“Isn’t it the same as usual?” Wei Linxia replied, puzzled by what was so special.
Xi Linxuan playfully tapped her forehead. “Shen Bi, can we discuss something?”
“What?” Wei Linxia asked.
“Promise me first.”
“You speak first.”
Xi Linxuan pulled her to sit in the pavilion and whispered in her ear. Wei Linxia’s brows furrowed with each word: “No.” She quickly rejected his proposal.
“My wound, my heart – a thousand years of cultivation leads to sharing a pillow. Will you really watch me work myself to death after we waited a thousand years?” Xi Linxuan’s tone was pitiful.
“With so many ministers, why make things difficult for yourself?” Despite knowing his intentions, Wei Linxia’s voice softened with compassion.
Xi Linxuan’s calligraphy was not particularly difficult to copy, but after more than a month of practice, she finally dared to write in front of him. Previously, she had to accompany him in the imperial study every day, under the scrutinizing eyes of palace maids.
Xi Linxuan had her proofread the first section of memorials, which was about a foot high. Wei Linxia looked at it with confusion.
“What should I write?” Wei Linxia asked. Wasn’t she supposed to be a ghostwriter?
“Do as you like! Anyway, it has nothing to do with me,” Xi Linxuan replied.
Opening the first memorial, Wei Linxia quickly realized it indeed had something to do with her. One memorial after another fueled her anger.
These officials were truly annoying.
Glancing at the calm Xi Linxuan, Wei Linxia wrote on each memorial: “National affairs are unsettled, succession is pending. As for imperial family matters, you are an external official and need not interfere.”
She showed it to Xi Linxuan, who praised her: “Indeed, very similar. Much obliged, my lady.”
“These people are really irritating,” Wei Linxia complained. As officials, they should focus on their duties instead of meddling in the ruler’s affairs and managing their own concubines.
“Do you know how they bullied your husband? We must pay them back,” Xi Linxuan said, pulling her onto his lap.
“Aren’t you the one who can’t refuse?” Wei Linxia said sarcastically.
“Well, you’ve seen through me,” Xi Linxuan replied, pinching her cheek.
While they were playing, Feng Shou reported that the prime minister requested an audience. Xi Linxuan agreed, and Wei Linxia hurriedly stood up, blushing. It was Xi Linxuan’s fault for causing such a scene in the imperial study room.
Chapter 57
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Once something happens the first time, it becomes easier the second time. Under Xi Linxuan’s persistent persuasion, Wei Linxia became almost as busy as a court official, staying in the imperial study room daily to serve tea and water. Gradually, Xi Linxuan began to ask Wei Linxia about court matters like official appointments and treasury expenditures. Fortunately, Wei Linxia had a good memory and could remember things after reading them once.
Wei Linxia had no complaints and slowly understood Xi Linxuan’s intentions.
At that moment, Xi Linxuan rested on the bed, coughing occasionally with a pained expression. Despite being together daily, he concealed his true medical condition. Wei Linxia had repeatedly threatened the imperial doctors but still couldn’t get the truth from them.
Now, sitting by the bed and looking at her husband’s increasingly emaciated face, Wei Linxia was deeply worried.
He said they had cultivated for a thousand years in their previous life to be together in this one. She didn’t want that cultivation to be in vain or wait another thousand years to see him again. She just wanted him to live well and accompany her through this life. For this, she would do anything; as long as he was alive and watching her, everything would be enough.
“Wei Chenbi, you look like you’re about to molest me,” Wei Linxia was lost in thought when Xi Linxuan opened his eyes.
“It’s all your fault,” Wei Linxia stood up and brought several memorials from an elderly three-dynasty veteran. Each memorial was over two thousand words but essentially meant one thing: “A hen crowing at dawn is an omen of national destruction.”
“This old man always speaks in circles, like solving a riddle. I hate reading his memorials; they make me dizzy. Come, approve them, and spare us unnecessary documents,” Xi Linxuan said.
“The old minister is scolding me for being an unruly mother hen,” Wei Linxia replied.
“Oh? Oh,” Xi Linxuan suddenly hit the bed, “How bold, daring to scold the mother of a nation. Truly audacious.”
Wei Linxia remained silent, watching Xi Linxuan pretend to be angry.
“If I abdicate the throne to you one day, won’t they scold me for a rooster laying eggs? Infuriating,” Xi Linxuan said.
“Getting angry right after waking up is bad for your health.”
Don’t be angry; drink some warm soup to calm down,” Wei Linxia said as she took the soup bowl from the eunuch, carefully cooling it before feeding Xi Linxuan.
“Why couldn’t a woman govern? If this could ensure Xi Linxuan’s longevity, she would gladly bear the criticism, even if it meant facing eternal condemnation.”
“Qiushui, will you go to court tomorrow, and I’ll prepare some snacks for you in the side hall?” Wei Linxia asked.
“Sure, it’ll be good for you to see their faces,” Xi Linxuan replied.
The next day, during a regular court session, Xi Linxuan wasn’t in full imperial robes, and Wei Linxia was in casual palace attire, waiting in the side hall, listening to the drum music and the distinctive tones of the ministers in the main hall.
“If my memory serves me right, the elder has reached retirement age. You’ve served the court for over forty years, dedicating yourself to the nation. Now, you should enjoy your retirement, and I dare not burden you with state affairs,” Xi Linxuan said slowly but with undeniable momentum.
Wei Linxia smiled slightly. If it was the first time waiting for Xi Linxuan, one might think he was a ruler in his thirties, sophisticated and serious like an Emperor Emeritus.
The elderly minister seemed somewhat indignant as he thanked the emperor and left the hall.
After court adjourned, Wei Linxia stood at the hall entrance to welcome Xi Linxuan. He hurried over, stepped into the hall, and embraced her, apologizing profusely.
The pastry was still warm; if it cooled down, it would become hard. Wei Linxia pulled him to eat the meal she had prepared.
Xi Linxuan silently ate and let Wei Linxia wipe his hands.
“These tasks should be handled by a man…”
“Didn’t you say that husband and wife should support each other in adversity? You also said this world is ours. If you don’t plan to share it, what does it matter if I bear some infamy? Every ruler has faced criticism; after death, you can’t hear it, so why be cautious in life?”
“Marrying you is my blessing,” Xi Linxuan said sincerely.
“Of course. The fortune-teller said I bring good fortune to my husband and family. Whoever marries me has accumulated virtue in their previous life,” Wei Linxia replied proudly.
“So you’re just a good dog, here’s a bone for you,” Xi Linxuan laughed brightly, but Wei Linxia couldn’t feel at ease. His laughter felt like a final farewell.
“Oh, I have something to do,” Wei Linxia said, standing up in surprise.
“What is it?”
“The memorials should have been sent to the imperial study by now. I’ll go make a report,” Wei Linxia said.
Autumn had arrived in an instant. In Yan Jing south of Qi Shui, the greenery that had endured the summer’s heat looked somewhat dispirited. Xi Linxuan often accompanied her in reviewing memorials; whenever she raised her head and met his focused gaze, Wei Linxia felt uneasy.
These days, she had been thinking about something that kept her awake at night.
