Flames, a vast expanse of fire that engulfed her entire body in excruciating pain, making breathing extremely difficult. She was jolted awake from her sleep, and as she opened her eyes... everything was on fire! Even the corner of the bed sheet had ignited, with the turbulent air distorting the scene before her eyes.

  Help! Save me!

  Her throat was already hoarse, and she couldn't make a sound for the first few attempts. She was so anxious that her heart felt like it was going to jump out of her throat.

  Help! Help!

  She finally screamed out, her voice hoarse, but - no one came to save her! She was alone, desperately trapped in the sea of flames, isolated and helpless. That despair, the helplessness on the verge of death... made her heart shatter. She knew that no one would come, she could only rely on herself! When she overcame her fear and ran towards the door with her already weakened legs, that kind of desolate sorrow was something only she could understand. As she saw the starry sky reflected in the flames, she gazed at the twinkling stars behind the fiery air, she was saved! A red-hot beam fell down, she instinctively used her arm to block it...

  Ow! Her indescribable pain!

  Save me, who can save me?!!

  In fear and agony, although she knew no one would come, no one could protect her, she still yearned pitifully... for someone to pull her up, a bosom to cry in, someone to care for her already festering wounds.

  There is no... never will be.

  She was trembling and curled up in a corner of the yard, the eunuch who rushed to the scene just took a glance at her and said, "It's good that you ran out." No one paid attention to her pain, no one comforted her fear, everyone was busy putting out the fire, she was forgotten in that dark corner, shivering with fear.

  Orphan... At this moment, she felt the bitterness of this word most deeply.

  She clutched her legs tightly, shrinking into the smallest ball possible, as tears streamed down her scalded face with an otherworldly stinging pain. Her chin quivered violently, and even her teeth chattered audibly. With all the hope she had left, though it was now weak like a spark in dead ashes, she stared fixedly at the gate of the courtyard, hoping someone would come... to rescue her. Hoping that the next person who came through the door would be looking for her.

  Save me... save me!

  What she begged for rescue was her heart that had been isolated and burned out by despair.

  "Meili Gege! Meili!"

  Someone grabbed her arms and shook them. Her eyes were scalded by the hot air, making it impossible to see clearly if the person she had been longing for, the one who would save her, had arrived?! Tears welled up, making it even more impossible for her to make out the person's features.

  "It's on fire! It's on fire! I'm in so much pain! My arm is killing me!" She wept, finally able to say these words out loud. Even if she couldn't get comfort or protection, it was good that someone could hear her express the fear and suffering in her heart.

  "Meili, no fire! The fire is out!"

  She grasped the man's hand tightly, tears streaming down, "Take me away! Take me out of here!"

  "You had a nightmare, open your eyes and look around, you are safe!"

  Is it safe? She shivered and gathered her gaze to look around... Where is this place? For a moment, she was bewildered. She saw several guards with astonished faces, one hand holding torches, the other holding knives, all staring at her strangely.

  She slowly regained consciousness, this was the tent of the arena... She looked at the person who came to save her, but collided with a pair of young, clear, sympathetic and pitiful eyes. The torches dotted several bright spots in his beautiful eyes, like stars reflected in a deep pool.

  So beautiful... She was momentarily mesmerized, it was Yonghe's eyes.

  "Assassin?!" Jing Xuan's cold voice had just sounded outside the tent, and he was already inside, wearing only a short jacket, still tightly gripping his long sword.

  He looked at Eiko and Mirei on the sofa with a blank expression, then let out a cold laugh.

  She felt a chill run down her spine as his icy gaze pierced through her, and she realized she was still clutching Yonghe's arm tightly. She lowered her head, subtly releasing her grip without making a sound. However, Yonghe didn't get up; instead, he remained seated beside her, furrowed his brow in contemplation.

  "Did you catch the assassin?" Lian Yu'an's elder sister had also arrived, and although she wasn't wearing any jewelry or formal robes, she still looked elegant and refined as she walked into the tent. In comparison, Mei Li suddenly realized that she was only wearing her undergarments, with her hair disheveled and her face covered in tears, looking utterly disheveled.

  "It seems..." Jingxuan coldly glanced at her with her head hung low, "there was no assassin after all, just a dream-induced scream."

  "Good grief!" Yu'an's great aunt slapped her hand, slightly resentful. "Meili Gege, you scared the old ancestor half to death!"

