This was the only option for now. Hailin calmed down and began assigning tasks.
The group split up to search in different places. Although the area wasn't large, it wasn't small either. To prevent getting separated, they had to work in groups of at least two or three people each.
Shi Mei and Shi Lan followed Hai Ling, searching for usable food and water as they went.
"Miss, what will the Emperor do if he finds out you are missing?"
If the Emperor knew that Miss was missing, he would probably be frantic with worry.
As soon as Shi Mei spoke, Hai Ling stopped in her tracks and slowly said, "What can he do? Does he lack women around him?"
Suddenly, a deep, slightly magnetic voice rang out: "One is missing."
That voice? The three women turned around in unison, somewhat incredulous. When they saw the tall, handsome man walking towards them through the thin mist, they were completely petrified. Hai Ling, in particular, thought she was hallucinating. She blinked hard, then opened her eyes. There he was, still a dashing figure, walking gracefully through the morning mist.
Hai Ling couldn't describe what she was thinking at that moment. She only had one thought: How could this man be so foolish? Then tears welled up in her eyes and rolled down her cheeks.
She fell off a cliff, thinking she was doomed, and dared not think too much. But unexpectedly, he appeared at the bottom of Black Wind Cliff, and he so wanted to make her cry.
Why are you here?
"I want to find the woman who has always refused to marry me."
Ye Lingfeng's voice was filled with joy and delight. He was truly relieved. Finally, he saw that she was alright.
It seems that God is still protecting them; since she is safe, he is safe too.
The two stared at each other longingly. Shi Mei waved her hand and led Shi Lan, Shi Zhu, and the others away quietly, leaving the two of them alone.
They breathed a sigh of relief when they saw the Emperor appear. The Emperor's martial arts skills were extremely impressive, and if he wanted to get out, he would surely have a way.
After Shi Mei, Shi Lan and the others left, all was quiet, and only he and she remained in the world.
The mountain breeze stirred their clothes, making them appear ethereal and otherworldly. Their jet-black hair danced lightly in the wind. Both of them possessed unparalleled beauty and radiant brilliance, standing apart from the world.
Ye Lingfeng slowly opened his arms, his deep, shining eyes gazing at the little girl standing quietly not far away. Her teary-eyed appearance moved him more than ever before, making him happier.
Hai Ling stood still, unsure of what to say. She had been determined not to marry him or enter the palace.
Because she had always thought that the people in the palace were so selfish and always taking advantage of others, but now that she saw him appear at the bottom of the cliff, she knew that she was wrong. There are people who are different, and that is even more precious. Looking at the dazzling man with his flowing brocade robes and black hair, she knew that he was the one she could entrust her life to.
Everything changed when he appeared at the foot of Black Wind Cliff.
Seeing that she didn't move and only knew how to shed tears, Ye Lingfeng couldn't help but take a few steps forward, stretch out his long, slender hand and pull her close to his chest.
"What are you thinking about? I've never seen Ling'er cry before. She's so touching."
These tears are more precious than pearls.
Hailin finally snapped out of her daze amid his teasing, stopped the tears in her eyes, and put on a smile.
What should she say to this man?
"Ling'er, do you believe me now? I will never betray you in this life, and I will chase after you to the ends of the earth."
Hai Ling nodded. The situation below Black Wind Cliff was not clearly visible from above, so if one wanted to go down Black Wind Cliff, one had to be prepared to die without hesitation. Who knew if it was a bottomless pit or full of hidden reefs? One moment of fearlessness and one would be smashed to pieces. Yet he, the emperor, disregarded everything and went down.
"Would you like to marry me now?"
"I?"
Just as Hai Ling was about to speak, Ji Shaocheng and the others who were walking over from not far away froze when they saw Ye Lingfeng's figure in the distance. They then rushed over and bowed respectfully, saying, "Your Majesty, I greet you."
Ji Shaocheng was also very excited. He never expected that the Emperor would risk his life for his sister. Now he considered him a man, and as long as he treated Ling'er well, he would accept him.
Ye Lingfeng was somewhat disappointed. He was supposed to hear Ling'er say she was going to marry him, but because of Ji Shaocheng's interference, he didn't even hear her say whether she was going to marry him or not.
"Get up."
Ye Lingfeng led Hai Ling by the hand to everyone. Everyone felt as if they were in a dream. They never expected that there would be such a place under Black Wind Cliff. Fortunately, it was so that they could save Ling'er.
"Your Majesty, what should we do now? We can't get to Black Wind Cliff at all."
As Shi Mei spoke, Ji Shaocheng nodded quickly to her side: "Yes, we must go up as soon as possible, otherwise there will definitely be an uproar up there."
The emperor jumped off Black Wind Cliff, and the court officials were in a panic, so they had to get up there as soon as possible.
Otherwise, Northern Lu would be in chaos. As the young general of Northern Lu, Ji Shaocheng naturally cared about the affairs of the court.
"Actually, there is a way to get up there."
Ye Lingfeng already had a plan in mind. When he spoke, everyone was delighted and breathed a sigh of relief. Shi Mei urged impatiently, "Your Majesty, what are we waiting for? Let's go up."
"No, I want to wait for someone's answer."
Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at the Emperor, wondering what he meant. Then, following the Emperor's deep pupils, they saw that he was waiting for Miss Ji to say something. What did he want Miss Ji to say?
After a little thought, I figured it all out.
Shi Mei spoke first: "Miss, the Emperor is still waiting for your answer. The Emperor disregarded his own safety and jumped off Black Wind Cliff. Aren't you going to agree to marry him, Miss?"
Hai Ling's lips curled slightly as she looked at the people around her, all of whom were looking at her expectantly. It seemed that if she didn't agree to marry them now, she would incur their wrath. Finally, her face flushed slightly as she nodded: "Okay, I'll marry you."
For this man, she decided to give it her all. From now on, she would walk alongside him and would never be a burden to him.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, the young lady is married! That's wonderful, wonderful!"
Shi Mei and Shi Lan became excited, hugged each other, and cheered. The others also laughed happily.