Chapter 35: Secret Schemes Part 2

Everyone knew the Pingnan Prince’s Mansion was a general’s residence. To breach layers of guards for some money and enter the heavily defended study—before securing the goods, one’s life would be forfeit. Jianghu folk wouldn’t lightly cross that line.

If not for wealth, then for power.

The atmosphere grew subtly tense. The woman lowered her eyes, glanced at the still-pondering Wei Lingci, tapped the table with her fingertip, and added, “One more thing: tonight at the First Tower, Shao Tang claimed His Majesty wants to kill the little County Princess. True or false?”

Wei Lingci snapped back. Under the lamplight, the furrow between her brows slowly eased. She smiled at the woman. “Shao Tang is vain and fame-hungry, with mediocre talent. He’s just a legitimate son. His bastard older brother Shao Lanheng excels in literature and poetry, the pride of the Imperial Capital. Yet Shao Tang looks down on his illegitimate status. In truth, Shao Lanheng inherits their father’s style. Taking Shao Tang’s words seriously is a joke.”

The woman paused. Wei Lingci had never spoken so bluntly and clearly before. After a moment’s thought, realization dawned. “Tomorrow, these words will spread through every street and alley, reaching His Majesty’s ears after morning court.”

Each harbored their own thoughts and fell silent for a while. Wei Lingci spoke first. “You should visit the Prince’s Mansion less. After all, it’s the place everyone in the Imperial Capital watches.”

“Then how will you notify me if something arises?”

“Xian Yun will contact you from now on.”

After reaching an agreement, the woman left with Xian Yu’s guidance, carefully avoiding the mansion’s guards and exiting through the back gate.

Xian Yun stepped forward and cautioned softly, “Miss, is it safe to trust Hanri so much?”

Hanri knew their identities, yet they knew nothing of her origins. This imbalance was too great, unlike Wei Lingci’s usual caution.

Xian Yun was prudent; such a question was natural. Wei Lingci answered frankly, “I have no grudge with the Shao Family, but they target the Pingnan Prince’s Mansion everywhere. That’s no secret in court circles. But Hanri’s grudge against the Shao Family is known only to us. She has her vendetta; I don’t. She should go all out. All her hopes rest on the Pingnan Prince’s Mansion and us.”

This was using Hanri against the Shao Family. Hanri, backed by the First Tower, couldn’t touch the court’s core, but the Pingnan Prince’s Mansion could. Toppling the Shao Family wasn’t easy for her; she had to pin her hopes on Wei Lingci.

Mutual utilization, nothing more.

Wei Lingci didn’t care about Hanri’s grudge with the Shao Family. What she wanted was Hanri and the entire First Tower’s determination to oppose them. The reason was Hanri’s business.

The eastern room’s lights went out early that night but came on early the next day. As Wei Lingci just lay down to rest, Zi Jin entered to wake Xun Changqing.

The night was dim, slanted light still striking the window.

Xun Changqing had rushed about for days and was exhausted, plus she slept late last night. It felt like she’d just closed her eyes when she had to rise. Her eyes lacked luster as she looked at Zi Jin. Propped against the pillow, her eyes sore, she only asked, “Has Master risen?”

Zi Jin searched a cabinet for the day’s clothes. Hearing this, her hand paused at the door. She turned. “Miss Wei is entering the palace too? His Majesty only summoned the County Princess, not her.”

Xun Changqing stiffened, then tugged her lips lightly and patted her head. “I forgot. This is the Imperial Capital, not Lingyun Mountain.”

Back at the mansion, every inch of her body ached as if ignited by flames. Xun Changqing rubbed her shoulders and had to rise, walking to the wardrobe. She gasped at dozens of brand-new silk gowns. “Why so many clothes?”

Zi Jin was equally surprised. No wonder the steward said the County Princess’s clothes were prepared. After a moment’s thought, she said, “Probably arranged by the Princess Consort. She knew you’d return eventually and had them made in advance.”

How did Mother know she’d return? Xun Changqing loudly summoned the courtyard maids, her face expressionless. “Who made these clothes?”

Though unoccupied, Tang Qing Garden always had maids cleaning. The two entered and saw the County Princess icy as frost. Thinking the clothes displeased her, they exchanged glances and shifted blame upward. “The Princess Consort arranged it. Every change of season, she prepared clothes for the County Princess, fearing you’d return suddenly without any.”

The other hastily agreed. “Yes, the Princess Consort’s orders. It has nothing to do with us maids.”

The commotion naturally woke the sleepless Wei Lingci. She dressed and came over, seeing the silent kneeling maids. Her gaze questioned Zi Jin, who blocked the wardrobe, so she stepped back.

Seeing the wardrobe full of gorgeous brocades—likely this year’s Imperial Capital fashions—the Princess Consort, missing so long, had still prepared them so well. Intentional or not, her care for Xun Changqing seemed genuine.

Xun Changqing’s doubts layered deeper. It felt like her fate in this life was all orchestrated by her mother. Taking a master had been abrupt, but due to family ties and her previous life, she hadn’t suspected. Now, it seemed ascending Lingyun Mountain was Mother’s intent.

But why send her to Lingyun Mountain? How did she know she’d return? What secrets hid within?