After Qin Yiheng left, Yuwen Zhao didn’t let me go.

Leaning against his chest, the scent of pine and cypress on him grew stronger, causing my cheeks to flush a deep red.

My heart began to pound uncontrollably; if it kept beating like this, something was bound to happen.

So I had to say, “Master, Qin Yiheng has already left. Can you let me go now?”

But I didn’t hear a sound from Yuwen Zhao for a long time.

I looked up and found him staring at me. His eyes were incredibly deep, reflecting my image completely.

“I want to take you somewhere.” As if he had made up his mind, he took me into his arms and leaped into the air.

We headed toward the back mountain, a forbidden area I was never allowed to step foot in.

The sky had already darkened. In a valley filled with blooming flowers, I saw a grave. It had no name, but I knew it was the grave of Yuwen Zhao’s master.

Yuwen Zhao looked at me. “I know this might be sudden for you, but I don’t want to wait anymore.”

“What I said to Qin Yiheng was true. I want you to be my wife.”

“Lan Niantang, I have waited a long time for this day.”

In that moment, moonlight bathed the valley, and I saw the solemnity on Yuwen Zhao’s face.

He was afraid I would doubt his sincerity, so he brought me before the person most important to him—his master.

My eyes stung, and I nearly burst into tears.

After learning that Qin Yiheng had given me away, I had stopped hoping that anyone would ever treasure me like this.

I had long assumed I would be alone for the rest of my life, yet after all the twists and turns, I had met Yuwen Zhao.

And I finally realized that over these past few days, his image had already been etched into my heart.

What more could I ask for? I nodded. Yuwen Zhao smiled, picked me up, and began to spin. I tapped his shoulder, but he pulled me down to lie in the flowers with him.

Listening to his breathing and heartbeat, I suddenly remembered something.

I grabbed his sleeve in a panic. “Yuwen Zhao, my stepmother and brother are still in Qin Yiheng’s hands!”

Qin Yiheng had left the mountain, but before he went, he told me not to worry.

How could I not worry? Whether it was him, my stepmother, or my brother, they were the people I cared about most in this world.

Qin Yiheng had set up formations all over the mountain to ensure no one could easily break in.

He went to fulfill his promise to Qin Yiheng and to bring my stepmother and brother back.

Not long after, I received a letter from Yuwen Zhao. After the old Emperor passed away, the princes began their struggle for the throne.

With Yuwen Zhao’s prophetic guidance and full support, Qin Yiheng successfully ascended the throne. He named Lan Nianhua as Empress. The True Dragon Emperor and the Phoenix-destined Empress were finally in their places, and a general amnesty was declared across the land.

However, the end of the letter mentioned that Qin Yiheng wanted to see me one last time to return my stepmother and brother in person.

I agreed.

After Qin Yiheng left, Yuwen Zhao did not let me go.

Leaning against his chest, the scent of pine and cypress on him grew stronger, making my cheeks flush.

My heart began to throb uncontrollably. If it kept beating like this, something was bound to happen.

So, I could only say, “Mister, Qin Yiheng is gone. Can you let go of me now?”

But I didn’t hear Yuwen Zhao’s voice for a long time.

When I looked up, I found him staring at me. His eyes were incredibly deep, completely reflecting my own image within them.

“I’m taking you somewhere.” As if he had made up his mind, he took me and leaped into the air.

We headed toward the back of the mountain. This was a forbidden area where I was usually not allowed to set foot.

The sky had already darkened. In a valley filled with blooming flowers, I saw a grave. There was no name on it, yet I knew it was the grave of Yuwen Zhao’s master.

Yuwen Zhao looked at me. “I know what I’m about to say might seem sudden to you, but I don’t want to wait any longer.”

“What I said to Qin Yiheng was true. I want you to be my wife.”

“Lan Niantang, I have waited a very long time for this day.”

At that moment, as the moonlight illuminated the valley, I saw the solemnity on Yuwen Zhao’s face.

He was afraid I would doubt his sincerity, so he had brought me before his most important person—his master.

My eyes stung, and tears nearly fell.

After learning that Qin Yiheng had given me away, I never dared to hope that someone would ever cherish and value me like this again.

I had long thought I would spend this life alone, yet after all the twists and turns, I had still met Yuwen Zhao.

And I finally realized that over these past days, his figure had already been etched into my heart.

What more could I ask for? I nodded. Yuwen Zhao smiled; he picked me up and began to spin around. I swatted at his shoulders, but he ended up pulling me down to lie with him amidst the flowers.

Listening to his breathing and heartbeat, I suddenly remembered something.

I grabbed his sleeve in a panic. “Yuwen Zhao, my mother and brother are still in Qin Yiheng’s hands!”

Yuwen Zhao went down the mountain. Before leaving, he told me not to worry.

How could I not worry? Whether it was him, or my mother and brother, they were my deepest concerns in this world.

Yuwen Zhao had set up formations all around the mountain to ensure that no one could easily intrude.

Meanwhile, he went to fulfill his promise to Qin Yiheng and to bring back my mother and brother.

Not long after, I received a letter from Yuwen Zhao. After the old Emperor passed away, the various princes had begun their struggle for the throne.

With Yuwen Zhao’s heavenly prophecy and full support, Qin Yiheng successfully ascended the throne as Emperor and named Lan Nianhua his Empress. The True Dragon Son of Heaven and the Phoenix Destiny Empress had finally taken their places, and a general amnesty was declared throughout the land.

However, the end of the letter mentioned that Qin Yiheng wanted to see me one last time to personally return my mother and brother to me.

I agreed.