In the blink of an eye, it was New Year’s Eve. With Tai Qing present this year, Lady Yan declined to spend the New Year in the palace, making the Wei residence livelier. Lady Yan had recently obtained a puzzle board from the palace, with different-shaped pieces that could be assembled into various things. The three girls played together happily.
Later, when setting off fireworks, Lady Yan was not to be outdone by Tai Qing. They played enthusiastically while Weilin, bundled up festively, accompanied Lady Wei and Xi Linxuan in watching the fireworks.
Lady Yan called Weilin, but she shook her head. Tai Qing declared in disdain, “When you were young, you almost burned down Wuji Hall playing with fireworks. The older you get, the smaller your courage becomes. How embarrassing.”
“Nonsense,” Weilin replied, gazing at the fireworks blooming in the sky, ignoring Tai Qing’s contempt.
“Fine, let’s say I’m talking nonsense. We all know,” Tai Qing continued playing. Weilin was furious, convinced Tai Qing was deliberately trying to upset her.
Xi Linxuan observed the brilliant fireworks and thought of Weilin’s mischievous past. He noticed her angry expression, likely directed at Tai Qing for mocking her.
“Daughter, go play with the young lords. You only get this chance once a year,” Lady Wei encouraged, seeing her daughter was quieter than ever.
Weilin considered this, took a few small fireworks, lit them on the incense, and watched them burn out quickly, leaving only a short bamboo stub in her hand. How boring.
Unintentionally turning her head, Weilin saw Xi Linxuan and handed him a handful of fireworks. Xi Linxuan initially frowned but then slowly reached out to take them. The little eunuch Feng Shou came forward to light an incense stick.
“Yumo, go have them send more fireworks from the front. It’s New Year’s, let’s all be lively,” Weilin said, hoping the liveliness would make her less conspicuous.
While the maids excitedly set off fireworks, the young master of the Wei residence entered the courtyard unnoticed. Weilin’s fireworks were gone, and she reached out: “Yumo, give me two of those rose-colored ones!”
The fireworks were handed to her: “Miss Wei, your fireworks.”
Panicking, Weilin turned around. Was that Xi Zhaoting leaning against the pillar? Could she have been dazzled by the fireworks?
“Your residence is quite lively,” Xi Zhaoting observed, noting the flowers, decorations, and cheerful voices. Even that strange prince was happily playing with fireworks.
Lady Wei, who had just come in to drink tea, hurried out to greet Xi Zhaoting. He ordered his attendants to put down gifts for the Wei family, Xi Linxuan, Lady Yan, and Weilin.
Weilin was somewhat annoyed. It was acceptable if the gifts were included in the Wei family’s portion, but receiving separate gifts each time felt askew.
As it got late, the Crown Prince returned to the palace to keep vigil. The recipients were too lazy to open their gifts and continued enjoying themselves. Lady Wei had someone open Weilin’s gift, which contained two sets of dignified dresses, gifts from previous years. However, the item beneath the dresses—a golden basin about the size of a bowl—caught Lady Wei’s attention.
Yan Lü. This golden basin was typically used by palace concubines for bathing when giving birth to a prince, and commoners couldn’t use it without special permission. The Empress Dowager’s gift of this basin to her daughter was significant.
After a round of fireworks, everyone returned to drink tea. Lady Yan had her servant open the gifts—two sets of dresses and two sets of arm bracelets. When she asked Weilin about her gifts, Weilin simply mentioned the dresses and the basin. Lady Wei did not correct her, as the basin was indeed bowl-sized. During the midnight dumpling meal, Lady Yan even encouraged Weilin to use this “bowl” for dumplings, but Weilin hesitated to comply.
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, due to the Immortal School’s disciples not being able to visit the Buddhist temple, Lady Yan was still asleep. Only Lady Wei brought Xi Linxuan and Wei Lin to the crowded temple. After some difficulty, they offered incense and made their wishes. Wei Lin glanced at Xi Linxuan, still kneeling and seemingly with many requests for the Bodhisattva. Lady Wei was also quietly praying. Wei Lin closed his eyes again, silently wishing for two things: health and safety for his parents, and for Xi Linxuan to stand up, deeming it a good deed.
After leaving the main hall, Lady Wei took them to find Master Xiu to collect previously blessed prayer beads. As Lady Wei had matters to discuss with the master, Wei Lin and Xi Linxuan withdrew from the meditation room. Considering Xi Linxuan had never been there before, Wei Lin decided to walk around the temple with him. Unexpectedly, they soon encountered Li Weixing, her mother, and aunt.
Li Weixing wore a lilac-colored dress with matching hair ribbons, looking delicate and graceful. Excitedly, she ran over to Wei Lin, her skirt and hair ribbons flowing in the wind.
Near the abbot’s meditation room, Li Weixing and the others respectfully greeted Xi Linxuan. Used to seeing him in the study hall, she remarked, “Your Highness is here to offer incense? The Bodhisattva here is the most efficacious.”
Xi Linxuan, seemingly uninterested, responded with a vague “Hmm” and let out a hum.
The temple’s layout was similar throughout, and it was crowded. Xi Linxuan, sitting in a wheelchair, attracted many curious glances, which annoyed him and made him want to return home. Wei Lin also found it uncomfortable; she had visited the temple no more than eight or ten times in the cold weather and preferred to go back.
The two returned to their carriage to wait. After some time, Lady Wei returned, her expression heavy. Wei Lin asked what was wrong, but Lady Wei just shook her head and sighed.
During this year’s palace audience, Wei Lin saw the Queen’s niece in the Empress Dowager’s palace.
The Queen mentioned she was fifteen, having accompanied her father on official duties, and was brought back this year because her grandmother missed her.
Wei Lin sensed a change in everyone’s expression after the Queen’s remark. Next to the Empress Dowager, she noticed a subtle sneer on her lips.
After Lady Wei brought her out of the palace, Wei Lin reflected on the upcoming events. Next year, Xi Zhaoting would have his coming-of-age ceremony, and it would be time to choose the Crown Princess. The prospect of being favored by the Empress Dowager was unsettling.
Everyone knew Concubine Li and Concubine Ren were in favor. Concubine Ren had no children, while Concubine Li had a son who was only twelve, making the position of heir distant. Despite the Li family’s influence, their status would be precarious if Concubine Li lost favor, making an alliance with the royal family essential.
“What are you thinking about, daughter?” Lady Wei asked.
“Mother, I don’t want to be the Crown Princess,” Wei Lin replied.
Lady Wei looked shocked: “Why?”
Could it be that you’ve developed feelings for a prince?”
“I know the Empress Dowager favors me to win over my father. Our Wei family is small, and my brother is not ambitious in his official career. If I become Crown Princess and later Queen, I would need to rely on the Qü family out of gratitude to the Empress Dowager. This would certainly displease the Queen and Concubine Li, affecting both my father and me. Against four hands, two fists would struggle.”
“Your father and I are aware of this, but as subjects, we have no say. Born into an official’s family, this is your destiny,” Lady Wei hugged her daughter, worried about her being drawn into such conflicts. With the Li family’s daughter around, her future might be at risk. “Alas, if only your grandmother were still alive…”
“Did my grandmother have a good relationship with the Queen?” Wei Lin asked.
