As Xi Linxuan seemed uninterested, the conversation shifted. Li Weiheng recalled her childhood, animatedly describing her first visit to Uncle Wei’s house and meeting Sister Shenbei, sharing stories of digging mouse holes in the back garden and quoting a poem to her father when scolded.
The discussion continued with more childhood stories, laughter, and playful reminiscences about Wei Linxia’s pranks, creating a warm atmosphere.
Wei Feng Zhi’s face turned red, attracting everyone’s attention. Weilin Xia lowered her head and smiled secretly, while Xi Linxuan covered his face with his wine cup. Only Li Weiheng, confused, said to Weifen Zhi: “Brother Chenli, how can you disparage someone’s beloved object?”
Weifen Zhi glared at Weilin Xia, who pretended not to see.
After a while, the snow viewing ended as the sun tilted westward. A eunuch sent by the empress dowager reminded them: “Your Highness, it’s getting late; the empress dowager will worry if you don’t return soon.”
” Their servants helped them carefully board their carriages. Princess Yan and Xi Zhaoting drove side by side, while Weifen Zhi ran to Weilin Xia’s side, and the siblings went up the mountain. Princess Yan asked Xi Zhaoting why. He explained, “Miss Wei was weak as a child and raised in a Taoist temple on the mountain. She returns several times a year, so it makes sense she would go there today.”
Xi Zhaoting’s voice was not low, and those in the following carriage could hear. Xi Linxuan thought about how, judging by Weilin Xia’s current appearance, it was hard to believe she had once been physically weak. He wondered if she had worn Taoist robes at the temple.
At dinner, snow began to fall heavily, raising concerns about the mountain path’s conditions. Master Wei criticized Madam Wei for allowing the siblings to go up the mountain in snowy weather. Before bed, Xi Linxuan asked the eunuch if the snow had stopped, but the eunuch estimated it would continue until the next day.
The eunuch was wrong. The snow lasted three days, covering the courtyard with over a foot. After the snowfall, the weather turned cold. Xi Linxuan hesitated to open the doors to enjoy the snow, not wanting to drink bitter medicine.”
On the fifth day at noon, the Wei siblings returned. Weilin Xia was fine, but Weifen Zhi looked weak, sneezing and claiming the mountain was uninhabitable and they would freeze even with two quilts at night. Madam Wei felt distressed, while Weilin Xia remained silent.
Weilin Xia brought back two small white cranes, barely larger than chickens. The sick Weifen Zhi told Madam Wei that these cranes were Master Xu Zhen’s beloved pets, which Weilin Xia had persuaded him to give up. Weilin Xia ignored him and planned how to raise the cranes, considering asking her mother to speak with Xi Linxuan for help.
A blush appeared on Lady Wei’s face. This little Taoist nun always spoke in a way that left one at a loss for words. Her daughter was so well-behaved!
The little Taoist nun Tai Qing was sent by the old Taoist nun to deliver medicine to Xi Linxuan, looking reluctant. At the door, she complained about the consequences of Weilin Xia’s actions, saying it was a trivial matter that brought her trouble.
“Tai Qing is always stubborn but soft-hearted. She mentioned giving two fine cranes to Lin earlier but then spoke like this. However, Lady Wei, given the prince’s noble status and Tai Qing’s impetuous nature, I’m truly worried she might not serve him well.”
Perhaps next time, let Lin come along too. First, Lin is meticulous and can take good care of the prince to prevent any mishaps. Second, everyone here is older, and Tai Qing has no companion. She looks forward to Lin’s visits all year round. This could be an opportunity for them to meet, and Lin could temper her temperament. Otherwise, I won’t be at ease even after I close my eyes. Third, I’m too old, and who knows when I might pass away. It would be good to teach Lin the art of acupuncture so she can continue helping the prince even after I’m gone.
Xi Linxuan hoped Lady Wei would agree. He also hoped Wei Lin would come, finding the idea of seeing a usually dignified young lady become as irritable as Tai Qing quite interesting—perhaps it might even help his leg.
After the old Taoist nun removed the needles and helped him dress, a little girl entered, carrying a dark medicine bowl. Though wearing an old Taoist robe with a disgruntled expression, her face remained beautiful. Xi Linxuan was momentarily stunned. The little Taoist nun ignored him, heavily placing the medicine bowl on the table, muttering “Troublesome” before walking away.
The subsequent days were filled with anticipation, though it was delayed by the empress dowager’s thousandth-day celebration, which somewhat displeased him.
Even in the festive palace, his face showed little joy, even some annoyance, until he saw Wei Lin accompanying Lady Wei to pay respects to the empress dowager. Dressed in duck-egg blue instead of her usual mustard yellow, she appeared somewhat more slender.
The empress dowager was delighted to see Wei Lin, drawing her close to discuss the ages of various princesses and officials’ daughters. One young lady was exactly fifteen, and her mother requested a marriage decree, which the empress dowager granted, causing the girl to blush. After surveying the room, the empress dowager’s gaze settled on Lady Wei: “Lin will be thirteen after the new year, right?” Lady Wei confirmed, and the empress dowager cheerfully declared she would arrange the best marriage for her in two years.
Xi Linxuan finally understood the empress dowager’s intention—no wonder she favored Wei Lin. She was being groomed as a potential daughter-in-law.
Who would have thought Wei Lin could win over the seemingly unapproachable old lady? Xi Linxuan regarded her with disdain, feeling something he couldn’t quite define, eventually settling on disgust. Girls like Wei Lin, who know how to please others superficially, are the most detestable.
Due to the empress dowager’s birthday, the night curfew was lifted for three days, making the royal city exceptionally lively.
Returning home with her mother, Wei Lin remained unusually quiet. When her mother asked if she was unwell, Wei Lin slowly inquired, “Mother, does the empress dowager mean to marry me to the crown prince?”
Lady Wei nodded, acknowledging that her daughter could understand such matters.
Xi Linxuan’s second mountain visit finally occurred before the new year, accompanied by the Wei siblings. The Taoist nun Xu Zhen administered the black “mysterious needles” behind a screen, while Wei Lin and Wei Feng Zhi sat in the hall. Despite closed windows, the cold wind persisted, prompting Wei Feng Zhi to comment on the need for oiled paper.
Wei Lin held a ceramic water stove, recalling how the elder Taoist nuns would warm her bed during winter.
Tai Qing burst in with a cold wind, casting a disdainful look at the Wei siblings: “Who asked you to come? Feeling cold? Serves you right.”
Wei Feng Zhi retorted about her immunity to cold.
Sensing the brewing conflict between Tai Qing and her brother, Wei Lin discretely excused herself.
Outside, the wind was cold, but the view from the Wangxian Terrace overlooking the royal city was magnificent. Walking down the stone steps through a layered forest, she noticed an abandoned wooden house at the forest’s edge, which she had previously asked the Taoist nun about, receiving only a mysterious smile.
These quarters were places she and Tai Qing often visited.
