He asks that you do not continue to press him. Moreover, he says he will never marry in this lifetime…”
“This Wang Ling, why retire now when he’s only in his thirties…” Wei Linxia was worried. Xi Qi was too aggressive. Did he really think he could stabilize the throne just by staging a military coup?
“He won’t marry, and I won’t marry either. I’ll spend my life with him,” Xi Yaya clenched her fist and muttered.
“Yaya, go to your uncle’s mansion again and have him…”
“Mother, you shouldn’t force things. If I were Wang Ling, I would also resign after the Emperor treated me like this. If he can do this to his own mother, who knows how he might treat other officials? Besides, Xi Qi is capable; let’s see what he can do!” Xi Yaya said.
“Stop making trouble,” Wei Linxia rebuked her daughter. After a while, she picked up a brush and wrote a letter. She sealed it with wax and instructed her daughter to deliver it to Wang Ling. “If he still insists on resigning, I will no longer press him.”
Chapter 63
Xi Yaya returned to the hall around dinnertime, holding the letter written by Wei Linxia.
“He left right after I went out this morning, leaving with nothing but his two sleeves. It seems Wang Ling understands you and knows you have another trick up your sleeve,” Xi Yaya said, propping her chin on her hand.
“Where am I going to find him now?”
Wei Linxia took back the letter from Xi Yaya, tore it up, and burned it. She hadn’t expected Wang Ling’s determination to leave to be so resolute.
“Mother, do you think Wang Ling might return to Langyue?” Xi Yaya asked.
“I don’t know,” Wei Linxia replied, concerned. With each new emperor comes a new set of officials. Wang Ling understood this well, but she worried that his departure on the second day of Xi Qi’s reign would provoke a strong reaction from Xi Qi, who might not let this go easily.
After careful consideration, she realized Wang Ling was not one to sit idle, but neither was Xi Qi an easy opponent. She hoped they wouldn’t destroy each other.
“Mother? Mother?” A pair of small white hands waved in front of her eyes.
“Yaya, how much do you like Wang Ling? What would you do for him?” Wei Linxia asked.
Xi Yaya frowned, thinking carefully: “I’ll do anything. Even if he runs away now, I’ll find him. If he doesn’t want to marry me, that’s fine. I’ll follow him wandering the world, begging if necessary. Anything is fine, as long as I can be with him.”
“Silly girl,” Wei Linxia laughed. “Your stubborn temperament is just like your father’s. I’ll give you an imperial decree: when you find him, tell him it’s a royal marriage decree that cannot be refused.”
Xi Yaya was stunned for a moment, then jumped up to hug Wei Linxia: “Mother, I knew you loved me the most.”
“Mother, I love you the most.”
“Go, pack your things and find Wang Ling. First go to Langyue, then to his fief. You’ll probably find him there,” Wei Linxia said.
“Okay, I’m going right now,” Xi Yaya replied happily, bouncing towards the exit.
“Where are you going? It’s mealtime; stay and eat with me!” Wei Linxia grabbed her, revealing her childlike nature.
The next morning, Fengshou informed Wei Linxia that the princess had left as soon as the palace gates opened. Wei Linxia felt both amused and exasperated. Her children’s hearts were now elsewhere, captivated by Wang Ling, leaving her with just a son, which would surely bring her headaches.
With the sudden absence of court duties and state affairs, Wei Linxia found herself at a loss. She had longed for a moment to tend to her flowers and plants, but now that she was idle, she didn’t know where to start. Although she had Fengshou bring her some flowers, their vibrant colors did little to settle her restless heart.
How could a ten-year-old child be so calculating? There had to be someone behind this who posed a threat to Xi Qi. Despite her anger from the previous day, this matter needed attention…
Suddenly realizing she had cut several fully bloomed flowers, Wei Linxia intended to send someone to investigate secretly. Before she could act, Xi Yaya returned, bringing Wang Ling back as her princess consort.
When Fengshou reported, “The Princess and her consort request an audience,” Wei Linxia’s hand trembled, breaking a flower branch and pricking herself with a thorn.
Xi Yaya entered radiantly, while Wang Ling beside her looked worried.
Xi Yaya said, “Mother, you must grant me a princess’s residence. I’m married and need to move out.”
“Wang Ling, you’ve been through a lot.” She thought the imperial decree would help him avoid disaster but didn’t expect it to be needed so soon.
“Been through a lot? You have no idea, Mother. When I found him, it was pouring rain. He was completely surrounded outside the broken temple. If I had arrived later, I might have had to ask you to bail him out,” Xi Yaya complained.
“Okay, Yaya, go change your clothes, fix your hair, and wash up. I want to speak with Wang Ling,” Wei Linxia instructed.
“Oh, don’t say anything about revoking the imperial decree, Mother!” Xi Yaya said expectantly.
Wei Linxia looked at Wang Ling, feeling apologetic: “If I’m not mistaken, those people were sent by Xi Qi, weren’t they?”
“This… let’s not discuss it for now. I, your subject, thank the Empress Dowager for saving my life,” Wang Ling replied.
Wei Linxia shook her head. “Xi Qi is young and impetuous, inevitably hearing rumors. He doesn’t understand, but how could I not know?”
Who doesn’t know that Wang Qing has been exhausting himself for this court over the years? With limited time, I couldn’t think of a better plan. Sending someone else would likely not succeed.
“Reporting to the Empress Dowager, His Majesty’s imperial decree summons the Imperial Son-in-law for an audience,” Feng Shou entered.
Wei Linxia frowned, knowing Wang Ling would not be in mortal danger, but Xi Qi was being too aggressive.
“Your Majesty, please allow me to retire and meet the Emperor,” Wang Ling said calmly.
“No rush. Although the betrothal was my intention, you should go together to see the Emperor with Yaya,” Wei Linxia said.
“I suppose the Emperor has some instructions for me, and I also have matters to report. Regardless, I am a retired prime minister, but please be assured,” Wang Ling bowed slightly and left with Feng Shou.
Xi Qi, if this was truly your doing, then my years of teaching have been in vain. How can I face your father the Emperor and the ancestors of the Xi family? How can I trust this empire to you?
Thinking too much, her recent headache worsened, her forehead feeling heavy.
Would the days of reuniting with Xi Linxuan be distant again?
Seeing her discomfort, Feng Shou hurried to summon the imperial physician. Wei Linxia instructed him not to fuss, just to bring silver needles.
It was almost funny—she who once instructed Xi Linxuan not to forget his skills had almost forgotten them herself.
Facing the bronze mirror, she carefully inserted the needles. Feng Shou didn’t dare blink while watching.
“Feng Shou, don’t look like that. Wasn’t it me who taught the Imperial Highness’s skills back then?” Wei Linxia said.
“Yes, Your Majesty speaks correctly,” Feng Shou replied with a smile.
“Enough,” Wei Linxia stopped him.
After applying the needles, she let Feng Shou help her to the rocking chair for a nap. She had just closed her eyes when Feng Shou said softly, “Your Majesty, they say the Emperor has restored the Right Minister’s position and will hold a grand wedding for the Princess and Imperial Son-in-law in a few days.”
“Oh? Really?” Wei Linxia opened her eyes, surprised. Had Wang Ling reported something, or had Xi Qi discovered something?
“Yes, absolutely true,” Feng Shou said.
“Well, tell the Princess that she’s getting married, should stop running around, and learn some proper etiquette in the palace,” Wei Linxia instructed.
