After Forgetting Two Exes - Chapter 38

Chenxi Palace, Taiwei Isle.

Lan Xi pushed open the palace doors and led Ji Xunyue inside, bowing respectfully to the woman seated within.

“Princess, Ye Jinyue has arrived.”

“Understood. You may withdraw.”

Ji Xunyue surveyed the palace furnishings. Once Lan Xi had left, she smiled. “I didn’t expect you to come here in person.”

Yu Qianchan raised her eyes slightly and smiled. “If one is to put on a show, one must do it thoroughly.”

Yesterday, Ji Xunyue had used her morning lessons as an excuse to see Yu Qianchan, asking her friend to summon her today. This provided the perfect cover for her to attend Shi Yuan’s gathering in her true identity.

In the afternoon, Lan Xi had arrived as planned, taking her to Yu Qianchan’s residence in the Immortal Realm under the pretext of the Princess questioning her about the Yuan Wanyi incident.

Ji Xunyue sat down opposite her friend, composed and ready. “The Princess may begin her interrogation.”

Yu Qianchan laughed, then turned serious. “Let us talk business. The four Elders reported their findings to me this morning. Twelve disciples went missing during this competition. All are said to have perished after accidentally separating from their companions, wandering into high-level illusions, and falling to the demon beasts within.”

Ji Xunyue was not surprised by this result.

Yu Qianchan poured her a cup of tea and asked, “When you were in the illusions, did you sense anything unusual?”

“I simply found it strange. How could a single spiritual tree generate tens of thousands of illusions?”

“That is no simple tree. It is fused with a demon beast named Sang Wo. He can even use the illusions to peer into the memories of others.”

Ji Xunyue feigned surprise. “Then did he not see through my identity?”

“Perhaps. But you need not worry too much; from what I know, he treasures his life above all else. Most likely, he was wary of you and helped you win just to see you leave sooner.” Yu Qianchan lowered her eyes, slowly skimming the foam off her tea. “Naturally, he would also hide the truth for others to save his own skin.”

Ji Xunyue stared at her friend’s movements, her heart skipping a beat. As expected, Yu Qianchan had guessed nearly everything. Her promise to Sang Wo had been a calculated compromise; now, it seemed she didn’t need to dwell on it further.

Yu Qianchan looked up with a faint smile. “These are just my speculations. What are your next plans?”

Ji Xunyue took a sip of tea and pondered. “I have reached the Fifth Realm now, so I can somewhat protect myself. I can consider joining one of the six major sects, but I still lack a proper opportunity.”

Fang Qingchen was currently the best target. Although he had been trying to recruit her, a sudden, unprompted defection would surely rouse his suspicion.

“Perhaps the opportunity is coming soon.”

Ji Xunyue froze, meeting Yu Qianchan’s knowing smile.

Yu Qianchan said leisurely, “I mean, I am also planning something. For instance, you become famous and arrogant, showing disrespect to others. Xuan Huai finds your conduct beneath him and expels you from the sect.”

She continued, “However, their targets are usually honest, obedient disciples. Since you are unruly and eccentric, they might not want to touch you. After such a major incident, they should lay low for a while. I will use that time to think.”

“That sounds wise.” Ji Xunyue nodded thoughtfully, then sighed. “In these last two incidents, I wasn’t exactly an outsider, yet I could only stand by and watch.”

“Destiny is hard to defy, but effort is human. Fates always have a way of converging,” Yu Qianchan comforted her. She stood up and smoothed her skirts, preparing to leave.

Ji Xunyue was surprised. “Leaving already? Won’t you stay and talk a bit longer?”

Whenever she was alone these past two days, her thoughts inevitably drifted toward Shi Yuan’s birthday feast.

Seeing her restlessness, Yu Qianchan teased, “What? Are you afraid to see Shi Yuan?”

Ji Xunyue sighed softly, neither confirming nor denying. She only understood the Shi Yuan from Ye Jinyue’s perspective; she had no idea what the Shi Yuan known to the real Ji Xunyue was like. Without memories, her emotions felt hollow and groundless.

