Qin Man fell silent.
The complicated truth was that she could not give him a clear answer.
Over the past year, through countless dangers and hardships they had faced together, she could no longer deny that her feelings for Xiao Ruochen had changed more than once. Yet from beginning to end, her original goal had never wavered.
She wanted to go home.
She could not allow herself to become completely entangled in a romance that belonged to this era. The conflict between her emotions and her reason constantly tore at her heart.
“Ruochen,” Qin Man said softly. She lifted her head and gazed at the star-filled sky, her voice carrying a trace of melancholy. “Do you believe that beyond this world, there are other dimensions and different eras existing at the same time?”
“The universe is vast and limitless. There are many mysteries beyond human understanding,” Xiao Ruochen replied calmly, his dark eyes fixed on her. A flicker of curiosity flashed through them. “I believe such things are possible.”
“I’m not Qin Muxi,” Qin Man said quietly. “And I’m certainly not the Crown Princess you were supposed to marry.”
Standing before him beneath the night sky, she no longer wanted to continue maintaining the lie.
“Muxi, no matter what face you wear or what identity you possess, the person I love is your soul, not your status or lineage.”
Xiao Ruochen spoke firmly, believing that her hesitation came from insecurity about her restored appearance.
Qin Man shifted slightly and sat upright on his lap. Looking directly into his deep, unreadable eyes, she said with complete sincerity:
“Ruochen, listen carefully. I am not the real Qin Muxi. I come from a world far in the future. My real name is Qin Man.”
Xiao Ruochen froze.
A series of emotions flashed across his eyes, disbelief, shock, and intense contemplation.
“One year ago, the real Qin Muxi was attacked by bandits on Lingxiu Mountain,” Qin Man continued. “She died from her injuries. Somehow, my consciousness entered her body. The day it happened was the same day you and I met in that cave.”
Xiao Ruochen lowered his gaze thoughtfully.
“For the past year, many things have never made sense to me,” he murmured. “Your personality was completely different from the records of Qin Muxi’s childhood. Your medical knowledge surpassed even the most skilled imperial physicians. Now I finally understand.”
“You actually believe me?” Qin Man asked in surprise.
“I do.”
His voice grew low and solemn.
“And I am grateful to heaven for allowing this miracle to happen. Otherwise, I never would have met you.”
“But eventually I must return to my own time.”
Qin Man forced herself to remain rational.
“Ruochen, sooner or later you will meet a woman who truly belongs to this era.”
As soon as she finished speaking, she met his gaze.
His eyes burned with such intensity that her heart skipped a beat. It felt as if all her carefully constructed defenses could melt beneath that look alone.
The next moment, his self-control finally broke.
He lowered his head and captured her lips in a fierce kiss.
His arms tightened around her waist with overwhelming strength, as though he feared she might disappear if he loosened his hold.
The thought of her returning to another world filled him with panic.
His kisses became increasingly urgent. From her lips, he traced a path along her jaw before pressing against the sensitive skin of her neck and finally resting near her collarbone.
Qin Man’s thoughts dissolved into chaos.
All strength seemed to leave her body beneath the desperation and longing in his embrace.
His breathing was rough and uneven.
Then he suddenly stopped.
A cool tear had slipped from the corner of her eye.
The sight instantly restored a measure of his reason.
Filled with guilt, he slowly withdrew and gently pulled her into his arms.
“Forgive me.”
His voice trembled slightly.
“I only ask one thing. Don’t leave me. Stay by my side, will you?”
“Yes.”
For the first time, Qin Man lowered all her defenses.
For this single night, she chose not to think about the future.
She simply wanted to live in the present.
“From now on, when we’re alone, I’ll call you Man’er.”
Xiao Ruochen lowered his head and kissed her hair gently.
“In front of others, you will still be Qin Muxi.”
As dawn gradually brightened the eastern horizon, Qin Man’s condition had fully stabilized.
After eating several wild fruits to replenish their energy, Xiao Ruochen secured the basket of medicinal herbs onto his back and carefully supported her as they made their way down the mountain.
The moment they returned to camp, Qin Man ignored her own exhaustion.
She immediately sorted the herbs, organized the preparation process, and supervised the brewing of large cauldrons of anti-plague medicine.
She specifically instructed Su Li to deliver a concentrated batch to Prince Mo Xuan’s tent and ensure that his guards administered it immediately.
The medicinal herbs proved remarkably effective.
Within hours, the fevers throughout the camp began to subside, and the digestive illnesses that had plagued the officials and noble ladies rapidly improved.
Knowing her own body was reaching its limit, Qin Man returned to her quarters.
Inside her spatial dimension, she retrieved several high-potency vitamin supplements, then collapsed onto her bed and slept uninterrupted for an entire day.
