Before Gu Nanyin could speak, tears streamed down her face. This was likely the first time in both her lifetimes that she had truly looked closely at this man.
As the Regent of the Inky Moon Kingdom, he was revered by countless people. As the God of War of the Inky Moon Kingdom, countless soldiers bowed before him. He possessed the noblest status and the most formidable power—it would not be an exaggeration to say he could overshadow the heavens with a single hand.
Yet it was precisely such a man who was willing to give up everything, even his life, for her.
At this thought, Gu Nanyin felt only a heavy weight in her heart.
Seeing her tears, Yuan Jue assumed Gu Nanyin did not wish to see him. He stood up, a trace of bitterness flickering across his face, yet he still reminded her, “Take your medicine on time. This Prince will not disturb you again.” With that, he turned to leave.
“Don’t go.” Panic surged in Gu Nanyin’s heart, and she barely managed to grab hold of his sleeve.
She had just awakened and had not yet fully processed the fact of her rebirth. Her mind was in chaos, and she did not even know what to say.
The only thing she knew was that she absolutely could not let Yuan Jue leave. Because she could not bear to let him be hurt again.
Gu Nanyin did not even have time to put on her shoes. Barefoot, she stepped down from the bed. It was the dead of winter, and the floor emitted a chilling cold, but she seemed oblivious. Her heart and eyes were filled only with the man before her.
Seeing her disregard for her own well-being, Yuan Jue’s brows furrowed even tighter, but he remained silent. Instead, he knelt down, fetched her shoes, and quietly helped her put them on.
Unable to hold back, Gu Nanyin stepped forward and embraced him. It was this warm, tall figure that had always shielded her from wind and rain, given her everything, yet had never earned even a glance from her. Yuan Jue had not expected such an action from her, and his body stiffened instantly. He looked into those clear, bright eyes—there was none of the usual disgust or hatred in them. Instead, they held a glimmer of joy, as if something lost had been regained. He could hardly believe it.
“Yuan Jue, do you like me very much?” Gu Nanyin did not want to waste even a moment more between them, so she asked directly. Of course, she knew the answer—Yuan Jue loved her with his entire life.
“Yes.” Yuan Jue uttered a single word calmly, his expression seemingly devoid of emotion.
“Even if I like you, it’s not allowed?” He thought Gu Nanyin was asking this to reject him more directly and sever all ties with him. In that instant, the air around him grew even colder.
Gu Nanyin tightened her embrace and affectionately nuzzled her head against his chest. Looking up, she asked earnestly and resolutely, “Then, Prince, will you allow me to like you?”
The icy aura around Yuan Jue crumbled completely at these words. He had never imagined that in his lifetime, he would hear such words from Gu Nanyin. In that moment, it was as if ice and snow had melted, all things were reborn, and light had returned to a dark world. If this was a lie, he thought, he hoped Gu Nanyin could deceive him for a lifetime.
Gu Nanyin rarely saw any emotional fluctuation on his face and could not help but reach out to touch his handsome features, inwardly berating herself. Such a perfect face—how could she have despised it so much in her previous life? She truly had been blind in both eyes and heart.
“This Prince should not stay too long. If discovered, it would harm your reputation.” He had been frantic upon hearing the news of Gu Nanyin’s fall into the water. Not only had he summoned the best imperial physicians from the Imperial Hospital, but he had also been eager to see her himself. Only now, seeing her awake, did he finally feel at ease.Upon hearing Yuan Jue’s words, Gu Nanyin realized he had come to avoid being seen by others. “I don’t care about reputation. In this lifetime, aside from you, Prince, I won’t marry anyone else. If you wish to see me, you can come anytime, or I can visit the Prince’s residence once I’ve recovered.”
Yuan Jue hadn’t expected so many pleasant surprises from this visit. Gu Nanyin’s unusually affectionate demeanor and even her mention of marrying him—whether sincere or with ulterior motives—signaled a promising start to their relationship.
Yuan Jue’s gaze rested on Gu Nanyin’s exquisite face, his eyes softening slightly. “Alright,” he said, unable to resist reaching out to stroke her fluffy head.
Gu Nanyin watched as Yuan Jue, with his typically cold and expressionless face, made such an incongruous gesture and couldn’t help but giggle.
“You’re so handsome, Prince. I wonder how many women will compete for you in the future,” Gu Nanyin teased.
“There won’t be any other women. A Yin is the most beautiful.” She wondered if she was still dreaming—today, even the Regent was speaking sweet words, though his face remained as impassive as ever.
Gu Nanyin gently pinched Yuan Jue’s cheek, feeling a mix of emotions: Why was a man’s skin smoother than hers, a woman’s?
Feeling somewhat disheartened, she unconsciously tugged at a few strands of her hair, only to wince in pain as her scalp stung.
Yuan Jue watched her lively, slightly silly demeanor and allowed a faint smile to curl his lips.
Thinking he was laughing at her, Gu Nanyin decided to play a trick on him and stepped on his foot.
Yuan Jue’s expression remained unchanged. Worried she might lose her balance, he simply wrapped his arms lightly around her.
“Yuan Jue, why are you so good to me?” Gu Nanyin asked earnestly, looking into his eyes.
“As long as you’re happy.” That phrase again, Gu Nanyin thought. Was her happiness truly so important that he would give everything, even his most precious life?
After chatting for a while longer, Yuan Jue finally left. Gu Nanyin quietly watched his figure disappear from sight, a faint smile gracing her lips. Heaven had shown mercy, granting her a chance to live again. In this lifetime, she would take the initiative to draw closer to him.
“Miss, Miss…” Not long after the Regent left, Qiuzhi hurried into the room. Seeing Gu Nanyin awake, she was both overjoyed and tearful. “Miss, you’re finally awake. You’ve been feverish for a full day and night. I was so afraid something might happen if you didn’t wake up.”
“Me? Feverish?”
Seeing Gu Nanyin seemed to have forgotten, Qiuzhi grew anxious. “Have you forgotten, Miss? You accidentally fell into the water while playing with Second Miss. Madam has been so worried she hasn’t eaten and is still brewing medicine for you.”
Earlier, with the Regent present, Gu Nanyin hadn’t had time to reflect deeply. Now, reminded by Qiuzhi, she recalled the incident from her memories. It happened a year before she married into the Prince’s residence. In the depths of winter, Gu Qinglian insisted on strolling with her in the courtyard. Under the pretext of sharing sisterly secrets, she sent the maids far away, then pretended to slip and pushed Gu Nanyin into the pond.
The pond water in deep winter was freezing cold. Even now, recalling it, Gu Nanyin could still feel the piercing chill. While she struggled helplessly in the water, Gu Qinglian feigned shock and only called for help after a long delay. As a result, Gu Nanyin remained unconscious for a day and night and was left with lingering health issues.At this thought, Gu Nanyin suddenly had a question. “Which doctor came to see me?” she wondered, though she already had a guess in her mind.