A Childhood Sweetheart to Find Comfort In

Volume One, When We Were Young: Raised under the care of his enemy, he grew up as close as could be to his enemy's son. Then the truth about the battle fifteen years ago gradually comes to light, brought to the surface by those with their own designs. "How far have things gone between you and the young marquis?" "Would you give up investigating the truth of that year for your relationship with him? Would you ignore the six thousand souls of the central army and the entire innocent Bu household that was dragged into it?" Even if we should never meet again, in life or death. Volume Two, On and On We Go: He thought he would never see the person again, but an accident turns that person into his savior. "Brother... you rather resemble an old friend of mine." "I didn't know a high-ranking official like you had friends." He tries to avoid him, but fate keeps pushing them into each other's path. What will you choose this time? If I had the chance to choose, how should I balance love and duty? Main characters and relationships in Part One: Xia Anfeng x Bu Zhangbai: Xia Anfeng: The illegitimate second son of Xia Zun, Marquis of Dingguo. Lively and simple-hearted, he trusts Bu Zhangbai, who grew up with him, completely, and harbors feelings for him that he himself barely understands. His mother was a princess of a fallen tribe, given in political marriage to Xia Zun. Bu Zhangbai: The grandson of the famous general Bu Qingtian and the only son of Bu Jingchen. After his grandfather died on the battlefield and his father Bu Jingchen took his own life, Xia Zun took him into his household. He grew up with Xia Anfeng, and their childhood friendship gradually changed into mutual love, though neither admitted it. Xia Zun x Bu Jingchen: Xia Zun: Marquis of Dingguo. He and Bu Jingchen grew up together, calling each other brothers in the early years. Only after the truth about the battle at Tianmaigu was exposed did Xia Zun confess his feelings to Bu Jingchen and realize that the other man felt the same. By then, however, their enmity could no longer be undone. Bu Jingchen: Son of Bu Qingtian. He and Xia Zun once shared a deep bond, entrusting their lives to each other as comrades and brothers-in-arms. Luo Tang x Qi Xuemiao: Luo Tang: The third son of the Duke of Weiguo, with a wide circle of acquaintances. Outside court, he knows all sorts of people from every walk of life. He appears to be a carefree playboy, but all along, his heart has belonged to Qi Xuemiao alone. To help Qi Xuemiao fulfill his ambitions, he has done many things against his own wishes and principles. He genuinely cares for Xia Anfeng as a friend, and feels guilty after the Marquis of Dingguo's household falls. He does all he can to look after Xia Anfeng. Qi Xuemiao: The third prince, who grew up with Luo Tang. He never hides his ambitions from Luo Tang and is willing to sacrifice anything to achieve his goals. Their relationship goes beyond friendship. Other characters: Xia Yeyan: Xia Zun's father and deputy to Bu Qingtian, the commander-in-chief during the battle at Tianmaigu. He led the frontier army to reinforce the troops, but arrived late, fell out with Bu Qingtian, and had him surrounded and killed. Xia Zun later forced him to relinquish his title, and he became a monk. Xia Feng: Xia Zun's eldest son and the former heir to the marquis's household. Cunning, sinister, and vicious, he once harbored lecherous thoughts about Bu Zhangbai. Xia Pingchang: Xia Zun's third son. Naturally dull-witted and intellectually disabled. Bu Xiushu: Xia Zun's third wife and Bu Zhangbai's aunt by a concubine. She and Xia Zun never consummated their marriage, and they have no children.