Chapter 67: Striking West Part 2

An Qin had replaced Yuan Man at the North Gate. Around thirty, with thick brows and ears, a military riser—honest and dutiful, which was why Yuan Qingming picked him.

Like Zhao Yang’s father, An Qin was famously henpecked, often joking that real men feared their wives to eat well. The girl was for An Qin but ended up with Zhao Yang’s father by mistake.

So, the target was An Qin.

But why bother with a mere gate commander?

With the situation shifting, Xun Changqing rose to return home. Without Zi Jin, she went alone. Mu Chen hadn’t gone far on the street. Recognizing the Pingnan Prince’s Mansion carriage, he approached to greet her. Xun Changqing glanced remotely at Zhou Man, who kept her head down obediently. She exchanged a few words with Mu Chen and left.

At the County Princess Mansion, she learned Wei Lingci wasn’t home. Urgent matters called, so she went to find Xun Yi.

Xun Yi was in his study. Seeing her, he was surprised and delighted but puzzled—no one visited his sanctum without reason.

Guards stood outside his study, barring most. He dismissed his attendants and sobered his smile. “Changqing, you never come here without cause. What’s the matter?”

Though somewhat restrained, with him back, some things no longer needed her hand. She nodded. “Changqing just heard a joke. Does Father care to listen?”

Xun Yi sat, thinking this daughter far cleverer than her sisters, speaking in circles. He smiled. “Since you’re here, speak. Father is listening.”

Xun Changqing pondered briefly. “My senior brother Zhao Yang is the legitimate son of the current Honglu Temple Minister Zhao An. He told me his father drank too much out one night and brought a woman home the next. Zhao An fears his wife, but this woman seems a gift from the Second Imperial Prince—he couldn’t refuse, and they’ve quarreled for days.”

She paused, holding her breath intently. Xun Yi still smiled paternally, casually lifting his teacup, gesturing her on.

“It’s funny, but he added she was meant for An Qin but went to the wrong door, wrong man.”

Her words landed with a genial smile, brows arched. Xun Yi stiffened, his mild eyes flashing cold starlight. “Changqing, that’s an interesting joke. Father understands.”

“Joke over, Changqing returns to her courtyard.” She turned to leave but was called back after a few steps.

The battlefield-decisive Xun Yi grew hesitant before his daughter. Xun Changqing knew he wanted to discuss Xun Luo. She’d visited several times; the steward had written that Xun Luo blamed her for barring entry, shaming her at her husband’s home.

A fleeting, uncertain smile touched Xun Changqing’s lips. She clutched her sleeve hem. The study fell utterly silent. After staring a while, she said, “Father should ask her if she bears the Shao or Xun surname. If Xun, why help Shao Yun.”

Calling the Empress by name jolted Xun Yi. He hesitated. “You mean…”

“Steward Uncle Yu is in the mansion. Ask him whatever. Changqing says no more.”

Without waiting, she left for her room.

There, Wei Lingci sat sipping tea. Summer tea was hot; cooled, it lost flavor. She preferred it hot, blowing gently. Her peripheral caught the figure at the door.

Xun Changqing’s face was dark, Zi Jin missing, attendants silent and scared. Wei Lingci frowned slightly, rose, pulled her in, and guessed, “Did you argue with the Prince? Have I spoiled you too much, making you lawless enough to glare at him?”

“Xun Yiran sent a woman to An Qin, but Zhao An stumbled into her by accident.”

Shifting topics, Xun Changqing spoke of this. A sharp glint flashed in Wei Lingci’s eyes. “You’ve informed the Prince; it’s no longer your concern.”

Now, Xun Yi opposed Xun Yiran, not Xun Changqing. They couldn’t act rashly; his battlefield methods needed no measuring.

Xun Changqing nodded. A maid brought fresh fruits, adding casually, “Princess, the side consort has returned—just entered the mansion.”

With Xun Yi back, mansion folk returned; observers guessed the Emperor’s intent. Xun Yiran sidelined, Empress confined—His Majesty’s aims grew inscrutable.

Bold ones edged toward the Pingnan Prince’s Mansion; Xun Yi held half Great Qi’s troops—even forcible seizure could claim the throne.

Xun Changqing’s stance remained enigmatic. Ignoring the maid, she popped a cherry and said slowly, “I’ll send word to the palace, have the Wise Noble Consort deliberately let someone into Changle Palace. Xun Yiran’s schemes must reach Shao Yun; then I can probe his plans.”

With her speaking, Wei Lingci continued, “An Qin fears his wife. Bringing a woman home would unsettle his household, distract from duties. The North Gate deputy could then replace him—feint east, strike west, disrupting North Gate defenses…”

“Feint east, strike west…” Xun Changqing murmured, thinking deeper. If Xun Yiran’s move was that, was Xu Ke’s killing of Lingyun disciples also a feint?

Wei Lingci pondered. “Xu Ke killing Lingyun Mountain disciples—for revenge, targeting Mu Chen would vent more. Low-level ones just follow orders; wiping out all isn’t easy. If east is murder, what’s west?”

“Perhaps east isn’t killing, but disrupting Lingyun Sect and Imperial Guards. All deaths in the Imperial Capital—sent-back weak disciples on the road, even protected, have poor defenses. Why hasn’t Xu Ke struck?”

“You mean Xu Ke aims to chaos the Imperial Capital’s defenses, draw our attention—that’s east?”

Xun Changqing recalled years ago at the palace gate, Xu Ke talking with Xun Yiran, speculating, “Could Xu Ke and Xun Yiran be allied to chaos the capital, blind us, then exploit North Gate weakness… for rebellion?”

Wei Lingci seemed unconvinced, her gaze chilling, smile fading. “Maybe you’re right. The panicking Imperial Capital ignores Xun Yiran—and what happens in Kang City.”

“Kang City?” Xun Changqing was surprised. “Kang City’s in Father’s hands—how does it aid Xun Yiran?”

No one in the courtyard, Wei Lingci turned to gaze out, as if piecing it all. Her eyes mirrored vast azure skies, drifting clouds beneath fathomless depths. Faintly, “An army afar needn’t heed sovereign commands—especially since Father took Kang City just three days before returning. He likely doesn’t know its state.”

Xun Changqing glanced. “But mere speculation, unproven. Battlefield folk demand hard evidence.”

Wei Lingci helpless, turned back with surprise and teasing in her eyes, lips curving. “If you believe, that’s enough. Others’ belief matters not. But little fox, when bullied, get revenge? Can’t let the rule apply only to me—unfair.”

Joking now. Xun Changqing rose, approached, patted her shoulder gently. Her cheek lifted a mild smile, but Wei Lingci felt chill. “You want fairness? Who started it? I planned to keep far this life, yet you kissed me. Now fairness?”

Xun Changqing leaned, hugged from behind, nibbling her ear. “I’m just returning what you taught—no bullying.”

Before Wei Lingci replied, a little maid burst in, panting. “Princess, your horse died… just now…”

Wei Lingci’s teased smile froze, lips pressing. Gazing at the sullen Xun Changqing, annoyance surged deep in her eyes. First, “How did it die?”

“Stall hands say it ate something poisoned. Not just yours—several other horses died too.”