The Unexpected Kiss and the Fiery Strategist

Already disoriented from memorizing military texts, Bai Qiao felt her brain on the verge of exploding. After a resounding ‘boom,’ she knew nothing, her face flushed as she allowed Bai Chen to turn her body, pressing his warm lips onto hers.

A gentle warmth swiftly brushed over Bai Qiao’s lips. His tongue moved subtly, caressing every chapped crevice, savoring the faint traces of blood that seeped through—a metallic tang mingled with a touch of sweetness. As he slowly stirred his tongue, Bai Chen found himself growing rather fond of the taste. Instinctively, he bit down, gently grinding.

“Mmph!”

The sharp pain on her lips jolted Bai Qiao awake. She gazed at the handsome face magnified before her, still wearing an expression of pure rapture. With no time for further thought, she raised her hand and let it fall.

“Smack!”

A crisp sound echoed. Fortunately, no one was around, or jaws would surely have dropped in astonishment. Though Bai Chen’s image in Bai Qiao’s eyes was utterly despicable, to everyone else, he was still the aloof, arrogant, and revered King!

Such a scene would be unimaginable even for the most imaginative minds.

‘Perhaps she’ll be arrested for harming the King next?’

However, in the absence of witnesses, none of that would transpire. Bai Chen, a dark line forming between his brows, rubbed the slightly stinging right side of his face. He then glared with a hint of resentment at Bai Qiao, who returned his gaze with equal indignation. Even if he couldn’t bring himself to harm his own woman, anger was still a natural response. But the crucial point was… the person before him was *himself*! Imagining being subjected to such an act, he might very well harbor thoughts of murder. With this realization, Bai Chen felt considerably more balanced.

“This King shall not stoop to bickering with a mere woman like you this time. Return early; there’s work tomorrow.”

“Ha? You mean you just feel more balanced, don’t you?!”

Bai Qiao scoffed, raising an eyebrow with an air of mockery. Her words instantly rekindled the anger Bai Chen had just suppressed, igniting it even more fiercely than before. The hand gripping Bai Qiao’s shoulder tightened further, eliciting a muffled groan from the woman in his embrace.

Lowering his head, Bai Chen met Bai Qiao’s gaze—a pair of eyes that trembled slightly yet shone with unwavering resolve. Something deep within his heart seemed to be sharply pierced, a profound ache.

Bai Chen released his grip on Bai Qiao’s shoulder and, without another word, slowly retreated to his own room.

****

The next few days truly tested Bai Qiao’s patience and voice. Not only did she have to recite various military strategies, but she also had to explain them point by point, detailing their origins and outcomes.

“What is this?! Aren’t these all simple principles?! They just keep asking endless questions!”

Finally, when a military advisor asked *why* a particular strategy was employed, Bai Qiao erupted. She was never one to have a gentle disposition, and while she had endured much, there was always a limit.

The others stared, dumbfounded, at the furious Bai Qiao. Seeing their reactions, Bai Qiao inexplicably felt a flicker of pride. ‘A bunch of good-for-nothings! Do they really think a tiger that doesn’t roar is just a sick cat?!’

Finally, the military advisor couldn’t help but speak up:

“Why does Miss Bai act so… impetuously? It’s hardly the demeanor expected of a woman.”

“…”

Only then did Bai Qiao realize that they were… surprised by *this*? ‘How provincial! A woman acting impetuously? They’ve clearly never met a modern tough woman, how ignorant!’

She mused inwardly, but outwardly, she merely sighed, sitting back down to continue lecturing on this… this damnable military strategy.

A month passed just like that. Bai Qiao stood silently in the garden, gazing at the picturesque scenery, yet her longing for her own world grew stronger with each passing day.

Stepping onto the rain-slicked stairs, she noticed the moss still clinging to them. ‘It’ll be slippery,’ she thought. *Slippery…* Losing her balance, Bai Qiao tumbled backward. Below her were stairs! If she fell, she’d likely be laid up for weeks.

Hmm? There was no cold or painful impact of her head hitting the ground as she’d expected. A warm body caught Bai Qiao from behind, providing an inexplicable sense of security. ‘Pah! It’s probably that scoundrel Bai Chen again,’ she thought. ‘Wait!’ This scent… no, it wasn’t Bai Chen’s usual smell. This was a different, subtle fragrance. Her cheek felt a little ticklish, and a quick glance sideways revealed a loose strand of dark hair resting near her face. Her cheeks flushed involuntarily.

Bai Qiao hastily pushed away the person behind her, feeling a dreadful blush creeping up from within. Once they faced each other, Bai Qiao clearly saw the man’s features: striking, unruly brows, a thin, subtly curved lip, and a tall, slender physique clad in simple yet stylish clothes that accentuated his elegant, upright bearing.

Bai Qiao was utterly distraught internally, desperately chanting in her mind, ‘I don’t like men, I don’t like men…’

“Such a beautiful maiden, indeed. This journey was not in vain for this Qing. A true pleasure to meet you; I trust we shall meet again if fate allows.”

The man spoke suggestively into Bai Qiao’s ear, but she barely registered his words, only noticing the warm breath fanning her ear. ‘She must be… blushing to the roots of her ears,’ she thought. ‘It’s best to stay far away from men like this… So irritating.’

“Huh? Why is it early again today?”

Bai Qiao rubbed her eyes, complaining as she looked at the pendulum clock opposite her.

“Today is the meeting between Qing Country and our nation! You haven’t forgotten, have you…?”

“Ah? That’s happening… But what does it have to do with me… Hey! Why are you dragging me?!”

Gao Shi was truly exasperated with his master at this point. He forcibly pulled her into the grand hall where the meeting was to take place. Seeing the solemn atmosphere, and then… *What?!*

Upon seeing the person opposite her, Bai Qiao’s sleepiness vanished completely. ‘How could it be… it’s actually him?!’

The man in the simple attire looked at Bai Qiao as she entered, a slight smile playing on his lips.

“Long time no see…”