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Therefore, as long as the Lord Marshal met the Military Advisor, sparks would inevitably fly like dry tinder catching fire, and he would coax the Military Advisor into beaming with joy in no time at all.

Now came the real problem. How on earth was he supposed to get the Lord Marshal to meet the Military Advisor?

Yan Ke racked his brains for ages, only to realize that as a mere wisp of consciousness, he had no physical strength whatsoever. Aside from talking, he had no other skills.

To make matters worse, the Lord Marshal had his guard up high and ignored him entirely.

What should he do? What could he do?

He pondered this all the way until evening.

Lu Li held a prominent position in the Beast Clan as the fourth son of the chieftain. Although he had three older brothers, he had been exceptionally clever since childhood and was deeply favored by his imperial father. Returning from his tempering in the human realm with the ability to take human form, he drew the admiration of thousands and became a formidable candidate for the crown prince.

For such a favored prince, guests arrived in an endless stream to celebrate his coming-of-age banquet.

Even the monarch attended in person. Although he stayed only briefly, it was already an immense honor.

Lu Li was in high spirits and accepted every toast offered to him, so naturally he ended up thoroughly drunk.

Once the banquet dispersed, he returned to his bedchamber to rest and fell asleep before long.

Yan Ke had a sudden thought and felt this was a golden opportunity.

As long as he woke the Lord Marshal, returning to reality would restore his memories completely. Then, by reconnecting swiftly, he would achieve twice the result with half the effort.

Doctor Yan felt he was brilliant, likely influenced by spending so much time around the Military Advisor.

No sooner said than done, Yan Ke quickly woke Lu Li in reality.

Lu Li opened his eyes, his brow furrowing slightly as he asked, “What is it?”

Yan Ke spoke at an astonishing speed, rattling off a long string of words within seconds. “My Lord, you were schemed against by it! You lost your memories and forgot the Military Advisor, so I had to wake you. Now that your memories are back, hurry back into the dream and coax him, he must be completely heartbroken!”

Without waiting for Lu Li to speak, he promptly re-established the connection.

The entire process was smooth and rapid, so only a single night had likely passed within the dream.

Yan Ke happily returned to the dream and found that just as he thought, dawn had just broken and it was time to wake up.

Lu Li opened his eyes. The hangover was unpleasant, and he massaged his temples.

Yan Ke whispered an urgent reminder, “My Lord, hurry and…”

Before he could finish, Lu Li’s pupils contracted slightly, his face turning grim. “Just who are you?”

Yan Ke had no words.

Lu Li was extremely vigilant. Scanning the room, his voice grew even colder. “Come out.”

Existing merely as a wisp of consciousness, Yan Ke shivered in fright and almost burst into tears.

What should he do? Military Advisor, what should he do? The Lord Marshal forgot again!

Yan Ke did not dare make a sound, terrified that Lu Li would execute him.

With him staying silent, it was not easy for Lu Li to find him, but immense suspicion had already taken root.

Refusing to give up, Yan Ke woke Lu Li again that evening.

After Yan Ke finished his hurried explanation, Lu Li spoke quickly, “I didn’t recover my memories?”

Yan Ke said, “Yes, once you enter the dream, you forget everything again.”

Lu Li frowned slightly. Daring not waste a single second, Yan Ke said, “My Lord, you need to enter the dream now. The flow of time is accelerating. When we first left, thirty seconds equaled one night, but it gets faster as it goes. If we delay any longer, a whole month might have passed inside the dream by the time you return!”

Just imagining it felt agonizingly cruel. The Military Advisor was eagerly waiting for the Lord Marshal day after day, and receiving no word for so long would break his heart.

Once Lu Li returned to the dream, Yan Ke did not dare make a sound. He figured that if Lu Li had his memories, he would definitely speak to him first.

However, Lu Li spent the day busy with affairs, and upon returning to the palace in the afternoon, he had guards thoroughly search the bedchamber.

Search for what? Yan Ke shuddered. Clearly searching for him!

Still no memories!

