The moon hung like a hook, the stars scattered like beans.

In the small wooden cabin deep in the mountain valley, a campfire burned quietly, its orange flames casting dancing shadows on the wooden walls. Through Madam Shui's secret passage, the group had finally escaped their pursuers temporarily and found shelter in this hidden valley.

Xiao Zhao sat by the fire, gazing at the dancing flames with eyes full of contemplation. After recovering his memories, he seemed to have matured overnight, his innate imperial dignity making others dare not look directly at him.

Su Ying sat across from him, stealing glances at this man who was both familiar and strange. Just hours ago, he had been the gentle carpenter's apprentice Lu Zhao; now he had become Emperor Xiao Zhao of the Great Yan Dynasty. This tremendous shift in identity left her struggling to adapt.

Lin Zhong and Li Anguo were discussing something in low voices on the other side, while Madam Shui kept watch at the door. The entire cabin was filled with an indescribable atmosphere of tension.

"What are you thinking about?" Xiao Zhao noticed Su Ying's gaze and asked gently.

Su Ying bit her lip and finally voiced the confusion in her heart: "I'm wondering... are you still the same person you were before?"

This question made Xiao Zhao pause, then he smiled bitterly: "To be honest, I don't know either. After recovering my memories, I feel like I've become a different person. That leisurely, carefree life from before now seems like a dream."

"Do you regret it?" Su Ying asked softly. "Regret recovering your memories?"

Xiao Zhao was silent for a moment, then shook his head: "No regrets. Although being emperor is exhausting, it's my responsibility. The people of Great Yan, and those loyal ministers who have suffered waiting for my return—they all need me."

"But..." Su Ying's voice grew even quieter, "I miss the old Lu Zhao. Though he was just a carpenter's apprentice, he was happy and pure."

Hearing this, Xiao Zhao's heart warmed. He moved closer and sat beside Su Ying: "Ying-er, listen to me. Whether I'm Lu Zhao or Xiao Zhao, my feelings for you will never change. Those five years of memories may be hazy, but my feelings for you are real."

"Really?" Su Ying looked up at him, hope and uncertainty in her eyes.

"Really." Xiao Zhao gently caressed her cheek. "Actually, from the first moment I saw you, I felt something familiar. Later I understood why—because I had seen you five years ago."

"Five years ago?" Su Ying was startled. "We met before?"

Xiao Zhao nodded, his eyes shining with memories: "It was at a palace banquet. You accompanied your father to pay court respects. Though I only saw you from afar, I remembered that beautiful woman who stood out in the crowd."

Su Ying blushed: "I... I don't remember."

"It's normal not to remember. After all, you were still young then, and we never spoke." Xiao Zhao smiled tenderly. "But I always remembered. Later I had people investigate and learned your name was Su Ying, the precious daughter of the Su family."

"Then why didn't you..."

"Contact you?" Xiao Zhao smiled bitterly. "Because the next day, the coup happened. I was severely injured, rescued by someone, and then lost my memories. I remained in that state for five years."

Su Ying listened to his account, her heart filled with complex emotions. So their fate had begun five years ago, only to be twisted by destiny until they truly met now.

"Now that you've recovered your memories," she asked carefully, "don't you think I'm unworthy of you? After all, I'm just a merchant's daughter..."

"Nonsense!" Xiao Zhao immediately interrupted her. "What do you mean unworthy? Ying-er, you must know that these past five years, you've accompanied me through the most difficult times. Though I had lost my memory then, you gave my life new meaning."

He grasped her hand: "Besides, do you think I'd forget those five years just because I recovered my memories? Never. Every day of those five years, every evening at the carpentry workshop, and the moment you entered my life—I remember everything clearly."

Su Ying's eyes filled with tears: "Lu Zhao..."

"Call me Brother Zhao," Xiao Zhao gently stroked her long hair. "Whether Lu Zhao or Xiao Zhao, I'm still your Brother Zhao."

"Brother Zhao..." Su Ying whispered softly. This endearment made her feel both intimate and sweet.

The two sat quietly like this, each other's presence being the greatest comfort. The campfire burned peacefully beside them, occasionally making soft crackling sounds.

"Brother Zhao," after a while, Su Ying spoke again, "after recovering your memories, you must have remembered many painful things?"

Xiao Zhao nodded: "Yes. The memories of that night five years ago are particularly clear. I'll never forget the despair when Xiao Yu's sword pierced toward me, and the pain when those I once trusted betrayed me."

"Do you hate them?"

"I did." Xiao Zhao answered honestly. "Especially Xiao Yu—he was the uncle I trusted most since childhood. When I was crown prince, he taught me poetry and literature; after I ascended the throne, he was my most relied-upon minister. I never imagined that the one who would harm me would be him."

