Side Story 4: Parting is for Reunion

Side Story 4: Parting is for Reunion

Ever since Xiao Bai successfully staged an accident and attached himself to Pei Niannian, the back garden of the Regent's Palace has become the domain of these two children.

Although Pei Yunjing disliked this "little wolf cub," he could only turn a blind eye because of his daughter's protectiveness.

However, happy days are always short-lived.

Three years later, in late autumn.

A large and imposing delegation from the Southern Zhao state, well-equipped and imposing, entered the capital.

The old King of Nanzhao was critically ill, and his sons were vying for the throne, causing great chaos in the country.

Xiao Bai, who was originally considered a pawn, was reborn due to the rise of his maternal clan's power.

Coupled with the rumors that he was "highly valued by the Regent" in Dasheng (shamelessly freeloading meals), he unexpectedly became a hot commodity in the eyes of various forces.

He wants to go back and succeed to the throne.

Or to be more precise, it's about going back to seize power.

...

The capital city, a ten-mile-long pavilion.

Today, Xiao Bai changed out of his always faded blue robe and put on a purple-gold python robe embroidered with the Nanzhao totem.

Although he was only eleven years old, the noble air and melancholy that belonged to royalty were finally no longer concealed.

He stood beside the carriage, his gaze not falling on the respectfully kneeling envoys, but fixed on the end of the official road.

He was waiting for someone.

"drive--!"

A rapid sound of horses' hooves approached.

A chestnut pony, like a red lightning bolt, broke through the autumn wind.

The girl on horseback, dressed in red with her long hair tied up high, was ten-year-old Pei Niannian.

"Whoa—"

Pei Niannian reined in her horse, jumped off, and ran breathlessly to Xiao Bai.

"Xiaobai! Are you really leaving?"

Looking at the boy who had suddenly become somewhat unfamiliar, she felt a sudden emptiness in her heart.

That tagalong who always followed her around, helping her with her homework and bringing her water, was going back to that man-eating Nanzhao Palace.

"Um."

As Xiao Bai looked at her, the gloom in his eyes vanished instantly, replaced by a tenderness that belonged only to her.

“Sister Niannian.” He reached out and took out a warm, smooth jade pendant from his pocket.

The jade pendant was not decorated with the dragon and phoenix patterns commonly seen in the Great Sheng Dynasty, but instead was carved with a gray wolf howling towards the sky.

The wolf's eye is inlaid with a ruby, which is a token of the Southern Zhao royal family and a relic left to him by his mother.

"for you."

Xiao Bai took Pei Niannian's hand and solemnly placed the jade pendant in her palm:

"Take this. If anyone dares to bully you in the future, just take it out and smash it in their face."

"Tch, who dares to bully me?"

Pei Niannian pouted, though she remained defiant, her hand gripping the jade pendant tightly.

"But you, make sure you don't get bullied when you get back. If you can't beat them, write to me and I'll bring Big White to back you up!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Bai chuckled softly.

He stepped forward, taking advantage of the height difference between them (he had grown very tall in recent years), and leaned down slightly so that his gaze was level with hers.

This time, he didn't feign weakness. A burning ambition blazed in his narrow, phoenix-shaped eyes.

"Nian Nian".

His voice was no longer the soft, youthful tone of before, but rather carried the husky and magnetic quality characteristic of puberty:

"wait for me."

"Once I clean up that mess in Nanzhao, once I kill all those who harmed me."

Xiao Bai's fingers gently brushed the stray hairs at her temples, his eyes burning with a chilling intensity as he made a promise that weighed a ton:

"Wait for me to come back..."

"I will lead 100,000 iron cavalry, conquer a vast land, and present it to you as a betrothal gift..."

He wanted to mention the betrothal gifts, but ultimately swallowed his words.

He's not strong enough yet.

Only when he becomes the true king will he be qualified to stand beside the regent's daughter.

Pei Niannian was stunned for a moment. She looked at her childhood friend who had suddenly become so domineering and blinked.

The country? War?

"puff."

Pei Niannian couldn't help but laugh out loud.

She reached out and patted Xiao Bai's head without hesitation, just like when they were children (though now she had to stand on tiptoe):

"Silly little brat, what would I do with an empire?"

Pei Niannian put her hands on her hips, pointed to the majestic capital city behind her, then to the vast land to the north, her face full of arrogance:

"My father is the regent, and my mother is the lord of all beasts."

"This vast land is my backyard, and the grasslands of the north are my pasture."

"What I have in abundance is power and influence."

Xiao Bai was stunned.

His passionate vow was choked by this sudden display of wealth.

"Then... what do you want?" he asked, somewhat bewildered.

Pei Niannian stopped smiling, looked into his eyes, and said seriously:

"I want you to live."

"besides……"

She swallowed hard, remembering the delicious food she had seen in the book "Travels of the Nations":

"I heard that the 'spicy dried fish' and 'flower cakes' in Nanzhao are especially delicious."

Pei Niannian patted his shoulder and earnestly advised him:

"Don't just focus on fighting and taking over territory. When you come back, remember to bring me a truckload of good food."

"If you dare to come back empty-handed..."

She waved her fist, revealing a cute little fang: "I'll unleash the dogs on you!"

Xiao Bai looked at her.

Looking at this girl who never plays by the rules, yet always manages to easily capture his heart.

The surprise in his eyes gradually faded, eventually turning into a helpless yet indulgent smile.

Yes, she is Pei Yunjing's daughter; she was born in the clouds.

"good."

Xiao Bai grasped her fist, placed it to his lips, and gently touched it:

I promise you.

"The empire came along incidentally."

"Delicious food... there will definitely be plenty."

A distant horn sounded, and the envoys from Nanzhao were urging them on.

Xiao Bai released her hand, giving her one last deep look, as if he wanted to etch that touch of red into his soul.

"They're gone."

He turned around and strode toward the carriage.

This time, his back was no longer hunched, no longer thin.

Beneath the fluttering purple-gold python robe lay a wolf king about to awaken.

Pei Niannian stood by the pavilion, holding the wolf-shaped jade pendant that still felt warm from her body.

The wind blew up her red dress, and as she watched the convoy drive away, she suddenly felt a lump in her throat.

"You must come back..."

She muttered to herself:

"Otherwise... I'll go to Nanzhao and eat your palace out of house and home!"