A lifelong promise, a bond between two souls.

"Xuanyuan Hao, you still owe Jun Pinyu and me a meal."

Xian Yue stood before Xuanyuan Hao, raising her gaze to meet his. Her eyes caught sight of Jun Pinyu, a faint smile playing on her lips. Without waiting for anyone to contemplate the reason, she arched an eyebrow and turned her attention to Ning Yunyan, as if casually conversing. Her clear, bright eyes bore no hint of pride or provocation, though the slight tilt of her chin conveyed an innate arrogance. The playful and easygoing smile she wore still exuded an indescribable majesty.

Ning Yunyan's upturned phoenix eyes slightly drooped, reflecting sympathy for Nian Xiaoyu or perhaps discontent at Xian Yue's interference in her love. Suddenly, she turned toward Xian Yue.

"Princess Yunyan, are you suggesting that Xuanyuan invite me and Jun Pinyu again?"

The rumor of a marriage alliance between the Zhou Dynasty and Xuanyuan had spread like wildfire in Pan City. Xian Yue keenly noticed the stiffness in Ning Yunyan's smile. Those who had been waiting to see Xian Yue's embarrassment now shifted their focus entirely onto Ning Yunyan.

As Xian Yue observed the smile on Ning Yunyan's face, even as a mere bystander, she felt weary. One was her future husband, the other a man she had loved in her youth, yet Ning Yunyan still maintained such an elegant and composed smile.

Perhaps, just like how Xian Yue cared about her brother, Ning Yunyan placed her pride above all else.

"What does the Prince think?"

With a slight lift of her phoenix eyes, Ning Yunyan approached Xuanyuan Hao. Her dignified smile remained unchanged, her magnanimity almost startling, making Xian Yue seem like the one stirring trouble out of jealousy.

Xian Yue, standing beside Xuanyuan Hao, merely smiled. He was tall, broad-shouldered, as though he could carry the weight of the heavens if they were to fall. If not for the ambitious glint in his eyes, he might have exuded a sense of security.

She could feel the imposing figure beside her, naturally exuding a domineering aura that created an overwhelming pressure. Her smile widened, and suddenly, she sighed.

The crowd was baffled, but what Xian Yue said next left everyone even more astounded. "Xuanyuan Hao, your heart certainly changes quickly."

Her words carried a trace of lament, and a sly glimmer passed through her bright eyes. Lan Yixuan, standing beside her, glanced at Xuanyuan Hao, his lips curling into a smirk, as if taking pleasure in the situation.

"Not long ago, you asked me to be your woman, and now you're already marrying someone else."

Xian Yue gently shook her head and sighed. Her gaze swept to Ning Yunyan, whose smile stiffened for a brief moment. The perfect facade finally showed a tiny crack.

Xian Yue's lips curled into a smirk. "I wonder who once claimed that only you were worthy of me, and only I was worthy of you."

Furrowing her brows slightly, Xian Yue seemed lost in thought. Her expression was calm, though she hadn't named anyone, yet no one present was foolish enough to not understand who she was referring to.

Ning Yunyan's expression had gone beyond mere stiffness. She stood beside Xuanyuan Hao, usually looking down at the princess of the empire from a superior position, now gazing pitifully at Xuanyuan Hao.

Only she was worthy of him, and only he was worthy of her. So then, what was she? Was she, Ning Yunyan, just a replacement because Xuanyuan Hao couldn't have Xian Yue? The thought gnawed at her.

Xuanyuan Hao did not look at Ning Yunyan. His brown eyes remained fixed on Xian Yue, and his smile held a tinge of bitterness, subtle yet lingering, much like the faint smile on Xian Yue's face.

He couldn't help but sigh inwardly. A person like her, even if driven by revenge, would never publicly humiliate Ning Yunyan like this. Her words were meant to drive a wedge between them—and she had succeeded.

He, Xuanyuan Hao, was destined for greatness. How could he afford to keep a woman with divided loyalties by his side?

"I wonder if I can best Brother Bai?" 

Xuanyuan Hao raised an eyebrow, casting a humble glance at Bai Zhanfeng. Xian Yue knew that a man like him would not offend Bai Zhanfeng over a woman, especially not with the looming threat of a powerful family behind him, ever ready to become his adversary.

Ning Yunyan also understood the meaning in Xuanyuan Hao's words. A melancholy smile tugged at her lips as she gazed at him, her expression laced with sorrow.