Su Ying could feel the pain in his words and squeezed his hand sympathetically: "What about now?"

"Now..." Xiao Zhao pondered for a moment, "now I've come to understand. Hatred only makes one lose oneself. I can't become like them just for revenge. What I need to do is reclaim my rightful empire and let the people live good lives, not use any means necessary for personal vendettas."

"You've changed." Su Ying looked at him seriously. "You've become more mature, more responsible."

"I have those five years to thank for that." Xiao Zhao smiled. "If I hadn't lost my memory, hadn't lived among the people, I might never have truly understood the common people's hardships. The me now is more suitable to govern the realm than the emperor from five years ago."

Su Ying nodded, feeling the wisdom and benevolence radiating from within him.

"Ying-er," Xiao Zhao suddenly looked at her seriously, "I need to ask you a very important question."

"What question?"

"If I'm to reclaim the throne, this path is destined to be full of danger and difficulty. Are you... willing to walk this path with me?"

Su Ying didn't answer immediately but remained silent for a long time. Xiao Zhao grew nervous, worried she might choose to leave.

Finally, Su Ying looked up, her eyes full of determination: "Brother Zhao, let me ask you a question."

"Go ahead."

"If I were just an ordinary merchant's daughter with no special abilities, would you still want me by your side?"

Xiao Zhao nodded without hesitation: "Of course! Do you think I value your background? I value you as a person."

"Then that's enough." Su Ying smiled, her smile blooming like a flower. "I don't care if you're emperor or carpenter. I only know you're the man I love. Since you need me, I'll stay with you to the end."

"Ying-er..." Xiao Zhao was so moved he couldn't speak.

"However," Su Ying playfully blinked, "I'm not some helpless little woman. Have you forgotten? I've helped my father manage business since childhood and know commerce well. Perhaps I can even help you on your path to reclaiming the throne."

"You're right, how could I forget." Xiao Zhao suddenly realized. "Ying-er is not only beautiful but also has great business acumen. With you by my side, I'm like a tiger with wings."

The two looked at each other and laughed, all worries and anxieties dissolving in this moment.

Just then, Lin Zhong approached: "Your Majesty, this old minister and Minister Li have discussed the next steps and have some ideas we'd like you to review."

Xiao Zhao nodded: "Please speak."

"First, we need to ensure Your Majesty's safety." Lin Zhong said. "Xiao Yu now knows Your Majesty is alive and will certainly try every means to eliminate you. So we must remain constantly vigilant."

"Second," Li Anguo continued, "we need to secretly contact those ministers and generals loyal to Your Majesty. Though Xiao Yu has controlled the court these years, many still have their hearts with Your Majesty."

"Finally," Lin Zhong continued, "we need a base of operations. We can't keep wandering like this. We must have a stable place to accumulate strength."

Xiao Zhao listened carefully, already forming a general plan: "For the base issue, we could consider the south. It's far from the capital, where Xiao Yu's influence is relatively weak. Moreover, the south is prosperous with enough resources to support us."

"Your Majesty is wise!" Li Anguo praised.

"However, before that," Xiao Zhao looked at Su Ying, "we need to visit the Heaven's Secret Pavilion first. Miss Hong Xiu's intelligence network is very important to us."

Su Ying nodded: "I'll follow your arrangements."

Madam Shui then entered from outside: "Everyone, it's safe outside now. But I suggest we all rest early and depart at dawn tomorrow. The longer we stay here, the more dangerous it becomes."

Xiao Zhao nodded in agreement.

Everyone began allocating sleeping arrangements. Xiao Zhao and Su Ying were arranged in a corner of the cabin. Though close together, both were proper, with no improper behavior.

"Brother Zhao," Su Ying said softly as she lay on the simple bedding, "thank you for sharing so much with me tonight."

"Why thank me?" Xiao Zhao also lay down, turning to look at her.

"Because you made me understand that no matter how your identity changes, you're still the person willing to share your thoughts with me." Su Ying's voice was light and sweet. "This gives me great peace of mind."

"Silly girl." Xiao Zhao said dotingly. "From now on, you can share any thoughts with me. We're going to walk this path together—there should be no secrets between us."

"Mm." Su Ying nodded obediently, then closed her eyes.

Xiao Zhao watched her peaceful sleeping face, infinite tenderness welling up in his heart. This woman was willing to face unknown dangers with him, willing to help him reclaim his empire. What more could he ask for?

Tomorrow, they would embark on a new journey. Though the path ahead was uncertain, with each other's companionship, no difficulty would be too frightening.

The night wind outside gently caressed the mountain valley, bringing waves of pine fragrance. In this peaceful night, two loving hearts were closer than ever before.

And far away in the capital, Xiao Yu was at this very moment gnashing his teeth as he formulated new plans in his secret chamber...