After the ghost-hunting master descended the mountain, his fame spread throughout the capital.

Memories flow by, and the scene is shrouded in a hazy sadness, with a somber tone.

After learning about her true parentage from the day the late emperor passed away, Chu Mingzhu fell seriously ill.

The body, already weakened by childbirth in its early years and unable to fully recover, is like glass weathered by time; how can it withstand such repeated blows?

Stagnation in the heart leads to deficiency of both qi and blood.

Even the best medicine, once administered, seems to sink to the bottom of the sea, failing to stir up any vitality.

She aged rapidly, visibly so.

The scene lingers in an interior room filled with the strong aroma of medicine.

The window was half-closed, and the sunlight filtering in was hazy and unable to dispel the gloom in the room.

Chu Mingzhu leaned weakly against the thick brocade cushions, her face pale and her lips bloodless.

Only those eyes, when looking at Xie Dai who was guarding the bedside, still retained a faint light.

She tilted her head slightly and gently rested her light head on Xie Dai's shoulder.

This action is now extremely difficult for her.

"I'm afraid... I don't have much time left to live," Chu Mingzhu said softly, her voice drifting in the air filled with the smell of medicine.

Her tone was calm.

There was no fear, no resentment, and not even much sadness; it was as if they were talking about the withering plant outside the window.

Xie Dai held her hand, which was frighteningly cold.

The fingers are slender with distinct knuckles, and the skin is so thin that you can see the bluish veins underneath. When held in the palm, they feel light and airy, and you can hardly feel any warmth or vitality that belongs to a living person.

Xie Dai's Adam's apple bobbed violently, a surge of bittersweet emotion welled up in his eyes, but he forced back the tears, gripping her hand even tighter, his voice hoarse:

"Don't talk nonsense, you'll get better, Chu. You definitely will."

"I have already sent people to search for renowned doctors throughout the land, including shamans from the southern border... there must be a way. Don't worry, take your medicine and get some rest."

Chu Mingzhu did not refute, but affectionately rubbed her cheek against his warm palm, a small gesture filled with dependence.

She stared into the void, her eyes somewhat unfocused, as if she could see her short and absurd life through everything in the room.

Chu Mingzhu murmured softly, her voice as light as a dream: "My life has been a complete joke. The title of noble princess was a lie, Father's favor was a lie, even this life was lived for others, a target for attracting disaster..."

"All my struggles and pain, in the end, I don't know for whom they were for, or what their meaning was..."

As she said this, she turned her head and looked deeply into Xie Dai's eyes, "Meeting you and marrying you is the only real light in my absurd life."

"You are the only light I can hold onto in this life."

Tears finally slid from Chu Mingzhu's dry eyes, winding their way down her pale, thin cheeks.

But she still managed a forced upward curve at the corners of her mouth, a poignant yet beautiful smile: "Sometimes I can't help but think..."

Chu Mingzhu's voice was soft and ethereal, tinged with a wistful recollection, "If I had met you sooner, would everything have been different?"

"If I had simply died on the day I was forced into this situation, would none of this have happened?"

She paused, then slowly shook her head, her eyes filled with a mixture of tenderness and pain. "But... this way, there will be no Chen'er."

"He was so well-behaved, so sensible, and knew how to care for others even at such a young age. He would wipe away my tears with his little hands. It's a pity that I, as his mother, am useless. I'm afraid... I won't be able to be there for him as he grows up."

The last few words, as light as a sigh, yet as heavy as a hammer blow, struck Xie Dai's heart.

"Achu!"

Xie Dai could no longer hold back and pulled her into a tight embrace, his strength so great that it seemed he wanted to meld her into his very bones.

It was as if if he let go even slightly, she would turn into a wisp of smoke and completely disappear from his life.

He buried his face in her neck, which smelled faintly of medicine, his voice choked and broken, hot tears finally overflowing and seeping into her clothes: "Don't say that, there will definitely be a way!"

"I...I'll seek out renowned doctors throughout the land, I'll search for reclusive masters of esoteric arts! I've heard...I've heard of techniques to revive the dead and prolong life! No matter the cost, I will save you!"

"Cough cough...cough!" Chu Mingzhu coughed as he hugged her, and an unnatural flush appeared on her pale face.

She struggled to raise her hand, grasped his shirt collar, and stopped him from continuing, her eyes pleading:

"No, Xie Dai, no."

Chu Mingzhu gasped for breath, saying each word clearly, "This life has been bitter enough. In the first half of my life, I was trapped in the cold palace, wearing a false mask, living in constant fear, as if walking on thin ice."

"For the rest of my life, even after marrying you, I dared not even step out of the gates of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion to avoid Chu Yan's wrath. I feared the flowers might be poisoned, the rain might be treacherous, and even in my dreams... his roaring shadow was everywhere."

Her gaze passed over Xie Dai's shoulder, as if she could see those nights of imprisonment, and the cage that had confined her body and soul.

"I'm so tired... Xie Dai, I'm really so tired. Living... takes more courage than dying, and I no longer have that courage."

Xie Dai's body stiffened. He felt the life of the person in his arms slipping away as quickly as sand in an hourglass.

He tried his best, but couldn't even hold onto a single grain of sand.

Overwhelmed by grief and despair, he choked back tears, "Then how can you bear to leave me and Chen'er behind? He's so young, he needs his mother..."

Chu Mingzhu leaned against his chest, listening to his heavy, painful heartbeat, her eyes filled with guilt and reluctance, yet she still slowly revealed a gentle smile.

She raised her hand and gently stroked Xie Dai's cheek, her fingertips icy cold: "Xie Dai, I owe you so much in this life."

Chu Mingzhu's voice was weak, yet exceptionally clear, carrying a lucidity akin to a final burst of energy before death: "If there is an afterlife..."

She paused, a final glimmer of hope appearing in her eyes, a light so pure it held no impurity. "I'll still marry you, okay?"

"I want to marry you with a pure and innocent heart. No scheming, no plots, and no shameful past. Let's go hiking together, enjoy the spring scenery, admire the moon in autumn, and live a simple and peaceful life... okay?"

"Okay!" Xie Dai agreed without hesitation almost the instant she finished speaking, tears welling up in his eyes again. "In the next life, you must wait for me."

Chu Mingzhu smiled contentedly, but her eyes began to glaze over.

She felt increasingly difficult to breathe, as if a huge rock was pressing on her chest.

With her last ounce of strength, she gripped Xie Dai's hand tightly, her nails almost digging into his flesh.

"There's one more thing I need to ask of you. Please... please let Chen'er grow up safely, watch him marry and have children, and watch Chu Yan step down from that position..."

Xie Dai instantly understood her intention.

She was not only worried about Chen'er, but she was also afraid that she would be heartbroken after Chen'er's death.

She used Chen'er, and even her hatred for Chu Yan, to bind his will to live and force him to stay alive.