Chapter 95: Reunion After a Long Separation (5000)

“Don’t let him escape!” someone shouted. Two or three guards with excellent agility immediately gave chase, while some others rushed toward the main gate. The rest stayed behind to help deal with the other black-clad figures here.

Jin’er hung upside down over one of the men’s shoulders, clutching her bundle with one hand and tightly gripping her sword with the other. She felt the cold wind rush past her ears, an inexplicable tension tightening her heart.

Though she didn’t know if this man was here to save her or had some other motive, at least he wasn’t an agent of the Crown Prince. These days, she had been longing to escape the Crown Prince’s grasp. Even if she could not yet grasp the full situation, she hoped he would not be caught by the pursuing guards.

However, their commotion had already attracted a long line of patrolling guards in hot pursuit, and nearby soldiers, hearing the shouts, were also rushing over. At this rate, breaking out of the vast imperial palace seemed increasingly unlikely.

Just as Jin’er’s hope began to wane, she suddenly felt herself plummeting downward, then she splashed into the icy water with a rush.

No way! With nowhere left to run, jumping into the river? But she couldn’t swim!

Her body continued to sink, and suddenly the noise around her quieted considerably—she could hear nothing but the sound of rushing water.

She felt so sad. She wanted to breathe; she desperately wanted to breathe.

After holding her breath for a while, Jin’er felt she was about to lose consciousness. She flailed her arms in the water, trying to surface, but the man merely turned her over and held her tightly, preventing her from struggling further.

Damn it! Why did he want to die and drag her down with him?!

“Glug, glug…” Jin’er couldn’t hold on any longer. She opened her mouth, but instead of air, she swallowed two mouthfuls of water.

Sob, sob… She didn’t want to die! Not like this! After all she had been through to get this far, she didn’t want to give up halfway. She wanted to live well in this world—she didn’t want to die...

In the midst of her painful, nearly hopeless struggle, a strange sensation suddenly touched her lips. Then something pried open her teeth, and a mouthful of the air she so desperately craved filled her lungs.

She greedily inhaled and reached for more.

Beneath the cold, murky water, two bodies pressed tightly together, entwined in a passionate kiss. The current flowed gently around them, teasing the strands of hair that floated like water plants, swaying gracefully.

After an unknown length of time, when Jin’er could no longer draw any more air, she was held and propelled upward, breaking through the surface and gasping for breath.

“Your Highness!” a voice whispered anxiously from the dense grass by the riverbank.

This river ran through the entire imperial palace, its waters flowing directly outside the palace walls. So, after he jumped in, the guards, seeing no response, followed downstream.

Mo Yan supported Jin’er as they swam toward the shore. With the help of two subordinates, they managed to reach land and, avoiding the relatively sparse patrols, quietly returned to the Moonlight Palace.

After he carried Jin’er into the room, the two subordinates withdrew. The eunuch Liu, standing guard at the door, quickly shut it and instructed servants to bring two sets of clean clothes.

Once Jin’er was set down, she finally had the chance to brush water and tangled hair from her face. Opening her eyes, she met the familiar face before her—partly shocked, partly confused. Her mouth fell open in surprise, then she smiled in disbelief.

He—it was really him!

At this moment, Mo Yan still looked intently at the bedraggled woman before him, his heart pounding. She looked like her—but not exactly the Jin’er he remembered. Yet she smiled with two faint dimples. Could it be a coincidence?

While Mo Yan wrestled with his doubts, Jin’er raised her shackled hands and gently caressed his handsome face.

“Mo Yan, it’s me...” For some reason, as the words slipped out, her smile suddenly faded into a pang of sorrow, and tears began to fall uncontrollably.

With a thud, Mo Yan felt his mind go blank. After a long moment of stunned silence, he snapped back to reality, grasping her shoulders as his hands trembled slightly.

“Jin’er?” he whispered in disbelief, his heart in his throat.

Seeing his expression, her own pain deepened. She swallowed hard and nodded before falling into his solid embrace.

“It really is you... God, it really is you... My Jin’er... I thought... I truly thought... you were gone...” Mo Yan held her tightly, choking up as a tear silently traced down his cheek.

Is this a dream? If so, he never wanted to wake.

“It’s me. I’m still alive,” Jin’er sobbed, her shoulders trembling.

Seeing him, she realized just how much she had missed and loved him. Though two years apart, there was no estrangement—only the joy and emotion of reunion.

Mo Yan closed his eyes, holding her tight, afraid that if he loosened his grip, she would vanish from his world again.

Though his embrace made it hard to breathe, Jin’er did not struggle. She simply let him hold her tightly, silently feeling his anxious joy.

