Chapter 8, Night.

What she pleads for salvation is her soul, which has already been burned through by loneliness and despair

She unexpectedly sighed in his smile in that instant. ... When he grows up, he will change, he will become ... . ... She frowned slightly, skipping over the name she was unwilling to think of, even if he became someone like Zi Yu, it would be a pity, and he would no longer have such a pure smile

He glanced expressionlessly at Yonghe and Meili on the soft couch and let out a cold laugh

This man ... . ... I wish he would never grow up.

Meili sat down, still feeling somewhat awkward. He was not dismissive of her; on the contrary, he treated her very well, which made her feel even more uncomfortable.

There is no ... ... never will be.

Did you grow up outside the pass since childhood?" Meili made an effort to find a topic.

Yonghe patrolled around the main tent with a group of guards. When asked questions, he responded briefly. Meili waited for him to approach and apologized with a bow, expressing that it was all her fault and that she had caused him a lot of trouble.

"Not going to sleep?" Yonghe waved his hand to signal the guards behind him to continue their patrol, while he led her closer to the small fire pit where a kettle was hanging. He had her sit down and carefully poured a cup of water for her, saying, "Be careful, it's hot."

Meili looked up at her in confusion, as if realizing something, "Did I scream again?!" She looked at Yonghe inquiringly, and Yonghe smiled and nodded nonchalantly, showing no sign of reproach

Safety? ... She trembled as she gathered her gaze to look around ... ? ... Where is this place? ? For a moment, she was bewildered. She saw several guards with astonished expressions, one hand holding a torch and the other wielding a knife, all looking at her in a strange manner

Pain! A pain she cannot describe!

"Miss Meili, if you have nothing else to do, you should go and greet our ancestor. She was so frightened by the piercing screams in the middle of the night that she trembled all over, thinking you had been harmed by an assassin! Your Highness, you should also go to the Emperor and inform him. He just sent someone to inquire about what happened, and he was quite scared, thinking something had happened to our ancestor. You all," Yu An frowned and glanced at the dazed guards, "should hurry and go out. What kind of situation is it to barge into the princess's tent in the middle of the night! Go and reassure the frightened masters, so they can sleep peacefully."

She shivered slightly and slowly regained consciousness; this was the tent in the encampment. As she looked at the person who came to rescue her, she was met by a pair of young, clear eyes filled with sympathy and compassion. The torchlight sprinkled a few glimmers in his beautiful eyes, resembling stars reflected in a deep pool.

In the midst of fear and excruciating pain, although she knew that no one would come and no one could protect her, she still mournfully hoped... that there would be someone to pull her up, that there would be an embrace for her to cry in, that there would be someone to care for her already charred wounds

Help! Save me!

After paying her respects and expressing her apologies to her ancestors, Meili stepped out of the tent. She gazed at the starry sky and sighed, afraid to sleep again, fearing that if it happened once more, the entire camp would be awakened by her fright.

Ah! Aunt Yu'an lightly struck her hand, with a hint of complaint, "Meili Gege, you have truly frightened our ancestor!"

Stabbed by his cold gaze, she realized that she was still tightly gripping Yonghe's arm. She lowered her head and subtly loosened her grip, yet Yonghe did not rise; he remained seated beside her, frowning and seemingly lost in thought.

Meili leaned comfortably against the blanket, draped in a thin quilt, silently gazing at the deep starry sky for a long time... She had not felt this grounded in a while... Although it was merely a temporary support, she reminded herself not to become too immersed in it, yet tonight she was too tired to care, so she just leaned back... even for a little while.

It is nothing, it will be fine after a while. I was also scared while sleeping when I was a child, and it happened often, but I gradually got better as I grew up

You had a nightmare, you open your eyes and see that you are safe

Jingxuan also irritably lifted the curtain and went out, while Yonghe patted her shoulder, "I am on night duty tonight, so if you need anything, just call me."

Fire! Fire! It hurts! My arm hurts! She cried, finally someone could hear her say these words. Even if she could not receive comfort or protection, it was still good to have someone listen to her express the fear and pain in her heart

She finally shouted out, her voice hoarse, but no one came to save her! Alone, she fell into despair amidst the sea of flames, isolated and helpless. That kind of despair, the helplessness on the brink of death, made her heart feel as if it were shattering! She knew that no one would come; she could only rely on herself. When she restrained her fear and ran with her already weakened legs towards a glimmer of hope outside the door, that profound loneliness and sorrow was something only she could understand! She could see the starry sky reflecting the firelight, and as she gazed at the twinkling stars behind the scorching air, she felt she was saved! When she restrained her fear and ran with her already weakened legs towards a glimmer of hope outside the door, that profound loneliness and sorrow was something only she could understand! She could see the starry sky reflecting the firelight, and as she gazed at the twinkling stars behind the scorching air, she felt she was saved! A fiery red beam fell down, and instinctively, she raised her arm to shield herself...

