The number one spendthrift woman in the capital actually brings glory to her entire family?

Sikong Shu's old face darkened, and he coldly ordered the guests to leave, though his aged eyes held a complex expression, especially when he heard Sikong Jin mention Sikong Qi.

Sikong Jin gripped the military tally in her hand, narrowed her eyes, glanced at Sikong Shu with a calm expression, and then suddenly turned and left.

Back at Crescent Moon Abode, Su Yue had already gently prepared Sikong Jin's luggage.

Sikong Jin changed into a black outfit, with a heavy hooded cloak draped over her shoulders. She rushed into the study, rummaged around in the corner of the bookshelf for a while, and finally found a few yellowed maps, as well as introductions to the terrain, customs, and local conditions of the Northwest and the Great Wilderness.

It was indeed left behind by Sikong Qi.

Sikong Jin carefully put them into her bundle. At that moment, Su Yue also walked in carrying a large bundle.

"Ah Jin, it's very cold over there. Please take good care of yourself and wear more clothes. Your mother sent you some extra warm clothes." Su Yue said, looking at Sikong Jin with reluctance.

Sikong Jin deftly took the package from Su Yue's hands, gently grasping Su Yue's slender hands with one hand, and comforted her, "Don't worry, it's just a short trip. I'll return to the capital as soon as I'm done with my business. As for news about Xiao Mo, I'll send people over to deliver updates to you regularly. During this time, Mother, you should stay in the manor. You can go out and visit when you have free time, but remember to bring Xiao Shuang and Xiao Xue with you. They are highly skilled in martial arts, and I'll feel at ease having them protect you."

Su Yue nodded obediently, then turned her hands to grasp Sikong Jin's cold, delicate hand. "Child, promise your mother that no matter what, you must protect yourself and come back to see me unharmed!"

Sikong Jin smiled gently, raised his hand and patted Su Yue's shoulder, then picked up his bundle and walked past, not wanting to say anything more about parting. Su Yue immediately turned her head with tears in her eyes, watching Sikong Jin's figure disappear into a hazy, desolate place.

Just as she stepped out of the Sikong Mansion, a few ethereal white flakes drifted into view. Sikong Jin looked up in surprise and saw that the long-overcast sky had begun to swirl with snowflakes. The pure white snowflakes fell like a dream, as if waving goodbye to her…

Countless pure white petals flew past her eyes, and a few soon landed on her shoulders. She turned her head and stared at the snowflakes on her shoulders, slightly lost in thought, when suddenly the sound of horses' hooves came from behind her.

She suddenly snapped out of her reverie and looked in the direction of the sound. She saw Tang Jingyao and Lan Zixi standing shoulder to shoulder, hurrying over through the wind and snow.

"Fortunately, I caught up!"

Lan Zixi reined in her horse not far behind Sikong Jin, dismounted breathlessly, and Tang Jingyao followed suit.

"These are some medicines that might be useful for treating injuries. Take them with you. If Brother Jing hadn't mentioned it, I wouldn't have known about this matter or why we left in such a hurry."

Lan Zixi stuffed a small cloth bag full into Sikong Jin's arms, her bright and beautiful face showing a hint of concern and anxiety.

"Why are you here? You're not here for anything, do you really need to make such a big fuss?"

Sikong Jin didn't refuse as she stuffed the small cloth bag into the pouch next to the saddle, a faint smile on her face.

Tang Jingyao walked up, patted Sikong Jin's thin shoulder, and said earnestly, "Anyway, I didn't have anything else to do, so I came to see you off. Xi'er also wanted to come and visit."

For some reason, Tang Jingyao had a vague feeling that after this parting, they might not see each other again for a very long time. He felt a strange sadness in his heart, so he simply dropped what he was doing and rushed over. On the way, he met his wife Zixi and asked her to come along as well.

Sikong Jin's smile suddenly became incredibly radiant. She saw the genuine worry in the eyes of Tang Jingyao and his wife, and her slightly cold heart suddenly warmed up a little.

"The northwest is close to the Great Wilderness, unlike your previous city of Malan. No matter what, you must be vigilant. The journey is long, so please take good care of yourself! Ajin!"

Lan Zixi spoke softly, reaching out to take Sikong Jin's cold hand, and then pulling Tang Jingyao's large hand in hers. The three of them held hands tightly, and their eyes suddenly glistened with a faint glimmer.

Sikong Jin smiled, then suddenly bent down, took her hand, and gave her a gentlemanly kiss on the back of her hand. He smiled and said, "I don't know when I'll be back this time. I hope that when I come back next time, I can be Uncle Jin! Zixi, may you always be beautiful and happy!"

Lan Zixi nodded gently with tears in her eyes, a slight blush rising on her beautiful face, and turned her head away shyly.

Sikong Jin straightened up and looked up at the handsome and refined Tang Jingyao. Tang Jingyao smiled gently and opened his arms to embrace Sikong Jin.

The sudden warm embrace startled Sikong Jin, causing her body to tremble slightly. However, she quickly regained her composure and gently embraced Tang Jingyao in return.

"Good brother, we'll definitely meet again soon. Leave things here to me, I'll take care of everything!"

Tang Jingyao said in a low voice.

Sikong Jin nodded and patted Tang Jingyao heavily on the back, "My good brother!"

Take care on your journey!

……

Watching Sikong Jin's solitary figure slowly disappear into the wind and snow, Lan Zixi's eyes were already brimming with tears. She raised her sleeve and gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes. Turning to look at her beloved husband, she noticed a hint of bewilderment in Tang Jingyao's usually calm eyes.

Heroes share the same heart and soul, their passion and ambition stretching to the horizon.

That winter was particularly cold.

Tang Jingyao, Ji Wuge, Sikong Jin... and many others, each carrying a different mission, trudging through the torrential mud, pursuing their dreams, pursuing their beliefs...

And in the long years that followed, they continued to struggle in this chaotic world, fighting for their dreams and for love.

"I always thought he was the most carefree among us, but I didn't know that he was actually carrying the heaviest burden. He seemed carefree on the surface, but probably only he himself knew the bitterness in his heart. Such people are often the loneliest, so how can one not feel sorry for them? He has nothing..."

With tears in her eyes, Lan Zixi stared for a long time at the empty space in the sky, and choked out, "I never understood why such a talented and beautiful woman as the Ninth Princess would be so devoted to him. Now... I finally understand!"

Tang Jingyao also sighed with regret, "That's just how he is. Ji Wuge and I like his personality. The luckiest thing in our lives is knowing these two lovable yet hateful guys!"

His gentle tone was full of doting affection, and a very gentle and elegant smile appeared on Tang Jingyao's lips.

"You talk as if you're so great. You say you know those two, but what about me? Who am I?"

Lan Zixi pretended to put on a stern face and glared at him.

Tang Jingyao smiled happily, gently stretched out his long arm, and gently pulled Lan Zixi into his arms, saying softly, "Knowing them was the luckiest thing, but meeting you and marrying you is the happiest thing in my life."

Lan Zixi smiled shyly, raised her arms, gently hugged his arms, and leaned slightly against him.

Tang Jingyao's gaze, however, turned to the direction Sikong Jin had just left, and remained motionless for a long time.

Snowflakes fell heavily, and the wind was biting cold. In a daze, Tang Jingyao suddenly heard a faint, ethereal song carried on the wind:

The bond of friendship is higher than the sky and broader than the earth.

We will always remember those years.

The affection between friends is the most precious thing we can find in this life.

Like a glass of wine,

Like an old song...