The sky-blue fabric featured a soaring eagle, which was not easy to embroider and would take considerable time. The fragrance pouch would suit Xi Zhaoting, and Wei Linxia smiled shyly before sighing. What did it matter how good it looked when everyone knew Xi Zhaoting loved Li’s young lady?
She put down her needlework, walked to her usual desk, retrieved a book, quickly glanced through a few pages, then returned to her embroidery. Though Yu Mo had served her since childhood, she couldn’t understand what her mistress was doing.
The book’s characters were mysterious, and whenever the mistress seemed troubled, reading it would calm her down. This puzzled Yu Mo, as it was different from the scriptures she usually copied.
In this world, one’s life is fleeting compared to the vast sweep of history, like a mayfly’s brief existence. Why struggle with the petty emotions of love? Like the heroes in the book, one should enjoy these short years with passion.
Wei Linxia focused on embroidering the fragrance pouch as her brother, Wei Fengzhi, returned home after days away, supposedly accompanying Xi Zhaoting in his studies. He had a red mark on the right side of his face, which he claimed was from a willow branch, avoiding further questions from his father. He also brought a message from the Empress Dowager, stating that Lady Wei hadn’t visited the palace recently and needed companionship.
Lady Wei looked at her husband, who stroked his beard thoughtfully. Wei Fengzhi’s gaze darted between his parents before settling on his sister, Wei Linxia, where an exaggerated smile spread across his face, catching even the usually silent prince’s attention.
Wei Linxia calmly returned his gaze, prompting Wei Fengzhi to emit a strange “hehe” sound.
“That mark on brother’s face looks quite like father’s disciplinary whip, doesn’t it, mother?” Wei Linxia’s tone was seemingly concerned.
Xi Linxuan noticed a whip-like mark on Wei Fengzhi’s face.
Wei Fengzhi’s face flushed. “Nonsense! It was a willow branch…”
“Oh, a willow branch. The palace has introduced a new variety, how interesting,” Wei Linxia replied smoothly.
Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Wei Fengzhi hastily bowed to Xi Linxuan and his parents before fleeing. Xi Linxuan also took his leave, with the eunuch pushing his wheelchair and asking if he was returning to his room. Xi Linxuan merely tilted his head, and the eunuch fell silent.
Xi Linxuan pondered Wei Fengzhi’s peculiar look when mentioning the old empress dowager and the brief exchange between the Wei couple. He didn’t dwell on it; compared to his neglected mother in the palace, everyone else was inconsequential, including the emperor who bestowed noble blood but not status. His brothers called the emperor “father,” but as a child of a palace maid, he had no such right. He had only seen his father once in fifteen years.
Prince Xun stayed in the palace for two days before the Dragon Boat Festival, a grand celebration in Yan, which Xi Linxuan hated, just like many other things. He deeply despised those who easily gave up their lives.
Sitting in his wheelchair, Xi Linxuan coldly observed the Wuli Lake below, where noble young masters raced dragon boats to the cheers of elegantly dressed ladies on the shore.
He noticed Xi Zhaoting at the bow of a victorious dragon boat, waving triumphantly. Li Weiheng, beside Lady Li, gleefully exclaimed, “Brother Zhaohuan won!” Her cheerful voice soon became irksome to him.
Moments later, Li Weiheng approached him, her almond eyes shining with joy as she clutched his hand. “Brother Zhaohuan won,” she repeated. He typically disliked being touched, but her expression softened his irritation. After a brief pause, he withdrew his hand, causing her face to flush red, reminiscent of a peach’s delicate hue. She hurried away, followed by laughter from the women, which left Xi Linxuan feeling uncomfortable. He suddenly looked up and met a pair of eyes that held neither joy nor mockery, as if they had merely crossed paths.
Xi Linxuan did not look away, but the owner of those eyes did, quietly observing the lake’s surface. Soon, Xi Zhaoting approached the pavilion triumphantly, presenting the flag he won in the dragon boat race to the Queen Dowager and Queen, looking proud. Xi Linxuan turned away, not wanting to watch.
He despised those who were full of spirit, believing it was something he could never possess.
After the dragon boat race, the Queen Dowager, feeling tired, decided to return to the palace for rest before the evening lake tour. As palace maids helped her up, she smiled and gestured to Wei Linxia, “I can’t compare to you young people. I need to rest. Linxia, come, send me back to the palace and chat with me.”
Wei Linxia obediently assisted the Queen Dowager downstairs and back to the palace.
Xi Linxuan found it strange that, with so many noble ladies present, she specifically chose Wei Linxia. He suspected there must be a unique reason. Xi Zhaoting followed under the pretext of escorting the Queen Dowager, walking beside Li Weiheng, who was discreetly placing something from her sleeve into Xi Zhaoting’s hand. Though he could not see their expressions, he imagined they must be pleased.
Just then, Li Weiheng suddenly looked up, met Xi Linxuan’s gaze, and quickly lowered her head, quickening her steps.
Upon arrival at the Queen Dowager’s Shouan Palace, Xi Zhaoting attempted to slip away.
Today, being the Dragon Boat Festival, the outside was livelier than the palace. Several noble sons had already sent servants to scout locations, waiting for his honored presence. He didn’t want to be confined in the palace and unable to fully enjoy himself.
“Zhaoting, stop,” the Queen Dowager narrowed her eyes at Xi Zhaoting and Li Weiheng. “Won’t you keep your Grandmother company? Why are you in such a hurry to leave the palace?”
His Royal Highness usually does not talk much, except when studying under my father. As a young lady, I typically only move between my mother’s quarters and my boudoir, so I do not know his temperament well,” Wei Linxia said.
The old empress dowager nodded knowingly before suddenly laughing. After chatting for a while, she could not sustain herself, and the palace maids helped her lie down. Only then did Wei Linxia leave Shouan Palace.
Why ask about the Thirteenth Prince? And laugh so strangely?
Thinking about the Thirteenth Prince, Wei Linxia recalled Xi Linxuan’s face that she had glimpsed moments ago. His lips were tightly pressed, his face full of disdain. She had inadvertently made eye contact and received a fierce glare. His character was self-evident.
Wei Linxia wondered if the Thirteenth Prince’s gloomy demeanor was due to neglect stemming from his physical disability or if his character had led to his isolation. She observed that, from his wheelchair, his legs appeared intact, raising questions about his condition and whether an injury had altered his personality.
As she pondered, a eunuch pushed the Thirteenth Prince forward, breaking her thoughts.
“Wei Linxia pays respects to Your Highness,” she said, curtsying as etiquette dictated.
She waited for him to say “rise,” hoping to relieve the discomfort of her position. However, silence lingered, forcing her to maintain her curtsy. This lack of acknowledgment left her somewhat displeased; even the King of Huo and the empress dowager were more accommodating. The Thirteenth Prince seemed oddly contentious, but Wei Linxia refused to show weakness or beg for mercy.
Steadily holding her curtsy, her hands placed on her right hip, and her head slightly lowered, she displayed respect. Xi Linxuan tilted his head back slightly in an attempt to catch a glimpse of her expression, but she remained downcast, betraying no anger.
When Wei Linxia’s knees began to ache, a voice came from slightly below her.
