The woman's emotions were not without a pattern: in pain, she was calm and composed; in happiness, she often had nightmares.
No pattern to the withdrawal of her sense of control over the outside world could be found in her herself, because Pei Ye had squeezed it back inside her. Only later did Pei Ye become somewhat aware of his own self-centeredness and forcefulness.
When she quarreled with him, that was when she loved him most.
Of course, those were rare ripples in the course of their days. Most of the time, they got along peacefully and steadily, without the anger, tears, and thousand tangled heartstrings of new lovers in storybooks.
Pei Ye understood completely.
An enormous shadow spread wherever their skin touched; the unease in the deepest recesses of their hearts could never be spoken aloud.
Ever since she had assumed her position in the Eastern Palace, that matter could no longer be mentioned. Pei Ye did not know what exactly had happened during that selection. Perhaps Qilin could not perceive the Crown Prince's thoughts and words; perhaps even mentioning it in the Dream of the Queen Mother of the West would be detected.
Nor could Pei Ye observe her connection with Qilin after each passing day. Perhaps after leaving Purple Chen Hall, she was already no longer the woman she had been; perhaps Qilin had even discovered the Mirage-Qilin Knot just a moment ago.
Nor could she confirm whether Pei Ye still faithfully kept that covenant. People's circumstances and thoughts always changed. Once, he had drawn his sword at the sight of an enemy; now, he too had learned to betray nothing.
But this was precisely the weight of the Mirage-Qilin Covenant.
Even if they never spoke of it again from this moment onward, even if worldly affairs