Chapter 6: The Dispute Part 2

No matter how steady her temperament, Xun Changqing was stunned speechless for a moment. Shock filled her eyes, mingled with an unclear hatred. Almost grinding her teeth, she replied, “Mother Consort didn’t inform me, so I didn’t know. Even if she did, what then? Can you restrict Changqing’s freedom?”

“Of course not. But as your master now, I can order you not to leave this room,” Wei Lingci said, color gradually returning to her lips. Looking at the puffed-up child, her eyes brightened further. For some reason, her mood lifted, and she added, “Once you’re at Lingyun Mountain, you’ll no longer be the son of a prince. If you regret it now, you can still go find your mother consort in time.”

Xun Changqing swallowed hard. Wei Lingci hadn’t looked at her while speaking, indicating she wasn’t done. Sure enough, pleased by her silence, Wei Lingci nodded and continued, “Though my mother grew up with your father, I’m different. I don’t know you at all. The Princess Consort just wants you to leave the Imperial Capital and seek refuge at Lingyun Mountain. If you can’t appreciate her good intentions, go ahead and make a fuss—I won’t interfere.”

Wei Lingci took several deep breaths to say all this, considering her young age and explaining it plainly. Once finished, she slowly turned back to look at Xun Changqing, a slight smirk tugging at her lips, carrying the unrestrained arrogance of youth.

Wei Lingci understood these truths, and having lived once before, how could Xun Changqing not? She knew even more than Wei Lingci. The current Emperor shared a deep brotherly bond with her father, so there would never be suspicion. But she knew the Emperor wouldn’t live many more years—six or seven at most. Once Xun Yiran ascended, that affection would fade. With a new ruler and a suspicious court, he wouldn’t tolerate the Pingnan Prince’s Mansion growing stronger. He would surely suspect and eliminate them.

If she stayed in the Imperial Capital, she’d end up encircled and killed as in her previous life. Even if she survived, she’d be held hostage to threaten her father.

Xun Changqing fell silent, lowering her brows and eyes. Those eyes were frighteningly deep. Her hands clenched tightly inside her robes. Lifting her head, she said, “Lingyun Mountain is just a mountain. How can it contend with the Emperor? What will happen to me then? And how will you handle yourself? Second Brother likes you—even willing to offer a kingdom as bride price. Why wade into this muddy water and tarnish your reputation?”

Wei Lingci was visibly startled, sighing softly at her precociousness. Her eyes teasingly swept over Xun Changqing’s childish face. After a moment of surprise, she smiled lightly, her expression calm and breezy, eyes clear black and white with a hidden amusement. She sighed, “I simply don’t want to marry, that’s all. If one day, you and Lingyun Mountain can’t coexist…”

“Miss, you’ll sever ties with me?”

The childish voice carried an indiscernible resentment. Wei Lingci shook her head, her hand on the table edge tightening. She chuckled lowly, “Sever ties? Do we even have ties now?”

Xun Changqing couldn’t deny it—they had no relationship, merely strangers who’d met twice.

Thinking carefully, in her previous life, before her father rebelled and the capital’s forces came for her, Wei Lingci had already cut ties. She couldn’t blame her for that. Lingyun Mountain wouldn’t defy the sovereign or clash with the court; naturally, they’d hand over a criminal like her to the capital. Xun Changqing sighed inwardly. Wei Lingci probably couldn’t tolerate her apprentice falling in love with her—that would be utterly taboo.

Moreover, the Ning’an County Princess Wei Xiao had grown up by the Previous Emperor’s side, proficient in music, chess, poetry, and books—a true scholarly lady. She certainly wouldn’t tolerate such a master-disciple romance, especially between two women!

But why didn’t she want to marry?

With the thought in mind, Xun Changqing voiced it: “Why don’t you want to marry?”

“What does it have to do with you?” Wei Lingci glanced at her, her expression cooling again. She’d thought her earlier words would make her wiser, but instead, she’d fixated on her own affairs—ruining the greater good with petty mischief!

Unexpectedly scolded, Xun Changqing realized her slip and fell silent. She sensed that romantic matters held no appeal for Wei Lingci. Yet across the Great Qi realm, for an unmarried woman, the most prestigious position was as the heir’s principal wife.

Wei Lingci, however, scorned it. What was she after?

They’d spoken briefly earlier, but now half an hour had passed. Guessing Xun Yiran had left, Wei Lingci stood and said, “That’s all from me. Whether you listen is up to you. The apprenticeship ceremony hasn’t happened yet—you can still back out.”

Wei Lingci had somewhat forgotten that before her was just an eight-year-old child. No matter how deep her thoughts, she couldn’t match an adult’s. Only after entering the royal power struggles would she realize that peace was a blessing. Better simple days of rice, oil, salt, soy, vinegar, and tea amid fields than constant scheming.

So what if Xun Yiran was smitten? Could it withstand the temptation of throne and power? With three thousand in the rear palace, what was she?

With a wistful sigh, Wei Lingci returned to her room across the way.

Left alone, the little Xun Changqing pondered deeply in the room, fine sweat beading on her forehead. The White-Bearded Monk’s words from earlier had awakened her—her obsessions ran too deep. This life differed from the last; she’d only met Wei Lingci at eight. She should focus on protecting the Pingnan Prince’s Mansion and ensuring her mother consort’s safety.