A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace Chapter 1149: I’m Here With You!

Her thoughts slowly returned as she recalled her arrival in the Capital City.

She had stayed by my side, serving as my personal guard.

During the conflict in Guangnan, her prowess earned her acclaim, and it was I who put forth her name to the Ministry of War.

It had been a considerable time since we last met after that.

She gradually became assimilated with the people surrounding her.

Yang Chenyi, a trusted brother, and my seventh brother would occasionally speak of her, acknowledging her formidable prowess as a female warrior.

Upon encountering her, both Tiger and Rat felt a stronger connection to her than they did to me.

Her bright and exuberant personality charmed everyone.

Even Manxue found herself speaking of Hai Tang often.

However, their paths diverged, preventing their camaraderie from deepening significantly.

Throughout the intervening years, they had faced numerous life-or-death situations together.

Neither kept count of the debts of life they owed each other, nor did they feel the need to.

Later, King Western Xia made his appearance.

Her true identity was then unveiled; she was none other than the long-lost daughter of King Western Xia.

Her status as a Princess was finally revealed to all.

With her father's arrival, she had no recourse but to depart with him.

From that point onward, separated by vast distances, their meetings became exceedingly rare.

Yet, the passage of years apart did nothing to diminish the inherent bond they shared.

On the contrary, much like a fine aged wine, the longer it remained, the more exquisite its character became.

Upon their reunion, they remained brothers, the kind who would readily lay down their lives for one another.

Hai Tang’s unique essence persisted, unwavering.

She was imprinted within his heart, a presence both extraordinary and yet wholly ordinary.

It was a feeling he himself struggled to fully articulate.

Their shared moments together were akin to brilliant pearls and radiant gemstones, indelibly etched in his memory, their luster never fading.

Typically, this profound sentiment lay dormant within him.

However, contemplating the possibility of a final, life-altering separation now caused his heart to constrict violently, the sheer agony inducing a cold sweat.

"Hai Tang?"

"Hai Tang?!"

"Wake up!"

"Wake up!!"

...

Hai Tang’s eyelids fluttered infinitesimally.

Pain!

Such intense pain!

A relentless, piercing agony washed over her, consuming her entirely.

Exhaustion!

Overwhelming sleepiness!

Her desire was merely to rest.

But that voice, it was uniquely distinct.

So uniquely special that it compelled her to open her eyes immediately and acknowledge its presence.

‘I am awake, I am right here!’

Alas, despite her most earnest efforts, she could only manage a slight movement of her eyelids.

Memories began to surface, fragmented images flashing through her mind.

On the first occasion she rescued him, she had found him utterly astonishing; could such a paragon of grace truly exist in this world?

The second time, it was he who had saved her.

Yet, alas, fate had only granted them shared destiny, not eternal companionship.

Thus, they possessed a destined connection but not a fated union.

From their very first meeting, his heart was already devoted to another.

It was a woman possessing both gentleness and a carefree spirit, her smile illuminating the world around her.

She was beautiful, kind, and courageous.

She embodied all the qualities Hai Tang felt she herself lacked.

She deserved that most exceptional, most graceful, most outstanding man.

They were like a pair of mandarin ducks playfully gliding through the water, their spirits intertwined in a dance of affection, their shared happiness echoing vibrantly.

And so...

The first time he invited her to remain in the Capital City,

She declined his offer.

What reason was there to stay? To bear witness to the one she loved and his beloved soaring together, lost in sweet bliss?

No, she could not endure it; she had not yet attained such magnanimity.

Since their meeting was a twist of fate, she resolved to continue her wandering path.

He would fulfill his official duties, and she would continue her solitary journey; would it not be better for their paths to remain completely separate?!

But...

She had underestimated the potent force of yearning, underestimated his influence.

During the time they spent apart,

There wasn't a single day that passed without her thoughts of him.

Not a single day went by where her heart wasn't consumed by worry for him.

Finally, finding herself unable to bear the separation any longer, she set foot once more in the Capital City.

Before her departure,

She inflicted a deep gash upon her wrist.

Standing before her father's grave, she took a solemn oath, sealed with her own blood.

