Wei Lingci’s lips curved in a mocking slant. She gave her a single glance before turning and walking ahead. Xun Changqing hurriedly chased after. Several palace servants emerged from a side path, startling her into silence. She could only follow obediently behind Wei Lingci.
Peonies bloomed before Changle Palace, their verdant leaves cradling petals of every hue. Spring’s thin sunlight cast a glow on the dew, making the colors vivid and strikingly brilliant. The rich floral scent wafted on the breeze. They smelled it upon crossing the threshold, and a few more steps revealed a crowd gathered, admiring the flowers.
Xun Changqing spotted many youths in splendid brocade robes, dressed to impress. Nearby, the ladies sat chatting merrily. She retreated a few steps, on the verge of fleeing Changle Palace, but Wei Lingci grabbed her. “Is the Imperial Edict you just received merely for show?”
Wei Lingci’s ink-black eyes glinted with sly amusement. These noblewomen were the most troublesome, hard to navigate. But Xun Changqing clearly wanted to desert the field; she wouldn’t allow it. Moments ago, she’d been fierce as a tiger; now she reverted to her original form.
“Master, why don’t you go ahead? I’ll wait for the Empress to come out.” Xun Changqing shook her head, her gaze skimming the handsome young men before hiding behind her, refusing to advance an inch—like a turtle retracting into its shell.
Wei Lingci couldn’t help but laugh aloud, though she still refused. “Your matters have nothing to do with me.”
Xun Changqing glared unwillingly a few times before stepping forward. She spared not a glance for the waiting noblewomen and youths. Amid the chorus of greeting salutes, she walked briskly ahead, responding, “Rise.”
She moved quickly, but someone was faster. A eunuch dashed past her, nearly colliding. He didn’t even have time for a proper salute before hurrying to the main hall.
Xun Changqing stopped at the corridor outside the hall. That was the Containment Origin Hall’s decree-proclaiming eunuch. Could it be His Majesty summoning the Empress?
Her guess proved right. After the time it took to drink a cup of tea, the Empress emerged from the hall in a bright red robe, her brows furrowed as she glanced at Xun Changqing. Biting her lip, she instructed, “The Princess is late. His Majesty summoned this palace. Next time, this palace will invite you to play in the palace again.”
Xun Changqing murmured her assent and watched the Empress’s palanquin vanish from sight. She turned to Wei Lingci, who looked equally baffled. The tribute horse matter was resolved, with no further implication for the Shao Family. What could the Emperor want with Shao Yun now?
The noblewomen in the courtyard were displeased but followed the palace servants out. As they left, they couldn’t resist glancing at the frosty-faced Xun Changqing—dignified features, exquisite beauty unmatched, but with a temper that seemed poor. Who knew if marrying her would be fortune or calamity? They shook their heads and departed.
The youths, being male, observed the distinction between sexes and dared not look directly. They stole peeks, deemed the trip worthwhile upon seeing her face, then followed their mothers away.
Xun Changqing had arrived in an imperial carriage sent by the Emperor. Had she left then, she could have taken it back. But the Empress had intervened, summoning her to Changle Palace. Now the imperial carriage was gone, Wei Lingci’s carriage forbade her entry—she’d been booted off—and she stood at the palace gate with Zi Jin, buffeted by the northwest wind.
Zi Jin watched the County Princess Mansion’s carriage depart without pause, gripped her sword tighter, and said worriedly, “Mistress, did you provoke Miss Wei again? You were fine on the palace path earlier. How did it sour so quickly? She could have at least taken you back.”
Wei Lingci’s earlier cold glance had startled Zi Jin and cowed Xun Changqing into obediently dismounting. With resentful eyes half-lowered, she said, “I want to know what I did to provoke her too. I said so many nice things, gave her a gift. That bracelet may not be valuable, but it’s my sincere intent. Yet she still ignores me.”
Hearing this, Zi Jin’s raised eyes sparkled with interest. She laughed. “You’re still too young.”
That line again. Xun Changqing glanced back at Zi Jin. Adding both lives, I’m older than you. You should call me sister.
With no carriage, Xun Changqing walked back slowly. She passed the Pingnan Prince’s Mansion without entering and went straight to the County Princess Mansion.
Fortunately, the gates hadn’t closed, sparing her a rebuff. Upon entering, she learned Wei Lingci had returned and gone straight to the study, where she’d remained for over an hour.
Xun Changqing pushed at the study door, but it was barred from inside. She called out several times with no response. Leaning against a pillar, she thought for a long while, then turned her head with a half-smile toward the maid guarding the door. She beckoned her over and asked with a grin, “Where’s the window?”
