Chapter 63: Mystery Part 2

The man’s face tightened, cheeks bulging slightly, teeth grinding sourly. “I want to take back what’s mine, just like you. Act before Xun Yi notices, or you’ll fail at the last step.”

Xun Yiran’s brows twitched sharply. Xun Yi hadn’t fully taken Kang City’s army yet. With the ‘Imperial Edict,’ it would be the Emperor’s command—no one would object.

The crescent moon had reached mid-sky. Some lay sleepless that night, while others slept soundly.

Petals fell tracelessly. In the early morning, thick dew condensed on the flowers and grass before the gates.

Wei Lingci stood under the corridor, listening intently to the servant’s words. Her expression grew slightly grave. She turned and returned to the room, where Xun Changqing huddled on the bed, counting beads in her hand. Seeing her enter, she said, “Later, have someone bring those two horses here for you to look after. Name them too—I can’t think of good ones.”

She rolled over to the bed’s edge, her hand deftly landing on Wei Lingci’s waist. She quickly sat up, pulled her into an embrace, radiant with energy. Fearing her beloved wouldn’t take it seriously, she added, “Don’t forget—make sure to bring them over.”

Wei Lingci, held full in her arms, could only sit down. She smoothed her hair. Seeing her purse her lips in a smile—so obedient—it warmed her heart. She kissed her forehead and relayed the servant’s news: “The Prince returned last night, along with Second Young Master Xun Yibai.”

Her smile wilted instantly. Xun Changqing fell unusually silent for a moment. Wei Lingci caught the sadness in her eyes. Father and daughter hadn’t seen each other in years, with the Princess Consort’s estrangement in between—their bond would be hard to mend.

She pressed Xun Changqing’s head to her chest, stroked her silky hair, and tried to comfort her. “The Prince isn’t heartless, but be cautious around your two brothers. No need to feud—just mend ties… You understand.”

Her soft words soothed. Xun Changqing was very compliant, her hands properly around her slender waist, no further moves. “Those two brothers grew up in the army and are said to be straightforward. They shouldn’t be hard to get along with. I understand what you mean—after all, they’ll control Great Qi in the future.”

Wei Lingci patted her head. “Then you should return to the palace now. I’ll remember the horses—no one will take them.”

The County Princess Mansion seemed desolate with few visitors, but entering without Wei Lingci’s orders was impossible—that was why Xun Changqing never dared barge in. Wei Xiao might not know the mansion’s secrets, but she did. The layouts and mechanisms were all personally designed by Wei Lingci.

It rivaled Lingyun Rear Mountain.

In contrast, the Pingnan Prince’s Mansion’s defenses were only superficial, unable to stop skilled martial artists.

Xun Changqing didn’t know what Wei Lingci had done in the two years without her—arrays and mechanisms flawless, swordsmanship profound, on par with Yuan Qingming’s skills.

Wei Lingci appeared soft but had a dark heart, her hands stained with much blood—like a phoenix reborn from bloodshed.

Xun Changqing nuzzled in her embrace, then contentedly rose to return to the palace. There was time ahead—no rush.

Wei Lingci took her matters to heart and immediately sent someone to the Prince’s Mansion for the horses. But they were too late. Xian Yun said only one horse remained in the stable; the other had been taken by Second Young Master. They tried for the remaining one, but the servants refused, citing his orders. Besides, when Zhao Yang gifted the horses, he said the male and female pair wouldn’t separate and wouldn’t follow Xian Yun anyway.

Soldiers loved horses—it was common. But Xun Yibai taking his little sister’s horse right after returning seemed inappropriate.

Xun Changqing cherished the two horses greatly, as they were Zhao Yang’s gift to her and Wei Lingci—a paired present, her first. She treasured the sentiment; knowing Xun Yibai took one would surely upset her.

Wei Lingci’s head ached. Sitting at the table, she rubbed her temples. When Wei Xiao returned, she saw this scene. Lately, she’d seen her daughter suffer headaches intermittently; doctors’ medicines helped little.

“I heard that girl came over last night?”

Wei Lingci straightened, took hot tea from a maid, and placed it before her mother. Her expression was indifferent, faintly distant, saying nothing.

Such meekness left Wei Xiao at a loss for words—she couldn’t feign ignorance. She’d always been powerless against this daughter, who was too sensible young and absent from her knee for years. Now trying to manage, she found she couldn’t.

Seeing her face even paler, Wei Xiao sipped the tea and said, “She might like you today, but tomorrow someone else. She’s cunning—I say one thing, she has ten retorts.”

“So you hit her?” Wei Lingci glanced sideways, then lowered her lashes.

That glance discomforted Wei Xiao, like punching cotton—hurting only herself. She slammed the teacup down, startling Xian Yun, who hurriedly pulled Xian Yu and retreated.

“Wei Lingci, like women if you must—but not Xun Changqing. You’re so devoted; if she betrays you, what then? Lonely forever, or crying eternally?”

“Mother, you’re overthinking. It won’t happen.” Wei Xiao’s worries meant nothing to her—that girl had only her in two lifetimes, impossible to shoo away, always warning her against others.

Wei Xiao was speechless, the tea growing more bitter, her worry deepening. She rose, looking at her tireless, enamored daughter, and warned, “I still won’t agree—especially not Xun Changqing.”

Especially Xun Changqing… That targeted her specifically. Wei Lingci stood abruptly. “Mother, do you know something about Changqing?”

Her urgency made Wei Xiao turn, sensing an opening. She smiled. “Promise to end it, and I’ll tell you.”

But the urgent one quieted, sat back, and traced the teacup’s rim. “Then Daughter won’t ask.”

Wei Xiao grew angrier, pointing at her, speechless. Hitting that girl had left her daughter cold for days; without Xun Changqing’s visit last night, she might not speak to her still.

Her daughter, grown and fixated on another girl… Wei Xiao fumed helplessly and returned to her room to sulk alone.

After Wei Xiao left, another arrived in the yard. Wei Lingci spotted the white robes at once and ordered Xian Yun and Xian Yu, “Drive him out. Don’t let him enter again.”

The sisters exchanged glances—this was Mother’s honored guest. Kicking him out might get them dismissed tomorrow.

Stunned, Mu Chen drifted over like wind. Before Wei Lingci could repeat, he said hastily, “I’ve annulled the betrothal… Let’s talk properly.”

Hearing “annulled,” her expression eased slightly. She stood aside, gazing deeply at him. Impatiently, “Then why come?”

Mu Chen sighed silently, sorrow glistening in his eyes. Had he known her rejection, he wouldn’t have betrothed the County Princess—now even fellow disciples might be strained. Remembering business, he lowered his voice. “The iron mine matter—the court hunts Xu Ke, but he’s vanished like smoke, nowhere to be found. Lingyun Mountain disciples keep getting ambushed and killed. I want to ask if you have a way to find him. I suspect it’s related to him.”

Xu Ke might harbor grudge, killing disciples for revenge, or hiding to counterattack.

Xu Ke never gave up what was his easily.