Chapter 19: Lie Down

In the fortieth year of Wen Ning, the seas were calm. The Ming King, Gu Liang Gan, submitted a memorial stating that his health was deteriorating day by day, plagued by a chronic illness. He volunteered to surrender his military authority and return home to recuperate.

The Emperor repeatedly refused and sent imperial physicians to diagnose him, but they all said it was an old ailment beyond recovery. Though reluctant, the Emperor reclaimed the command of the Border City’s 200,000-strong army.

The Border City was the face of Great Qi, bordering the Borderlands to the south, which led to Ji Province—a vital hub that could not be taken lightly. However, since the Borderlands had been a tributary state of Great Qi for many years and posed no threat, the court withdrew most of the troops, leaving only 50,000 scattered near the Border City.

With the city garrison commander Gu Liang Gan gone, a general could not be absent for even a day. Yuan Qingming’s daughter, the Imperial Capital’s defense commander Yuan Man, volunteered to take up the post and guard this gateway for Great Qi.

Beneath the azure clouds, spring bloomed deeply on Lingyun Mountain, with lush green grass and verdant foliage.

In the Peach Blossom Grove on the mountain, petals drifted with the wind, falling like a curtain, blanketing the ground in pink like thin snow. Petals swayed on the branches, varying in shade like makeup on a jade face, thick and thin to perfection.

The Peach Blossom Grove stood beside Purple Ying Pavilion, planted personally by Wei Lingci and Xun Changqing. When they first arrived on the mountain, Xun Changqing had reminisced about the fragrance of peach blossoms and the peaches in early summer, so Wei Lingci cleared a plot outside the pavilion and planted over a dozen peach trees. This summer, they might bear fruit.

Clad in black gauze robes, with a long sword whose tassel was particularly striking, the woman toyed with the tassel at her fingertips. Her brows arched as if bathed in spring breeze, her features exquisite, and the narrow-sleeved outfit added a rare heroic air.

Xun Changqing hurried over in flowing azure robes, her long hair tied with a sapphire ribbon, her countenance handsome. The baby fat on her cheeks from years past had faded, leaving a palm-sized face free of childishness. As she stepped forward, she stirred up a flurry of peach blossom snow across the grove.

Her gaze fell on the black-clad woman leaning against a peach tree, her eyes tinged with tenderness by the grove’s hues. She smiled faintly. “Sister A’Man, why did you come up the mountain?”

Yuan Man was dressed in black today, her heroism laced with an unusual killing intent. Her fingertips twitched a few times before she embedded her sword sheath into the soil with effortless grace, revealing her extraordinary skill. She spread her arms toward Xun Changqing and grinned. “Little Changqing, it’s been four years, and you’ve become even more like a dashing young lord. Hasn’t your master figured out you’re a fake boy?”

Revealing her big secret at their first meeting, Xun Changqing rushed forward to cover her mouth, shooting her a sharp glance. “Watch it! There are people around. If anyone overhears, I’ll be in trouble.”

Unable to speak, Yuan Man tickled her instead. Xun Changqing dodged backward, and the two tumbled onto the peach petals, play-fighting for a bit. Knowing time was short, Yuan Man released her and got straight to the point. “The Ming King surrendered his military power to avoid trouble. Now the Border City’s army is dispersed, with only forty to fifty thousand left.”

Over these years, the Second Imperial Prince’s faction had suppressed Gu Liang Gan in their bid for the throne—a fact known to all in the court. The Emperor’s health worsened daily, his energy waning. Gu Liang Gan knew the fiefdom would be stripped sooner or later, so he handed over power himself, paving a way out for his entire household and avoiding the new emperor using the Ming King’s mansion as an example by slaughtering the chicken to warn the monkeys.

Yuan Man had recommended herself because Xun Yisu had married into the Borderlands, and she missed her dearly but couldn’t leave the Imperial Capital. Thus, she volunteered to guard the Border City.

Xun Changqing had learned of these matters through letters and had informed her father to prepare early. According to her previous life’s timeline, the Emperor would pass away in just a year. Then, the Second Imperial Prince, Xun Yiran, would ascend as the new emperor. Lacking a solid foundation, he wouldn’t strip fiefs immediately but would wait two years before acting.

But back then, Gu Liang Gan had suddenly died violently, leaving the Ming King’s mansion leaderless. The new emperor stripped their power effortlessly. Next came the Pingnan Prince’s Mansion.

In this life, she had warned Gu Liang Gan first in her father the Pingnan Prince’s name, hoping he’d prepare. Yet he feigned illness and requested the stripping himself, seeking a watery homeland for peaceful days. The Emperor, uneasy, would surely send spies to watch him.