She had known all along—this man was extraordinary, with ambitions far beyond the ordinary. Wasn't that what had attracted her to him in the first place? Marrying him meant aligning with his ambitions, his need for power, and the strength of her identity as a princess. Perhaps it was also her intelligence that made her a valuable partner. She could see the bigger picture and wouldn't stoop to petty jealousy like other women. They were bound together by shared interests—nothing more. Yet why, of all people, did it have to be Xian Yue? The thought was unbearable.

"My sister certainly has high standards."

Ning Yunyan's voice chimed like a soft, pleasant laugh, entirely at odds with the turmoil inside her heart.

"Perhaps you should marry Hero Bai instead. After all, who else could defeat him?"

Though spoken in jest, Xian Yue knew she was attempting to sow discord.

Indeed, as many believed, if one were to discuss martial prowess in the Zhou Dynasty, who could rival Bai Zhanfeng? Perhaps some thought Xian Yue was only playing hard to get, which explained why she hadn't chosen Bai Zhanfeng. Even Nian Xiaoyu might think the same. But the man standing next to her now—if he chose to act—would surely not lose to Bai Zhanfeng.

Several pairs of eyes landed on Xian Yue: Bai Zhanfeng's filled with joy, Nian Xiaoyu's brimming with deep sorrow—so profound that Xian Yue could no longer dismiss it as before.

Xian Yue suddenly became more animated, casually clapping her hands as she walked past Ning Yunyan. She deliberately bumped into her with force. Ning Yunyan, caught off guard, instinctively leaned towards Xuanyuan Hao for support. Xian Yue turned and smiled triumphantly, glancing at Ning Yunyan, who had fallen into Xuanyuan Hao's arms. With a slightly apologetic smile, she said, "I didn't mean to."

Lan Yixuan watched as Xian Yue strode towards Nian Xiaoyu, her back straight but no longer tense. That small, frail figure walked with light, carefree steps. In that moment, it seemed as though the Xian Yue of old had returned, acting on her whims, doing whatever she pleased.

Xian Yue reached Nian Xiaoyu and pulled out a handkerchief from her sleeve, its snowy white color adorned with simple, elegant ink orchids. "Wipe your tears."

Nian Xiaoyu lowered her head, her large eyes filled with tears. She bit her lip, stubbornly refusing to let them fall.

Seeing the handkerchief, she didn't take it. She raised her head to look at Xian Yue, her gaze filled with sorrow, hatred, and envy as she stared at her with fierce intensity.

Xian Yue chuckled, unbothered, even laughing out loud. Her uninhibited laughter made people wonder if she had gone mad.

Who was Nian Xiaoyu? A fierce tigress through and through, even in her current state, she was no kitten. Though Xian Yue had status and skill, Nian Xiaoyu was still the beloved daughter of the Wulin Alliance leader. What Xian Yue was doing now was pure provocation.

"Your Highness,"

Yun Qinghen knelt beside Feng Jiulan, whispering softly into his ear. Feng Jiulan raised his head, his once clear eyes softening into a pool of warmth as they rested on Xian Yue.

"Yue'er knows what she's doing."

Feng Jiulan's voice was soft and weak, yet carried an undeniable sense of trust. 

"Why? Are you displeased with it?" 

Xianyue withdrew her hand. "This handkerchief was a gift from Lord Lan. I had thought of pawning it for some wine money when I was short." 

Short of money? How could a princess of the realm be without enough to buy wine? The others glanced at the handkerchief in Xianyue's hand and then at Lan Yixuan, wondering—was it really a gift from him? Such a noble and graceful man, renowned across the lands, admired by countless women. Though famous for his righteousness, it was unheard of for him to give a woman a token of affection. Could it be— 

Bai Zhanfeng's gaze burned as he stared at the handkerchief in Xianyue's hand, as though he wished to set it aflame with his eyes. 

Xianyue leaned closer and gently wiped the tears from Nian Xiaoyu's face. Nian Xiaoyu blinked in surprise, curiosity filling her gaze, momentarily forgetting to resist. Xianyue finished wiping away her tears and forcefully pressed the handkerchief into her hand. 

Nian Xiaoyu stared blankly at the handkerchief, confused. She glanced at Xianyue and Bai Zhanfeng, standing together like a perfect match, envy rising unbidden in her heart. 

"Luocheng, step aside." 

Xianyue waved a hand at Luocheng, her tone not commanding, yet it held an undeniable authority. 

Luocheng glanced at Nian Xiaoyu in his arms, then at Xianyue, hesitated for a moment, and finally released her, stepping back. But he remained close, ready to act should anything happen. 

