Wei Linxia never returned to the imperial palace and stayed at Yuntai for a year and a half. Hearing Yaya and Wei Fengzhi often speak of Xi Qi’s progress made her increasingly at ease. During this time, she gradually feigned illness, eventually becoming “bedridden,” and passed away around the same time Xi Linxuan died in battle on the western front.
Looking towards the capital, despite her countless reluctances, there was someone she was even more reluctant to leave behind, who had been waiting for her for eleven and a half years. Her heart had long flown to the grasslands.
The Yanxi Huaxi Grasslands.
After traveling for a month, the grasslands were lush with green grass and scattered flowers. From a distance, over a dozen white tents looked like clouds across the expansive land.
“Madam, it’s right there. The herdsmen said it’s right there,” said a servant.
“Mm, hurry up. We should make it in time for lunch. I’m hungry.”
As she rode closer, the fragrance intensified. Dismounting, she followed everyone toward a tent to inquire.
Just as they approached, the servant was about to lift the tent flap when a clear female voice inside asked: “Master Qiu, it’s been eleven years.”
“Could your wife still come? Our grasslands are windy and harsh, not as good as the Central Plains. I think you should find another wife. You’re the dream of our grassland girls…”
The servant hesitated, unsure whether to lower his hand, when he saw his mistress smile slightly and lift the tent flap.
“Qiushui, I’m here.”
Chapter 65
Epilogue
In eleven and a half years, Wei Linxia had imagined Xi Linxuan’s changes countless times, but when she opened the flap, she was still slightly shocked. The person looking up had a head full of white hair, surrounded by light.
He showed no surprise, simply putting down the strangely shaped qin on his lap, standing and walking to her, naturally taking her hand and saying, “Just cooked some deer meat, though it’s not autumn, so not very fat. If you want shrimp, I’ll go catch some later.”
“Won’t you introduce me to the neighbors?” Wei Linxia asked with a smile.
His hand was warm, no longer the slight chill that used to make her worry.
