Chapter 65: Possessions Part 2

Wei Lingci, kicked out of nowhere, felt pain in her leg. With everyone present, she couldn’t rub it and had to endure. She had known during the day that the matter couldn’t be hidden, but hadn’t expected it to be exposed so quickly. She hurriedly grasped Xun Changqing’s hand and patted the back of it gently, signaling her to calm down.

Xun Changqing struggled but couldn’t free her hand. Seeing Wei Lingci lean in and whisper in her ear, “Don’t make a fuss,” their movements were a bit large.

This drew Xun Yibai’s sidelong glance at Xun Changqing’s slightly flushed cheeks. He teased, “Changqing, you’re still a child playing with a fierce horse. Wait until you’re of age; I’ll take you to see real warhorses. The ones in the army are one in ten thousand—you might cry from fear then.”

Xun Yi, holding his wine cup, chuckled in agreement.

Xun Changqing found it ironic. Though the horses in the stables belonged to the prince’s mansion, everyone knew these two had been obtained from His Majesty—they were hers. Even if Xun Yibai liked them, he should have asked her first. Taking without permission was no different from theft.

She curved her lips in a cold smile. “I have only a few months until I’m of age; I’m no child. My horse is fierce but obeys me. Second Brother, if you like it so much, you can play with it for a few days.”

At these words, Wei Lingci suddenly let go, thinking her temperament should indeed be so. Besides, she wanted to see how Xun Yi would handle it, so she chose to remain silent.

Xun Yibai was stunned, his wine cup trembling in his hand. He looked puzzled at Xun Yi. “Father, I heard the horse was granted by His Majesty to the prince’s mansion. I took it to the outskirts today on a whim and found it could cover a thousand li in a day—truly rare.”

Hearing this, Wei Lingci sighed inwardly. She let Xun Changqing contend for it; after all, the fault lay not with her.

Seeing Wei Lingci release her hand signaled her concession, so Xun Changqing patted her arm lightly and smiled as she explained, “Second Brother jests. That horse was a gift from Senior Brother Zhao Yang. It was later submitted to the court due to the tribute horses, and His Majesty granted it back to me. I’ve been in the palace for some days and forgot to name it.”

Her smiling face, radiant as flowers, left Xun Yi momentarily dazed. He knew most matters in the Imperial Capital, but not these trifles. He glanced at the steward beside him, who nodded—confirming Xun Changqing spoke the truth.

Xun Yibai, sheltered by his elder brother above and protected by all in the army below, was accustomed to having what he valued yielded to him.

But Xun Changqing was unwilling to yield. Calling her a child was merely Xun Yibai’s excuse, but she played along. Spoiled girls weren’t just her; besides, Xun Yibai was older—if she acted willful before him, he could do nothing.

Moreover, she was not the unreasonable one here.

Seated at the head, Xun Yi knew his second son’s personality. Soldiers loved horses, which was fine. He smiled. “A thousand li a day is a fine horse, but Changqing said it’s hers. Yibai, as her brother, just yield it. Your warhorses are also thousand-li steeds; no need to covet others’.”

Xun Yibai’s face flushed red then turned ashen. He drained his cup and, with a calm expression tinged with chill, said first with a smile, “Then it seems the household failed to explain fully. Since it’s your horse, Second Brother will return it. But a reminder: it’s fierce, so don’t push yourself to ride it.”

Xun Changqing blinked. “Second Brother teases me again. I’ve studied martial arts at Lingyun Mountain for years. My skills may not be great, but self-defense is no issue. How could a horse harm me?”

At the mention of Lingyun, Xun Yibai’s gaze lingered long on Wei Lingci. He smiled. “I hear Miss Wei’s martial arts are exceptional, with few rivals. Care to spar someday?”

“Second Young Master jests. You’re from the military, trained by the Prince himself—I could never match you. If you wish to spar, try with Yuan Commander; it would be beneficial.”

Xun Changqing’s gaze flickered leisurely, lips pursed to suppress a laugh. Yuan Qingming’s skills might even surpass Xun Yi’s; if Xun Yibai went, it would be like an egg striking a rock. Master’s words were truly apt. She chimed in, “Second Brother, you could try. Ask Uncle Yuan for a few moves; he’ll surely teach you. I’ve tried it myself.”

Lying through her teeth—Wei Lingci shot her a gentle glare. The little rascal didn’t even blink when lying. But Xun Yibai wouldn’t really ask Yuan Qingming, or he’d be the one embarrassed.

At the banquet, after some laughter, Xun Luo arrived alone, without her husband—likely tired of closed doors after repeated rejections, coming alone to test the waters.

Xun Yi had just returned to the capital and was busy all day; a few cups of wine left him drunk. The others dispersed soon after.

Xun Changqing used the excuse of sending her back to the County Princess Mansion to board the carriage with Wei Lingci. Since that side gate had been locked, no one dared open it—perfectly suiting her wishes.

Once inside the carriage, emboldened by a slight drunkenness, she sprawled like mud across Wei Lingci’s lap. “Why didn’t you hold me back just now? I thought you’d make me swallow my anger.”

“Princess Xiang’an, would holding you do any good? When your temper flares, not even the King of Heaven could control you—how could I?”

“That’s not true. You wanted to see how Father would handle it, right?”

Xun Changqing wasn’t truly a little milk tiger; for her possessions, she wouldn’t yield an inch if she didn’t wish to. Wei Lingci amusingly pinched her cheek and teased, “Yes, but this time he was in the wrong. It only shows the Prince didn’t favor him. Xun Yibai has a strong personality; better not to contend with him.”

“My things are mine; I won’t yield them,” Xun Changqing sat up, hugging her arm and shaking it. Her brows curved like the night’s crescent moon, eyes sparkling with confidence as she smiled. “Just like you—you’re mine too, and I won’t yield you.”

Wei Lingci, having drunk wine and feeling dizzy, grew annoyed at the shaking shadows before her eyes. She pinched Xun Changqing’s ear and grumbled, “I’ve become your possession too?”