Chapter 64: Marriage? Revealing Secrets

The night was cool and the moonlight hazy. Inside the simple mud-walled house, warmth lingered in the air. Jing Qingxin gently wrapped her arms around Gao Shen’s strong waist, her cheek pressed against his sturdy chest, faintly hearing the powerful beat of his heart.

There was only one oil lamp in the entire house, its faint glow casting soft light across the room. To spend time with someone who truly understood you—perhaps this was what peace and contentment meant. It wasn’t about the length of time, but about being there for each other when needed, offering warmth and companionship.

Jing Qingxin understood the worry in Gao Shen’s heart. She nuzzled his chest in comfort and said softly, “Don’t worry. I’ll contact my brother as soon as I return. Perhaps he has records about the ancient ink jade pendant. Then we might find a way to traverse the timelines together.”

Gao Shen’s hold on her tightened, his tone anxious. “I’m just afraid that if you go back this time, you won’t be able to return. What then? I think we were only able to alter the timeline this once because of our shared bond. It might have been a fluke, and we can’t count on being so lucky every time, always calling out to each other at the exact right moment.”

Jing Qingxin felt the fear underlying his words. She was happy that he cared so much for her, but in the next moment, she felt the same fear herself—the dread of never seeing him again.

“If only I could take you with me,” Jing Qingxin sighed. Then they wouldn’t have to endure separation anymore. They could quietly form a small family together; how wonderful that would be.

Gao Shen let out a mute laugh, pulling her tightly into his embrace. No matter how great the difficulties he’d faced before, he’d always overcome them with calm intelligence and determination. In his eyes, there was no problem that couldn’t be solved.

Even when his family was implicated and exiled, he had not been crushed. He believed that as long as he stayed alive, anything could be slowly worked out.

But this time, the upheaval shattered his faith. This wasn’t something that could be overcome by will or intellect alone. The obstacle was not human, but the vast gulf of time itself.

For the first time in twenty-five years, Gao Shen tasted the flavor of fear, felt how small and helpless he was as a human being. The feeling left him deeply frustrated.

He couldn’t help but murmur in despair, “Qingxin, how can I keep you by my side?”

His muttered sigh seemed almost to himself, but it sparked a sudden idea in Jing Qingxin’s mind. She sat up abruptly, looking at him in surprise. “Gao Shen, let’s get married!”

Still reeling from his earlier sense of defeat, Gao Shen was taken aback by her sudden proposal. But his years of self-discipline quickly reasserted themselves. He sat up, took her hand, and asked, “Qingxin, what did you just say? Marriage?”

He had actually thought about using marriage, using their feelings, to keep her with him. But the thought was fleeting—he couldn’t be so selfish. She had her family, and he felt the warmth and harmony of her home. He couldn’t make this choice for her.

To love her meant to care about her feelings even more.

“Yes. Maybe if we marry, I can take you to my era,” Jing Qingxin said, her eyes bright with excitement.

Gao Shen chuckled softly. “What makes you think that if we get married, I’ll be able to travel with you to your time?”

Jing Qingxin smiled. “Remember when I told you my family is a little special?”

Gao Shen nodded, puzzled. She had told him about her family before, but what did that have to do with this?

She turned and took his hand in hers, speaking gently. “Gao Shen, I want to tell you a family secret. Only my parents and my brother know about this.”

At her words, Gao Shen’s brows knitted in concern. He immediately tried to stop her. “Qingxin, you don’t have to tell me. It concerns your family—one less person who knows means more safety.”

Ever since he learned that Jing Qingxin could travel through time with the ancient ink jade pendant, Gao Shen had realized her family was extraordinary. Every family had its secrets; he understood that well.

Hearing that she was willing to share her family’s secret with him meant she truly recognized and trusted him. He was happy, but he didn’t want her to endanger herself. It wasn’t just her own secret; it concerned her whole family.

Jing Qingxin smiled. “Gao Shen, do you love me?”

He was momentarily taken aback by her change of topic, but he answered seriously and sincerely, “Yes. I’ve never been so sure of anything.”

Her smile grew even brighter. “Then are you willing to marry me?”

“Of course I am. I was just afraid you wouldn’t want to,” Gao Shen replied honestly.

“Then that settles it! My family’s secret can be known by my spouse and children. You’re the one I’ve chosen to spend my life with, so of course you can know.” Jing Qingxin explained.

Without waiting for him to say anything more, she continued, “My family is special because of my mother. When she was young, she once had an extraordinary encounter and acquired a treasure called the ‘Luminous Space.’ It came from a practitioner of immortality. The ‘Luminous Space’ cannot be seen or touched by the naked eye; it’s embedded inside our bodies, an independent world, like a paradise described in books. It’s a separate little universe, controlled by our thoughts.”

At this, waves of astonishment rose in Gao Shen’s heart. Such wondrous things, he’d only ever heard about in old tales and storybooks. But he quickly adjusted his mindset and calmly accepted this incredible revelation.

After all, ever since he learned time travel was possible, he realized there were many things in this world beyond human knowledge. Truly, the world is vast and full of wonders.

Jing Qingxin paused, waiting for him to absorb what she’d said. Seeing that his expression remained calm, she went on, “Within the ‘Luminous Space’ are many ancient books and treasures, as well as rare medicines. There’s plenty of room—a palace, a vast garden and medicinal field, even a little stream. Nothing inside is ordinary; everything has its own unique effect. In time, you’ll come to understand.”

“So, the medicine you used to treat my leg came from that space?” Gao Shen suddenly recalled the remedy she’d given him.

“Yes, that’s right,” Jing Qingxin answered directly.

—End of excerpt—