Gu Liangqian had outwardly abandoned the Third Prince, Xun Yishu, but his ranks brimmed with fierce generals. Handing them to Xun Yishu would unsettle the Empress and Xun Yiran.

It was a strategic retreat. With no sons under him—only a daughter already married with children—he had no worries behind. Moreover, the Emperor was benevolent and wouldn’t poison him covertly. The new emperor, for the sake of a benevolent ruler’s reputation, wouldn’t strike. Over time, Gu Liang Gan would effectively exit the court.

For the Third Prince, he had done his utmost with benevolence and righteousness.

“Old fox,” Xun Changqing’s eyes chilled as she muttered lowly. Lying on the ground, she gazed at a patch of sky overhead. Gu Liang Gan’s move was just self-preservation—human nature. But it placed the Pingnan Prince’s Mansion in the line of fire.

Yuan Man said casually, “The Gu Liang Clan’s prestige and connections have faded, far from the Pingnan Prince’s Mansion’s renown. Gu Liang Gan did this to preserve the entire clan. After all, life matters more. The Second Imperial Prince’s influence has seeped into every corner of Great Qi these years. The Third Prince will struggle to contend.”

She roamed the Imperial Capital, picking up gossip everywhere, and her father told her more. She knew the winds well, so she sneaked up the mountain before heading to her Border City post to warn Xun Changqing.

“There’s one more piece of news. Hear it, but tell no one,” Yuan Man turned sideways, her gaze serious as she leaned to Xun Changqing’s ear and whispered, “His Majesty has at most a year left—maybe just months. Imperial physicians frequent his chambers lately. My father, as a close minister, sees it clearly. If so, the Second Imperial Prince will ascend.”

Gu Liang Gan’s retirement was the greatest setback for the Third Prince’s faction. Without military power, how could they fight? Relying on powerless civil officials wouldn’t work.

Right now, Xun Yishu was already doomed!

Xun Changqing grabbed a handful of petals and scattered them into the air, watching the peach blossoms fall like rain. A trace of faint sorrow flashed in her eyes as she smiled bitterly. “The new emperor won’t touch Father for two years after ascending, but once his wings are full, he’ll target the Pingnan Prince’s Mansion.”

With business done, Yuan Man sat up, her gaze bright and frank. She nudged Xun Changqing and laughed. “How did you know Ana Xuan is a woman?”

Mentioning this made Yuan Man grin uncontrollably. The Borderlands prince Ana Xuan was the sovereign’s favorite—who knew her true form was a girl? While Borderlands women loving women wasn’t shocking, Ana Xuan presented as male publicly. Exposure would cost her title and implicate many.

This perfect leverage allowed Xun Yisu to survive the turbulent Borderlands diplomacy. Ana Xuan, clever, knew how to protect herself and wouldn’t harm her.

If Xun Yisu were male, her talent and virtue surpassed her brothers. Alas, born a girl, she became a tool for national ties.

“I don’t know. Master told me. I’ve probed countless times these years, but she never said how she knew.”

Unlike Yuan Man’s excitement, Xun Changqing was calm, a peculiar glint deep in her eyes. Over the years, she sensed Wei Lingci’s thoughts were unfathomable. Besides teaching her martial arts daily, Wei Lingci worked in the study until midnight.

She felt Wei Lingci eyed the sect leader position—unlike her previous life, where it was set for Wang Pingjun. Would Wei Lingci seize it?

What she cared more about was why Wei Lingci wanted it.

Once Wei Lingci became sect leader, she and Xun Changqing would truly stand opposed. She didn’t know what to do.

To avoid eyes, Yuan Man slipped down the back mountain after quietly ascending. These arrays posed no barrier to her—soldiers excelled at formations. Her martial prowess and military tactics topped her peers.

Undisturbed, Xun Changqing lay back. The sky hung low, white clouds drifting like a layer of white gossamer robes. Billowing cloud seas filled her view until a figure entered: black hair, white robes, a jade hairpin in her locks, exquisitely elegant. Her limpid eyes were serene as still water. Compared to four years ago, her beauty was even more captivating, untouched by dust.

Over four years, the Second Senior Uncle next door proposed yearly with endless ploys, but Wei Lingci never glanced his way. Wang Pingjun, tied to Lingyun Sect affairs, rarely visited, and Wei Lingci was often absent—intentional or not, they always missed each other.

Xun Changqing’s gaze lingered as she smiled cleverly. “Master, the flowers’ fragrance fills the air—such a rare delight. Why don’t you lie down too?”

Author’s Note: Master, why not lie down and try it?