“We’ll talk about it later. You’re still years away from coming of age, so there’s no rush,” Wei Linxia said, hoping that as they both grew older, Wang Ling might settle down.
“No, I know what you mean. You want to find a noble lady for Wang Ling to make me give up, right? Mother, if you don’t agree, then I’ll…”
“Then what? Die for me to see? Go ahead. You, a princess, saying such things, aren’t you afraid of being laughed at?” Wei Linxia poked her daughter’s forehead.
Xi Yaya pouted: “Wang Ling is my life-saver, and we’ve already been intimate.”
“What did you say?” Wei Linxia’s eyebrows shot up. Although she trusted Wang Ling’s character, her daughter’s words raised concerns, especially given her unconventional ideas – what if she had drugged him…
“Uncle Mu said Wang Ling carried me and saved me. Saving a life deserves repayment. Besides, he’s already carried me!” Xi Yaya explained.
“What did elder sister say about being carried?” Xi Qi approached, walking steadily with perfect posture, unlike typical children.
“Nothing,” Xi Yaya ran off again.
The blessing ceremony began amid fire trees and silver flowers, with lanterns reading “longevity” which Xi Qi claimed he had written himself.
On stage, shamans wearing terrifying masks and festive red clothes danced. Wei Linxia had seen many dances at the temple but found this particular blessing dance stiff and unappealing.
Two ministers offered birthday wishes, and Wei Linxia invited them to sit nearby.
“This is the Emperor’s intention. What do you think?” Wei Linxia asked with a smile.
“Not good,” Wang Ling replied.
Xi Qi’s face darkened as he excused himself to look around.
“Is Wang Qing in a bad mood today?” Wei Linxia asked.
“I’m afraid Your Majesty won’t be in a good mood later,” Wang Ling said, exchanging a glance with Wei Fengzhi.
Wei Fengzhi quickly slipped a thin piece of paper into Wei Linxia’s hand. She read it by candlelight, falling silent afterward.
“Don’t worry, these people can’t amount to anything…” she said, folding the paper and putting it in her sleeve.
