Chapter 77: Rumors Part 2

Zi Jin’s expression changed; she set aside her tasks and returned to inform Xun Changqing.

Xun Changqing was expected to rage, but she only frowned slightly, her fingertip tracing the edge of the book page. A faint chill spread across her pale little face as she leaned on the soft couch and murmured, “Even I only learned of this from Wei Lingci’s mouth. Outsiders shouldn’t know—it’s likely someone in the mansion stirring ghosts. I’m so low-key, not even leaving this courtyard, yet trouble still finds me.”

“Some troubles are inevitable. The courtyard maids say the guards won’t let them out the gate lately, and under the Heir Apparent’s Consort’s management, our allotments are always short. They wanted to tell you, but with your illness, they dared not disturb your rest.”

Xun Changqing had vaguely heard such complaints from her courtyard staff. Petty frictions abounded in the mansion; dealing with them seriously wasn’t hard. But Qin Jingyu’s tactics were childish—tampering covertly changed nothing; openly, she dared not touch Xun Changqing’s shares.

Failing that, she resorted to petty tricks.

Xun Changqing sighed helplessly, set down the book, and straightened slightly. Helplessness sharpened into a glint in her eyes like a shallow blade. She said, “Who my birth mother is and her status—that’s not for them to wag their tongues about. Father’s hidden it for so many years, but now it’s dug up. Might as well let the secret out; it’ll save me the hassle, no?”

Zi Jin nodded. “But how to make Father say it himself? What’s his reason for guarding it all these years?”

“He entrusted me to Ana Yanran, which means he loved my birth mother and wanted to give me a legitimate status. If not, he could’ve handed me to anyone. Otherwise, exposing this secret would cost him face. But he’s not afraid, so there must be some affection.”

Xun Changqing leaned back wearily, her eyes drifting shut. Her kind nature hadn’t deterred Qin Jingyu; it only intensified her malice. Xun Changqing had no interest in the mansion’s affairs. Though she’d altered everyone’s futures, they wouldn’t know these changes—greed only dragged one deeper into darkness.

In her past life, the Pingnan Prince’s Mansion knew no strife because there was no need; the heir was predetermined. But now with Xun Yitan dead, the vacant heir position might lead to Crown Prince. Qin Jingyu vied for it, as did Xun Yibai, unsettling the mansion.

Why target her without cause? Did Qin Jingyu see her as a contender too?

Xun Changqing rubbed her aching temples and looked at Zi Jin, her lips twitching unconsciously. “Go investigate if the Heir Apparent’s Consort has any new movements. She wouldn’t target me for no reason. For heir selection, she’d favor Xun Yibai— it couldn’t possibly fall to me.”

The rumors might not be all bad. A deep unease stirred in her heart; she wasn’t sure if her next move was right. It involved elders, and using it for her ends felt somewhat malicious. She rubbed her faintly aching shoulder and gave a few low instructions.

Zi Jin froze, puzzled. “That would ruin your reputation—and Madam’s—to the worst. Wouldn’t that play right into their hands?”

Her long, thick lashes trembled. Xun Changqing stared at her palm, feeling her pulse throb. Whose life was this? She didn’t even know. Now facing such vicious rumors, she felt utterly incompetent as a junior.

In Wei Lingci’s words, spineless.

Seeing her resolve, Zi Jin didn’t press and left to make arrangements.

Xun Changqing watched her figure depart, the faint sorrow in her eyes turning to cold intent like an inky midnight—solid and dense. She was no longer a child. She had to secure her safety, lest Wei Lingci worry in the north.

……………………………………

No major event in the Imperial Capital escaped the idle consorts in the palace. With the overall situation settled and the Empress dead, the Wise Noble Consort truly reigned as the rear palace’s foremost.

They saw the Emperor rarely; rumors said he was ill, but even serving him was impossible. Their days passed strolling gardens and gossiping about outside matters.

Some palace servant had brought in the tale of Princess Xiang’an, and they all widened their eyes to listen. She was the Emperor’s little favorite—if not his blood, the throne’s heir might have been hers. Pity her fate; even her birth mother was unknown.

In Radiant Benevolence Palace, several consorts gathered to pay respects. The Wise Noble Consort had just risen and was dressing, so they waited and inevitably chatted about the Imperial Capital’s hottest rumor.

One peeled a grape, bit into it with red lips, and said, “Rumors are flying everywhere now, and that princess can only hole up in her room. But I’m puzzled—if she’s really from outside, why did the Pingnan Prince protect her? His Majesty bestowed the princess title, promoting County Princess exceptionally—that’s unprecedented in Great Qi, bearing even the Previous Emperor’s name. That’s no fake.”

“In my view, not necessarily. Outsiders paint her mother as a brothel girl the Pingnan Prince disdained for status, so he never brought her in. But since it’s his child, he took her home. Now she’s caught His Majesty’s eye, gaining such status. The prince ignored her for years outside; I doubt he dotes much. Brothel girls are for fun—can’t bring them home or face ridicule.”

They chattered back and forth for a full half-hour until someone turned and spotted the Wise Noble Consort a few steps away. Grapes dropped to the floor; they knelt in panic to pay respects.

The Wise Noble Consort eyed them coldly, her brows furious. Years in the palace lent her quiet authority. “Wagging tongues in the palace warrants punishment. With His Majesty’s health ailing, can’t you behave?”

Terrified, they dared not retort—here, she could punish them. They suddenly recalled Princess Xiang’an’s closeness with her; they’d blundered onto the blade.

Fortunately, the Wise Noble Consort had no mind for grudges. She confined them to quarters and returned to the main hall.

Her anger simmered. Xun Changqing had been back half a month, her condition fluctuating, still not fully recovered. Several groups of physicians had come, saying the wound had festered from excessive worry; only rest would help.

With rumors spreading so fast, how could one rest?

She glared at her chief maid, sweeping the teacup off the table in fury. “I told you to suppress the rumors—why are they spreading faster? What are you all doing? I asked you to investigate that woman, and you can’t even do that? Your competence is declining.”

Palace maids scrambled to clean shards. The named Qingyao knelt, explaining hastily, “The prince’s side is too tight-lipped; nothing turns up. As for the rumors, this servant tried her best. It’s known in nearly every household in the Imperial Capital, Your Ladyship. Can’t stop it now—perhaps another way.”

The Wise Noble Consort dismissed the others, leaving only Qingyao, her face displeased. She said lowly, “Go check on the Pingnan Prince’s Mansion.”

That girl was usually lively, scampering about the palace—such matters wouldn’t need her interference. But now, sick and muddled, she couldn’t let her be schemed against.