Princess Luoyao thought about her helpless situation in this maze. If something were to happen, it would be bad. The person in front of her seemed kind, so she nodded. "I don't mind. It's better if we go together and look out for each other."
Shen Zhang took on the responsibility of protecting Princess Luoyao behind him. He held a torch and led the way alone. But as they went deeper, the top of the maze was sealed, making it like an air - tight cave.
From time to time, bats and some strange little bugs flew everywhere. Princess Luoyao's face immediately showed panic. After all, she had been pampered in the palace since childhood and was most afraid of these bugs and bats.
Shen Zhang quickly handed the torch to Princess Luoyao. "These bugs and bats are afraid of fire. As long as you hold the torch, they won't get close to you. Don't worry. With me here, a man of great stature, I will surely protect you."
The firelight shone on Shen Zhang's not - so - strong arms, but it made Princess Luoyao feel extremely at ease. She softly replied, "We'll be fine. We'll surely get out safely in the end."
Without the torch, Shen Zhang still led the way. Princess Luoyao stretched out her hand to shine the light for him. For a moment, Shen Zhang also felt warm in his heart. He turned back and smiled gently.
"Just shine the light on yourself. I can see the way ahead. It doesn't matter without the torch. Besides, there's still a bit of moonlight shining in from behind."
Princess Luoyao knew that the moonlight was only scattered. But she didn't think Shen Zhang was showing off. Instead, she thought he was a bit naive and very cute.
She let out a chuckle. "If I shine the light on the way ahead for you, we can walk faster. Isn't it better to get out earlier?"
As soon as she said this, Shen Zhang blushed immediately. He stammered and clumsily explained, "I... Miss, please don't misunderstand. I have no other intentions. I'm just trying my best to find a way out with you."
Princess Luoyao couldn't help but think Shen Zhang was a fool in her heart. She had never misunderstood that Shen Zhang was trying to delay time to stay with her longer.
Thinking of this, Princess Luoyao got angry for no reason. She took the torch and walked forward huffily. "I think we've walked for so long and haven't encountered any danger. This maze is probably just dark."
Shen Zhang was afraid that Princess Luoyao would be in danger alone, so he quickly chased after her. But it was still too late. The next second, they only heard the clicking sound of the mechanism.
A pit appeared in front of Princess Luoyao, but the whole maze was extremely dark. By the time she noticed, one of her feet had already stepped into it.
The pit seemed bottomless. In panic, Princess Luoyao accidentally dropped the torch. She shouted in fear, "Save me! I'll fall to my death if I drop. I... I'm so scared."
In the blink of an eye, Shen Zhang didn't care about the taboo between men and women. He immediately grabbed Princess Luoyao's hand. In just a few breaths, he held Princess Luoyao in front of him and used his back to bear all the impact of the fall.
There was a clanging sound as the torch hit the ground, and the fire went out. Soon, Shen Zhang and Princess Luoyao also fell to the bottom of the pit. They heard a muffled groan, and Princess Luoyao quickly got up.
She anxiously grabbed Shen Zhang's hand. "You... Are you okay? You shouldn't have done this. Who knows how deep this pit is? If it's really deep, you would have died for sure."
Princess Luoyao wasn't hurt at all when she fell. She only felt that she had hit someone's fairly strong chest, so she naturally knew that Shen Zhang had taken the fall for her.
Shen Zhang felt a churning in his lungs. He endured the discomfort and comforted her, "Miss, don't worry. I'm fine. If it was really as you said, at most only I would die. It's better than both of us dying."
Since childhood, Princess Luoyao had never met someone who would risk their life for her. Crystal tears welled up in her eyes, but no one could see them because the maze was so dark.
Shen Zhang only felt a long period of silence, so he endured the pain and kept asking, "Miss, why are you silent? Are you hurt?"
Worried about the situation, Shen Zhang was eager to get up. Although he was already injured, it was obvious that this maze had mechanisms and was probably full of dangers. As a man, he should protect the weak woman.
Princess Luoyao quickly wiped away her tears, calmed her breathing, and said in a relatively normal tone, "I'm fine. I'm completely okay. You lie down and rest first. You must be seriously injured after falling from such a high place."
Although Princess Luoyao was very afraid of the dark, she summoned up the courage to take a few steps forward. Suddenly, she exclaimed in surprise, "I see light! That means the exit is very close. We'll be able to get out soon."
Shen Zhang was also a bit surprised. He didn't expect that this fall would actually land them near the exit. He really didn't know if this was good luck or bad.
He called out "Miss" so that Princess Luoyao would know his location. The cave was completely dark, and they had lost the torch. Princess Luoyao could only hold onto Shen Zhang fearfully and help him up.
The scene of the two of them at this moment was very harmonious, as if they had been together for many years. They walked firmly towards the light.
Surprisingly, in less than half a stick of incense, the two of them walked out of the entire maze. After getting out, they only saw a young monk. They vaguely felt that they were at the back mountain of a temple.
The young monk bowed. "Congratulations, benefactors. You are the first new couple to walk out of the Marriage Maze on this Qixi Festival. This pair of concentric knots is for you two."
At this moment, both of them looked shy, and their faces were so red that it seemed blood would drip. Marriage Maze? Concentric knots? Princess Luoyao stomped her feet shyly, as if the two of them had just gotten engaged.
Fortunately, Shen Zhang was a bit older. He cleared his throat. "Sorry, we just accidentally entered this Marriage Maze. I'm afraid... we don't deserve this precious prize of the concentric knots."
Saying this, Shen Zhang handed the concentric knots to the monk, but there was a bit of disappointment in his heart.
Although Princess Luoyao felt shy and embarrassed, she was still a bit angry when she saw Shen Zhang doing this. So she pouted and forcefully stuffed the concentric knots back to the young monk. "Humph! If you don't want them, then I don't either."
After all, the young monk was practicing in the temple, so his self - control was very good. He still looked expressionless. "Benefactors, don't worry too much. The rise and fall of fate are not fixed. Your accidental entry might be a kind of fate between you two."
Saying this, the young monk stuffed the concentric knots back into their hands. "Benefactors, don't decline anymore. After all, this is the marriage arranged by heaven. Fate is supreme!"
At this time, the two of them didn't decline anymore. Although Princess Luoyao still looked reluctant with a blushing face, her heart was as sweet as honey because Shen Zhang had been recognized in her heart.