As dawn broke and the sun had not yet risen, mist swirled around the lake. A bamboo pole broke the stillness of the water, propelling the awning boat and creating ripples. A man wearing a straw hat and dressed as a fisherman stood at the bow, steering the boat alone.
Judging from his figure and silhouette, this man was definitely not a fisherman. His keen eyes, combined with the seemingly effortless strength in his hands, allowed him to easily control the speed of the boat, demonstrating extraordinary internal energy.
Inside the boat sat a man and a woman. The man was none other than the Fourteenth Prince, who had mysteriously disappeared from the Changping Villa. Although he had changed into a poor man's outfit and had a full beard, he was leaning against the edge of the boat. It was impossible to tell what his mood was at this moment, but it was by no means calm.
"Why...why did you risk your life to save me?" The Fourteenth Prince stared at the woman sitting opposite him. She wore a veil and casually tied her hair up, simple and neat. Hearing the Fourteenth Prince's question, she lowered her head slightly, lifted her veil with her hand, and a long-lost smile appeared on her face.
"How could I just stand by and watch you be imprisoned in Changping..." The woman looked up and saw Zhu Wanqing, who had been missing for a long time. Facing the enthusiastic gaze that Zhu Wanqing was giving him, the Fourteenth Prince felt a pang of sadness. He turned his head away to suppress his inner turmoil and said in a low voice, "A true man can bend and stretch. I chose this path willingly, and I should bear the consequences in the end."
Zhu Wanqing approached the Fourteenth Prince with an agitated expression and said, "No... this isn't your only option..."
The Fourteenth Prince leaned back slightly and said, "You shouldn't have risked your life to save me. How could he let me go so easily? Even if I escaped to the ends of the earth, he would still catch me and bring me back. Then you would be punished along with him..."
Zhu Wanqing felt a warmth in her heart, and with a slight smile, she shook her head and said, "I don't care, as long as you're safe. It was like that before, and it's like that now..." As she spoke, she looked at the Fourteenth Prince with deep affection, but the Fourteenth Prince still refused to face Zhu Wanqing.
Zhu Wanqing, in a moment of panic, pulled the Fourteenth Prince's face towards her. The movement was a bit too forceful, causing the boat to rock and attracting the attention of the fishermen, who immediately turned away and pretended nothing was wrong. The Fourteenth Prince couldn't resist Zhu Wanqing's insistence, stiffly letting her cup his face. Their eyes met, and memories flooded back, leaving the Fourteenth Prince somewhat moved.
"As long as you're willing, we can roam the world together, regardless of imperial power or family, regardless of intrigue and deceit. Just you and me, let's live a carefree and happy life together, okay?" Zhu Wanqing excitedly expressed her thoughts, eagerly awaiting the Fourteenth Prince's reply.
The Fourteenth Prince was startled, and an image of his and Zhu Wanqing's simple, quiet life involuntarily surfaced in his mind: working at sunrise and resting at sunset, wandering among the mountains and rivers, and growing old together. The Fourteenth Prince shook his head, struggling to wake himself from the illusion, but then met Zhu Wanqing's gentle eyes and was speechless for a moment.
"I...I'm not reconciled..." In the end, the Fourteenth Prince chose to give up. The fire in Zhu Wanqing's eyes was extinguished, and she slumped back down, her face full of disappointment.
The Fourteenth Prince said quietly, "I'm sorry to Father Emperor and Mother Emperor. If I really go with you, I will have no face to face the underworld, not to mention my wife and children..."
Zhu Wanqing lowered her eyes, tears welling up in her eyes. Wife and children... what a jarring way to address them!
"I don't want you to be locked up for the rest of your life..." Zhu Wanqing said softly, her words piercing the Fourteenth Prince's heart and fueling his hatred for the Fourth Prince. Perhaps everything that originally belonged to him was taken away by the Fourth Prince, which is why he was now reunited with his family but not free, and even after gaining freedom, he was separated from his wife and children, forced to live a life of hiding.
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