Chapter 54: Climbing the Wall Part 1

Shao Yun had invited people, and it was surely no good thing.

Moreover, Shao Lanheng had given Xun Changqing a prior warning. There was no need to guess; they would undoubtedly use her marriage as the topic again. Who knew, perhaps as soon as she entered Changle Palace, there would be a bunch of handsome young men dressed to the nines.

In recent days, the Shao Family had suffered a significant blow. Added to that, the Wise Noble Consort in the palace clashed with her at every turn. The two were like needles pointing at wheat awns—each confrontation ended in a draw. But Shao Yun was the Empress, the master of the Rear Palace, after all. For the Wise Noble Consort to show her no face like this was already overstepping her bounds. Yet when it reached the Emperor’s ears, he merely gave a light reprimand before letting the matter drop.

This was tantamount to stripping the Empress of all dignity. Anyone with a brain gradually realized that the Emperor was increasingly favoring the Wise Noble Consort. The palace servants naturally rushed to curry favor with Radiant Benevolence Palace.

Xun Changqing pondered silently for a moment before reluctantly turning her head to look at Wei Lingci, puzzled. “If it’s to introduce me to those official sons, then why invite you as well?”

“Perhaps because you and I have been seen together too often.” Wei Lingci’s voice was somewhat hoarse, and even her expression looked off, but she had already stepped toward Changle Palace.

Xun Changqing gazed at the increasingly gaunt figure ahead, worry flashing across her face. She turned to Xian Yu and gave her a gentle smile. “What illness does your young miss have?”

Xian Yu was not like Xian Yun; it was easy to get words out of her. Upon hearing Xun Changqing’s question, she was somewhat displeased, feeling that Xun was only showing concern now. She exchanged a glance with her before slightly averting her eyes and answering softly, “She’s had headaches ever since returning that night.”

Headaches could be minor or severe. Xun Changqing hurriedly asked, “Has a physician been called?”

“The physicians are useless. It’s been like this since nine years ago. They prescribed painkillers, but they’ve lost their effect after taking too many.”

Nine years ago—that was since her rebirth. Xian Yun probably didn’t know the cause either. She quickened her pace to catch up, revealing anxiety as she asked Wei Lingci, “Is the headache better? Is it related to your previous… last time?”

There were too many people around; mentioning rebirth rashly might make others think her a demon.

Seeing her rush over, Wei Lingci slowed her steps. Her expression tightened briefly, then softened faintly. “It’s nothing. Unrelated to before.”

Such perfunctory words clearly showed she had no intention of discussing the cause with Xun Changqing.

As she slowed, Xun Changqing matched her pace. Her gaze fell on the sweat beading on Wei Lingci’s nose, stirring her heart. The resentment from the past few days dissipated. She murmured softly, “Why do you always fall ill whenever we enter the palace?”

Wei Lingci heard but ignored her, continuing toward Changle Palace. Xun Changqing said no more. Instead, she subtly reached out, encircling Wei Lingci’s wrist, while her other hand slipped into her bosom to quietly slide the black stone bracelet onto her.

First came the warmth of skin against skin. Wei Lingci’s heart struggled for a moment, but she couldn’t bring herself to push her away. Moments later, the coolness of the stone followed. She halted, glanced at the black stone on her wrist, and touched it with her fingertip. Xun Changqing hadn’t released it yet; they each held one end of the small chain.

Xian Yun, unaware of what was happening ahead, wanted to hurry over for a look, but Zi Jin tactfully pulled her to the corner around the bend, keeping watch for any passing palace servants—like a lookout.

Wei Lingci’s fingertip needed only a slight movement to remove the chain. At such close range, she clearly saw the joyful smile in Xun Changqing’s eyes. Beneath her long, curled lashes, her gaze was moist, warm, clear, and pure—utterly at odds with the somber palace path. A subtle, strange sensation made refusal impossible.

Xun Changqing’s eyes lingered on her fair earlobe, which flushed pink again. She noticed Wei Lingci’s eyes darting in nervous disarray, while her own delight shone unmasked in her gaze, her heart’s longing sparkling there. She smiled. “You like it, don’t you?”

Wei Lingci suddenly realized the person before her was even harder to deal with now. She’d laid out the reasoning plainly, yet it seemed useless—as if it went in one ear and out the other, leaving no trace. No, now there was an added layer of enticement. She reached to remove the bracelet, but Xun Changqing quickly pressed her hand down, pleading, “Don’t do this. I… I… What exactly are you afraid of? I have the Imperial Edict. Even Father can’t do anything to me.”