“What does that matter? She treated me well when I was young—that’s enough. Xun Yi is my birth father and can abandon me without a care; I don’t mind if there’s no blood tie between us. For two lifetimes and thirteen years, before I met you, she was the only one in my life… Selfishly, I think it’s good she left the Imperial Capital, but I don’t want us to end up on opposite sides.”
When she awoke, she harbored hostility toward everyone, but seeing all her mother consort had done and planned for her, she felt heaven still pitied her somewhat—at least she had someone trustworthy. As a borderlander, her mother consort had mastered Great Qi’s etiquette so perfectly that everyone in the Prince’s Mansion admired her. The two side consorts didn’t dare cross her.
“When I woke up, I overheard the two side consorts talking, saying she had never been pregnant… They thought I was too young to understand, but I had already been reborn… So I guessed the truth. But she didn’t mind and treated me as her own—that’s enough. I’m too lazy to care who my birth mother was, or perhaps she’s long dead. I’m not heartless; I remember the one who bore me, but she never appeared in my life, so how can I think of her or miss her…”
After the lamps were lit in the room, only one remained on the table by the bed, casting a warm yellow glow. Wei Lingci brushed away the stray hairs smeared on Xun Changqing’s cheek and stared at the teardrops hovering in her eyes. Her heart twisted painfully, as if gripped by someone.
Wei Lingci kissed her long, wet lashes. “Changqing, if you want to go, I’ll go with you. I’ll have Yuan Man arrange backup. She won’t harm you, but between two nations, don’t dwell on old times. Once you’re back, return straight to the Imperial Capital.”
“I don’t want you to go—it’s too dangerous.” Xun Changqing closed her eyes, clearing her jumbled thoughts. Her hands habitually wrapped around Wei Lingci’s waist as she nestled obediently into her embrace. The night breeze was still chilly, but with Wei Lingci on the outer side blocking the wind, the temperature was just right.
The word “dangerous” pierced Wei Lingci’s ears and climbed into her heart. She pinched Xun Changqing’s waist, clad only in nightclothes, drawing a long gasp. Only then did she say, “What did you just say? I didn’t hear. Say it again.”
She suddenly pinned her down, the hand at her waist unrelenting. If Xun Changqing said one more wrong thing, she would repeat the trick.
Xun Changqing’s hands were pinned by one of Wei Lingci’s, leaving her powerless. She struggled but stubbornly said, “I can go alone. I’ll be careful. You’re not allowed to follow.”
“Yes, you’re all grown up now and can make your own decisions. I won’t force you.” Wei Lingci gave a cold laugh. Under the bright lamp, her features were exquisitely beautiful—black hair, porcelain skin, bright eyes full of grace, and delicate flushed earlobes. With such a beauty beside her, one’s heart stirred. But with that hand at her waist, Xun Changqing could hardly feel transcendent joy.
Gazing into those brimming eyes, Xun Changqing felt timid. In her heart, Wei Lingci was pure and unsullied; now, lying neck-to-neck, it was so perfect. But she seemed to have stirred trouble again. Wei Lingci pinched her waist hard, meeting her flickering eyes. She cried out, “Master, it hurts… You’re being unreasonable…”
Wei Lingci smiled faintly. Seeing her aggrieved look, she added more force casually. “With you, no need for reason.”
“It hurts… Wei Lingci, lighter—you’re getting more violent… Ow,” Xun Changqing shifted slightly to the side, but her gaze locked firmly on Wei Lingci’s eyes. They darkened as she bit her lip. “It’s so dangerous—think again. I don’t want anything happening to you. I’ll definitely come back safe.”
Wei Lingci’s eyes narrowed, sharpening as she looked down at her. Her expression unchanged, her lips curved in an ambiguous smile laced with threat. “Xun Changqing, the one who should think is you. Otherwise, head back to the Imperial Capital tomorrow. Yuan Man won’t drag you to Border City.”
“I already promised Yuan Man. Besides, I can’t abandon Ji Province. I think it’s still… Ow…” Xun Changqing frowned, her eyes trembling. She dared not continue, like meat on a chopping block, helpless.
Wei Lingci stubbornly repeated, “Go on. Your master won’t force you. From the moment you entered my sect, I never laid a hand on you. Try it today.”
Xun Changqing gritted her teeth, her peach-blossom eyes filled with helplessness and a desire to devour the one before her. “You… are so unreasonable. You’ve done so much for me, even gave up your life in vain—you’d regret it, Wei Lingci!”
Something flashed through Wei Lingci’s heart like a meteor streaking across the sky, leaving a faint trail. Her gaze sharpened. “That’s my business.”
“Stop pinching me all the time—your strength is insane. We can talk it out. It hurts…” Xun Changqing cried out a few times, furrowing her brows deeply and taking a deep breath. Thin sweat beaded on her forehead. “If you want to go… Hiss… then go.”
Wei Lingci finally moved her hand and patted Xun Changqing’s slightly puffed cheek, feeling the soft skin. She smiled faintly. “Good girl!”
Xun Changqing huffed twice and scooted to the inner side of the bed, hugging the blanket and rubbing her sore spot. She muttered, “I regret it now…”