At this point, Yan Ke finally understood. Since it could make the Lord Marshal lose his memory once, it could probably do so countless times. Moreover, repeatedly waking him would only make the Lord Marshal more anxious. Yan Ke also knew full well how deeply Lu Li treasured Xie Jianwei; knowing that his amnesia caused Xie Jianwei grief, Lu Li would likely be even more devastated than Xie Jianwei himself.

In such an emotional state, it could easily take advantage of the opening to trigger repeated bouts of amnesia.

Waking him up was useless now, so what could be done?

Burning with anxiety, Yan Ke observed secretly for a few days before he could no longer resist waking Lu Li once more.

This time, before Yan Ke could speak, Lu Li asked, “Can it cause me to lose my memories repeatedly?”

Without wasting words, Yan Ke replied quickly, “Yes, waking you up has no effect.”

“I see,” Lu Li mused. “Tell the dream version of me this…”

He spoke very rapidly, clearly not wanting too much time to slip by in the dream, but there was quite a lot to convey, and no matter how fast he spoke, it still took some time.

Fine beads of sweat covered Yan Ke’s forehead, partly from anxiety and partly from trying his utmost to memorize every key point without making a single mistake.

Although the Military Advisor had always been the intellectual pillar, the Lord Marshal was by no means lacking.

After all, once the Milky Way Empire was established and the Military Advisor retreated from public life, the Lord Marshal had handled all the scheming officials alone. Maintaining balance and subjugating ministers required serious intellect.

It was only that the Military Advisor’s brilliance was so dazzling that it overshadowed the Lord Marshal.

In reality, both were exceptionally sharp and capable leaders who could hold their own ground.

Lu Li asked him, “Do you understand?”

Yan Ke nodded solemnly. “Understood!”

Without further delay, they quickly entered the dream.

However, quite a bit of time had passed this time, already seven days later.

Although they had left, the dream version of Lu Li lived his life as usual without missing a beat.

When Lu Li woke, Loren happened to be present as well.

Loren was discussing the northwestern military situation with him.

The Beast Clan was far from peaceful. Its vast territory was divided into four kingdoms locked in endless conflict, each striving to unify the realm.

Panlia, where Lu Li resided, was on hostile terms with the Bear Kingdom in the northwest. Their races were similar and originally close kin, but precisely because of this ancestral link, the Bear Clan considered the Giant Panda Clan a mere branch. Since they were a branch, they had no right to remain an independent nation, so the bears continuously sought to subjugate Panlia.

Why would the giant pandas of Panlia submit to their whims? The Bear Clan was brutal and bloodthirsty, entirely at odds with Panlia’s philosophy of governance. Even if they shared roots, centuries of divergence had made them distinct races. Their capabilities were comparable, so why should either bend to the other?

Consequently, constant skirmishes flared between the two.

The Bear Clan possessed formidable combat strength, easily fighting three to one. Most citizens of Panlia were mild-mannered and disliked conflict; while they would fight fiercely for their homeland, they were still slightly outmatched by the bears.

Thus, in recent years, Panlia had been consistently suppressed in battle.

Recently, the newly enthroned king of the Bear Clan swore an oath to conquer Panlia.

The chieftain of Panlia responded immediately, declaring that they would defend their homeland and meet any invader head-on.

With war imminent, the four imperial princes made intense preparations. All of them knew that distinguishing themselves in this campaign would practically guarantee the position of crown prince.

Lu Li never lacked ambition, and he would not let such an opportunity slip by easily.

He and Loren discussed strategy until late into the night. When leaving, Loren shifted into his bear form for speed, leaping up with remarkable agility despite his round, chunky physique.

Yan Ke could not resist stealing several glances. He genuinely loved fluffy beasts, but what troubled him even more was that Loren’s eyes in bear form gave him an eerie sense of familiarity.

It was a distant yet piercingly sharp familiarity.

He did not want to dwell on it, because recalling it brought only suffocating pain.

Yan Ke felt there was something deeply wrong with him.