Help! Help!

Meili knows that although her grandaunt did not directly speak to her, she is very angry about the trouble she has caused. The nanny who used to always guide her has retired from the palace, and Aunt Yu'an never liked her to begin with. Now... she probably dislikes her even more.

Save me ... ... please save me

She clutched that person's hand tightly, tears streaming down her face, "Take me away! Take me away from here!"

Someone grabbed her arms and shook her. Her eyes were scorched by the heat, making it impossible to see clearly. Had the person she longed for, the one who would save her, arrived? Tears filled her eyes, further obscuring her vision of that person's face

So beautiful ... . ... She was momentarily captivated, it was Yonghe's eyes

She curled up in a corner of the yard, trembling all over. The chief eunuch, who rushed over upon hearing the news, merely glanced at her and said, "It's good that you ran out." No one paid attention to her pain, no one comforted her fear; everyone was busy putting out the fire, and she was forgotten in that dark corner, shivering.

"Have you caught the assassin?" Even Aunt Lian Yu'an has arrived. Although she is not wearing any jewelry and is not dressed in formal robes, she still enters the tent with a neat and dignified demeanor. In contrast, Mei Li suddenly realizes that she is only wearing close-fitting undergarments, her hair is disheveled, and her face is streaked with tears, appearing disheveled and out of sorts.

Where is the assassin?" Jing Xuan's cold voice had just sounded outside the tent when he entered, dressed in a hastily worn short coat, tightly gripping a long sword in his hand

He sat down next to her, seemingly understanding her reasons for not going to sleep. "Is it because the Anning Palace caught fire that you have been like this ever since?" he asked bluntly, unlike others who would either mock or speak in veiled terms. His straightforwardness made her feel at ease, and she nodded lightly. How long had he been in the capital to know such details? It seemed that bad news indeed travels fast, and she smiled to herself.

Yonghe probably also felt that remaining silent would be quite awkward, so he began to talk about the scenery beyond the borders. Seeing her slowly slump her shoulders, he asked with concern, "Are you tired?" Before she could object, he had already sent someone to bring over several thick blankets stacked high into a pile for her to lean against. However, without proper support, the pile of blankets could not withstand the weight and would inevitably lean to one side. He simply sat on the other side to brace the blanket stack, chuckling, "You can lean on it now; it won't fall over this time."

Orphan ... . ... At this moment, she felt the bitterness of this word more deeply than ever.

Her voice had already become hoarse; for the first few attempts, no sound came out. She was so anxious that it felt as if her heart was about to leap out of her throat

The guards retreated reluctantly, their faces showing dissatisfaction. It was not their intention to intrude; upon hearing the young lady's cries, they feared that someone had lost their life. They had not achieved anything but ended up receiving a scolding, which felt unjust

Save me, who can save me

Meili, there is no fire! There is no fire!

She tightly hugged her legs, curling her entire body into the smallest possible ball. Tears streamed down her face, which was burned and blistered, causing an excruciating sting. Her chin trembled violently, and her teeth chattered audibly. With all the remaining hope she had, though it was as faint as a spark in the ashes, she still fixed her gaze on the entrance of the yard, hoping someone would come... to save her. She hoped the next person to enter through the door would be looking for her. With all the remaining hope she had, though it was as faint as a spark in the ashes, she still fixed her gaze on the entrance of the yard, hoping someone would come... to save her. She hoped the next person to enter through the door would be looking for her.

Fire, a raging inferno engulfed her, causing excruciating pain throughout her body, and her breathing became so difficult. She was jolted awake from her slumber, and upon opening her eyes...! ... everywhere was fire.! Even a corner of the bed sheet was ablaze, and the swirling air distorted the scene before her.

Hmm. Yonghe smiled, his attractive lips curving into a crescent shape, revealing his white teeth. His smile was bright and clear, making her already burdened heart feel as if it had been swept by a warm breeze

It seems that..." Jingxuan coldly glanced at her, who was lowering her head, "there are really no assassins, just a dream and a lot of shouting.

Meili Gege! Meili!

Meili nodded with a smile; she enjoyed chatting with Yonghe. Although they had not known each other for long, she had already discovered that he was still like a big child, sincere and enthusiastic. At least his heart was not so convoluted; he laughed when he wanted to laugh and said whatever he wanted to say

Meili nodded and smiled at her gratefully

She let out a long sigh in frustration. Ever since that fire, she had been screaming in her dreams. It wasn't much of a problem when she was living alone, but now it had become a significant issue. Not only did it disturb the night watchman, but it was likely that the occupants of several nearby tents were also awakened by her screams