Luo Ling'er ate ravenously, grease slicking her lips until they appeared extraordinarily smooth. Given how naturally rosy her lips already were, it looked as if she had just applied a fresh coat of crimson balm.

Her large eyes were fixed solely on the duck leg in her hand. Nothing else mattered—neither the astonished glances from those nearby nor the faint smile playing on Ye Jingyu’s lips seemed half as important as the feast in her grasp.

As a Princess, Luo Ling'er completely disregarded her image by indulging in such unseemly behavior. This certainly invited censure from the court officials responsible for propriety. After all, it tarnished the royal family’s dignity, and no official could possibly stand by and allow such a thing to go unchallenged.

But Ye Jingyu did not care. Royal dignity, the image of the Wang family—none of it concerned him. As long as Luo Ling'er was happy, as long as she wished to do something, he would accompany her, he would shield her.

Perhaps he lacked the strength to do so in the past, but now, surrounded by so many powerful allies capable of rivaling a Martial Saint, he possessed the requisite confidence.

He even dared to enter the palace and formally request her hand in marriage, should Luo Ling'er desire it.

“Little Ye Zi, why aren't you eating? This tastes even better than before! Come, try some.” While Ye Jingyu was still lost in thought, Luo Ling'er suddenly spoke, her voice gentle—a stark contrast to the imperiousness she displayed within the palace walls. It seemed all the resentment accumulated during her confinement had been vented over this grand spread of duck legs.

She then brought the half-eaten duck leg directly to Ye Jingyu's mouth, feeling no sense of impropriety in the act. If it had been any other official, even a renowned general like Xiao Geng, none would dare accept such an offering. It wasn't that they were disgusted—many men would jump at the chance to eat what the Princess had touched—but they dared not.

After all, this was the esteemed Princess. If they truly accepted, where would the Wang family’s honor stand?

But Ye Jingyu did not hesitate. Gazing at the offered leg, a wave of sweetness washed over him. Did this count as a subtle kiss?

The thought made him glance toward Luo Ling'er’s flushed mouth, stirring a powerful physical craving, an urge to lunge forward and devour her lips with fervor.

Of course, he did devour it, though not Luo Ling'er’s lips, but the remaining half of the duck leg.

If anyone had witnessed this scene—a dignified Princess feeding a man—it would have caused an immense sensation. However, the patrons in this section clearly did not recognize Luo Ling'er or Ye Jingyu; they simply assumed the young couple was being overly demonstrative with their affection in broad daylight.

Fortunately, although the Shu Yun Kingdom was situated in the south, bordering the desolate Southern Wilds, the local customs were relatively open. No one commented further, merely expressing surprise at Luo Ling'er’s voracious appetite.

He took a large bite of the fragrant duck leg. The meat was tender yet cool, rich but not greasy, offering a superb texture. Most importantly, his lips brushed against Luo Ling'er’s fair, soft hand in the casual exchange. A small thrill of satisfaction ran through him.

Did this count as stealing a kiss?

Luo Ling'er, however, seemed oblivious to Ye Jingyu’s thoughts. After seeing him take the leg, she picked up another piece from the table, but perhaps feeling too full, she managed only a small bite before setting it down, unable to eat more.

She then turned her large, watery eyes toward Ye Jingyu. “Little Ye Zi, I can’t eat any more. Where should we go next?”

“Mmm…” Ye Jingyu mumbled, still working on the savory meat, vaguely aware that it was growing late and he should escort Luo Ling'er back to the Royal Palace. Otherwise, he couldn't guess what thoughts might be brewing in the mind of the King.

“It’s getting late; we should return to the Palace soon…”

“But I don’t want to go back,” Luo Ling'er replied, shaking her head vigorously upon hearing the word ‘Palace.’ She had been confined for over a month and was hardly willing to surrender this hard-won freedom so easily.