She vowed not to become a concubine, not to shatter existing families, nor to engage in any acts that transgressed her conscience and moral code.

Since he already cherished someone else in his heart,

She would instead be his steadfast brother, his loyal companion through life.

Free from romantic entanglements, there would be no conflict, right?!

Could they not at least share a bond of unwavering loyalty and friendship, a connection forged through the trials of life and death?!

At the very least, she could still behold him, and hold a cherished place within his heart, could she not?!

She sought nothing further than this.

With these simple assurances, she would find contentment.

From that moment onward,

She would remain in his vicinity, never straying too far.

She would simply watch him from a distance, remaining unseen, unheard, unacknowledged, and speaking little.

She would live out her days in this quiet manner.

Yet, time brought a change to her status, compelling her departure.

The profound ache of being separated by immense distances was, indeed, a heart-shattering experience.

She swore to herself that she would cease to pine for him, and that she would no longer seek him out.

But who could have foretold... the subsequent rebellion of Prince Jin, the invasion by Great Chu, and similar tumultuous events?

They found themselves reunited once more.

...

As these past events, like precious pearls and gemstones enshrined in her heart, resurfaced in her mind,

Hai Tang’s eyelids quivered, and tears, like a cascade of pearls, slowly began to fall.

Xia Tingfeng’s heart ached with a profound sorrow, and he softly called out to her.

"Hai Tang, wake up!"

"Hai Tang?!"

A few icy tears traced their path down her face.

Hai Tang's eyelids fluttered, a struggle to fully open her eyes.

Her vision began to waver, and her consciousness slowly receded.

Yet, hearing the voice of the person she knew best, she gathered all her remaining strength to think and identify him.

Finally, her lips trembled as she softly inquired,

"Is... is that you?"

"It’s me!"

Xia Tingfeng's eyes brimmed with tears, his voice husky.

"Men don't cry easily; it's simply because their hearts haven't been truly broken."

He couldn't quite fathom the depth of his sorrow.

However, when a dear brother faced his end, sorrow was a natural response; he had no time for introspection.

But why did his heart ache so profoundly?

...

The hazy images gradually sharpened into clarity.

The indistinct shapes slowly resolved into definite forms.

Upon seeing his face unmistakably.

A smile, the most beautiful yet sorrowful, graced her pale features.

"You've finally come to take me."

Xia Tingfeng found her words somewhat perplexing.

Believing her mind was clouded, he humored her.

"Yes, it's me. I've come to take you!"

Hai Tang offered another smile.

It was a smile he had never witnessed before, a delicate blush coloring her cheeks, hinting at an unusual shyness.

Wait, shy???

Xia Tingfeng stood stunned, a strange sensation gripping his heart.

He heard Hai Tang speak again, her voice slow and deliberate.

"You... have finally arrived!"

"The husband my Imperial Father chose... I never liked him... I only... like you!"

Her nature was open and cheerful, bright and forthright, simple-minded, and inexperienced in matters of the heart.

She was oblivious to the absurd notion that girls shouldn't be forward.

When it came to expressing her feelings, she was remarkably candid.

And so...

Xia Tingfeng was utterly thunderstruck.

He couldn't believe his ears, couldn't believe the person before him, couldn't believe the words she uttered.

'Like?'

'She likes me?!'

'How is this possible... in this situation...'

He felt flustered, bewildered, beads of sweat forming on his brow; he...

Hai Tang seemed to have a sudden realization, her chest swelling with pride.

"Did I hide it well?!"

"You never noticed!"

"The vows I made before my father back then, I've fulfilled them all. Am I not impressive..."

Vows?

Xia Tingfeng had no recollection of any such vows.

However... he could vaguely surmise their nature.

As for hiding it?!

So, she had harbored these feelings all along, keeping them concealed!

Why did this innocent girl have to endure such a burden!

All these years, what had she truly experienced!

"Why aren't you saying anything?!"

Hai Tang seemed to regain a surge of energy, suddenly animated, speaking with remarkable fluency.

She gazed at him, her smile radiant, her tear-filled eyes still sparkling.

Xia Tingfeng managed a faint smile, forcing it out.

"Speak! I’ll stay with you. I’m here for you!"