The delegation remained in place for another two days to recover fully.
Once everyone had regained their strength, the journey resumed.
That afternoon, the caravan arrived at a vast grassland and established camp.
Following standard procedures, a small group ventured into the surrounding wilderness to gather edible plants while the others rested.
Feeling somewhat bored, Qin Man decided to explore the area.
Near the edge of the camp, she discovered a clear river teeming with fish.
Her eyes immediately lit up.
It had been far too long since she had eaten fresh fish.
Today called for a proper feast.
She quickly summoned Xiao Ya and several off-duty soldiers.
Rolling up her trouser legs, she stepped directly into the river.
The water was filled with fish.
Although they were relatively small, they were plump and healthy.
In a short time, the group managed to catch half a basket full.
Qin Man and Xiao Ya carried the first batch back to camp while the soldiers remained behind to continue fishing.
After recruiting several attendants to help, Qin Man directed the construction of multiple fire pits and began roasting the fish.
From her spatial dimension, she secretly retrieved various seasonings, including coarse sea salt and cumin powder.
Soon, the rich aroma of grilled fish drifted throughout the camp.
The smell immediately attracted attention.
One after another, officials, guards, and attendants emerged from their tents, drawn by the irresistible fragrance.
Upon discovering what was happening, many eagerly volunteered to help tend the fires.
The gloomy atmosphere that had lingered after the epidemic gradually transformed into a lively celebration.
Seeing everyone’s spirits improve so dramatically, Princess Mo Yueyao officially announced that the evening meal would become a camp-wide fish feast.
Qin Man personally selected the best grilled fish and delivered them to the command tent for Princess Mo Yueyao, Mo Xuan, and Xiao Ruochen.
She also reserved two portions each for herself, Xiao Ya, and Su Li.
Mo Xuan, whose health had completely recovered, produced a treasured jar of fine wine from his personal supplies and shared it with everyone present.
As they enjoyed the delicious grilled fish, the prince and princess showered Qin Man with praise for her culinary talents.
Having previously tasted her cooking while recovering at her estate, Xiao Ruochen was not surprised in the slightest.
Watching her move about the camp, his eyes were filled with quiet pride.
For the travelers, this was the first truly satisfying meal they had enjoyed in five difficult days.
Many officials personally came to express their gratitude.
Yet despite their praise, some still harbored shallow thoughts.
Miss Qin possessed extraordinary intelligence and talent.
If one ignored her appearance, she surpassed every noble lady in the delegation.
What a pity that such a remarkable woman was believed to be both disfigured and crippled.
Two days later, the delegation officially crossed into Chaozhou.
This region formed the empire’s eastern coastal frontier.
For the first time, the travelers witnessed the endless blue expanse of the sea.
The group headed toward a heavily fortified coastal county town where they planned to rest, replenish supplies, and prepare for the sea voyage ahead.
Meanwhile, far away in the imperial capital, within the heavily guarded underground chambers beneath the Prime Minister’s residence, Murong Cheng received an encrypted report confirming that the diplomatic delegation had successfully entered Chaozhou.
His expression darkened immediately.
“They actually made it to Chaozhou.”
Murong Cheng threw the report onto the black stone table.
“If they board the imperial ships and reach the Baiyun Kingdom, the alliance will be secured. Once that happens, our plans will lose their greatest advantage.”
“My Lord,” a masked operative hidden in the shadows said coldly, “the plague we released along the mountain route should have wiped out the entire delegation. No one anticipated that the Finance Minister’s daughter would interfere and save them. That girl has become a dangerous variable. She cannot be allowed to live.”
“The delegation is currently staying in a coastal county town to purchase grain,” an elderly strategist added.
His beard trembled slightly as his narrow eyes gleamed with malice.
“That region is remote and difficult to govern. According to our intelligence network, a notorious group of bandits has been abducting young women throughout the area. The local population lives in constant fear.”
“You propose using those bandits to eliminate the Minister’s daughter?” Murong Cheng asked.
“Exactly.”
The strategist leaned forward.
“Furthermore, the noble ladies accompanying this mission are among the finest daughters of the empire’s great families. The Emperor intends to use them to strengthen relations with Baiyun. If they suffer dishonor or death at the hands of bandits, the entire diplomatic effort will collapse.”
Murong Cheng nodded slowly.
“Princess Yueyao has already become impatient regarding our timetable.”
He sat down and began drafting orders.
“Send an urgent message to our agents in the region. Coordinate with the bandits and carry out the plan. We have an insider among the delegation, they can determine the details themselves.”
His gaze turned cold.
“And remind Murong Xue that she is traveling with the delegation. Tell her to protect herself and proceed with caution.”
“Understood.”
The strategist and the masked operative bowed deeply.
Then they disappeared into the darkness.