Chapter 23: Turmoil Part 2

Half her body hidden in the tree, she thought she was unseen. But leaves fell from the branch above. Wei Lingci pushed open the bedroom door, spotted the leaves on the ground, and with the shadows overlapping, knew instantly someone was up there. She coldly snapped, “Xun Changqing, come down.”

More leaves fell from the treetop. Xun Changqing inwardly groaned—Master had woken too early. She’d only been inside half an hour. She had planned to climb down and head to the kitchen for Zi Jin, but now everything was disrupted.

Reluctantly, she jumped down from the branch and stood under the tree, pursing her lips and staring at her feet without speaking.

“Slept well?” Wei Lingci was neatly dressed, her face stern—not like someone who had just risen. Seeing Xun Changqing’s face pale, biting her cherry-red lips, she chided angrily, “I told you to nap, and you’re causing trouble again. Thirteen like three, fooling around.”

Thirteen-year-old boys climbed trees all the time—it was just rare for thirteen-year-old girls.

Feeling guilty, Xun Changqing nodded. As long as Master didn’t discover why she climbed, it was fine. She’d been scolded so few times over the years she could count them on one hand. She tugged at her sleeve, not daring to look up. But she had to go to Zi Jin. From the current situation, Wei Lingci wouldn’t let her out.

Wei Lingci glanced at her but said no more, leaving her to stand there as she returned to the study. She opened the window facing the phoenix tree and instructed, “Since you like the tree so much, stand there all afternoon.”

An afternoon, and Zi Jin would come up herself. If Master ran into more trouble… Xun Changqing stiffened for a moment. Over the years, she and Zi Jin had familiarized themselves with the path down the mountain. Before the new year, she would descend.

If she remembered correctly, the emperor died in the spring of the forty-second year of Wenning. Afterward, Father wanted to return to the capital for mourning but was blocked by the new emperor. An imperial edict ordered him to continue guarding the Southwest without leaving.

At this moment, she couldn’t let Wei Lingci suspect anything, or it would all be for naught. Before this year’s New Year’s Eve, she had to leave Lingyun Mountain.

She knew that over these years, Wei Lingci treated her even better than in her previous life. But once bitten, twice shy—she dared not trust her again. Stopping at master-disciple affection was the best outcome. Once she descended and went to the Southwest, their bond would end.

But for now, she had to do what needed doing. She glanced at the sun sinking westward, gritted her teeth, and ran into the study. Upon entering, she found Wei Lingci standing by the window, staring toward the phoenix tree, unaware of her entrance.

She knocked on the doorframe. “Master, may I come in?”

“Your foot is already inside. Can your master chase you out?”

“No,” Xun Changqing grinned and strode in. She crooked her finger habitually, tugging at Wei Lingci’s robe corner. “Master, I want to see Senior Brother Zhao. He’s leaving tomorrow morning, and I have morning classes so I can’t see him off. I want to go to Pure Self Courtyard today.”

Wei Lingci turned around, sunlight illuminating her back in a radiant glow. As Xun Changqing approached, she clearly saw the pulsing blue veins on her master’s slender, jade-like neck. She recalled first seeing her in this life—the same veins on her neck.

In that instant, her heart shook, a faint pain surfacing. But she endured and withdrew her gaze, looking elsewhere.

Wei Lingci gazed at her. The thirteen-year-old girl already reached her shoulder. With cool eyes, she said faintly, “Go now? Come back and continue standing under the tree?”

The first half was right, but the second was off—if she nodded, she’d be a fool. She shook her head. “I won’t climb the tree next time, Master. I promise.”

The study was filled with a faint fragrance, and upon closer sniff, the scent of ink and books.

Wei Lingci sat back at the desk. From the corner of her eye, she glimpsed a letter on the table, covering it with an ancient poetry book as she said, “You may go, but return in one hour. If you’re late, I’ll truly make you stand all night.”

With permission granted, Xun Changqing nearly ran out of Purple Ying Pavilion. Unexpectedly, she sensed someone following her. Detecting it, she detoured first to Pure Self Courtyard.

After she left, Wei Lingci tidied the desk and retrieved the letter she’d just covered. She lit a candle and burned it to ashes. Once done, there was another knock at the study door.

It was an attendant from the sect leader, inviting her to Spirit Abyss Pavilion for a discussion.

Lingyun Sect Leader Xu Ke stood inside, waiting a long time. When Wei Lingci entered, her first glance went to the desk, stacked with thick letters. She lowered her lashes slightly and said softly, “Master, you sought me?”

Xu Ke glanced at her coldly. “The Pingnan Prince’s Consort stole the city defense map and has now vanished.”

Wei Lingci had already known this—she’d just burned the letter. She hadn’t expected Xu Ke’s news to arrive faster. She smiled faintly. “Lingyun Mountain doesn’t meddle in court affairs. Why mention this, Master?”

Xu Ke stared at her, his eyes clear yet like icy deep pool water, devoid of warmth. “We don’t meddle in court affairs? Have you forgotten your little disciple is the daughter of Pingnan Prince’s Consort Ana Yanran? If they’re connected, the entire Lingyun Mountain will be eradicated by the court.”

Wei Lingci paused, then smiled. “Master, you must be mistaken. The first to be implicated would be Pingnan Prince’s Mansion. Changqing is just a child, staying in Purple Ying Pavilion daily—she has no dealings with the consort.”

Such light words didn’t dispel Xu Ke’s pent-up frustration. He lowered his voice and said softly, “Your master knows you value your bond with Xun Changqing, but for Lingyun’s sake, you must sever ties with her when necessary.”

This meant expelling Xun Changqing from the sect. These words felt like ones she’d heard many times before. Suddenly, like thunder in her ears, entangled past memories resurfaced in her eyes…

“Little Ci, expel Xun Changqing from the sect—it might save her life.”

“Xun Changqing is the descendant of a traitorous minister. She can’t stay in Lingyun Mountain, and you can’t intervene. Once outside Lingyun Mountain’s bounds, your master will send people to assist you in intercepting her.”