness, reluctance, and some confusion and bewilderment. Her beautiful eyes were looking at the path leading up the mountain in the distance, and her red lips were slightly pursed.
Shi Ge Yimeng smiled slightly: "Our little A Zi has finally grown up and has someone she likes!"
"Brother Yimeng, you're just teasing me," Azi said reproachfully, then turned away, still lost in thought.
Alas... her first stirrings of love ended so abruptly.
——
Di Jingcheng and Li Yannian left the village when it was still dark. At noon, they went to the market at the foot of the mountain, exchanged their jade pendants for money, bought horses, and headed towards the nearest city, Nanzhou. Only with the help of officials could they return to the capital.
It was already midnight when they arrived in Nanzhou City.
The two entered the city and headed directly to the residence of the Prefect of Nanzhou. Li Yannian dismounted, stepped forward, knocked on the door, and showed the guard some token. In less than a quarter of an hour, the Prefect, dressed in full regalia, came out to greet Di Jingcheng.
Even though Emperor Jingcheng was dressed in rags, he still exuded an air of nobility and authority. The prefect immediately stepped forward and knelt down, saying, "Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty. I was unaware of Your Majesty's arrival. Please punish me, Your Majesty!"
Di Jingcheng's face showed little expression: "It's alright, let's go inside and talk about it."
The group entered the prefect's residence, with the prefect and his men following behind somewhat fearfully.
"I was pursued during my incognito visit this time, and Prefect Liu should have heard about it," Emperor Jingcheng said casually, sipping his tea as he sat at the head of the table.
"Your Majesty, I did receive a secret letter from the court, and I was secretly searching for Your Majesty. Now that Your Majesty is safe and sound, I am relieved."
Emperor Jingcheng stared at Prefect Liu for a long while without saying a word, and the main hall was deathly silent. Prefect Liu's legs felt weak under the emperor's gaze, but thankfully he was sitting in a chair.
Prefect Liu's back was soaked with sweat. He dared not look the emperor in the eye and could only wait quietly for the emperor's instructions. Suddenly, the emperor at the head of the table chuckled softly, his voice filled with mockery and disdain.
"Although I was traveling incognito, the fact that I was assassinated and disappeared is probably already common knowledge."
Prefect Liu slid to his knees with a start: "His Majesty is blessed with boundless good fortune. Now that you have returned safely, the people's hearts are with you."
Seeing that Prefect Liu was so frightened that he wet himself, Emperor Jingcheng thought that he was not very capable and tried to test him. He found out everything in just a few words.
He waved his hand casually: "Alright, stop kneeling all the time, I'm tired."
Prefect Liu shakily got up and, with the help of the guard beside him, managed to stand steadily: "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Your Majesty, I have already ordered people to arrange a room. Please move to rest."
Di Jingcheng stood up and glanced at Li Yannian beside him without leaving a trace.
"Yan Nian, go and get some food. I'm hungry."
"Yes, Your Majesty, please rest assured."
After spending these days together, the two have developed some understanding.
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