Xianyue circled behind Bai Zhanfeng and shoved him toward Nian Xiaoyu. Bai Zhanfeng struggled at first, but Xianyue, unceremoniously twisting his muscular arm, caused him enough pain to obediently let her position him in front of Nian Xiaoyu. 

Standing beside Bai Zhanfeng, Xianyue's bright eyes shone with intensity as she pointed at him, asking, "Do you regret it?" 

The proximity was suffocating. Nian Xiaoyu had to look up to see Bai Zhanfeng's strong, chiseled features. 

Xianyue noticed Nian Xiaoyu's dazed expression, fixated on Bai Zhanfeng, and waved a hand in front of her. Only then did Nian Xiaoyu snap back to reality, turning her tear-filled eyes toward Xianyue, though the tears never fell. 

"Do you regret falling in love with Bai Zhanfeng?" 

Xianyue's voice rang clear in the quiet hall, and everyone heard her question plainly. 

"Xianyue," Bai Zhanfeng turned to her, his gaze fierce, his voice low and cold, as if he were grinding his teeth. The tension in the room grew palpable, the air around them seemed to freeze. 

Though no one else spoke, they all felt a rising discomfort, some disapproving of her words for rubbing salt into open wounds, while others watched with an amused interest. 

Ning Yunyan stood quietly by Xuanyuan Hao's side, her intelligent eyes observing without intervention, refusing to involve herself in such self-destructive antics. 

"Nian Xiaoyu, do you regret it? Do you regret loving Bai Zhanfeng?" 

Xianyue's persistence in asking such a painful question seemed almost cruel, yet she believed that once the wound was exposed, it would heal quicker. 

Nian Xiaoyu said nothing, her gaze drifting between Bai Zhanfeng and Xianyue, her vision blurring with unshed tears, yet Bai Zhanfeng's sharp features only grew more vivid in her mind—etched deep like a sculpture carved by the finest blade. 

Do you regret it, Nian Xiaoyu? Do you regret loving Brother Feng? Nian Xiaoyu repeated Xianyue's question over and over in her heart. 

She had once been a precious gem held in her father's palm, doted upon by her family, even though her father was strict with everyone else in the estate, he had always indulged her every whim. Her senior and junior brothers all treated her with utmost care, attending to her every need. 

In defiance of her father's wishes, she had followed her senior brother for three years, those three most beautiful years of her life, braving the elements without complaint. She had fiercely guarded him, allowing no woman near him, earning herself the reputation of a domineering woman. She had declared to the world that Bai Zhanfeng was hers. 

She knew what others said about her—shameless, clingy, and determined. It had never bothered her before, for she loved him, and what was wrong with pursuing the one she loved? But now, she only felt a deep sorrow and helplessness. Had it all been one-sided? A dream now shattered, though she still lingered within it. 

If not for her love for Brother Feng, her life would have been smooth and untroubled, with no hardship or heartbreak to endure. She wouldn't be feeling this deep, searing pain. 

Do you regret it? Do you? Shouldn't you regret it? 

"Nian Xiaoyu, you shouldn't regret it." 

Her vision blurred with tears, yet Xianyue could still imagine those bright, lively eyes now filled with sorrow and anguish. 

Nian Xiaoyu looked up at Xianyue, her tears trickling down her lips, leaving a salty taste as she bit down gently. 

"Why?" 

Her voice trembled, her chest heaving with the pain that spread like ripples from her heart. 

Why shouldn't she regret it when it hurt so much? 

"Why should you regret love?"

Xianyue questioned her with a smile, as if completely unaware of Nian Xiaoyu's pain.

"Bai Zhanfeng is exceptional. Your Brother Feng is worthy of your love, deserving of your devotion."

Though her face bore a casual smile, her voice was firm, each word striking Nian Xiaoyu's heart like a heavy blow.

"Nian Xiaoyu, I know you're in pain right now, and all of it stems from Bai Zhanfeng. You desperately need to escape this agony. After three years of chasing him, only to be left with this outcome, it's natural that you feel unwilling to accept it. If I were you, I'd feel indignant too. But tell me, Nian Xiaoyu, of all the people in this world, why did you fall for Bai Zhanfeng?"

Xianyue's gaze was sincere as she looked at Nian Xiaoyu.

Nian Xiaoyu frowned, her vision turning into a blinding whiteness, unable to see anything clearly. She began to wonder—why did she fall for Brother Feng in the first place?

As she thought about their time together in childhood, about those fresh and happy memories, a smile slowly crept onto her tired face, and her heart began to feel a little lighter.