Yu Qianchan sat back down and said slowly, “Xunyue, we both understand that two people being together does not necessarily require affection. Since you have forgotten, why trouble yourself further?”

Ji Xunyue understood the subtext. If not for affection, then for interest. Since she didn’t love Shi Yuan, she must have had another purpose for being with him.

Yu Qianchan added, “I know you cannot understand your past choices now, but at the time, it was actually a good thing. Lady Cen Luo once asked me privately about Shi Yuan; she always hoped there would be someone to stay by your side.”

Hearing her mother’s name, Ji Xunyue went still. She had forgotten everything related to Shi Yuan, so she couldn’t remember how she had discussed him with her mother or what her mother thought of the engagement.

Reminded by Yu Qianchan, she realized this was a blind spot she had completely ignored. She vaguely recalled her mother mentioning in a heart-to-heart that she hoped her partner would be sincere, but also that he must remain subordinate to her.

Her mother held this view entirely because of Ji Yao.

They had met in their youth, sharing a deep bond and a common goal to end internal strife. When the previous Demon Lord abdicated, their strengths were equal, but the Ji family’s influence far exceeded the Cen family’s. Ji Yao was the people’s choice, yet he insisted on yielding the throne to her. Such devotion was once a celebrated tale.

Thus, even as the Demon Lord, her mother allowed her two daughters to carry the Ji surname as a sign of favor to his lineage.

But later, while her mother was in secluded meditation, Ji Yao led the generals he had won over to launch a war. He had once willingly bowed his head and given up the throne, only to try and seize it back by force. After the Great War ended, Ji Xunyue never heard her mother mention his name again. She couldn’t guess her mother’s thoughts and didn’t dare ask.

Her mother’s advice was a realization bought with a lifetime of pain. Perhaps her past self believed Shi Yuan fit those criteria and wanted to put her mother’s mind at ease, and so…

Ji Xunyue felt a wave of desolation. “I understand what you mean now.”

Debating right and wrong now was meaningless.

“I’m glad you’ve reached a conclusion. I won’t disturb you any longer. I’ll take my leave.” Yu Qianchan smiled gratifiedly and bid her farewell.

Upon leaving Chenxi Palace, her expression turned calm, the smile vanishing from her face. Two people being together is not always due to affection. She wasn’t just saying that for Ji Xunyue—didn’t the same apply to her and Qiu Wu?

After Yu Qianchan left, Ji Xunyue leaned against the window, staring at the scenery in a daze until evening approached. She took out a brocade box, opened it, and checked the number of Golden Scale Stones inside.

Yesterday, when she returned to the Demon Realm to retrieve them, Qi Jian had actually guessed her intention. She then learned that the Golden Scale Stones were the very first gift she had ever given Shi Yuan. This was one of the reasons for her restlessness over the past two days.

After her talk with Yu Qianchan, she felt somewhat relieved. Shi Yuan had once resented her heartless forgetting; now, all he wanted was a clean break. She should grant him that. Though she didn’t know why she had chosen to forget, questioning her past self now would only bring unnecessary grief.

Guiyuan Isle.

Upon arriving, Ji Xunyue spotted Xuan Huai and Yu Zaiye from a distance. She stopped, looking at Xuan Huai across the span. Her hard-won calm began to stir again.

Having switched back to her true identity, she was merely a stranger who had met him once. Looking back, when they met in the God Realm, he knew of her past with Shi Yuan yet bore her no ill will. She had known nothing then; thinking of it now, it felt strange.

To him, what kind of person was she as the Demon Lord? There were too many things she didn’t understand.

Since the path to the hall went right past them, Ji Xunyue braced herself and walked forward. “Immortal Xuan Huai, what a coincidence.”

Xuan Huai said calmly, “Greetings to the Demon Lord.”

