0110 Life Blooms Like Summer Flowers

In Li Yi’s mind, Xia Kui had always been synonymous with grace and propriety.

He would never forget the first time he saw her, that stunning girl with flowing purple hair standing quietly beside the emissary from Kairenia. Around them, the flowers of the White Tower Kingdom bloomed in vibrant competition, yet the girl seemed like a fairy who had fallen among the blossoms. Sunlight cast a halo over her fair cheeks, and her bright eyes shimmered like the pure dawn, clear and untainted, scanning her surroundings. She wore an intricately detailed ceremonial gown characteristic of Kairenia, yet she gave off the impression that she might take flight at any moment, delicate and not to be disturbed.

Life was as fleeting as summer flowers.

But Li Yi didn’t have time to observe her further. The reigning king had urgently summoned him to the palace. Upon seeing the king introducing his country to the Kairenian emissary, Li Yi quickly knelt on one knee, saluting both men and silently awaited the king’s orders.

Unexpectedly, the king was in no hurry. With a bright smile, he helped Li Yi up and enthusiastically introduced him to the Kairenian envoy, extolling Li Yi’s virtues—young, handsome, hardworking, resilient, a brilliant warrior with a promising future, noble lineage, impeccable background, and upright character—rambling on and on. The king showed none of his royal demeanor, acting more like a panderer than a monarch.

The Kairenian emissary’s gaze shifted from appraising to one of “I’ve found a treasure; it’s you,” the kind of look reserved for a golden groom. The beautiful young mage beside the emissary, once carefree and admiring the scenery, blushed so deeply it seemed she might drip water, her eyes fixed shyly on the ground.

“Oh~ So you’re planning to sell me off to Kairenia to curry favor?” Li Yi silently cast a disdainful glance at the king of that year—Chaslik (yes, that chatterbox was Bradleyk’s own father).

Chaslik looked at his general with an innocent expression and replied with his eyes, “How could this be selling you? I’m helping you. Look at that beautiful young lady—accepting you would be no loss at all!”

The Kairenian emissary glanced repeatedly at Chaslik, thinking he was signaling Xia Kui to say something. Hastily, he reached out and pulled Xia Kui back.

That pull seemed to snap Xia Kui’s soul back. Maintaining a demure demeanor, she suddenly lifted her head, and their eyes met mid-air, locking directly with Li Yi’s.

Seeing this, Chaslik sensed opportunity. He immediately clapped the Kairenian emissary on the shoulder and exclaimed, “Ah, there’s a fine flower over there! Ambassador, having traveled so far, you must savor it properly!”

“Yes, yes, savor it!” The Kairenian emissary played along and stumbled after the king as they walked away.

In an instant, the vast garden was left with only Li Yi and Xia Kui.

Seeing Xia Kui’s face flush as if she might bore a hole through the ground with her gaze, Li Yi cautiously spoke, “May I be so bold as to ask your name, miss?”

Her face reddened even more at his words. Since ascending to the rank of master mage, few had directly asked her name; usually, they would bow and begin with, “Honored Mage…” Li Yi’s straightforwardness flustered her briefly, but she quickly composed herself. She had come willingly for this alliance, and now that her betrothed stood before her—a man of good looks, heroic achievements, impeccable reputation, and refined manners—she was the perfect choice. Any more shyness would only seem awkward.

Li Yi looked down at her face, watching the red fade to a pale calm as she suppressed her hesitation. With a slight tilt of her delicate face, she spoke softly, “My name is Xia Kui—‘Xia’ as in summer, ‘Kui’ as in sunflower.”

“Honored to meet you, I am Li Yi.” Though he saw no sign of the youngest master mage of Kairenia before him, Li Yi maintained a gentle smile and continued their conversation, silently thinking: This alliance is definitely to my advantage.

Thus, the girl named Xia Kui remained in Akasia, and that stay stretched into several fleeting decades.

The bright young girl gradually grew into a refined, poised lady whose every gesture inspired the citizens of the White Tower Kingdom—most of whom had never encountered a mage—to form enchanting and noble impressions of the mage profession. Unconsciously, she fostered goodwill toward Kairenia. In doing so, she fulfilled the vow she made upon arriving in the White Tower Kingdom: to bring peace and friendship between the two nations.

As time passed, Li Yi grew ever more mature and charismatic, yet the decades of companionship with Xia Kui were just as respectful and harmonious as their first meeting, like a celestial couple whose love felt as fresh as their initial encounter. This couple was envied throughout White Tower City and even won the “Most Enviable, Most Provocative Couple” grand prize.

But only Xia Kui and Li Yi knew the truth behind this seemingly perfect story: it was the result of Xia Kui’s painstaking efforts to demand that Li Yi restrain himself. On their wedding day, she clearly told him she needed a harmonious, exemplary marriage—one worthy to be a model for others—because only then would her presence have true value.

Li Yi, who had always cherished Xia Kui, readily accepted this.

Over the past ten-plus years, Li Yi had never seen Xia Kui like this. Not even her storms of rage or Bradleyk’s mischief had ever caused her to change her expression so much. But this time was different. This time, Xia Kui was like a frightened little girl seeking refuge, trembling softly behind him as if trying to escape something.

For Xia Kui, this was a profound clash of emotion and faith. Devout as she was, she unhesitatingly chose her beliefs, abandoning aid to a certain someone. Yet she hadn’t anticipated that this moment’s hesitation would trigger so many unpredictable consequences. The usually resolute Xia Kui now deeply regretted her choice.

As blood flowed across the battlefield and soldiers fell one after another, Xia Kui’s mind was filled with remorse and confusion over her failure. She kept blaming herself for her coldness and cruelty to that person. This guilt swelled her self-loathing to a peak. At that moment, she had no idea how to face herself, her daughter’s reproach, the soldiers’ doubtful eyes, or most painfully, how to face Li Yi—the man who loved the best version of her.

Would he still love me? Would he still think of me? Would he still cherish a me who had always strived for so-called peace by carefully crafting a façade of harmony, ignoring reality and others’ feelings?

Yet these doubts dissolved the instant she impulsively ran behind Li Yi, ready to face danger together. Feeling the warmth of his body and the firm grasp of his hand, Xia Kui suddenly felt that it was enough.

Sensing her rare relaxation and dependence, Li Yi wanted to laugh—not a triumphant laugh of victory, but a quiet, heartfelt smile. One hand held Xia Kui’s, while the other gripped his sword tightly, fiercely battling the attacking beasts. The clash of blade upon sharp claws rang out—clang, clang, clang—but Li Yi felt indescribable contentment in his heart.

He knew well what Xia Kui had been thinking, worrying, and planning all along; he understood what she was now repenting and seeking. But none of that mattered. The moment he grasped her hand, he became even more certain of his own resolve.

Pulling Xia Kui’s hand, guiding her safely past the beast’s fiery assault, feeling her unguarded worry and anxiety in danger, witnessing her genuine softness and trust—if circumstances allowed, Li Yi would reach up to stroke her hair gently and whisper tenderly in her ear:

Because of you, I would die without regret.