Despite the harsh winter, their days were pleasant, offering a sense of seclusion in the mountains away from worldly affairs. Wei Linxia sometimes fantasized that life could always be like this, though deep down she knew it was unrealistic.
Her fantasy was shattered when the harsh frontier land showed signs of spring. On the day she was sewing an inner garment for Xi Linxuan, she suddenly heard alarming sounds of clashing armor outside. Her hand trembled slightly as she steadied herself, put down her sewing, and ordered the palace maid to open the door.
In the courtyard, soldiers stood with spears along the corridor and by the door.
Seeing this scene, the palace maids huddled in panic behind the door, afraid to make a sound.
“Where is the prince?” Wei Linxia asked, somewhat afraid but knowing this was not a time for fear. As a hostage, such treatment was expected.
“We… we don’t know,” a palace maid stammered. “It seems Fengchou gongong said he saw Wang daren.” Though they were from the Eastern Palace, they were now in a foreign land and vulnerable.
“Oh, that’s fine,” Wei Linxia retreated to her room and sat down, continuing to sew her garment unhurriedly. If one did not look closely, one would hardly notice her hand was slightly shaking.
The military siege lasted a full month. During this time, the courtyard grass turned green, and flowers in the room began to bud. Wei Linxia finished her inner garment and sewed a pair of single boots. However, they were not allowed outside the inner courtyard, and she spent nights unable to sleep, never seeing Xi Linxuan return.
Gradually, despair began to grow in Wei Linxia’s heart, not due to potential danger but because she could not see Xi Linxuan. She took out the rosewood box he had preserved and carefully examined the wax figurine, wondering how many days it had taken him to craft something so exquisite.
A tear fell on the wax figure’s face, slowly rolling down its cheek.
This person, who buried his feelings deep in his heart, was the husband heaven had bestowed upon her. They had drunk the nuptial wine and tied their fate for a lifetime. Now, she wondered if they would grow old together… If not, would they meet by the Naihe Bridge in the next world?
“Princess…”
