From the sparkle in her bright eyes to the faint smile that often curls up at the corners of her lips, everything seems to speak of an endless yearning for freedom.
Whether it's the mountain breeze brushing through her hair or the sunlight streaming down her shoulders from the fields, it all makes her feel carefree and joyful.
Her heart was like a vast and boundless sea, turbulent yet free, and he clearly understood that Gu Lili should bloom freely in this world, and any attempt to imprison her would be a desecration of this pure freedom.
He cannot confine her within the palace walls because of his own selfish desires; his Crown Princess can only be Liu Qionghua.
Gu Lili naturally noticed the intense gaze behind her, and her heartstrings trembled slightly at that moment.
She understood that it was Yin Jiuchen's gaze, a gaze that contained so much emotion that made her feel both warm and somewhat lost.
However, she was well aware of her current situation and responsibilities; she could not turn back, and she could not lose her way because of momentary emotions.
Compared to the power struggles and scheming within the inner palace, she longed to return to the tranquil and warm Gu Manor, where she found familiar landscapes, loved ones, and the pure joy she once knew.
Every step she took away felt like a tear in her heart, leaving it bleeding profusely. But she could only grit her teeth and keep moving forward, towards the place that belonged to her.
Just as Gu Lili's figure was about to disappear, Yin Jiuchen seemed to be overwhelmed by an uncontrollable torrent of emotions, making it difficult for him to maintain his composure and calmness.
A flicker of panic and urgency crossed his eyes, and then, like a burst dam, he shouted at Gu Lili's receding figure without reservation: "Lili, wait for me!"
The sound pierced through the air, carrying endless longing and reluctance, echoing in the vast expanse of heaven and earth.
At this moment, Gu Lili, whose steps were originally firm and forward, involuntarily paused slightly after hearing that heartfelt call.
A wave of emotion surged through her heart, and the feelings she had hidden deep for Yin Jiuchen in the past seemed to resurface.
However, she ultimately resisted the urge to turn back and continued to walk forward with firm steps.
Because she knew that after today, their identities would no longer be Gu Lili and Chang'an, but the Crown Prince of Nanyue Kingdom and Princess Yongning, who would shoulder the heavy responsibility of the country.
From this point on, their life paths will diverge, and they will each go in different directions.
Gu Lili had been gone for a long, long time, as if her departing figure had been deeply imprinted in Yin Jiuchen's eyes. He stood there quietly, like a statue, without moving an inch.
Liu Qionghua walked slowly from behind Yin Jiuchen, her figure graceful and each step exuding a subtle elegance.
When she reached Yin Jiuchen, she bowed respectfully to him, the bow being perfectly performed, displaying the demeanor of a well-bred lady.
"Your Highness, why not marry Princess Yongning as your principal wife? I, Qionghua, am willing to accept the position of a secondary wife," Liu Qionghua said softly, her voice revealing a hint of helplessness and determination. She looked at Yin Jiuchen's handsome face, a complex expression flashing in her eyes.
Yin Jiuchen slightly raised his head and looked at Liu Qionghua in front of him, his eyes seemingly filled with a trace of guilt.
But in the end, he simply shook his head slightly, the movement extremely slow, as if he were reluctantly letting go of something.
Then, he turned his head and looked again in the direction Gu Lili had left, his eyes filled with longing and disappointment, before resolutely turning away.
As Liu Qionghua watched Yin Jiuchen's departing figure, tears finally welled up in her eyes and rolled down her cheeks like broken beads.
She knew that her status as the Crown Princess seemed secure, but in reality, she understood that she would probably never truly enter Yin Jiuchen's heart in this lifetime.
Today, Liu Qionghua witnessed Gu Lili translating Japanese, and her confident demeanor amazed her.
At the palace banquet, Gu Lili handled various situations with ease, demonstrating extraordinary talent and wisdom.
Despite being from a prestigious family and well-educated, I felt utterly ordinary compared to Gu Lili at this moment.
In addition, there were so many merits that Gu Lili had made before.
Liu Qionghua knew very well that these were things that she, a lady from a prominent family, could never do.
She had thought that she could compete with Gu Lili in terms of appearance, after all, she was also a woman of outstanding looks.
However, she realized at this moment that among Gu Lili's many advantages, her appearance was actually the least noteworthy.
Gu Lili's talent, wisdom, courage, and unique temperament are like a blooming flower, exuding a captivating fragrance that is impossible to ignore and incomparable.
Not to mention Yin Jiuchen, even she herself, a woman, had a heartfelt admiration for Gu Lili.
"Miss, let's go back."
Liu Qionghua's maid came over, walked to her side, and reached out her hand to carefully support her.
After the Nanyue Kingdom and the Fusang Kingdom reached an agreement, the Emperor ordered Gu Lili to teach the officials of the Ministry of Rites the Fusang language every day.
Gu Lili didn't know what Yin Jiuchen's last sentence meant.
However, she didn't have time to think about this.
Every day after returning from the Ministry of Rites, he would accompany Gu Huanhuan to stroll around the capital.
As for Yin Jiuchen, according to the officials of the Ministry of Rites, he is preparing for his wedding on the 26th of the twelfth lunar month, so he rarely appears in public.
When the crown prince of Nanyue Kingdom was to get married, none of the people from Fusang Kingdom left.
Firstly, they wanted to attend a wedding; secondly, the recent heavy snowfall in Beijing had covered the roads with thick snow, disrupting traffic and making it difficult for them to leave.
Like Gu Lili, the thought of spending her first New Year away from home made her feel somewhat stifled.
However, there was no other way.
That day, after browsing the jewelry shop, the two went to a quiet teahouse, found a seat by the window, ordered a pot of fragrant tea, and quietly savored the moment of tranquility.
However, just as they were leisurely enjoying their tea, they faintly heard voices coming from the next room.
A surge of curiosity welled up in Gu Lili's heart. She tilted her ear slightly and listened intently. Gradually, the sound became clearer and clearer, and she was surprised to find that it was the unfamiliar Japanese language.
"My lord, on the day of the Crown Prince of Nanyue's wedding, you should present this treasure to him. This thing is rare, and he will surely keep it in his room and use it every day. In less than a year, the Crown Prince of Nanyue will be replaced."
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