Sorrow That Touched the Heart

"Beloved?"

Bofeng gave Xue Qinghe a long look. To be honest, he rather admired her.

To waste the prime of her life in this pitch-black, intrigue-filled palace, and for a girl to remain undercover for so many years—Bofeng could not help but admire her.

If not for Tang San's appearance later on, the entire Heaven Dou Imperial Family would have changed long ago.

Noticing Bofeng staring at her, Xue Qinghe could not help feeling embarrassed.

"You..."

"Why is Brother Bofeng looking at me? Could there be something written on my face?"

Bofeng smiled faintly. "Nothing. I merely caught a different scent on His Highness the Crown Prince. This scent..."

"Hmm..."

"It feels familiar. Do you remember the cosmetics I gave Princess Xue Ke this morning? Could it be that His Highness the Crown Prince is also..."

At that moment, Xue Qinghe froze. What a clever fellow.

What woman did not love beauty? Even though she was disguised as a man, she could not help taking an interest in the things Bofeng had given away.

So, she had used a little. Unexpectedly, the results were quite good. Not only did it care for her skin, it also made her even more beautiful and alluring. She had begun to like the product.

Unfortunately, while the Spirit Bone could conceal her appearance, it could not hide that wonderful fragrance.

Moreover, Bofeng was the seller. He could not have been more familiar with that scent.

If one wanted to capture a woman's heart, one had to start with her preferences.

Xue Qinghe was initially stunned, then waved her hand and laughed. "Brother Bofeng, do not misunderstand. How could a man like me use such a thing? It was only because my younger sister was using it today, and I happened to be beside her, so some of the fragrance naturally rubbed off on me."

"So..."

Bofeng merely smiled and nodded at Xue Qinghe's explanation. It was enough that he understood in his heart.

"Come, today is my treat. Let us not talk about anything else."

As she spoke, Xue Qinghe picked up the wine jug and filled their cups with imperial wine brought from the palace. Its strength was quite high...

Bofeng hurriedly said, "Your Highness, I truly cannot trouble you. I can do it myself."

"No need. A guest is a guest. Tonight, there is no crown prince—only Xue Qinghe, drinking and chatting with you." Xue Qinghe stuffed a wine cup into Bofeng's hand.

"Cheers..."

As soon as she finished speaking, Xue Qinghe drank the fine wine in her cup.

But...

Bofeng did not move for a long while. Xue Qinghe frowned slightly. "Why is Brother Bofeng not drinking? Could it be that you refuse to give me face...?"

"Your Highness, I have never had alcohol before. On the island, Mother was very strict. I once secretly drank some, and the result was..."

He had been scolded for half the day. From then on, he had never touched alcohol again.

Xue Qinghe smiled. "I never expected Brother Bofeng to fear his mother."

"Don't you?" Bofeng deliberately asked.

"I..." Xue Qinghe was left speechless.

Bofeng caught a trace of complicated emotion in Xue Qinghe's eyes. Blood was thicker than water, after all. If she truly hated her, Bofeng would not believe it...

In truth, their fates were alike. Both possessed God-level Spirits, both had Innate Full Spirit Power Level Twenty, and both were children with mothers but no fathers. One had been killed, while the other was trapped in the City of Slaughter.

Fortunately, Bofeng was lucky. Bo Saixi had showered Bofeng with affection.

As for her, that might not be the case. Her mother did not love her; only her grandfather had cared for her.

And she had been placed here, forced into a life beyond her control. That feeling could not have been pleasant.

Xue Qinghe said nothing, merely downing the wine in her cup in large gulps.

Bofeng's words had struck the most painful place in her heart.

Though she was angry, she could only assume that Bofeng had brought it up casually.

"Sorry, I lost my composure," Xue Qinghe said flatly.

"It is nothing," Bofeng said.

"Everyone has a painful place in their heart. In the end, we are the same kind of people."

"Come, drink it." Xue Qinghe raised her cup again.

"Your Highness, I..."

Before Bofeng could explain, Xue Qinghe spoke first. "Consider it my apology. You unintentionally spoke to the deepest part of my heart. This cup of wine..."

"You must drink it."

Bofeng said helplessly, "All right, Your Highness. But let me say this first: I cannot hold my liquor. If I truly say anything inappropriate after drinking, I hope Your Highness will be forgiving."

As he spoke, Bofeng drank the wine in his cup.

Xue Qinghe watched with a smile. He was simply waiting for Bofeng to get drunk so he could probe his true background.

His Spirit was definitely not some so-called Trident...

As they talked, neither of them knew how long had passed...

During their conversation, Xue Qinghe occasionally tried to lure Bofeng into a trap, but Bofeng dissolved every one of them the next moment.

Xue Qinghe's face was flushed red, her head heavy and muddled, and her entire body had begun to sway unsteadily...

"Brother Bofeng, to be honest, how about staying in Heaven Dou City and assisting... me?"

Bofeng looked at the drunken Xue Qinghe and shook his head helplessly. "Sorry, we are not people of the same world. You are admired by countless people, and in the future, you will be the ruler who unifies the empire."

"And I am merely an ordinary fisherman from an island."

"Besides..."

Mother would not allow Bofeng to have dealings with people from Spirit Hall. Sorry...

After several rounds of wine, Bofeng intended to leave, but...

By then, Xue Qinghe had already collapsed onto the table, sleeping soundly, her breathing rising and falling.

Bofeng stared at Xue Qinghe for a long time. They were the same kind of people, but their fates were different.

Compared to her, Bofeng was fortunate. Next, he only needed to rescue his father, and then their family would be reunited.

"Ah..." Bofeng sighed softly. She was a pitiful person too.

Bofeng took off his outer robe and gently draped it over Xue Qinghe's shoulders. Then he left the room and slowly closed the door behind him.

The supposedly sleeping Xue Qinghe slowly opened her eyes. Looking at the empty wine table, she touched the chair, which still retained a trace of warmth.

The robe draped over her body still carried a little warmth as well.

The strong wine burned like fire, a raging blaze rolling through Xue Qinghe's heart.

A clear tear slid down his once-flushed face.

The next moment, he raised his right hand, and a flash of golden light passed by.

Her beautiful face was revealed—skin white as snow, a high, delicate nose, gorgeous golden hair cascading over her shoulders, and bright eyes that trembled slightly, as though tears were swirling within them.

She rose and walked to the window, watching Bofeng in the distance as he gradually disappeared into the darkness...

A sweet smile appeared on her lips. This was the first time she had found someone she could truly talk to.

Ever since childhood, apart from her grandfather, she had never found anyone she could speak with so easily.

Within this cold palace, she had become increasingly aloof. Only when facing Princess Xue Ke would she reveal a smile.

Perhaps it was because they were both women...

And coupled with his unyielding temperament, she only wanted to completely bring Bofeng under her control. As for the secret hidden deep in Bofeng's heart, she wanted to uncover and understand it.

She would find an opportunity. They would meet again next time...

"Young Master..."

A voice sounded from outside the door...

She transformed back into Xue Qinghe, her expression calm...