Chapter 266: She Left

He hadn't finished speaking when Liu Yifei interrupted him. She suddenly stood up, walked to his side, took his hand, her gaze firm yet gentle.

"Mingyu, you don't need to say anything—I understand. I know you're a upright, honest, kind man; you would never do anything to hurt me or betray our love. I also know Jiaqi is a pitiable, lovely, admirable girl; her love for you is sincere, selfless, and worthy of respect. I don't blame her, and I don't blame you—I only blame fate. Why must you both be trapped in such a dilemma? Why must you both suffer so?"

Her words moved Jiang Mingyu to tears. He lifted his head, meeting her eyes, his voice choked.

"Yifei… you really aren't angry with me? You really don't mind? You really don't doubt me?"

Liu Yifei smiled faintly, gently shaking her head, her voice soft yet resolute.

"Mingyu, I'm not angry with you, I don't mind, and I don't doubt you. Because I believe in you, I believe in our love, I believe in our future. I love you, Mingyu—I love you more than anyone, more than my own life. I know you love me the same way, think of me the same way, long for our future the same way. We are each other's only, each other's all, each other's forever. No one, nothing, can block our love, destroy our happiness, or separate our hearts."

When she finished, she pulled him tightly into her arms. Her tears slipped silently; her heart held boundless love and a quiet ache. She knew her words were meant to comfort him—and to encourage herself.

She knew their love, though beautiful, was not perfect; their happiness, though steadfast, was not without sorrow; their hearts, though connected, were not flawless.

She knew Jiaqi's love, though pitiable, was not powerless; her presence, though innocent, was not without consequence; her shadow, though fading, was not gone.

She knew the entanglement between her, him, and her was not over—it would continue, evolve, change. She didn't know if their love could withstand such trials, resist such temptations, hold out until the end.

She only knew she would use everything she had to love him, protect him, keep him—she would not give up, not retreat, not compromise. She believed that with enough love, enough faith, enough courage, she could overcome all, possess all, achieve all happiness.

Jiang Mingyu sighed softly, gripping Liu Yifei's hand: "Yifei, I understand how you feel. But I hope you believe: in my heart, no one can replace you. I've already pledged my marriage to you—that is the most important promise of my life."

"Jiaqi's feelings for me are unforgettable, and I am grateful for her sincerity. But my heart has long belonged to you. Just as I felt when you returned today—overwhelmed, unable to contain myself—I cannot wait to marry you, to walk beside you through life."

Upon hearing this, Liu Yifei's eyes glistened with tears. She knew Jiang Mingyu kept his word, and she knew his character well. In that moment, his sincere words moved her heart once more.

"Jiang Lang, thank you for your sincerity—I'm so happy," Liu Yifei smiled sweetly, embracing Jiang Mingyu of her own accord.

"Though we see each other rarely, no one knows you better than I do," Liu Yifei said gently. "But what will you do about Jiaqi?"

Jiang Mingyu smiled bitterly. "I've said everything I needed to say to Jiaqi. I have no better solution now—only to let events unfold. Perhaps on our wedding day, when all is settled, Jiaqi will finally give up. She may leave in sorrow, but for her, that will be the best outcome."

Liu Yifei sighed too. "But after today, Jiaqi is unlikely to remain in the army. She may not even live to see our wedding day…"

Jiang Mingyu's smile grew even more bitter. "If she leaves, there's nothing I can do. Even if Jiaqi means much to me, she cannot shake your supreme place in my heart. As you said, it's already decided—her choice, her fate."

"But no matter what, she fought for years across the land—I will never forget the debt I owe her. Whether she stays or goes, I sincerely wish her a bright future."

Liu Yifei sighed deeply. "Jiaqi is a good girl. If it's come to this, we can only leave it to heaven's will."

She shook her head lightly. "When the boat reaches the bridge, it will find its way. There's no point dwelling on it now."

After a pause, Liu Yifei asked: "Jiang Lang, you're leaving for battle tomorrow, aren't you?"

Jiang Mingyu sighed, his eyes filled with regret. "Yes. Zhuge Yu and Doggie are ready. This is the final confrontation with Marquis Fei. I promise you again—I will seize the capital, then we will marry at once. I can hardly wait."

As he spoke, he gazed into Liu Yifei's softening eyes, his heart surging, and gently kissed her lush, crimson lips.

In that moment, time seemed to halt—only the two of them remained, steeped in boundless love. Jiang Mingyu believed that even if the path ahead was long and fraught, with Yifei by his side, he would cleave through thorns, weather every storm, and walk with her toward happiness.

He held her gently, whispering in her ear: "Yifei, Yifei—meeting you in this chaotic world is the greatest fortune of my life. You are my fate's daughter. Do you know? From the first moment I saw you, I fell deeply in love. Your eyes, bright as stars; your skin, translucent as jade; your smile, blooming like a flower; your heart, tender as water… all of it stole my soul. You are my angel, my goddess, my everything!"

Liu Yifei's heart bloomed with joy. She nestled against him, murmuring softly: "Jiang Lang, Jiang Lang—you are my hero, the man I love most in this life. Your courage, your wisdom, your justice, your loyalty… all of it fills me with awe. You are my pride, my dream, my all!"

They looked at each other and smiled, hearts perfectly aligned, not a trace of distance between them. They held each other tightly, feeling each other's warmth, forgetting the world's turmoil, wishing only to stay in this moment forever.

Every time they met, it was precious. Every time they parted, it was painful. Every time they spoke of their future, it carried resignation. Every embrace was tight. Every kiss was deep. Every farewell was silent.

This time was no different. Jiang Mingyu was leaving for battle tomorrow—to storm the emperor's stronghold. Liu Yifei must depart before him to seize the market of Yuezhou and secure his logistics. They both knew this was a war of life and death; they might never see each other again. They both wanted to stay, to be with each other—but neither could. Each had their duty, their mission, their honor.

All they could do this night was pour out their hearts, share their warmth, swear their vows. They said that when the war ended, they would marry, bear children, and live in peace. They said no matter the hardship, they would never abandon, never betray, never forget. They said they believed their love could overcome all, create miracles, endure eternally.

They spoke much, yet never finished. They held each other long, yet it was never enough. They kissed long, yet it was never satisfying. In their eyes, only each other's shadow. In their hearts, only each other's name. In their ears, only each other's call. On their skin, only each other's scent. In their souls, only each other's mark.

In the end, they had to part. Jiang Mingyu gently stroked Liu Yifei's hair, kissed her forehead, whispered her name. Liu Yifei clung tightly to his waist, bit his shoulder, called his name. Neither wanted to let go, neither wanted to say goodbye, neither wanted to face reality. But neither had a choice, no retreat, no excuse.

All they could do was convey their love with their eyes, encourage each other's faith with their smiles, trace each other's outline with their fingers, bless each other's happiness with their tears.

And so, silently, slowly, painfully, they parted.

Jiang Mingyu walked out of Liu Yifei's room, heading toward his own. A strange feeling filled him—sweet yet bitter, warm yet cold, excited yet heavy. He did not know if this was their final meeting or a new beginning. He did not know if their love would bear fruit, if it would have a future. He did not know if their fate would turn, if hope still remained.

He only knew he loved Liu Yifei, thought of Liu Yifei, missed Liu Yifei, dreamed of Liu Yifei—he lived only for Liu Yifei.

He reached his room, about to open the door, when he heard a soft voice call out.

"Big Brother… Jiaqi is gone."

He turned and saw Tukesiluo's figure.