Chapter Ten: Old Grudges Fade, Affection Grows, and the Heart Awaits the Coming Spring
Since that harrowing attack on the tribe, Xiao Feng’s attitude toward Li Chengyin had begun to shift, like spring ice slowly melting, revealing subtle and unmistakable changes beneath the surface.
Where once her gaze toward Li Chengyin had been cold and filled with hatred, as if capable of freezing a man to the bone, now beneath that icy layer, faint and tender emotions quietly stirred.
Their interactions transformed as well; the sharp tension that had defined their encounters gave way to moments of calm. They often sat together in silence, sharing their life stories and the deepest feelings of their hearts.
Li Chengyin’s eyes always held a cautious hope. When he spoke of his upbringing in the Li Dynasty, a complex ripple of emotion shimmered within those deep, contemplative eyes.
He spoke slowly, his voice low and tinged with a subtle huskiness, as if every word carried a great weight: “Xiao Feng, do you know that from my earliest days in the palace of the Li Dynasty, I was caught in the whirlpool of power? My mother, the consort, passed away early. Isolated in that vast palace, I had no ally but my own will. I had to master the art of political maneuvering just to survive in that ruthless environment. Every palace intrigue was a silent battle; beneath the seemingly serene walls, dark currents surged. One wrong move could mean eternal ruin. I witnessed brothers turning against each other for the throne and endured countless schemes and betrayals. Those helpless moments, that bitterness, were like heavy chains binding me tight.”
At this point, he paused, his brows knitting slightly as a flicker of pain and exhaustion passed through his eyes, as if he were reliving those heart-stopping memories anew.
Xiao Feng listened quietly, her gaze focused and sincere. Seeing the anguish etched on Li Chengyin’s face stirred a ripple of empathy within her.
She began to realize that the man before her was not merely the cold and ruthless Li Dynasty prince who spared no means to achieve his ends. Deep within, he bore many hidden wounds and burdens.
Softly, she started to share her own story from the Western Province: “In the West, the vast, boundless grasslands are my home. I can ride freely beneath the blue sky and white clouds, feeling the wind whistle past my ears, as if I am one with the heavens and the earth. The people there are warm and bold. At night, everyone gathers around the campfire to sing, dance, and share the day’s stories. During festivals, the entire grassland is immersed in a sea of joy—horse racing, wrestling, archery—the events are thrilling and varied.”
As she spoke of the customs and spirit of her homeland, a bright light sparkled in Xiao Feng’s eyes—a deep longing and love for her native land.
On a tranquil afternoon, golden sunlight like a delicate veil gently bathed the grass outside their tent, casting a radiant glow.
Li Chengyin and Xiao Feng sat quietly at the tent’s entrance, surrounded by serene stillness, broken only by the occasional chirp of insects and the soft rustling of grass in the breeze.
His gaze rested tenderly on Xiao Feng, overflowing with a love as powerful as a rising tide, nearly overwhelming her entirely.
Slowly, he reached out, his long, slightly rough fingers gently enclosing hers. The touch was gentle yet tremulous, as if afraid to disturb the precious peace and harmony they had found.
His voice was soft but resolute, as though making a solemn vow: “Xiao Feng, I know I have committed unforgivable mistakes—those wrongs weigh heavily like mountains upon my heart, haunting me day and night. But I truly hope you can give me a chance, even the faintest glimmer of hope, so I may spend every moment of the rest of my life making amends for the pain I have caused you.”
A faint blush immediately spread across Xiao Feng’s cheeks, like the evening glow on the horizon, slowly blooming across her face.
Instinctively, she lowered her gaze to their joined hands, a sudden flutter rising in her chest like a startled fawn. Her fingers curled slightly but did not pull away; it was as if an invisible force bound her hand firmly to his.
After a moment, she lifted her head gently, her bright eyes meeting his with a mixture of earnestness and uncertainty.
Her lips parted softly, her voice tender and a little hoarse: “Li Chengyin, I… I have not fully forgiven you yet. The scars of the past still run deep in my heart and cannot be easily erased. But I am willing to try to accept you, to learn to understand the true you once more. Perhaps in this process, I will find the answers to the tangled pain within me.”
Hearing this, Li Chengyin’s face blossomed into a radiant smile, warm as spring sunshine, bright enough to dispel all the shadows and darkness that had weighed upon his soul. He seemed revitalized, brimming with a newfound vitality.
He stood up with excitement and gently drew Xiao Feng into his arms, holding her tightly as if she were the most precious treasure in the world. His embrace was so firm, as if afraid that loosening it for even a moment would cause this reclaimed happiness to vanish like a fragile bubble.
Xiao Feng’s body stiffened slightly in his embrace—a reflex born of years of caution and habit. Yet soon, she felt the fierce, sincere warmth of Li Chengyin’s love like a glowing hearth, slowly melting the remaining ice within her heart.
She closed her eyes softly, relaxing her body, quietly savoring his warmth and devotion. The hatred and guardedness in her heart flickered like a candle in the wind, gradually fading within this gentle embrace, replaced by a beautiful hope and longing for the future.
In that moment, they seemed to forget all past wounds and entanglements, immersed only in this fleeting peace and happiness. Though the road ahead remained uncertain and fraught with challenges, hand in hand, with love and trust in their hearts, they found the courage to face whatever lay ahead.