Wei Linxia hurriedly tried to comfort her daughter, who cried like a summer rainstorm, ignoring her mother’s efforts. The palace maids’ attempts to distract her with toys were futile. Suddenly, Wang Ling entered with a eunuch to pay respects, and her daughter stopped crying, smiled, and called “Ah Ah” to him.
The crying Princess Xi Yaya was happily held by her father. This small episode livened the somber atmosphere. The men moved to the main hall for official matters while the women remained silent. Empress Ren managed the inner palace, and the Empress Dowager called Wei Linxia to sit beside her, observing her carefully before sighing.
When they returned to the Wei residence, Wei Linxia learned her father was ill. He waited at the door in ordinary clothes, looking older, while her mother held a young child, tearfully looking at her. Before they could kneel in greeting, Xi Linxuan pulled Wei Linxia to kneel, saying, “Your son-in-law is unfilial and has caused great worry to his parents-in-law, a crime deserving death.”
This reunion was marked by tears, knowing that their stay in Huo was brief and a long separation was imminent. Laughter broke out when Xi Yaya fought with her little uncle, lost, and cried on the ground. Wei Linxia took the chance to express to her parents that Wei Fengzhi’s teachings were poor, bringing tears to her mother’s eyes.
After putting Xi Yaya to sleep, Wei Linxia and her mother sat in silence. Her mother sighed, “This son-in-law has good character and conduct, but he’s not stable.”
Wei Linxia understood her mother’s concern. If Xi Linxuan were merely an unpopular prince, it would be acceptable, but the position of Crown Prince was precarious.
Wei Linxia reassured her mother that Xi Linxuan would resign from the Crown Prince position upon their return to the capital. This offered Lady Wei some relief.
Reluctantly, the group left Huo for the capital two days later. At the last step of the mounting stone, Wei Linxia looked back at her mother and met Xi Zhaoting’s gaze. She offered a dignified smile, entered the carriage, and lowered the curtain. Before settling in, she noticed another scrutinizing gaze. Wei Linxia held her daughter on her lap, deliberately ignoring it.