“But…”

“Brother Jing… I truly don’t want to return…” Before Ye Jingyu could finish, Luo Ling'er reached out, ignoring the grease on her hands, and tugged gently on Ye Jingyu’s arm, whining in a sweet, coaxing voice, “Brother Jing…”

Hearing that delicate tone, Ye Jingyu felt his resolve melting away. When he saw her eyes, full of longing and gentle grievance, he found himself incapable of uttering a single word of refusal.

Consequently, the two left the Yun Man Tower after their hearty meal, strolling through the streets like any ordinary young couple.

They shopped together, bought things together, and haggled with vendors side-by-side.

Neither Ye Jingyu nor Luo Ling'er had ever been as happy as they were today. She had grown up within the confines of the Palace. Although she often went out due to her third brother’s connections, she was always trailed by a legion of guards. Never had she enjoyed herself so thoroughly.

No one knew her identity, no one interrupted her, and no one pressured her to return. Everything felt so free. At this moment, she was like a caged bird that never wished to return to the palace that imprisoned her.

By now, the sun had dipped toward the western horizon. Many shops on the street were beginning to close. Electricity was unknown in this world, and the common folk’s nightlife was not extensive; aside from procreating at home, there were few other diversions, which likely explained the rapid population growth.

Naturally, Ye Jingyu paid no mind to such sociological observations.

At this moment, he and Luo Ling'er were sitting on a massive boulder atop a small hill just outside the city walls, watching the descending sun.

He was only worried about the reaction from the Palace. Bringing Luo Ling'er out secretly had been a calculated risk, predicated on his massive surge in strength, the only basis for his absolute confidence in protecting her safety now.

Even so, the Princess had been missing for a long time; the Palace must surely know by now. If they delayed their return further, who knew what might happen? Although Luo Xiaofeng had been remarkably indulgent toward him, it was impossible that he wouldn't be enraged if Ye Jingyu abducted his daughter without permission. Who knew how that anger might manifest?

He glanced at Luo Ling'er beside him. She looked somewhat weary but utterly satisfied. Just as Ye Jingyu opened his mouth to speak, he noticed her suddenly turn, her large, liquid eyes locking directly onto his.

“What is it, Ling'er?” Out here, away from the palace, Ye Jingyu naturally didn't address her as ‘Princess.’ He was curious why she had suddenly stopped.

“Little Ye Zi, do you like me?” Luo Ling'er asked, looking straight into his eyes.

Do you like me? What a simple question, so direct, so sweetly phrased.

Ye Jingyu had imagined countless scenarios where he confessed his feelings to Luo Ling'er—perhaps she would hesitate, perhaps she would feign shyness and nod secretly, or perhaps she would glare at him playfully and claim uncertainty, or maybe she would confess shamefully that she could not reciprocate. But he had never imagined she would pose such a serious inquiry.

I like you, immensely, his heart screamed. He was about to speak the words when Luo Ling'er’s next sentence nearly choked him.

“If you like me, then run away with me…” she declared with complete seriousness.

Ye Jingyu’s face turned deathly pale—pale with shock.

Elopement. Such a fashionable, romantically charged concept.

In his past life, although he’d never eloped, he had read stories of those who did and always admired the couples who chose that path. But he never believed such a day would dawn for him, least of all with a Princess! The stakes were colossal.

If the King discovered he had run off with his daughter, what would he do? Would he issue imperial decrees, searching for them across the entire realm?

That wasn’t even Ye Jingyu’s immediate concern. His primary thought was: Why would Luo Ling'er suggest such a thing?

“Hmph, looking at you, you clearly don’t like me anymore…” Before Ye Jingyu could process this, Luo Ling'er’s voice cut through, and she began to stand up to leave.

“I do like you! Who said I don’t? I like you!” Ye Jingyu snapped back to reality. Ignoring everything else, he grabbed Luo Ling'er’s small hand. There were few people on the hill, but Ye Jingyu was likely the only one who would dare seize the wrist of a Princess.

