Who is wronged?
Wei Qiao looked haggard, his dark eyes like lake water in the cold night, and his lips were surrounded by light stubble. He leaned against the door frame, dressed in a moon-white robe, like a lonely crane.
His dejected expression pierced Xichun's heart. Aunt Ling Shuang was like a mother to him, and he must be heartbroken at losing her.
"Shuixian, you can go down now." Xichun said to Shuixian as she got up and walked towards Weiqiao.
"Yes, this servant takes her leave." After bowing to Xichun, Shuixian headed towards the door, and as she passed Weiqiao, she bowed respectfully to him as well.
Seeing Xichun walking towards him, Wei Qiao parted the beaded curtain and took a few steps to stand before her. Seeing the concern in her eyes, all the pain and sorrow he had harbored for days surged into his heart. He embraced Xichun tightly, resting his head on her slender shoulder.
He held her tightly, as if she were his last refuge in this world.
For the first time, Xi Chun felt Wei Qiao's utter helplessness. His body trembled slightly, and after a while, he leaned against her and sobbed silently. Xi Chun raised her hand and stroked his back, gently comforting him.
"Xichun, Aunt Ling Shuang is gone. She left me all alone," Wei Qiao cried to her, feeling wronged.
He had always known that Ling Shuang's health wasn't good; the lingering effects of an illness she had suffered from years ago had persisted. Over the years, he had consulted numerous renowned doctors to treat her, and she seemed much healthier than before. Before leaving for Jiangnan, he made a special trip to the estate to see her; Ling Shuang was then sewing swaddling clothes for his unborn child. Now, only half a month later, she was gone forever.
Wei Qiao wanted to properly honor Ling Shuang, but she refused all his requests for a title for her and his invitation for her to sit in the high hall at his wedding and receive his and the princess's homage.
Aunt Ling Shuang never wanted to use him to climb the social ladder; she simply loved him as her own child.
The more Wei Qiao recalled, the more uncontrollable the tears became in his eyes.
The only person in his two lifetimes who truly gave him maternal love left him.
From then on, he became a child without a mother again.
When Xichun heard Wei Qiao crying, she recalled the time she spent with Aunt Ling Shuang at the Wei residence, and tears welled up in her eyes as well.
"Xichun, I miss my aunt," Wei Qiao said, his voice choked with emotion.
Xi Chun sighed softly and took a step back. Wei Qiao suddenly looked at her helplessly, his eyes filled with tears, as innocent as an abandoned puppy. Xi Chun took out her handkerchief from her sleeve and stood on tiptoe to wipe away the tears from the corners of his eyes.
“Wei Qiao, I believe Aunt Ling Shuang will miss you very much too,” Xi Chun said softly.
Xi Chun reached out and touched his face. In the few days she hadn't seen him, his face had become noticeably thinner, his cheeks sunken, revealing a sharp jawline. Xi Chun knew he hadn't been eating properly these past few days, so she pulled him to the table. The food was still warm. She ladled a bowl of soup for him and handed it to him, saying, "Drink some soup to warm yourself up."
Wei Qiao was still immersed in grief and had no appetite, but looking into Xi Chun's concerned eyes, he couldn't bring himself to refuse. After a bowl of chicken soup, his tired body felt much better.
Xi Chun had someone bring him clean bowls and chopsticks. Seeing that he ate a couple of bites and then put down his chopsticks, she then had someone prepare things for him to bathe. She had a few of Wei Qiao's clothes with her. Although she still disliked what he had done to her, she couldn't bring herself to send him away at this moment.
After bathing and shaving, Wei Qiao nestled in Xi Chun's arms, while she dried his hair with a fumigation burner. He hadn't slept well since the day he learned of Aunt Ling Shuang's death, but now, with his head resting on Xi Chun's lap and inhaling her comforting scent, he quickly fell asleep.
Xi Chun was focused on combing his hair. Once it was completely dry, she looked down to wake him, only to find he was already asleep. His face was turned towards her, his arms crossed over his chest, his body curled up. Xi Chun's legs were a little numb from his sleeping state, but she couldn't bear to wake him.