Perhaps he had witnessed too much romance and yearned for love himself, yet no matter how much he wished for it, the dead would never return, and the living could never be that same person.

While Yan Ke was lost in thought, Lu Li had already run through several simulated ambushes on the tactical terrain map of the northwest.

Seeing that no one else was around, Yan Ke gathered his thoughts and began his performance.

“Don’t you feel you have forgotten something very important?” He lowered his voice intentionally, mimicking Lu Li’s tone and mannerisms.

This was simple enough for an interstellar human possessing advanced vocal techniques.

Lu Li showed no surprise at the voice. Still staring at the terrain board, he marked a mountain pass and asked, “Shouldn’t you introduce yourself before starting a conversation?”

Yan Ke still felt a little nervous, but remembering Lu Li’s instructions, he steadied himself and continued, “I am you.”

Lu Li sneered. “Your voice sounds quite like mine now, but earlier…”

Yan Ke remained calm. The Lord Marshal had anticipated all of this and handed him the script beforehand. Having memorized it thoroughly, he was confident he would not slip up, even if acting for the first time made him slightly tense.

Continuing to imitate Lu Li, Yan Ke said, “If I were not you, how could I speak directly inside your mind?”

The corners of Lu Li’s lips curved, a faint glint of bloodlust surfacing in his eyes. “Who knows what tricks you used.”

Yan Ke said, “You have searched thoroughly over these past few days. Did you find a single clue?”

Naturally, he had found nothing, since even the entity was unaware of Yan Ke’s existence.

Lu Li said, “Finding nothing at all is precisely what makes it most unsettling.”

Yan Ke said, “I am you, whether you believe it or not. The only reason I am here is to tell you one thing.”

Lu Li clearly doubted him, but did not mind listening. “What is it?”

Yan Ke said, “You forgot someone who is extraordinarily important to you.”

Lu Li chuckled softly. “A human?”

Just as Yan Ke prepared to speak Xie Jianwei’s name, Lu Li said in a heavy voice, “What is there to cherish about the human race? Their ancestors used underhanded tricks to force a pact with our people. Protecting them for ten or twenty years may not seem long, but on what grounds? Why must our Panlia clan guard such fragile creatures?”

Yan Ke was not naturally skilled at this kind of manipulation, but thankfully the Lord Marshal had foreseen even this reaction, allowing him to recite the script smoothly. “Aren’t you curious about the kind of person you spent twenty years protecting?”

“I already told you, those are shameful memories, and forgetting them is only right.”

Without warning, Yan Ke uttered three words. “Xie Jianwei.”

Sure enough, exactly as the Lord Marshal predicted, the cold expression on Lu Li’s face fractured. His pupils contracted sharply, an indescribable mix of emotions surfacing, accompanied by a flicker of deep unease.

Pressing the advantage, Yan Ke added, “He is the one who was with you for twenty years. He is the new emperor of the human realm, unifying the mortal world at merely twenty-six, revered by millions…”

“Enough,” Lu Li interrupted him. “I am not interested.”

Yan Ke delivered the crucial line. “If you truly were not interested, I would not even exist.”

Lu Li froze.

Yan Ke added, “Go see him for yourself. Do not let ignorance lead you to regret. Whether you should forget him is not for others to decide on your behalf, but your own judgment.”

Having delivered the final line of the script, Yan Ke breathed a sigh of relief, feeling his mission was complete.

Lu Li truly understood himself well.

The name Xie Jianwei itself was a massive shock to his system. Furthermore, he despised being controlled. In this world, aside from Xie Jianwei, no one was permitted to decide anything for him, not even destiny.

Losing his memories had not been his choice, but something forced upon him.

Even without Yan Ke’s words, he had already felt deeply disgruntled about it, and Yan Ke’s intervention added fuel to the fire, stoking his aversion.

He had no natural fondness for humans. The education in Panlia described humans as frail, timid, short-lived, yet calculating.

Long ago, a human had obtained a secret art from the gods, which allowed mortals to summon guardian divine beasts to protect them unconditionally.

