My second uncle's wife [third watch of the thirtieth year]

  Years later, when thinking back to that winter day's astonishing afternoon in Chang Le Palace, Zhang Yan would only faintly smile and sigh, "I remember being young." In fact, after some thought, there were too many signs at the time telling her it wasn't just a simple dream. Like the exhaustion that couldn't be shaken off when climbing stairs, like the long skirt trailing on the stone steps with a sense of falling, like Su Mo's respectful call to her as "Lady", like Lü Wei calling her by her nickname "A Yan", unlike the continuous silent and absurd drama in previous dreams. Every person's every sentence was truly existent.

  It was only when the authorities were present that she, like a sleepwalker, acted on her own instincts, ignoring all obvious or hidden signs.

  That day, she knelt on the steps of the temple, looking up at the high sky above the Chang Le Palace, and the majestic ancient palace under the sky, with layers of bluestone stairs leading straight to the hall, solemn and simple, like the majesty of the Son of Heaven. Zhang Yan asked herself, if she knew that it was not a dream but the most real reality, would she still rush out to reprimand Liu Bang without hesitation?

  The answer is no.

  Just like at that time, she was clearly dissatisfied and bewildered in her heart, but still obediently listened and knelt down in the temple. Although her mind was confused and unclear about the course of events, her body had instinctively submitted to the imperial power, kneeling upright with her back straight, pretending not to know the young officer's scrutinizing gaze behind her.

  What's going on?

  She seems to have become the woman in his dreams, Yan.

  Her mind was a mess, like a tangled ball of twine, and in her panic, she couldn't make sense of the key points.

  No, this won't do.

  Calm down, she told herself, you have to figure out what's going on here.

  She forced herself to calm down and sort out her dreams from the current reality.

  The situation is roughly like this:

  Zhao Wang Zhang Yi was arrested and escorted to the capital due to his crime, while Princess Ruyuan Chang was welcomed back to Chang'an. However, she, along with her grandmother Zhu Shi and other family members, were separately guarded and driven in a carriage. After arriving in Chang'an, Empress Lü pitied her granddaughter and took her into the palace. Then, she wandered around the Changle Palace and stumbled upon this affair today.

  Things are simple, but the situation is complicated.

  If I am Zhang Yan, then where is Yan Ran?

  She looked around, bewildered and didn't know where to go.

  Smile, smile.

  Smiling, where am I?

  I seem to have lost myself.

  If I were to disappear, you would cry, wouldn't you? As siblings, we've relied on each other all along. Our bond goes beyond just brother and sister; it's an inseparable connection that's essential to my life. For me, even though Mom and Dad are gone and we had to move away - painful as those experiences were - as long as you're by my side, I can still smile and accept them.

  But if even a smile is no longer by my side, how am I supposed to spend the rest of my life?

  The sun slowly sets to the west, sweat dripping down her face. She finally can't hold it in and tears fall. I want to go home, I really miss home, but I don't know how to get back home. It doesn't matter if dreams are complicated, shocking, fearful or lingering, as long as I can wake up. But what if one day, I get lost in my dreams?

  Smile, can you take me home?

  I've lost my way home.

  Tears fell pitter-patter on the empty brick in front of her, moistening a small patch. She bit her lip until it bled, but still couldn't wake up from the pain.

  "Master Weng, don't cry." The young officer pressed the hilt of his waist knife and squatted down, persuading him on one side, "It's also because you're too reckless. However, His Majesty pitied you, as long as you admit your mistake, His Majesty won't really do anything to you. Master Weng, why don't you just admit your mistake?"

  She cried even harder, sobbing uncontrollably, thinking stubbornly to herself that if she knelt here until she died, maybe then she could go back.

  On the cold, hard brick floor where she knelt, it first hurt and then gradually became numb. She had never knelt for anyone before, and Yu'er had always been spoiled by her, couldn't bear to see her suffer a bit. But she lost him. Where in heaven or on earth could she find another Yu'er to care about herself?

  The sun slowly moved from the west corner of the main hall, shining down at an angle, casting a golden glow. Just as her tears blurred and she was about to collapse, she heard the soft sound of footsteps coming down the stairs.

