The next day, Vi dressed with care. She pinned a peony blossom in her hair before heading out with Poppy. She had a specific destination in mind. If she found him there, it would confirm that Thomas still held her in his heart.


    At the base of Richspire Peak, there was a stream. About halfway up, the stream flowed down a steep slope, forming a small waterfall. Whenever Thomas felt upset, couldn''t figure something out, or struggled to make a decision, he woulde here to practice his swordsmanship. He had brought her to this spot once before.


    As they climbed, Poppy supported her. However, Poppy grew increasingly uneasy as they ventured further from civilization. "Madam Vi, where are we going? It''s still so hot. Do you think you can handle it?" "We''re almost there."


    Vi felt exhausted, but it wasn''t like she could ride a carriage up this mountain. It had been years since she had walked such a rugged path. She paused to catch her breath, casting a cold nce at Poppy. "No matter whom we see today, you mustn''t breathe a word to anyone, understand?"


    Poppy nodded nervously. Though she hadn''t learned proper manners, she sensed that their trip to the mountains was not entirely appropriate, especially with so few people around.


    What would they do if they encountered danger? Who was Vi even going to meet? The secrecy weighed on Poppy''s mind, and she recalled Jane''s words from the night before.


    By the time they reached the halfway point, the sound of the waterfall reached Vi''s ears, making her heart race.


    Would he really be here?


    Suddenly, the ground felt impossibly heavy beneath her feet.


    What if he wasn''t? She had spent all night thinking about him. If he were absent, wouldn''t her actions have been ridiculous?


    After taking a few deep breaths, Vi made her way along the narrow mountain path. It had been years since she hadst visited; now, there were even small trails, indicating that others had discovered this scenic spot. Back then, when they came, he would hold her hand as they leaped over waist-high grass. That exhrating sensation of being airborne was thrilling and refreshing.


    As she rounded a bend, the view opened up before her.


    There he was, practicing his sword dance by the waterfall. The sight ignited her blood with fervor-he was here.


    Thomas was really here.


    Vi brushed the peony blossom in her hair. Then, she took a deep breath and instructed Poppy, "Stay here and don''te any closer."


    Seeing Vi approach a man alone, Poppy turned pale with fear. "Madam Vi, y-you can''t do this! If the general finds out..."


    "He''s no longer a general." Vi shot her a cold nce. "If you don''t say anything, no one will know. Just stay here and keep watch."


    As the sound of voices reached him,


    е


    Thomas Sheathed his sword. Even


    amidst the roar of the wa


    he


    could still hear clearly-a skilt honed


    during his time as a spy.


    Turning to the source of the sound, he saw Vi approaching.


    He blinked in surprise. Was it really her?


    As they locked eyes, Vi moved closer, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. She didn''t wipe them away. Instead, she let them flow freely down her cheeks.


    Thomas was drenched, revealing his lean and tall figure. He retreated a few steps and asked, "Why are you here?"


    Vi took another step forward, her


    voice breaking as she cried, "I wanted to see you! I was so happy when found out you were back. Thomas, you''re alive! You have no idea how happy I am."


    Seeing her tears twisted his heart. Since the day they married, he had sworn to protect her. But even amid his pain, he knew the boundaries they had to respect.


    "Thank you for your concern, but we''re no longer husband and wife. You''ve married someone else. We need to keep our distance."


    "Keep our distance?" Vi let out a bittersweetugh through her tears. "Have you really be this cold-hearted?"


    "I..." Thomas stood in the water, watching her approach despite her shoes and socks getting wet. "Don''te down. I''lle up."


    He climbed onto the bank but instinctively stepped a few paces to the left, maintaining the distance between them.


    "You shouldn''t havee. We shouldn''t meet like this. If word gets out, it could harm your reputation."Original content from N?velDrama.Org.