Chapter 1: Reborn as the Concubine of an Enemy Prince
Qi Xiaojun, using the last of his strength, fiercely swung his spear, battling the enemy forces. His body was riddled with wounds, staining his once pristine white battle robes with blood.
Qi Xiaojun, a prince of Qi renowned for his exceptional martial arts and unparalleled beauty, had personally led many military campaigns, rarely suffering defeat. He was known as the “Beautiful War God.” Unfortunately, the disparity in military strength between Chu and Qi was too great; he alone was powerless to turn the tide.
By now, all of Qi Xiaojun’s soldiers had fallen, leaving him the sole survivor.
“Still resisting?” Chu Weide, the second prince of Chu, sneered from atop his bloodied warhorse, ordering his archers to surround Qi Xiaojun.
With a gesture, a volley of arrows rained down.
Arrows flew from all directions, piercing Qi Xiaojun’s body. He felt searing, agonizing pain in every part of his body, finally unable to withstand it, he tumbled from his horse with a thud.
As his consciousness faded, he heard Chu Weide’s triumphant laughter: “Hahaha! We’ve annihilated the Qi forces! Father will surely reward me handsomely!”
Qi Xiaojun mustered his remaining strength to glare at Chu Weide, a cold sneer playing on his lips.
Then, Qi Xiaojun plunged into a deep darkness, losing all sensation and awareness.
…
When he awoke, he found himself in a soft bed, the pain almost completely gone. Only a headache remained, his mind clouded.
Qi Xiaojun incredulously touched his body. The gruesome wounds had vanished.
As he was still dazed, a figure entered the room.
The man was about twenty-eight years old, dressed in black brocade, with sword-like eyebrows, bright eyes, and a handsome, imposing appearance. The soft evening sunlight streaming through the window added a touch of warmth to his usually stern face.
“Awake?” the man spoke. “Are you still feeling unwell?”
“You are… Chu Lianmo, the fourth prince of Chu, Prince Rui?!” Qi Xiaojun exclaimed in astonishment.
Although it had been four years, he had spent eight years as a hostage in Chu and was quite familiar with this face.
“…What?” Chu Lianmo frowned slightly. “Have you lost your mind from the fever, that you don’t even recognize me?”
“Did I have a fever?” Qi Xiaojun touched his forehead; it did feel slightly warm.
Chu Lianmo also reached out to feel his forehead. “The fever has subsided considerably; you should be better soon.”
“Your Highness!” A maidservant rushed in. “Consort Yin says he suddenly has severe chest pains and hopes you will come see him!”
“Severe chest pains?” A hint of anxiety flickered across Chu Lianmo’s previously calm face. “I’ll go see him at once.”
After answering the maidservant, Chu Lianmo turned to Qi Xiaojun. “Rest well. I’ll come back later.”
He then turned and left decisively.
…Qi Xiaojun was completely bewildered.
He knew a little about the fourth prince of Chu. Rumor had it that he was promiscuous, taking both male and female lovers and keeping many wives and concubines. The “Consort Yin” mentioned by the maidservant was likely one of them.
The customs of Chu were relatively open; taking male wives and concubines was becoming increasingly commonplace. However, due to traditional beliefs and the need to continue the family line, most wealthy families still took women as their primary wives, and Chu Lianmo was no exception. But many of his concubines were men.
Qi Xiaojun remembered having a slight acquaintance with Chu Lianmo during his time as a hostage. Back then, Chu Lianmo had been a clean-living, upright young man. He wondered what had changed in four years.
But Qi Xiaojun wasn’t particularly concerned about that. His biggest concern was his current predicament.
Qi Xiaojun got out of bed, his slender, frail body swaying as he walked to the dressing table and looked into the bronze mirror.
The face in the mirror was not his own!
The person in the mirror had a fair and delicate face, eyes as clear as crystal beads, lips naturally red without makeup, and exquisitely delicate features; compared to his original appearance, there was a touch more feminine beauty. Yet, there was a resemblance in the eyes and brows.
Qi Xiaojun’s head suddenly throbbed, and a flood of memories not his own poured into his mind.
This body’s owner was named Zhou Jun, the illegitimate son of a minor official, who had been taken as a concubine by Chu Lianmo.
According to Zhou Jun’s memories, it was the third day of the eighth month of the Yiwei year, three months since Qi Xiaojun’s death in battle.
“Someone!” Qi Xiaojun suddenly shouted excitedly.
Zhou Jun’s personal attendant, A Wang, appeared. “Young Master, what are your orders?”
“Tell me, how is Qi? Does it still exist?”
“…Ah?” A Wang scratched his head in confusion. “I…I don’t know.”
Of course, Zhou Jun and those around him were unconcerned with matters of state, resulting in a complete blank in his memory regarding Qi. If Zhou Jun didn’t know, his servant certainly wouldn’t.
“Go find someone to ask! Someone in this Prince Rui’s Mansion must know!”
“Ah, I’ll go right away.” Although A Wang was completely baffled, he went to carry out his orders.
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