Chapter 8: Heart-to-Heart Part 1

Xun Changqing was small in stature and stood by the door, so if one didn’t pay close attention, they might not even notice her.

She glanced inside, pouted her lips, and slowly walked in. Even though there was a prince inside, she was the lady of this mansion and should go in to entertain him, right? After crossing the threshold, she looked at Xun Yiran and grinned, saying, “Second Brother hasn’t come to my place in ages. You’re a rare guest today. I’ll have someone bring tea. Will you stay for lunch? I can have them prepare it.”

Her words broke the silence in the room, but Xun Yiran’s gaze darkened slightly, his white-jade complexion showing some displeasure, his deep, vigilant eyes falling on Xun Changqing’s face. Were all the children of the Pingnan Prince’s Mansion this precocious? His father had often told him that the two young masters of the Pingnan Prince’s Mansion were the same age as him, yet they had entered the military camp early and followed Xun Yi to learn military laws and strategies.

He was supposed to learn from them, but he was a prince, the future emperor. How could he compare himself to mere subjects, let alone learn from them!

He smiled back at Xun Changqing and replied, “No need. I’m going out with Miss Wei.” His eyes shimmered like amber, and though he smiled faintly, there was a trace of arrogance in his demeanor.

Wei Lingci noticed this and furrowed her brows imperceptibly. A moment later, she looked at Xun Changqing, whose toes were tapping together, and the corners of her lips curved up slightly. In a gentle tone, she said, “Your Highness, you should know that my status doesn’t match yours. Besides, my mother won’t allow me to be a concubine. You should head back first.”

Wei Lingci had already reached marriageable age, while Xun Yiran was past twenty, but Xun Changqing was only eight. Mentioning this marriage matter in front of her probably wasn’t appropriate.

Wei Lingci’s direct refusal caused a drastic change in the usually calm Xun Yiran’s expression. He unconsciously glanced at Xun Changqing, who was still staring at her own toes and tapping them absentmindedly—she probably hadn’t understood the conversation. He turned to Wei Lingci, his eyes burning with an urgent desire. Wei Lingci was beautiful, quick-witted, and though she had no family backing, the Lingyun Sect Leader adored his youngest disciple. Marrying her would bring Lingyun Mountain under his command through her.

Most importantly, Wei Lingci was a hundred times better than the pretentious women of the Imperial Capital—she even dared to reject him repeatedly. The more he couldn’t have something, the more he wanted it.

He took a deep breath, swallowed his anger, and looked at Xun Changqing, gesturing for her to leave. But she was still engrossed in playing with her toes. He had just been marveling at her cleverness, and now she was acting like a silly child.

Wei Lingci stood by indifferently, and the atmosphere in the room grew tense. Xun Yiran’s face grew increasingly ugly. Finally, unable to tolerate it any longer, he flicked his sleeves and stormed out, his refined and elegant demeanor shattered.

After Xun Yiran left, Wei Lingci finally sat down at the table. There was no tea or water on the table. From the moment she arrived, she hadn’t seen any servants in the courtyard. Was this the treatment from the Prince’s Consort and the County Princess? Or had she deliberately dismissed them?

The room fell silent once more. Xun Changqing knew Xun Yiran had left in anger, furious over a woman—it was likely that his temper had cooled before he even reached the Forbidden Palace. She looked up at Wei Lingci, who sat silently at the table, and asked curiously, “Why won’t you agree?”

This time, she used a respectful form of address. Wei Lingci was slightly surprised but didn’t dwell on it. Since she had asked, she naturally had to explain. “As I said earlier, I don’t want to be a concubine.”

Her voice was clear and cool, like mountain spring water at night, evoking ripples of light and the twinkling stars in the sky.

This was the familiar voice Xun Changqing knew. She could tell Wei Lingci was in a good mood now. She took a few steps forward and sat across from her. Her peach-blossom eyes curved slightly, as if infected by Wei Lingci’s mood, her own heart leaping with joy. “Then, if it were as a proper wife, would you marry?”

Her voice carried an unconscious hint of delight mixed with faint confusion. Wei Lingci glanced at her sideways, her expression unchanged, and said lightly, “I know the Imperial Capital is different from ordinary places, full of talented scholars. But I didn’t expect an eight-year-old young master to understand matters of marriage so well?”

Wei Lingci arched her brow lightly and watched as Xun Changqing pursed her lips. She wilted again, her right hand twirling her left fingertip—just as spineless as always… No, she was always like this in front of her…

“I was just asking about your matters. If you get married, I… I mean…”

“Before you complete your apprenticeship, I won’t get married.”

“Then when do you think I’ll complete my apprenticeship?”

Xun Changqing’s expression was serious, her thin lips pressed tight. Upon closer inspection, her throat bobbed—she was actually this nervous. Wei Lingci’s gaze fell on her hands at the corner of the table, clenched tightly. She cared so much about the apprenticeship? But why had she been so resistant before? Had she changed her mind after just a few days?

She was clever, but her temperament was impatient. If she answered like a normal person, it might make her even more restless. Wei Lingci said sternly, “Completing your apprenticeship depends on the individual. If you’re serious, you’ll finish early. If you treat it carelessly like you do now, you might never leave Lingyun Mountain in your lifetime.”

It was another stern rebuke. Xun Changqing straightened up, placing her hands obediently on her knees. Her peach-blossom eyes were clear and sincere as she said earnestly, “I won’t. Since I’ve become your apprentice at Lingyun, Changqing will naturally listen to you.”

Wei Lingci didn’t respond to her promise and simply stood up to leave. Xun Changqing felt a bit more at ease watching her go, but she knew she had to leave Lingyun Mountain after coming of age. There, she would wait to be summoned to the Imperial Capital, just like in her previous life.

Now, she had to struggle out of these surging undercurrents, navigate dealings with others, protect her own life, and safeguard the entire Pingnan Prince’s Mansion!

The Pingnan Prince’s Consort handled matters low-key, so there were only a few guests at the apprenticeship ceremony. Yuan Man didn’t attend, making it less lively. No matter how reluctant Xun Changqing felt, she finally called out “Master” while serving tea. Wei Lingci’s reaction remained indifferent; she offered a few words of advice on diligence and seriousness.