My face changed slightly and I lowered my voice: "Your Highness, this joke isnt funny."

  He smiled carelessly and said, "The princess also said it was just a joke."

  Although he said so, I felt a little uneasy in my heart, took a few deep breaths secretly, and slowly adjusted my emotions.

  Perhaps what he said was just a joke, but if one day it really comes true, how should I face it?

  Just then, Shu Ying excitedly hugged Jing Tao into the house, her beautiful face was red and flushed, whether it was due to running or over-excitement.

  Seeing her expectant expression, I couldnt bear to disappoint her, so I sat down at the piano, silently memorized it once, and then lifted my fingers onto the strings.

  After all, I had already played it once before, and it was such a beautiful tune that it could make people remember it vividly. This time, I played it extremely smoothly, my fingers seemed to have their own consciousness, flying on the strings, those notes were like flowing clouds and water, lingering for a long time.

  The music ended, Shu Yings face was dazed, and Nan Chengyao also looked at me quietly, his eyes deep and profound.

  After a while, he finally spoke up and said: "How long has the princess been practicing this tune?"

  I shook my head gently: "It was Qingers first time listening at the Mid-Autumn Moon Appreciation Banquet."

  He didnt say a word, just stared at me intently. Xīu Yǐng probably thought he didnt believe her and hastily spoke up: "Ive never heard Miss play this tune before. Besides, Miss usually doesnt use the jade zither for practice, how could she have practiced it?"

  He didnt seem to notice the distant shadow, and continued to gaze at me deeply. His eyes were inscrutable: "The princesss talent surpasses others; why not use this heavenly music to compose a poem, and let the song and the sound of the zither complement each other?"

  I was taken aback, and Piao Ying had already spoken with a tinge of regret: "Miss used to take the Flower Leaf Wannian Qing for her injuries, which damaged her vocal cords. She hasnt sung since then."

  My thoughts, triggered by her words, went back to the beginning of the fall, when my body was severely damaged. Su Xiu had no choice but to use a strong dose, which saved my life, but since then, my voice has never been as clear and resonant as it used to be.

  He once told me that although his voice is no longer clear and bright as it used to be, it has become more gentle and soft, even better than before.

  At that time, Ming knew he was just comforting me, but still couldnt stop the faint sweetness in his heart, all because of one person, one sentence.

  I dont want to get entangled in the past anymore, so I spoke up: "Alright, Shu Ying, hurry up and send the zither back to the music room. Its getting late, you dont have to come over again. I happen to have some matters to discuss with Your Highness."

  Shu Ying responded and left with her guqin, I turned around and opened the medicine box: "Your Highness, Qinger will help you change your dressing."

  He didnt say anything, just nodded slightly, but made no movement.

  I took a glance at the sky outside the window and it was already late, thinking that after changing his medicine he still had to return to Qing Tian Ju, so I could only step forward and personally help him take off his outer robe.

  This was originally a matter of seeking clouds and chasing rain, I did it for the first time, although I didnt lift my head, but I could feel his gaze never leaving me, inevitably feeling a bit unnatural, my cheeks also slightly flushed.

  His injury had actually healed eight or nine out of ten, so I didnt rewrap the bandage. After applying the medicine, I said lightly, "Once this medicine takes effect, Your Highnesss wound will be completely healed and wont need a bandage. In fact, exposing it to the air would be even better."

  I raised my eyes and met his gaze, my heart skipped a beat for no reason.

  "Its getting late, Your Highness should get some rest."

  He burst out laughing and suddenly stretched out his hand, I was caught off guard, and before I knew it, I had already fallen into his arms.

  His subconscious struggle, yet he didnt let go, a smiling breath swept across my ear: "Cant the princess wait any longer?"

  "Your Highness!"

  I was greatly embarrassed, and when I looked up at him, his words were as casual as ever, but there was a faintly discernible dark glow in his eyes, and my heart felt inexplicably flustered, causing me to struggle even more to get up.

  He was originally smiling and slowly letting go of his hand, and my heart also relaxed with him. However, in just a few seconds, he raised it high again.

  His gaze was heavy, falling on my shoulder and neck, the struggle just now had made my clothes disheveled and loose, I followed his line of sight, the phoenix on my left arm faintly visible.

  I looked into his eyes, and the light that had been suppressed slowly rose again, dark and profound, as if it could gather a persons soul. My heart was tense in a way I had never experienced before, my body stiffened, and I didnt dare to move again.

  His gaze was complex and obscure, like the most turbulent tide of a dark night, lingering on my arm for a long time, finally slowly stretching out his hand to stroke the phoenix that was about to fly on my left arm.

  Although I didnt have any carnal desires, I wasnt a naive girl either. Before I got married, my mother had also vaguely mentioned it to me, and I roughly understood what would happen next.

  Suddenly stiffened, instinctively wanted to resist, but just had a move, was firmly locked in his arms, and deeply kissed down.

  My mind suddenly went blank.

  The internal resistance gradually weakened, but it couldnt stop the surge of faint sorrow.

  Why cant I let go of the past until now? The person in front of me, who was originally my husband, the one who was supposed to accompany me for a lifetime. Everything that is happening now is just the natural course of events, something that was destined from the start. But why cant I still let go?

  My body couldnt stop trembling, as he undid my dress, in his powerful embrace, I closed my eyes tightly, feeling weak all over, extremely uncomfortable, not knowing if it was my body or heart, could only let him control my body, like being on cloud nine, in the midst of flames.

  As the severe pain between my legs arrived on schedule, my brow furrowed uncontrollably, I pursed my lips tightly to prevent myself from crying out in pain, but a single tear at the corner of my eye finally fell.

  Nan Chengyao suddenly became aware of my abnormality, and he quietly stopped all his movements. Although I had tightly closed my eyes, I could still feel his deep gaze.

  I knew he was strongly suppressing himself, his body tense, with big drops of sweat falling on my chest.

  Time flies second by second, and his kiss finally falls lightly and closely on my eyelashes, tenderly and lingering.

  His voice echoed in my ears, a sigh of sorts, so unreal.

  "He called me: Qing Er..."

  In a daze, reality and dreams overlapped in confusion.

  I recall five years ago, when I was still wandering outside the Ghost Gate, it was this very call that opened my eyes. The past was like a dream, and emotions were deep. Once, I thought this was all I had.

  I fell in love with someone because of this call, and now I am completely awake for the same reason.

  Its too late, cant go back now.

  Perhaps it was already impossible to return a long time ago.

  My body ached with pleasure, this unfamiliar feeling left me helpless. In the midst of confusion and dizziness, I had no choice but to cling to Nan Chengyaos strong arms, letting him lead me as he pleased, watching the flowers of desire bloom wildly in the dark night, letting him lead me, cutting off the past, those days accompanied by mountains, water, stars, and moon.

  From then on, in this world, there were only three queens of the Southern Dynasty: Murong Qing.