Chapter 37
Song Ling observed Li Xinjun’s return from the pavilion. Her eyes were resolute, and her demeanor had shifted, radiating a newfound determination. Confused, Song Ling watched as Li Xinjun approached her, grabbed a cup of wine from the table, downed it in a single gulp, and then, taking Song Ling’s hand, led her out of the palace.
Sensing Li Xinjun’s unusual mood, Song Ling didn’t question her. She allowed herself to be led out of the palace and back to the mansion. Upon arriving, Li Xinjun, ignoring the servants who greeted them, waved them away dismissively.
The servants, sensing her displeasure, quickly retreated. Li Xinjun continued to pull Song Ling along, leading her to her bedroom. Once inside, she closed the door, released Song Ling’s hand, and embraced her tightly.
Song Ling was bewildered by Li Xinjun’s sudden change in behavior. Although Li Xinjun often hugged her, it was usually more gentle and restrained, not this forceful embrace.
Li Xinjun released her and stepped back slightly, her gaze intense and serious. Song Ling blushed, her heart pounding. She couldn’t understand what had come over Li Xinjun. Facing this new intensity, she felt a flicker of fear.
“Sister Ling, if I wanted to take you away, would you come with me?”
Song Ling was confused. She didn’t understand what Li Xinjun meant and didn’t know how to respond.
“I…”
“You wouldn’t?” Disappointment washed over Li Xinjun.
“No, it’s not that… But why are you asking this? I don’t understand.”
“Sister Ling, I like you. I want to be with you forever. Will you spend your life with me?”
Li Xinjun’s blunt confession stunned Song Ling. She thought she must be dreaming. It felt so unreal. She pinched herself to confirm that she was awake and then realized that Li Xinjun had indeed confessed her love for her.
“Do you know what you’re saying?” Song Ling couldn’t believe her ears.
Unable to express her feelings in words, Li Xinjun leaned in and kissed Song Ling’s lips. It was their first kiss while both were fully conscious. Song Ling froze, shocked, but as the kiss deepened, she melted into it, responding to Li Xinjun’s passion.
Li Xinjun, feeling Song Ling’s reciprocation, grew bolder. She sensed that Song Ling felt the same way. Some things didn’t need to be spoken. She lost herself in the kiss, her hands exploring Song Ling’s body, wanting to merge with her completely.
After a while, they broke apart, breathless. Li Xinjun, reluctant to let go, looked at Song Ling intently, repeating her question.
“Do you understand now? Will you be with me?”
Song Ling was overwhelmed. Li Xinjun had so easily expressed the words that she had been afraid to utter. Hongli’s presence had cast a shadow of doubt over their relationship.
She had thought Li Xinjun would choose Hongli and had even prepared herself to leave quietly, offering them her blessings.
She hadn’t imagined that Li Xinjun felt the same way. Tears streamed down her face as she embraced Li Xinjun, releasing all the pent-up emotions she had been suppressing. Li Xinjun, mistaking Song Ling’s tears for sadness over their unconventional love, said,
“Sister Ling, don’t cry. If you don’t want this, I won’t force you. Please don’t cry.”
“No, it’s not that! I’m just so happy! Jun’er, I like you! I want to be with you forever! I wanted to confess my feelings back in Chen Family Village, but so much happened, and we were separated. When I returned and saw you and the Emperor getting along so well, I thought you liked him, so I gave up on confessing. I didn’t realize you felt the same way.” Song Ling explained, her voice choked with emotion.
“Really? Then will you leave this place with me? I want to take you somewhere where no one knows us.”
“I’ll go anywhere with you. But Jun’er, why do you suddenly want to leave? Did something happen at the banquet?”
“It’s because of Brother Hongli, no, the Emperor. He confessed his feelings for me, but I rejected him. When he found out that I was in love with someone else, he got angry and threatened to issue a decree, summoning me to the palace. I don’t want to enter the palace, and I definitely don’t want to be his Empress! You’re the only one I want! So we have to leave.”
“I can’t believe he would do that. He always treated you so well. I thought he would be a good match for you. But it’s not too late. Where do you want to go, Jun’er?”
“I don’t know. We just have to leave, now! I’m afraid it’ll be too late once the Emperor issues his decree tomorrow.”
“Then let’s leave immediately. I’m not afraid, as long as I’m with you.”
Li Xinjun, touched, kissed Song Ling again. They embraced, their passion reignited. They quickly packed a few belongings and left under the cover of darkness.
Li Xinjun left a note for Grand General Duoluo, explaining that she had found her true happiness and was choosing to pursue it. She apologized for leaving without saying goodbye.
Hand in hand, they left the mansion. As it was the capital, the city gates were heavily guarded, and they were already closed for the night. Trying to force their way out would only cause trouble, so they decided to wait until the gates opened in the morning.
They found an abandoned house near the east gate and decided to spend the night there, ready to leave at dawn. They lay down on a wooden bed, their minds racing, unable to sleep.
Li Xinjun turned on her side, facing Song Ling. Song Ling, meeting her gaze, felt a blush creep up her cheeks. She buried her face in Li Xinjun’s chest.
Li Xinjun wrapped her arms around Song Ling, holding her close. Now that they had confessed their feelings, their intimacy felt natural, no longer awkward or hesitant.
“Sister Ling, we’ll never be apart again after tomorrow. But we might be hunted by the authorities. We might have to live in hiding. Do you regret this?”
“No. We can hide in the wilderness, living a carefree life as hermits.”
“But you might never see your master or your fellow disciples again. Are you sure you’re okay with that?”
“Didn’t you say my master called you my destined soulmate? She predicted that I would have a solitary life, and that I would face a great tribulation. But if I found my destined soulmate and held onto them, I would overcome the tribulation, not only saving my own life but also finding lifelong happiness with you.”
“Did she tell you when this tribulation would occur?”
“No, she just said that if I found that person, I shouldn’t let them go and should cherish them. Then everything would be alright.”
“Sister Ling, I don’t know if I’m truly your destined soulmate, but I will do everything in my power to protect you and cherish our love.”
“I will never betray your trust.”
“Sister Ling, I love you.”
“Jun’er, I love you too.”
Song Ling leaned in and kissed Li Xinjun’s lips. Li Xinjun responded passionately, their long-suppressed feelings erupting, their bodies seeking more. They kissed until they were breathless, reluctantly breaking apart.
As dawn approached, Yingchun, carrying a basin of water for Li Xinjun and Song Ling to wash up, found their door unlocked. She assumed they had forgotten to lock it after their drunken revelry and was about to close it when she realized that the room was empty. A letter lay on the table, weighed down by a candlestick.
She read the letter and learned that Li Xinjun and Song Ling had left during the night. She immediately sent word to Grand General Duoluo and the Emperor. The servants in the mansion were all appointed by Hongli to attend to Li Xinjun. Now that she was gone, Yingchun feared the Emperor’s wrath.
The letter explained Song Ling and Li Xinjun’s relationship and revealed the Emperor’s attempt to force Li Xinjun into marriage. Grand General Duoluo, his hand trembling, read the letter, his heart sinking. He hadn’t expected things to turn out this way. He had assumed that the person Li Xinjun shouldn’t love was the Emperor, not another woman.
He shook his head and sighed, wondering how he could help Li Xinjun. He genuinely cared for her as his own granddaughter. Although he knew that her love for Song Ling was unconventional, he, a man who had spent his life on the battlefield, didn’t care for social conventions.
He only hoped that Li Xinjun and Song Ling would escape the capital and live the life they desired. He didn’t want to dwell on the consequences.
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