“What is it about me that you like?” Luo Ling'er didn't seem to mind Ye Jingyu holding her hand, as he had done so before. She asked with genuine curiosity.

“Uh…” Ye Jingyu froze. He knew he loved Luo Ling'er, and he understood the depth of his affection, but what exactly did he like about her? Her personality? Her innocence? Her charm? Her kindness? Or perhaps all of it combined? He couldn't articulate it.

He simply held her hand tightly, afraid she might vanish before his eyes.

“Hee hee, don’t tell me you like me without reason, okay?” Before Ye Jingyu could finish formulating an answer, Luo Ling'er had already preemptively blocked his best potential excuse.

Indeed, many people claimed that liking someone required no reason—it was a shallow justification used by those posing as seasoned romantics. Ye Jingyu had long understood that this was utter nonsense. While many things in the world might be reasonless, loving a person absolutely must have a basis.

One might admire her appearance, her temperament, a specific mannerism, or some facet of her character.

In any case, there was always a reason. Those who claimed otherwise were usually one of two types: either they didn't truly like the person and used it as an excuse, or they did like the person but were too dense to understand why, resorting to the same excuse.

Many people embraced this convenient lie, but Ye Jingyu refused to use it, partly because Luo Ling'er had shut down the option, but mainly because he truly loved her.

Especially looking into those pure eyes, he was instantly reminded of the first time he saw her—he had been utterly captivated by those eyes, untainted by complexity.

From that very moment, he experienced the true sensation of a quickened heart rate, that inexpressible yet exquisitely sweet feeling…

People generally termed that sensation: first love.

Thus, after only a moment of introspection, Ye Jingyu knew what he liked about Luo Ling'er.

It was her eyes—those unadulterated, purely innocent eyes—and emanating from those eyes were her kindness and her sincerity.

These were the qualities Ye Jingyu adored.

“I…”

“Hehe, you don’t even need to say it, I already know. You like my eyes, you like my personality, you like everything about me, right?” Before Ye Jingyu could speak, Luo Ling'er interrupted again.

Ye Jingyu nodded immediately, wiping a bead of sweat from his brow. If you already know, why ask me?

“Then, if one day I no longer wish to stay in this giant cage, will you be willing to take me away?” Luo Ling'er looked up into Ye Jingyu’s eyes, speaking with profound seriousness. Her tone carried a faint echo of helplessness and bewilderment.

Looking at those innocent eyes and the expression of lost confusion on her face, an inexplicable sharp pain pierced Ye Jingyu’s heart.

Such a naive and romantic girl ought to be living free in the boundless countryside, unburdened by political maneuvering, human deceit, or worldly trivialities. Her entire surroundings should be filled only with light, yet she had spent her entire childhood in the darkest heart of the Palace.

Intrigue and schemes constantly swirled around her. The fact that her pure, untainted heart could maintain its own brilliance in such an environment was miraculous. More significantly, it was tragic that such an intelligent young woman had to exist perpetually in darkness. She was like a lotus flower—though emerging unstained from the mud, the time spent submerged in that mire must have been agonizingly cruel.

Saying no more, and caring little whether Luo Ling'er spoke from the heart or merely joked, Ye Jingyu simply pulled Luo Ling'er close and embraced her tightly.

“If you wish it, even if we must wander the ends of the earth, I will accompany you,” a truth spoken from the depths of his soul emerged from Ye Jingyu’s lips, drifting clearly into Luo Ling'er’s ears.

Lifting her head slightly to gaze at Ye Jingyu’s face, which was fairer than her own, a faint smile touched Luo Ling'er’s lips. She nestled fully into his embrace, completely relaxed, natural, and warm.

She believed every word he spoke, just as she trusted him to bring her out into the open today.

The sun set, painting the sky in twilight hues. Two young souls, their affections newly kindled, stood bathed in the fading light, forging a lifelong vow.

Yet, a dark silhouette watched them from the battlements of the distant city wall.