Chapter 246: Restored Memory

Qi Min had never experienced being unable to give something away her entire life.

The youth’s refusal ignited her rebellious streak.

She once again threw the sleeve arrow back at him.

The youth abruptly turned his head, his phoenix-shaped eyes resembling a cold river under the moonlight.

Qi Min’s brows arched, and her smile bloomed brightly. “Little Brother, you’re really handsome. This is a meeting gift for you. If we have the chance to meet again, I’ll give you the divine arm crossbow^[1]The “神臂弩” (Divine Arm Crossbow) is a powerful and advanced crossbow developed in ancient China, particularly during the Song Dynasty. It was known for its superior range, accuracy, … Continue reading I made myself.”

The youth’s expression showed impatience. He picked up the sleeve arrow and threw it out. Fortunately, Qi Min had anticipated this and hurriedly pulled the window down.

The sleeve arrow struck the window, fell onto the table, and triggered a mechanism, sending a cold arrow flying.

“Ji Xuan!” The Grand Tutor trembled as he touched his hair ornament, now pierced by the cold arrow, and roared in fury, “You! Stand outside!”

Qi Min was stunned. Her instinctive reaction was to turn and run.

She ran a long distance in one breath before inexplicably looking back. Their eyes met, and from the cold sharpness in his gaze, she read one clear message: You’re dead meat!

Why was it so hard to make a friend?

Without even waiting for her father, Qi Min left the palace and went straight back to her residence.

When her father returned to the residence and heard that she had gone to the Imperial Study that day, he asked her, “I originally planned to keep you in the capital. I’ve already discussed it with His Majesty—you would study in the Imperial Study.”

Thinking about the rigid, short-tempered Grand Tutor and Ji Xuan, who clearly wanted to silence her, Qi Min felt a chill down her neck. She quickly refused, “Father, I won’t stay in the capital. I’ll go back to the borderlands with you.”

Before General Qi could respond, she added, “Without you by my side, they won’t be able to control me.”

General Qi helplessly took Qi Min back to the borderlands.

A few years later, they crossed paths again in Yunzhong City. Qi Min immediately recognized Ji Xuan. He was dressed in a dark-colored robe with straight hems, his figure tall and straight like a pine tree standing amidst the black mountains and white waters. He exuded the aura of steadfast stone and cold springs, honed by frost and snow. His black eyes met hers, and her breath caught, feeling a momentary sense of guilt.

However, in the span of a single breath, Ji Xuan looked away, not recognizing her.

Qi Min let out a sigh of relief and no longer felt afraid of him.

She was on a mission to capture Prince Tana, a man known for his indulgence in wine and women. Disguised as a courtesan in a brothel, Qi Min was up for auction that day. However, the moment she encountered Ji Xuan, she changed her mind.

Dressed in a red gown, she danced gracefully, her movements tracing a mesmerizing arc of light in the air. Her figure was lithe and supple, naturally exuding allure. With a single touch, she had added a vermilion dot at the corner of her eye, enhancing her sultry charm, brimming with seductive intent. Her gaze fixed unerringly on Ji Xuan seated below, radiating undeniable enchantment.

Suddenly, like a delicate butterfly, she flitted lightly and landed in Ji Xuan’s lap. One hand looped around his neck, the other lifted a cup of wine. Pressing her crimson lips against the rim of the porcelain cup, she left a vivid imprint before holding it out to him.

“Young master, share this cross-cupped wine with me, and I’ll be yours for the night.” Her red lips brushed against his ear as she whispered a coded phrase, her breath fragrant like orchids, “Not a single coin required.”

Ji Xuan’s dark eyes locked onto her, unrelenting, as he drank the wine from the cup bearing her lip print.

Qi Min’s heart raced under his gaze, finding it unusually provocative. His large hand gripped her waist, the heat of his palm searing through her, making her very soul tremble. Before she could process her thoughts, the world spun around her—this damned man had hoisted her onto his shoulder and was heading upstairs.

With the door shut, Ji Xuan tossed her onto the bed as if she were trash, showing no trace of gentleness or regard for her allure.

Qi Min put on an act, sitting steadily on the bed. Raising an elegant brow, she asked, “How does it taste?”

