Perhaps next time, let Lin come along too. First, Lin is meticulous and can take good care of the prince to prevent any mishaps. Second, everyone here is older, and Tai Qing has no companion. She looks forward to Lin’s visits all year round. This could be an opportunity for them to meet, and Lin could temper her temperament. Otherwise, I won’t be at ease even after I close my eyes. Third, I’m too old, and who knows when I might pass away. It would be good to teach Lin the art of acupuncture so she can continue helping the prince even after I’m gone.
Xi Linxuan hoped Lady Wei would agree. He also hoped Wei Lin would come, finding the idea of seeing a usually dignified young lady become as irritable as Tai Qing quite interesting—perhaps it might even help his leg.
After the old Taoist nun removed the needles and helped him dress, a little girl entered, carrying a dark medicine bowl. Though wearing an old Taoist robe with a disgruntled expression, her face remained beautiful. Xi Linxuan was momentarily stunned. The little Taoist nun ignored him, heavily placing the medicine bowl on the table, muttering “Troublesome” before walking away.
The subsequent days were filled with anticipation, though it was delayed by the empress dowager’s thousandth-day celebration, which somewhat displeased him.
Even in the festive palace, his face showed little joy, even some annoyance, until he saw Wei Lin accompanying Lady Wei to pay respects to the empress dowager. Dressed in duck-egg blue instead of her usual mustard yellow, she appeared somewhat more slender.
The empress dowager was delighted to see Wei Lin, drawing her close to discuss the ages of various princesses and officials’ daughters. One young lady was exactly fifteen, and her mother requested a marriage decree, which the empress dowager granted, causing the girl to blush. After surveying the room, the empress dowager’s gaze settled on Lady Wei: “Lin will be thirteen after the new year, right?” Lady Wei confirmed, and the empress dowager cheerfully declared she would arrange the best marriage for her in two years.
Xi Linxuan finally understood the empress dowager’s intention—no wonder she favored Wei Lin. She was being groomed as a potential daughter-in-law.
