As she lifted the curtain and raised one foot, Wei Fengzhi pulled her arm forcefully: “Good Chenbei, just help me this once, and I’ll buy you two books later.” Wei Linxia replied, “If I’m not mistaken, Young Master Wei Chenli, you already owe me at least twenty books, plus a month’s allowance, which is probably around forty books. If you give me the books within five days, I’ll consider helping you write; otherwise, no discussion.” Wei Fengzhi claimed she was being unreasonable, to which Wei Linxia nodded: “Habits become flaws; who’s to blame? Like Sun Quan beating Huang Gai—if you don’t want to be beaten, I can’t help you.” She stepped into the room, smiled at Wei Fengzhi, and waved a folded paper filled with writing before putting it away and letting her maid close the door, leaving Wei Fengzhi squatting in the corridor, helplessly looking at the sky.
Weijia’s study was available for all young masters and ladies to use. Xi Linxuan, when bored, would casually read a book. As Wei Linxia noted, the Grand Tutor’s collection consisted mostly of classic texts, including the Three Histories and Five Classics, with various editions. The poetry primarily depicted social chaos and people’s misery from declining dynasties.
There were no traces of common street stories or popular poetry. Xi Linxuan thought that with such a scholarly daughter, this rigid old man would not allow her to read any unorthodox books.
One afternoon, Xi Linxuan came to the study, scanning the shelves until he spotted a book called “Imperial Dynasty Mirror.” It was too high to reach while sitting. With no one else around, he carefully stood, supporting the bookshelf, and was about to grab the book when he heard the study door open cautiously. He quickly sat down, as he was in the last row, hoping the newcomer wouldn’t notice him. Lowering his head, he peeked through the gaps and saw Wei Linxia tiptoeing along the bookshelf to the third row and crouching down, rustling sounds suggesting she was taking a book.
Xi Linxuan found it strange that she was being so cautious. Just then, he noticed her eyes looking back at him through the gap.
