Chapter 179: The Candle

Lan Wu sat up on the bed, panting heavily, with fine beads of sweat forming on her forehead.

This dream was too… not exactly strange, but it had truly startled her.

In every previous instance of entering dreams, she had been like a wisp of air—able to see Chu Mingheng and hear him, yet utterly incapable of changing anything. Chu Mingheng had no idea she was by his side.

But this time, he had genuinely heard her voice.

Why had he heard her?

Would he be able to hear her in the future as well?

The dream had ended too early. If only it had lasted a little longer, allowing her to speak with Chu Mingheng a bit more.

Thinking this, Lan Wu lay back down on the bed, hoping to fall asleep again.

But it was already morning, the time she usually rose. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t fall back asleep and had no choice but to get up.

In the afternoon, Lan Wu went to Wuji Temple as usual.

The chanting at Wuji Temple always brought a sense of comfort, making one involuntarily calm down, as if all the worries in one’s heart were nothing of great importance.

To be honest, Lan Wu wanted to ask Master Huifan. Judging by the dream, he should have seen her in it. Since he had spoken those words to Chu Mingheng, perhaps he hadn’t just learned of her presence…

However, when night fell and she entered the dream again, the scene before her was no longer within Nanli Temple.

This was… the Imperial Study?

Lan Wu followed the faint glow of candlelight and, unsurprisingly, saw Chu Mingheng seated at the desk.

It was late at night. Just by looking at the bright moon outside the window, one could tell the hour was late, yet Chu Mingheng was still reviewing memorials.

His expression appeared somewhat stern, not much different from his usual demeanor. His hair was neatly combed and adorned with a golden crown, and his complexion looked slightly better than when she had seen him in the dream the previous day.

Lan Wu approached and tentatively called out to Chu Mingheng, “Your Majesty?”

Chu Mingheng showed no reaction.

Was it… that he couldn’t hear her again?

Puzzled, Lan Wu raised her voice, calling out twice by his ear, and even reached out to pinch Chu Mingheng’s cheek.

Still nothing.

But why had it worked yesterday, yet not today?

Feeling disheartened, Lan Wu refused to give up. She called out to Chu Mingheng repeatedly in front of him, even tugging at him, until she was left panting and exhausted, but to no avail.

Leaning against the desk, she caught her breath lightly, watching as Chu Mingheng picked up another memorial.

It was so late, yet Chu Mingheng still hadn’t gone to sleep. Did he think he was made of iron? Wasn’t he tired at all?

Lan Wu couldn’t help him, nor could she stop him. She even wondered if the location was the issue—perhaps Chu Mingheng could only hear her if they were at Nanli Temple?

She had no idea how many days had passed between yesterday’s dream and today’s.

But judging by Chu Mingheng’s appearance, it couldn’t have been too long. He didn’t look any older.

In fact, he seemed even more spirited, unlike the despondent state she had seen in previous dreams.

But was there really no way?

Could Chu Mingheng truly not hear her anymore?

Thinking this, Lan Wu let out a deep sigh, feeling as though fate was toying with her.

Her sigh was rather noticeable, directed right at the candlestick placed on the desk. As she sighed, the flame on the candlestick flickered suddenly, and the shadows cast by the candlelight wavered along with it.

Hmm?

Lan Wu fixed her gaze on it.

Chu Mingheng saw it too.

He looked around and saw that the window was half-open, so he got up to close it before returning to his seat. Yet he did not resume reviewing the memorials, instead staring at the candlestick as if confirming something.

Lan Wu called out to him, but seeing that he still could not hear her, she had no choice but to blow gently at the flame of the candle.

She did not use much force—the flame did not go out, but it flickered noticeably.

The firelight illuminated Chu Mingheng’s face. He looked agitated, as if struggling to hold back something. His voice stumbled slightly as he spoke, and he turned his face from side to side, trembling as he asked, “Is… is it A’Wu?”

Lan Wu answered him, but then remembered he could not hear her.

Chu Mingheng heard no sound and looked somewhat disappointed, but he quickly added, “If it’s A’Wu, blow out the candle once, please…”

Lan Wu decisively blew at the candle, but this time she used too much force, and the flame went out.

The hall suddenly darkened for a moment.

Chu Mingheng hurriedly said, “It’s alright, it’s alright, A’Wu. I’ll have more candles brought in right away. A’Wu, don’t leave. I’ll be quick—”

Lan Wu quietly watched as he summoned palace attendants to light more candles. Only when dozens of candles were placed on the table did he finally relent, quickly dismissing everyone.

“A’Wu, are you still here?” Chu Mingheng looked around again and said, “If A’Wu is here, blow out one more candle.”

Lan Wu stepped forward and blew out one.

Chu Mingheng watched this scene, standing motionless, his eyes reddening. He reached out to touch the empty space before him, unable to resist murmuring, “A’Wu, you’re this tall. Is my hand touching your face?”

Lan Wu looked at his hand, which was perfectly aligned with the side of her face. She stepped forward and gently leaned her cheek into his palm. Though she could not truly feel it, the gesture seemed to offer comfort to both of them.

Soon, Lan Wu blew out another candle, signaling to Chu Mingheng—yes.

Chu Mingheng’s hand trembled uncontrollably. To anyone else, this would have seemed bizarre, but to him, it was his only lifeline.

He opened his mouth and spoke softly, “A’Wu, I miss you so much. It’s because I miss you too much that… that I’ve been acting strangely. It wasn’t intentional, A’Wu, please don’t—”

He grew anxious, lowering his voice as if pleading, “A’Wu, don’t be afraid of me, please?”

Lan Wu covered her face, unable to bear looking at his expression. She knew he was referring to the time he had mistaken her for herself and even styled her hair. Her heart ached, twisting painfully as if every breath hurt.

She leaned down and blew out another candle, telling Chu Mingheng—she was not afraid.

Chu Mingheng seemed to relax, a smile finally appearing on his face. He had so much to say, yet the words were stuck in his throat, each one carefully weighed, unable to form a complete sentence.

“A’Wu, Huifan said I could still see you. When will I be able to? I miss you so much, I want to see you, I want to talk to you…”

Lan Wu could not answer this question. Hesitating, she blew out two candles.

As the candles released wisps of white smoke, a white mist began to rise around them.

Lan Wu was startled and tried to escape the mist, but it was futile.

Opening her eyes, she awoke once more.