Chapter 61: A Long and Leisurely Dream

Li Yunli let out a long breath, her back damp with sweat.

At this moment, her smile was pure, and Yun Chu curled his lips into a small smile as well.

But they both knew that once they descended the mountain, they would have to part ways.

Yun Chu knew she was busy now and merely smiled lightly, responding with a simple, “Alright.”

Seeing his smile, Li Yunli suddenly felt a pang of melancholy.

For the first time in a long while, she wanted to hold onto something.

She had been in this era for a long time. She had grown accustomed to her identity, learned to navigate the challenges she faced, preserved her interests, and mastered the art of risk avoidance while pursuing benefits.

But all of that was external.

Looking at Yun Chu’s expression at that moment, an unfamiliar feeling of longing stirred in Li Yunli’s heart.

—She wanted to possess.

Not out of a desire for beautiful things, nor an obsession with visible gains.

She wanted the person before her, his heart and soul entirely hers, standing by her side forever.

This sudden, overwhelming thought startled her.

Her lips parted slightly, her gaze locked onto his face, forgetting even to blink.

Yun Chu noticed her intense stare and frowned slightly in confusion. “Your Highness?”

Snapping back to reality, Li Yunli let out a soft noise of acknowledgment, adjusted the crown on her head, and lowered her gaze to hide her emotions.

Calm down, Li Yunli.

She kept telling herself to regain her composure.

The man before her was not just the main protagonist of the original story but was also deeply entangled with her former nation. His background was anything but clean, and he could betray her at any moment.

A verbal promise was one thing. But if she truly placed her trust in him…

If she gave him her trust…

What would happen then?

A strange sense of calm settled over her.

Li Yunli realized with clarity—her past words to Yun Chu had not been mere empty pleasantries.

She had genuinely let her guard down.

This wasn’t her era. She had transmigrated into this world, and only this body was truly under her control.

Everything attached to this body—power, status—none of it should truly belong to her.

The only thing that was truly hers… was him, standing before her now.

Had she always been this emotionally invested?

Without even realizing it, she had wagered everything on an impulsive gamble.

But had she bet correctly?

For years, she had prioritized personal gain in everything. And yet, in this moment, she felt a rare sense of uncertainty.

“It’s nothing.” She shook her head under Yun Chu’s concerned and slightly puzzled gaze. “I was just lost in thought.”

Yun Chu steadied her by the arm and said, “I scouted ahead earlier. If we follow this mountain path, we should be able to exit by midday tomorrow. By then, your hidden guards should have arrived to escort you.”

“Mm.” Li Yunli hummed in acknowledgment, but her voice caught slightly.

She wanted to ask—when her guards met her at the foot of the mountain, what would he do?

Or, once he returned to Zheng Siyian, how would he explain their time together on the mountain?

But she never voiced these questions.

Yun Chu drew his short knife from his black belt, cutting through the thorns and overgrown weeds blocking their path, all the while glancing back to check on her.

They walked in silence for a while, one ahead, one behind, but close.

Yun Chu stepped over a patch of sharp grass, trimming the jagged edges to prevent injury, then wiped the sweat from his forehead and suddenly chuckled.

“Your Highness, you needn’t worry so much.”

Li Yunli was startled by his words, lifting her gaze with a frown. “Hmm?”

Yun Chu said, “Your expression looks troubled. Are you thinking about what happens after we descend the mountain?”

She hadn’t expected him to read her thoughts so clearly. With a sigh, she smiled. “Yes. And you aren’t?”

Of course, Yun Chu was thinking about what came next.

But he had already made up his mind—he would remove all dangers in her path. This separation was necessary for him.

Because behind him, he carried her trust, given by her own lips.

He spoke softly, “Of course, I’m thinking about it. But this is my path. No matter how long it takes, be it months or years, I will walk it to the end. I won’t let history repeat itself.”

Li Yunli mused, “If it really takes years, then that would be too long. Long enough for me to forget you.”

Yun Chu’s steps faltered.

He turned back to look at her expression.

That statement left much to interpretation.

For a moment, he felt it was her way of expressing reluctance.

Yun Chu tilted his head, smiling.

“If Your Highness truly forgets me, then I suppose I deserve it. But in that case, I’ll simply return to your side and cling to you shamelessly until you remember me. Perhaps by then, I’ll have figured out how to win you over in just a few days.”

“How could it be that easy for you?” Li Yunli chuckled, her earlier worries dissolving in his lighthearted teasing. “Who knows? By that time, I might have seized control of the entire empire, surrounded by countless admirers, with no thought for an old flame.”

Yun Chu lowered his head, his lips curling into a grin.

“You wouldn’t.”

The phrase “old flame” delighted him.

It was something only she would say, yet the meaning behind it was clear.

Li Yunli narrowed her eyes. “How do you know I wouldn’t?”

He said softly, “Because Your Highness is not a heartless person. You are the most loyal and devoted of all.”

Li Yunli laughed lightly.

She didn’t know where he got such an impression. She, a person who only ever considered her own interests, was the embodiment of loyalty and devotion?

“Who can say for sure?”

She straightened up—only for her stomach to let out a loud rumble.

Yun Chu glanced at her.

Li Yunli sighed.

She was genuinely hungry.

They had been traveling all morning. They hadn’t even had a chance to explore the market in Wushuang Town before he tricked her into coming here and cutting off their retreat. There had been nothing to eat.

She shot a resentful glance at Yun Chu.

He wiped his forehead awkwardly.

Li Yunli said helplessly, “If we hurry, we might make it in time for tomorrow’s lunch.”

“No need,” Yun Chu sheathed his knife. “That was my oversight. I won’t let you go hungry.”

They arrived at a small clearing where a woodpile had been stacked by villagers for chopping firewood. A makeshift shelter had been built here.

Unfortunately, while there was a small spring nearby, there was no food.

Yun Chu said, “Wait here for a moment. Can you make a fire?”

There was plenty of dry wood. Yun Chu had lived a difficult life before, learning many survival skills. But he wasn’t sure about Li Yunli.

She picked up a piece of pine resin and nodded. “I can. What are you planning?”

As he spoke, Yun Chu had already fashioned a bowstring from a vine and carved a wooden arrow. Lowering his voice, he whispered, “I spotted a hare earlier.”

Li Yunli had already witnessed his skill in catching live prey.

She smirked and started the fire. “Go ahead.”

Yun Chu slipped away quietly.

Li Yunli crouched, arranging the kindling, watching the flames flicker.

A wild, absurd thought surfaced in her mind—

If she abandoned everything that didn’t belong to her…

If she could live peacefully in this world…

That wouldn’t be so bad.

As the fire warmed her, her exhaustion caught up with her. Before she knew it, she had drifted off to sleep.

When she opened her eyes—

Yun Chu was resting his head on her lap.