Traveling to ancient times to sweep the catering industry

Chapter 324 There is still plenty of time

In this magnificent palace, the throne is like a mountain, and sitting on it is the emperor Li Zhen. In his hand is a delicate book, which is Xu Jiaoran's jade book, which once recorded her and his many experiences. Looking at these handwritings, all the power struggles in the past unfolded vividly in his mind again.

He used tough means to make Xu Jiaoran the queen. There was a desire for freedom, helplessness in life, and doubts about fate in her eyes. However, after countless days and nights, she became the queen of the palace and Li Zhen's partner.

Time flies, and now she is no longer that simple girl, but he still has doubts in his heart - does she love him?

Li Zhen's eyes revealed deep nostalgia and contemplation. He stood in front of her palace, silently gazing at the beautiful figure under the glass lamp. When he slowly told her his doubts under the moonlight, he seemed to feel that those gorgeous words seemed empty at this moment. But he wanted to find out the truth after all.

"Jiao Ran." Li Zhen's voice echoed in the silent night. "I used tough means to bring you to my side. Now many years have passed. I want to ask you, do you love me?"

Xu Jiaoran was slightly surprised to hear this sudden question. After a moment of silence, she slowly turned around. Her eyes were as clear as a mirror of autumn water. Her light eyes hid the emotions in her heart and the stories left by time. Her heart waves were like a deep pool of clear water, hiding her thoughts. When she looked at it like this, she seemed to see herself when she first entered the palace, when she was full of expectations and fears for the future.

Xu Jiaoran was silent for a moment, then whispered, "Love or not, it doesn't matter anymore, does it?"

There was a sigh and a hint of sadness in her words. In this imperial family compound, many things have changed. The passion and emotion of the past have been worn away by time, and between her and him, there is only the accumulation of time and silent companionship.

Li Zhen did not say much, he knew that his mistakes were irreparable. In these many years, he never really wanted to get some love and return from Xu Jiaoran, all he had was deep guilt and a small hope to be close to her. This relationship did not contain mutual love and the pain of sacrifice, but more of a helpless companionship and responsibility.

"Yes," Li Zhen whispered, "time flies like an arrow."

His voice was filled with endless vicissitudes and regrets. In the face of time, everything seemed so insignificant. And Xu Jiaoran's existence seemed to be his only comfort. When she was by his side, he felt calm even when there was no wind or rain.

Looking at Li Zhen's back, Xu Jiaoran's thoughts were as deep and distant as the night. She had no way to respond to Li Zhen's deep affection.

She couldn't tell what her feelings were for him - was it love? Maybe; was it not love? Not necessarily. She only knew that over the long years, she had gotten used to his existence.

The two people under the palace lanterns seemed to be frozen in time at this moment, with thousands of words in their hearts but unable to speak. The relationship between them is not as simple as love or not. It is mixed with guilt, helplessness, hope, forgiveness and other complex emotional factors. Maybe their love was a mistake from the beginning, but it cannot be considered a bad thing; or maybe the story without an ending has a little hope after years, but these are just as far away as the moon in the water and the flowers in the mirror.

The days in the palace passed quietly. Without the fighting and prosperity, there was more dependence and comfort between each other.

Under the night sky, the two looked at each other without words but could feel each other's warmth and care; it was a tacit understanding that could be understood without words and a warm memory of staying together in the long river of time...

"Your Majesty." Xu Jiaoran's voice was like the gentle plucking of a musical instrument. "It doesn't matter whether you love me or not. Isn't it good enough for me to be by your side?"

"Time flies like an arrow." Li Zhen continued, "It's great to have you by my side all these years."

Xu Jiaoran smiled slightly: "Companionship is a proof of deep affection, but love is more than just companionship."

"What is that?" Li Zhen felt a little uneasy.

"It's mutual care, understanding, and tolerance." Xu Jiaoran's tone was full of tenderness, "It's relying on each other and going through the ups and downs together during these long years."

Li Zhen listened to her answer quietly, and his heart was moved. He looked into her bright eyes, as if he saw the days they had spent together - the days they had been through thick and thin together, the days they had supported each other, the days they had understood each other... All of these made him feel extremely precious.

"So," Li Zhen said slowly, "Do you love me?"

Xu Jiaoran nodded slightly, her eyes as deep and peaceful as the lake. She said softly: "I have spent all these years with you."

Her words revealed a deep emotion, as if she was telling a story from the long past.

"These years," she continued, "have been filled with laughter, tears, wind and rain, and sunshine. Every ups and down has become our shared memory."

There was a hint of tenderness in her tone, as if she was recalling the time she spent with the emperor.

Li Zhen listened quietly, a gentle light flashed in his eyes. He whispered: "As long as you have this love, I will be satisfied."

Xu Jiaoran sighed softly, her eyes becoming a little blurry. She continued, "In these long years, there may be love, but not much."

There was a hint of sadness in her voice, as if she was expressing an unspeakable emotion.

"Not much?" Li Zhen was slightly stunned, his eyes fixed on Xu Jiaoran. He asked, "Do you still have room for someone else in your heart?"

Xu Jiaoran was silent for a moment, her eyes became firm and deep. She said slowly: "My heart no longer has anyone else. The past is in the past. I will not think about it anymore. I will only look to the future."

Although her voice was low, it was full of determination and persistence.

"That's enough." Li Zhen showed a relieved smile on his face. His eyes showed a light of satisfaction and happiness. He said softly: "As long as you have me in your heart, it's good. We have a long way to go and we still have a lot of time to be together."

At this moment, their eyes met, as if there were endless words and emotions flowing in them. There was a faint floral scent in the air, and the scent of magnolia seemed to be even stronger.

Under the moonlight, the two figures reflected each other, as if frozen in time into a beautiful painting. Although this deep love was not vigorous, it was deeply imprinted in each other's hearts.