“Is Lian Yi well?” he asked while walking in, with Wei Linxia following closely. The old servant said everything was the same, then carefully asked who Wei Linxia was. Xi Zhaoting glanced at her and said, “Her? A lay disciple of the Immortal Master from Feng Shou Mountain, skilled in mysterious needle techniques.”
When Wei Linxia saw Lian Yi, she was stunned. He looked to be around forty, and she couldn’t have imagined that Xi Zhaoting, who liked playing with young masters, would have such an old friend. Moreover, this was a man who could only be supported to move, with only his head and one arm functional.
He had a smile on his face, seemingly having accepted his fate, resembling a benevolent elder. He called Xi Zhaoting “Your Highness.”
Li Yi’s gaze turned to Wei Linxia, his smile deepening, and she thought he seemed like an honest person.
This case posed a challenge for Wei Linxia. The previous cases were common illnesses, but Li Yi’s condition was definitely not simple. After asking many questions to gauge his situation, she noticed Xi Zhaoting watching her with expectant eyes.
“It’s not easy. I probably only have a fifty percent chance,” Wei Linxia said.
“Doctor, you don’t need to worry too much. If it can be treated, treat it; if not, it doesn’t matter. I’m used to it,” Li Yi replied tolerantly.
“I will do my best,” Wei Linxia assured him.
Xi Zhaoting brought her to see Li Yi but planned to return home before the afternoon. While in the carriage, Wei Linxia wanted to hear more about Li Yi’s situation, particularly why he had become like this. Unfortunately, Xi Zhaoting likely didn’t want to discuss old matters, only advising her not to go to the clinic in the next few days, promising that if Li Yi was cured, he wouldn’t hold her accountable.
“Your Highness, what if it can’t be cured?”
Will we settle accounts together?” Wei Linxia asked, believing in being cautious first and noble later.
“Wei Linxia, you are really… no, we won’t,” Xi Zhaoting replied.
After this, they both fell silent, each focusing on the carriage curtain, as if watching a shadow play.
Due to her delay, Wei Linxia returned home, paid her respects, and had dinner. It was almost the hour of shen when she hurried to see Xi Linxuan. The screen was already set up, and Xi Linxuan sat in front of a white wax figure, carefully inserting needles, with several eunuchs and palace maids nearby.
“Your Highness,” Wei Linxia softly called. Xi Linxuan turned his head: “You’re here?”
“Has Your Highness inserted any needles today?” she asked.
“No,” he replied, slightly tilting his head. The eunuchs and palace maids sprang into action, and one palace maid brought tea for Wei Linxia.
“Miss Wei, please have some tea,” she said gently. Wei Linxia recognized her as the one who had been scolded yesterday.
Taking the tea, Wei Linxia felt much calmer today. The tea tasted better than usual. After finishing, she poured another cup and examined the pattern on the screen.
It was a painting of a fisherman in seclusion, featuring layered mountains, winding waters, a small cottage in the forest, and a boat by the water. However, the single human figure was often overlooked amidst the scenery.
“Is there something different about today’s tea?” Xi Linxuan asked.
“The tea? I just ate something salty,” Wei Linxia replied, regretting having another cup of water, which felt impolite.
“What did you eat?”
“Flower-steamed quail, jade bud soup, salted beans,” she answered, puzzled by the prince’s interest in such mundane matters.
“No wonder it’s salty. Feng Shou, go cut two slices of lemon and brew water for Miss Wei,” Xi Linxuan directed.
Soon, a eunuch brought a white jade cup with slices of pale yellow fruit floating in it. The drink was slightly sour with a hint of sweetness, refreshing compared to bitter tea.
Wei Linxia laughed happily, sending another cup to Wei Feng.
Days returned to their usual routine. Wei Lin often treated Lian Yi, but after Xi Zhaoting sent her once, he rarely accompanied her. His absence was fine; Wei Lin felt less nervous.
Lian Yi was not as enthusiastic in Xi Zhaoting’s absence and was reluctant to engage in conversation.
Wei Lin’s hope of hearing Lian Yi’s story seemed distant. However, she guessed that Lian Yi was previously a palace guard or worked in the Eastern Palace—not a eunuch, as he had a beard and his voice wasn’t sharp.
As year-end approached, Wei Lin went to Feng Shou Mountain to pay respects to Xu Zhen Immortal and bring Tai Qing down for the New Year. Tai Qing happily grabbed a small bundle and followed Wei Lin. At the Wei residence, she restlessly urged him to see the street festivities. Unable to resist, Wei Lin took her along when treating Lian Yi, accompanied by Wei Feng, agreeing to enjoy mountain delicacies at the largest tavern in Huo City at noon.
After treating Lian Yi, Wei Lin packed her needle bag and mentioned that she wouldn’t come during the busy first month of the New Year. Lian Yi remarked, “These days must have been hard for you, Miss Wei.”
“You know me?” Wei Lin asked.
“I was on duty in the palace when you were young. I saw Lord Wei carry you into the palace. You had a light red mole between your eyebrows,” Lian Yi explained.
“I don’t remember that. It’s getting late, and I have matters to attend to,” Wei Lin replied, smiling, thinking she might eventually hear Lian Yi’s story.
Just as she was about to leave, the door curtain lifted, and Xi Zhaoting entered.
It was cold, and he wore a black brocade fur cloak, startling Wei Lin with his sudden appearance. What was the Crown Prince doing here after so many days?
Though her farewell was somewhat discourteous, Wei Lin knew Tai Qing would likely eat all the dishes if she was late, so she steeled herself to leave. Xi Zhaoting, looking somewhat displeased, said, “What’s the rush? I have something to ask you. Wait a moment, I’ll just sit briefly.”
His brief sit lasted the time of a teacup. After leaving the room, Xi Zhaoting walked leisurely, only asking about Lian Yi’s condition. When they reached the alley, where both the prince’s and Wei residence’s carriages waited, he casually asked, “Are you in such a hurry to return?”
“Not really, I’m meeting Tai Qing at Tianxiang Lou for a meal,” Wei Lin replied.
“Oh? Tai Qing? The little nun from Feng Shou Mountain? Who else?” Xi Zhaoting asked.
“My brother,” Wei Lin answered.
Xi Zhaoting stepped forward to his carriage, where a eunuch had prepared a mounting stone. Just as Wei Lin hoped he would leave, he returned, saying, “I’m hungry too, and haven’t seen Feng for days. Let’s go together, my treat.”
Hot and lively, the New Year was approaching. Commoners were buying New Year’s goods, and tenant farmers were coming to the city to bring mountain produce to their landlords.
Weilin said, “I really want to walk around the street,” Xi Linxuan replied, his tone filled with longing and a hint of melancholy.
“That can be arranged. Let my brother accompany you to the street,” Weilin offered, hoping to avoid volunteering herself.
Xi Linxuan fell silent. Weilin turned another page of her book, pausing as she sensed Xi Linxuan’s almost imperceptible sigh.
“My mother goes to the temple to burn incense every first day of the New Year. That’s when the street is most lively. Why don’t you come with us to pay respects to the Bodhisattva? The Guanyin here is quite efficacious,” Weilin suggested.
“Okay,” Xi Linxuan replied.
Because of Xi Linxuan’s medical scroll, Weilin had asked Wei Fengzhi to buy the entire set for her. He charged an extra two taels of silver for the errand, which she considered trivial since she had previously taken more from him.
