When Wei Lingci arrived at the Yuan Mansion, Yuan Qingming had coincidentally just left the residence, so the two missed each other. However, the matter was urgent and could not wait, so Wei Lingci went to the palace gate to wait for someone. She personally saw Xun Changqing’s carriage drive out from within the palace, and Xun Yi had actually come to personally escort her back to the mansion—a good thing, indeed.
The little rascal should be able to stay quietly in the mansion for a few days now. She couldn’t help but curve her lips, her brows and eyes brimming with amusement. But not even half a cup of tea’s time later, the chief palace servant by the Wise Noble Consort’s side emerged. The two met, and the palace servant caught her breath slightly before saying, “Miss Wei, what a coincidence to see you here. Her Ladyship invites you into the palace; she has important matters to discuss.”
If it were ordinary matters, the Wise Noble Consort would surely consult with Xun Changqing first. To seek her out instead, bypassing the nearer option, it must be something Xun Changqing could not handle. Yet after the poisoning incident, Xun Changqing was already capable of standing on her own. What matter would require seeking her out?
Puzzled despite racking her brains, she could only follow the palace servant into Radiant Benevolence Palace.
In the main hall, the Wise Noble Consort seemed to have waited a long time. Seeing her arrive so quickly, she was mildly surprised but also appreciated Wei Lingci’s decisive nature. The guiding palace servant retreated after entering the hall and stood guard outside, preventing any idlers from approaching.
The Wise Noble Consort had a gentle temperament and always greeted outsiders with a smile; even the Emperor favored her personality. Compared to the Empress’s sharpness, the Wise Noble Consort’s virtues were plain to see.
After inviting her to sit, the Wise Noble Consort’s gaze sharpened, her eyes suddenly deepening as she pondered for a moment before saying in a low voice, “This morning, this palace heard a certain matter—something quite shocking.”
Wei Lingci was startled but said nothing, waiting for her to continue slowly.
The Wise Noble Consort’s expression turned cold as she went on, “Changqing is not born of Princess Consort Ana Yanran, though Xun Yi did not mention who her birth mother is. But it is clear that Changqing is indeed his daughter.”
“Then that means she carries no Borderlands blood; she is a native of Great Qi.”
Hearing this news, Wei Lingci could hardly contain her joy. If Xun Changqing was a person of Great Qi, then all issues could be resolved; she no longer needed to worry over wars between the two nations. The troubles of many days vanished in an instant, and she smiled brightly. “This is good news, but Your Ladyship seems troubled?”
“Have you not considered who her birth mother might be?”
A faint smile touched Wei Lingci’s lips, laced with sarcasm as she replied darkly, “Even if born of a brothel woman, it would be better than Ana Yanran. As long as she is Xun Yi’s child, who the birth mother is no longer matters.”
The Wise Noble Consort, long residing in the palace and ignorant of border affairs, could guess the reason from Wei Lingci’s words. She grew pensive, her brows furrowing tightly, before suddenly proposing, “Why not have Changqing recorded under my name? It would spare future troubles over her birth mother.”
This was said out of goodwill, but… Wei Lingci slowly shook her head. “The struggle for the throne is nearing its end; surely His Majesty has let something slip before you. Once His Majesty passes, the Prince will be the new Emperor. Adopting her now would seem hasty. First, His Majesty would not agree; if adoption were possible, he would have decreed it long ago. Second, the Prince has only just returned and feels guilt toward Changqing; he certainly would not allow her to be recorded under your name.”
In short: Xun Yi cared about his reputation. Why give his own daughter to his elder brother? Moreover, after coldly neglecting Xun Changqing for years, doing so would only make him appear heartless and selfish toward his young daughter in the eyes of the world—harmful to his reputation upon ascending the throne.
The Wise Noble Consort fell silent. She knew the difference between legitimate and illegitimate birth, but with a princess consort of such status, legitimate was inferior to illegitimate. After hearing Wei Lingci’s analysis, she felt relieved, though somewhat regretful.
Wei Lingci noted her disappointment and sighed softly. Since losing her son, the Wise Noble Consort had been melancholic and withdrawn; it was natural for her to take a liking to Xun Changqing. She said, “Your Ladyship, Changqing’s status no longer matters, so long as she understands your kind intentions.”
The Wise Noble Consort nodded and smiled faintly. “Find an opportunity to tell her about this, so her heart remains steady. Also, this palace will send people to investigate her birth mother and inform you later. There’s one more thing I must remind you of: His Majesty seems to have given something to the County Princess, though my people could not discover what it is.”
Wei Lingci was taken aback. His Majesty trusted her mother due to their childhood affection, but with her mother now standing outside court affairs, what would he entrust to her?
“Your Ladyship, rest assured; I’ll ask Mother when I return.”
After their brief talk, Wei Lingci left the palace.
Meanwhile, for the family banquet at Pingnan Prince’s Mansion, Xun Yi had even sent word to Wei Xiao, inviting Xun Changqing and Wei Lingci together. The former refused to leave the mansion, while the latter seized the chance to go to the prince’s mansion—it was just a wall apart, after all, only a few steps away.
During the day, Xun Yibai had taken away Changqing’s treasured horse, parading it around the Imperial Capital for half a day before riding it to the outskirts. He felt this horse surpassed any warhorse he’d seen in camp and was overjoyed, never expecting such a fine steed in the Imperial Capital.
At the evening banquet, he mentioned it casually, and Xun Yi’s expression remained natural, thinking nothing of it. The horse’s owner, Xun Changqing, shot a glare at the person beside her, seething inwardly. She had reminded him that morning to bring the horse back to the County Princess Mansion, yet in just one day, it had changed hands.
Unable to contain her anger, she kicked him under the table. Flames flickered in her cold, peach-blossom eyes—clearly furious.
