Chapter 253

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Protagonist:

Yan Qianqian

After a good while, Qianqian suddenly remembered she had not practiced martial arts today. Recalling the previous experience, she already understood the path forward in her heart. Thus, this time Qianqian decisively turned left along the small alley.

Sure enough, a lush, luxuriant forest appeared before her eyes. This forest looked tranquil and mysterious, sunlight filtering through gaps in the leaves to cast mottled light and shadow.

Qianqian carefully made her way through the forest; before long she saw a square training ground ahead. Upon reaching the training ground, she first loosened her muscles and joints, then performed a set of fist techniques to warm up.

Her figure was agile, her fists and kicks stirring wind; every move and stance was executed with tigerish vigor. After finishing one set of fists, Qianqian panted slightly but did not stop, immediately drawing a long whip from her waist and beginning to wield it. The whip whistled through the air like a spirit snake emerging from its hole, dazzling the eyes.

Just like that, Qianqian continued practicing for a full two hours before halting her movements. By now she was drenched in sweat, gasping for breath, as if she had just gone through a fierce battle.

However, despite being exhausted, Qianqian still forced her body to execute light, nimble qinggong, speeding toward the Imperial Palace like a flying swallow.

Before long, Qianqian returned to her residence in the palace. The moment she entered, she saw Mantou had long since prepared a basin of steaming hot bath water and had been waiting for quite a while.

Qianqian joyfully shed her clothes, stepped into the water, feeling the comfort and relaxation the hot water brought. She closed her eyes, fully enjoying this moment of peace and contentment, gradually dispelling all her fatigue.

After bathing, Qianqian felt refreshed; she changed clothes, sat at the table, and began eating a delicious lunch. After eating her fill, she rested a bit, then lay on the couch and sweetly fell into dreamland.

Time flew; two days passed in a flash. This day, Qianqian was wholeheartedly cultivating on the training ground as usual. Suddenly, a figure rushed at her like a gale, launching a fierce offensive.

Qianqian instantly grew alert, her gaze sharp as she looked at the newcomer — it was Yue Yi! In a split second she reacted, meeting the attack head-on without the slightest weakness.

For a time the two exchanged blows back and forth, sword shadows crossing, fists and palms clashing, locked in a deadlock. In the blink of an eye they had traded over thirty rounds, yet still no victor emerged.

Finally, perhaps both realized continuing to struggle would not decide a winner, they tacitly withdrew and ceased fighting at the same moment. At this, Qianqian wore a smile and said, "Yue Yi Elder Brother, you've finally returned!"

Yue Yi gave a slight nod and replied, "The young master has indeed become more and more formidable." Qianqian's lips curled up, revealing a crafty smile: "Hurry up and lead the way, I want to go see that person myself."

Yue Yi hurriedly agreed; having spoken, he lifted his foot to go. Just then, Qianqian's eyes and hands were quick — she grabbed Yue Yi's sleeve and urgently asked, "Yue Yi Elder Brother, did you ask what that person's identity actually is?"

Yue Yi scratched his head and answered somewhat embarrassedly, "I did ask, but… he forgot. I took him to see a doctor before; the doctor said he suffered head trauma causing temporary amnesia, and it's unknown when his memory will recover.

Fortunately, the injuries on his body have mostly healed; now he can not only sit up but even walk on the ground, but he must absolutely not exert himself too forcefully, or the wounds will split open again."

Hearing this, Qianqian's delicate brows furrowed slightly; she lowered her head and pondered for a moment, then said softly, "Mm, in that case I understand. Let's go!"

With that, Yue Yi's figure flashed, executing qinggong like a ghost and darting forward. Qianqian was not to be outdone; she also used qinggong, following tightly behind Yue Yi. Before long, a grand, imposing inn came into view; above the inn's lintel hung a signboard inscribed with three flamboyant characters — Yuelai Inn.

Qianqian and Yue Yi entered the inn with practiced ease, passed through the main hall, and went straight up to the second floor, quickly arriving before the third room on the left side. Yue Yi's palm lightly rested on the door panel; with a slight push he opened it, then stepped inside, and Qianqian followed closely behind into the room.

The two walked side by side slowly toward the bedside, only to see the person on the bed had already awakened. When the person on the bed caught sight of Shiyi, his spirits instantly lifted, and he hurriedly tried to rise and greet them.

However, because the movement was too hasty, he accidentally pulled at the wounds on his body, couldn't help sucking in a sharp breath, and let out a soft "hiss." Immediately after, he hurriedly said, "Benefactor, you've come!"

Shiyi hurriedly waved his hand and replied gently, "I've said it many times, stop calling me benefactor, just call me Shiyi directly.

Besides, the one who truly saved you wasn't me, but the person standing beside me; she is our family's young master." As he spoke, Shiyi lightly turned sideways, letting Qianqian step forward.

Only now did the person on the bed snap out of it and turn his head, his gaze falling on Qianqian at his side. Simultaneously, Qianqian was also unobtrusively scrutinizing this man before her.

Although this man's complexion was somewhat pale from injury, his handsome, exquisite features could still not be concealed. However, for Qianqian, who was used to seeing her own father, Second Brother, Si Ge, and other beautiful men, this face merely warranted a single glance.

Just as Qianqian was secretly musing, Si Ge's familiar face suddenly surfaced in her mind. Counting it up, it had been a very long time since she had seen Si Ge; she wondered how he was faring in the military camp.

Thinking of this, Qianqian couldn't help furrowing her brows slightly, her heart full of longing for Si Ge.

And right at this moment, the person on the bed finally recovered from the initial shock of seeing Qianqian. When he first laid eyes on Qianqian, he had been deeply stunned by her country-toppling, city-overthrowing beauty.

When his gaze met Qianqian's slightly furrowed brows, his heart gave a violent start; he mistakenly thought it was because he had failed to get out of bed in time to greet her, causing her displeasure. So he flusteredly struggled to rise and get off the bed to salute, his movements appearing quite rushed and disheveled.

Just then, Yue Yi at the side was quick-eyed and swift-handed; he stepped forward in a flash, stretched out both hands, and firmly steadied him, saying anxiously, "Hey! What are you doing? Your wounds haven't healed yet, you absolutely must not move recklessly like this!"

At the same time, Qianqian also came back to herself and hurriedly called out to stop him: "Don't be so formal; I don't stand on ceremony here, you just need to recuperate peacefully and let your body recover as soon as possible."

Hearing this, the person on the bed felt a surge of warmth in his heart, and was even more grateful to Qianqian. However, right at this moment, he suddenly seemed to recall something, and his whole person instantly became somewhat dazed.

In his mind, the voice of that woman he had heard when his life hung by a thread and his consciousness was blurred faintly echoed — "Father, please save him…" That voice was gentle and melodious, like the sound of heaven, unforgettable.

At this very moment, hearing Qianqian speak again, he abruptly realized the two voices were astonishingly similar, as if from the same mouth. In an instant, countless memories surged into his heart, stirring his emotions intensely.