After some time, hearing no movement inside, Eunuch Liu hesitantly spoke, “Your Highness, perhaps you should change into dry clothes? Be careful not to catch cold.”

At the sound, the two finally parted.

Mo Yan stood and walked toward the door. Near the threshold, he wiped a tear from his eye.

“Give them to me,” he said, opening the door just slightly and extending his hand.

Liu quickly took the clothes from a nearby maid and placed them in Mo Yan’s hand. Then the hand withdrew, and the door was shut again.

“I’ll help you remove the chains,” Mo Yan said. After placing the clothes on the table, he picked up a sharp sword to free Jin’er’s wrists and ankles from their iron shackles.

Looking at the bruises on her ankles, Mo Yan frowned and carefully stroked them.

The ticklish sensation made Jin’er pull her foot back quickly.

“Does it hurt?” he asked with concern. Seeing her shake her head with pursed lips, he showed a look of guilt. “I’m sorry for making you suffer.”

“Don’t say that. It’s not your fault,” Jin’er smiled faintly and stood up. “Let’s get you changed first. I’m a bit cold.”

“Oh, right. Let’s change first.” Mo Yan hurried to his feet and handed her a set of women’s clothes.

Jin’er took the clothes and, noticing he did not avert his gaze, asked awkwardly, “Aren’t you going out?”

Realizing the question, Mo Yan didn’t turn away but shifted his body so his back faced the screen. “I don’t trust you alone. Change behind the screen—I won’t look.”

Jin’er looked at him, seeing his firm resolve, and reluctantly walked behind the screen.

Soon she emerged, dressed, and said, “You should change too.”

Mo Yan turned and was momentarily stunned by the sight of Jin’er in dry clothes, her long hair half-dried and cascading over her shoulders.

After two years, she had grown so much. Now free from her previous disheveled state, she was as beautiful as a freshly emerged lotus flower—no, even more beautiful than any lotus he had ever seen or anything else.

“Why are you just staring at me like that? Go change already,” Jin’er teased, a little embarrassed by his gaze.

Snapping out of it, Mo Yan smiled wordlessly and took his clothes to change. But as he glanced toward the screen, his eyes caught a splash of glaring crimson on the garment.

“You’re injured?” he asked, turning back anxiously. “Where? Let me see.”

Jin’er smiled awkwardly. “It’s nothing—a small wound.” She was annoyed. If only she’d known he was coming tonight, she wouldn’t have tormented herself so much.

“No way. If it’s bleeding, it’s not a small wound,” Mo Yan insisted.

“Well... it’s on the back of my left shoulder.” Jin’er relented and pointed.

“Lie down on the bed. I’ll dress it,” Mo Yan said decisively and went to fetch some medicated plasters.

Jin’er’s dark eyes flickered as she stayed rooted to the spot.

He could turn his back while she changed, but surely he couldn’t do that while treating her wound?

“Um, Mo Yan, why don’t you just call a palace maid to dress it? You don’t need to bother doing it yourself,” she said delicately.

“No trouble at all,” Mo Yan replied nonchalantly as he prepared the supplies.

Jin’er was frustrated—did he really not understand, or was he pretending not to?

“Lie down now. What are you waiting for?” Mo Yan came over, taking her hand and leading her to the bed.

“Please, just call a maid,” Jin’er blushed as she sat on the bed.

Seeing her bashful expression, Mo Yan finally understood. Though reluctant, he put down his things and left the room.

When he obediently returned with a maid, Jin’er finally relaxed. Carefully removing her outer garment, she lay face down on the bed.

Her back was half-bared, revealing smooth, delicate skin like jade beneath a white strapless top. Yet on her left shoulder blade was a scar over a finger’s length, marring the exquisite beauty.

Because it had been waterlogged, the scabbed wound had reopened and turned pale.

The maid sighed softly upon seeing the injury but immediately began applying medicine and bandaging without hesitation.

After finishing, the maid helped Jin’er dress and left the room.

Outside, Mo Yan anxiously asked, “How bad is the wound?”

“Your Highness, it’s a surface injury. Though not very deep, it’s quite long,” the maid explained, gesturing with her hand.

Mo Yan’s brow furrowed deeply. Without further response, he pushed open the door and entered.

“Jin’er,” Mo Yan said, closing the door and striding to the bedside.

“I’m fine. Just a surface wound,” Jin’er said with a smile, seeing his worried face.

Since the injury was on her left shoulder, she lay on her right side, facing Mo Yan sitting by the bed.

“You say it’s nothing, but such a long wound must have hurt terribly,” Mo Yan said tenderly.

“It’s okay. It’s all over now. Seeing you is what matters. By the way, how did you come to rescue me?” Jin’er suddenly recalled the events and asked with curiosity.

So Mo Yan recounted everything to her.

