Wei Lingci’s eyes darkened like a storm in the pitch-black night. Without a word, it made Xun Changqing’s delicate brows furrow. She reached out and covered Wei Lingci’s eyes, saying uneasily, “Your gaze is so terrifying, carrying a malice no ordinary person has. My mother consort once said I had too much malice too. I think it’s from too much resentment in the heart. Now I’ve let it go—you should too. Aren’t we both alive?”
Lately, Xun Changqing had increasingly noticed a deep sadness in the depths of Wei Lingci’s eyes. Malice was no good thing; it could destroy one’s sanity.
It wasn’t just Xun Changqing—Wei Lingci herself had grown fond of these peaceful days. Guarding her was enough.
But this wasn’t the time to relax. Unless the vicious dogs were driven to the wall, how could they provoke the fury of those beyond the fence?
The hands over her eyes trembled slightly. Wei Lingci knew she had frightened her. She took those cold hands down, rubbed them in her palms, and pressed her soft palm against the back of Xun Changqing’s hand. She smiled. “I’ll control myself from now on. I won’t scare you.”
Such a tender gesture warmed Xun Changqing’s heart, filling it with shy sweetness. She couldn’t hide the faint smile on her lips. Delighted, she said, “It’s not that you scared me—it’s that too much malice is bad for your health. It ages the face quickly too.”
At those words, Wei Lingci immediately released her hand. Seeing the unrestrained amusement in her eyes, the corners of her mouth curved up. In the past, she occasionally whispered a few sweet, awkward endearments. But ever since their feelings were made clear that one time, Xun Changqing loved to tease her now and then.
And here she was doing it again. Wei Lingci shot her a glance, but it had no effect. So she slipped her hand under Xun Changqing’s armpit and tickled lightly with her fingertips. Faintly, she said, “Rejecting me already?”
They had been together for years, so Wei Lingci knew Xun Changqing was ticklish, even if it was never explicitly said. She hit the mark perfectly. Xun Changqing rolled over, dodging inward. She rubbed her shoulder, which had bumped the bed frame through her clothes. Unprecedentedly tense and fearing another sneak attack, she said, “You know my weak spot and exploit it like this. It’s not fair.”
She had been the one teasing first, yet now she spoke of fairness. Wei Lingci had always doted on her and didn’t wish to “bully” her further. She only said, “You were already rejecting me just now. Is that your idea of fairness?”
Xun Changqing was in the wrong again. Seeing Wei Lingci’s calm expression, she knew she wasn’t angry. Like a cat afraid of being abandoned by its master, she scooted over, lay beside her, and rested her head on her lap. Delighted, she said, “At most, you could dislike me for being dumb. I wouldn’t dislike you. With so many people liking you, I’d have to be a fool to dislike you.”
What kind of sweet talk was that? It sounded more like a brush-off. Xun Changqing paused, felt it wasn’t right, and earnestly added, “Earlier, I just wanted you to think less about your past life. It’s pointless to dwell on it. Better to think about the future. I’m wondering where my fief will be. Then we can go there together—no one to bother us.”
“You think too simply. After all you’ve done, and with the Prince not having seen you in years, he won’t let you leave easily.” Wei Lingci found her serious look adorable and pinched her nose. Smiling, she said, “But you’re almost of age for your hairpin ceremony. By the rules, you won’t need to live in the palace anymore.”
“Then we’ll live outside, just like now.” Xun Changqing blinked, feeling tired. She propped up her heavy eyelids. The palace food and lodging were far better, but the constant vigilance left her sleepless. Lying beside Wei Lingci now made her feel increasingly secure. In no time, she drifted off to sleep.
While Wei Lingci pondered, she heard Xun Changqing’s steady breathing. Lowering her head, she saw the girl was already asleep. Heartache welled up in her. The Wise Noble Consort had summoned her to the palace merely to have someone from the Pingnan Prince’s Mansion appear before His Majesty—to remind him that Xun Yi still existed in the world.
Secondly, the Wise Noble Consort was alone in the palace and longed for company to soothe the pain of losing her child. She took a liking to Xun Changqing, a half-grown girl whose presence wouldn’t arouse suspicion.
Wei Lingci gently shifted her onto the bed, tucked her in properly, watched until she slept soundly, then quietly stepped out.
The rain outside had eased slightly. The open courtyard offered no shelter and was thoroughly soaked; even the corridor was damp. Without lamps, the path underfoot was indistinct. Xian Yun came to ask if they wanted dinner. Wei Lingci shook her head. Once Xun Changqing slept, she wouldn’t wake until midnight. They could eat together when she rose.
But when Xun Changqing awoke, it was already the next morning. Dazed and unsure of her surroundings, her peach-blossom eyes held a misty haze, her innocent look amusing Xian Yu. She laughed, “County Princess, you slept the whole night. Did you sleep yourself silly? This is the County Princess Mansion, not your prince’s mansion. Get up quickly—you have to return to the palace.”