His eyes were dark and his forehead had a small red pimple.
He must be very tired.
Xi Chun lowered her eyes to look at his sleeping face, his features unchanged, just like the night she met him at the stone pavilion a long time ago.
Upon closer reflection, only three years have actually passed.
Three years ago, she never imagined she would fall in love with Wei Qiao. At that time, Xi Chun only regarded him as her brother-in-law and a kind person who had helped her when she was down on her luck. Later, however, she gradually fell in love with him as they spent time together, and couldn't help but want to get closer to him. Although his intentions played a part, it was ultimately she herself who moved her heart.
Later, after entering and leaving the palace, she stayed by Wei Qiao's side, thinking that the story had come to an end and that they would live happily ever after. Only later did she realize that it was just wishful thinking on her part.
He couldn't let go of Ming Chuqing, and she didn't want to lose him, so she pretended not to know. But ultimately, their love was unequal. Wei Qiao treated her as a pampered plaything, while she saw him as a lover she could spend her life with.
Even now, Xichun still feels that while her importance in Wei Qiao's heart may have increased because of her pregnancy, his deepest opinion of her remains unchanged. Just like he said during their argument in bed, he feels that her status is not good enough for him.
Xi Chun didn't covet the wealth and glory of the Prince Zhao's mansion, nor did she care about the title of concubine. Wei Qiao was the only man she ever loved in her life, and she only had one simple wish: that the two of them could become husband and wife like ordinary lovers and grow old together. But it was ultimately impossible; his princess consort was someone else, and in front of Ming Chuqing, Xi Chun could only ever be a concubine.
She didn't want to be anyone's concubine, not even Wei Qiao.
Wei Qiao drifted into a deep sleep, only to find himself in a mourning hall, with funeral banners fluttering everywhere and white paper money raining down. He wondered whose funeral this was when A Gui approached him, weeping, and told him that the concubine had passed away. He staggered towards the coffin in the hall and, sure enough, saw that familiar figure lying peacefully inside. He cried out in surprise, opening his eyes to meet a pair of clear, bright eyes.
"Your Highness, what's wrong?" Xichun asked in surprise when she saw him suddenly exclaim.
Wei Qiao reached out and touched her face; it was warm to the touch.
"Xichun, it's so good to see you."
He was truly afraid that one day he would lose Xichun like in his dream, but thankfully she was right beside him, in his Prince Zhao's mansion.
"I've always been here," Xi Chun said with a smile, guessing that he must have had a nightmare.
"How long have I been asleep?" Wei Qiao looked at the candlestick on the low table. He just remembered that the candle had been lit and was now almost half burned.
Xi Chun thought for a moment and said, "The prince has been asleep for an hour."
"It's been so long!" Wei Qiao quickly got up from Xi Chun's body.
He scolded, "Why didn't you wake me up? Are your legs numb?" As he spoke, Wei Qiao began to massage Xi Chun's legs.
Xi Chun watched his movements with a smile. Wei Qiao didn't know how to massage, so he just pressed randomly on her thighs. However, his movements were moderate in strength, which did relieve her soreness and numbness.
After falling asleep, Wei Qiao held Xi Chun in his arms, stroking her silky hair, and said softly, "Xi Chun, I just dreamt that you left me?"
Xi Chun's heart tightened upon hearing this. She didn't know if Wei Qiao was telling the truth or testing her. She didn't want Wei Qiao to realize that she still had thoughts of leaving, otherwise he would inevitably increase his control over her. She immediately said, "Why would Your Highness dream of this?"
Wei Qiao put down his hand that was playing with her hair, put his head next to hers, and said aggrievedly, "Xi Chun, you won't leave me, right?"
His aunt Ling Shuang had already left him, and he could no longer tolerate Xi Chun leaving him as well.
Xi Chun chuckled softly, groping for his hand in the darkness, and led it to her slightly protruding belly. "Why would Your Highness think that way? The child and I will always be with Your Highness."
After saying this, Xi Chun couldn't help but smile bitterly to herself. She, who was usually so clumsy with words, had actually lied now, and in front of the person she loved most.
