Fire Province.
This was a land shrouded in endless crimson.
Within this vast territory, nothing was more famous than the unbroken stretches of Fire Mulberry Forest.
As the sun sank in the west, the evening clouds and the red leaves filling the forest reflected each other, as though the entire world were burning.
A breeze swept through, and the fiery-red mulberry leaves fluttered down in spirals like light butterflies, carpeting the ground in a thick layer that rustled softly beneath one's feet.
The peace and tranquility here stood in stark contrast to the turmoil raging throughout the Three Thousand Dao Provinces beyond.
Seeing her shy appearance, Ye Xuan could not help but chuckle softly.
That smile was like spring wind turning into rain, dispersing much of the scorching heat blanketing the Fire Mulberry Forest.
Little Red Bird may be a bit fond of mischief usually, but her eye for people really is good. I never expected to meet Huo Ling'er here. That truly is a surprise, Ye Xuan thought.
Then he stepped forward, picked up the bamboo basket scattered on the ground, and handed it to Huo Ling'er.
"Ling'er, meeting is fate. Since Little Red Bird has already spoken of it, I accept this marriage pact. But are you willing?"
Huo Ling'er stood frozen. She had originally thought Ye Xuan would find some excuse to refuse, considering how lofty his status was now.
Yet she had never expected this man to agree so readily, so naturally.
"I am willing."
Huo Ling'er answered softly. Though she was still bashful, the joy in her eyes could not be concealed.
At that moment, all the worries she had carried for so many years seemed utterly insignificant before those words.
For some reason, strange emotions had welled up in her heart the first time