Night, as thick as ink, tightly wrapped the entire Tang Palace. Lin Yue sat alone by the window, gazing at the high - hanging full moon, her mind in turmoil. The moonlight spilled on her face, outlining her haggard yet still stunningly beautiful features.
"Li Yi... What on earth is he thinking?" Lin Yue silently murmured his name in her heart, a twinge of bitterness welling up. Since their last argument, Li Yi seemed to be deliberately avoiding her. Every time they met in the palace, he would rush by, his eyes filled with a complex emotion she couldn't fathom.
Lin Yue couldn't help but recall the scene of their first encounter. Back then, Li Yi was carefree and unrestrained, his eyes always brimming with curiosity and admiration for her. They strolled together in the imperial garden, discussing poetry, lyrics, and sharing their innermost thoughts. Those wonderful times seemed like yesterday, yet now it felt as if there was an impenetrable barrier between them.
"Could he be regretting it? Regretting those intimate moments with me, regretting the promises he made?" Lin Yue was consumed by self - doubt. Her fingers unconsciously tightened around the hem of her dress. She couldn't understand why their relationship had become so fragile, like a gust of wind that could scatter it at any moment.
At that moment, Li Yi was alone in the study, staring blankly at a painting. The painting depicted Lin Yue, with a charming smile and a glint of playfulness in her eyes. Li Yi's gaze was tender as it fell on the painting, but it was soon replaced by a tinge of pain.
"Yue'er, how I wish I could be with you forever." Li Yi murmured softly, his voice filled with helplessness. As a member of the royal family, he carried an enormous burden of responsibility and mission. The struggles within the palace were becoming increasingly fierce, and he was acutely aware that every move he made affected the fate of the entire family. He was afraid—afraid that his feelings for Lin Yue would bring unpredictable danger to her.
"Perhaps I should keep my distance from her. Only then can she be safe." Li Yi weighed the decision over and over in his mind. Each thought felt like a knife piercing his heart. He clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force.
The next day, Lin Yue went to the Imperial Medical Office for her regular shift as usual. All the way there, she was filled with the hope of seeing Li Yi again, even if only from a distance. However, as she passed through the imperial garden, she witnessed a heart - shattering scene.
Li Yi was walking and chatting merrily with a woman dressed in resplendent attire. The woman had a sweet face and elegant manners, and it was evident at a glance that she came from a noble family. Lin Yue felt as if her world had crumbled in an instant. Her steps halted involuntarily, her eyes wide with shock and pain.
"How could this be... How could he do this?" The words echoed continuously in Lin Yue's mind. Her eyes instantly welled up with tears. She wanted to rush over and confront Li Yi, but her feet seemed nailed to the ground, unable to move an inch.
Li Yi also saw Lin Yue. A flicker of panic flashed in his eyes, but he quickly regained his composure. His heart ached, knowing that his actions had deeply hurt Lin Yue. But for her safety, he had to continue pretending.
"Miss Lin, it's been a long time." Li Yi said, trying to sound calm, devoid of the usual tenderness in his voice.
Lin Yue bit her lip hard, struggling to hold back her tears. "Yes, it has. How have you been, Young Master Li?" She tried to keep her voice steady, but the slight tremor betrayed her inner turmoil.
"Thank you for asking, Miss Lin. Everything's fine." Li Yi replied indifferently, his eyes avoiding Lin Yue's.
The woman looked at Lin Yue curiously and asked softly, "Young Master Li, who is this?"
"She's just a medical woman from the Imperial Medical Office." Li Yi's tone was cold, as if there had never been any connection between him and Lin Yue.
Lin Yue felt as if a sharp blade had pierced her heart upon hearing these words. She couldn't bear it any longer and turned to leave in a hurry. Her figure looked so lonely and helpless among the flowers.
Li Yi watched Lin Yue's retreating back, his heart wrenched with pain. He knew that his words had pushed their relationship to the brink of collapse. But he had no choice. To protect Lin Yue, he had to act this way.
"Young Master Li, Miss Lin seems very sad." The woman said softly, a hint of confusion in her eyes.