With her promise, Wei Qiao's anxious heart felt much more at ease. As long as Xi Chun was there, he was no longer alone.
The next day, after having breakfast with Xichun, Wei Qiao returned to Ming'an Hall. Upon learning of Wei Qiao's return, Ming Chuqing also began preparations early in Yunhe Hall. Wei Qiao had previously told her that his inspection tour of Jiangnan might take several months, and she hadn't thought much of it at the time. But now, thinking about how the matter at Chaoxia Courtyard would be settled in a few months, she felt extremely distressed.
Wei Qiao has not yet slept with her, and now that her period has just ended a few days ago, she is at her most fertile. She must take advantage of Wei Qiao's stay at the manor to make him leave her with a child.
Wei Qiao had dinner with Ming Chuqing at Yunhe Hall. After dinner, Ming Chuqing talked with Wei Qiao about Ling Shuang, praising the long-standing master-servant relationship between Ling Shuang and Wei Qiao. After lamenting the impermanence of life, Ming Chuqing brought the topic back to herself.
She wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, looked at Wei Qiao with a wronged expression, and said sadly, "I think Your Highness must dislike me very much."
Seeing her on the verge of tears, Wei Qiao quickly asked, "Why does Your Highness say such a thing?"
He and the princess were destined to be together across two lifetimes. The princess perfectly matched his ideal of a legal wife, so he naturally liked her very much.
Ming Chuqing noticed the hint of pity in his eyes, and she knew that Wei Qiao still cared about her to some extent. She was secretly pleased, but squeezed out two tears: "Why must Your Highness speak so plainly? I have been married into the Zhao Prince's mansion for over a month and am still a virgin. If it is not that Your Highness dislikes me, then why is it?"
"This king..."
Wei Qiao was about to explain when Ming Chuqing interrupted him: "Your Highness need not fabricate such lies. Sister Xichun from Chaoxia Courtyard served Your Highness before entering the manor, and is now several months pregnant. Your Highness is in good health. Yet Your Highness is unwilling to be near me. What else could this be but disgust?"
"Some time ago, Her Majesty the Empress summoned me to the palace for a questioning. During her conversation, she encouraged me to have a child for the Prince as soon as possible and even bestowed upon me a statue of Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy, who grants children. I was too embarrassed to say that the Prince and I have not yet shared a bed, so I could only make up an excuse."
Ming Chuqing had never been treated so coldly before, and the more she spoke, the more genuinely heartbroken she became. The grandeur of Wei Qiao's betrothal gifts had been the envy of all their relatives and friends. Later, with the change of imperial power, Wei Qiao's favor remained undiminished, and he was even granted the title of Prince Zhao, drawing even more envious glances. She considered herself lucky; she had only originally been attracted to his looks, never expecting to unexpectedly gain the position of princess.
Even after he went to pursue his concubines on their wedding night, she didn't care. She believed that with her beauty and talent, Wei Qiao would eventually fall for her. Her heart had long been given to Wei Kang; she didn't seek a harmonious marriage, but she wanted to maintain a facade of harmony. However, apart from the night she had her period, Wei Qiao never slept in the same bed with her again.
Ming Chuqing sighed softly before glancing at Wei Qiao: "I know I cannot compare to my younger sister in terms of youth and beauty, but I have always been a beloved young lady in the Ming family. I only dared to ask the late emperor for a marriage decree because I admired Your Highness. If Your Highness did not approve of me, why did you refuse me earlier? Why did you bring me into the manor now and then leave me hanging?"
"This king..." Wei Qiao began, but then found himself at a loss for words. The princess's words were all to the point; he was the one who wanted to marry her, yet now he was neglecting her, which was truly wrong.
Seeing Ming Chuqing crying with tears streaming down her face, Wei Qiao stepped forward and took the crimson handkerchief embroidered with white peonies from her hand to wipe away her tears. "Your Highness, it is I who have wronged you."
Hearing his apologetic words and the guilty look in his eyes, Ming Chuqing took his hand and pressed it against her heart, saying softly, "Then, Your Highness, will you stay with me tonight?"
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