The curtains fluttered as a breeze brushed by. Soft sunlight filtered into the room.
Two figures tangled peacefully on the bed. Li Wei laid on Khan Bojing's chest obediently. The arm wrapped around her waist held on so tightly that there was no gap between their bodies. She remained absolutely still as to not wake him up, relishing in the quiet warmth emitting from his body that filled her heart to the brim.
The corners of her lips curved upwards. Khan Bojing was holding her as if she'd run away any second. No need to wrap around so tightly, she'd be with him for a lifetime.
"What's so funny?" A pair of eyes of dark eyes blinked curiously.
Li Wei buried her face in his chest. "Nothing."
His thick eyebrows furrowed, not believing her for a moment. She rushed to slip off the bed, having just stepped onto the wooden floor when Khan Bojing grabbed her hand and gave a tug, sending her directly back into his arms.
Locked within his embrace, she pouted in protest. "Khan Bojing..."
The man shamelessly shook his head, not taking any of it. "Try again."
Li Wei almost rolled her eyes, but caught herself in time. Instead, she fluttered her long eyelashes flirtatiously. "My dear husband, would you please let go?"
"And why would I do that when..." his voice faded away. His gaze solely focused on one thing, drifting from her face to her shoulders and downwards.
After he pulled her back, she landed on the sheets while he was still fully covered. Under the bright sunlight, every inch of her was in display. Khan Bojing tightened his hold, unwilling to let go even more now.
While he was in a trance, not blinking as if under a spell, Li Wei grabbed the blanket and swiftly rolled away. She laid leisurely with her head propped on her hand. A smirk rose on her face proudly, as if to say, look who's fully exposed now.
The thick skinned him checked himself out, then raised his eyebrows. She winked and blew him a kiss. "How beautiful you are."
Khan Bojing's lips tugged in amusement. "Seems like my lovely wife doesn't want to leave today."
"Ah, what can I do?" she responded mischievously. "My husband is too charming."
He rolled over with full excitement and pressed her down. He asked knowingly, "Really can't resist?"
Li Wei put on a pitiful nod. "En... can't help myself when it comes to you."
"It seems Hua Xifeng will have to wait until sunset. My wife is really sticky, unwilling to let go." His voice complained of grievances, but he spoke with the biggest smile. Entangling with her, he clearly enjoyed it to the max.
Who's the one unwilling to let go, can he see clearly ah? Li Wei eyed him accusingly. Look at his sticky hands wandering across her skin. He even started nibbling on her neck, choosing the most sensitive area, while his hands slid down to a certain place. Not that she has any protests...
Li Wei pushed him under. If he insists... might as well bring his claims to fruition.
————
It was really sunset when four figures finally met. The sun was almost behind the horizon.
Khan Bojing handed an enclosed letter to Li Zhilan while his eyes stayed on the two figures by the cliff. "Pass this message to Her Highness, she'll know what it means. Please don't let anyone else see its content."
"Thank you, Khan Bojing." Li Zhilan held onto the envelope preciously. With this, Hua Xifeng and her wedding could finally take place. After so much effort, she'd accomplished the empress' task.
"It's nothing much, it was what I meant to do in Na'an in the first place," he said honestly. Sneaking into the palace, this was the true mission. Khan Bojing remembered something else and added, "From now on we don't owe each other anything."
Li Zhilan smiled. "Who's keeping score? All I did was lend a hand to a friend."
Li Wei stood across Hua Xifeng on the cliff. The smiles of the two people poked at her heart. The taste in her mouth was a bit sour.
Beside her, Hua Xifeng's gaze drifted back and forth between the three people. "Your uncle will be glad to hear you've been well."
"En," she replied absentmindedly.
"Other than your aunt and uncle, there are others who were worried. Don't just disappear wordlessly."
Li Wei faced the prince of Na'an. "And who may that be? Please enlighten me, Your Highness."
Hua Xifeng felt a slight stir in his heart. Others who worried about her... Was it not obvious whom it was? He almost gave a response, but he turned towards the figure standing under the tree.
Gu Guangli leaned against the trunk, his eyes staring into the distance. Today, he had on fiery red robes, befitting of his status. His posture was relaxed, but the hand holding his sword was clenched into a fist.
Li Wei followed his line of sight, then coldly said,"Thank you, Your Highness. Next time you don't need to tell me these things. Na'an was the place I was born and spent my childhood, but it won't be my home."
He returned his gaze to her, suddenly recalling something. "Li Wei, the first time we met at the engagement banquet..."
