Chapter 48: Scheming Part 2

Xun Changqing turned the teacup in her hands, tracing back to the source. All they knew of the Emperor’s death came from her previous life’s rumors in the Imperial Capital, spread from the palace—meaning Xun Yiran’s official announcement.

In this life, time still turned; it wouldn’t change just because of two reborn souls. So everything remained as in the previous life—someone had deceived them then.

The Emperor’s true death wasn’t in autumn. The deceiver was Xun Yiran!

Unhurried, Xun Changqing drained her tea and gazed at Wei Lingci’s face. Calmly, she said, “You mean Xun Yiran didn’t announce it to the world immediately after His Majesty’s death. He waited until the throne was his before publicizing it.”

Hiding his father’s death for personal gain was an outrage to gods and men alike.

Wei Lingci nodded in satisfaction. Her gaze had followed Xun Changqing closely—from anxiety to distress, then shock. Figuring it out in the time it took to drink a cup of tea wasn’t easy. She sat down and said, “The palace is now split in two, with the Wise Noble Consort confronting the Empress. Once His Majesty passes, this balance will shift with Xun Yiran’s ascension. At this moment, we must notify the Prince to return.”

“Coming back from his fief without an edict is a capital offense.”

“If he doesn’t return, it’ll be you, me, and the Wise Noble Consort who die.”

Military power had always been the greatest aid in imperial succession struggles. Besides the Imperial Guards in the Imperial Capital, no other troops could be deployed. But around the capital were 100,000 soldiers—Xun Yiran’s backing, unstoppable by the mere 20,000 Imperial Guards.

Xun Changqing’s gaze sharpened. The candle flame leaped, reflecting in her eyes, burning and struggling. A slender hand fell on her shoulder. Wei Lingci’s brows furrowed slightly, her expression turning solemn, her voice like ice water. “Changqing, decide this yourself. I’ll follow your lead.”

This time, she would follow her lead. Earlier that day, Xun Changqing had wondered when Wei Lingci would listen to her. In just two hours, her wish came true—but now she didn’t know what to do. Making a decision was too hard.

What Wei Lingci was certain of was simple, yet if her father returned and His Majesty still named Xun Yiran successor, it would be disaster. But His Majesty would only pass the throne to Xun Yiran anyway—how was this different from the previous life?

If her father returned, he could at most protect her—but it would drag down the entire Pingnan Prince’s Mansion and the Southwest army. She knew which was heavier; Wei Lingci did too.

“If Father returns, what changes? Would His Majesty pass the throne to Father?” As the words left her mouth, Xun Changqing shot to her feet. The gloom clouding her heart these days dispersed. The Wise Noble Consort had bet on the Pingnan Prince’s Mansion, daring to challenge the Empress because she wanted her father on the throne.

Xun Changqing paled in shock, but Wei Lingci remained calm. Her eyes, however, clouded with endless frost at those words. “Nothing is impossible in this world. Blame only the Empress controlling the Rear Palace and the Emperor’s scarce heirs. How the Fourth Prince is a fool—the Empress knows, the Wise Noble Consort knows, and His Majesty will soon know.”

With the Empress deposed for harming a prince, the Shao Family and Xun Yiran would lose patience and launch a palace coup. Then Xun Yi’s quiet return to the capital would be the final trump card. Everything they did now was just step by step forcing them into the abyss.

In an instant, Xun Changqing understood all the schemes. She stared fixedly at Wei Lingci’s pale, bloodless face, worry creasing her brow. “Why do you always hide things from me?”

Wei Lingci’s lips curved slightly. She released her grip on the table edge, her slender figure turning to face her. “You were too young; telling you was useless. Now that you’re grown, I’ll speak openly.”

Xun Changqing stepped closer, her brows fierce, dark eyes flashing cold. Her voice turned icy. “You’ve done all this—aren’t you afraid Father will burn the bridge after crossing?”

Wei Lingci smiled softly. “Everything was done by you; it has nothing to do with me!”

That breezy smile stung Xun Changqing’s eyes. She had no retort. She could no longer see the person before her clearly. The one who once ignored court affairs could now stir storms in the Imperial Capital with ease. In heart and strategy, no one surpassed Wei Lingci. And what did she scheme for?

This, Xun Changqing knew better than anyone!

Only her father ascending the throne could protect the Pingnan Prince’s Mansion and safeguard Xun Changqing.

So the letter summoning Xun Yi back could only be written by her. Xun Changqing glared viciously at her. All that talk of following her lead was nonsense—did she have a choice to refuse?

No!

Xun Changqing returned to her room to write the letter. Xian Yun happened to return. Entering, she noticed Miss staring toward the eastern room, a faint smile on her lips adding warmth to the serene scene.

“Miss, I’m back.”

The tail had returned. Wei Lingci’s smile froze as she slowly paced back to her bed. Casually, she said, “Was the road safe?”

“Very safe. Zi Jin followed the whole way. This servant entered the First Tower; the Little County Princess only spoke a few words with someone in a private room, stayed half a shichen, then left.”

Wei Lingci’s pursed lips curved slightly. She nodded and said, “I know. You must be tired; go rest.”

After Xian Yun left, the candle in the western room went out, and Clear Tang Courtyard fell briefly quiet again. Half a shichen later, a figure dashed from the eastern room into the western one.

Xun Changqing stood before Wei Lingci’s bed, holding an outer robe, her eyes shifting, expression solemn. “I have words for you.”

Wei Lingci had trouble sleeping anyway; now disturbed, she was even less able to. Glancing at the robe in her hands, she knew her little scheme. “Talk tomorrow. It’s almost midnight; time to rest.”

“Wei Lingci… then tomorrow,” her voice softened inexplicably. Xun Changqing hesitated half a moment before confessing, “Tonight, I’m staying here.”

Her scheme exposed itself. Wei Lingci, seeing her pitiful look, couldn’t bear to send her back and yielded the inner side of the bed. “Then behave. You have classes at the Imperial Academy tomorrow.”

Xun Changqing pouted unhappily. “No, I want the outside. I’ll block assassins for you.”

Wei Lingci shifted back. “Then leave.”

“Wei Lingci, you’re unreasonable.”

“Princess, return to your own room. Inner or outer, it’s all yours.”

“Fine, I’ll take the inside.”

She always ended up compromising. Xun Changqing sulkily kicked off her shoes and lay on the inner side, staring at the dark bed canopy, still indignant. “Wei Lingci, you still owe me a birthday gift.”

Few would shamelessly chase someone for a gift like this, but this Princess of Great Qi had no shame… Wei Lingci lay on the outer edge, hugging the bed’s side. Seeing the little rascal about to scoot closer, she quickly said, “What do you want?”