Chapter 84: Sand Part 2

She didn’t look at Wei Lingci again and lowered her head to bite her collarbone.

Wei Lingci’s hands at her sides clenched suddenly. Finally, she couldn’t resist trying to push her away, but Xun Changqing was ruthless, biting with such ferocity as if to shatter her bones. She couldn’t help saying, “Changqing, you should know me… I can’t tolerate even a grain of sand in my eyes. Men or women, I don’t want to see any of them…”

At those words, Xun Changqing lifted her gaze to meet hers, her eyes tinged with melancholy. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead, her peach-blossom eyes blinking involuntarily. A teardrop fell onto Wei Lingci’s cool long lashes, making her misty white eyes tremble as the tear rolled into them.

Wei Lingci felt an ache in her eyes but didn’t know how to respond. When she had rushed back to the Imperial Capital, the Wise Noble Consort had informed her that His Majesty had changed the succession to make Xun Changqing the new emperor.

In that moment, she didn’t know whether to be happy or worried. A woman ascending the throne was a grand event, but once Xun Changqing became emperor, inevitably many people would surround her—she wouldn’t belong to her alone anymore. She couldn’t accept that. Yet making Xun Changqing have only her was utterly impossible.

Even with the personal guarantee she received at Pingnan Prince’s Mansion, she still felt the future was unpredictable. Emperors were heartless—how could promises be trusted?

But seeing her cry now, Wei Lingci felt she was being cruel. She couldn’t just sit idly by.

Wei Lingci said nothing, only shedding silent tears. Xun Changqing gripped her hand tightly, gazing at her pale face as if chilled by cold snow, the smear of blood on her lips blooming like a flower under the candlelight, making her seem even more delicate. She said, “Wei Lingci, do you like me? No more words—just say like or not like.”

Wei Lingci pursed her lips and gave a hollow smile. She whispered softly, “Of course I like you.”

Xun Changqing stared at her and pressed, “Like, or like very much?”

If it’s just ordinary like, I’ll let you go as you wish!

Wei Lingci raised her hand, her fingertips threading through her long silky hair to her back, feeling the smooth, soft skin. Her voice trembled slightly. “Very much… very much like.”

“Aci, I like you very much too. In the borderlands, I could block arrows for you, so naturally I treasure you more than my own life. Why won’t you believe me? Emperor or not, you’re so capable—you can certainly fend off those political marriages.”

Xun Changqing’s voice carried thick exhaustion. She lowered her head and slowly rested it on Wei Lingci’s chest.

Her chest rose and fell hotly, like embers warming her long-chilled heart. Xun Changqing was no longer as stubborn and unreasonable as before. Hearing Wei Lingci say she liked her very much made her truly happy. In two lifetimes, this was the first time she’d heard that answer. She smiled faintly. “These days, every step I take feels terrifying, afraid I’ll mess everything up. Sometimes I think, once I’ve done all this and truly become emperor, if I marry you as empress, no one would dare oppose it, right?”

Every word from Xun Changqing rang clearly in Wei Lingci’s ears. Waves of emotion surged in her eyes, a tear sliding into Xun Changqing’s ink-black hair. She gently wrapped her arms around her, listening to her drowsy murmurs. “Let’s make up. These days have been so exhausting, and I haven’t dared truly sleep, afraid that if I sleep too long, something unsolvable will happen.”

Her voice was soft like fine rain, warm like spring sun, yet it inexplicably stabbed at Wei Lingci’s heart. It felt like a dream, and she wished this intimacy could last a lifetime. She whispered gently, “Sleep. I’ll watch over you. If anything happens, I’ll handle it.”

“When the palace servants bring the Coronation Robes later, just wake me. Aci, I only want you. Now that I’m emperor, I have the right to choose…” Xun Changqing murmured softly in response, then relaxed her body, letting go of all vigilance and slowly closing her eyes.

Wei Lingci gazed at her with heartache. Her breathing was so close. In hesitation, she carefully laid Xun Changqing’s body on the couch. Her tears, her pleas, her soft pleas for reconciliation had finally broken her defenses, leaving her defeated.

She couldn’t help but kiss away the tears on Xun Changqing’s thick black lashes, pressing against her icy cheeks, hoping to melt the chill born from her own actions.

Changqing, it’s not just like—it’s love!

…

Precedents existed for a woman ascending the throne, and examples of Coronation Robes and Phoenix Crowns could be found by consulting the daily records from the Condensing Origin Empress’s reign.

The Wise Noble Consort had prepared these when the Previous Emperor issued his Imperial Last Will. One month was rushed, but she had still managed to complete all the new emperor’s attire.