Every time the prince opens his eyes, he sees

Chapter 120: Not Afraid of Rumors

"I'll catch some fireflies for you, and we can take them back, okay?"

"No need, just let them be free."

"Okay." Xie Qingchen accompanied her to watch the fireflies, wishing that time would stay at this moment forever.

As the night deepened, the light of the fireflies gradually dimmed. The two reluctantly left the peach blossom forest and returned to their camp.

After they each returned to their tent, Xie Qingchen hugged Lu Yaoyao tightly again, as if he wanted to merge her into his body and never separate them.

Lu Yaoyao tried to break free, but he said in a gloomy, hoarse, and somewhat humble voice, "Don't move. Just let me hold you for a while. We may never have another chance. When we get to the capital, we must each have our own identities and be shackled. We can't do whatever we want."

Lu Yaoyao really didn't struggle anymore, just consider it as paying him back!

"Tomorrow, I will withdraw my troops. After I return, you and Liu Wenxuan can hold your wedding as scheduled." Every word Xie Qingchen said was filled with pain, as if it was squeezed out from the bottom of his heart.

Lu Yaoyao felt very uncomfortable after hearing this, and her heart ached.

But she couldn't show any other abnormal emotions. She knew Xie Qingchen's character very well. Once she showed that she was reluctant to leave him and had feelings for him, he would become strong and domineering again and would not let her go.

The next morning, when the first ray of sunlight penetrated the clouds and shone on the earth, Xie Qingchen had already ordered the entire army to retreat.

He didn't look at Lu Yaoyao again, because he knew that every time he looked back, his determination would waver.

The march was very fast, and they returned to the capital in just ten days.

Seeing that the emperor had returned safely and brought back the princess for marriage, the people lined the streets to welcome him.

Everyone thought that it was Xie Qingchen, their emperor who turned the tide.

Liu Wenxuan was also happy.

No matter what, as long as the people he loves are safe.

There were many people at that time and officials were welcoming him, so it was not convenient for him to go up and talk to Lu Yaoyao. As soon as he returned, he couldn't wait to invite her in a letter.

The pigeon fell into Lu Yaoyao's hands. Xie Qingchen saw it, but he was not jealous or crazy. Only the slight bitterness in his heart was suppressed by him.

"Liu Wenxuan sent a pigeon to invite you to meet him. Go ahead. Now you don't have to be trapped in the palace. You are free to go wherever you want."

"Thank you."

When Mother Liu saw her son, who had completely gotten rid of his former decadence, she knew that it was Lu Yaoyao who had returned, bringing her heart, which had been as dry as a dead pond, back to life.

"Son, Yaoyao is back, but I'm afraid her innocence is not guaranteed. Besides, she was sent away to marry a foreign prince. Now that she's back, it would be her second marriage. Are you sure you still want to see her? Be with her?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Wenxuan's eyes remained firm, unwavering. "Mother, in my heart, her safe return from marriage is a blessing. In these troubled times, I value her as a person more than empty status and innocence. Therefore, as long as she is still willing to marry me, I am willing to spend my life with her, never leaving her."

Seeing her son's determination, Mother Liu, though somewhat concerned, understood that a grown-up child is no longer under the control of his mother. She could only sigh and say, "Well, make your own decision. However, you must understand that this road may not be smooth. You must be prepared for rumors and pressure from the family."

Liu Wenxuan nodded and looked at his mother gratefully. "Don't worry, mother. I'm no longer the bookworm I once was. I've learned how to face the ups and downs of life. I will handle Yaoyao's matter properly. I won't bring shame to our family, and I won't regret it."

The next day, Lu Yaoyao arrived as agreed, and the two met in a bamboo forest outside the city.

The spring breeze blew, and the bamboo leaves rustled, adding a bit of warmth and tranquility to the lovers who were reunited after a long separation.

"Yaoyao, have you been okay during this period?" Liu Wenxuan looked at Lu Yaoyao, his eyes full of tenderness and concern.

Lu Yaoyao smiled faintly. "I'm fine, Wenxuan, thank you for your patience and trust. I asked you out because I wanted to ask if you still treat me the same way as before? Are you still willing to marry me? If you don't want to, and you care about what others think, I will immediately ask the emperor to revoke the marriage decree, and from now on, we will have nothing to do with each other."

A hint of surprise flashed across Liu Wenxuan's eyes, but was soon replaced by deep emotion.

At this time, she was still thinking about him and was not afraid that she would not be able to get married, so she clung to him.

He slowly stepped forward, reached out and gently held Lu Yaoyao's hand. The warmth from his palm seemed to dispel all the coldness and uneasiness.

"Yaoyao, do you know that what I long for day and night is to marry you? In my heart, you will always be that kind and resilient woman. No matter what hardships we go through, this feeling will never change. The rumors and gossips from the outside world are like floating clouds to me. I only care about you, and I only want to spend this life with you hand in hand."

"If you're talking about marriage, I wish I could marry you right away and protect you for the rest of your life."

Lu Yaoyao couldn't help but feel tears in her eyes as she listened to Liu Wenxuan's sincere words.

She nodded vigorously, as if confirming this hard-earned happiness, her voice slightly choked with sobs, "Wenxuan, thank you. I thought you would be hesitant after this incident, but I didn't expect you to still be so steadfast in choosing me."

The two smiled at each other, and all their worries disappeared at this moment.

In the bamboo forest, the spring breeze seemed even gentler, gently blowing on their hair.

Then, Liu Wenxuan took out an exquisite jade pendant from his bosom and gently tied it back around Lu Yaoyao's waist, as if reaffirming his unchanging oath: "Yaoyao, this jade pendant is an heirloom of my family. My mother said it was specially passed down to my daughter-in-law. I originally wanted to give it to you on our wedding night, but now, I can't wait to give it to you. Please don't refuse, okay?"

Lu Yaoyao stroked the jade pendant around her waist, her heart filled with warmth.

Although I encountered many setbacks, the people I met seemed to be nice.

"Wenxuan, I also have a gift for you." As he spoke, Lu Yaoyao took out a scroll from his sleeve and slowly unfolded it.

It was a landscape painting, with green mountains, gurgling streams, and clouds and mist, exuding an extraordinary and otherworldly artistic conception.

In the painting, two people can be vaguely seen standing side by side on the top of the mountain, gazing into the distance. Although their identities are not revealed, the tacit understanding and harmony between them make people feel the emotions of the characters in the painting at a glance.

"I secretly painted this for you before I left the capital," Lu Yaoyao's voice was soft and affectionate. "At that time, I was filled with uncertainty about the future, but the only certainty was that no matter where I was, my heart was with you. This painting symbolizes my longing for you and our shared vision - I hope that our lives can be like the scene in this painting, and we can appreciate the beauty of the world together."

Liu Wenxuan took the scroll, looked at it carefully, and his eyes couldn't help but turn slightly red.

He stroked the picture lightly, as if he could touch the characters inside.

"Yaoyao, this is the most precious gift I have ever received. I will treasure it until I am old and gray, and then I will take it out and savor this time together."