"But Master likes me wearing this colour the most." Pingting quietly gazed at the hem of the bright dress. She whispered, "Do you still remember the crimson dress I wore in the snow that time?" Her voice was like silk, distant and faraway, befitting of the endless number of stories they shared.

"I remember." He Xia sighed nostalgically. "I also know that right now, you're wearing one for me."

He sighed softly, took off the thick mink cold around his shoulders and stepped forward.

Almost all of the two parties' men were suspicious by this act. The arrows on their strings were nearly whipped forwards.

Yet all he did was gently place the coat on Pingting's shoulder and placed a palm on her cheek, warming her like he used to.

"Look, it's frozen stiff." Even the smile in his lips was the same.

Pingting obediently allowed him to dress and warm up her pale red face. She then heard He Xia murmur, "Why must you do this? Would I not come to see you even if you did not wear this colour? Am I really that heartless that I would completely forget our fifteen years of friendship?"

He studied her pityingly and raised his hand to slowly loosen her hair, letting the strands fall. "You have never combed your hair yourself before. Even if it's similar, the way I combed it back then was not like this."

Everyone's eyes were watchful.

One was the Prince Consort of Yun Chang, the other was the woman of the Duke of Zhen-Bei.

To the observers, this situation was both pure and beautiful as both had the best memories tucked in the depths of their heart. A place that once held no fear had been shattered with just a cough, leaving them with the fragments of reality.

The past and the current seemed to fall.

It seemed that Pingting was still his maid when they rode galloping horses together, dined together and played ridiculously pointless games together. The soothing yet fragile frame, coupled with her crystal clear eyes and her smiles pleased him since childhood.

At any time, all he had to do was just yell, "Pingting! Pingting!" which would then set off a series of calls in the ducal residence to summon Pingting. Pingting would then hurriedly come after hearing the summoning. She'd look up, her eyes clear and bright and he'd hear, "What's wrong? I'm busy and don't have time to be your model."

As for Chu Beijie, so what about Chu Beijie?

How could he steal away her soul, her heart and their fifteen years of friendship in just a few, countable days?

"Pingting, I miss you."

"The three hundred thousand soldiers that pressured the King of Dong Lin to transfer Chu Beijie were sent just for you."

"How is Chu Beijie treating you? He left you just because of a King's command."

"He's not good to you at all, so why lower yourself to him? Wouldn't you be happy if you live the way we used to?"

He Xia pointed at the trusted elite soldiers behind him. "I have brought these soldiers through the ends of the earth here and endured attacks. Pingting, you understand what this means right? I've never wanted to harm you."

"Does Master mean that you would like me to go with you?" Pingting's expression drifted as she leisurely asked.

"Do you not want to?"

"How could I?" Pingting's gaze shifted towards the white flag raised high up which was probably the first sign of disgrace on Chu Beijie's property. "The white flag has already been raised, so what could Pingting possibly say?" She chuckled softly and glanced at He Xia, her face sideways to him. "Would you like to take away the person? Or would you like to take away the heart?"

He Xia gave a fleeting expression of hurt. He lowered his voice, "Both."

A trace of a sad, bitter smile escaped from her beautiful lips. Pingting sighed, "Master, how much of this is really for Pingting? You don't want to use force on me because you want to deliver a bigger blow on Chu Beijie. If he knew that I willingly parted with you, this would mean a much greater loss than losing a battle at the borders to him." She leisurely sighed a few more times. Her tone firmed, "Fine, as long as you promise me one thing, I will willingly come with you."

He Xia had been listening to her elegant voice and was surprised at this. He immediately asked, "How long would you like to wait?"

"The sixth."

"Pingting, Chu Beijie won't come back."

"If so, I will go with you." She lifted her index finger to her mouth and bit viciously down on it. Her bright red blood dripped onto the snow and spreaded like plum blossoms suddenly blossoming.

"I, Bai Pingting, swear to the sky that if the Duke of Zhen-Bei does not arrive by the sixth, will willingly go with He Xia, the Prince Consort of Yun Chang. If I violate this oath, then I shall die without proper burial."

All of the men present on the two sides listened to her resounding oath and couldn't help feeling impressed.

A battle was looming with the presence of soldiers and He Xia's identity of importance that was a threat to the country meant that the sooner they left, the better. Regardless of strength, the Duke of Zhen-Bei's men had already raised a flag, so Bai Pingting should just go with them. Why wait for two days?

No one sane would agree to these conditions.

He Xia's voice remained prideful however. He nodded, "Fine. I'll come get you on the sixth."

Moran saw him turn away to leave, and without hesitation, beckoned the guards to protect. As the enemy's arrows remained pointed towards the residence, they retreated.

He watched them gradually retreat back to the forests before realising the hand on the hilt of his sword was soaked with sweat.

Snow covered the vast earth before them, empty and bleak.

Pingting just stood there, staring at the direction where He Xia disappeared.

"Miss Bai?" Moran took a step forwards, his words a loud whisper.

Pingting turned towards him, her eyes almost as clear as crystal. There was a faint sad smile on her lips. "Fifteen years of friendship can only be exchanged for the time of two days." She didn't move, just raised her head and looked towards the east. In a soft voice she asked, "From his words, it seems that the Duke will not be able to hurry back by the sixth. What do you think?"

He Xia hesitated and replied, "He Xia seems to be very sure. Perhaps the King is helping in the capital. If that's the case, I'm afraid..."

"But being the Duke he is, who could stop him if he really wanted to return?" Pingting's tone was relaxed as she whispered, "If he really has me in his heart, then he will definitely rush back by the sixth."

He had to come back.

Alcohol, women, power or force could not stop him.

As long as he remembers our promise, then he would definitely come back to see me.

Zuiju accompanied Hongqian inside the courtyard, their hearts skipping every few beats. They saw the white flag being raised in the distance. Hongqian, whose face was as white as paper, reluctantly snooped around a little, listening carefully for any sounds.

Not one battle cry could be heard.

It seemed that even the wind had been intimidated and was afraid to make any sounds.

They had waited until the strings of their heart felt like snapping before they saw Moran accompanying Pingting back inside. Pingting was as pale as white jade with a trace of exhaustion. The coat on her shoulders was no longer the pure white one she had been wearing when she left but a dark mink. The two then slipped quietly inside. As Pingting was not speaking, Zuiju didn't say anything either as she brought hot tea for her or when helping her to sleep comfortably. When all this was done, she looked at Moran before lifting the door curtain to go outside.

"What's going on? I saw the white flag." Zuiju asked as she opened the doors to look at the mountains. She had a special status as she was an old friend to Moran.

Moran frowned and reported the events one by one.

The development had been surprising. Although it should've been impossible, Bai Pingting had gained the time of two days.