Days of clear weather after snow had brought calm, and the walls of Lachlian seemed to finally relax under the Silver Light Peace Edict. Avril and Lucian stood facing each other in the imperial empty corridor, with the afterglow of the morning light reflecting on the carved colonnade, casting their firm backs. Prime Minister Gu hurried over, holding a roll of secret documents, his expression grave."Your Highness," he bowed and reported, "A letter from the hermits of the White Lily Nunnery says that several high monks in the nunnery are plotting to create an avalanche illusion with the 'Ice Dream Curse,' intending to break the border passage, block reinforcements, and severely damage the capital's trust system."Avril took the secret document, frowning slightly: "This plot is vicious, wanting to use nature as a warning and doubts to shake people's hearts. Lucian, this trip must leave no room for mercy. I order you to take the shadow guards and snow riders, sneak into the White Lily Nunnery in the middle of the night, destroy the curse tools, and release the monks in the nunnery."Lucian's heart moved, and he agreed loudly: "This subordinate swears to uproot the 'Ice Dream Curse' completely, and will live up to Your Highness's great trust."
The Nunnery Under the Moonlight
The night was as dark as ink, and in the snowy night, the White Lily Nunnery was like a flower on a glacier, cold and abstract. Lucian led the shadow guards to climb over the wall and enter. First, Mei Xia and Karina took off the hats of the night-watching monks, sneaking in with silent techniques. The two followed the corridor in the forest to the main hall, and saw several monks sitting around under the snow-sand-colored curtains. The curse books and ice crystal offering plates in front of them glowed with cold light, and the curse sounds were faint.Lucian let out a soft shout, his silver sword vibrated, and the curse books and offering plates turned into debris. The shadow guards took action and controlled several frightened monks. Lucian approached, his tone cold: "Those who use curses to illusion snow and want to destroy the country's heart shall all be tried."
Advice in the Nunnery
The monks were escorted back to the imperial secret hall for trial. Avril came in person and read the imperial edict in public. The chief hermit, Zen Master Qingxuan, knelt down and defended: "What we seek is nothing but to purify the suffering of the border, take snow as a mirror, and make the world alert to the un un between true and false. But what we did was excessive, and we are willing to listen to Your Highness's teachings."Avril's eyes were sharp, but she said softly: "The way of purification should borrow the light of trust, not the snow of fear. If the nunnery is willing to protect the country and the people, it can change to the border blessing ceremony according to the Silver Light Peace Edict, so that the prayers will no longer be panic, but become protection." She turned and signaled the guards to release them: "Zen Master Qingxuan, after you and the monks return to the nunnery, you must use this new ceremony to rebuild the bridge between faith and people's hearts."The monks accepted the order with tears and made a deep bow.
Tenderness Before the Storm
Back in the imperial garden's Spring Pavilion, the night after the snowstorm still had lingering cold. Avril, wearing a silver velvet nightgown, stood quietly by the stone railing, looking at the spring water reflecting the moon, her eyebrows still slightly furrowed. Lucian came quietly, took off his cloak and put it on her shoulders."The wind and snow have not stopped, can you feel at ease?" he asked in a low voice.She looked back, her eyes gentle: "Without you by my side, even sunny days would make me nervous."
Snow Shadow's Soft Melody
He bent down to kiss her neck, his fingertips unbuttoning the silver clasp of his night armor, and his warm skin was particularly eye-catching in the snowy night. Avril hugged his neck back, her fingertips sliding along the seam of his breastplate and lining clothes, touching the firmness of his heart.Candlelight and spring light intertwined, and they merged again on the brocade couch. Lucian explored her deepest desires with his lips, tongue and fingers. Avril's low moans flowed like snow water through her heart, both soft and full of strength. The two lingering in the last peace before the storm, vowing to confront all undercurrents with love and trust.