Chapter 48: Scheming Part 1

A single dance captivated the city. In the old days at the First Tower, it would certainly have caused a sensation throughout the Imperial Capital. But now, everyone feared the Right Chancellor, and few dared to come here.

The woman in red danced gracefully, her lotus sleeves fluttering like crimson clouds drifting on the high stage. Her waist was slender, swaying delicately as her toes pointed lightly, moving as ethereally as a fairy treading on waves from the myths, stepping through the clouds. Her red gown blazed with splendor, impossible to look away from.

Seeing Xun Changqing gaze at the high stage, Shao Lanheng smiled and said, “Does the Princess like her too?”

As his words fell, the dancer on stage finished her performance. The men below vied to bid for her. Disgust flashed in Xun Changqing’s eyes. No matter how beautiful a brothel girl was, she was just a tool for making money. Watching the red-clad beauty dance had inexplicably reminded her of Wei Lingci in white. Wei Lingci rarely wore red, but if she did, it would surely be a sight to behold. Red was probably something she would only wear on her wedding day.

It was just a minor interlude. The bidding below had already ended, and a middle-aged man rushed upstairs to the second floor with the beauty in his arms. Xun Changqing tapped her fingertip against the side of her cup and asked, “Who is that man? A merchant? He’s quite bold. Tomorrow, rumors will spread through the streets and alleys.”

Shao Lanheng glanced over and recognized the man at once. His expression hesitated, and Xun Changqing said directly, “You know him? Or is he some high official in the capital?”

Xun Changqing had investigated every official in the Imperial Capital, with the Six Ministries checked most thoroughly. She recognized the man, and Shao Lanheng knew him even better. But she had to pretend ignorance—after all, in front of Shao Lanheng, she was just a Princess who didn’t meddle in affairs.

“That’s the legitimate eldest son of the Minister of Punishments. We’ve met before, so I know him!”

The boss’s son coming to a brothel naturally required keeping one’s mouth shut. Xun Changqing wasn’t annoyed and simply said, “The Ministry of Punishments handles Great Qi’s laws, so they should have money. Today in Containment Origin Hall, the tribute horse matter implicated three Ministries—it’s a serious issue. If you want to claim credit, it won’t be easy. Don’t get yourself entangled. Also, it seems your father knows something about this. You might end up opposing him.”

Among the Six Ministries, only the Ministry of Punishments and the Ministry of Revenue opposed Shao Cheng. The other four were the Second Imperial Prince’s people. Of the three Ministries implicated in this matter, only the Ministry of Rites followed Shao Cheng—that was why Shao Lanheng had entered the Ministry of Punishments, where his father had no control.

With the Minister of Punishments’ son visiting the First Tower for pleasure, Shao Cheng could do nothing but harbor some resentment.

Shao Lanheng accepted the well-intentioned reminder. Seeing her teacup empty, he refilled it for her and smiled. “If there’s any wind of this matter, I’d appreciate the Princess informing me.”

“Shao Gongzi, are you really going against your father?”

Xun Changqing’s words puzzled Shao Lanheng a bit, but he wasn’t surprised. No one knew what had happened in Containment Origin Hall today, but this Princess might have pieced together clues from rumors. He smiled and said, “The Princess is mistaken. We eat the Emperor’s salary and share his worries—how could that be opposing my father?”

Such grandiose words came out without a blush. Xun Changqing lowered her gaze to hide the disgust in her eyes. “That’s true. After all, Great Qi is the Xun family’s domain. Princes who break the law are no different from commoners. It’s late; I should head back.”

Shao Lanheng gave her a deep look. The girl’s face was calm, her features exquisite. Recalling something, he suddenly said, “The Princess is fourteen this year. Next year, you’ll come of age. Have marriage prospects been discussed?”

She and Shao Lanheng were merely using each other; he wouldn’t casually bring up her lifelong affairs. Her gaze froze instantly. She turned back slowly, staring straight at Shao Lanheng’s fawning face, her tone laced with chilling cold. “Is the Right Chancellor planning to resolve my marriage matters?”

Seeing her face darken and her tone turn icy, Shao Lanheng knew he had hit a nerve. He quickly said, “My wife overheard it from my mother. It was the Empress who had this idea.”

Xun Changqing’s face stiffened, her lips pressed into a tight line as she suppressed her anger. Coldly, she said, “I know how to handle this. If you need money, tell Zi Jin.”

The first floor remained lively. The new dancer wasn’t as stunning as the red-clad courtesan, but men still scrambled to claim her. Xun Changqing glanced around but saw no familiar faces, so she left in a hurry.

……………………………………………………

Back at the mansion, Xian Yu waited at the gate. She approached and whispered, “Little County Princess, Miss asks you to come over.”

Wei Lingci rarely summoned her with such fanfare; it was probably trouble in the palace. Xun Changqing pulled Xian Yu along as they walked back, asking, “Did a message come from the palace?”

“It was from the Wise Noble Consort. She said His Majesty vomited blood today. After summoning the imperial physicians, they said His Majesty doesn’t have much time left.”

Xun Changqing’s steps faltered. She remembered His Majesty dying in autumn, over half a year later when Xun Yiran’s throne was somewhat stable, and he began curtailing the feudatories, dragging her back to the Imperial Capital. By her calculations, there were still half a year left—it couldn’t be this soon.

A row of lanterns lit the corridor of Clear Tang Courtyard. Wei Lingci stood quietly under the eaves; she must have waited a long time. Tonight’s sky was dim with faint stars, the first month’s night still carrying a chill.

They entered the room and dismissed the maids. Xun Changqing spoke first. “Is the information wrong? His Majesty shouldn’t be failing this quickly.”

Compared to Xun Changqing’s anxiety, Wei Lingci seemed calm. She poured a cup of tea and handed it to Xun Changqing, her gaze sharp as she countered, “The Wise Noble Consort’s words are correct. Changqing, where do you think the problem lies?”

The Wise Noble Consort was certainly right—it was just that the two lifetimes differed, and time had changed. Xun Changqing took a gentle sip, suppressing her racing heart, and ventured, “So time has changed? His Majesty was stimulated by today’s events?”

Wei Lingci’s eyes dimmed as she shook her head slightly. Xun Changqing had answered wrong.

Wei Lingci was like a thousand-year-old fox—knowing exactly where the mistake was but unwilling to tell her. She just wanted to test if Xun Changqing had improved over the years. Failing to guess would only disappoint her.