Gu Shengyin quickly shut off her thoughts, preparing to jump off the crazed horse. There was no other option. If it crashed into the stone wall, survival was impossible.
As she braced herself to leap, a soft "Hmm?" from the system caught her attention.
Before she could react further, a strong arm wrapped firmly around her waist, pulling her away with startling force. In an instant, Gu Shengyin was airborne, only to land in the safety of a warm, steady embrace.
A faint scent of lotus surrounded her. Gu Shengyin immediately recognized the person holding her.
A chilling scream echoed nearby, drawing her attention back toward the doomed horse.
"Don't look," a calm, clear voice murmured by her ear.
Understanding the implied warning, she quickly nodded and averted her gaze, imagining the gruesome sight behind her.
Ji Yu, his expression cold and unyielding, glanced at the lifeless horse lying in a pool of blood. Its skull was visibly shattered, blood pooling around its limp form. Tightening his hold on Gu Shengyin, he turned his own horse away from the scene without hesitation.
Once they were a safe distance away, Ji Yu removed the hand that had shielded Gu Shengyin's eyes. It was only then that she found her voice.
"Why are you here?" she asked, surprised. Wasn't he supposed to be at Qianlong Temple?
Ji Yu, ever composed, dismounted with ease and gently helped her down from his horse.
"There's no need to thank me," he replied calmly, responding to her heartfelt gratitude. "It was just a coincidence."
Gu Shengyin frowned slightly. Was it truly just a coincidence? Or had he been watching her all along? His gaze lingered briefly, and for a fleeting moment, she thought he might have glanced at something—or someone—that only she could see.
The system's voice piped up defensively in her mind: "Impossible! No one else can see me."
Shaking off the strange feeling, Gu Shengyin decided not to dwell on it.
"Oh, right. Why did you come here?" she asked again, trying to shift the topic.
Ji Yu's lips curved into a faint smile. "I had some free time, so I decided to take a stroll."
Gu Shengyin privately mused at his nonchalant response. For someone technically forbidden from wandering freely, Ji Yu seemed remarkably unbothered. She couldn't help but admire his composure and resourcefulness. The stronger and more capable Ji Yu was, the better her chances of succeeding in her mission.
As these thoughts crossed her mind, she suddenly felt a warm touch against her cheek. Startled, she looked up to meet Ji Yu's gaze.
"There was a dried leaf," he said simply, retracting his hand.
Gu Shengyin blinked, her heart skipping a beat. Up close, Ji Yu's handsome features seemed almost unreal.
"System," she murmured internally, "he really is good-looking."
For some reason, the system offered no reply.
Ji Yu's lips quirked in a faint smile as he noticed the faint blush spreading across her cheeks. Then, as if sensing her flustered state, he tactfully shifted his attention elsewhere.
"Ah! Look at this place—it's stunning," he said, his tone light and casual.
Gu Shengyin turned her head and was immediately awestruck. Behind her stretched a seemingly endless field of flowers, their vivid hues painting the landscape in shades of vibrant blue.
"What kind of flower is this?" she asked curiously, leaning closer to inhale the delicate fragrance. The blossoms were unlike anything she had seen before.
Ji Yu crouched down beside her, inspecting one of the flowers with interest. "This is a Qing flower," he explained. "It originates from a southern tribe. There's a tradition there: when a young man admires a young woman, he confesses his feelings in front of this flower. If she accepts, it signifies her willingness to respond to his affection."
His voice was calm and soothing, but there was an underlying emotion to his words—a gentle yearning that made Gu Shengyin's heart race.
Why is he telling me this story? she wondered, her unease growing as she tried to decipher his intent.
Her thoughts were interrupted when Ji Yu suddenly held out a small bouquet of the delicate blossoms.
"I think these flowers suit you," he said softly, a tender smile gracing his face.
Caught off guard, Gu Shengyin stared at him, her cheeks warming under his gaze.
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