Xi Linxuan coldly said, “move aside.” Wei Linxia curtsied and replied, “Yes, Your Highness,” then stepped to the side of the corridor, head lowered, watching the wooden wheel roll across the blue stone floor.
She recognized his cold and ungrateful demeanor and expected to uncover more of his characteristics over time.
After the Dragon Boat Festival, Xi Linxuan returned to the Wei residence. Lady Wei’s maternal heart overflowed, especially when recalling the festival: “So many princes raced dragon boats, but the Thirteenth Prince remained on the shore. I wonder how he felt. Those ladies kept looking and whispering because he sits in a wheelchair. It’s truly embarrassing for our Huo nation.”
Her mother’s words helped Wei Linxia understand Xi Linxuan’s expression. Lady Wei continued, “The Thirteenth Prince’s sachet is too old. I wanted to make him a new one, but I’ve been unwell. Daughter, you’re skilled; would you make a sachet for him?”
Wei Linxia was initially reluctant, as a sachet was not a gift to be given casually.
But her mother explained that the Thirteenth Prince was the same age as her brother, so what could not be given? Moreover, it would be presented in her mother’s name. Thus, Wei Linxia agreed.
Given the prince’s status, choosing an embroidery pattern was challenging. She eventually settled on a snow pine tree. Embroidering it was difficult—often taking a whole morning to complete two branches. By the time it was finished, half a month had passed since the Dragon Boat Festival.
That evening, Lady Wei presented the sachet to the Thirteenth Prince. Rather than expressing gratitude, the prince merely nodded indifferently to the eunuch to accept it, which felt somewhat embarrassing.
This fellow was truly cold-hearted. What could touch his heart? Her hard work seemed wasted. Wei Linxia considered asking Wei Feng Zhi to retrieve the sachet but withdrew her gaze when she met his indifferent eyes again.
This Thirteenth Prince was truly difficult to like.
As she walked away, she remembered seeing Xi Linxuan wearing the embroidered sachet she had made. At least one prince appreciated her work, she thought, but when she looked back, she met his indifferent gaze. Wei Linxia hurriedly lowered her head and continued on.
Returning to her room, she took out a book with a “Poetry” cover.
Fortunately, the daughter of the Grand Tutor walking around the mansion with a “Chivalrous Record” would be a laughingstock. Wei Linxia worried briefly about Xi Linxuan’s suspicions, but he had no evidence.
Just as she settled behind the gauze curtain, a maid rushed in, out of breath. “Miss, something terrible has happened. Young Master is being chased and beaten.”
“Oh? Chased and beaten?” Wei Linxia furrowed her brow. If it were Xi Zhaoting, the maids would have recognized him and wouldn’t be so panicked. So, who else would dare to chase the young master of the Wei family?
“Yes, with a long whip,” the maid demonstrated with her arms.
“Male or female?” Wei Linxia asked.
“Male, looking quite noble.”
“Oh, I thought it was something serious. Go bring me a cup of tea, I’m a bit thirsty.” Wei Linxia stayed by the north window, sipping the cool tea the maid brought.
Suddenly, a figure flipped through the south window, crouching by the bookcase. Who else could this disheveled person be but her brother? Wei Fengzhi had just hidden when another figure appeared outside, holding a threatening leather whip, ready to strike.
“Who is sneaking around outside?”
Wei Linxia called out. Behind the gauze curtain, seated on the floor by the north window, the person outside couldn’t see her face.
“Who are you, hiding behind the gauze curtain?” the person asked.
“I am Wei Linxia, daughter of Grand Tutor Wei,” she replied, parting the curtain and walking to the south window. Her peony-like face was revealed. Although dressed in men’s clothing and sporting a small mustache, her beauty was undeniable.
“How did you know I’m a lady?” the woman asked defiantly.
Wei Linxia smiled faintly, “If not a lady, why no Adam’s apple? If a man, why have ear piercings? And your mustache is crooked.”
The woman tore off her mustache and threw it on the ground, peering inside: “Is Wei Fengzhi hiding here? I just saw him come this way.”
“He wouldn’t dare come here. He borrowed my allowance last month and hasn’t returned it. My father forbids him from entering a woman’s chamber. If you don’t believe me, please come in and search, and have a cup of tea while you’re at it,” Wei Linxia said.
The woman glanced around, somewhat puzzled, and hesitated before deciding to enter and look. Wei Linxia noticed her exploratory gaze.
Of course, Wei Fengzhi couldn’t still be in the room; otherwise, he wouldn’t have needed help escaping. After the woman left, he returned, bowed deeply to thank her, and requested a cup of tea. He praised her for looking out for her brother in a critical moment. Wei Linxia, holding her teacup, stirred the tea leaves and said, “Not from brotherly affection, but because I’m interested in her willow whip and wanted to see how novel it is. Also, about last month’s allowance… just buy me a book.”
Wei Fengzhi drank the tea in one gulp, stood up frustrated, and jumped out the window. Wei Linxia, arranging her tea leaves, took a sip and remarked, “Did he think I’d help him for nothing? My brother is truly naive.”
After her tea, Wei Linxia had already mentally crafted several stories about the woman and Wei Fengzhi. Following her afternoon nap, she visited her mother’s room to pay respects and casually asked about the morning’s guest. Her mother replied, “This guest is quite something — a princess from Yan Kingdom.”
“No wonder she chose a willow branch as her weapon, being close to the barbarian lands,” Wei Linxia said. Her mother inquired further, and Wei Linxia feigned surprise, “Didn’t brother say he was accidentally injured by the princess’s whip, scratched by a willow branch?”
Her mother remembered, and mother and daughter were laughing when Wei Fengzhi entered listlessly, glancing at them and asking, “What’s so funny?” Wei Linxia shook her head, silent.
“You don’t, but I do. The Yan Princess is coming to the mansion to apprentice under father,” Wei Fengzhi said dejectedly.
Her mother frowned, “What’s going on? Just a prince arrived, and now a princess? How are we to live?”
“Our mansion must have good feng shui,” Wei Linxia remarked, her expression calm.
Not long after Wei Fengzhi’s words, Prince Huo Xi Zhaoting brought the Yan Princess to pay respects to Grand Tutor Wei as her master. Since the Wei mansion wasn’t large and already housed the Thirteenth Prince, only two courtyards remained—one near Wei Linxia and one near Wei Fengzhi. The Yan Princess chose the one near Wei Fengzhi. After a day of lessons, she suggested to Grand Tutor Wei that it might be more convenient if Wei’s daughter also joined the lessons, saving him from teaching twice. Although Grand Tutor Wei thought his daughter’s education was sufficient, he didn’t want to offend the Yan Princess. Thus, in the grand study, Wei Linxia sat next to the Yan Princess, with Xi Linxuan sitting to their right, his expression still indifferent. Although the Yan Princess was technically his cousin, they didn’t seem particularly close.
Very quickly, Princess Yan expressed her boredom and mentioned that she had convinced Xi Zhaoting to agree to visit the Wei residence every fifth and tenth of the month for lessons, along with his reading companion Wei Fengzhi. Li Weiheng later joined as well. Each time, Wei Linxia felt as if her father were merely a private school teacher.
“You have been studying for many days, and I want to see your progress. Each of you will write an essay on ‘Salt Governance’. The Princess, Miss Li, and Linxia will write on ‘Guan Ju’,” announced Wei Taifu.
