Chapter 61: The Meeting Part 2

Perhaps she was overthinking it.

Wei Lingci dismissed the impractical notion. Two hands wrapped around her waist, accompanied by a soft, sweet voice at her lips. “Have your headaches acted up recently?”

“No, you’re overthinking it.”

Wei Lingci pried loose those hands, turned to gaze at her jade-like fair cheeks, her smile fading as her fingertip brushed her cheek, heartache unconcealed in her eyes. “You’re always so well-spoken, but stubborn with Mother. You don’t have to speak up; it’s not worth arguing with her.”

“I wanted not to speak,” Xun Changqing leaned casually against her arm, finding it more comfortable than a pillar or bed. Gritting her teeth, she couldn’t help complaining. “I only said one sentence, and she… I know I’m in the wrong, but she said she’d arranged a betrothal for you…” She tilted her head up, her face aggrieved and pitiful. “Who did you get betrothed to?”

Her peach blossom eyes were still as a bright lake, ripples spreading as if a stone had been tossed in, mist clouding them in jealousy. Wei Lingci smiled warmly, couldn’t help pinching her cheek. “You know who it is. Do you want to hit someone or what?”

“I don’t fight; reasoning will do,” Xun Changqing lifted her chin proudly. “I just said you have someone in your heart.”

But then she felt something off. Wei Lingci was already smiling with lips pressed tight. Xun Changqing fumed—she’d been led into the ditch again, capsizing while the other watched gleefully from shore.

She thought for a moment, then grabbed Wei Lingci’s arm to bite it. But Wei Lingci knew her habits well: when annoyed and speechless, she bit. Last time, she’d bitten her shoulder, which took days to heal. What a sharp-tongued one.

She withdrew her hand to dodge, clasping them behind her back, a faint blush on her face as she still smiled. “Who is the one in my heart? Finish your words first; don’t rush to bite.”

Xun Changqing gritted her teeth, her earlobes reddening slightly, eyes dark as she glared for a long while. Suddenly, she stood, approached, squatted down, and said defiantly, “Fine, I’ll say it. You bully me. Anyway, these days without seeing me, you didn’t miss me. I don’t even know who your sweetheart is, but you’re not marrying anyone else.”

Wei Lingci was momentarily stunned. This person had grown up, her temperament increasingly domineering. But as she recovered, she saw her grinding teeth to bite. She withdrew her hand reflexively, too forcefully, and inevitably toppled backward—right into someone’s intentions.

Xun Changqing smoothly lay at her side. Unable to catch her hand, she bit her shoulder as before. Perhaps from months apart and being provoked, she bit hard. Wei Lingci wanted to push her away but feared hurting her with too much force, so she pinched her waist instead.

Sure enough, afraid of tickling, Xun Changqing released immediately, allowing escape. A faint bloody scent lingered in the air. Gazing at Xun Changqing’s pure and elegant face, she said annoyed, “Biting again. The betrothal wasn’t my doing. You’re aggrieved? I’m aggrieved too. Should I bite you then?”

Unexpectedly, Xun Changqing extended an arm righteously. “Bite if you want; I don’t fear pain.”

Wei Lingci was helpless. This person was not only a rascal but thick-skinned. She retorted, “You’re thick-skinned, of course you don’t fear pain.”

Xun Changqing thought Wei Lingci’s annoyed look was quite cute—more human than her usual icy eyes and aloof demeanor untouched by worldly smoke. She scooted closer. “It doesn’t hurt anyway. Let me see your shoulder; I think I broke the skin.”

Her two restless hands reached for Wei Lingci’s shoulder. The latter slapped her hand back sternly, looking at her. “Behave. What are you up to now? I’m afraid you’ll bite again. You’re not trustworthy anymore.”

Xun Changqing inched closer, half-kneeling beside her, utterly sincere. “Just let me look. I’m very well-behaved.”

Wei Lingci was tired of hearing that. She pushed her away slightly, turning sideways. “Hurry back to the palace. His Majesty’s days are numbered; you should watch closely.”

“I know all that. Yuan Commander is guarding; it’s not urgent right this moment. I want to stay with you longer. Don’t chase me away.”

Wei Lingci gave a bitter smile. The palace was already secured by her and the Wise Noble Consort. Outside, Xun Yiran had no troops, and the Shao Family were prisoners—nothing to fear. But Xun Yiran wouldn’t give up easily; vigilance was key.

“Don’t relax. The Prince hasn’t returned; everything is uncertain.”

Mentioning Xun Yi froze the smile on Xun Changqing’s lips. She blanked for a moment, then said powerlessly, “Father has already arrived in Kang City. That’s why His Majesty ordered the raid on Shao Cheng’s mansion without resistance. Father secretly killed Ouyang Su. Shao Cheng had no troops left and could only surrender. Kang City’s 100,000 soldiers naturally fell into Father’s hands. Xun Yiran has no chance to turn things around.”

So, two-thirds of Great Qi’s troops were now in Xun Yi’s hands. Wei Lingci fell silent for a while. She knew Xun Changqing was sensitive about facing Xun Yi, but father and daughter would meet eventually—avoidance was futile.

Wei Lingci stroked her lowered head, sighing inwardly. Comfort was useless; imperial families had thin affections. Xun Yi hadn’t seen Xun Changqing in years and might feel guilt, but with the Borderlands, war with Great Qi was inevitable. Bearing blood of both nations, how long would that guilt last for Xun Changqing?

Perhaps Xun Changqing had only one path left…

“Changqing, meeting is good. You have merit; the Prince won’t treat you poorly. You can request to return to your fief.”

“I know. I want to find Mother, but the world is vast—who knows where? Or if she’s alive or dead.”

On this topic, Wei Lingci had to remind her. “Changqing, don’t mention the Princess Consort before the Prince; it’s his taboo. Besides, she’s likely returned to the Borderlands. It’s unstable there; mentioning her is useless and will only displease him.”

The words were clear enough, and Xun Changqing understood. The court couldn’t search openly—only covertly. And with the Defense Deployment Map, even less so. If other nations learned, Great Qi would be besieged on all sides.

Xun Ziqian could swallow this, but battlefield-hardened Xun Yi could not—he’d likely raise troops at the Borderlands. And she, to avoid suspicion, couldn’t intervene.

She realized that even without the Shao Family and Xun Yiran, her path remained difficult.

The only gain was the person before her. She looked up with a deep smile, feigning relief. “I won’t mention it. Once everything stabilizes, we’ll leave here. I don’t know what Mother will do, but I won’t become an obstacle between the two sides.”

Worry etched her brows, but her curved smile soothed the heart. Wei Lingci regretted bringing up Xun Yi. Lost in thought, she slowly pulled her into her embrace, frowning as she lifted her chin. “Changqing, imperial families have always been thus. This path was never easy. We’ve walked half; there’s half left. Believe in me and yourself—the end of this road will be yours. Remember, forget the Princess Consort. You have only one life; we have no next one. Understand?”