Xi Zhaoting moved quickly, snatching the pillow from Wei Linxia’s grasp. She was pulled into his embrace, his smile drawing closer. Wei Linxia bit her lip, unwilling to lose her innocence to the Crown Prince. He had once been her dream, but now she was awake.
Xi Zhaoting’s lips landed on Wei Linxia’s tightly closed ones. The close smell of alcohol made her want to vomit. His hand began to caress her back, the warmth igniting her rage.
Looking at his face, Wei Linxia disregarded his status as Crown Prince. She decisively pressed her index finger on his Shenting acupoint.
Xi Zhaoting collapsed, falling onto the bed frame, his expression painful yet still conscious.
Wei Linxia straightened her clothes, wiped her lips, then jumped off the bed.
She first looked around to see if anyone was present, carefully closed the window, extinguished the candle, and then cautiously walked back to the bed to check Xi Zhaoting’s breath.
Although she was angry, she felt it necessary to clarify things with him. She knew he could hear her. The book said that attacking the Shenting acupoint would only cause dizziness while keeping the mind clear.
Wei Linxia thought about the acupoint and, using the same force she had applied to Xi Zhaoting, released her own mute point.
“That’s right, I did like you before, but I, Wei Linxia, would never manipulate the Empress Dowager. I don’t believe the old lady would be easily swayed. Don’t think I’m desperate to be your Crown Princess. Look at your mother, Chestnut Concubine, and Princess Ren. Wanting to be the Crown Princess would make me an idiot.”
She stood up and poured a cup of tea before continuing, “You’re overestimating me, Wei Linxia. I don’t have that much influence. Even if I did, I’m just a chess piece in the hands of noble people. Don’t say you don’t understand the implications. Even without me, Li Weihen can’t become the Crown Princess. The Qu and Shen families would never allow the future Queen to come from the Li family. With the Queen’s death, the Empress Dowager would never allow such a thing. Don’t forget, Chestnut Concubine still has a son, your brother. If she became Queen, your brother would be the legitimate heir and compete with you for the throne.”
If Li Weihen becomes your concubine, the Li family would rely on the prince and queen to gain more power. Why blame me, an unrelated person? Do you think I still have a chance to be the Crown Princess? Haven’t you heard rumors about my affair with the Thirteenth Prince? Just because of the Empress Dowager’s favor, I’ve been subjected to damaging rumors. Who am I supposed to settle this with?”
After speaking, Wei Linxia poured a cup of water, drank half, and splashed the rest on Xi Zhaoting’s face, hearing him groan, likely stunned.
“When you wake up, leave secretly. I know you’re upset about the Queen’s death and Heng’er’s betrothal, but don’t go crazy finding people to blame. Forget about today. If there’s a next time, I won’t be this nice.”
She quietly closed the door and left. It was month’s end, and the sky was gloomy. Following the frog calls, Wei Linxia reached the garden outside the crane-releasing pavilion. A few cranes were resting. Hearing her footsteps, they startled but settled down at her soft voice. Wei Linxia sat in the pavilion, leaning against the railing until the eastern sky began to lighten.
Author’s note: Tomorrow is finally the weekend, haha, wild laughter.
Tai Qing, who got up early to watch the little crane and practice, was startled by Wei Linxia’s red eyes. When she asked, Wei Linxia only said she was thinking of something sad, leaving Tai Qing confused.
Wei Linxia returned to the room with Tai Qing, and the maids appeared calm, as if their collective absence yesterday was ordinary. Knowing that Yu Mo had warned Wei Linxia, she said nothing more.
Just as things settled down, Wei Fengzhi entered, looking bewildered, as if someone had dislocated his jaw. Tai Qing laughed while Wei Linxia was full of doubts. Under their questioning, Wei Fengzhi said, “They want me to marry the Princess of Yan.”
As soon as the words left his mouth, Tai Qing’s laughter froze, and Wei Linxia’s eyes widened.
“What are you talking about?” Wei Linxia asked.
Wei Fengzhi looked pained: “I didn’t know that when the King sent me to Yan last time, it was to be considered for marriage. If I had known, I would have died before going.”
Wei Linxia found the situation bizarre. How could the Huo King suddenly do this? Looking at Wei Fengzhi’s distressed expression, she glanced at Tai Qing.
“Hmph, predators and beasts, truly a match made in heaven! Congratulations,” Tai Qing said with disdain.
“Immortal, can you not make things worse?”
Don’t I look pitiful enough?” Wei Fengzhi asked, looking embarrassed.
Tai Qing curled her lip: “Not nearly enough. How could a Princess of Yan make you pitiful?”
“Indeed, she’s no match for you,” Wei Fengzhi retorted.
Wei Linxia sensed something was off and glanced at Tai Qing, who seemed angry: “Explain yourself. What do you mean?”
Wei Fengzhi awkwardly clarified: “Immortal, your ability to torment is far more powerful than the Princess of Yan.”
“Rest assured, even if I’m powerful, I won’t torment you. Hmph.” Tai Qing said, then swept out of the room, leaving the siblings looking at each other.
“She’s hardly tormented me less…” Wei Fengzhi mumbled.
Wei Linxia felt she needed to carefully consider the situation. Although Tai Qing and her brother always seemed ready to fight, today’s atmosphere was different.
“Brother, has the marriage decree been issued?” Wei Linxia asked.
“In a couple of days. Today the King and Queen spoke to me about it,” Wei Fengzhi replied.
“The Queen?” Wei Linxia asked, confused.
“The Princess of Yan’s aunt,” Wei Fengzhi explained.
“So, you can only accept it?”
“What other choice is there?”
Wei Linxia paused and asked: “What if you like someone else?”
Wei Fengzhi frowned, then laughed: “I don’t like anyone! Women are too troublesome!”
Wei Linxia remained silent.
Their siblings’ marriage matters troubled many people.
Wei Linxia decided to comfort Tai Qing, but when she arrived at Feng Shou Mountain, the master informed her that Tai Qing had left a note and run away. Returning home, her mother said Wei Feng Zhi had gone to the palace to receive an imperial decree.
The situation with Wei Feng Zhi was not over. Wei Linxia, anxious in her room, was interrupted by her mother, who rushed in and embraced her. “An imperial decree has arrived from the capital. Your father has gone to receive it. I don’t know what it’s about,” she said.
“What could it be? It’s probably to commend father for the matter of the Thirteenth Prince. Don’t worry, Mother,” Wei Linxia consoled her.
Despite her words, receiving an imperial decree was always a nerve-wracking experience. Mother and daughter waited in the central hall for father and son to return.
At dusk, Wei Linxia saw several birds flying across the courtyard, their bodies tinged with the sunset’s color. Suddenly, she recalled two lines of poetry: “The jade complexion cannot match the cold crow’s hue, still carrying the sunlight from Zhao Yang.”
Just as the birds flew past, the Wei family father and son returned, looking exhausted. This worried Wei Linxia and her mother. Lady Wei couldn’t wait for them to sit down before urgently asking.
The Grand Tutor only stared at his daughter, making Wei Linxia increasingly uneasy. She nervously asked, “Father, does this concern me?”
“The Emperor has betrothed you to the Crown Prince. You will soon go to the capital to complete the marriage,” the Grand Tutor said.
Wei Linxia was stunned. Betrothed to the Crown Prince. How did this happen? She had just escaped the royal palace’s dangers, only to find herself facing another challenge.
