Spring Snow Reflects the Beauty

In the distance, the horizon appeared a hazy white, still dim before dawn. The surroundings were shrouded in mist, obscuring visibility, save for the synchronized sound of marching footsteps echoing, accompanied by the sharp clinking of armor. On the final day of the last month of the twenty-first year of Qian Ning, the army led by Xianyue swiftly departed from Heifeng Ridge. They had galloped for nearly ten days and finally reached the foot of Ye City. 

Upon the towering city walls, Bai Zhanyuan donned a black uniform, his figure alongside the fluttering banners, soaring as if imbued with life. The once-soft fabric of his attire had become resolute and unyielding. He rested his hands against the wall, his dark arms glistening with cool dew, the moisture soaking into his black garb. He resembled a statue, his profound, obsidian eyes gazing into the distance. Suddenly, a smile broke upon his otherwise expressionless face. 

"Eldest Young Master, they have arrived!" 

The guard beside him pointed toward the horizon, unable to contain his joy, and gave Bai Zhanyuan's shoulder an enthusiastic pat. 

Bai Zhanyuan did not turn, yet his fingers twitched slightly against the wall. He fixed his gaze on a distant point, which gradually drew nearer and became clearer. The Chu Kingdom, coastal and perpetually cloaked in fog, was particularly dense in this season; on a winter morning from such a distance, nothing was visible. However, the moment she appeared, his vision became a piercing sword, slicing through the layers of mist, allowing him to see her with perfect clarity. 

Clad in white, unadorned, she rode a horse of the same hue, its head raised, gazing in her direction. The light in her eyes shone brightly like the camellia blossoms of spring, illuminating his very heart. 

"Bai Zhanyuan." 

The first rays of morning sun bathed her in light as she sat atop her steed, her hair flying freely in the wind. Dressed in thin white garments, she appeared even more fragile and slender. She turned to face him, waving her hand, the vermillion at her brow dancing with brilliance, her radiant smile resembling fireworks bursting forth in the night, dazzling and impossible to gaze upon directly. 

He had heard of her encounter with Xuanyuan's army at Heifeng Ridge; although she had emerged victorious, he had remained unsettled. Now, seeing her unharmed, he finally felt a sense of relief. 

Bai Zhanyuan's lips curved upward, softening the ruggedness of his features, rendering the guard beside him momentarily speechless. He raised his hand to press against a spot over his heart, where a previous wound had bled profusely, now healed over in an instant. The emptiness within him was filled by her joyful call. 

Half a year may not seem long, yet it had brought about profound changes. He understood that everyone bore their own responsibilities and obligations, and thus, albeit reluctantly, he had assumed the role of head of the Bai family, marrying the matchmaker's chosen bride, while she had become another's queen. 

Even though he acknowledged their paths had diverged irreversibly, whenever the silence of night enveloped him alone, he would find himself wondering if, like Lan Yi Xuan, he had seized her hand and leapt into the abyss alongside her, or if he had been the one at her side instead of Lan Yi Xuan—would the outcome be different? Despite her assurances, he could not help but entertain such thoughts. It was his hesitation that had caused him to miss the love of his life, a spirited, vibrant woman unafraid to love fiercely. Her clear, bright eyes seemed capable of discerning all the world's truths. 

Initially believing he would never see her again, he was taken aback by how swiftly chaos had engulfed the realm. Dressed in white, unadorned, she appeared just as before, riding a white horse and leading her fifty thousand soldiers with grandeur, directly beneath the city walls, within his sight. 

His fingers pressed against his chest stirred, the rhythm of his heart racing. After more than half a year apart, despite her marriage and his own, he found it impossible to let go of his feelings for her. He had buried that affection deep, attempting to mask it beneath the weight of his duties, but upon seeing her, he realized how futile that endeavor had been. 

"Bai Zhanyuan, have you lost your wits?" 

In the blink of an eye, Xianyue had appeared beneath the city walls, her head tilted upward, her gaze fixed intently on him as she shouted with joy. 

Bai Zhanyuan snapped back to reality, leaning forward. Behind her, dozens of young women clad in green rode white horses, their youthful faces radiant and spirited, brimming with vigor and enthusiasm. Their eyes sparkled with the same clarity as hers, steadfast and resolute. It was only then that he noticed their numbers. 

Bai Zhanyuan chuckled softly, straightening himself and letting out a long sigh. He gestured decisively, "Open the city gates." 

His deep, resonant voice echoed across the morning sky of Ye City, lingering long after. 

Even if she was the queen of the Lan Kingdom, she would always remain a cherished friend in Bai Zhanyuan's heart, a truth that would never waver. 

From now on, they would battle side by side on the battlefield; not even Lan Yi Xuan could take her place. 

Yilan and the others accompanied Xianyue into the city, while Bai Pingting and Lan Yi, following Xianyue's orders, coordinated with the local commanders to accommodate the arriving troops and meet with Cheng Qiang's forces. 

