Ordered by Xi Linxuan to sit nearby, Wang and Mu were about to rise, but Wei Linxia quickly stood up. “Your Highness and the two lords surely have matters to discuss. As a mere woman, I dare not eavesdrop. Your Highness, I take my leave.”
“Go,” Xi Linxuan said. Wei Linxia returned to the carriage and called Feng Shou to bring her some food, pondering whether she should learn cooking skills, as they might be useful in the future.
“Princess Consort, why aren’t you dining with His Highness?” Feng Shou, supportive of her, brought two fat chicken legs, gleaming in the bowl.
“It’s fine. Feng Shou, you haven’t eaten either; come, eat with me. I can’t possibly finish all this,” Wei Linxia invited.
She understood the importance of showing respect to the officials during this life-or-death journey. If she insisted on her status as Princess Consort and distanced herself from Xi Linxuan’s officials, they might not receive the help they needed.
“Feng Shou, when we go to the city, don’t buy me those fox or peacock fur coats. Buy a few cheaper ones, and get yourself some too. We’re the only ones in the group who came unprepared,” Wei Linxia said.
“I don’t mind. I’ll make do with what I have,” Feng Shou replied, gnawing on a chicken leg.
“Consider it my reward to you,” Wei Linxia said.
Xi Linxuan asked, “Are you full?”
“Feng Shou brought me two chicken legs. I saw the cook only stewed three chickens,” Wei Linxia laughed.
Suddenly, she was wrapped in Xi Linxuan’s large cloak, hearing his muffled voice: “Wei Linxia, you… oh, you.”
“Your Highness, did you really not want to marry me?” Hidden in the cloak, Wei Linxia’s tone was aggrieved, but her smile shone brightly.
Caught off guard, Xi Linxuan replied, “Of course, it’s true.”
“Oh, so it was true.” Still sounding aggrieved, she reached into the cloak and pulled out a rosewood box, catching Xi Linxuan’s changing expression. “This is what I originally gave you. Maybe you should return it. Let me see if you’ve damaged it. I can’t explain to Master Xu Zhen if it’s broken…”
