"Back then, Master told us to each pick a gift. I chose these Mandarin Duck Swords, along with the Mandarin Duck Swordplay.
Because my heart held love, I dreamt of practicing a set of Mandarin Duck Life and Death Swords with the one I loved. Who knew these swords would never be used until death. Now they are of little use in my hands.
Ye Nu, thank you for your company these past days. I'm giving them to you."
"Yun Gu." Liu Liu felt that Yun Gu was exceptionally melancholic tonight. Was it because she was about to see her beloved?
"I'm fine."
Yun Gu sheathed the paired swords and placed them before Liu Liu, gazing earnestly at Feng Xie and Liu Liu.
"She will regain her memory in a little over ten days. You two practice this Mandarin Duck Swordplay in the mountains. This swordplay, as long as a couple is willing to sacrifice for each other, its power and killing intent can hold off a hundred, or even a thousand enemies."
Yun Gu finished speaking and stood up. Liu Liu released Feng Xie's hand and held onto her.
"Yun Gu, are you going to Yueyang City?"
"Yes, I'm going to see him. I only seek to clarify what happened back then. As I may not have much time left, Ye Nu, since you've found happiness, and this man loves you so dearly, you must live well. Be happy, understand?
Not all love has an ending. In the vast sea of people, how many pass by each other? Out of a thousand encounters, a hundred fall in love, and perhaps only one is fated. So, you must cherish it."
"Yun Gu." Liu Liu's voice choked. Her throat felt sore and tight. What was Yun Gu doing? She was almost making her cry. But before Liu Liu could do anything else, Yun Gu gracefully slung her bundle over her shoulder and, without looking back, stepped into the dense forest under the fading morning glow.
Liu Liu stared at her retreating back. She had never realized that her back carried a decisive beauty. Lifting her tear-filled eyes, she looked at Feng Xie, "Why can't lovers in this world stay together until old age?"
"Mmm, yes,"
Feng Xie, rarely so emotional, nodded. He believed that love requires sincere giving, regardless of gain or loss, and it needs trust and mutual affection.
If there were even a shred of suspicion, perhaps it wouldn't be love. If Master had clarified everything to Yun Gu that day,
Perhaps this subsequent sorrow would not have occurred. In truth, Master also loved his junior sister, but to fulfill his second junior uncle's wishes, he hurt Yun Gu. Because of his self-importance, Yun Gu remained unmarried her entire life, and his second junior uncle, holding onto hope, also never married.
"Let's not think about them. We can't understand the matters of the previous generation. Liu'er, look, this precious sword is truly a treasure!"
Feng Xie drew the sword, its brilliance so dazzling it hurt the eyes. A refreshing coolness washed over them, carrying an implicit dominance. Perhaps this sword would be of great benefit to them.
"Let's start practicing the sword tomorrow. When you recover your memory, we'll go down the mountain and return to the capital, alright?"
In the darkness of the night, his magnetic voice was gentle and deep, carrying a unique masculine aura. It lacked the initial domineering presence and instead exuded a refined elegance.
"Alright," Liu Liu nodded.
Under the night sky, stars densely populated the heavens, and the crescent moon hung like a hook. Silver light cascaded over the entire lush mountain forest. Feng Xie clasped her hand tightly with his five fingers, his smile like a spring breeze, as if stirring a lake's ripples.
"Let's go for a walk."
"Okay." The two strolled through the forest under the moonlight. Even without her memories, she entrusted herself to him completely, truly believing he would not harm her.
The wind blew, causing the entire forest to rustle. The leaves swayed like a sea of clouds.
Beneath the moon, he was the hero who had arrived on horseback, coming to save his fairy. She was his fairy, lost in the mortal realm, cherished in his palm for a lifetime. Even as sand poured like rain and time flew by, it could not take away their beautiful memories.
In the days that followed, Bai Han and Ri Ying did not appear. In truth, they were hidden in the shadows, protecting the Emperor and Empress.
The Emperor and Empress began practicing the Mandarin Duck Swordplay. They were surprised by its profound complexity, but for Feng Xie, it was not difficult. However, it brought him immense shock. Because of the love in their hearts, they learned it quickly. Before long, they grasped the essentials.
At sunrise, they practiced sword dances in the forest, their graceful figures like pairs of flying butterflies, deeply affectionate, gentle, and lingering.
At night, they strolled through the forest, along the stone paths by the lake. Everywhere on Snow Show Peak, their footprints could be found, filled with laughter and joy. These past few days had gifted them pure and beautiful memories.
In the blink of an eye, more than ten days had passed. This was the last night. Reluctantly, they walked through the small forest path, listening to the wind and the bamboo's rustling. The sounds were as pleasant as a light song.
Lingering in their ears, Feng Xie held her hand. His hand was always so cold, but now, holding her hand, warmth flowed from his fingertips all the way to his heart.
"Liu'er, tomorrow, you will regain your memories. We should return to the palace."
"Yes, these past ten-plus days have been so joyful, like a dream."
Liu Liu said with immense nostalgia. Now, whenever she thought of him, she would recall these heartwarming days. They strolled through the forest together, danced with paired swords, laughed and played together. Time flowed through their fingertips, gently slipping into each other's hearts.
"From now on, I will never leave you, ever. Until our bones turn to dust, even if we become a handful of light sand, we shall be piled together, alright?"
Under the moonlight, his gaze burned intensely upon her, so scorching and lingering. These past days, he had maintained a respectful distance, but tonight, his heart surged. His fingers, burning hot, gently caressed her face.
He stayed awake all night, not sleeping at all. He lay down, watching her sleeping face, unwilling to miss the sight of her opening her eyes for the first time. What was it that held an emperor's heart captive?
The mountain forest in the morning was lively. Sunlight pierced through the gaps and sprinkled into the forest. Animals moved through the woods, and birds chirped melodiously in the sky.
Liu Liu turned over and reached out, touching a hard body. Puzzled, she opened her eyes. Her first glance met a pair of dark, loving eyes. They stared at her intently, unblinking, with a slight redness, and a smile painted across his brows.
"Feng Xie, Feng Xie, you're alright now."
She smiled, seemingly forgetting last night's events. Eagerly, she sat up, pulling him to her and examining him from head to toe. Her inner robe slipped, revealing her fair, snow-like skin.
The cool breeze stimulated her, and she lowered her head, letting out a cry. She suddenly remembered everything from last night, and the day before, and the day before that, and everything that had happened recently. She had indeed lost her memory. She couldn't help but smile. These days of lost memory had been so happy. He had come to find her.
"Liu'er, welcome back." He smiled enchantingly, his handsome brows like poetry, his beautiful eyes like a painting, and a seductive smile at the corner of his lips. He leaned forward, picked up her clothes, and carefully helped her put them on. Liu Liu immediately shyly extended her hand to stop him.
"It's alright, I'll do it myself."
"No, from now on, I am you, and you are me. We are one, our flesh and blood intertwined."
He smiled and pulled her up, dressing her completely. He looked down with satisfaction. His Liu'er was back.
This was truly wonderful. They were returning to the palace. Mu Xing was still waiting for them there. Moreover, he had a gift for him. He believed that after last night, Liu'er's belly must already hold a little baby. He believed he had the ability to make that happen.
"What are you smiling about? You sly fox." Liu Liu nudged him. Having regained her memory, and certain of his love for her, she no longer maintained the distance she had before.
"I won't tell you." Feng Xie pinched her cute nose, picked up his inner robe and put it on, then gathered his outer robe and slung it over his arm. Holding her hand, he said, "Let's go. We'll wash up, change our clothes, and head down the mountain back to the palace."