He knew the biggest obstacle for the Shao Family was Xun Yi. His father always called him incompetent. From his aunt, he learned Xun Changqing was returning to the mansion, so he sent someone to wait at the city gate. Sure enough, after half a month, the person had returned.
The beauty in his arms looked at her crimson nails, her plump chest half-exposed. Her fingertip circled the white skin of her chest, and she smiled seductively. “Young Master, who’s back? Is it your sweetheart? Don’t forget this old one when you see a new one.”
“Pah, what sweetheart? Just a yellow-haired little girl.” As the beauty smiled, it was like rippling water sliding through his heart, stirring a sudden heat. Shao Tang lifted her chin. “It’s Xun Yi’s daughter, back as a hostage. How could she compare to you?”
The words “human hostage” were like a drop of water into boiling oil, igniting a clamor.
“Second Young Master, you’re joking, right? That’s a County Princess, back as a hostage? Pingnan Prince is a god of war, Great Qi’s war god.”
“Impossible. Speaking of which, it’s been a long time since we’ve seen the Pingnan Prince’s Consort. Did she go to the Southwest to find the Prince?”
“My father always says how formidable the Prince is, subduing the foreigners so they dare not cross the border, striking fear into enemies.”
One “Prince’s Consort,” one “Prince”—it grated on Shao Cheng’s ears. The Shao Family was now Great Qi’s pillar, yet the Emperor hadn’t enfeoffed kings or marquises. Otherwise, he would be the Heir Apparent, and all this “young master” nonsense was grating.
“What damn County Princess? Whether she lives is still up in the air,” Shao Tang said, his face flushed from drink. Hearing the crowd praise Xun Yi again irked him. He kissed the beauty hard on the face, feeling much better, and laughed. “If her father makes one wrong move, her little life won’t be safe. His Majesty has long had this intention. County Princess… more like no one’s lady.”
The crowd burst into laughter. The qin player timed it perfectly, her slender hand plucking a chord, and flowing qin music slowly emerged from behind the curtain, making the First Tower even more lively and raucous.
………………………………………………………………….
The Pingnan Prince’s Mansion was located on the southern side of the imperial city, separated from the deep palace by several high minister mansions, right at the edge of the main street. But just a wall away to its north was the Ning’an Commandery Princess Mansion, abandoned for many years.
The steward had waited at the door all day. Several days ago, word came that the little County Princess would return today. He had been waiting outside before dawn, but now it was several hours past dark, and there was still no sign of her. In his heart, he only prayed to the heavens to bless this little mistress with a safe return.
Perhaps heaven gave him face. Not long after, several fast horses arrived in a cloud of dust. The weary group stopped at the steps.
Yuan Qingming had successfully completed his mission. After delivering the person to the mansion gate, he turned his horse and rode back to report.
Xun Changqing jumped down from her horse and went straight to the steward, smiling. “Steward, you could have waited inside. Why the rush?”
The steward stepped aside to make way, hurriedly saying, “His Majesty sent someone a few days ago with a letter saying you were returning today. This old servant has been waiting here. We’ve finally got you back. Dinner has long been prepared.” He caught sight of Wei Lingci dismounting and was startled, though puzzled by her presence. Still, he courteously invited her into the mansion.
After more than ten days of hard riding, Yuan Qingming had galloped fast, but it had been tough for her. Following behind had taken all her effort just to keep up. Now back at the mansion, she only wanted to bathe and rest. Tomorrow morning, she still had to enter the palace to pay respects to His Majesty.
A maid served tea. Xun Changqing sat in the main seat, drank a cup to temporarily dispel her fatigue, then looked at the steward. “Before Mother Consort left, was there anything unusual in the mansion?”
This wasn’t just her question—the Emperor had asked it too. The steward answered without much thought. “No, the mansion has always been normal. That day, the Prince’s Consort went to the temple. After leaving the city, she never returned. She never liked taking many guards when leaving the mansion, so that day it was just her and her personal maid. This old servant thought she’d return the next day, but after waiting several days with no sign, we reported to His Majesty. They searched the entire Imperial Capital but found nothing.”
Xun Changqing nodded. It seemed no one in the mansion knew about the city defense map. There was no point asking further. Instead, she looked at Wei Lingci, who was drinking tea nearby, and remembered the issue of lodging. “Master, where will you stay?”
Wei Lingci set down her teacup and glanced at the maids coming and going to place dishes on the table. With an expressionless face, she said, “In your courtyard. The County Princess Mansion should be repaired by year’s end. I’ll move then.”
She had planned this long ago, and Xun Changqing didn’t press the matter. It was just a wall apart—very close.
After the maids served the dishes, they stood by waiting to serve. Xun Changqing knew these people were waiting to follow the tedious etiquette of serving food. It annoyed her, so she dismissed them.
After a day of hard travel, the two were tired, and even seeing the sumptuous dishes didn’t whet their appetites. Xun Changqing held her chopsticks, lifted her gaze to Wei Lingci, and smiled slightly, probing. “Master, do you think Mother’s disappearance is related to the city defense map?”
She didn’t know these things, but if Wei Lingci had been reborn, she surely would.
Wei Lingci smiled faintly. “I’ve only met the Prince’s Consort once. If even you don’t know, how would I?”
She deftly tossed the topic back. Whether she knew or not was something only she herself knew. Xun Changqing had no appetite left and set down her chopsticks. “Master, what should I say when I enter the palace tomorrow?”
“Say it as it is. This matter has nothing to do with you from the start. His Majesty is a wise ruler; he won’t hold a child accountable.”
From this, Wei Lingci seemed to trust the Emperor greatly, but where did that trust come from? If he was so wise, why summon her back? Xun Changqing leaned close to Wei Lingci’s side, staring at her eagerly. Her exquisitely carved features reflected in her eyes, not missing the flicker in her gaze. “Master, why do you trust His Majesty so much? He ordered Yuan Qingming to bring me back—will he even believe my words?”
If not for rebirth, she would think Wei Lingci was overly confident!
