Chu Huaixu put the jade pendant back into the brocade pouch and sat back down on the edge of the bed. Song Ting's breathing became even weaker, as if she might die at any moment.

This reminded him of Song Ting, who had personally handed him the bowl of bone-softening powder after their lovemaking and watched him drink it.

Just a moment ago they were deeply in love, making the most touching promises in the world, how could they bear to do such a thing in the blink of an eye?

How could he bear to point his sword at the steward who had always taken good care of him?

He placed his palm against the man's chest, wondering what that heart was made of, how could it be so hard and so cold.

No matter how hard he tried to warm her up, he couldn't, and instead, he ended up leaving his own heart riddled with holes.

"Song Qingxiang".

"How could you..."

Her voice rang out in a clear, melodious tone; her beauty was like a crown of jade, radiant and graceful.

Song Qingxiang.

Even the name was chosen based on his, but in the end, the person wasn't his, and he even caused his family to be ruined.

How could you be so cruel?

So heartless.

Song Ting's brows furrowed suddenly, and her eyelashes trembled incessantly.

“Mingyu…”

"Danger... Don't go there..."

The person, who had fallen into a daze, mumbled incoherently, his arms flailing wildly in mid-air, as if trying to grasp something.

Chu Huaixu tried to dodge to the side, but he was a step too slow and his wrist was grabbed.

His face immediately changed, and he struggled a few times, but he couldn't break free. The man's bloodless hand gripped him tightly.

Despite his current state, he still possesses great strength.

Chu Huaixu looked down at their clasped hands and sighed silently.

...

Song Ting had a very long dream in which he returned to eight years ago, when he had just been taken in by Chu Huaixu and brought to the Prince's Mansion.

In his dreams, he relived those precious memories, bit by bit. Over and over again.

That year, on New Year's Eve, a very heavy snow fell in Chang'an, but the wind and snow could not dampen the joy of the New Year; everywhere was bustling with activity.

Prince Duan, accompanied by his wife and three sons, entered the palace for a banquet, while Song Ting sat with the other maids and servants of the Prince's mansion, eating hot pot, drinking and chatting.

The wine was prepared by the housekeeper. The old man was very thoughtful and prepared a sweet wine that was easy to drink for the younger children.

A few grains of softened white rice floated in the wine; they were soft, sticky, and sweet when you put them in your mouth.

Song Ting had never tasted anything so delicious before, and before she knew it, she had drunk too much.

Everyone was singing and telling stories in a lively atmosphere, but Song felt dizzy and listened quietly while lying on the table, eventually falling asleep in a daze.

When he regained consciousness, he was awakened by suffocation, feeling as if someone was blocking his breathing, making it difficult for him to catch his breath.

Song Ting opened her eyes blankly, only to be met with a pair of smiling, watery eyes—

Chu Huaixu stood bent over in front of him, pinching his nose with two fingers, and laughed at him: "Didn't you promise to wait for me?"

Chu Huaixu went to the palace early in the morning. Before leaving, the two made a promise: Chu Huaixu asked Song Ting to wait for him to return so they could set off fireworks together.

The fireworks were brought from the palace by Chu Huaixu. Only princes and grandsons of the emperor could receive such a reward, but the late emperor favored him and gave him the most.

Song Ting was not fully awake from his dream. He subconsciously reached for Chu Huaixu's hand, but the latter took a few steps back, deliberately preventing him from grabbing it.

Song Ting blinked slowly, feeling a little disappointed.

Chu Huaixu, amidst his slightly bewildered gaze, took out a tinderbox and several sparklers hidden behind his back, and lit one.

With a whoosh, a cluster of fiery red fireworks rose into the night sky, exploding into even more dazzling colors.

At that moment, Chu Huaixu turned around, her eyes crinkling with a smile, and asked him gently, "Is it pretty?"

nice.

Song Ting stared at the face in front of her and thought to herself, "It couldn't be more beautiful."

The pampered young master of the royal palace grew up spoiled and arrogant, yet gentle in nature, truly one of a kind in the world.

The fireworks etched themselves into Song Ting's heart.

Every New Year's Eve thereafter, until the incident at the Prince Duan's residence, they would set off fireworks together, just like that day, which Chu Huaixu had brought from the palace.

Amidst the dazzling fireworks, Song Ting's heart was filled only with the person before her.

He used to be a killing machine, unworthy of having his own thoughts, whose sole purpose in life was to kill.

His sword would be stained with blood whenever his master gave the order.

In order to survive, human life is utterly worthless in his eyes, and his sword can be pointed at anyone except his master.

This includes the elderly, women, children, and even comrades who fought alongside them the day before.

His life was nothing but bloodshed and slaughter, dark and barren. He lived simply to live.

But Chu Huaixu was that ray of light that pierced through the darkness.

More precious than fireworks.

Once a person walking in darkness has seen the light and felt its warmth, they cannot give up that ray of light.

"I'm asking you, does it look good?" Because he didn't respond for a long time, Chu Huaixu got impatient and poked Song Ting's arm with his finger to urge him.

Song Ting still stared at his face and said, "He's handsome."

Chu Huaixu then smiled happily: "Do you like it?"

"I like it," Song replied.

Chu Huaixu smiled and promised him, "If you like it, that's good. If you like it, we'll watch it again next year."

"Mmm." Song Ting felt her heart was full.

"I'll watch it the year after next."

"good."

I watch it every year.

Year after year, what a wonderful wish.

...

As winter turned to spring, the snow at Prince Duan's mansion slowly melted, and Chu Huaixu took him to Qingfeng Tower to watch a play.

The opera troupe was the same Sixi Troupe that had performed the previous year. Song Ting couldn't remember what they were singing, but the only thing clearly imprinted in his mind was the image of Chu Huaixu resting his chin on his hand and gazing at the stage.

Wearing a dark blue robe and with a translucent jade pendant hanging at her waist, the young noblewoman, with a smile on her lips, lazily played with the tassel on the jade pendant.

Perhaps sensing the gaze upon her, the young noblewoman turned her head and smiled gently at Song Ting.

"Watching a show, huh? Why are you looking at me?"

Because you are more interesting than a play.

Song Ting thought to herself.

But of course he dared not say such a thing, so he hurriedly lowered his eyes, his ears turning red.

Such a small action naturally did not escape Chu Huaixu's notice, and the little nobleman laughed heartily.

He said, "Little Qingxiang, why are you so easily embarrassed?"

Taking advantage of being two years older than Song Ting, he would always call him in a soft, clear voice, sometimes with a soft, clear voice.

But under the protection of Prince Duan's mansion, Song Ting had clearly grown taller and was now the same height as him.

After the performance, the two walked out of Qingfeng Tower side by side.

The night breeze carried a slight chill. Song Ting held a colorful paper windmill in one hand and a sugar figurine in the other, occasionally bending down to lick the sugar figurine.

Suddenly, a hand reached out and pinched the back of his hand, startling Song Ting.

If this had happened in the past, he probably would have instinctively made an attack before that hand even reached out.

That was an instinct he had developed over many years of survival; he could even sense approaching danger in his dreams.

If he hadn't done that, he wouldn't be alive today.