The next day at noon, Yuan Qingming personally came to Purple Ying Pavilion to fetch them.
A couple of days earlier, Xun Changqing’s identity as a girl had been exposed, so she should have changed back into women’s attire. However, they couldn’t find suitable clothes to replace her outfit, so she continued dressing as a boy.
She had hidden her identity for so many years, yet she herself had been kept in the dark. If word got out, people might laugh at her, and she inexplicably felt a bit shorter in front of Wei Lingci.
These were minor matters, though. After some annoyance, she let it go. Yuan Qingming seemed to be in a hurry to return to the Imperial Capital, and his resolute face always carried a faint trace of anxiety. Perhaps he couldn’t set his mind at ease about certain matters in the Imperial Capital.
Xun Changqing didn’t have many belongings. Since she was leaving suddenly, she only packed a few clean pieces of clothing, leaving most of her items behind. Wei Lingci, on the other hand, nearly emptied her entire study. The Imperial Guards that Yuan Qingming brought served as porters, loading up several full carriages.
But the people left first. Everyone could ride horses and wasn’t infirm, so they all chose to ride. The carriages trailed leisurely behind.
The people and the carriages took different routes, however. The group headed to Shangrao, while the carriages went straight to the Imperial Capital.
Shangrao had a different climate from Lingyun Mountain. After entering winter, it grew even damper and colder. Wei Lingci, having grown up there, was fine with it, but Xun Changqing wasn’t accustomed to it. After entering Jiangnan, she added a few more layers of clothing.
Shangrao was in Jiangnan territory, a land of fish and rice, with pleasure quarters by the water and houses featuring unique architecture. Copper bells always hung from the eaves, and when the wind blew, melodious chimes could be heard.
The Ning’an Commandery Princess Mansion was on the main street of Shangrao. Actually, the plaque on the gate read Wei Mansion, not Commandery Princess Mansion. Wei Xiao’s husband had been the top scholar in the imperial exams, renowned for his literary talent, handsome and elegant. The Grand Empress Dowager had taken a liking to him and granted the marriage. After their wedding, he served as a prefectural governor but passed away young. It was a pity they couldn’t grow old together.
Now, the vast Wei Mansion housed only Wei Xiao. She lived in seclusion but always kept an eye on developments in the Imperial Capital. Upon learning of Third Prince Xun Yishu’s death, she knew the struggle for the throne in the Imperial Capital was drawing to a close. The Fourth Prince’s birth mother was of lowly origin and couldn’t compare to the Empress.
The key was that the Fourth Prince was mediocre in talent, little different from a fool. Compared to his two elder brothers, who were like pearls and jade before him, no one held high hopes for him. That was also why he had survived unscathed to this day.
Wei Xiao was somewhat surprised by Wei Lingci’s return but soon composed herself. When she saw the handsome young man behind her daughter, she paused, momentarily unable to recall who he was. Wei Lingci knew her mother’s situation and pushed Xun Changqing forward with a smile, introducing her. “Mother, this is Little County Princess Xun Changqing from the Pingnan Prince’s Mansion.”
No wonder she looked familiar, though Wei Xiao couldn’t remember the name. Seeing her still in male attire, Wei Xiao couldn’t help teasing, “I thought it was some handsome young gentleman from another family. Turns out it’s the Little County Princess. So many years have passed, and you still like dressing as a boy. Hurry and change into girls’ clothes, or everyone will take you for a lad and you won’t find a husband.”
Xun Changqing was halfway through her bow when she heard the teasing words. Her face reddened as she completed the remaining half of the courtesy and retreated to her original position.
With the two standing to the side, Wei Xiao’s gaze fell on the middle-aged man in black robes entering the main hall. They exchanged a glance. Though they were childhood acquaintances, time had added a layer of unfamiliarity. Yuan Qingming didn’t know how to speak first, so Wei Xiao did, slightly bowing in greeting. “So it’s Yuan Commander. Are you just passing through, or…?”
Yuan Qingming hadn’t expected her to bow. Following the etiquette of noble families, he returned the bow and said, “I am acting on His Majesty’s Imperial Edict to escort the Little County Princess back to the capital!”
So it was official business!
Wei Xiao was unaware of the changes in the Imperial Capital, but Xun Changqing was a child of the Pingnan Prince’s Mansion. To summon her back without cause meant His Majesty suspected the Pingnan Prince’s Mansion. Though her mind raced with thoughts, her face showed nothing. She still smiled and said, “His Majesty must be thinking of how the Little County Princess is nearing marriageable age and wants to help select a suitable consort for her. That’s good news.”
As she spoke, her gaze intentionally or otherwise fell on Wei Lingci. She had long passed the age of coming of age yet remained unmarried—this was her greatest worry. But she knew her own daughter best; she had always been independent, and forcing the issue wouldn’t work. Wei Xiao had resigned herself to fate.
Seeing the two old friends reunite as if they had things to discuss, Wei Lingci took Xun Changqing back to her own courtyard first.
It was early winter, and the weather had turned chilly. The grass and trees were gradually losing their green. The two walked along a small path toward the inner courtyard. The Wei residence had few people, unlike other mansions bustling with a dozen or so masters and constant clamor. It was very quiet here, with only servants coming and going—no one else to talk to.
The two walked one behind the other in silence. Xun Changqing had grown up under the Princess Consort and knew only about the Xun family; she was clueless about other officials in the Imperial Capital. But from the looks between Yuan Qingming and Wei Xiao earlier, the two must be old acquaintances.
“Master, is the County Princess an old acquaintance of Yuan Commander?”
It was from many years ago, so no wonder Xun Changqing didn’t know. Seeing her curious expression, Wei Lingci didn’t hide the past and explained earnestly, “Yes, they were family friends. When Mother first came to Shangrao, she knew His Majesty, the Prince, and Yuan Commander from childhood. But after the Previous Emperor’s death, Mother didn’t want to stay in the Imperial Capital and came here alone. Their bond gradually faded.”
There were some things she didn’t say. With the current turbulent times and no heir apparent decided, the Yuan family were key court ministers with few allies. Mother didn’t dare associate too closely.