  Meili looked up at her with a puzzled expression, suddenly realizing, "I screamed again?!" She inquired of Yonghe, who smiled and nodded nonchalantly, without any blame.

  She let out a long sigh of frustration, ever since the fire, she had been screaming in her dreams, it was nothing when she lived alone, but now it's become a big trouble, not to mention startling the night watchman, probably the masters of several tents around were also woken up by her.

  "Meili Gege, if you're alright now, go to the old ancestor's place and ask after her. She was so frightened by your cries in the middle of the night that she's shaking all over, thinking you've been injured by an assassin! Wangye, you should also go to the Emperor and tell him what happened. He sent someone to ask what was going on just now, and he's also scared out of his wits, thinking something has happened to the old ancestor. You," Yu An said with a frown, glancing at the stunned guards, "should all hurry up and leave. What kind of scene is this, bursting into the Gege's tent in the middle of the night? Go and tell your masters who have been frightened that everything is alright, and they can rest easy now."

  The guards retreated with a sullen expression, not because they wanted to rush in, but because they heard the princess's cries and thought someone was killed! They didn't even get any credit for their efforts, instead they got scolded, what an injustice!

  Meili knew that although her eldest aunt did not directly say it, she was very angry with her for causing trouble. The Shenniang who used to teach her had retired from the palace, and Yu'nan Aunt originally didn't like her, now...she disliked her even more.

  Jingxuan also reluctantly lifted the curtain and went out. Yonghe patted her shoulder, "I'm on duty tonight, just call me if you need anything."

  Meili nodded and smiled gratefully at her.

  After paying respects to her ancestors and apologizing, Mei Li retreated from the tent, gazing up at the starry sky with a sigh. She didn't dare sleep again, fearing another episode would wake up the entire camp.

  Yonghe led a team of guards to patrol around the main account, and someone asked him to roughly respond with a few words. Mei Li waited for him to walk near, apologized and bowed to him, blaming herself for adding a lot of trouble to him as well.

  "Still awake?" Yonghe waved his hand to signal the guards behind him to continue their patrol, and led her closer to the small fire pit, where a kettle was hanging. He let her sit down and carefully poured a cup of water for her, "Be careful, it's hot."

  Meili sat down, still feeling a bit awkward. He didn't dislike her, but instead was very kind to her, making her feel even more guilty.

  He sat down next to her, seemingly understanding the reason behind her insomnia. "Is it because of the fire at Anning Temple that you've been like this?" he asked casually, not like others who would either mock or be evasive. His straightforwardness made her nod lightly in response. How long had he just arrived in the capital and yet knew so many details? It seemed that bad news indeed spread far and wide. She smiled silently to herself.

  "It's okay, it'll be fine after a while. When I was a kid, I also got scared during sleep and did this all the time, but as I grew up, it slowly got better."

  Meili smiled and nodded, she liked chatting with Yonghe, although they hadn't known each other for long, she had already discovered that he was still like a big kid, sincere and enthusiastic, at least in his heart there weren't so many twists and turns, when he wanted to laugh, he laughed, when he wanted to say something, he said it.

  "Did you grow up outside of Japan when you were little?" Akira tried hard to find a topic.

  "Hmm." Yong He smiled, his good-looking mouth curved into an arc, revealing white teeth, a bright and clear smile that made her already overly heavy heart feel like it had been blown by a warm wind.

  I wish this man would never grow up.

  She suddenly sighed in his smile. When he grows up, it will change, become... She frowned and skipped the name she didn't want to think of, even if it becomes like Zhi Yu, it's a pity, and there won't be such a pure smile anymore.

  Yonghe probably thought that if he remained silent, it would be awkward, so he talked to her about the scenery outside. Seeing her slowly lower her shoulders, he asked with concern: "Are you tired?" Without waiting for her to stop him, he had already ordered someone to bring over several thick woolen blankets stacked high, letting her lean against them. Because there was nothing to rely on, the blanket pile couldn't withstand the weight and would always collapse, so he simply sat down on the other side to prop up the blanket heap, smiling and saying: "You can lean now, this time it won't fall."

  Mei Li leaned comfortably on the blanket, wrapped in a thin quilt, silently gazing at the deep starry sky. It had been a long time... She hadn't felt this grounded in ages. Although it was only temporary support, she warned herself not to get too caught up, but tonight she was too tired, so she just leaned against it... for a little while.

  This book is first published on 17K, read the genuine content at the first time!