Weilinxia, holding a bowl, asked, “Fengshou, can you ride a horse?”
“Yes, this servant can,” Fengshou replied.
“Good. Choose two best horses and several guards. We’ll take the official road with military protection. What is there to fear?” Weilinxia calmly ate, changed into a male outfit from her time at the Wei residence, and put on a hat. “Let’s go. Any later will disturb the Prince’s rest.”
Forty miles outside the city, at the Linbang Post Station, guards and eunuchs prepared horses and carriages, while palace maids made the bed and station officials paid respects to the Prince.
“It’s nothing. You may leave,” the young Prince said coldly.
The door creaked open, and the Prince’s brow furrowed: “Fengshou, come in. What is it?”
Fengshou entered timidly, saying, “Your Highness, someone has brought an imperial decree.”
Upon hearing “imperial decree,” the officials knelt. Fengshou stepped forward to support Xi Linxuan: “Your Highness, no need to kneel. Gentlemen, this decree is not for you.” He then called, “Princess Consort, please come in.”
As these words were spoken, the officials turned, seeing a person in male attire walk in calmly and confidently, while Prince Xi Linxuan’s expression soured, almost glaring, slightly distorting his handsome face.
“Wei shi, what imperial decree are you bringing?”
Xi Linxuan squeezed out each word. The moment he saw Fengshou, his heart was in his throat, fearing something would happen to her after he left the capital.
“Imperial decree: Commanding Princess Consort Wei to accompany the Prince northward,” Weilinxia stated.
“Everyone leave. I need to discuss something with the Princess Consort.” The officials departed, and Feng Shou closed the door, stating: “This servant will guard outside to prevent eavesdropping.”
“Your Highness, please do not be angry. This concubine knows her mistakes: first, inappropriately requesting an audience, second, traveling late at night, and third, creating a scene to startle Your Highness. It will not happen again.” Wei Linxia was tactful.
“There will be a next time?” Looking at her, Xi Linxuan wanted to be harsh but could only respond with a rhetorical question.
“No.” Wei Linxia shook her head, agreeing for now.
“Come here,” Xi Linxuan called her.
Wei Linxia raised her head. “This concubine has an imperial decree.”
“I’m not going to hit you,” Xi Linxuan frowned.
