Xun Changqing set down her chopsticks, her eyes losing their laziness as she spoke earnestly. “Her chip is the same as the Third Prince’s was back then, but now bolstered by His Majesty’s guilt. Even more, it’s the Emperor at her bedside. I’ve heard His Majesty has frequented Radiant Benevolence Palace lately. If she can relay his thoughts in time, that’s valuable. But I’m more curious—does she hold military power? Gu Liang Gan resigned long ago; what does she have to rival the Empress?”
Wei Lingci smiled. “Military power wouldn’t benefit you anyway. With Yuan Qingming in the capital, any amount is futile. Figuring out His Majesty’s mind is what we can’t grasp. As long as Yuan Qingming lives, the Empress’s plot to force the palace won’t succeed—unless His Majesty issues an edict naming Xun Yiran heir.”
“But among the princes, only Xun Yiran has the ability to inherit. Would His Majesty give the throne to someone else?” Xun Changqing grew despondent, frowning and biting her lip. After a moment’s thought, her eyes sparkled. She smiled. “Master, in the previous life, how did he obtain it? Did His Majesty issue an imperial edict naming him emperor?”
The question stumped Wei Lingci. In her previous life, like Xun Changqing, she hadn’t delved deeply into court affairs. Only after Xun Changqing’s capture did she investigate. Before smothering Xun Yiran to death, she had goaded him with words, and he hadn’t denied it—so he must have ordered Yuan Qingming’s death.
But Yuan Qingming, a martial arts master, wouldn’t die easily unless his weakness was exploited—and that weakness was Yuan Man. At the time, Yuan Man had vanished, leaving him desperate and susceptible to Xun Yiran’s trap. It made sense.
After a brief hesitation, she shook her head. “I don’t know. But as long as Yuan Qingming lives, Xun Yiran won’t take risks. We can rest easy on that. What I need to think about now is how to change His Majesty’s mind.”
“Isn’t the Wise Noble Consort thinking too simply? The Empress and Xun Yiran are one entity—harming one harms both. If she only wanted the Empress, there are plenty of ways in the Rear Palace. Why seek you? Unless she targets Xun Yiran too, but she can’t pass His Majesty on that. Would the heir fall to the Fourth Prince? He’s an imbecile; His Majesty wouldn’t be foolish enough to give him the realm.”
Wei Lingci paused, studying her for a moment. Suddenly, she recalled that in the previous life, when Xun Yi seized power, Xun Changqing was already gone. A dull pain struck her heart. Her smile faded as she sat silently for a while before saying, “You’re overthinking. She only wants the Empress. Who becomes emperor doesn’t concern her. Destroying the Shao Family and the Empress—that’s her aim.” To convince her, she added, “Women deep in the palace have limited views, unlike those outside. It’s normal.”
“Master, why do I feel like you’re lying?” Xun Changqing dragged her stool closer and sat beside her, staring straight into her eyes. She poked at Wei Lingci’s unpainted brows and tilted her head. “This is how you look when you lie. And why did the Wise Noble Consort approach you instead of me? I’m from Pingnan Prince’s Mansion; you’re just a guest. Why seek the distant over the near? Why choose you?”
A fair, tender hand waved before her eyes, making Wei Lingci dizzy. She hadn’t slept well the night before because of her. She swatted away the unruly hand and, seeing Xun Changqing’s rare innocent and tender expression, couldn’t help smiling. She grasped her fingers and tapped the back of her hand. “Xun Changqing, if you don’t eat, you won’t grow tall. Your fingers are so short. Probably the Wise Noble Consort thinks you’re too young and doesn’t want to discuss serious matters with a child, so she came to me.”
A thirteen-year-old wasn’t a child. Wei Lingci’s fingers were slender, giving her an advantage in comparison. Xun Changqing indignantly withdrew her hand and gulped down some white porridge from the bowl on the table. Her face still reddened. “I haven’t grown up yet. You’re comparing with me and not ashamed?”
Wei Lingci’s clear eyes seemed to pierce her thoughts. “I said you were small, and you disagreed. Now you say you haven’t grown up. Contradicting yourself—you picked up a stone only to drop it on your own foot.”
“I’m not small! In a dozen months, I’ll reach coming-of-age!”
Her face flushed deeper. Meeting Wei Lingci’s amused smile, she glared and huffed, “You just love deceiving me—last life, this life too. You never tell the truth, treating me like a child. You’re so annoying.” Her gaze fell on Wei Lingci’s hands resting on her lap.
Her peach-blossom eyes blinked appropriately. Just as she reached out, Wei Lingci tucked her hands behind her back and tapped Xun Changqing’s slightly puffed cheek. “Wanting to bite? You bit when you were little before. Now you claim to be grown, yet still want to bite.”