"Princess, so this is what the Eldest Young Master of the Bai family looks like!" 

Yilan watched Bai Zhanyuan, dressed in black and approaching from a distance, resting her chin on her hands, her eyes gleaming with admiration. 

"Yilan, don't let your heart run wild; he already has a wife. Are you willing to be a concubine?" 

Yueying admonished, playfully patting Yilan, her tone firm. 

"He's quite handsome, but I still believe the prince is better—cultured and noble, truly a perfect match for our princess." 

"I heard he liked our princess too; it must have been after she wed the prince that he felt disheartened and married another woman." 

"I think so too; just look at the way he gazes at our princess—tch, tch." 

The twenty or so women behind them chimed in, discussing eagerly. 

"Do you enjoy gossiping?" 

Xianyue turned around, smiling at them. "If you dare to speak recklessly, I'll have Sister Pingting send you back to Feng Kingdom. How about that?" 

Upon hearing this, Green Pearl and the others hurriedly covered their mouths, shaking their heads vigorously. 

It was no joke; they had trained day and night with the hope of one day standing beside the princess. Now that their dream had finally come true, accompanying her to the battlefield and fighting side by side, how could they possibly want to return? 

Xianyue observed Bai Zhanyuan as he drew nearer, taking a few steps forward. It had been over half a year since they last met, and while he appeared somewhat haggard, he radiated a newfound maturity and steadiness. 

Bai Zhanyuan stood before Xianyue, his gaze locked onto the woman he had dreamed of for so long, his heart a tumult of emotions. There were countless things he longed to share with her, yet now, words escaped him. 

He had married the daughter of the Xu family per his father's wishes, a decision that had weighed heavily on his heart. It felt like a betrayal to Xianyue, and he had contemplated revealing his inner turmoil to her, yet had ultimately restrained himself. He wanted no woman but Xianyue; yet, that was not his choice to make. As long as it was not the person he yearned for, it mattered little who it was. 

On the night of his wedding, he had made it clear: he could offer her the status and recognition she deserved, but in this lifetime, he would never love anyone but Xianyue. Perhaps that was cruel to the daughter of the Chen family, but he had remained true to his word. Unless necessary, he would not see her; even now, he had yet to learn her name. 

However, these thoughts would remain unspoken; he could not divulge them to this radiant woman before him. 

"Bai Zhanyuan, have you truly lost your senses?" 

Xianyue laughed, reaching out to pat his shoulder. Bai Zhanyuan snapped back to attention, grasping her hand and laughing heartily, calling out, "Feng Xianyue." 

Xianyue raised an eyebrow, responding with a soft "Mm." Bai Zhanyuan gazed at her tranquil smile, releasing her hand. "How have you been?" 

Countless words condensed into the simplest and most ordinary of greetings. 

"Just look at the way he looks at her; I told you he likes our princess!"

Yueying lowered her head, gently patting Ya'er beside her, and whispered while pointing at Bai Zhanfeng. 

"Even a fool can see it." 

Ya'er pushed her hand away and replied in a similarly hushed tone, 

"Yilan, give up. Even if you wish to be someone else's concubine, he won't want you." 

Yilan shot a glance at Lüzhu, and just then, Xianyue turned around, casting a faint glance at them, which instantly silenced the group. 

Though their voices were soft, how could Bai Zhanfeng, a practitioner of martial arts, not hear them? Every word reached his ears, and he scratched his head, a hint of embarrassment coloring his deep, luminous gaze. 

"Hero Bai, they're hungry and need food to keep quiet." 

Xianyue said to Bai Zhanfeng, turning to glance at the others, who nodded in agreement. "Yes, it's been a rough journey, and we haven't had a decent meal; we're starving." 

As she spoke, she patted her flat stomach. 

"Have someone take them to eat." 

"And you?" 

Bai Zhanfeng asked. 

Xianyue blinked innocently, showing no shame as she leaned closer to Bai Zhanfeng and whispered, "I'll find a place to sleep." 

After saying this, she stretched her arms, yawned, and tears streamed down her cheeks. 

The exhausting journey had deprived her of proper rest. 

"I—" 

Bai Zhanfeng was about to suggest taking her to rest, but Xianyue had already brushed past him, waving her hand dismissively as she left without a hint of longing. 

Bai Zhanfeng turned to watch her retreating figure, swaying as if intoxicated, her petite frame standing tall and unwavering, as if no calamity could topple her. She exuded optimism and resilience, not once glancing back. 

"Hero Bai." 

Lüzhu approached him with a smile, poking his shoulder with her finger. "Our princess has already walked far away." 

Bai Zhanfeng regained his composure, realizing he had lost his demeanor. He looked at Ya'er, who was nodding earnestly, unsure of what emotions stirred within him. The wound may have ceased to bleed, but it was replaced by an unprecedented sense of confusion. 

Can feelings simply be dismissed by will alone?