Long Xuanmo's heart ached fiercely when he detected the momentary pause in Yang Mengchen's words, but he did not point it out. Instead, he gazed at her with grievance swirling in his eyes, "Ah Jiu, March 15th is my birthday. You need to make it up to me."

"Birthday?" Seeing Long Xuanmo nod, Yang Mengchen asked doubtfully, "Shouldn't the Empress and others have already celebrated your birthday, Prince? Why do you need to make it up?"

Indeed, the Eldest Princess and Yingtong had mentioned not long ago that March 15th was Long Xuanmo's seventeenth birthday. They had sent gifts back to The Capital in advance along with Long YiXuan. At that time, she too had sent him a spring cypress—oh, the very one Long Xuanmo was wearing now.

Long Xuanmo shook his head, "It's meaningless; I want to spend my birthday with Ah Jiu."

Yang Mengchen really wanted to refuse, but seeing the longing and loneliness in Long Xuanmo's eyes made it impossible for her to utter a rejection. After a moment of contemplation, she said, "Let's do it in the evening. I need some time to prepare."

"Good," Long Xuanmo's face broke into a joyous smile, like a child who had just received candy, causing an inexplicable ache in Yang Mengchen's heart.

After traveling two days and a night without sleep to return here, Long Xuanmo now felt completely relaxed, both in body and spirit. He lay down on the soft couch next to him, his breathing soon filled with a familiar scent that brought him peace, and he quickly fell into a deep sleep.

Yang Mengchen quietly watched Long Xuanmo sleeping soundly on the soft couch and then tiptoed out, taking Sister Jin and five others to prepare the necessary items.

After dinner, Yang Mengchen had Hai Tang notify her brothers that she wouldn't be going to the riverside to practice that night. Then, she and Long Xuanmo quietly made their way to the top of a large mountain, followed closely but discreetly by Hai Tang, Mo Yun, and Mo Lei.

The setting sun dipped low in the sky, fading to bring forth a sky full of stunning twilight colors. The scenery of the whole village was visible in all its glory—all mountains and rivers, green fields and multi-storied houses were independent yet complemented each other, forming a picturesque beauty.

Taking a box from Hai Tang, Yang Mengchen carefully placed it on a large flat stone and uncovered the lid to reveal a cake decorated with fruits and flowers before Long Xuanmo.

As Long Xuanmo made a wish and blew out the candles, red lanterns suddenly illuminated all around. Countless red ribbons fluttered in the candlelight, set against the backdrop of green trees and swaying in the night breeze. Accompanied by Yang Mengchen's clear and melodious singing, it felt as though one was in a dreamlike fairyland.

Watching Yang Mengchen, who was radiant with laughter and clapping her hands in song, Long Xuanmo felt his entire heart intoxicate. If this were a dream, he would rather never wake up.

After sharing the cake, Yang Mengchen took out seventeen homemade sky lanterns and allowed Long Xuanmo to make a wish with each lantern he lit before releasing them into the night sky.

By now, the night was deep and tranquil; a crescent moon cast a cool glow in the pitch-black sky, and stars twinkled all around. Seventeen colorful sky lanterns ascended slowly, complementing the crescent moon and twinkling stars in a picturesque view.

In the silent night and the unusual celebration, the presence of his lady by his side filled the emptiness in Long Xuanmo's heart, a void that had been there for seventeen years, and a smile lingered on his lips without end.

Yang Mengchen had planned to accompany Long Xuanmo to watch the sunrise, so she instructed Hai Tang to bring a tent. Now, at midnight, she asked Hai Tang and Mo Yun, Mo Lei, to set up the tent. Just as she was about to return to the tent to rest, she turned to see Long Xuanmo standing not far away.

His eyes dark as ink, the night breeze lifted his ink-black hair, fluttering the hem of his dark blue robe embroidered with golden clouds. The solitude and desolation that enveloped him were so palpable that it evoked a deep sense of compassion and heartache.

Yang Mengchen sighed softly, fastened her own cloak, and took out a deep purple cloak, walking towards Long Xuanmo, "Although it is early spring, the night still carries a chill. You should wear the cloak, Prince." Seeing that Long Xuanmo remained silent, just watching her, she continued, "I will keep you company to watch the night view."

The moment she spoke, the light in Long Xuanmo's eyes sparkled like the stars. He accepted the cloak, fastened it, and sat with Yang Mengchen on the same large flat stone as before.

Mo Yun and Mo Lei grinned wickedly; the Prince was clever, knowing Ms. Yang had a soft heart. With his forlorn tactic used, Ms. Yang surrendered immediately.

Mo Yun instructed Hai Tang to rest, saying that he and Mo Lei would take turns keeping watch.

Unfortunately, Hai Tang ignored them completely and stayed nearby Yang Mengchen, clutching her sword and on high alert.

The long night could be dull just sitting, especially with an atmosphere that made Yang Mengchen feel a bit awkward, so she pretended to be curious and asked, "Could you tell me about the battlefield, Prince?"

"If Ah Jiu wants to listen, I'll tell it slowly." Ah Jiu's interest in the battlefield must mean she wants to understand him, thought an overjoyed Long Xuanmo, "I was ten years old when I first led the troops to Yulin Pass, and encountered the Three Kingdoms Allied Army attacking the city..."

Ever since her rebirth into this time and space, Yang Mengchen had followed a regular schedule, and it was already well past her usual rest time. Overcome with sleepiness and listening to Long Xuanmo's soothing, low voice, her consciousness began to blur, and slowly she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep, her head inadvertently resting on Long Xuanmo's shoulder.

Noticing Yang Mengchen's action, Long Xuanmo stopped talking and turned his head to see her sleeping sweetly. He dared not move a muscle, afraid that he might wake her up.

Long Xuanmo had once gone without sleep for four days and four nights during the war. Having napped for a couple of hours in the afternoon, he, who had initially not felt sleepy, now gradually drifted off. In his dream, he continuously followed a figure, whose smiling gaze evoked a joy so deep and unforgettable.

That joy, when he heard "Prince, look at the sunrise," and when he opened his eyes to see that beautiful face brimming with a bright smile, intensified.

I like her!

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