Chapter 51: Eavesdropping Part 1

No matter how much Xun Changqing objected, Wei Lingci still went to the First Tower with Mu Chen. Before leaving, she did not forget to tell her to ask the steward for silver. Xun Changqing pouted but still did as instructed.

The two leisurely departed, leaving her alone in the Prince’s Mansion, feeling utterly lonely and desolate.

After Zi Jin delivered the person to the Yuan Mansion, she never expected Yuan Qingming to personally pay a visit—and in a rather unfriendly manner. He avoided the numerous guards in the mansion and directly flipped over the wall into the Prince’s Mansion.

In terms of martial prowess, no one could match him. However, as the commander of the Imperial Guards, treating the mansion’s guards like air was rather peculiar. The cold smile on his face scared away the maids, and the steward had no choice but to withdraw.

In the flower hall, only he and Xun Changqing remained.

A trace of cold laughter hung at the corner of Yuan Qingming’s mouth. Ignoring the tea on the table beside him, he arrogantly said, “What does it mean that the Princess sent the person to my mansion? Could it be that the Ministry of Justice Prison is insufficient to hold that individual?”

His words were cold and arrogant, diving straight to the point. Yuan Qingming’s personality was straightforward as always. Xun Changqing fiddled with the tea lid on the table, her tone casual. “The Ministry of Justice Prison can hold anyone, but it cannot hold that person. How would I know if I sent them in through the front door only for them to ‘hang themselves’ out the back, committing suicide out of guilt? I kindly captured them, but what if someone later turns around and bites me? Wouldn’t I be at a loss?”

Yuan Qingming was at a loss for words. His two thick, rigid eyebrows furrowed as he said, “Why not send the person directly to His Majesty? Why borrow my hand and make me the villain for nothing?”

His tone carried sarcasm. Yuan Qingming did not want to get involved, and Xun Changqing understood that. But aside from him, there was no suitable candidate. She slowly said, “I am the villain here. If I sent them directly to His Majesty, with the Pingnan Prince’s Mansion and the Shao Family at odds like fire and water, my intervention would change the implications entirely. The Ministry of Punishments cannot hold them, the Pingnan Prince’s Mansion cannot receive them—only the upright and straightforward Yuan Commander can take on this task.”

“And,” she paused, her gaze flickering a few times. Yuan Qingming’s thoughts had already been led astray by her. A loyal minister would not let such a matter dissolve into obscurity like mud. She continued, “Heading south from Border City leads to Ji Province. What capability does the governor of Ji Province have to commit such a heaven-defying act? We both know who’s behind it, but His Majesty does not, nor do the common people. Yuan Commander, if you present the person to His Majesty now, Changqing believes it would turn a major issue into a minor one, and a minor one into nothing—no significant outcome.”

Yuan Qingming grew somewhat irritated. Ignoring the matter went against his conscience. As a subject, serving the monarch loyally was paramount. He paced back and forth, unsure of what medicine Xun Changqing was selling in her gourd. He pressed his tone. “Then what do you want me to do?”

Xun Changqing smiled lazily. “Very simple: bypass the three ministries and deliver all the evidence directly to His Majesty. With ironclad proof before him, there’s no escaping guilt.”

Yuan Qingming looked at her with slight puzzlement. “How to investigate?”

The girl in the seat of honor suddenly had eyes that deepened profoundly, dark as the night sky beneath a black veil, with occasional glimmers like dim stars in her gaze. “Of course, go to Ji Province to investigate. I’ve already sent Yuan Man to look into it, and results will come soon. Send someone you trust to investigate—you’ll have peace of mind that way.”

All paths were paved. Yuan Qingming seemed to grasp it. His Majesty’s health was deteriorating daily, making the struggle for the throne ever more urgent. Though the Second Imperial Prince had not been named Crown Prince, no one could rival him anymore. The Shao Family’s influence in the court ran deep, already arousing His Majesty’s suspicions. This matter could shake their foundations.

But if he mishandled it, not only would it fail to topple the Shao Family, it would implicate him instead—hardly worth the cost.

Xun Changqing sensed his concerns. She said indifferently, “Whether to act is entirely up to Yuan Commander. Sister Aman has guarded Border City for so long; on the battlefield, your heart must worry greatly. But after this matter concludes, there will be changes among the garrison commanders everywhere. Sister Aman can be transferred to Ji Province, and the Border City command can be taken over by someone from the Pingnan Prince’s Mansion.”

Xun Yi’s subordinates were full of fierce generals—a fact Yuan Qingming had long heard. Border City was a vital pass between two nations, but it currently held only tens of thousands of troops. Its defense was crucial. Given the borderlands’ actions in recent years, war could erupt there at any moment. He knew Yuan Man’s capabilities well as her father.

Back then, with no one available, His Majesty had appointed Yuan Man. But transferring an officer from Xun Yi’s command would reassure His Majesty even more than her. This suggestion had been raised before but immediately opposed by the Shao faction. Now, with the Shao Family’s influence waning and his mediation, it could succeed in one stroke.

He nodded in agreement, allowing Xun Changqing to breathe a sigh of relief. She had played the family card; otherwise, Yuan Qingming would not have agreed.

She cautioned, “Uncle Yuan, you must be exceedingly careful with this. If the Shao Family discovers it, things will only grow more troublesome. And when acting outside, your intentions are His Majesty’s intentions, right?”

The sudden shift to an old form of address made Yuan Qingming subtly appraise the girl before him, who smiled like a painting. In just a few months back in the Imperial Capital, she seemed like a different person. His expression stiffened slightly in surprise. He probed suspiciously, “The Princess has schemed so much—does the Prince know?”

“Father does not know. First, I hope that after this matter ends, Uncle Yuan can return my two prized horses—they were Master’s beloved possessions. Second, I miss Sister Aman greatly and hope she can be transferred back to the Imperial Capital.” Xun Changqing’s eyes grew moist, gazing sincerely at Yuan Qingming. Paired with her lively, spirited peach-blossom eyes, it truly convinced him of her girlish sentiments.