Fae Fae was fighting for her life. Although she was silent and motionless, her mind was a battleground.

While Martial Kim tried to haul her spirit back into the land of the living, she watched as her entire lifetime played out through her mind.

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Wing.

How long has she heard that boy’s name?

Fae Fae, her Brother, and Wing were born in the same village of Three Lily Hamlet. Practically neighbours in a sleepy little place with nothing more than fields and rivers. It wasn’t an exciting place, boring every day, so no one would have known Fae Fae and Wing would spin a tale that would later shake the heavens and the earth.

Their parents timing seemed like fate had a hand in it all, giving birth to a beautiful daughter and an intelligent son. It was like they were destined to meet the moment they came into the world.

As children, Fae Fae and Wing played together while their parents were out in the fields. As they grew, so did their bond and friendship. Although Fae Fae was given the burden of raising her lazy brother, she took it upon herself to care for Wing as he strived to advanced in his youthful studies.

Even when both their parents passed one, Fae Fae already played the role of a caring wife without the need of a marriage ceremony.

Fae Fae always supported Wing’s dream to becoming an Imperial Scholar. If he were to reach for such heights, his future would be secure, a grand profession serving the Imperial Circle or even the Inner Courts was guaranteed, and they need not be wanting.

But one cannot wait for luck to fall on their lap without raising a fingers worth of work. They are not like Fae Fae’s Brother.

The girl did everything from chores of others to the dirtiest of jobs. All for the sake of raising money time after time to fund Wing’s education. She faced many trials, from lashing of the tongue, wagging of the finger, and spiteful sneers of jealous wives of her employers. Despite her hardships, she remained devoted to raising the money and serving Wing’s every need, even to get through the cold lonely winters when coal was not affordable.

She even turned to prostitution when no other work could cover the mountain of debt left behind by Wing’s endless degrees and examinations. He said to her:

"I swear to you, Fae Fae my love, once I become an Imperial Scholar, I will return to make you my wife and give you the honour and prestige you deserve! No longer will you endure hardship like a servant; our home will be filled with joy and dignity! Wait for me! I will return in three years!"

Fae Fae’s noble sacrifice was enough to launch Wing to the stars, all the way to the Capital and challenge the Imperial Examination...

...That was 10 years ago.

The letters between Fae Fae and Wing became more and more scarce. What started as 10 pages worth of warm exchanges slowly turned into a single page, to a barely a hurried paragraph, to nothing more than a cold and empty mailbox.

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Of course, Fae Fae never sat idle during this time.

She worked tirelessly and rose through the ranks of prostitution, blooming from a lowly whore to a well cerebrated courtesan of budding renown. Fae Fae’s beauty, charm, and kindness were unmatched wherever she served, from one famous brothel to another before settling in the prestigious Celestial Dreams Brothel. From her many clients and friends in the circle, she learned art of sword dancing to captivate the eyes and hearts of the crowd. Every performance, she secretly dedicated to Wing, to bless him on whatever road he has chosen.

Every smile she gave, every word she shared, all had one goal in mind – to be found by her long lost lover. She took it upon herself to serve and entertain as many wealthy patrons as she could as she clung onto the hope that one day Wing, a rich and powerful man, would walk through the doors of her bedroom.

A long awaited reunion...

Just that, she never imagined she'd be serving him wine and tea cakes in the Heavenly Garden House of Pleasure.

The shock was mutual—neither she nor Wing expected to see each other there. She longed to ask him why, but too many prying eyes and ears silenced her. Then Master Turquoise spoke his new name – Noonien Turquoise – congratulating him on the birth of his son.

That one word shattered everything. It was all the explanation she needed.

It only took a month before Wing...or rather Noonien came to his senses. He called her to Green Lion Valley and handed her 1000 in gold at that the stone gazebo.

“I need you to stop looking for me in North Cloud City,” his words cut deep. “My wife is suspicious. I can’t afford questions.”

“What about us?” Fae Fae asked, her voice trembling. “Everything we’ve been through, from childhood to marriage?”

“Forget it. Forget it all!” Her ‘lover’ snapped. “Consider those memories as dreams. I’m no longer the man you knew.”

“I can tell.”

“That’s why, for both our sakes.” Noonien pushed the gold towards her. “I have my path, and you have yours. We...should never have met in the first place.”

“All that work, all those nights with strangers to raise money for you. A simple contract fulfilled?”

“Yes! You’ve done your duty as my wife in your previous life.” Noonien tried to be patient but was eager to leave. “This is your compensation. Use it to free yourself, start a business—whatever. Our debt is settled.”

“Debt? My love was your debt?”

“I said: our debt is clean. This money will last you and your lazy brother a lifetime! So long as he doesn’t gamble it all away in a fort night, you don’t need to sell yourself anymore.”

“Just like that?”

“Fae Fae!” Noonien’s frustration boiled over with a roar. “I’m grieving too, but it has to be done! You wanted me to succeed, and I have! Not only am I a successful Imperial Scholar, I’m also supported by the Turquoise Family! They’re vouching for me to be the Royal Tutor for a Prince! You should be proud! Not be a hassle!”

Fae Fae hid the fact she was clenching her teeth. “Just like that?”

“The victor writes history!” Noonien yelled into the night, “I can’t let my life be defined by a whore who paid my tuition!”

“...That’s who I am to you? Just a whore?”

Noonien said enough. He only urged her to take the money. Her brother, who had promised to protect her, kept nudging his sister to accept the gold and start a new life. Kept saying it was a win-win!

There was so much she wanted to say—A single night was not enough to share 10 years of unfulfilled wishes. But she knew he wouldn’t care even if they had all the time in the world. So she said only one thing. Perhaps...a final test or chance?

“The owner of Great Golden Goldsmith proposed. He’ll make me his concubine and buy my freedom.”

There was silence in the air. A flicker of hope?

Noonien took in the message and thought it over. This was his only chance, to show if he truly loved Fae Fae or not.

“...Congratulations. No need to send me an invitation. It would be best for us both.”