The first rays of sunlight touched the earth, and the thick snow began to melt, but people's hands and feet were still red from the cold.
Sunlight, like a mischievous child, streamed into the room through the carved, openwork windows, climbing onto the table and making the room feel both tranquil and warm.
A gentle breeze blew open a small booklet on an old piece of wood, revealing a series of figurine paintings.
Ye Lisheng sat at the table, his slender fingers constantly turning pages, a simple, honest smile occasionally appearing on his lips.
There were large shadows under his eyes, suggesting he hadn't slept well in a long time; his fair face was covered with bluish stubble, and his expression revealed a hint of weariness.
The booklet was filled with illustrations of Ye Lisheng's every move, every expression of joy and anger.
At first, I drew him to vent my frustrations; I deliberately made him look ugly to comfort myself, since he kept causing me trouble every day.
But gradually I got used to drawing him, capturing his expression and the way he practiced swordsmanship.
The booklet was like a precious jewel in his hands; every touch of his fingertips was imbued with love.
With a creak, the carved wooden door was pushed open, accompanied by a few muffled groans.
The person approached towards the light, startling Ye Lisheng so much that she jumped up, knocking over her chair and crashing it to the ground with a loud thud.
"You...you're back?" he asked in surprise.
Murong Kui stood in front of the door, holding a steaming bowl of noodles.
"Your Highness!"
The shadows before him grew thick. Ye Lisheng pulled her into his arms, causing the noodles to spill and make a crisp sound.
He held her tightly, as if afraid she would disappear if he let go.
"You're back?" His tone was like a child's.
Murong Kui's eyelashes trembled slightly, and a crystal tear rolled down her cheek. She had longed for this embrace for so long, but she never expected to receive it in this way.
Suddenly, Ye Lisheng's expression hardened, and he released Murong Kui.
Her sudden departure caught her off guard, and she asked with a puzzled look, "What happened to Your Highness?"
"You are not her!"
Murong Kui was puzzled as to how he could tell them apart: "Look at me, I look exactly like her!"
He pried her hands off his body and said coldly, "Although you look the same, you are two completely different kinds of people!"
She had expected Murong Kui to be angry, but to her surprise, she smiled with relief: "Now my sister can rest assured!"
Ye Lisheng looked at her with a puzzled expression. She slowly explained, "Your Highness saved Murong and even gave me a place to stay. I have no way to repay you! I have always been thinking about how to repay Your Highness. Now that Your Highness has found someone you love, I will do my best to help Your Highness find her!"
"Is that so?" Ye Lisheng countered, his narrow eyes squinting as if trying to see right through her.
He slowly approached her, and she could clearly feel his breath. Her heart tightened, and she felt a little flustered.
"Then you don't resent that the Prince destroyed your Cangling, leaving you unable to return home and forced to live as a dependent every day!" His words were as cold as the winter sun.
Her hands clenched tightly beneath her sleeves as she struggled to suppress her anger, but her face remained impassive.
She smiled and said, "I don't hate you!"
He lifted her chin, their eyes meeting in a gaze that seemed to spark. He smiled and said, "I remember this is Mirror Heart Garden, and your residence is Moon Gazing Pavilion!"
This was a veiled warning to Murong Kui not to step into the Tranquil Garden.
Murong Kui smiled, her allure as fiery as fire, captivating and mesmerizing: "With Your Highness watching over me, I can rest assured!"
After saying that, he smiled and left Jingxin Garden.
As soon as she left, Ling Ran appeared inside the house: "Greetings, Your Highness!"
"Is there any trace of Yu Shaoqing?"
"I went to the place the prince arranged for those bandits to stay, and they all said they had never seen Yu Shaoqing!"
"Yu Shaoqing's martial arts skills are not weak; she should be safe with him!" That was the only way he could comfort himself.
"Your Highness need not worry. The hidden guards we have sent out are spread throughout every corner of Lingqi. They should be able to find Miss's whereabouts soon!"
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