Incense smoke curled in the room. Her retreat seemed to widen the gulf between them. Wei Lingci glanced at her, then went to the cabinet to fetch clothes herself. In her snow-white nightgown, with ink-black hair cascading down, her tall figure filled Xun Changqing’s vision. She didn’t move, but her gaze followed.
“Everyone fears death, but don’t keep stamping the word ‘death’ in your mind—it only adds needless worry.” Wei Lingci turned back to her with a slight smile, her eyes holding an enigmatic meaning. “Princess, I’m going to change clothes. You should return to your room and change out of your male disguise.”
It was clearly a smile, but Xun Changqing felt something off. Without overthinking, she bolted, standing in the courtyard and gazing ahead. Beneath the vast sky, mist shrouded everything in shades of gray, dark and lightless like her heart. She felt lost again about how to proceed in this life.
She trusted her mother, the Princess Consort, but her mother had abandoned her, leaving her in danger.
She distrusted Wei Lingci, yet Wei Lingci helped her time and again, even risking her own life. It was as if heaven had played a grand joke on her…
The steward arranged a carriage and specially dispatched many guards for escort. The display was rather grand. Xun Changqing stood at the mansion gate, looking at the long line of sword-bearing guards, and suddenly felt a headache coming on. She had just returned to the capital, and yesterday she had leaped from County Princess to Princess amid great fanfare. Heading out with such an intimidating entourage would surely draw criticism from the censors: indulging in luxury, extravagant travel, tarnishing the Pingnan Prince’s Mansion’s reputation further.
She dismissed most of them, leaving only a few guards. Yuyin refused, but she pointed to Wei Lingci, who was half a step behind. “Uncle Yu, look—my master is here. Nothing will happen. So many people will only cause trouble.”
Yuyin wanted to insist, but Wei Lingci chimed in. “So many people are too conspicuous. If word spreads, it won’t look good. The steward knows the intricacies of the Imperial Capital’s politics. I’m entering the palace too—I will protect your princess and bring her back.”
“Then we must trouble Miss Wei,” the steward said with a deep bow, withdrawing most of the guards.
The mansion provided only one carriage. Xun Changqing boarded first, then remembered Wei Lingci’s injury and turned back to offer a hand. But Wei Lingci gently dodged it and climbed in as if nothing were amiss. Xun Changqing pursed her lips but said nothing.
The journey passed without incident. Upon reaching the palace gates, a maid lifted the curtain—they needed to proceed on foot.
Xun Changqing sat on the outer side and dismounted first. She stood by the carriage, scanning the Imperial Guards at the gate, with no intention of helping Wei Lingci down. If she insisted on doing it herself, why bother with false courtesy?
Yuan Qingming happened to be exiting the palace and encountered them. His gaze sharpened as he strode over. Xun Changqing spoke first. “Yuan Commander, do you think we’ll encounter another assassin tonight?”
“This subject has already deployed patrols everywhere. Yesterday’s incident won’t repeat,” Yuan Qingming replied. Though speaking to Xun Changqing, his eyes lingered on Wei Lingci, pausing briefly at her shoulder. But she appeared composed, her begonia-pink gauze skirt enhancing her rosy complexion, graceful as a startled swan—nothing sickly about her.
Xun Changqing tilted her head at Yuan Qingming. “What if the assassin isn’t deterred?”
Her question sounded childlike, like a sheltered young lady. Yuan Qingming finally looked back at her and reassured her repeatedly. “It won’t happen. This subject stakes his life on it. Moreover, Miss Wei’s martial arts are exceptional—she will surely protect the Princess’s safety.”
“True. I’m entering the palace for a banquet, and the Eternal Joy Palace is heavily guarded under your command, Yuan Commander. Nothing should go wrong.” Xun Changqing put on an innocent air. She extended a hand from her embroidered robe and took Wei Lingci’s wrist, smiling at Yuan Qingming. “Yuan Commander, Changqing will head into the palace first.”
The two slowly entered the Rear Palace. Once Yuan Qingming’s gaze vanished behind them, Xun Changqing released her hand, her lips curling coldly. “Master, Yuan Qingming heard about your battle in Lingyang County long ago. Now he’s clashed with you and recognizes your moves. He stared at you just now—I think he suspects you too.”
The cold wind bit fiercely. The endless palace paths were deserted due to the impending wind and snow. Wei Lingci was unfamiliar yet somewhat familiar with this path. In her previous life, she had ridden in a phoenix carriage along it to Changle Palace. Countless women outside envied the destination, but she had only felt disgust.
The smooth, delicate skin in her palm suddenly vanished. The wind raged, and her fingertips curled slightly against the chill. She answered softly, “Yuan Qingming’s skill is the Yuan Family Spear, an internal style—steady and solid, different from Lingyun Sect swordsmanship. If we truly fought, I’m afraid I couldn’t beat him. He doesn’t meddle in court affairs, focusing solely on commanding the Imperial Guards. He trains in his spare time. Objectively, that’s something ordinary people can’t achieve.”
To be in the court yet devote himself to martial arts—that was no easy feat. Xun Changqing couldn’t help thinking of Yuan Man. “How about Sister Yuan Man’s skills?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never seen her fight, but for a woman to hold the borderlands, she must be formidable.”
Walking against the wind was more arduous than usual. Wei Lingci had applied a light layer of powder to her face and rouge to her lips, masking her pallor. Xun Changqing, close by, caught the faint scent of powder and couldn’t help turning to look at her. “Are you tired?”
With no palace servants around, she dared to ask so boldly. Though Zi Jin and Xian Yun followed behind, they couldn’t enter Changle Palace. Ultimately, the two of them walked this stretch alone. The calmer Wei Lingci seemed, the more uneasy Xun Changqing felt.
“It’s nothing,” Wei Lingci replied faintly, saying no more.
The walk from the palace gates to Changle Palace was long. Though they strolled, Wei Lingci’s injury slowed her pace. Xun Changqing’s hands clenched tightly in her sleeves as she stared at the ground for a long time. Gradually, she slowed, shifted half a step sideways, took her hand, and whispered, “Let’s walk slower. There’s still plenty of time anyway.”
