Chapter 853: The Dream Ending

A month after the grand wedding between Xiao Nanfeng and Yanzhi, the kingdom of Danan officially advanced into an empire.

Yanzhi became the sovereign of a mighty empire, reigning supreme over her domain.

Xiao Nanfeng watched on with a bright smile as she ascended to the throne.

After her coronation, the newly crowned Emperor Yanzhi ran directly to Xiao Nanfeng and threw herself into his arms.

"Husband, did you see my ascension just now?" Yanzhi clung to Xiao Nanfeng's neck, beaming with joy.

"I did. My madam is truly extraordinary," he replied, smiling.

Yanzhi blushed deeply and buried her head in Xiao Nanfeng's chest, murmuring to herself.

"What's the matter? I can't make out what you're saying," Xiao Nanfeng teased.

𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

"I like how you address me," Yanzhi replied, her face flushing red.

"What do you mean?"

"When you call me Madam. In the future, call me Madam Rouge," Yanzhi said gently. [1]

"Very well, my dear Madam Rouge," Xiao Nanfeng replied. He lifted her in his arms and carried her toward the royal bedchamber.

Yanzhi gazed at Xiao Nanfeng with tenderness, her heart brimming with affection for the man she loved.

Over the course of the next year, Danan continued to expand its territories as it grew in strength and prosperity. The couple's bond also deepened, their love becoming a cornerstone of their shared lives.

But one day, while he was walking alone through the streets, Xiao Nanfeng's face suddenly turned pale with alarm.

"How can this be? The boundary is shrinking! Why is it getting smaller instead of expanding?" Xiao Nanfeng muttered in panic.

The boundary, a mysterious area centered around Yanzhi, had long defined Xiao Nanfeng's peculiar existence. Outside this zone, he was ignored, unseen, and forgotten by all. Inside, he was real and acknowledged.

He had adapted to this strange life, but the sudden contraction of the boundary caused fear to claw at him.

He didn't care about being invisible to others, but he desperately feared being forgotten by Yanzhi.

"If the boundary keeps shrinking, will Yanzhi forget me too...?" Xiao Nanfeng murmured.

He had a number of plans in mind; helping Yanzhi expand her territory and turn Danan into a divine empire was first and foremost among them.

Now, however, he abandoned all his plans and rushed back to the palace, his mind racing with unease.

Yanzhi, sensing Xiao Nanfeng's distress, immediately grew concerned.

"What's wrong, Husband? Why are you so anxious?" Yanzhi asked, her voice trembling slightly.

Xiao Nanfeng grimaced. He told her everything about the boundary.

"What? Outside the boundary, no one knows who you are?" Yanzhi asked in disbelief.

"I don't know what's going on, but I'm very worried. The boundary is shrinking rapidly, and I'm afraid even you won't recognize me in just a few days' time."

"Impossible. I would never forget you, my husband. No one can separate us!" Yanzhi declared, though her own fear was evident.

Xiao Nanfeng's claim seemed like utter nonsense, but she trusted her husband with all her heart. It was clear that he wouldn't lie to her.

Over the following days, Yanzhi couldn't focus on governing her empire at all. She delegated affairs to her officials so she could spend her time with Xiao Nanfeng, poring over records and scrolls in search of answers. But there was never any information about this mysterious boundary to be found.

"Stop searching. I've already scoured countless books over the years, and there's nothing. The boundary keeps shrinking—it encircles just the palace now. During these final days, I'd like to spend every moment with you. When you forget me, at least I'll be able to remember the time we spent together."

"No, I won't forget you, Nanfeng! Never!" Yanzhi replied, the fear evident in her quavering voice.

Xiao Nanfeng held her tightly and kissed her lips deeply. Tears welled up in both their eyes and spilled out as they clung to each other.

After the kiss, Xiao Nanfeng sighed deeply and said, "Maybe I'm overthinking things. Perhaps, when the boundary circle shrinks further, the entire world will recognize me. Or perhaps you won't forget me at all, and I'm just worrying for nothing."

Yanzhi's eyes were red. She knew that Xiao Nanfeng was just trying to console her. She didn't want to say anything that would make him uncomfortable.

Yanzhi grasped her imperial seal. She looked skyward and proclaimed, "Hear me, citizens of Danan! I hereby declare that I, Yanzhi, shall now be known as Madam Rouge. From now on, call me nothing else. Even if one day I forget why I took this name, I hope all of you will remember that I am no longer Yanzhi. I am but Madam Rouge, now and forever, until the end of time."

With a great rumble, her voice echoed across the empire through the sea of fortune overhead.

Countless citizens were puzzled by the decree, but no one dared question it. Many were simply curious as to the reason for the name change. Just what did it signify?

Xiao Nanfeng glanced at Madam Rouge with profound emotion, deeply moved. He said nothing; he continued to hold her tightly.

In the days that followed, the couple let the outside world fade away, creating a realm of happiness for just the two of them. But the boundary continued to shrink, growing smaller and smaller until it encompassed only a small courtyard.

Madam Rouge, aware of the shrinking boundary, felt her heart ache with an unbearable fear.

Neither of them left the courtyard. They spent their days in the moonlit garden, watching the gentle breeze rustling the leaves.

Xiao Nanfeng whispered to Madam Rouge that the boundary had closed in on just the two of them. Perhaps it was about to vanish entirely; what happened afterwards, no one knew.

She leaned against Xiao Nanfeng's chest and trembled, her unease palpable.

