Not long after Wei Fengzhi’s words, Prince Huo Xi Zhaoting brought the Yan Princess to pay respects to Grand Tutor Wei as her master. Since the Wei mansion wasn’t large and already housed the Thirteenth Prince, only two courtyards remained—one near Wei Linxia and one near Wei Fengzhi. The Yan Princess chose the one near Wei Fengzhi. After a day of lessons, she suggested to Grand Tutor Wei that it might be more convenient if Wei’s daughter also joined the lessons, saving him from teaching twice. Although Grand Tutor Wei thought his daughter’s education was sufficient, he didn’t want to offend the Yan Princess. Thus, in the grand study, Wei Linxia sat next to the Yan Princess, with Xi Linxuan sitting to their right, his expression still indifferent. Although the Yan Princess was technically his cousin, they didn’t seem particularly close.
Very quickly, Princess Yan expressed her boredom and mentioned that she had convinced Xi Zhaoting to agree to visit the Wei residence every fifth and tenth of the month for lessons, along with his reading companion Wei Fengzhi. Li Weiheng later joined as well. Each time, Wei Linxia felt as if her father were merely a private school teacher.
“You have been studying for many days, and I want to see your progress. Each of you will write an essay on ‘Salt Governance’. The Princess, Miss Li, and Linxia will write on ‘Guan Ju’,” announced Wei Taifu.
Wei Linxia found the topic ‘Guan Ju’, which was about male and female love, forcedly interpreted as “the virtues of imperial consorts,” a concept her father supported. Unhappy with the topics assigned, Princess Yan insisted that since they were all being taught, the writing should reflect their levels. Wei Taifu allowed them to choose between the two topics, and Wei Linxia naturally preferred the feminine essay. After class, Princess Yan proposed a walk to Lexing Garden outside the city due to the nice weather.
Li Weiheng, always eager for fun, was the first to agree.
He would go, and since he was going, his reading companion Wei Fengzhi would go too. So the four of them looked at Wei Linxia and Xi Linxuan.