"It's because he once gave you many beautiful memories. During those three years, you bore the judgment of the world. No one understood your actions, and Bai Zhanfeng's cold words only made it harder. It was exhausting, wasn't it? So very tiring, wasn't it?"

At Xianyue's last words, Nian Xiaoyu froze. Exhausting? Tiring? In over three years, no one had ever asked her this question. Not even her senior brother. Her father no longer smiled at her as he used to, and at her mother's memorial, he would sigh endlessly. As for others, they only gave her disdainful looks and cruel mockery. She looked at Xianyue's faint smile—neither pitying nor condescending—and, for the first time, felt understood.

"Every sacrifice is rewarded, but because it wasn't the outcome you desired, you ignored it, sinking into despair, believing all your efforts were in vain. But in truth, you've gained much more than you realize. Nian Xiaoyu, you didn't win Bai Zhanfeng, but you've grown."

"If you had stayed forever under your father's protection, and one day Bai Zhanfeng told you he was marrying someone else, do you think you could handle it? You wouldn't just sit and cry—you would've sought to end your own life."

Xianyue's words were merciless.

"Miss Xianyue,"

Luo Cheng called softly, his voice laced with reproach as he fixed his gaze on her. Xianyue blinked innocently, motioning for him to stay where he was. The truth had been spoken, and if the wound hurt, it was better to feel it fully, to let it heal.

"If a wound festers, you cut it open, drain the poison, and wait for the scab to form. Eventually, new skin will grow, and everything will be all right."

"Nian Xiaoyu, no matter how powerful your father is, he can't protect you forever. No one can. Only you can protect yourself."

Xianyue had no idea what Nian Xiaoyu had endured in the beginning, or if she had ever faced hunger and near-death like herself. But because she had suffered, she became braver.

To protect those you care about, you must first protect yourself. Only with courage can you guard what is dearest to you.

Seeing Nian Xiaoyu about to collapse, Xianyue suddenly grabbed her wrists, locking eyes with her.

"Bai Zhanfeng is worthy of your love, but not because he helped you grow. Perhaps you've always believed that if your Brother Feng one day accepted you, you'd be the happiest woman alive. But Nian Xiaoyu, he doesn't love you. If you married him, lived a cold, loveless life, could you truly be happy?"

She was nothing like Ning Yunyan. Ning Yunyan married Xuanyuan Hao because he could give her what she wanted. This wild pursuit had never moved Bai Zhanfeng before, and with Xianyue in the picture now, it would only become more difficult.

Love is never a balance scale. It's not about giving and receiving equally.

Ning Yunyan raised her head, looking towards Xuanyuan Hao, then followed his gaze. It was no surprise she saw that pale, quiet figure. She could feel it—since the moment she had entered, his eyes had lingered on her. Not just his, but Lan Yixuan's too, their stares burning, though they probably didn't even realize it themselves.

"A loveless marriage," she thought bitterly. This would be her life from now on.

"Nian Xiaoyu, your father's fame in the martial world is unparalleled, and you're his only daughter. If someone became his son-in-law, it would benefit him in every way. Even if you're not a stunning beauty, you're still pleasant enough. If it were another man, he would have married you long ago. After all, he could have multiple wives. But Nian Xiaoyu, women are the ones who lose out in such arrangements. Even though Bai Zhanfeng has hurt you, you cannot deny your love for him. To deny that love is to deny yourself. If he weren't so exceptional, why would you have fallen for him? Even with the bitterness in your heart, you must admit, he is a remarkable man."

Even Xuanyuan Hao—didn't he marry a woman he didn't love for the sake of profit?

"You should be grateful, Nian Xiaoyu. You were fortunate to have met Bai Zhanfeng. Your Brother Feng is not the kind of man to lead you on. He has always refused you because he is responsible. He's doing this for your sake. At least now, when you think of him, you still have sweet memories. You can still smile. But if he had truly married you, only to betray you with another woman, those cherished memories would turn into a heavy burden."

Human desire is endless. What woman would willingly share her beloved man?

Her gaze shifted to Luo Cheng, standing tensely behind Nian Xiaoyu, fists clenched, ready to leap forward at any moment. The corner of her mouth lifted slightly.

"A woman should marry someone who loves her deeply, not someone she loves deeply. Nian Xiaoyu, you have a choice. Why share a man who doesn't love you, when you can have someone who would cherish you alone?"

Marry a man who loves you? A man with multiple wives? One lifetime, one love—how audacious of Princess Xianyue to dream of such things.

Lan Yixuan's eyes gleamed as he looked at Xianyue, stepping forward. His gaze softened as he held her eyes.

"One lifetime, one love... Is that truly what you desire?"