She had also assessed the situation. Being with Wei Lingci would bring hardships—gossip from outsiders meant little to either, but parental decree was the real hurdle. If Wei Xiaoruo learned of it, she’d want to beat her to death. As for her father Xun Yi, Xun Changqing had never truly interacted with him in either life; she had no idea of his temperament.
In love, the first to invest lost ground. Xun Changqing didn’t know who fell first between them, but Wei Lingci had given much. On the surface, Wei Lingci seemed the loser, but Xun Changqing felt she herself had lost more—why?
Because of Wei Lingci’s hot-and-cold attitude!
She leaned closer, resting her head on Wei Lingci’s shoulder, tilting her head as usual. Cautiously, she asked, “You’ve been avoiding me lately, haven’t you? Because of that day?”
The courtyard was empty; no one would nitpick her unladylike posture. Seeing Xun Changqing grow ever more unrestrained, Wei Lingci rose first and returned to the room. Xun Changqing followed hurriedly. “Someone invited me to First Tower.”
First Tower had been sealed last year but reopened after Shao Tang’s death. Due to Right Chancellor Shao Cheng, few officials dared patronize it openly anymore, and business had plummeted. Recently, word spread of a new flower queen—voluptuous figure, otherworldly beauty, sweet voice—a perfect beauty in every way.
Once inside, Wei Lingci sat at the table, casually flipping through intelligence reports delivered from outside. Over the years, she had painstakingly inserted her people into every corner of the Imperial Capital; all major and minor events passed her eyes. Yet she felt it wasn’t enough—she couldn’t infiltrate Shao Mansion.
The palace’s music bureau had Hanri, the Rear Palace had Wise Noble Consort, but Shao Mansion’s movements remained a black box. That was why she allowed Xun Changqing to associate with Shao Lanheng—to fill her gaps.
She said nothing. Xun Changqing slumped listlessly over the table, glancing at her sidelong. “If you’re angry, I won’t go. He probably wants in on the tribute matter. I figured we shouldn’t intervene, but as the new junior official in the Ministry of Punishments, he wants to make his mark.”
Still silent—truly angry, then. Xun Changqing slowly scooted her stool closer, placing her ten fingers over the letter in Wei Lingci’s view. “If you’re angry, just say something. Then I’ll know what’s on your mind. And… well… it’s just…”
She hemmed and hawed without finishing. Wei Lingci glanced indifferently, catching the panic in her eyes. She vaguely understood: Xun Changqing was emotionally fragile, dependent on her across two lives—just like before. Perhaps such experiences bred that.
Her expression unchanged, she asked, “Just what?”
Xun Changqing was half a head shorter, so even sitting together, she was lower. She scooted closer, her hands growing restless. Xian Yun and Xian Yu weren’t around to tease her anyway.
Her hands encircled Wei Lingci’s slender waist, toying with the jade pendant at it. With soft fragrance in her arms, Xun Changqing whispered huskily, “If you don’t like me kissing you, I won’t touch you anymore. Next time, I’ll just sit properly.”
Her breathing grew heavy, forcing Wei Lingci to look squarely at this so-called “proper” posture. Self-deceptive words. After two months wandering outside, this girl had learned to lie. Wei Lingci wondered if she should force her to attend the Imperial Academy daily from tomorrow, away from those young lords’ “amusements,” or she’d turn into a little con artist in a few months.
The person inches away grew even less proper. Wei Lingci reached out and pinched her earlobe, rubbing it. “Where’s the propriety? What does going to First Tower have to do with me?”
Caught off-guard, Xun Changqing shielded her ear and released her hold, sitting up straight-backed. She grumbled, “Why wouldn’t it? If you’re angry or don’t like it, I just won’t go.”
Perhaps her explanation lacked clarity, but the gist was: I care about your feelings because I like you.
The words didn’t land right; Wei Lingci didn’t quite grasp it. She tidied the books on the table. “Go if you want. Why ask me? You’re a princess now, not some disciple from Lingyun Mountain back then. Just know your limits—I won’t interfere.”
The words sounded odd, leaving Xun Changqing unable to read her thoughts. Frustrated, she scratched her hair and pressed, “What do you mean? Should I go or not?”
Wei Lingci felt helpless. Moments ago shamelessly hugging her, now she couldn’t even understand plain speech. She set the book down. “I mean, go if you want!”
“Oh, then I’ll go.” Xun Changqing agreed, eyeing the silent figure with her head bowed. She placed her hands properly on the table, keeping distance from Wei Lingci. Thinking of certain things, her mood sank. “Yesterday was my birthday. Did you forget to give me a gift?”
“The longevity noodles you ate yesterday were my birthday gift to you.”
“You… you’re just brushing me off like that? So stingy—not even spending a single tael of silver.”
“His Majesty already showered you with gold, silver, and jewels. What more do you lack?”
With that, a gust of wind swept by, scattering the letters on the table. The room turned as cold as a winter snowfall. By the time Wei Lingci looked up, Xun Changqing was gone. She picked up the fallen papers and called to Xian Yun outside the door. “Follow Changqing. Remember: don’t reveal yourself unless there’s danger.”
………………………………………………
First Tower was a brothel where men came to frolic with girls, but it also served as a front for discreet dealings. Shao Lanheng was there for the latter. After Shao Tang’s death, his career sailed smoothly. He greased palms with silver to enter the Ministry of Punishments.
As a bastard son, he lacked ready funds to buy loyalty. Then he encountered Xun Changqing, freshly returned to the capital. Pingnan Prince’s Mansion’s wealth rivaled all of Shao Mansion. He latched onto this tree, exploited her, and obtained the silver.
In his eyes, Xun Changqing was just a naive half-grown girl, ignorant of the world. Using her meant nothing; she wouldn’t demand repayment later.
Stationed in the Ministry of Punishments, he heard nothing from his father about the tribute smuggling. Palace gossip said Princess Xiang’an had been present, so he used First Tower to lure her out and probe for information.
The aging Minister of Punishments would soon retire; his successor would come from the vice ministers. The vacant vice minister post was Shao Lanheng’s target.
First Tower, a captivating red pavilion, hosted few guests that night—not even a tenth of its peak business. The opulent furnishings remained: soaring dragon-carved beams. Yet now it felt like a silent, eerie valley.
A maidservant gently parted the crimson gauze curtains. With a clack of bamboo clappers, a woman in vibrant red emerged from within. Her jade feet gleamed, her steps graceful. The red silk chiffon skirt fluttered like clouds in the breeze. Her entrance drew cheers from the men present.
On the second-floor balcony, dressed in male attire, Xun Changqing propped her chin, watching the red-veiled woman on the first-floor stage. Seeing her genuine interest, Shao Lanheng beside her fell silent, letting her watch closely.
Men loved dancers for the women; women loved the stunning dance itself.
