“First go to the palace and announce me; I want an audience,” Weilinxia said calmly. What difference does it make being a hostage in the capital? If something happens, Xi Linxuan will still worry about her. It’s better for them to be together, living and dying together.
Despite Fengshou’s repeated dissuasion, Weilinxia went to the palace in formal court dress for an audience.
The emperor was discussing important matters with his ministers in a side hall of the Taiji Palace and asked her to wait in the outer square. Weilinxia waited until dark, and it started to rain. The autumn rain was cold, slowly seeping through her thick court dress.
“Princess Consort, let me fetch an umbrella,” Fengshou said.
“No need,” Weilinxia firmly refused. She stood in the rain for a stick of incense time, and though people came and went in the hall, no one offered her an umbrella.
Why bother asking and feeling uncomfortable? It was just a little autumn rain, nothing to fear.
Finally, ministers in various colored robes filed out of the side hall. A young eunuch stood in the corridor and called out, “Summon the Princess Consort for an audience.”
The white marble platform and vermilion pillars looked particularly harsh.
In the fragrant side hall, besides the emperor, there was another person wearing a third-rank official’s robe, seated calmly. This was the first sight Weilinxia had before the emperor looked up. The person seemed familiar, and when their eyes met, he appeared slightly surprised before quickly composing himself.
“Coming in court dress? What do you want to say?” the emperor glanced at her.
Weilinxia knelt down. Though the hall was warm, the ground was not, and her knees had stiffened from standing for so long.
“This concubine requests Your Majesty’s permission to accompany the Prince northward,” Weilinxia said, having lost any fear after standing outside in the rain.
The emperor seemed slightly interested and straightened up: “Reason?”
“Everyone knows the northern frontier is harsh. Now that the Prince is heading north, this concubine cannot stay comfortably in the capital. Moreover, the Prince has had a leg ailment for years that worsens in extreme cold. In Huo, I always used acupuncture to alleviate his pain.”
If I do not accompany him, I fear the Prince’s leg will never heal. Therefore, I request Your Majesty’s permission for this unreasonable request,” Weilinxia said slowly.
“Treating the Prince – did you have an affair with him in Huo?” the emperor asked, his tone displeased.
“My medical skills were taught by a Taoist immortal, instructing me to heal and save lives. I dare not dishonor my master’s teachings. I have cured several stubborn illnesses. The Prince was merely a patient. A doctor’s heart is like a parent’s; there could be no romantic feelings in such a situation.” Weilinxia was surprised at her own lack of fear towards the authoritative emperor.
“You’re determined to go?” the emperor softened.
“I have heard that a married woman follows her husband and considers him her heaven. I wish to follow the Prince, to live and die together,” Weilinxia replied firmly.
“You may retire. Let me consider,” the emperor said, dismissing her casually.
Returning to the Eastern Palace, Weilinxia sat in her damp court dress. As the rain stopped, sunlight cast a pale glow on the blue stones outside. Near dusk, a young eunuch arrived to announce that her request was granted.
A subtle smile bloomed on Weilinxia’s calm face as she ordered meals and prepared horses and carriages.
Fengshou advised against traveling at night, urging her to leave the next day.
Weilinxia, holding a bowl, asked, “Fengshou, can you ride a horse?”
“Yes, this servant can,” Fengshou replied.
“Good. Choose two best horses and several guards. We’ll take the official road with military protection. What is there to fear?” Weilinxia calmly ate, changed into a male outfit from her time at the Wei residence, and put on a hat. “Let’s go. Any later will disturb the Prince’s rest.”
Forty miles outside the city, at the Linbang Post Station, guards and eunuchs prepared horses and carriages, while palace maids made the bed and station officials paid respects to the Prince.
“It’s nothing. You may leave,” the young Prince said coldly.
The door creaked open, and the Prince’s brow furrowed: “Fengshou, come in. What is it?”
Fengshou entered timidly, saying, “Your Highness, someone has brought an imperial decree.”
Upon hearing “imperial decree,” the officials knelt. Fengshou stepped forward to support Xi Linxuan: “Your Highness, no need to kneel. Gentlemen, this decree is not for you.” He then called, “Princess Consort, please come in.”
As these words were spoken, the officials turned, seeing a person in male attire walk in calmly and confidently, while Prince Xi Linxuan’s expression soured, almost glaring, slightly distorting his handsome face.
“Wei shi, what imperial decree are you bringing?”
Xi Linxuan squeezed out each word. The moment he saw Fengshou, his heart was in his throat, fearing something would happen to her after he left the capital.
“Imperial decree: Commanding Princess Consort Wei to accompany the Prince northward,” Weilinxia stated.
“Everyone leave. I need to discuss something with the Princess Consort.” The officials departed, and Feng Shou closed the door, stating: “This servant will guard outside to prevent eavesdropping.”
“Your Highness, please do not be angry. This concubine knows her mistakes: first, inappropriately requesting an audience, second, traveling late at night, and third, creating a scene to startle Your Highness. It will not happen again.” Wei Linxia was tactful.
“There will be a next time?” Looking at her, Xi Linxuan wanted to be harsh but could only respond with a rhetorical question.
“No.” Wei Linxia shook her head, agreeing for now.
“Come here,” Xi Linxuan called her.
Wei Linxia raised her head. “This concubine has an imperial decree.”
“I’m not going to hit you,” Xi Linxuan frowned.
They needed to resolve this issue. She had been riding a horse; her bones ached, and she wanted to lie down on a soft bed and rest.
Oh, she was in pain all over, and Wei Linxia bit her lip and smiled with her head down.
As Xi Linxuan’s arms touched her shoulders, Wei Linxia slightly furrowed her brow.
“What’s wrong? I’m not hitting you, so why this pitiful look?” Xi Linxuan asked.
“No, I just didn’t expect horseback riding to be so difficult. My entire body aches,” Wei Linxia replied.
“Horseback riding? You… Wei Linxia…”
“This concubine was afraid Your Highness’s carriage would be too fast, so riding would be faster.” Wei Linxia continued to appear pitiful. After being in the rain all day and traveling on a cool night, she sneezed twice.
The sneezes extinguished Xi Linxuan’s anger. She embraced Wei Linxia and patted her back, causing her to groan in pain.
“This concubine has an imperial decree,” Wei Linxia said again.
“Hmph, you said you were sore from horseback riding. I’m giving you a massage, not hitting you.” Another pat followed, leaving Wei Linxia suffering but unable to respond. “When did you learn to ride a horse? How come I didn’t know?”
“Just today,” Wei Linxia admitted. Despite her aches, she loved the feeling of riding with the wind rushing past her ears and had already instructed Feng Shou to teach her horseback riding at the frontier.
“Oh, how clever.”
“Thank you for the praise, Your Highness.”
“Feng Shou, since you like riding horses, from tomorrow until we reach the frontier, you are not allowed to ride in a carriage,” Xi Linxuan said gently.
A wail came from outside: “Your Highness, this servant was wrong. This servant will never do it again.”
Wei Linxia, lying in Xi Linxuan’s arms, softly remarked, “This seems to be what historical books call transferring blame.”