Most guardian beasts were powerful beast warriors. Once summoned, they lost their memories and faithfully served as human pets, accepting abandonment, neglect, or even death without complaint.

Only when their term expired could they depart. The sole benefit was attaining human form hundreds of years earlier than normal beasts.

However, the price was steep. Some beasts could not bear the humiliation and waged war on mankind, only to be crushed by the gods.

Others were completely domesticated, choosing to flee back to the mortal realm to remain servants even after gaining human form.

Such unending troubles brought immense misery to Panlia. After careful deliberation, the elders added an enchantment to the transformation ritual, causing every returning clansman to forget their years spent among mortals.

Consequently, risks dropped dramatically, allowing them to adapt to the periodic summoning curse.

Once those memories were wiped away, reinforced by cultural indoctrination, no returning panda ever set foot in the human realm again.

It was not that they could not return, but that there was no reason to.

They were viewed as shameful, unpleasant memories, so why recall them?

Trading ten or twenty years for premature transformation was considered a worthwhile trade, like closed-door cultivation.

In this generation, only Lu Li and Loren had served as guardian beasts. Thus, Lu Li sought out Loren and asked, “Do you want to visit the human realm?”

Loren replied, “What is there to see in that wretched place?”

Lu Li asked, “Aren’t you curious about what you did during those ten years?”

Loren paused.

Lu Li said, “I know his name.”

Who this person was went without saying.

As the one who brought him back, Loren naturally understood, asking in surprise, “You didn’t forget?”

Lu Li mused, “Perhaps.” He could not explain Yan Ke’s presence either, but maybe that voice truly was another part of himself, given how thoroughly it understood his mind.

“Xie Jianwei,” Lu Li murmured the name softly. Merely rolling the syllables across his tongue sent a sharp pang through his chest.

Loren sighed. “I have a faint, blurry impression as well.”

Lu Li looked at him. “Oh?”

Loren hesitated before speaking slowly. “It is strange, but I feel as though I fell in love with him.”

Lu Li smiled. “A human and a beast?” It made sense for Loren to fall for a human, but could a human truly love a little beast? That seemed far-fetched.

Loren clearly realized this too, replying in distress, “That is precisely why I don’t want to go to the human realm.”

Lu Li understood. Loren assumed his feelings were completely unrequited and painful, leaving a lingering impression even after his amnesia, which was why he resisted going back.

Those ten years were likely filled with bitter yearning, so why unearth such memories? Anyone sensible would prefer to forget.

Lu Li sighed softly, speaking words that struck straight at Loren’s heart. “Since you liked them so much, don’t you feel it is a pity to forget?”

How many people would one love in a lifetime? How many times could such deep feelings be given?

Forgetting could not erase the imprint of love. If genuine devotion had been poured out, it proved that person was worth loving.

How could anyone bear to forget someone so deeply cherished?

Could one ever encounter another like that in a whole lifetime?

Never again, so how could one accept it?

Lu Li knew he could not accept it. The name Xie Jianwei filled him with restless defiance. An indescribable possessiveness surged through his veins, making him want to storm into human territory right now, cage him by his side, and ensure that from now on, he looked only at him.

Regardless of love, an instinct deep within his soul declared that this person had to belong to him.

Yan Ke listened openly to their conversation. Hearing Loren admit he fell in love with his master, he felt genuine curiosity.

Truth be told, his tastes aligned remarkably well with the Admiral’s. They preferred the exact same type of woman, focusing on a single vital asset, namely a large, soft, gorgeous bust.

He was frequently dazzled by the female companions Admiral Loren brought along, so his expectations were sky-high.

Someone capable of capturing the Admiral’s heart had to be a breathtaking beauty with an incredible figure.

He desperately wanted to catch a glimpse of this beauty, his eyes practically gleaming with anticipation.

It was fortunate that Lu Li currently lacked his memories, otherwise knowing Yan Ke’s thoughts, he would have lit an entire company of candles for his brother.

In reality, Loren was a complete coward before Yan Ke, but in the dream, he had been surprisingly bold.