She licked her lips lightly. “It’s peach blossom lip rouge. I happen to like it very much.”

“Vulgar.” Ji Xuan’s gaze swept over her chest like he was appraising merchandise. His cold voice carried a mocking edge as he said, “At least you have some self-awareness. With assets like this, you’re indeed not worth a single coin.”

The smile on Qi Min’s face froze, but before she could say anything, Prince Tana barged in.

Not only did Ji Xuan take advantage of her, but he also snatched away the credit for her mission.

The one who initiates the flirtation is the cheap one. Qi Min couldn’t blame Ji Xuan for this.

To vent the frustration bottled up in her chest, she picked a few soldiers to spar with. After everyone had gone to sleep in the middle of the night, she snuck off to her territory to swim.

Exhausting all her excess energy, Qi Min swam back underwater, only to grab onto something strange with one hand. In the next moment, a hand clamped around the back of her neck, lifting her out of the water.

Wide eyes stared into narrow ones.

Qi Min’s thin garment clung tightly to her body, outlining her curves and the clear contours of her chest.

Regaining her composure, she curled her lips into a smile. “Is this ‘worthless asset’ enough to keep your eyes glued, unable to look away?”

Splash—

Ji Xuan let go.

Qi Min fell back into the water.

Her foot cramped, and she flailed in the water.

Ji Xuan watched her struggle coldly, then turned and left, draping a robe over his shoulders as he stepped ashore.

Qi Min crawled ashore, furious and itching to pummel the man.

A grudge was formed, and from then on, the two could barely stand the sight of each other.

Unfortunately, they were stationed in the same military camp and ran into each other often. Qi Min either teased him or threw in a sharp remark or two. Ji Xuan countered every move, showing no chivalrous leniency just because she was a woman.

Things remained this way until the day she was captured. Ji Xuan rescued her, and the two proud, headstrong individuals finally confessed their feelings for each other.

…

Qi Min had a long dream. In the dream, her life over the past decade played out like a fleeting montage.

When she opened her eyes, her mind was still in a daze.

Ji Xuan walked in and was momentarily stunned to see tears glistening at the corners of her eyes.

Hearing the sound, Qi Min turned her head and saw the man standing against the light. The shimmer in her eyes rippled as she parted her red lips slightly and said, “Ji Xuan, I’m back.”

These words stirred up a storm in Ji Xuan’s heart, leaving him in utter shock as he stared at her.

Qi Min slowly propped herself up, only to fall into a tight embrace. His arms clung to her fiercely, squeezing her so hard her bones ached, as if it still wasn’t enough, he seemed to want to crush her entirely and embed her into his very being.

She reached out to hug Ji Xuan, her nose stinging with emotion, and said, “Su Jihong and I had a fake marriage, only for appearances for one year. Because of the matter of having a child, the plan was delayed. I was afraid you’d act impulsively, refuse to acknowledge Zhao’er as your child, and even get engaged to Ji Wufeng.”

“Back then, I planned to bring Zhao’er to Xiliang after everything was settled. Once the dust had cleared, I intended to annul Zhao’er and Ji Wufeng’s engagement. If by that time you hadn’t married and still had feelings for me, I would have told you the truth.”

But she had miscalculated. After learning about her situation, the Empress Dowager took matters into her own hands, forcibly bringing her to Xiliang and erasing her memory, even leaving the child behind with the Su family.

“It was my momentary lapse in judgment that caused your separation from your daughter for over a decade. Zhao’er suffered endless grievances and hardships because of me.” Qi Min was consumed with guilt and remorse.

“There’s no need to blame yourself. If I had been calm enough to think of a foolproof plan and avoided thoughts of rebellion, you wouldn’t have had to guard against me like that,” Ji Xuan said hoarsely, his voice low. “As long as you’re alive, there’s no one else, and you still feel the same as you did back then, that’s enough for me.”

A single tear fell onto Qi Min’s neck, scalding her. Her heart felt as though it was being tightly gripped. Just as she was about to look at him, Ji Xuan captured her lips in a kiss.

Meanwhile, Su Wan, estimating that enough time had passed, planned to check on Qi Min.

Just as she stepped out of Yaoguang Hall, a palace maid stopped her. “Young Lady Su, Prince Changxing requests your assistance to treat the young heir.”