"What do you mean?" Fang Leng asked, slipping an arm around her waist as he deepen the kiss.
When he finally let her breathe, he brushed his thumb over her lips. "What were you trying to tell me just now?"
"I've found a way to make us immortal," Ji Woo said, her eyes shining with pride.
He laughed softly. "You truly are a devil," he murmured, pulling her into another fierce kiss. When he finally free her, he whispered into her ear.
"I think that is exactly why I love you," he said softly, tightening his hold around her waist. "Now tell me… how do you plan to make us immortal?"
Ji Woo told him about the dragon's egg and the witch fire that could awaken its power. When she finished, her expression darkened.
"But first," she added slowly, "I must think of what to do about the Great Seer. He's the only one who could stop us."
Fang Leng smiled coldly, as he said "Then remove him."
------
As darkness settled over Lianhua, Leng Yue sat quietly in Mei's room. Since the day she was attacked, she had stayed in his chambers. Only after she grew stronger did she move back into her room without his permission.
Now, as he sat beside her, his gaze lingered on her face. Mei noticed that he wanted to say something, she felt unease.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" she finally asked.
"I'm thinking about our marriage," he replied. "Mei… let get married before the third moon."
Her eyes widened in surprise before her face slowly brightened with shy happiness. She lowered her head, unable to hide her smile.
"I've already spoken to the Emperor," he continued. "And I will talk to your father when he returns from his journey."
"I love you, Leng Yue," she whispered.
He placed a gentle kiss on her forehead, then stood and left the room.
Back in his chamber, Leng Yue lay down, his thoughts drifting. His mind returned to the night Mei was attacked… then to the first time he had seen her… and to all the years they had grown up together.
As the memories passed through him one by one, sleep quietly took him away.
While the palace slept in silence, Ji Woo moved through the shadows of Lianhua like a ghost. She never stepped into Leng Yue's chambers. That would have been too risky.
Instead, she went to Mei.
Mei slept peacefully, unaware of the danger hovering above her. Ji Woo stood at the edge of the bed and placed two fingers on Mei's forehead.
A faint black symbol bloomed and disappeared in an instant.
"She is your weakness," Ji Woo whispered coldly. "So she will be your gate."
The spell turned her into a bridge between dreams.
As Leng Yue continues to sleep, dark mist flooded his bed.
Then, he saw Mei standing alone in a vast empty land, calling his name in fear.
"Mei!" He ran to her without hesitation.
The instant he touched her hand, the world shattered.
Chains of light and shadow wrapped around him, dragging him away as Ji Woo's laughter echoed through the void.
"You walked in by yourself, Leng Yue," her voice rang out. "Welcome to Dream Land."
___
The next morning, sun was already coming out yet, Mei had not seen Leng Yue.
Every day without fail, he would knock on her door at dawn and greet her before the palace fully woke. Today was different. A strange unease settled in her chest.
"Did he travel again?" she wondered.
After washing up quickly, Mei went straight to his chamber. She knocked once. No answer. She knocked again, harder this time. Still nothing.
Her heart began to race.
She pushed the door open and rushed inside.
Leng Yue was on the bed, sleeping, yet not peaceful. His brows were tightly drawn, his body tense, as if he were struggling against something unseen.
"Leng Yue," she called softly.
No response.
Her voice trembled as she called again, louder this time. Still nothing.
Fear struck her.
She grabbed his shoulders and shook him. "Wake up… please, wake up."
But he did not stir.
The memory of Ji Woo trapping her in the dream land flashed through her mind. Her hands began to shake.
Without wasting another second, she ran out of the room to summon the Emperor.
Leng Yue opened his eyes to the sound of wind chimes.
Soft sunlight filtered through thin curtains. The room was familiar. His chamber. The same wooden ceiling. The same faint scent drifting in the air.
He sat up slowly.
"Mei?" he called.
"I'm here." She answered.
She stepped out from behind the curtain, dressed in pale blue, her hair loose over her shoulders. Just as he liked it. Just as she always looked in the mornings.
"You were sleeping so deeply," she said with a small smile. "I thought you will never wake up" she joked.
He reached for her hand without thinking. It was warm and real.
"I dreamed of darkness," he murmured. "It felt… strange."
She tilted her head. "You always overthink."
Leng Yue laughed softly and pulled her into his arms. Everything felt right. The room. Her warmth. The quiet peace he had longed for.
Outside, the palace bell rang.
They walked through the palace gardens together. They shared meals. Living as if they were already married, though he could not really tell how..
Sometimes, in the middle of laughter, Leng Yue would suddenly feel uneasy. A brief ache in his chest. A fleeting image of chains or darkness.
But when he looked at Mei, her simple smile will make he forget every doubt.
"You look tired," Mei said, staring at him.
"I'm fine," he murmured absent mindedly.
---
As they sat beneath the moonlight, Leng Yue suddenly asked,
"Mei… have we always lived like this? I mean, as man and wife."
She froze for a second staring at him." How could you ask such a question Leng Yue?"
"Of course," she replied gently. "Where else would we be? My husband."
He nodded, yet the strange feeling refused to leave his heart.
Far away Ji Woo watched him with Fang Leng, smiling.
"He won't wake up," she whispered. "Not while he is this happy."