When people paint fairies, they usually depict them in fluttering robes with high - coiled hair buns. However, a real fairy should be dressed in simple clothes and straw sandals, with rosy cheeks kissed by the mountain breeze, and holding a still - warm sweet potato in her hand...
Wanxin offered the sweet potato to him, then squatted down to cover the fire with sand. She checked carefully until she was sure that all traces were completely hidden and no smoke was rising. Only then did she lead Zhao Yanke down the mountain.
The forest was still shrouded in darkness, but Zhao Yanke's heart was filled with warmth and strength.
His fairy had broken through the dense forest, with mud on her straw sandals and a menacing sickle in her hand, to rescue him!
Could there be anything more wonderful in the world?
No...
There could never be...
Although they were walking in the dark forest, Zhao Yanke now felt his chest swelling with happiness that seemed to burst through the sky.
Since she had to take care of the clumsy emperor, Wanxin's journey down the mountain was especially slow.
"Don't be afraid. I grew up in Min area. I'm very familiar with the mountains. I won't get lost even with my eyes closed..." While carefully warning Zhao Yanke to avoid the vines and swamps under his feet, she softly comforted him, "I will definitely lead you out."
As if to ease his nervousness, Wanxin became especially talkative. Her words were like a gurgling spring flowing over the rolling hills, clear and gentle.
"In the forest, there are many ways to tell directions. Look, the south - facing side gets more sunlight, so the branches are more lush, while the north - facing side is shaded, and the branches are sparser."
"Besides looking at the crowns, you can also touch the trunks. The bark on the north side is usually rough and covered with moss, while the south side is smoother. This feature is especially obvious on old trees."
"If it were daytime, we could also look at ant nests. Mountain ants usually build their nests facing south, with the entrance slightly slanted to avoid the north wind..."
She paused and laughed at herself, "But this method is not very accurate. We don't have to rely on it. Many mountain ants are stupid and build their nests randomly..."
The clouds in the sky dispersed, and the moonlight traced Wanxin's hair with grass clippings, outlined her slender wrist when she rolled up her sleeves, and the imposing sickle...
If there were really goddesses in the world, they should look like this.
Compassionate, smiling, as nurturing as rivers to all things and as tough as ancient pines.
How could the silk skirts of those noble ladies in the capital, scented with agarwood, compare to the rustling sound of her linen skirt brushing against the thorns and grass?
Zhao Yanke was almost in tears...
His goddess was so beautiful, so gentle, and so capable.
She gave him sweet potatoes, taught him how to tell directions, and talked to him about tree trunks and ant nests... She was so down - to - earth and natural.
The two walked in the dense forest for most of the night. Finally, when dawn was breaking, they saw the hazy outline of Yanchuan City in the distance on the halfway up the mountain.
"Look!" Wanxin pointed excitedly into the distance. The dawn light glistened on her dewy eyelashes. "We'll be there in an hour!"
But Zhao Yanke was a bit worried. "If I go back like this... will General Guo be angry with me..."
He still remembered that brute wanted to tie him up and send him back to Shou'an.
"Your Majesty needn't worry."
Wanxin smiled and comforted him softly, "Yesterday, my younger sister analyzed the situation in Shou'an to General Guo. He already knows the whole story of Shou'an and is extremely remorseful... If he didn't have to stay in the city, he would come here in person to apologize to Your Majesty!"
"No, no, no..." Zhao Yanke waved his hands hurriedly. "I... I can't accept that..."
"Is Your Majesty angry with General Guo?" Wanxin widened her eyes slightly, then explained, "Between the monarch and his ministers, suspicion is the most taboo. Although General Guo acts rashly, he is loyal to Your Majesty. Your Majesty should stop blaming him..."
"No, no, no, no, no!"
Zhao Yanke waved his hands even more vigorously this time. "I'm not blaming him... I just think that it's so hard for them to assist such a useless emperor like me..."
"Sigh..." He heaved a long sigh and hung his head dejectedly. "I'm neither good at literature nor martial arts. I can't even walk on the mountain road properly and have to trouble you all to rescue me... I'm really a useless emperor."
"Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses. It's natural that each person is good at different things."
Wanxin picked a few fruits from the tree and washed them in the stream until they were crystal - clear. "Look at these mountain pears. Those growing on the cliff are especially sweet, but if they are in the low - lying areas, they will be sour."
"Although I don't understand court affairs, I've heard my younger sister mention it occasionally. I know that the court situation is treacherous and not easy to handle."
She offered the two plumpest pears to him. "Your Majesty grew up in such a royal court but still became a sincere and kind person. And under the pressure of the Empress Dowager, you've still held the throne steadily... It's already very difficult."
Zhao Yanke stared blankly at the mountain pears in his hands.
The mountain wind blew the stray hairs on Wanxin's forehead. The morning light flowed between her gentle eyebrows. She was as beautiful as a painting.
"You think I'm kind?" he asked stupidly.
"Of course." Wanxin's lips curved slightly, showing shallow dimples. "If you weren't kind, why would you want to go to the battlefield because you couldn't bear to see the sacrifice of your soldiers and people?... I know that Your Majesty has a pure and kind nature."
Zhao Yanke's ears turned red. He said shyly, "Actually... my throne is not that stable. For example, this time I left the capital. To a large extent, I was forced to..."
"Yeah." Wanxin nodded gently. "I know, I know everything."
The rising sun dyed her profile red, making her eyes look like quenched stars. "When we return in triumph, the villains in the court will surely disappear... By then, Your Majesty will surely open up a new situation for the Great Sheng Dynasty!"
A dewdrop rolled off the leaf tip and landed on Zhao Yanke's hand, feeling cool.
His Adam's apple bobbed, and his heart was pounding. He was so touched that he wanted to cry.
It's decided...
This is the woman he wants as his queen!
If his talk about "appointing a queen" with Li Wanming and Xiao Jingnan before was just a bit of a joke, now he really means it.
Kind, tough, intelligent, capable...
Is there anyone in the world more suitable to be his queen than Wanxin?
What's even more precious is that she understands him!
A partner who understands and trusts him, and is in perfect harmony with him... None but this woman is fit to rule the world as queen and walk hand in hand with him as a couple!
"Wanxin, I..." Just as Zhao Yanke was about to say something, Wanxin suddenly looked solemn. She hissed and quickly grabbed his wrist, hiding behind an old tree.
Only then did Zhao Yanke notice that there was a rustling sound not far away, as if someone was climbing the mountain.
Soon, several figures appeared in the forest. Three of them were wearing rattan armor, with snake - skin daggers on their waists and long wooden bows on their backs. They had dark skin and well - muscled bodies - they were Anluo people!
The Anluo people had entered Dayi Mountain!
What were they doing in Dayi Mountain?