"Yanzhi, don't be upset. Don't despair. Even if the boundary disappears and the world forgets me, I'll still remain by your side, quietly accompanying you as you grow. Perhaps we're still too weak to prevent this separation for now, but one day, when we're strong enough, we might be able to break this curse. I believe that we'll meet again. One day, we'll defy all odds and be together forever," Xiao Nanfeng reassured her.

Tears filled Madam Rouge's eyes as she nestled deeper into his embrace.

"Husband, I want to hear you sing," she said, her voice trembling.

"What do you want to hear? Can't Help Falling for You, which I sang when I confessed to you?"

"Primrose, please," Yanzhi replied.

That song reminded her of another summer night. The moonlight shone down; there was a chorus of crickets and an audience of fireflies. It was the night Xiao Nanfeng first stole her heart.

Xiao Nanfeng smoothed her hair tenderly and nodded. "Very well."

"The evening breeze stirs the bamboo, And the moon casts long shadows. Fireflies flicker, bright and small, Like silver coins spread across the hills. ♪

"Above, the Milky Way gleams; On earth, wind chimes sing.

The Weaver Star lingers far away, Recounting ancient, romantic tales. ♪

"The waters flow through spring and summer, The seasons ever-changing.

Happiness spreads far and wide.

Loving you is eternal, never lonely. ♪

"Primrose in two lovers' hands, The heartbeat I hear within my chest.

Secretly longing, quietly dreaming,

That scent that is our love. ♪"

Xiao Nanfeng's song filled the night air as moonlight bathed the garden. Fireflies danced, crickets sang, and the melody was bittersweet in the stillness of the night.

The two lovers clung to each other as the boundary shrank and shrank. Then, it vanished.

At that moment, Madam Rouge froze, as did Xiao Nanfeng, the fireflies, and even the moonlight. The stillness of time was interrupted only by faint echoes of Primrose.

Then, with a great crack, the world shattered into smoke and dissipated into nothingness.

A dream... It had only ever been a dream.

As Xiao Nanfeng awakened, clarity and awareness returned to him.

Memories that had been lost upon consuming the Yuqing dreamliquor rushed back into his mind, filling in gaps like the rising tide.

He swayed slightly as he regained his composure. He was the emperor of Dazheng, Xiao Nanfeng.

Purple mist swirled around the chamber as Xiao Nanfeng sat cross-legged on the floor. Two empty cups lay nearby. Across from him sat Madam Rouge, enveloped in a halo of pink- and peach-colored mist that enhanced her radiant beauty. Waves of visible energy pulsed around her as if she had made a significant breakthrough.

Madam Rouge opened her eyes. She smiled at Xiao Nanfeng. "My heart is whole. Xiao Nanfeng, I am truly thankful."

Xiao Nanfeng glanced at her tenderly. He asked, "Do you remember everything that happened within the dream?"

"Remember what? Everything within the dream has been integrated into my heart. What happened in it?" Madam Rouge asked curiously.

A pang of pain struck Xiao Nanfeng's heart. He smiled wryly. The boundary's power was truly formidable—it had erased all memory of him, even from Madam Rouge.

Xiao Nanfeng didn't know how to explain the situation to his erstwhile lover. He couldn't help but feel dejected.

"Alright, I have to go. Now that my heart has been made whole, I'll have to go cultivate my heart further. Thank you again," Madam Rouge said, standing up.

Xiao Nanfeng watched her with a mix of emotions whirling in his mind. He didn't know how to give voice to his feelings.

Madam Rouge reached out and collected the peach blossoms and pink and purple fog from the hall, dispelling the formation within.

She handed him a petal of a peach blossom and placed it in Xiao Nanfeng's palm. "Here. This petal can summon my eidolon once in battle. Its power should be enough to handle, say, a few Han Guchengs."

Xiao Nanfeng barely glanced at the petal. His gaze was fixed on her.

Madam Rouge, carefree as ever, opened the doors to the hall. "I'll be off, then. I'll find you when I return. And remember, you still owe me nine songs."

With that, she soared into the sky and vanished from sight.

Xiao Nanfeng glanced at the petal in his hand, then the empty horizon over which she had vanished. He sighed deeply. "What's there to be upset about? I'll win her back in due time. My wife—she won't be able to escape me."

He took a few deep breaths to steady himself, tamping down the surge of emotion in his chest.

High in the sky, Madam Rouge flew swiftly, tears streaming down her face—not from sadness, but an overwhelming sense of joy and gratitude.

"Does that silly husband of mine really think I forgot everything? Just wait until I finish cultivating my heart. I'll have so much fun teasing him," she murmured, chuckling.

As she spoke, she produced a handkerchief.

If Xiao Nanfeng had been present, he would have been shocked. The handkerchief was the same one that he had given Madam Rouge in the dream—when a young Yanzhi had cried alone, and he had comforted her by singing Primrose. How could something from the dream manifest in reality?

Madam Rouge wiped her tears away with the handkerchief, then examined it carefully.

"The power of the heart is truly miraculous. With enough heart force, even illusions from a dream can manifest in reality..."

She tucked the handkerchief away with great care, then shot a glance at distant Yongding.

"When I was cultivating my heart, I suddenly developed the notion of calling myself 'Madam Rouge'. I didn't know why at the time, but now it all makes sense. Everything was destined. What a perfect name..."

Smiling, she stepped forward and vanished in a flash.

1. 胭脂 (yanzhi) means rouge; hence, Madam Rouge. ☜