Chapter 40: True Heart Part 2

She placed the hairpin on the low table and lounged sideways on the bed, staring at the ceiling. In truth, things were already much better than in her previous life. And Wei Lingci was different now. From all she had done, it was clear her feelings weren’t cold. Perhaps the events of their past life had changed her temperament.

With these thoughts, she lay on the couch feeling quite comfortable, her mind at ease, and drifted off to sleep in a haze.

Xun Changqing had been back in the capital only two days, yet she had already stirred up a storm of blood and gore. Some pitied her for being alone in the Imperial Capital, treated as a pawn by various factions. Others dismissed it, saying the Pingnan Prince’s Mansion’s achievements had grown too lofty and needed curbing.

But no matter their thoughts, no one dared step through the Pingnan Prince’s Mansion gates—except one person: Zhao Yang, son of the Junior Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial Zhao Zheng and disciple of Wang Pingjun from Lingyun Mountain.

He arrived claiming to be Princess Xiang’an’s senior brother, without mentioning his father’s name. The steward Yuyin courteously invited him to the front hall, served tea, and attended to him warmly.

After leaving the front hall, the steward sent someone to fetch Xun Changqing. But she slept soundly, and the maids dared not disturb her, so they waited for Zi Jin’s return.

Zi Jin had gone to the storeroom to retrieve a map and deliver it to Wei Lingci. Upon her return, she saw several maids hovering at the door, peering inside. When they saw her, they crowded around.

“Sister Zi Jin, a guest has come to see the County Princess outside, but she’s asleep. We servants didn’t dare wake her. Should we turn the front hall guest away?”

Zi Jin paused, knowing these maids were unsure of Xun Changqing’s temperament and hesitant to call her—a common occurrence. Who would visit right after her return? “Do you know who it is?”

“The steward said the visitor claims to be the princess’s senior brother. Likely an old acquaintance, so he sent someone to summon her.”

The only one who could call himself Xun Changqing’s senior brother and was in the capital was undoubtedly Zhao Yang.

Zi Jin nodded and pushed the door open herself to wake her. Inside, she spotted the hairpin on the low table. Glancing at the bed, Xun Changqing lay sideways, her entire body exposed, the quilt kicked to the inner side. Fortunately, the room had a brazier burning; otherwise, she would catch a cold.

She approached. Unable to reach the quilt, she called out first. “County Princess, Zhao Yang is here, waiting in the front hall. Shall we see him or not?”

“He’s here so early? I thought he’d come tomorrow at the soonest. Of course we see him. Have him wait; I’ll change clothes.” Xun Changqing sat up, hugging the inner quilt to her chest, her mind clearing. Suddenly, she added, “Zi Jin, help me find out where Shao Lanheng is.”

Zi Jin stood by the bed, taking in Xun Changqing’s every movement and expression, unsure of her intent. She pressed, “What do you want with his whereabouts?”

Xun Changqing tossed the quilt back inside and eyed her wrinkled sleep clothes. “They say he’s elegant like an orchid or jade tree—handsome and virtuous, no doubt. I’d like to meet him. Who knows, it might introduce me to more talents in the capital.”

Seeing her state, Zi Jin knew she needed to change and ordered someone to relay the message. She returned to fetch fresh clothes. “Shao Lanheng has talent, true, but he’s the Shao Family’s illegitimate eldest son. How can you associate with him?”

Xun Changqing took the clothes and flashed a sly smile, turning to her. “Just making friends—why discriminate by family name?”

Zi Jin understood she had her own plans. Seeing her remove her outer robe, Zi Jin felt uneasy—contacting the Shao Family now was unwise. She suggested, “Why not discuss it with Miss Wei first?”

“Why consult her?” Xun Changqing looked up suspiciously. “Sister Zi Jin, why do you put her first in everything?”

Xun Changqing was unaware of the secret agreement between Zi Jin and Wei Lingci on Lingyun Mountain; Zi Jin had never told her. Now that she mentioned it, it was time to explain. “Actually, I knew about the Princess Consort’s disappearance early on. I wanted to tell you and take you away from Lingyun Mountain. But Miss Wei received the news at the same time and stopped me that night, saying it wasn’t suitable to inform you or take you away.”

She paused, glancing at Xun Changqing’s expression—no change. Then she continued, “She said if I took you, it would alert the enemy prematurely. Both Lingyun Mountain and the court would send people to block us; I likely couldn’t even reach the Southwest. So I kept it hidden until Commander Yuan came to summon you back to the capital. When Miss Wei saw it couldn’t be concealed anymore, she told you the truth.”

In that situation, her departure would have been an admission of guilt, implicating the entire Prince’s Mansion. After all, she carried half the borderlands’ blood. Wei Lingci’s considerations were sound; back then, Zi Jin had been fixated on the Princess Consort and would have ignored all obstacles to search for her first.

After changing, Xun Changqing checked herself in the mirror and felt it odd. Zhao Yang thought she was a boy; appearing in women’s clothes would startle him. Staring at the jade hairpin in Zi Jin’s hand, she suddenly remembered something. The mansion had two side consorts—why hadn’t she seen them since returning? And her two married sisters hadn’t visited either. Had relations been severed?

She needed to ask the steward about that. After pondering, she switched to men’s clothes instead, tied up her long black hair, and strolled out. Standing under the corridor, she glanced toward the western rooms, and her mood brightened considerably.

Zi Jin wasn’t as relaxed. Still mulling over her earlier words, she timidly caught up. “County Princess, you’re not angry?”

“Why would I be? Wei Lingci hid so many things from me. If I got mad, I’d have exploded long ago. I’m not that petty.”

The girl who usually sulked and fumed was so magnanimous today—what had happened? Zi Jin paused, bewildered. But if Xun Changqing didn’t mind, it was fine. These days, she had gradually come to realize that Wei Lingci’s feelings for the young County Princess were sincere.