Jun Qi’s footsteps paused for a moment.
A gentle breeze swept past, stirring the dark hair of both, two strands intertwining before settling on Jun Qi’s back.
“Your Highness is kind-hearted and treats Jun Qi extremely well. You are the best person in the world to Jun Qi, and I have always liked Your Highness very much.”
Gu Xi wrapped her arms around his neck, resting her face against the side of his ear. “Really?”
It was too close. At such proximity, if Jun Qi turned his head, he could touch her cheek.
His hair obscured his eyes as he replied softly, “Really.”
The bright moon hung high in the sky, its clear light spilling over the path like shimmering water. Jun Qi carried her steadily forward, leaving only two silhouettes behind.
Gu Xi was delighted. Her eyes curved into crescents as she called out again, “Young Master Qi?”
Jun Qi responded, “Hmm?”
Gu Xi leaned even closer. “Then, may I call you Ah Qi?”
Each time she drew nearer, as if testing the limits of Jun Qi’s patience.
Yet Jun Qi was not angered, nor did he find it abrupt. He continued carrying Gu Xi and replied gently, “Your Highness may call me whatever you wish.”
“Ah Qi.” Gu Xi tenderly whispered the two words, her smiling lips lifting as she raised her face. “How did you find me today?”
Jun Qi gazed at the road ahead. “That scar-faced man left marks along the way, likely for his accomplices.”
“Your Highness, we’re almost there.”
The palace walls were now in sight. Jun Qi gently set Gu Xi down and handed her the bundle he was carrying.
Inside was unmistakably the rabbit lantern…
Gu Xi held the rabbit lantern, her eyes sparkling with joy. “Ah Qi, see you tomorrow.”
Under the night sky, Jun Qi stood in snow-white robes, his eyes like gentle spring water, warm as a spring breeze. “See you tomorrow.”
A quarter of an hour later.
Gu Xi returned to the Moon Embracing Palace, while Jun Qi went back to his own palace.
The night in the palace was cold, with a chilly wind blowing. Han Qi stood at the entrance of the hall, nearly frozen stiff.
As soon as he saw Jun Qi return, he hurried over. “Master, where have you been? I came to report, but I searched the entire palace and couldn’t find you.”
Jun Qi walked into the hall, removed the stray grass from his hair, and poured a cup of tea before casting a calm glance at Han Qi.
“I went to the Lantern Temple Festival.”
Han Qi’s eyes widened in shock.
Ever since beginning his revenge, his master had been focused on killing every day, never once celebrating a human festival. How could he have gone to such a boring lantern festival?
Moreover, the Lantern Temple Festival was a place where men and women exchanged vows and released lanterns by the river.
Han Qi asked incredulously, “Master, who did you go with? It couldn’t have been Princess Yun Xi, could it?”
Seeing his master not refute it, Han Qi was already certain.
“Master, you and Princess Yun Xi…”
“Do you like Princess Yun Xi?”
Jun Qi’s dark, piercing gaze immediately fixed on him. “Why are you still so talkative? Have you learned nothing?”
Han Qi: “…”
“Like her? Ridiculous. Would I like her?”
Jun Qi’s face turned cold as he slammed the teacup onto the table with a thud, enunciating each word slowly and deliberately. “Timid as a mouse, frail as a flower, utterly useless, trembling like that even when killing someone.”
Jun Qi narrowed his eyes slightly, his tone shifting.
“But since she is my possession, is there any problem with me accompanying her to the Lantern Temple?”
“I’ve said it before—my things, even if they die, must be strangled to death by my own hands. Her health is so poor; if she dies halfway there and doesn’t perish by my hand, will you take responsibility?”
Han Qi once again: “…”
Han Qi outwardly: “No problem, Master.”
Han Qi inwardly: How is there no problem? The problem is huge. If any other woman came to ask you to visit the Lantern Temple together, you’d snap their necks on the spot.
But when it comes to Princess Yun Xi, you keep saying “my possession.”
His master, ah, better not deceive himself with his own stubborn words and end up falling into his own trap.
Han Qi shook his head, clearing away the thoughts in his mind, and began recounting the situation in the Jun Kingdom as reported by the messenger pigeon that night.
Early the next morning.
Moon Embracing Palace.
Gu Xi was awakened by a nightmare.
This was the first time the Underworld King had experienced a nightmare in recent times.
Leaning against the bed, she took two deep breaths, her eyes as if filled with shards of ice.
The Celestial Beast was roused by the commotion and opened its eyes: What’s wrong? Did you have a nightmare?
Gu Xi narrowed her eyes, her voice dripping with coldness: In your Celestial Realm, is there someone named something like Heng?
Your magical power hasn’t recovered, so your memories must be mostly lost too. The Celestial Beast scratched its head: Let me think… Heng…
As if remembering something, the little beast’s eyes lit up: I’ve got it—it’s Heng, as in Dong Heng! Emperor Lord Dongheng!
Emperor Lord Dongheng is the only Emperor Lord in the world today, an existence above the Three Realms.
Besides that, he and my master, the Heavenly Dao, are sworn brothers—they grew up together.
He is not bound by the laws of the Three Realms; even my master, the Heavenly Dao, respects him greatly.
Did you dream of him? Did you know each other before?
The little beast pondered: But you shouldn’t have crossed paths. You’re the Underworld King, and he’s an Emperor Lord—completely unrelated.
As if recalling the scenes from her dream, Gu Xi’s eyes filled with murderous intent: I didn’t see his face clearly, but my intuition tells me that he and I must be enemies…