Before anyone could even blink, the wild horses, which had been galloping wildly and aggressively, miraculously stopped.
The dust kicked up by the horses' hooves was still floating in the air, but the previous terrifying noise had disappeared, and the surroundings instantly returned to a deathly silence, as if time had frozen at this moment.
The three people inside the carriage, who were unharmed, were first taken aback, then looked at each other with surprise at Zheng Pianran.
Just as Chen Xiao was about to ask a question, a figure appeared, and the group of people were simultaneously drawn by some invisible force, their gazes all turning to Zheng Pianran.
Zheng Pianran, however, seemed to be frozen in place, his gaze piercing through the swirling dust, landing on the tall figure in the center of the wild horse herd, his eyes filled with complex emotions.
The figure slowly emerged from the dissipating dust, like a magnificent painting slowly unfolding before everyone's eyes.
She was a breathtakingly beautiful woman, with a graceful figure, like a willow branch swaying in the wind, light and charming.
A red dress, like a burning flame, rustled fiercely in the gale, each sway like a flame leaping joyfully.
Her skirt billowed high in the wind, revealing her snow-white, slender, and well-proportioned calves, which, against the backdrop of the red skirt, shone with an alluring luster like beautiful jade.
Her long, black hair cascaded down like a waterfall, loosely tied back with only a red ribbon.
Her features were exquisite, like a work of art meticulously sculpted by heaven. Her eyebrows were like distant mountains, her eyes were bright, her nose was straight, and her lips were as luscious as cherries. The slightly upturned corners of her mouth carried a faint smile, as if hiding endless sweetness.
She stood there, a stunning beauty, breathtakingly beautiful, captivating all who looked at her.
On the red dress, mysterious and gorgeous patterns were embroidered with gold thread. The gold thread shimmered brilliantly under the sunlight, like stars inlaid between the hem of the dress. As the light changed, the patterns seemed to come alive, flowing with strange brilliance.
A dark belt cinched her waist, its deep color contrasting sharply with the vibrant red dress, making her waist appear even more slender and delicate.
On her wrists wore a pair of exquisite gold bell bracelets, engraved with beautiful patterns. With every movement she made, the gold bells emitted a crisp and melodious sound, which echoed in the silent air, as beautiful as celestial music.
The three people inside the carriage guessed her identity almost instantly, because of the disbelief on Zheng Pianran's face.
This woman must be Zheng Pianran's sweetheart.
Zheng Pianran gazed at the woman, seeing her still as carefree and unrestrained as before, but her thoughts drifted away involuntarily.
The thought of her getting married now, to someone who is not a good man, and how much she has suffered while he was away is unbearable.
Memories of the past surged forth like a tidal wave, and those sweet and bitter moments played out in my mind like a revolving lantern.
Once upon a time, they poured out their hearts to each other under the flowers and the moon, and her smile was more radiant than the blooming flowers.
They also leaned on each other through thick and thin, their warmth being each other's strongest support.
A rare complex emotion appeared on Zheng Pianran's usually calm face, her heart filled with mixed feelings.
There was a hint of surprise, an instinctive reaction to reuniting with a loved one after a long separation, the joy of suddenly seeing a familiar figure in a vast sea of people.
This joy was like a ray of light, instantly piercing through the long-standing gloom in his heart, making his heart beat faster involuntarily.
There was a sense of panic. Given their current situation and the unexpected encounter, he didn't know how to face the woman he had once loved so deeply.
He was afraid that his emotions would overflow like a burst dam, and even more afraid that he would cause her more trouble.
But more than anything, he felt helpless. Now he was burdened with heavy responsibilities, like a lone boat in a vast ocean, only able to move in the predetermined direction. There were too many things between them, and those responsibilities and missions were like a chasm between them, which could not be crossed.
He instinctively wanted to escape, to turn away from this scene that was making him feel so confused, but his feet seemed to be rooted to the spot, unable to move an inch. He could only let the complex emotions rage in his heart, spreading and growing like weeds, almost drowning him.
The woman's clothes were thin, yet she seemed completely unaware of the slightly chilly wind.
She stood amidst a herd of wild horses, a long whip in her hand, her posture graceful and poised.
At this moment, the wind blew even stronger, and her skirt was blown high, completely revealing her fair legs. The scene was so beautiful it was almost blinding.
Upon seeing this, Zhao Cheyu frowned slightly, subtly averted his gaze, and stopped looking at the woman.
Chen Xiao was completely stunned by the woman's beauty and temperament; she had never seen such a unique woman before.
The woman was dressed entirely in red—her headband, belt, and whip were all a fiery red, as if burning with her soul. In this dusty, chaotic environment, she stood out so brightly, like a blazing flower blooming in a barren desert, beautiful in a passionate and unrestrained way, captivating all who beheld her.
While the group stared intently at her, she was also discreetly observing them.
When her gaze fell on Zheng Pianran, unlike Zheng Pianran's mixed feelings, her eyes still reflected that pure and beautiful emotion, without any impurities, firm and bright, unbiased, without the slightest hesitation.
That look seemed to tell Zheng Pianran that no matter how time flows or how the world changes, her feelings for him have never changed.
When her gaze fell upon the three people inside the carriage, she almost immediately guessed their identities.
The man was imposing and dignified. Although he was dressed in casual clothes, his every move exuded an air of nobility. He must have come to help her.
The two women were quite different. One was dashing and dressed in a tight-fitting outfit, exuding a majestic royal aura.
The other, though dressed casually, possessed an elegant demeanor, outstanding appearance, and exuded nobility in every gesture.
She instantly recognized that the one in casual clothes was Miss Yin, while the one in martial attire must be the current emperor.
Just as she was about to walk towards the carriage to greet the three of them, Zheng Pianran, who had been standing there dumbfounded, suddenly moved.
He seemed to awaken from deep thought, a hint of tenderness flashing in his eyes.
He silently took off his cloak, which still carried his body heat and his unique scent.
He slowly walked towards the woman and gently draped the cloak over her shoulders, his movements tender and affectionate.
His voice was low and husky, carrying a hint of barely perceptible concern: "Why are you dressed so scantily?"
The woman felt the warmth emanating from the cloak, and her heart warmed.
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