He had shamelessly bedded him, only to turn around and leave.

Now he was acting tough, claiming what was forgotten was forgotten, refusing to return.

Lu Li ignored him. If Loren would not go, he would go alone.

Just as Lu Li opened the portal to journey to the human realm, Loren came sprinting over in bear form, coming up with a shameless excuse. “I cannot rest easy letting Your Highness travel alone, so I shall accompany you.”

Lu Li regarded him with utter disdain.

Loren said with solemn righteousness, “If I happen to run into him, it could be considered fate.”

Lu Li sneered, “I hope you don’t.”

Loren dared not argue, having followed him so spinelessly.

Appearing in human form within the mortal realm caused quite a stir.

Their striking features, formidable physiques, and extraordinary presence made them look like prime candidates for wealthy husbands.

Lu Li and Loren landed on the outskirts of the capital. Changing into suitable attire, they followed the crowds into the city. Because the hour was late, they found an inn to settle down first.

Loren praised the human cuisine incessantly, musing that shipping Panlia’s bamboo shoots here for imperial chefs to cook would yield divine flavor.

As for finding his person, Lu Li possessed plenty of clues, knowing Xie Jianwei’s name and identity. Infiltrating the imperial palace would suffice to meet him.

Loren, by contrast, was far worse off, knowing nothing beyond the fact that he loved his person deeply.

Lu Li assumed Loren would return empty-handed, yet the fellow had sheer dumb luck, crossing paths with someone right at the inn.

The encounter was straight out of a melodrama. A breathtakingly gorgeous woman was traveling with her father when their carriage lost control, threatening to kill her until Loren stepped in and saved her.

That alone was unremarkable, but the real Yan Ke gasped inside Lu Li’s mind, “This is definitely the kind of person Admiral Loren would love.” Looking at that splendid figure, she seemed like a top-tier beauty.

If Admiral Loren fell for anyone, it had to be her.

With Yan Ke sounding so certain, Lu Li believed it too, telling Loren, “You lucky brat, finding her this quickly.”

Loren stood stunned, asking in disbelief, “Sh-She is the one?”

The amnesiac Lu Li mercilessly dug a pit for his brother, confirming it with a nod.

Loren turned to look at the beauty, whose heart was fluttering wildly, her cheeks flushing crimson under his gaze.

She was already lovely, and blushing made onlookers draw sharp breaths.

Nearly every man present was captivated, save for two individuals who were utterly unmoved, the Marshal remaining aloof and Admiral Loren feeling completely indifferent.

She was pretty, but merely pretty.

There was not a single flutter in his heart.

Loren was deeply conflicted. Was this truly the person he had guarded for ten years and loved so deeply? Why did it feel so wrong?

She did not recognize him, which was natural, since no one would connect a grown man to a panda.

Loren figured Lu Li had no reason to lie, so he helped her to her feet.

That simple assistance hooked him right into a trap.

Seeing his daughter’s rescuer was such a tall, heroic figure, the elderly father grew eager, believing such a capable man was worthy of his daughter. He insisted, “A life-saving grace cannot be easily repaid. Would our benefactor do us the honor of visiting our estate?”

Loren wished to probe further to confirm if she was his master, so he agreed.

Lu Li also hoped he would recover his memories, accepting on his behalf.

The father happily brought them home.

The old gentleman was no ordinary citizen, residing in a Duke’s manor. Though holding only an empty noble title without real political power, he was connected to royalty. His wife was a distant cousin of the Grand Princess, making him loosely related to the reigning emperor.

He had only this single daughter, cherishing her like a jewel. Seeing Loren was handsome and skilled, he felt this was a match made in heaven.

Dinner was lavish. Loren steered the conversation, but the more he heard, the colder his heart grew.

The lady had raised a little beast at age seven, and the creature departed when she was seventeen, exactly five years ago.

The timeline aligned flawlessly.

Lu Li cast him a glance, silently mocking his good luck.

Loren felt bitter, wishing he could sprint back to Panlia.