Yu Zaiye’s face flashed with surprise. It was his first time learning that the Demon Lord was a friend of his Uncle Master and also an acquaintance of his Master. He reacted quickly, offering a formal bow.

“And who is this?”

“My disciple, Yu Zaiye.”

Ji Xunyue found it slightly amusing; here she was, acting out this rigid play. She didn’t know what else to say, so she simply nodded and moved ahead.

Outside the reception hall, Shi Yuan was surrounded by four Immortals, chatting and laughing. When he saw her, his eyes lit up. He looked directly at her and smiled tenderly. Today he wore black casual robes that accentuated his tall, straight stature. His sharp, cold features softened considerably in his smile.

He left the others and walked quickly toward her, his expression carrying a touch of restraint.

“You came.”

Ji Xunyue smiled and handed the box to Shi Yuan. “The gift I promised.”

The four Immortals crowded around. One teased, “Shi Yuan, so when you said you didn’t want gifts, you meant you didn’t want ours?”

Shi Yuan ignored them, accepting the box with great care and opening it.

Another person gasped, “Golden Scale Stones! Quite a lavish hand.”

Their attention returned to the woman they had never met. They asked curiously, “Could this be Princess Ling Ran?”

Ji Xunyue: “…”

Shi Yuan’s face darkened instantly.

Just then, a refined voice drifted from the hall. “Shi Yuan, this wine has an excellent bouquet. Not bad!”

Ji Xunyue looked over to see a young man stepping out, a cup in his left hand and a wine flask in his right. He looked scholarly and elegant, his eyes full of smiles—a picture of refined grace—yet his actions carried an incongruous wildness.

Sensing her gaze, he looked over and narrowed his eyes. “Oh? Is that not Ji Xunyue?”

In her peripheral vision, the four Immortals’ expressions changed instantly. She even heard a faint, collective intake of breath. Ignoring their reaction, she smiled at the young man. “Lord Shang Ji, long time no see.”

She then turned back to the four Immortals. “You have mistaken me. I am Ji Xunyue.”

The four snapped out of their shock and hurriedly bowed to her. After they introduced themselves, Ji Xunyue said tonelessly, “Today my status is the same as yours—I am Shi Yuan’s friend. Please, do not stand on ceremony.”

During the conversation, Shang Ji had walked to her side. He laughed softly. “I was wondering; I’ve known Shi Yuan for years and never seen him care about his birthday. It turns out today is a double celebration.”

Shi Yuan was caught off guard by the series of events, his cheeks flushing red under Shang Ji’s teasing. He turned his face away and muttered, “Stop talking nonsense. I said we are friends.”

“An old friend’s reunion is also a joy,” Shang Ji laughed, unbothered. “Alright, don’t play favorites. There are several newcomers over there waiting for your hospitality. I wonder if the Demon Lord would care to chat with this old man for a while?”

Ji Xunyue readily agreed.

The two walked to the side, and Shang Ji poured himself another cup, draining it in one go. He said heartily, “I was thinking I couldn’t get along with those youngsters and would have to drink alone all night. Now that you’re here, this old man has someone to talk to.”

Ji Xunyue chuckled. “I should be the one thanking you, Senior.”

If he hadn’t stepped in just now, the situation would have been hard to salvage. Though Shang Ji looked young, he was actually over forty thousand years old; calling him “Senior” was only right. Being figures of unique status, they were somewhat out of place, but they were no longer lonely in each other’s company.

“I didn’t know you and Shi Yuan were acquainted, Senior.”

As Ji Xunyue spoke, her gaze fell on Xuan Huai, who was currently talking to Shi Yuan. She vaguely heard Shi Yuan mention the name “Ye Jinyue.”

“Fate brings people together; Shi Yuan is a good lad,” Shang Ji smiled. “Don’t worry, this old man knows how to take a hint. I won’t ask about your business.”

Shang Ji was approachable and well-traveled; talking to him was never dull. Ji Xunyue had only met him a few times before, yet now they felt like old friends at first sight.