Hai Qing originally lived at her own home, only coming to the palace daily for lessons. But one day, she was so exhausted that she fainted on the way. Ji Mingchen, unable to bear it, sought permission from her parents to let her stay in the palace for easier training.
Sending her back might anger her, but marrying her immediately was something Ji Mingchen felt he couldn’t do.
After much deliberation, he had Buxiu play the bad cop and escorted Hai Qing back to her residence.
True enough, she ignored him for half a month.
With no other companions around, Ji Mingchen felt a sudden loneliness.
It was then that General Wei and his entire family died defending the city, leaving Wei Ling, the sole survivor, orphaned in the Palace City. She was brought into the palace to be raised.
Wei Ling was timid and shy, appearing even more pitiable compared to Hai Qing’s bold and domineering nature.
Ji Mingchen perked up instantly.
Looking at Wei Ling’s delicate and vulnerable demeanor, he finally realized what had been missing between him and Hai Qing.
Hai Qing didn’t need him—she was formidable on her own, with excellent lineage, beauty, and strong Essence Power, never lacking suitors. But Wei Ling was different. She had no Essence Power, no family, and no future to rely on. The way she looked at him was as if he were a towering tree in a raging flood.
Ji Mingchen liked the feeling of being needed, so he allowed Wei Ling to move into the palace closest to his own. Even though she lacked Essence Power, he still took her along to lessons.
However, Wei Ling was highly sensitive. When she noticed some of Hai Qing’s belongings still left behind in the palace, she burst into tears and whispered, “So Your Highness already has someone in your heart.”
Ji Mingchen glanced at the items, slightly embarrassed. “No, she just forgot to take them. I’ll have them sent to her right away.”
Only then did Wei Ling smile through her tears, gently tugging his sleeve as she asked, “Then the one in Your Highness’s heart now is me, isn’t it?”
Ji Mingchen fell silent.
He couldn’t say yes or no, but these past few days had been far more enjoyable than when Hai Qing was pressuring him—at least Wei Ling didn’t openly or subtly push him to marry her quickly.
However, as soon as the belongings were sent out, Hai Qing flew into a rage. She stormed into the palace with her Nine-Section Whip and lashed it across his leg. “After all these years as classmates, I’m suddenly inferior to some girl who just arrived three days ago?”
This time, Ji Mingchen was smarter—he dodged swiftly and cleanly before sighing helplessly. “What’s this about inferiority? Since you’re not staying anymore, of course your things should be returned. Otherwise, you’d accuse me of owing you again.”
Wei Ling, frightened, hurried over to clutch Ji Mingchen’s sleeve and timidly said to Hai Qing, “Sister, don’t be angry… This is within the palace walls. It’s not proper to resort to violence…”
“Who’s your sister?” Hai Qing snapped coldly. “The Hai family has only one daughter—me. I don’t have any sisters.”
Wei Ling choked up, tears instantly welling in her eyes.
Ji Mingchen’s expression darkened slightly. “You came all this way just to bully someone?”
Hai Qing took a deep breath, gritting her teeth. “I wonder who’s really bullying whom here.”
By the end of her words, her eyes were red-rimmed. She wiped her face and turned to leave.
An inexplicable panic rose in Ji Mingchen’s heart—he had never seen Hai Qing cry before. How had a few words upset her so much?
He instinctively moved to chase after her, but Wei Ling tugged at his sleeve. “Your Highness.”
Turning back, he saw that Wei Ling was also crying heavily. Compared to Hai Qing, she needed someone by her side more.
His steps faltered. With a sigh, Ji Mingchen stayed where he was.Hai Qing stomped off in a huff, walking a long distance before turning back to look—there wasn't a single figure behind her.
Her eyes drooped as she slowly crouched by the palace road.
That Ji Mingchen was utterly heartless. She had treated him so well all these years—how could he not feel it? Now that they were of marriageable age, he stubbornly refused to agree, even bringing in another girl to spite her.
Hai Qing didn’t want to admit that he preferred Wei Ling. After years of effort, how could she accept losing to someone who had only appeared a few days ago?
Ji Mingchen was perfect in every way—skilled in governance, adept at managing subordinates, and accomplished in both civil and martial arts. But he was just a blockhead, nineteen years old and still clueless about what he wanted.
Her legs had gone numb from crouching too long. Hai Qing slowly stood up, wiped her face clean, and strode back to her residence.
Ji Mingchen remained seated in Wei Ling’s palace. Wei Ling had stopped crying and began apologizing: "If not for me, Your Highness and Miss Hai would already be married. This is my fault."
"What does it have to do with you?" Ji Mingchen waved his hand dismissively. "There was never any such plan to begin with."
Wei Ling looked at him in confusion. "Everyone outside says Your Highness dotes on Miss Hai."
Doted on her? Not exactly. Every time Hai Qing brought him soup or snacks, he naturally reciprocated with hairpins or trinkets. In the eyes of outsiders, he was the ruler, she the subject—so of course they only saw him "spoiling" her, never noticing how well she treated him too.
Thinking about it now, he felt even more guilty. Hai Qing had never neglected him, while he, indecisive and wavering, had only caused her grief.
"Go find a Nine-Section Whip sheath and deliver it to Miss Hai," he instructed the attendant beside him. "I noticed her old one was a bit worn."
The attendant bowed and left to carry out the order.
Wei Ling, watching from the side, grew uneasy but forced herself to stay calm. Gently taking Ji Mingchen’s hand, she said, "I’ve just moved into the palace and still feel unaccustomed. Would Your Highness join me for dinner?"
"Alright," Ji Mingchen agreed without suspicion.
But as the meal progressed, he grew increasingly feverish. At his age, full of vigor, and without any maidservants to guide him in such matters, Ji Mingchen was at a loss. Just as he was about to return to his palace, Wei Ling wrapped her arms around his waist.
"I can help Your Highness," she whispered.
Ji Mingchen stared at her in confusion.
Hai Qing returned home and cried for a while before resuming her training in her courtyard.
She was a free-spirited person. Had Ji Mingchen not drawn her into his world all those years ago, she wouldn’t have harbored so many illusions. Now, even childhood affection couldn’t compete with an outsider who had dropped from the sky—so he just didn’t like her.
The truth was hard to accept, but not impossible. She just needed time to cool down.
So she began practicing with her Nine-Section Whip, the weapon whipping through the air with fierce momentum. The servants nearby took one look and knew trouble was brewing.
Experience had taught them that when the young mistress was in a bad mood, it was best to stay far away.
One by one, they found excuses to leave, closing the courtyard gate behind them.
Hai Qing was deep into her practice when she suddenly heard movement atop the wall.
"Who's there?!" Her expression sharpened as she lashed out with her whip.
The intruder landed, caught the whip, and yanked her forward with its momentum.
His strength was overwhelming. Hai Qing couldn’t resist and stumbled straight into his arms.
"Qing'er," Ji Mingchen murmured against her shoulder, biting down on her collarbone. "I don’t feel well."
Hai Qing froze.She sensed waves of unfamiliar heat emanating from him. His hands gripped her waist tightly, rubbing impatiently against the sash of her robe with restless urgency.
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