The ancients spoke the truth; forgotten things should never be recalled, for remembering brought only disillusionment.

While Loren felt suffocated, Lu Li was equally restless, longing to see his Xie Jianwei without waiting another second.

Action trumped hesitation. Knowing that seeking an official audience was impossible, Lu Li slipped across the rooftops, infiltrating the imperial palace under cover of darkness.

Xie Jianwei had been resting with his eyes closed. Hearing a disturbance, he snapped his eyes open.

A deep, magnetic voice sounded in the night. “Your vigilance is sharp indeed.”

Xie Jianwei rose swiftly, spotting the tall figure standing in the shadows. Narrowing his eyes, his voice remained steady. “Who is there?”

Lu Li remained silent, stepping closer until the faint moonlight revealed the youthful monarch.

Raven hair, fair skin, striking eyes, a straight nose, and firmly pursed lips.

A single glance was enough to send a profound tremor through Lu Li’s soul.

He was undeniably gorgeous, far more captivating than the noblewoman Loren had rescued, yet the true shock was the overwhelming familiarity surging through his blood.

He instinctively knew what Xie Jianwei looked like when smiling, what he looked like when mildly displeased, and knew so much more.

Lu Li’s heart pounded furiously, yet his voice remained calm. “Twenty years of companionship, forgotten so swiftly?”

He remembered none of the details, but he knew Xie Jianwei would remember.

Sure enough, at those words, Xie Jianwei’s pale face drained of even more color, yet his dark eyes shone brilliant like stars in the night sky.

“Ah… A-Li?” His melodious voice carried pure trepidation.

Lu Li smiled faintly. “It is me.”

Xie Jianwei stared at him unblinkingly, asking in a trembling voice after a long silence, “May I see your original form?”

His panda form? That was simple enough.

With a shift of thought, Lu Li shifted from a man into a round, fluffy beast.

Xie Jianwei stepped down from the bed, his white undergarments emphasizing his slender frame. He stumbled slightly, finding those few short steps extraordinarily difficult to cross.

An inexplicable wave of heartache washed over Lu Li, prompting him to move closer on his own.

Xie Jianwei extended a trembling hand and touched him.

Lu Li nudged his palm with his large head.

That single, familiar motion shattered Xie Jianwei’s composure completely. Dropping to his knees, he wrapped his arms around the beast, tears streaming down as he choked out, “A-Li… A-Li… A-Li…”

His body shook violently as long-suppressed grief spilled forth, scalding the heart.

Lu Li grew thoroughly flustered. Shifting back into human form, he gathered him clumsily into his arms, comforting him gently, “I am here, right here.”

Xie Jianwei wept inconsolably, as though releasing every tear held back since age six. He repeated his name over and over, the overwhelming emotion of reclaiming what was lost crashing over him like a tidal wave.

Hearing him weep filled Lu Li with both heartache and burning devotion. From the very first glance, he regretted losing his memories and forgetting their twenty shared years.

Thankfully, he had not missed him. If they had been parted forever, Lu Li knew he would have regretted it for eternity.

“Don’t cry, please don’t cry,” Lu Li cupped his face, wiping away the cool tears.

Looking at him, Xie Jianwei’s eyes curved with a tearful smile. “I truly never expected this.”

Lu Li asked, “You didn’t expect me to return?”

Xie Jianwei nodded, laughing softly. “And I never expected you would return like this.”

Lu Li gazed at him. “I returned home only to assume human form, so that I could stay by your side properly.”

Xie Jianwei’s mind was consumed by the sheer relief of his return, brushing aside everything else. “It is enough that you came back, that is all that matters!”

Lu Li could not resist asking, “Does it feel unnatural?”

Xie Jianwei blinked. “What?”

Lu Li said, “Now that I am human, does it feel strange to you?”

Calming down, Xie Jianwei admitted honestly, “A little.”

Lu Li asked, “Am I not pleasing to look at?”

Xie Jianwei said, “You are handsome.”

Lu Li asked, “Do you like it?”

Xie Jianwei paused.

