Chapter 422
**Chapter 420: Time is Running Out**
At the city gate, Princess Donglin had already prepared the carriage. The Wu Wang arrived late, nearly earning a whack from the feather duster in her hand.
“Knowing he’s out of your league, why did you go looking for trouble?” Princess Donglin scolded, exasperated.
The Wu Wang lowered his head, looking pitiful. “Sister, I’m heading back to Donglin. Please don’t scold me anymore.”
With a pang of sadness, Princess Donglin embraced her foolish yet beloved brother tightly.
In a softer tone, she said, “You can like anyone you want, but not him. There are plenty of good girls in this world, and you’ll meet someone who’s right for you in the future.”
The Wu Wang’s eyes turned red.
He pressed his hand against his heart, his voice choked with emotion. “But sister... sob, it hurts so much. I feel like I’ll never love another woman in this lifetime.”
He would always remember the summer breeze, which clearly spoke of his love.
Princess Donglin gently patted the Wu Wang’s head. “Let’s go. I’ve prepared enough gold and silver for you. If you don’t want to return to Donglin, you can buy a house in the south and stay there for a while—somehow, I have a feeling we’ll reunite soon.”
With tears in his eyes, the Wu Wang nodded.
The siblings parted reluctantly.
The luxurious carriage carried the heartbroken Wu Wang away from the bustling city of Yanjing along the long official road.
Feeling gloomy, he leaned against the swaying carriage wall, his mind filled with the beautiful silhouette of Shen Wei.
Seeing the Wu Wang in low spirits, Zhang Wuge decided to lighten the mood. “Your Highness, how about we take a detour to Jiangnan? I’ve heard there are many beautiful and intelligent girls there.”
The Wu Wang rested his chin on his hand, staring blankly at the long road ahead. “What good is beauty and intelligence? I like vibrant girls, with a lovely silhouette and a strong character.”
Just like Yuan Xier, just like Shen Wei.
What a pity—good women are hard to come by.
If he couldn’t marry the one he loved in this life, he might as well remain single forever.
Feeling miserable, the Wu Wang didn’t want to sit in the stuffy carriage any longer. He stepped out, mounted a horse, and prepared to ride on.
Just as he tightened the reins, he suddenly heard the sound of thundering hooves. On the official road, the yellow grass stretched endlessly, and a black steed charged like lightning, kicking up a cloud of dust.
As the horse approached, the dust settled, and the Wu Wang was momentarily blinded.
“Excuse me, how far is Yanjing?” a bright female voice inquired.
With dust in his eyes, the Wu Wang couldn’t see the rider’s face, but her voice sounded youthful and spirited. He rubbed his eyes and replied, “Follow this road, and Yanjing is about fifty miles ahead.”
The girl chuckled. “Thank you! Is there dust in your eyes? Sorry, I’ve been in a hurry and haven’t had time to clean my horse.”
She pulled an old handkerchief from her sleeve and handed it to the Wu Wang. “Here, wipe your eyes.”
The Wu Wang wiped his eyes.
Once his vision cleared, he saw the girl riding away. She wore a dusty gray outfit, her hair casually tied with a cloth strip, and her riding posture was graceful and confident.
The Wu Wang’s heart, which had been silent for two hours, began to race again.
What a striking silhouette!
Where is this girl from?
Is she married?
Surely she’s not a queen from some distant land?
Zhang Wuge drove the carriage closer, eagerly addressing the Wu Wang. “Your Highness, shall we continue on? There’s a small town about twenty miles ahead where we can rest for the night.”
The Wu Wang clutched the handkerchief, glaring at Zhang Wuge. “What are we rushing for? Back to Yanjing! I left something precious in the city!”
The Wu Wang quickly turned back.
At the Yan residence in Yanjing, Princess Donglin had just seen her brother off and was feeling down. Although Shen Wei was kind and forgiving, the Wu Wang had still offended the royal family, and sending him away was a way of acknowledging his mistake.
Leaning back in her chair, she held her teacup and murmured, “Sigh, it’s a long journey. I wonder if my brother will fall ill or be able to take care of himself…”
The butler rushed in. “Madam! His Highness the Wu Wang—”
Princess Donglin looked up, annoyed. “He’s already left.”
“But no! The Wu Wang has returned!”
Confused, Princess Donglin quickly got up and went to the front gate, where she saw her brother, whom she hadn’t seen for three hours.
“Brother, why are you back?” she asked, bewildered.
The Wu Wang stepped forward, joyfully exclaiming, “Sister, I’ve found a girl! I have a feeling she’s the extraordinary woman the national master predicted! She even offered me her handkerchief—she must like me!”
Princess Donglin: …
Just three hours ago, the Wu Wang had sworn, “I feel like I’ll never love another woman in this lifetime.” How quickly he had changed his tune!
As night fell, the lights of Luoyue Lake’s royal estate shone brightly.
Shen Wei stood at the entrance, eagerly waiting. After a while, she heard the sound of hooves.
A black steed appeared.
The young girl in gray dismounted and handed the reins to the estate’s steward before walking towards Shen Wei, kneeling on one knee to greet her. “Shen Mingyue greets my aunt! May you be well!”
Shen Wei smiled and helped her up. “I received a letter from your brother this morning, and only then did I know you had come to Yanjing. You’ve traveled hard.”
Shen Mingyue beamed. “It wasn’t hard. When my parents heard you were ill, they were very worried, but they couldn’t leave their duties at the border. I happened to have some free time, so I rushed to Yanjing to visit you.”
Shen Mingyue was the eldest daughter of General Shen Mieyue and Sun Qingmei, having grown up in Liangzhou City.
Recently, when news of Shen Wei’s illness reached Liangzhou, Shen Mieyue was frantic. Shen Mingyue volunteered to come to Yanjing to check on her aunt.
This was Shen Wei’s first time meeting her niece. She took a careful look at Shen Mingyue, noting how much she resembled Sun Qingmei, yet also carried the bold spirit of Shen Mieyue.
Shen Wei was very fond of her and invited the young girl inside for a meal. The East Courtyard was tidied up, allowing Shen Mingyue to stay at the estate.
Shen Mingyue adapted quickly, her cheerful and generous nature helping her become fast friends with Le You.
By the lakeside pavilion, Mo Xun and Shen Wei were cracking sunflower seeds.
Mo Xun watched Shen Mingyue and Le You playing on a pleasure boat, feeling a wave of nostalgia. “Shen Wei, look at how young and vibrant they are—time waits for no one. Back when I wasn’t a vengeful woman, I used to laugh just as happily as they do.”
Mo Xun felt old.
Having lived two lives, she was weary in body and spirit.
Shen Wei handed her a bowl of summer ice drink, softly comforting her. “Don’t think too much. If you want someone to talk to, just come find me.”
As women of the same era, they always had endless topics to discuss and memories to share.
But Shen Wei gradually noticed that Mo Xun had become listless, her appetite diminished, her face haggard, and her spirit waning.
Mo Xun had lost the will to live, her heart as dry as wood, devoid of vitality.
The shimmering waters of Luoyue Lake reflected in Mo Xun’s eyes as she sighed, “Shen Wei, my time is short. After I’m gone, please bury me in Nanshan.”
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