Hai Qing originally lived at home, only coming to the palace daily for lessons. One day, she was so exhausted that she fainted on the way. Ji Mingchen, feeling sympathetic, sought her parents’ permission to let her stay in the palace for convenience in her studies.
Sending her home might anger her, but Ji Mingchen felt he wasn’t ready to marry her immediately. After much deliberation, he had Bu Xiu play the bad guy and send Hai Qing back to her residence.
As expected, she ignored him for half a month.
Without other companions, Ji Mingchen felt somewhat lonely.
It was at this time that General Wei’s family died defending the city, leaving Wei Ling an orphan in the palace. She was sent to be raised in the imperial court.
Wei Ling was timid, appearing more pitiable compared to Hai Qing’s cheerful dominance.
Ji Mingchen instantly perked up.
Looking at Wei Ling’s delicate appearance, he finally realized what was missing between him and Hai Qing.
Hai Qing didn’t need him; she was impressive on her own, with a good family background, looks, and strong Yuan Power, never lacking suitors. But Wei Ling was different. She had no Yuan Power, no family, and no support for the rest of her life. Her gaze upon him was like looking at a great tree amidst a flood.
Ji Mingchen enjoyed feeling needed, so he allowed Wei Ling to move into the nearest palace to him. Even though she couldn’t use Yuan Power, he took her to classes.
However, Wei Ling was sensitive. Seeing some of Hai Qing’s belongings that hadn’t been taken away in the palace, she shed tears and softly said, “So Your Highness already has someone in his heart.”
Ji Mingchen glanced at those items, feeling slightly awkward. “No, she forgot to take them. I’ll have someone send them to her now.”
Only then did Wei Ling smile through her tears, gently tugging at his sleeve and asking, “Then, am I the one in Your Highness’s heart now?”
Ji Mingchen remained silent.
He couldn’t say whether he was or wasn’t, but these past few days were much happier than when Hai Qing was watching him. At least Wei Ling didn’t constantly hint at marriage.
However, once the items were sent out, Hai Qing became furious. She stormed into the palace with her nine-section whip, lashing out at his leg. “I’ve been your classmate for so many years, yet I can’t compare to a girl who’s only been here for three days?”
This time, Ji Mingchen was smarter. He dodged nimbly and steadily, then replied helplessly, “What’s there to compare? You’re not staying here anymore, so naturally, the items should be returned. Otherwise, you’d say I owe you again.”
Wei Ling, frightened nearby, quickly grabbed Ji Mingchen’s sleeve and timidly said to Hai Qing, “Sister, please don’t be angry. This is within the palace walls, it’s not appropriate to fight…”
“Who’s your sister?” Hai Qing glared coldly. “I’m the only daughter of the Hai family. I don’t have a sister.”
Wei Ling choked, tears immediately welling up.
Ji Mingchen’s face darkened slightly. “You came all this way to bully someone?”
Hai Qing took a deep breath, gritting her teeth, “I don’t know who’s bullying whom.”
As she finished speaking, her eyes reddened severely. She wiped her face and turned to leave.
Ji Mingchen felt an inexplicable panic. He had never seen Hai Qing cry before. How could a few words make her so upset?
He instinctively wanted to chase after her, but Wei Ling held onto his sleeve. “Your Highness.”
He turned back to find Wei Ling also crying heavily. Unlike Hai Qing, she needed someone to stay with her more.
Hesitating, Ji Mingchen sighed and didn’t walk out.
Meanwhile, Hai Qing angrily walked a long way, looked back, and saw no one following her.
She drooped her eyebrows and eyes, slowly squatting down by the palace path.
Ji Mingchen was so insensitive. She had been so good to him for many years, and he must have felt it. Yet, as they approached marriageable age, he stubbornly refused to agree and even brought another girl to upset her.
Hai Qing didn’t want to admit that he preferred Wei Ling. Who could accept losing years of effort to someone who appeared just days ago?
Ji Mingchen was good in every way – skilled in governing, managing subordinates, and excelling in both civil and military affairs. But he was just dense, not knowing what he wanted even at nineteen.
After squatting for so long her legs went numb, Hai Qing slowly stood up, wiped her face clean, and strode back home.
Ji Mingchen remained seated in Wei Ling’s palace. Wei Ling had stopped crying and began to apologize, “If it weren’t for me, Your Highness and Miss Hai would be engaged. It’s my fault.”
“It has nothing to do with you,” Ji Mingchen waved his hand. “I had no such plans originally.”
Wei Ling looked at him puzzled, “People outside say Your Highness greatly favors Miss Hai.”
Favor? Not really. Whenever Hai Qing brought him soup or snacks, he naturally sent her some hairpins and such in return. To outsiders, he was the ruler and she the subject, so they only spoke of his favor, not seeing how good she was to him.
Thinking this way, he felt more guilty. Hai Qing had never neglected him, but he, with his unsettled heart, had made her sad for nothing.
“Go find a case for a nine-section whip and send it to Miss Hai,” he told a nearby servant. “I noticed her previous one was somewhat worn.”
The servant accepted the order and left with a bow.
Wei Ling watched from the side, feeling a bit panicked. She composed herself and gently held Ji Mingchen’s hand. “I’m not used to the palace yet. Would Your Highness accompany me for dinner?”
“Alright,” Ji Mingchen agreed without hesitation.
However, during that dinner, he felt increasingly hot. Being at the age of youthful vigor and without maids to guide him in matters of intimacy, Ji Mingchen felt at a loss. Just as he was about to return to his palace, Wei Ling embraced his waist.
“I can help Your Highness,” she said softly.
Ji Mingchen looked at her in confusion.
Hai Qing cried for a while after returning home, then continued practicing in her small courtyard.
She was a free-spirited person. If Ji Mingchen hadn’t included her in his circle first, she wouldn’t have had so many fantasies. Now that even childhood sweethearts couldn’t compete with a sudden outsider, it meant he simply didn’t like her.
This fact was hard to accept, but not impossible. She just needed some time to calm down.
So, she began practicing with her nine-section whip, the weapon whistling through the air in the courtyard. Servants who saw this knew it was a sign of trouble.
Experience told them that when the young miss was in a bad mood, it was best for others to stay away.
Thus, the servants made excuses to leave and closed the door to her courtyard.
Hai Qing was practicing happily when she suddenly heard movement on the wall.
“Who’s there?!” Her expression sharpened as she lashed out with her whip.
The intruder landed, catching her whip and using its force to pull her.
His strength was too great. Hai Qing couldn’t resist and fell into his arms.
“Qing’er,” Ji Mingchen pressed against her shoulder, biting her collarbone. “I feel unwell.”
Hai Qing was stunned.
She sensed unfamiliar waves of heat emanating from his body. His hands tightly gripped her waist, restlessly rubbing against her sash.