Wei Linxia shook her head casually, “How else would I know if I’ve made a mistake? I haven’t done this in a long time.” The scars on his legs, winding from his knees down his calves, were old but still shocking—white and raised.
How terrible must the fall have been to leave such scars? How much blood was shed? How many nights did he lie awake in pain?
Wei Linxia was afraid of pain. Just thinking about these scars made her entire body ache, especially her heart, which felt like a tight knot.
Lost in thought, she suddenly felt her cheek pinched, with warm breath whispering near her ear: “Time’s up. Aren’t you removing the needles?”
“Oh, already?” she said as she carefully removed the needles and placed them in her pouch. Just as she was about to leave, she was unexpectedly trapped by two arms, gently pushed down onto the bed, with a strand of hair not her own falling across her cheek.
“Your Highness…” Wei Linxia stammered as Xi Linxuan’s increasingly close face bore a mischievous smile. Since their wedding night, which left her in pain for days, he hadn’t touched her, and she had just begun to feel at ease.
“What, Your Highness?” Xi Linxuan narrowed his eyes, playing with her hair.
“No, no…” Wei Linxia said.
“Be good; you must listen. See, I’m much gentler than you,” he replied, lowering his head to kiss her face once and then twice.
“We haven’t had dinner yet…” she said, feeling her blood rush to her head.
“I’m having my meal right now.” His cool lips grazed her lips’ edge without kissing, merely circling. “Comfortable?”
Wei Linxia dared not speak, afraid of a direct kiss, and could only glare at Xi Linxuan. He remained oblivious, pressing closer and whispering in her ear, “I’m proving my legs are healed and I can move freely.”
The bed curtains let in light, with stubborn orange-red hues casting a warm glow inside, mingling with a hint of heat.
Outside the chamber, a young palace servant approached to ask about dinner but was silenced by the head eunuch Feng Shou: “Shh, His Highness and the Princess are discussing important matters. Dinner will be served later.”
Inside, only soft breathing sounds remained. Wei Linxia clenched her fists, reluctantly held in his embrace.
“I want to get up,” she murmured, aware it might invite laughter.
“Will you listen next time?” Xi Linxuan’s hand drew circles on her back.
She nodded.
“Hmm?” He was dissatisfied with her lack of conviction.
“I’ll listen.” The response was barely audible.
“Don’t listen.” His capricious expression returned.
“Ah?”
Wasn’t it Your Highness who told me to listen?” Wei Linxia accused.
“If you don’t listen to me, how will I find a reason to punish you?” Xi Linxuan’s mouth was close to her ear, his breath sending chills down her spine.
The darkness concealed her blush as Weilingxia pushed him away, dragged the blanket, and got out of bed. Using the faint light outside, she quickly changed. Just then, a voice came from outside: “Your Highness, shall we prepare the evening meal?”
Flustered, Weilingxia struggled with her ribbons. A candle had been lit, and when she turned around, she saw Xi Linxuan standing there in his inner garments, his two ribbons in her hand tangled.
“Come and serve me,” he said, then gently beckoned: “Crown Princess, come and help me.”
As palace maids and eunuchs entered, Weilingxia, though displeased, moved closer to assist him.
“These two ribbons are tied incorrectly. Come here,” Xi Linxuan said again.
Weilingxia reluctantly stood before him, head lowered, watching as his larger hands untangled and retied the ribbons, softly criticizing her: “So clumsy.”
Because of this episode, when bedtime came, Weilingxia hardly dared to approach the bed.
Xi Linxuan seemed not tired, sitting by the desk reading.
Weilingxia suddenly remembered Li Weiheng’s situation and sat across from him: “Your Highness, I have a request.”
Xi Linxuan didn’t lift his eyelids, his fingers turning a page: “What?”
“I heard that Official Wang from the Eastern Palace will be accompanying this northern journey. Would it be possible for Miss Li to remain in the capital?” Weilingxia asked.
Xi Linxuan glanced at her: “Stop worrying.”
“Your Highness, although Empress Dowager Huo has betrothed them, the six rites have not been performed. Henger is not yet truly Wang family’s wife. If she follows north, it would be improper,” Weilingxia argued.
“Fine, I agree. Anything else?” Xi Linxuan asked.
“No,” Weilingxia thought he seemed quite reasonable today.
Xi Linxuan lowered his head to read; Weilingxia took up some fabric to trace patterns, feeling fortunate her needlework skills might be useful in the future.
She was no longer afraid; heaven had determined her life would not be ordinary.
Soon it was September 14th, and they were to set out north tomorrow. Weilingxia asked a palace maid if her jade needle was packed, but the maid looked confused and shook her head.
Weilingxia was counting on this opportunity to showcase her skills, so she decided to carry it herself for peace of mind.
During the evening meal, they were silently eating when an imperial messenger arrived, summoning Xi Linxuan to a bestowed banquet. Weilingxia inwardly grumbled at the idea of sending someone as a hostage to a harsh land while expecting gratitude.
Xi Linxuan acknowledged the summons but continued eating leisurely, having Weilingxia serve him a piece of crispy pork. He finished his bowl, rinsed his mouth, and left with the messengers.
Weilingxia, feeling frustrated and unable to eat, put down her chopsticks and had the maids clear the meal. She brewed some tea and sat waiting.
Xi Linxuan returned near the hour of Hai, with the faint smell of alcohol and a slightly flushed face, having apparently drunk quite a bit.
“They’ve prepared a sobering soup. Drink a bit and rest. We’re traveling tomorrow; you don’t want a headache on the road,” Weilingxia said, helping him to the bed.
“Mm, good,” Xi Linxuan replied.
As he lay down, he quietly held her without speaking. Weilingxia’s hand rested on his chest, unsure how to comfort him. At times like these, comfort felt useless. Who knew how dangerous this unknown journey would be?
It seemed exciting when reading about it, but in the moment, Weilingxia was afraid, worried she might lack the wisdom and courage to face what was to come.
“Sleep,” Xi Linxuan gently patted her forehead, his hand warm.
Weilingxia nestled closer to him. He was here.
She slept soundly, without dreams. When she opened her eyes, she was stunned. The sunlight was bright, clearly past morning. She quickly lifted the bed curtain – the room was empty. In her haste, she even pulled down the small gold hook from the curtain.
“Someone!” she called, but only Fengshou arrived. As Xi Linxuan’s long-time personal eunuch, she wondered why he was still in the Eastern Palace.
“What happened? Has the date changed? Where is Your Highness?” Weilingxia asked, feeling dizzy from her rushed movements.
Fengshou hunched his shoulders, shook his head: “Responding to the Crown Princess, Your Highness left north early this morning.”
“North? Why am I still here? Why wasn’t I woken up?” Weilingxia felt something was wrong – she had never slept so deeply.
“It was an imperial decree. All Eastern Palace women are to remain in the capital. The Crown Prince said to leave me to serve you,” Fengshou explained.
“Imperial decree?” Weilingxia processed this quickly.
Before this, marriages were arranged, weddings performed, and now everyone was being left behind. Weilingxia wanted to laugh. Oh, Emperor, you are truly a monarch, with no familial sentiment. Sending a prince as a hostage and leaving his wife behind in the capital was heartbreaking.
“Fengshou, bring me my court dress,” Weilinxia said.
“Princess Consort, what are you going to do?” Fengshou asked anxiously.