Lu Li rephrased the question. “Do you like me becoming human?”

Xie Jianwei sighed softly. “Whatever form you take, I will always like you.”

What Lu Li desired was romantic love, but there was no rush, as Xie Jianwei needed time to adjust.

Lu Li understood clearly that while Xie Jianwei cherished him, that affection was closer to a child’s reliance on family.

Having lived as a panda for so long, Xie Jianwei likely viewed him as a companion, a brother, or an irreplaceable family member, completely detached from romance.

Yet now, Lu Li wanted his love.

Lu Li was certain he had fallen for him long ago, otherwise a single glance would not have left him so captivated.

He loved him without question, and now, he wanted Xie Jianwei to love him in return.

It was fortunate he had traveled to the human realm, or he would have lost the love of his life.

Seeing Xie Jianwei so exhausted, Lu Li shifted back into his panda form so he could hold him.

That night, Xie Jianwei slept peacefully without dreams until dawn.

That sense of absolute peace was beyond words, feeling like a rebirth.

The next morning, his appetite returned. Shifting into human form, Lu Li sat across from him and served him food.

It was probably the most delicious meal Xie Jianwei had ever eaten.

Lu Li asked, “Why did you grow so thin?”

Xie Jianwei replied softly, “My appetite was poor recently, that is all.”

Lu Li’s eyes flickered. “Was it because I left?”

Xie Jianwei paused with his chopsticks in hand.

Lu Li’s gaze was as deep and gentle as the sea. “Rest assured, I will never leave you again.”

The corners of Xie Jianwei’s mouth lifted, yet he kept his eyes lowered toward his plate. “The ancient records state that the divine beast shares twenty years of life, departing on his own once peace arrives.”

Lu Li explained, “I merely returned to complete my transformation.”

Xie Jianwei said, “Yet there has never been any record of a beast returning.”

Lu Li smiled. “Why believe those writings? Am I not right here before you?”

Xie Jianwei smiled along with him. “Indeed.”

After breakfast, the imperial physicians arrived to take his pulse.

His health had deteriorated sharply, keeping him from court for two consecutive days.

Lu Li stepped aside for the moment. Checking his pulse, the physician exclaimed in delight, “Your Majesty has finally let go of the gloom?”

With a lingering smile, Xie Jianwei said, “The imperial hospital has worked hard these past days.”

The physician dropped to his knees, declaring, “This official desires only Your Majesty’s health!”

Xie Jianwei rewarded the attending physicians generously.

His illness had been rooted in despair, his body failing because his spirit had lost the will to live.

Now that the beast was back, the knot unraveled, and his vitality returned instantly.

News of his recovery spread through the court. The Grand Princess visited to see him, weeping with relief before reluctantly leaving so he could rest.

Later, Yan Ke slipped back into the chamber alone. He was genuinely relieved, having worried sick over Xie Jianwei’s condition.

“Your Majesty should have let it go long ago. What is past is past, one must look forward…”

Before he could finish, Xie Jianwei interrupted gently, “A-Ke, he came back.”

Yan Ke froze.

Xie Jianwei made a gesture, and the fluffy panda stepped slowly from behind the folding screen.

Yan Ke stared with wide, incredulous eyes.

Lu Li did not recognize Yan Ke, knowing only that he was Xie Jianwei’s cousin.

Xie Jianwei said, “He told me he went back only to assume human form, and returned as soon as he succeeded.”

Coming back to his senses, Yan Ke managed a strained smile. “That is… that is wonderful.”

Xie Jianwei consoled him, “Tell me his name, and I will have A-Li ask around…”

Yan Ke waved his hands in a fluster. “No, there is no need!”

Xie Jianwei said, “Perhaps he had his own difficulties, he…”

Saluting stiffly, Yan Ke interrupted, “Your Majesty, the hour grows late, this official takes his leave.” With that, he practically fled in disarray.

Stepping outside the palace hall, Yan Ke felt the world turn dark. It was possible to return after all.

Yet five years had passed, five whole years, and he had never come back.