“That scrawny eunuch actually lied to me?!” Jin’er exclaimed in frustration. “If not for him, I would have found you that night and wouldn’t have suffered these past days. It’s infuriating!”

Mo Yan smiled, affectionately tweaked her nose, and said, “Who told you to be so bold, not knowing the palace layout and daring to come alone? Luckily, I couldn’t resist my curiosity and concern and saved you. Otherwise, the consequences would have been unthinkable.” He frowned, feeling a chill at the memory but grateful he had made the right choice.

“Looks like we even have some kind of mental connection. But really, thank you,” Jin’er smiled radiantly, stunningly beautiful.

“Fool, no need to thank me,” Mo Yan said as he gently pinched her cheek. Then he sighed softly, a trace of sadness in his eyes.

“What’s wrong?” Jin’er asked, puzzled. He seemed fine just a moment ago.

“Nothing,” Mo Yan smiled. “It just feels too unreal. Like a dream—if I wake up, you’ll be gone.”

Hearing this, Jin’er’s heart trembled slightly. Instead of comforting him, she teased, “What? Are you cursing me?”

Mo Yan laughed and shook his head. “By the way, where have you been these past two years? Tell me.”

Seeing his curiosity, Jin’er thought for a moment and then briefly recounted the main events, omitting some things she preferred to keep secret.

By the end, Mo Yan’s handsome face showed a hint of disappointment. “Jin’er, if it weren’t for the Fire Eye Stone, would you have ever come looking for me?”

Jin’er paused, then looked up seriously. “I don’t know. Too much happened before—I never had time to think about anything else. But I’m really happy to see you again. It’s not because of the Fire Eye Stone, just simply because I see you again.”

Seeing the sincerity in her sparkling eyes, Mo Yan smiled and nodded gently. This was good enough. Compared to the pain of the past two years, having her back was something to be grateful for.

“Don’t worry. If the Fire Eye Stone really exists, I’ll help you find it. I won’t let anything happen to you.” His voice was quiet but resolute.

“Thank you,” Jin’er smiled at him, though a hint of confusion stirred within her.

Xue Gu said the Fire Eye Stone was the national treasure of the Fire Kingdom—he should know that, right? Even if he didn’t know where it was, he should at least know if it existed. Thinking this, a troubling feeling grew in her heart.

It seemed the matter was more complicated than she had imagined...

“Are you sleepy? It’s late. Go rest now. We’ll continue talking tomorrow,” Mo Yan said, seeing Jin’er quiet and thinking she must be tired.

Jin’er hadn’t felt it until he mentioned it, but now drowsiness washed over her, and she yawned.

“Sleep well—you’ve had a hard day.” With that, Mo Yan pulled the thin quilt over her.

Jin’er nodded softly and closed her eyes. With him by her side, she felt safe—a wonderful feeling. Thinking this, she soon fell asleep.

Listening to her steady breathing and admiring her slightly weary but sweet sleeping face, Mo Yan felt an unprecedented satisfaction fill his heart. After watching her for a long while, he quietly rose and left the room.

Dawn was near, and the sky was beginning to lighten faintly.

“Your Highness, you should also rest. You’ve been busy all night. Don’t wear yourself out. I’ll keep watch here,” Eunuch Liu said softly as he approached.

Mo Yan shook his head and walked to the railing of the corridor. Sitting with his back against a pillar and one knee bent resting on the railing, a faint smile crossed his lips as he gazed into the distant horizon, lost in thought with no sign of sleepiness, his mood surprisingly good.

Seeing this, Liu sighed helplessly and retreated to the doorway. Though worried about his health, he sensed the return of the second young master he once knew.

Not long after, a figure clad in black slipped out of the dim night.

“Your Highness.” The newcomer bowed deeply before whispering, “We lost one of our men. The body fell into the hands of the Crown Prince’s men.”

The Crown Prince’s elite guards were unexpectedly skilled—this was beyond their expectations.

“Understood. You may rest now,” Mo Yan said, frowning slightly but composed.

“But Your Highness, I worry the Crown Prince might...” The black-clad man hesitated mid-sentence.

“He’s already at fault. He shouldn’t dare escalate things,” Mo Yan mused, stroking his chin.

“Yes. I will take my leave.” The man turned and departed.

The next day, inside the Crown Prince’s residence.

“Bang!” After slamming his cup and breaking a bottle in anger, Mo Fan still could not quell his rage.

“Useless! You lot are all useless! What have I been feeding you for?!” Mo Fan roared, frightening the servants present to tremble on their knees.

“Your Highness, those people are skilled, and more importantly...” a guard spoke up.

“More importantly what?!” Mo Fan glared impatiently, annoyed by the incomplete statement.