Chapter 4: Rejection Part 1

The child before him became even more interesting.

Since the Lingyun Sect Leader had come to celebrate the emperor’s birthday, he naturally thought of taking a disciple. However, many years ago, he had accepted his final disciple, Wei Lingci, and would not take another. Although the child before him was clever, he was too young. Making him a disciple to his young apprentice Wei Lingci would still be quite good.

The emperor never interfered in matters of Lingyun Mountain. Royal descendants entering Lingyun would only deepen the ties between the court and the martial world. He sat high on his throne, quietly sipping a cup of fine wine, with no intention of interjecting. But the empress beside him grew anxious. The Lingyun Sect held great power in the martial world, and its leader commanded an entire sect. If the two formed a connection, it would likely bolster the power of the Pingnan Prince’s Mansion even further.

At that moment, she smiled faintly. “Changqing, don’t be rude. You’re still too young; it might not be suitable for you to take the sect leader as your master.”

Xun Changqing had made up her mind, so how could she give up? She ignored the empress’s words, lifted her head to look at the sect leader, her eyes clear with a faint sheen of moisture. In a soft, glutinous voice, she asked him, “Why not? If we both wish it, how could it be impossible?”

The sect leader listened to the child’s earnest question and couldn’t help but stroke his beard again, greatly satisfied. Such a young child was neither arrogant nor impetuous—clever yet with a subtle steadiness. He laughed. “Several years ago, I announced to the world that I would take no more disciples. However, my young apprentice Wei Lingci is skilled in martial arts and well-versed in literature. Little one, would you be willing?”

Her previously moist eyes suddenly sharpened. Wei Lingci again—she had almost forgotten that in her previous life, it was this sect leader who insisted she join Lingyun. This old fellow was merely eyeing the power of the Pingnan Prince’s Mansion.

With that thought, she shrank back into the Princess Consort’s embrace and shook her head. “No, I don’t know her. Besides you, I don’t want anyone else.”

This was exactly what the empress hoped for. She let out a slight sigh of relief and quickly smiled in agreement. “The child is young and probably doesn’t want to leave her mother. Sect Leader, why don’t you take your seat first? We can discuss this later.”

Across from them, the Second Imperial Prince Xun Yiran kept his gaze fixed tightly on the Lingyun Sect Leader, gripping his wine cup so hard that his knuckles whitened, dark clouds brewing in his eyes. His desire to marry Wei Lingci was no secret within the Lingyun Sect. Damn it—Wei Lingci hadn’t shown up today. Was she deliberately avoiding him?

During the banquet, the Pingnan Prince’s Consort said not a word, her demeanor as reserved as always, and the emperor was accustomed to it. He had ordered her to bring Xun Changqing to the banquet today; the children of the Pingnan Prince’s household couldn’t hide in the mansion forever.

Back then, the marriage alliance with the Borderlands princess had been proposed by the Borderlands themselves. Considering that the Pingnan Prince’s Mansion lacked a mistress, he had arranged for the princess to enter the household. Fortunately, Princess Ana Yanran proved very compliant, treating Xun Yi with mutual respect. Her personality was somewhat subdued, but after having a child, she had become more willing to venture out in recent years. For some reason, though, she always kept the child confined in the mansion, so much so that the world nearly forgot Xun Changqing even existed.

The emperor set down his wine cup and beckoned Xun Changqing with a smile. She climbed up the jade steps to approach him. Looking at the golden crown on her head, he found it increasingly amusing. Her features were refined and handsome; even a girl dressed as a boy looked striking. He teased, “Changqing, it’s been a few months since I last saw you, and you seem unchanged—even your height. Your father and mother are both tall, yet it skipped you. Could it be that your father picked you up from outside?”

The words weren’t particularly funny, but coming from the majestic emperor, they carried an extra layer of humor. The assembled ministers all laughed at Xun Changqing.

Xun Changqing was used to it. She turned sideways, lowering her eyes to glance at her mother. The latter smiled gently, and she relaxed. Looking at the emperor, she said, “Uncle Emperor, you and Second Brother are both bullying Changqing. Last time, Second Brother said I’d gained weight again.” She leaned closer to the imperial throne and whispered, “He said no one would dare marry me.”

The latter half was spoken so softly that even the empress nearby couldn’t hear clearly. But the emperor laughed, patted Changqing’s head, his expression kindly and benevolent. No one knew what the old and young discussed amid the ministers’ continued toasting and laughter.