The thoughts gradually drifted back, she arrived in the Capital City.

She followed by my side as a personal guard.

During the battle of Guangnan, she made a name for herself and I recommended her to the Ministry of War.

Since then, it has been a long time since we last met.

She gradually became one with the people around her.

Yang Chenyi was her good brother, and the seventh brother occasionally mentioned her, saying this female warrior was indeed formidable.

Tiger and Rat, upon seeing her, felt closer to her than to me.

Her bright and cheerful demeanor won everyone’s affection.

Even Manxue often spoke of her.

However, they were not on the same path, so their friendship was not deep.

All these years, they have faced life and death numerous times.

Neither knew how many lives they owed each other, nor did they count.

Later, King Western Xia visited.

Her identity was revealed, she was actually the long-lost daughter of King Western Xia.

The Princess identity was unveiled.

She had no choice but to leave with her father.

Since then, separated by vast distances, it became even harder to meet.

Yet, the years apart did not diminish the bond between them.

On the contrary, like an old wine, the longer it aged, the more aromatic it became.

Meeting again, they were still brothers who would risk their lives for each other.

Hai Tang remained so unique.

She was deeply imprinted in his heart as a special yet ordinary existence.

It was something he himself could not quite explain.

Their moments together were like dazzling pearls and gemstones, deeply etched in his heart, never fading.

Usually, he didn’t feel it.

Now thinking about the prospect of life and death separation, his heart contracted violently, the wrenching pain made him break out in a cold sweat.

"Hai Tang?"

"Hai Tang?!"

"Wake up!"

"Wake up!!"

...

Hai Tang’s eyelids trembled slightly.

Pain!

Such pain!

A sweeping and drilling pain overwhelmed her, engulfing her completely.

So tired! 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

So sleepy!

She wished to rest.

But that voice was so special.

So special that she wanted to immediately open her eyes and respond to it.

’I’m awake, I’m right here!’

Unfortunately, despite her desperate effort, she could only move her eyelids.

Memories trickled in, scenes emerged in her mind.

The first time she rescued him, she thought he was astonishing, how could there be such a graceful man in this world?

The second time, he saved her.

But alas, Heaven only bestowed them with destiny, not fate.

Thus they had destiny but not fate.

Upon meeting, he already had someone at heart.

It was a woman both gentle and carefree, one who brightened up with a smile.

She was beautiful, gentle, kind, and brave.

She possessed everything she lacked.

She deserved that best, most graceful, most outstanding him.

They were like a pair of mandarin ducks playing in the water, affectionately intertwined, matched in spirit, and happiness echoed.

So...

When he invited her to stay in Capital City for the first time.

She did not agree.

Why stay? To watch the one she loved and his beloved fly together, blissfully sweet?

No, she couldn’t do it, she wasn’t that great yet.

Since they met by chance, then continue to wander.

He takes his official position, she becomes the hunter, having no further intersections is fine, isn’t it?!

But...

She underestimated the power of longing, underestimated his power.

During the days apart.

Not a day went by without her thinking of him.

Not a day went by without her worrying.

Finally, unable to stand it any longer, she set foot in the Capital City.

Before leaving.

She made a deep cut on her wrist.

She swore by her own blood in front of her father’s grave.

She would not be a concubine, she would not break apart families, she would not do things against her conscience and morals.

Since he had someone he loved.

Then she would be his good brother, be his lifelong good brother.

No love, no problem.

They could have a bond of life and death friendship, couldn’t they?!

At least she could see him, hold a place in his heart, couldn’t she?!

She didn’t seek anything else.

With these, she would be content.

From then on.

She would stay not far from him.

Just like that, watching him from afar, not appearing, not disturbing, not expressing, not saying much.

Just live this way for a lifetime.

But later, when her identity changed, she had to leave.

The feeling of being separated by vast distances was indeed heart-wrenching.

She swore she would no longer miss him, nor see him.

But who knew... there arose the rebellion of Prince Jin, invasion of Great Chu and such.

They met again.

...

Recalling these past events like pearl gemstones etched in her heart.

Hai Tang’s eyelids shook, slowly shedding tears like pearls.

Xia Tingfeng was heartbroken, softly calling to her.

"Hai Tang, wake up!"

"Hai Tang?!"

A few cold tears fell on her face.

Hai Tang’s eyelids twitched for a moment, struggling to open her eyes.

Her expression began to blur, and consciousness gradually withdrew.

However, hearing the call of the most familiar person, she still put forth all her effort to think and to discern.

Finally, with trembling lips, she weakly asked.

"Is... it you?"

"It’s me!"

Xia Tingfeng’s eyes were red, his voice hoarse.

"Men don’t easily shed tears, it’s just because they’re not truly heartbroken."

He did not quite understand why he felt so saddened.

But when a good brother is dying, feeling sad is only natural, he had no time to think about it.

But why does the heart hurt so much?

...

The blurry scene gradually became real.

The indistinct outlines gradually cleared.

When she saw his face clearly.

The most beautiful yet melancholic smile bloomed on her pale face.

"You finally came to get me"

Xia Tingfeng was somewhat puzzled by her words.

Figuring her consciousness was blurry, he went along with her.

"Yes, it’s me, I came to get you!"

Hai Tang smiled again.

The smile was something he had never seen, with an unnatural shyness on her cheeks.

Wait, shy???

Xia Tingfeng was dumbfounded, feeling a crack in some hard place within his heart.

He heard Hai Tang speak again slowly.

"You... finally came!"

"The husband chosen by my royal father... I didn’t like... I only... like you!"

Her nature was carefree, bright and bold, simple-minded, not very versed in the affairs of love.

Unaware that girls can’t be proactive according to those ludicrous rules.

Speaking about these things, she was rather straightforward.

So...

Xia Tingfeng was struck like thunder.

Unable to believe his ears, unable to believe the person before him, unable to believe the words he heard.

’Like?’

’She likes me?!’

’How can this be... this situation...’

He was embarrassed, at a loss, breaking into a sweat, he...

Hai Tang didn’t know what she suddenly thought of, bursting with pride.

"Did I hide it well?!"

"You didn’t notice!"

"The vows I made in front of my father back then, I’ve accomplished them all, am I not impressive..."

Vows?

Xia Tingfeng didn’t have memories of them.

However... he could vaguely guess some.

As for hiding?!

So, all this time she harbored such thoughts, all along she hid them!

Why did this silly girl have to do this!

All these years, what had she gone through!

"Why aren’t you speaking?!"

Hai Tang seemed to rally momentarily, suddenly spirited, speaking fluidly.

She looked at him, smiling brightly, her glassy eyes still sparkling.

Xia Tingfeng forced out a slight smile.

"Speak! I’ll accompany you, I’m here for you!"