Chapter 64: Lending a Hand Part 2

A soldier… Xun Changqing jolted awake. This was Xun Yi!

Men were rare in the Rear Palace; only those with His Majesty’s permission could enter. Wei Lingci had mentioned his return this morning, so this must be him.

The Wise Noble Consort glanced at the dazed, silent Xun Changqing and coughed lightly. “Changqing, why aren’t you speaking?”

Xun Changqing pressed her lips slightly, lowered her lashes, and bowed properly, her voice clear. “Changqing pays respects to the Prince.”

Xun Yi was slightly taken aback; he disliked the title “Prince,” but he nodded faintly, stepped forward, pulled her up, and laughed. “You’ve truly grown. After morning court, His Majesty praised you for a full half-hour. On the way here, the Consort was praising you too. It seems Wei Lingci has taught you well these years.”

Facing Xun Yi, Xun Changqing remained somewhat ill at ease—courteous but distant, not intimate. After decades apart across two lifetimes, this was their first meeting. Moreover, his failure to save her in her previous life lingered in her mind, impossible to shake.

Perhaps it had been the right choice, but Xun Yi was still not a good father.

With him present, however, her life was secure. She could go where she wished and see whom she pleased—she had regained her freedom.

The Wise Noble Consort noticed her stiffness. Placed on another, one could hardly face this stranger father calmly. She patted Xun Changqing’s arm and smiled. “Will you stay at the mansion for a few days? Now that the Prince has formally returned, he likely won’t leave again. It would be good for you two to talk.”

Xun Yi, however, stared at Xun Changqing for a long time without blinking. The girl before him brimmed with ethereal grace and noble poise—Xiang’an suited her perfectly, no wonder His Majesty had bestowed the Previous Emperor’s name taboo without tarnishing it.

He laughed. “Your second brother is back too. That boy is over ten years your senior, married no less, yet he vanished like smoke this morning—who knows where he’s off gallivanting. I’ll send someone to find him. Tonight, we’ll have a family reunion dinner.”

Xun Yi’s tone was even, laced with joy, but “family reunion” clawed at Xun Changqing’s throat like talons. With Mother Consort absent, how could there be reunion?

But she could not mention it—Mother Consort was a taboo in all hearts. She drew a quiet breath, striving for calm, then lifted her head to reveal pearly teeth in a smile. “Please allow Changqing to return to her chambers to pack, then accompany you to the mansion.”

Xun Yi agreed with a smile. As an external subject, he could not linger in the Rear Palace and went to wait outside.

Once Xun Yi had left, the Wise Noble Consort pulled Xun Changqing back to the bedchamber, dismissed the attendants to wait outside.

Xun Changqing and she were grasshoppers on the same rope, but as the junior, Xun Changqing lacked worldly savvy. It was natural for her to offer guidance. Seeing Xun Changqing’s reddened eyes, the Wise Noble Consort’s heart ached suddenly. If her own child had not died, he would be of marriageable age by now—perhaps even wed, with grandchildren.

Lost in such thoughts, she grew despondent. Unsure whether to voice her hidden words, and seeing Xun Changqing silent for a long while, she finally said softly, “Changqing, though ours is an alliance, there are things I must mention. Xun Yi already harbors no affection for the Princess Consort—it’s set in stone. With His Majesty’s days few, he will be the next Emperor. You must forget Ana Yanran. I know it’s hard, but have you considered? She left you here alone, uncared for. You should give up on her. She raised you only to placate us—her heart isn’t with you. Mentioning her is pointless; clinging is futile.”

Xun Changqing gazed fixedly at the Wise Noble Consort, her stare frozen, calm and unmoving. “I won’t mention her, investigate, or question. Mother Consort wronged him first. I won’t do anything—and I can’t.”

One person’s power to alter matters between two nations? Far easier to do nothing. Perhaps it was cowardice, but that was fate. When Mother Consort chose that path, she had severed their mother-daughter bond.

Xun Changqing appeared very compliant. The Wise Noble Consort relaxed slightly and ordered servants to pack her belongings. She personally escorted her to the palace gate, grasping her hand at parting. “Though your father has returned, come here anytime. If life at the Prince’s Mansion is unhappy or unpleasant, you can come too. This palace welcomes you.”

When the Wise Noble Consort had allied with Pingnan Prince’s Mansion, she had not anticipated liking this child so much. Perhaps childless loneliness played a part, but after time with Xun Changqing, she found her unique—not scheming for wealth, power, or the throne, but forever surrounded by thoughts of love.

Like her own youth, full of such dreams. But years of deep-palace isolation eroded her faith in that Emperor; abandoned by her clan and bereft of her child, only hatred filled her—endless hatred. Yet this girl, bright as spring sun, melted that hatred with every word and deed.

She had regained her equanimity, serene toward all.

Xun Changqing listened quietly, but the Wise Noble Consort gripped tighter, forcing a response. “Changqing understands. I’ll visit when I can and bring pastries from Changxin Pastry Shop.”

They stood at the palace gate amid passing servants. The Wise Noble Consort lowered her voice slightly. “If you can’t enter the County Princess Mansion, this palace can help.” She straightened, smoothed her temple hair, and smiled warmly. “The County Princess is soft-hearted. Just coax her a bit—never confront directly.”

Her peach-blossom eyes narrowed in delight. Xun Changqing moved to bow, but the Wise Noble Consort stopped her. “This palace is lonely. Have you forgotten that?”

Xun Changqing smiled. “Changqing will enter the palace every other day henceforth.”

The Wise Noble Consort shook her head faintly. Truly, love made one foolish. After the carriage vanished, palace servants supported her back, puzzled. “Your Ladyship, have you helped too much? Princess Xiang’an isn’t your daughter—why guide her so?”

The servant’s words jolted her. She halted, glanced back, and instructed, “Invite Miss Wei into the palace. Say this palace has urgent matters for her.”