Chapter 37: Probing Part 2

Wei Lingci said nothing, but her face grew even paler. Yuan Qingming’s spear had struck deep; even as a bystander, Xun Changqing could sense the pain. Softening her tone slightly, she said, “I just want to see your wound.”

Wei Lingci’s scattered gaze slowly focused at those words. Her breath hitched sharply. As Xun Changqing took a step closer, turmoil surged in her heart. “You should go out!”

“I’m not going!”

The stubborn three words rang out like thunder from a clear sky, startling Wei Lingci into lifting her gaze. Xun Changqing’s expression was desolate and cold, her eyes sharp without a flicker of emotion, joy and sorrow indistinguishable—just like by the riverbank that day.

No one knew this expression of Xun Changqing better. In one breath, in one exhale, the court intrigues of her past life and the fateful cycles of two lives all flooded her mind. Her face grew more solemn as she said, “Go out. That’s an order from your master.”

Xun Changqing sneered. Avoiding again. After a silent pause, she said, “Wei Lingci, you already expelled me from the sect. Why deceive yourself further?”

Wei Lingci turned her gaze, startled!

The two stared deeply at each other, as if sparks flew.

Suddenly, footsteps sounded outside the door. Both turned their heads. Zi Jin entered hurriedly. “County Princess, Yuan Commander has brought an Imperial Edict and requests you to receive it outside.”

A chill ran inexplicably through Xun Changqing’s heart. Yuan Qingming’s martial prowess was extraordinary, and with years in the Imperial Capital, he was worldly and experienced. After exchanging blows, it wouldn’t be hard for him to identify the black-clothed assassin.

She looked at Wei Lingci, whose eyes were melancholic. Propping herself up with a hand to sit, her lips were as white as her nightclothes. The pale profile, bathed in the refracted sunlight, gained a faint glow, outlining sharp contours that stirred a subtle warmth in Xun Changqing’s heart.

She stepped closer, pressing a hand on Wei Lingci’s shoulder to stop her from rising. Softly, she said, “He’s here for me to receive the edict. I’ll go see. You stay in Qingtang Pavilion—don’t go out.”

Wei Lingci slightly evaded her hand, leaning to the side. When she looked up, she caught the redness at the corners of Xun Changqing’s eyes. She leaned fully against the bed rail, the pain in her shoulder sharpening. Frowning slightly, she asked Xun Changqing, “If Yuan Qingming truly recognizes me, what will you do?”

With that, it confirmed the assassin was her. Seeing Wei Lingci dodge her hand again, Xun Changqing hesitated to withdraw it mid-air, then pressed it back on her shoulder with a bit of force.

As expected, Wei Lingci’s slight frown deepened. Xun Changqing felt immensely satisfied and finally pulled her hand back, a smile curving her lips. “If he recognizes you, I’ll have someone throw you out just like Xian Yu. I don’t know you—that way, I can clear the Pingnan Prince’s Mansion of suspicion.”

“That sounds good!”

Wei Lingci actually agreed, looking fearless, certain Xun Changqing wouldn’t drive her away. Xun Changqing glared at her helplessly a few more times before turning to leave the room.

Xian Yu still guarded the corridor. Xun Changqing scanned the surroundings—no sign of Xian Yun. A shadow fell over her heart; perhaps the one who rescued Wei Lingci was Xian Yun.

After Zi Jin pushed the door open, Xian Yu had stood by it and naturally overheard their conversation. She believed Xun Changqing’s words—for power, for their own lives, countless would sacrifice others. Unfamiliar with the bond between the master and disciple, she naturally lumped this inexperienced young County Princess into that category.

Seeing her about to leave, Xian Yu stamped her foot and chased after, lowering her voice to explain for Wei Lingci. “County Princess, everything Miss did was for you.”

Xun Changqing was racking her brains, unable to figure out why Wei Lingci acted that way. With Yuan Qingming’s skills—unrivaled in Great Qi—it was like an egg striking a stone; she wouldn’t gain anything from it.

Someone offering answers suited her perfectly.

She halted, her expression stern. The brows that had relaxed for mere half a moment furrowed tightly again. “She tried to kill me, yet it was for my sake? Will she accompany me on the road to the Yellow Springs?”

“Miss didn’t want to kill you.” Xian Yu’s gaze was steady, ripples forming in her fine eyes. But as she spoke further, someone yanked her from behind, forcing the words back down her throat.

Xian Yun’s face was grim, her eyes on Xian Yu fierce enough to devour her. Her beautiful features were covered in frost-like chill. “What nonsense are you spouting again? Miss won’t be happy if she hears.”

Like a grim reaper appearing midway, Xun Changqing’s eyes chilled. With people waiting in the front hall, she didn’t want to watch them bicker and turned to leave. After a few steps, Wei Lingci’s deathly pale face flashed in her mind, so she asked, “Have you called a physician?”

Xian Yun held her sister, silent.

Xian Yu shook her head honestly. With the city under martial law, calling a doctor would be tantamount to telling the court: I’m the assassin!

These two obeyed Wei Lingci utterly—if she said no physician, there would be none. Xun Changqing nodded lightly and, after leaving Qingtang Pavilion, encountered the steward in the garden urging her to the front hall. As the Prince’s Mansion steward, quietly fetching a doctor shouldn’t be hard.

Gazing at the plum blossoms just budding in the garden, her ink-black eyes reflected pink flecks. Biting her lower lip, she softly instructed, “Steward, go fetch a physician. Fetch one openly, but make sure it’s someone you trust who will keep their mouth shut.”

“Has the County Princess been injured? Why didn’t you say so when the imperial physicians came this morning? How can folk doctors compare to them? Let this old servant fetch an imperial physician instead.” The steward grew anxious, inwardly annoyed that the young County Princess had waited until now.

“Yes, just a hidden ailment. It can’t be known to outsiders, especially not imperial physicians. Don’t worry, Steward—it’s not serious. Go fetch one first.” Xun Changqing brushed it off casually, then snapped off a branch laden with buds, sniffing its faint fragrance at her nose before striding toward the front hall.