Chapter 51: Eavesdropping Part 2

Even if Yuan Man were transferred, returning to the Imperial Capital in the short term was impossible—a notion only a naive young girl would entertain. He did not move, instead picking up the tea before him and draining it in one gulp. Unexpectedly, Xun Changqing suddenly said, “Uncle Yuan, the tea in the Pingnan Prince’s Mansion has no poison, but that doesn’t mean tea outside doesn’t. These years, the palace’s dirty tricks have started spreading beyond its walls.”

The words carried double meaning, startling Yuan Qingming into immediately setting down his cup. Unsure whether to swallow or spit the tea in his mouth, he hesitated a moment before swallowing. The little girl before him had actually reminded him to watch his diet—truly amusing. He bowed deeply in thanks. “Yuan thanks the Princess for the reminder. If there is progress, please send word to Yuan. Thanks again.”

The Xun Changqing before him seemed both innocent and eerie, impossible to fathom. Layers of mist shrouded her, obscuring her from view. The imperial family lacked no ruthless schemers, but this silent layout was something he had never witnessed.

He strode swiftly out of the Prince’s Mansion. He needed to extract information from the captive first, then plan accordingly.

After Yuan Qingming left, Zi Jin entered from outside, her face filled with worry and no trace of joy. Gazing at Xun Changqing, she said anxiously, “Do you think you’ve convinced Yuan Commander? What if he goes back on it and tells His Majesty directly?”

Xun Changqing smiled confidently at the corner of her mouth. “No. Zi Jin, what do you think loyal ministers hate most?”

“Probably people stirring up trouble?”

“Not necessarily. The Yuan Family fears not that. What Yuan Qingming fears is oppression by the powerful.” Xun Changqing smiled coldly. The Shao Family wielded noble power, dominating the court. Even Yuan Qingming dared not offend them. But the Shao Family had suppressed the Yuans for more than a day. Yuan Qingming had repeatedly sought to recall Yuan Man or transfer her elsewhere, only to be blocked by Shao Cheng’s faction.

The Shao Family not only stirred trouble but, more fatally, engaged in corruption… Yuan Qingming prided himself on being an incorruptible official like clear water. Under these factors, his dissatisfaction with the Shao Family had built—everyone wanted to eliminate such people.

And Xun Changqing was merely the east wind that set the Yuan Family’s ship sailing.

Zi Jin softly acknowledged it with a hum. Turning her head, she saw Xun Changqing’s spirits wilted, half her body slumped over the table, listless and limp. Her head tilted, half-lidded eyes staring at the door. Zi Jin stepped forward, touched Xun Changqing’s forehead, and worried, “Are you unwell somewhere? Why so listless? Shall this subordinate fetch a physician?”

Little did she know, this was Xun Changqing’s heartache. The moon had risen high, yet Wei Lingci still had not returned. That time she went to the First Tower, she stayed only half an hour. Wei Lingci had been gone two hours—truly unfair.

Gazing at the pitch-black night outside, she rose lazily, yawned, her mind turning a few times. Her eyes curved as she instructed Zi Jin, “Go change clothes. We’re going to the First Tower too.”

Zi Jin saw her feet already stepping out and hurriedly called, “Mistress, Miss Wei forbade you from going out.”

Xun Changqing’s muffled voice came from outside. “She can go, so naturally I can too. Stop nagging—hurry and change.”

…………………………………………………………………….

That evening, the remote streets of the Imperial Capital bustled more than by day. Zi Jin had the carriage stop outside the First Tower, then entered with Xun Changqing.

Still the fiery red lanterns. On the high stage, dancers twirled, accompanied by pipa music nearby. The guests below outnumbered the last visit, with wine cups and feasts everywhere, lively beyond measure. Clearly, the red-clad woman’s dance had drawn many young masters.

A casual glance yielded no sight of Wei Lingci. Zi Jin pulled her to the second floor. Pushing open a door, they saw Wei Lingci sitting alone, sipping tea. Her fair, flawless fingers covered her pink lips, signaling them to stay silent.

She was eavesdropping!

Xun Changqing gently closed the door and tiptoed to sit beside her. Seeing her in male attire, with porcelain skin on a melon-seed face, her enchanting black hair tied up today, eyebrows like willow leaves framing eyes dark as gems—like a pool of lake water, flowing with light when focused.

Tonight, she exuded an extra charm compared to daytime. No matter how one looked, she was captivating, impossible to look away from. Those eyes were too alluring. Xun Changqing’s heart stirred; she wanted to cover them so no one else could see. Raising both hands, she covered Wei Lingci’s eyes and made an excuse. “Now I can’t hear anything.”

The little rascal drew closer. Helpless, Wei Lingci let her cover her eyes. Warm breath tickled her ear—she was up to mischief again. Wei Lingci leaned back slightly to evade, focusing on the sounds next door, unwilling to miss a word.

Her nose still caught the faint peach blossom scent—no powder, no wine. Xun Changqing was delighted, eyes half-squinted in a smile. Growing bolder, she lightly pecked Wei Lingci’s ear as recompense for abandoning her.

Wei Lingci’s kissed earlobe reddened slightly, the pink hue even lovelier beneath her black hair. Xun Changqing stared for a moment, tilted her head, and found Wei Lingci ignoring her entirely, still seriously “eavesdropping.”

Did eavesdropping require such skill? Wei Lingci listened intently, while she heard not even a mosquito’s hum. Wanting to disrupt but fearing to ruin the matter, she grudgingly withdrew her hands. Wei Lingci smiled at her and pointed to the wall, directing her to listen there.

Standing there truly made it eavesdropping. Master taught nothing good, only bad habits. Hesitating a moment, curiosity won out. Next door must be Uncle Master Mu—not some lovers’ tryst.

Half-believing, she stood by the wall, ear pressed close. Faint voices came: “…Ironware isn’t cheap… Young Master’s ten thousand taels is just a deposit… add another forty thousand taels upon seeing the goods…”

The fifty thousand taels Mu Chen wanted wasn’t for wine and women—it was for ironware… That meant procuring blades and swords, violating Great Qi Kingdom law. Mu Chen was trying to fleece a wolf, treating her fifty thousand taels like child’s play.

She glanced back at Wei Lingci, who appeared calm—clearly aware long ago. They had come for this, not pleasure-seeking. Xun Changqing curved her lips in a smile, suppressing laughter, eyes gleaming brilliantly. Then next door: “Fifty thousand taels isn’t a small sum. You need to give me time to gather it… Since it’s settled, I’ll go back to collect the silver. But tonight, I’ve bought you… Tonight…”

Before he finished, Xun Changqing’s body was pulled away. The intermittent voices ceased. Turning, she saw Wei Lingci gripping her wrist, eyes hiding sly mischief. Unsure why, she asked, “I haven’t yet… Mmph…”

Her voice was too loud, risking exposure. Wei Lingci covered her mouth, half-dragging her out of the room. Lowering her voice, she said, “I’ll explain when we get back.”