  The guards bowed down, and the young captain called out, "Your Highness, the Crown Prince..."

  "Hmm." The young man's voice was clear and gentle, saying softly, "General Lu, the old master of Zhao has already been kneeling for more than two hours, which is enough punishment. I begged Father Emperor on her behalf, and he allowed me to take her back..."

  She lifted her head in sobs, and through the blurry tears, she saw only a clear figure standing before her - a slender young man in black clothes with a dragon-patterned waistband tied around his waist. The buckle on the belt was intricately carved with a dragon's head that was delicate yet not ferocious, and a pendant jade hung down from it, its color warm and smooth.

  "Very well, I'll have to trouble you then."

  "Alright." He nodded and continued to walk towards her. As she descended the steps, she saw in turn the dark-colored crisscross pattern on his collar, the overlapping lapels revealing a shirt of the same color underneath, the slightly tanned and handsome curve of his chin, and finally, his face appeared before her eyes.

  He was only thirteen or fourteen years old, just the age when a child grows into a man. His robust build and stable demeanor couldn't hide his clear and innocent air of being a child. He didn't have an exceptionally handsome face, but his long eyebrows were very similar to those of Lv Wei. If he had been born as a girl, they would have looked too stern, but on him, they unexpectedly suited him well.

  "Ayue is up," the young man called out to her, his voice warm and familiar as he extended a hand, "if you don't get back, your mother will spank you."

  She stared blankly at the palm of the boy's hand in front of her, unable to react for a moment.

  Liu Ying didn't get annoyed, and squatted in front of the girl, smiling, "You just entered the palace today, you shouldn't know me yet. I am your mother's younger brother, you should call me Uncle."

  Uncle?

  As she foolishly pondered the significance of this title, Liu Ying had already taken out a dry handkerchief from his bosom and wiped away Zhang Yan's tears. "Little flower cat," he smiled and scolded, easing the force in his hands, "You have the guts to offend me but not the guts to take the punishment. If Uncle doesn't come over to take you back, are you planning on crying here all day?"

  They didn't cry just because they were punished.

  She muttered to herself in her heart, but didn't show it on her face. She let Liu Ying gently wipe away her tears and hesitated before calling out softly, "Uncle?"

  "Uh-huh."

  The soft voice had a gentle flavor, making her fleeting thoughts seem to find a temporary foothold.

  She held his hand and tried to stand up, but stumbled and almost fell. Her knees were still bent and she couldn't move, and even a slight movement would cause pain in her meridians, making it impossible for her to stand upright.

  "Your Highness," a young eunuch in light blue clothes behind Liu Ying hastily turned out and said, "Hand over Little Weng to Zhang Ji."

  "It's okay." Liu Ying waved her hand and slightly squatted down behind her, "A Yan come here, Uncle will carry you back."

  "Your Highness," Chang Ji exclaimed in surprise, but was glared back by Liu Yan. He maintained his slightly crouched posture, "A Yan, come up quickly."

  The setting sun's rays shot over from the eaves of the Luotai Temple, carrying a desolate yet beautiful red hue. She leaned against Liu Yan's back, her heart also dyed with this color, a calm and lingering warmth.

  "Uncle." she shouted.

  "Hmm?" Liu Ying walked steadily.

  "It's okay." She smiled foolishly, leaning on Liu Xin's slightly thin but steady back, closing her eyes. The scent of peaceful pine wafted in, light and not dense, clear and reassuring.

  "Uncle?"

  "Huh?"

  "It's nothing, I was just calling out."

  The sunset dragged their silhouettes very long.

  He was the eldest son of Han Gaozu Liu Bang and Empress Lü Zhi, the Grandson of the Great Han, Liu Ying.

  And she is a lost woman who fell from two thousand years later into this era, from now on, her name is Zhang Yan.

  This year was the ninth year of Emperor Gao of Han, Liu Ying was 14 years old, and Zhang Yan was six years old.

  The third watch of the night was already hot and steaming.

  Wishing everyone an ox year and beauty, may you all meet the one in your heart.