"Host, how do you feel?" the system asked.
Gu Shengyin smiled, "Not bad."
With the little remaining strength in her body, she had built a very beautiful treehouse in this small valley.
Although the Immortal Body was no more, the body’s innate closeness to animals and plants still remained; each day, there would be a plum deer or several little monkeys bringing her fresh fruits or sweet honey.
For Gu Shengyin, these things were enough to satisfy this body.
"How are Yun Chuqing and Yu Wenrui doing?" She hadn’t forgotten these two.
One was her mission target, and the other, a lover who needed to be properly disciplined.
"Yun Chuqing married that Juren; because she’s beautiful, he’s utterly devoted to her. Yu Wenrui has relinquished his position as Crown Prince, and has been searching for you, the host, all this time," the system responded.
"He actually gave up his position as Crown Prince?" Gu Shengyin was a bit surprised.
She knew how deeply that man was obsessed with power, otherwise, he wouldn’t have personally sent her to the Emperor.
Yet, he gave it up just when it was within his easy reach—it was hard to tell whether to call him deeply in love or foolish.
"If only he had known this earlier, why suffer now?" Gu Shengyin couldn’t help but sigh.
The system remarked, "There’s a saying that’s widely spread among humans, ’You only realize the value of something after you’ve lost it.’"
Gu Shengyin didn’t speak.
Suddenly, the system asked, "Do you plan to meet him, host?"
Gu Shengyin answered, "Seeing him is inevitable, but not now; let him search for me a little longer."
She kept an eye on Yun Chuqing, having the system monitor her continuously.
"I’ll wait until this body has recovered somewhat." At the moment, she was far too weak, even walking a few more steps made her feel utterly exhausted.
She told the little animals not to come looking for her lately, and then closed her eyes to begin meditating and cultivating.
Little did she know, this period of seclusion would last two years.
It was the system that woke her up.
"What a coincidence?"
The system informed her that the two people she had been keeping an eye on had arrived in the valley together.
Using her family’s wealth, Yun Chuqing had secured an official position for her husband far away from the capital. They were en route to his new post together, and unexpectedly lost their way due to the confusing roads, ending up in this valley.
As for Yu Wenrui, he had traveled nearly every corner of Ming Country in these two years. When he asked about this place, a hunter told him about this particularly beautiful valley filled with rare flowers and herbs but also home to many fierce beasts, which they dared not venture into.
He had visited countless places , but this time, he had a strange feeling, as if You Lan might be here.
It wasn’t the first time he had had such a feeling. Every time he reached a new place, he clung to the hope that she would be there. Yet, in reality, he was disappointed each time.
These so-called feelings were nothing more than self-comfort.
He feared that without even this bit of hope, he truly would have no strength to continue on.
Yun Chuqing and her party arrived a little earlier, having wandered around lost since the morning. The coachman, deeming the area exceedingly tranquil and safe, took it upon himself to drive the carriage into the valley to rest and look for water to drink.
Yun Chuqing and her husband also got out to get some fresh air.
"Oh? This place actually has a unique charm," Yun Chuqing exclaimed in surprise.
Scanning her surroundings, she quickly noticed the treehouse that was obviously built by human hands.