"The first time we met?" The image of the righteous young boy reaching out to her as she fought for her life came back like the soft rain on a sunny day. A warm memory, but only a fleeting moment. It passed as fast as it came.
In front of him, this was the first time she gently smiled. "Thank you, Your Highness for saving my life back then."
"Save you?" Hua Xifeng's eyebrows furrowed until something came to him. The little girl drowning in the water... was it her?
"Xiao Wei, ready to go?"
Li Wei simply bowed her farewell to the prince and walked over to Khan Bojing.
Li Zhilan ran to Hua Xifeng, brimming with happiness. "Xifeng, we'll get to marry soon."
Hua Xifeng's gaze lingered on the carriage riding towards the city of Hai'an showering in gold under the setting sun. "Lan'er, let's stay for a bit longer."
————
Under the moonlight, fireflies fluttered lightly on the hill.
Li Wei laid onto the soft grass and looked up at the stars scattered across the sky. The little girl who cried by herself late into the night after everyone had gone to bed never imagined she'd one day meet her father and make friendships that'd last a lifetime. Never imagined, she'd meet someone whose love for her remained as strong as ever, even if they started their second love as strangers.
The young prince whose hand took her away from death, the man whom he grew up to be, and the toxic love she held for him with all her being felt like a dream. Hua Xifeng, Li Zhilan, and even the villainous woman she became could no longer reach her. The choices she made this time around spun the course of her life drastically, so much that everything changed.
San'er came onto the hill, her eyes sparkling at the beautiful scenery. "Miss, your father awaits for your presence in the pavilion by the lake."
"I'll be there," Li Wei replied. She dusted herself off and watched as San'er played with the fireflies. "San'er, take off early tonight. You don't need to tend to me later."
San'er's smile glowed as brightly as the fireflies fluttering around her. "Thank you."
Li Wei headed towards the pavilion where her father and the High Priest laughed joyously. Dressed in ordinary clothes, the High Priest like any other person out enjoying the beautiful night. He nodded at Li Wei's entrance.
"Biya, come here," Yue Shangwu called out.
Li Wei walked over calmly, bowing towards the High Priest. "Greetings, Your Honor."
"No need for formalities, we're no more than just a group of acquittances catching up on good time," he simply nodded in return.
"Biya, you must've been startled by the event this afternoon," Yue Shangwu spoke in a consoling tone. "Don't worry about anything, just focus on preparing for the wedding. If you need anything, you can always come to me."
"Thank you, father."
"Congratulations again, Li Wei," the High Priest stated. "I still remember you clearly."
"That goes for the both of us." The waves of unsettlement in her heart didn't show on her face. Li Wei smiled politely, "Father, let me send the High Priest on his way out."
"Alright, don't stay up late and you, my friend, may a smooth road awaits wherever you embark onto your journey next. I'll be in Hai'an if one day you get bored of wandering the roads."
The two elders said their farewell, then parted ways... As it's always been in their friendship. Not much was spoken, for they knew they'd be there if the other ever needed it.
In the night, the trees casted dark shadows that swayed onto the ground. Li Wei strode beside the High Priest, not saying a word. At the gate, he turned to her. In contrast to his cold aura when they met at the temple, he carried a much warmer air around him. "Child, you must already know why The Book of Life behaved in such an unexpected manner, but worry not. I've cleared up the matter with His Majesty, the wedding will continue as planned. From here on out, it's up to you."
"I..." Li Wei softened, "Thank you."
"Child, you must be cautious of the color red. When I see you in red, I see endless bloodshed," the High Priest spoked in a hushed tone. "Those who are closest to you will plunge the deepest wounds."
The shadows close to her seemed to almost be reaching out. The image of blood around her body as she took her last breaths, the cries of her son, and the pain in her husband's eyes immobilized her with a cold shudder. Li Wei pulled the cloak around her shoulders closer. "Please don't let my father know."
"Only you and I know of this, trust my words. I'm leaving Hai'an, for my work in here has been completed." The High Priest turned away, then paused for a moment. "I hope the next time we cross paths, you'll be an esteemed empress of Hai'an. One who rules with equality and kindness, one who isn't tainted by the anger and hatred of the world."
Li Wei gazed at the elder who's had too much on his shoulders, wandering on a lonely path no one else could embark with him. A look of fondness flashed in her eyes. "Then, next time please bless us with another visit. My father would love to welcome his grandson with his old friend."
The High Priest gave her a knowing smile before disappearing into the shadows. He knew it too.