Chapter 4: Rejection Part 3

Yuan Man’s grip was too strong; Xun Changqing couldn’t breathe and bluntly complained, “Good if she doesn’t acknowledge you. Marry that girl, and no one can stop you.”

Silver screens and red silk, twin candles burning high, spring light shimmering through the latticed windows. With fine company and jewels all around, it was a blessing of life.

Yuan Man smacked Xun Changqing’s forehead again. Her brows and eyes brimmed with heroic spirit, her gaze clear as the sky after spring rain. She stared at her, raised an eyebrow, and declared, “No problem. One day, I’ll definitely marry her.”

Bold ambition, yet pure and earnest—it suited the temperament of the Yuan family’s children in the Imperial Capital. Xun Changqing wasn’t truly an eight-year-old at heart, so curiosity flickered as she asked, “Sister Yuan, who is that girl? Is she in the Imperial Capital?”

Yuan Man nodded, about to speak when the room door opened. The Pingnan Prince’s Consort entered, took in the scene, and chided, “A’Man, don’t make trouble. Changqing is still young; don’t say such nonsense to her.”

What nonsense? Xun Changqing looked at the scolded Yuan Man and softly asked, “Sister Yuan, who is that woman?”

“Changqing.” The Princess Consort’s reprimand rang in her ear. Xun Changqing immediately slid off the stool, stood quietly to the side with her head bowed, her attitude of admitting fault impeccable, causing the Princess Consort to swallow her further words.

The Princess Consort said no more, merely turning slowly to Yuan Man and saying mildly, “A’Man, rooms are prepared in the mansion. Stay if you wish.”

Yuan Man admired the Pingnan Prince’s Consort. Though she appeared delicate, her martial skills and horsemanship were masterful. Moreover, the Yuan and Pingnan Prince’s Mansions were on good terms, and her father didn’t restrict her, so the two had grown close over time.

The Princess Consort took Xun Changqing and left, leaving Yuan Man alone. She leisurely picked up a pastry and popped it into her mouth. The maids in the Pingnan Prince’s Mansion were too sharp; a few words and they’d pried it out of her. Who knew if the little girl would use it against her later, earning the Princess Consort’s blame!

Truly, one mustn’t provoke the Xun family’s girls!

The next day was a rest day at the Imperial Academy.

The Princess Consort took Xun Changqing, dressed simply, to the temple.

The carriage stopped at the foot of the mountain, and the group walked up to the temple. Mansion guards followed discreetly, avoiding attention.

A few days prior, the Princess Consort had informed the abbot of the royal visitors coming to offer incense. The temple awaited them, but she always acted cautiously and low-key, not disturbing other pilgrims. After paying respects to the Buddhas, they went to the rear courtyard to rest.

In the abbot’s Zen room, worried that Xun Changqing was too young for such dull matters, the Princess Consort sent her out to play.

Once the child left, the abbot pressed his palms together. His cloudy eyes cleared as he looked at the serene Princess Consort and shook his head with a sigh. “The young County Princess has sharp ferocity in her eyes and excessive malice in her heart. At such a tender age, it’s no good. The Princess Consort must plan early.”

Autumn days were fickle, warm one moment and cool the next, with chilly winds whistling outside. The Pingnan Prince’s Consort was slightly taken aback. The words woke her like a dream. Xun Changqing’s changes over the past two years had indeed been odd. A faint guilt flashed in her eyes—she hadn’t protected that child well enough.

After being sent out by the Princess Consort, Xun Changqing found it boring. One shouldn’t fully disbelieve or overly believe in Buddhas and gods. Spotting a Zen lecture that day, she slipped in and found a seat in the corner.

After leaving the abbot’s Zen room, the Princess Consort couldn’t find Changqing and returned to the guest quarters first. But as she opened the door, her gaze darkened. Her fingertips froze on the doorframe, then her expression turned calm—perhaps habituated. She dismissed the attendants behind her and entered alone.

The instant the door closed, a figure emerged from behind it—clad entirely in black, face masked, eyes sharp as a hawk’s. Gazing at the Pingnan Prince’s Consort, he knelt in salute. “Princess, the sovereign sent me to find you.”

Author’s Note:

Author: Miss Wei, you can come out tomorrow!

Xun Changqing: Exactly! If Master doesn’t come out soon, she’ll be old.

Wei Lingci: Who are you calling old?

Xun Changqing: You… Master… I’m just telling the truth. Master, don’t get angry—anger causes more crow’s feet than staying up late.

Wei Lingci: Go home and kneel on the keyboard.

Xun Changqing: Author, what about the promised hugs and kisses? Now it’s durians and keyboards—what the hell?

Author: Little County Princess, you brought this on yourself. I’m out—go kneel!

Good night, muah~