The river flows for thousands of years, rushing forward, never to return.

  The night's dark colors swirl back, under the silver white moonlight, the downstream water flows rapidly and turbulently, countless dangerous shoals and whirlpools swirling back, as if they were the ferocious blood-filled mouths of some monstrous creature.

  Misty vapor rises, the bright light of the moon, on the river's surface, rendering a breathtakingly beautiful scene.

  Morning 'dew' felt a severe pain in her chest, the energy of her whole body seemed to be drawn away, as if there were thousands of heavy ropes pulling her into an unknown darkness.

  The yellow dust of the underworld floats beneath his feet, and in the distant white light, a long bridge can be seen faintly, with no beginning or end.

  Are we going to fall into that dark abyss again?

  Recalling the forgotten river below, the other shore's resplendent 'flower', her heart felt a chill----

  Must I return to that place where the sky is not visible, and be sealed by the sorcerer's spell, burning fiercely in the fire of karma?

  Absolutely not!

  Her eyes were almost bleeding, but she couldn't stop her own footsteps.

  A powerful force suddenly pulled her away----

  The white light disappeared from her eyes, and the next moment, the severe pain in her chest almost made her faint.

  With great effort, I opened my eyes to see light waves rippling before me, water surging into the sky, and myself submerged in the water, floating and sinking, having swallowed a lot of river water.

  A strong hand pulled her back, struggling to swim back to the shore, but the river water was rapid and the undercurrent was treacherous, yet she couldn't make an inch of progress.

  She turned around to look, but it was a face she knew all too well----

  "Yuán Xù..."

  She almost moaned, shouting out this sentence from the heart, but was drowned out by the surging waves of water.

  No, this is not Yuan Xu!

  Yuān Xù, forever so bright and composed. He wouldn't have such a gloomy and ferocious gaze, wouldn't... in this treacherous and murky waters, still refusing to let go ---- Yuān Xù. He had long abandoned me!!

  Who is he?!!

  Morning 'dew' in her mind a piece of dizziness, from the dizziness. She finally remembered, when falling into the river, the emperor's heart-wrenching low cry ----

  That one sound, pierced through thousands of troops and horses, even the din of war could not drown it out!

  Was he jumping into the river to save me?!

  Morning 'dew' was trembling all over with pain, she trembled and wanted to break free from that hand, but was held firmly in place, a sharp pain in her wrist.

  It's probably all bruised and swollen now, isn't it?

  She was surprised that she still had a playful mind at this time, the cool water flowed into her eyes, and the scorching pain made her slightly raise her head. But in the daze, she stared into Yuan Qi's eyes...

  Like fire, almost 'yin' furious anger...

  Like fire... Cherished and loved...

  Like fire, fearlessly and decisively overcoming all difficulties...

  She was too weak to think. Let that big hand pull her along. Thoroughly falling into a daze, she faintly heard the anxious cry by her ear.

  The cool river flows rapidly, the fleeting water is like this, under the moonlight, it flashes into a crystal clear silver ribbon, flowing towards the unknown sky. The news that had been cut off for several days was already known to the nobles in the palace, who were even more uneasy at heart, and the incense of the several major temples was thus even more prosperous.

  The Empress Dowager and the Empress, however, did not go with these inner and outer ladies, but instead issued a benevolent edict, in the Cining Palace, to build a temple for that jade statue, where the Empress Dowager personally fasted and recited scriptures, making offerings morning and evening.

  The Cining Palace was quiet in the morning, as usual. After the empress had paid her respects, she stayed by the side of the empress dowager, chatting and laughing with her to dispel fatigue. Several high-ranking officials also occasionally 'inserted' a few words, and for a time, the whole hall was filled with charming smiles.

  "Mother, it's time for morning lessons."

  Yeguniang stepped forward and reported, the empress dowager then held up her Buddhist rosary, letting the crowd disperse. In front of the Buddha, she sat cross-legged, silently reciting scriptures. After more than an hour, she slowly got up with the support of the palace maids.

  The queen glanced at the 'jade' Buddha on the side of the palace, and saw that its treasure light was flowing and turning, clean and moist, a naturally beautiful piece of jade, but it was carved into this kind of god statue, which is simply a waste of heaven's material. She smiled disapprovingly: "This kind of Western Region god statue, our Lin family has never believed in it, why must the empress dowager offer sacrifices to it here?"

  The empress glanced at her, but didn't get angry, only saying lightly: "As people age, whether they believe or not, they have a reverent heart..."

  She saw the empress still being bewildered, and lightly sighed: "Nowadays, the people in the capital all believe this, you might as well invite one back to pray for blessings for the emperor----at least don't let those concubines gossip, saying you are heartless and unrighteous!"

  The empress listened and was greatly distressed, stammered a few words, just about to gloss over it, when suddenly someone outside reported urgently: "A special envoy has been sent from the front line of General Zhou!"

  "Hurry up and announce!"

  The Empress Dowager said in a stern voice.

  The newcomer was a young and handsome general, who had been riding day and night for several days, making his whole body wet from head to toe. His face was unusually pale, but his eyes were still bright and spirited.

  He struggled to make a bow, handed over General Zhou's report, and then sat down on one side.

  The people in the palace handed him a cup of clear tea, and they couldn't help but steal glances at him, all deeply attracted by his handsome appearance.

  "Take a seat!"

  The empress dowager carelessly waved her hand, unfolded the memorial in her hand, and had only read a few lines when joy appeared on her face.

  "The Emperor wins a great victory...... Hu Luojie Khan is shot by an arrow, his life or death unknown!!"

  She was momentarily pleased, recalling that it was this law that had forced her to hide in the east, and several times she had been rude in letters, feeling a sense of pride and arrogance - also letting these barbarians know the power of China!

  She slightly calmed her mind and continued reading down, but gradually furrowed her brow.

  "What's wrong, Empress Dowager?"

  The queen looked at him sincerely and asked him as she walked forward.

  The empress dowager's brow relaxed, and she put away the memorial, saying lightly, "Nothing much, just that the emperor was injured and needs to rest along the way, and will return to the capital slowly."

  She was just about to ask the messenger when she heard someone outside reporting: "Empress Zhou requests an audience!"