"She's just an insignificant person. Don't worry about it." Li Yi said coldly, but his hand unconsciously tightened, his nails digging deep into his palm.
After returning to the Imperial Medical Office, Lin Yue locked herself in her room. Tears finally streamed down her face. She couldn't understand why Li Yi, who had once loved her deeply, had become so strange. She felt like an abandoned child, unable to find a shred of warmth in this vast palace.
"Is it all my fault? Was I too naive, too trusting of love?" Lin Yue was filled with self - blame and regret. She thought about every detail of her time since traveling to this era. She had originally thought she had found her own happiness, but now she was severely wounded.
At night, Lin Yue lay on the bed, staring at the pitch - black ceiling, unable to fall asleep. The image of Li Yi chatting and laughing with that woman kept flashing through her mind. Each time it did, it felt like salt being rubbed into her wounds.
At the same time, Li Yi was also tossing and turning. He looked out at the moonlight, his heart filled with longing and guilt for Lin Yue. He knew he had to find a solution to the problem as soon as possible, or their relationship would be beyond redemption.
Just then, a faint sound of footsteps came from outside the door. Li Yi sat up alertly. He knew that anyone coming to see him at this late hour must have something important to report.
"Your Highness, something terrible has happened." A shadow rushed into the room and whispered.
"What happened?" Li Yi frowned and asked.
"Someone is secretly investigating Miss Lin's identity. It seems they have ill intentions towards her." The shadow said anxiously.
Li Yi's heart tightened. He knew that his worst fear had come true. "Do you know who's behind this?" His voice was tinged with urgency.
"We're not sure yet. The other party is extremely secretive. We're still investigating." The shadow replied.
"Find out as soon as possible. Under no circumstances should Yue'er be harmed." Determination and resolve shone in Li Yi's eyes.
The shadow nodded and turned to leave. Li Yi looked out the window and silently vowed that no matter what the cost, he would protect Lin Yue. Even if it meant going against the world, he would not hesitate.
Lin Yue spent a long and painful night. The next morning, she walked out of her room with red - swollen eyes, making up her mind to forget Li Yi and start a new life. She knew that in this palace, relationships were the most fragile things. She couldn't lose herself because of a failed relationship.
So, Lin Yue dedicated herself wholeheartedly to the study of medicine. She arrived at the Imperial Medical Office early every day, helping other medical officials diagnose and treat patients, constantly learning and accumulating experience. Unconsciously, her medical skills improved significantly, and she gradually became well - known in the palace.
Meanwhile, while secretly investigating the mastermind behind the investigation of Lin Yue's identity, Li Yi also kept a close eye on her every move. He see Lin Yue working so hard. He knew that she was trying to numb herself with busyness and forget the past pain.
As days passed, the relationship between Lin Yue and Li Yi seemed to have completely drifted apart. When they met in the palace, they would just exchange a simple greeting and then hurry past. However, in their hearts, the deep love they had for each other had never disappeared. It was just buried deep in their hearts.
One day, news suddenly spread through the palace that the emperor had fallen seriously ill and was in a coma. The medical officials of the Imperial Medical Office were immediately in a flurry, doing their best to diagnose and treat the emperor's condition. Lin Yue was also summoned to
the palace to participate in the treatment of the emperor.
In the pharmacy of the Imperial Medical Office, Lin Yue was carefully preparing medicine for the emperor. Suddenly, she felt a familiar gaze on her back. She turned around instinctively and found Li Yi standing not far away, looking at her silently.
Their eyes met. In that moment, a thousand words welled up in their hearts. However, both of them knew that this was not the time to talk about their relationship. The emperor's condition was of utmost importance.
"Miss Lin, how's the emperor's condition?" Li Yi broke the silence and asked softly.
"We're still not sure, but we're doing our best to treat him." Lin Yue replied, her voice tinged with fatigue.
Li Yi nodded and said, "Do everything you can to cure the emperor. This concerns the fate of the entire Tang Dynasty."
