Because she had seen Master Xu Zhen raising cranes since childhood, Wei Linxia also knew a bit about medical treatment.
She had servants buy medicine and personally cared for the crane, and after four or five days, it slowly recovered. Li Weiheng probably heard from Princess Yan and came to see, accompanied by Xi Zhaoting. Wei Linxia sat quietly, watching them discuss her crane. Li Weiheng expressed a desire to raise one and pestered Wei Linxia for it. Wei Linxia shook her head: “This was given by Master Xu Zhen. I cannot transfer it. Moreover, they are all sick cranes. If you like, I’ll have someone buy healthy ones for you.”
Xi Zhaoting, dissatisfied, told Li Weiheng: “It’s just a few cranes. If you like them, I’ll have the eunuchs find the best ones for you tomorrow.”
Li Weiheng pouted, disappointed. Wei Linxia remained silent, feeling annoyed. She understood Li Weiheng’s fleeting interests; the crane would likely not survive long if given to her. Xi Zhaoting knew this too, but always indulged her.
Wei Linxia would not give it to her. If Xi Zhaoting could, he would get it for her. Hmph.
After the New Year, time seemed to pass quickly, and soon it was almost the Shang Festival. This day, originally meant to dispel evil spirits by the water, somehow changed in nature.
On this day, unmarried men and women of Yan could freely converse by the water, and if mutually interested, they could have a tryst without interference. However, as officials deemed this immoral, an imperial edict banned the practice. Far from the capital, King Huo, near the Northern Rong, struggled to enforce the change. After several attempts, he eventually allowed it. Thus, on this day, women long confined to their chambers desperately tried to escape their servants to find a soulmate by the water.
Wei Linxia disliked this festival, but Tai Qing insisted on seeing the shameless men and women. Wei Linxia, a young Taoist nun, felt it inappropriate. Tai Qing disdainfully called her rigid and threatened to kill Wei Linxia’s crane if she didn’t accompany her—because Tai Qing often followed through on her bizarre threats. Wei Linxia reluctantly agreed, requesting that Tai Qing make herself ugly.