Lin Yue looked at Li Yi, a complex emotion surging in her heart. She knew that as a member of the royal family, Li Yi had a deep sense of responsibility for the country. At that moment, she suddenly understood Li Yi's previous actions. Perhaps he really had his reasons.
"I will." Lin Yue said firmly, confidence and determination shining in her eyes.
Just then, a medical official rushed into the pharmacy. "Miss Lin, Young Master Li, the emperor's condition has suddenly worsened. Come and see at once."
Lin Yue and Li Yi exchanged a glance and then immediately ran towards the emperor's sleeping quarters. They knew that a severe test awaited them, and they had to work together to overcome this difficult time. What would become of their relationship during this process? All of this was still unknown...
When they rushed to the emperor's sleeping quarters, the head of the Imperial Medical Office stood solemnly by the bedside. The imperial doctors were whispering to each other, looking flustered. Lin Yue and Li Yi quickly walked to the bedside to examine the emperor's symptoms. Lin Yue noticed that the emperor's pulse was chaotic, his breath was weak, his face was as pale as paper, and cold sweat was constantly breaking out on his forehead.
"This pulse..." Lin Yue furrowed her brows, thinking to herself. The symptoms were unprecedented. She had never read about such a disease in medical books. Li Yi looked at Lin Yue, worried about the emperor's condition and feeling sorry for the pressure Lin Yue was under at the moment.
"Miss Lin, do you have any ideas?" Li Yi asked softly, a glimmer of hope in his voice.
Lin Yue bit her lip and shook her head. "I've never seen such a strange pulse. For now..." Her voice was tinged with helplessness.
At this time, the head of the office, who had been observing, suddenly spoke up. "I've heard that there's a miraculous herb in the folk called the 'Resurrection Grass.' It's said to be able to bring the dead back to life. However, this herb grows on the cliffs, and it's extremely difficult to pick."
Upon hearing this, Li Yi immediately said, "I'm willing to search for this 'Resurrection Grass.' No matter how dangerous it is, as long as it can save the emperor and the Tang Dynasty, I won't hesitate." Then, he looked at Lin Yue, his eyes full of determination. "Yue'er, wait for me to come back."
Lin Yue looked at Li Yi, her heart in a turmoil. She was worried about his safety and also conflicted about their relationship. "Please come back safely." She said softly, her voice choked with sobs.
After Li Yi left, Lin Yue dedicated herself to researching the emperor's condition. She consulted all the medical books in the Imperial Medical Office and discussed with other imperial doctors repeatedly, but she still couldn't find an effective treatment method. During the days of waiting for Li Yi to return, Lin Yue's heart was constantly struggling. She thought about every detail of her relationship with Li Yi—those past joys and present misunderstandings, and her heart was filled with pain.
"Is this really the end for us?" Lin Yue murmured to the bright moon outside the window late at night. She didn't know whether Li Yi could find the "Resurrection Grass" or what would happen to their relationship when he came back.
As for Li Yi, he faced numerous hardships on the way to search for the "Resurrection Grass." The cliffs were extremely steep, and he almost fell several times. But every time he thought of Lin Yue
and the safety of the Tang Dynasty, he gritted his teeth and persevered. Finally, in a crevice of a cliff, he found the legendary "Resurrection Grass."
When Li Yi returned to the palace with the "Resurrection Grass," Lin Yue was waiting anxiously in the Imperial Medical Office. When she saw Li Yi return safely, a glimmer of surprise flashed in her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure.
"Young Master Li, you're finally back." Lin Yue said, her voice tinged with fatigue.
Li Yi handed the "Resurrection Grass" to the imperial doctors and then walked up to Lin Yue. "Yue'er, I'm back." His voice was gentle.
Lin Yue looked at Li Yi, with a thousand words on the tip of her tongue but not knowing where to start. Just then, news came from the emperor's sleeping quarters that the emperor's condition had started to improve after taking the "Resurrection Grass."
Lin Yue and Li Yi heaved a sigh of relief upon hearing this. However, the future of their relationship was still full of uncertainty...