Today, being the Dragon Boat Festival, the outside was livelier than the palace. Several noble sons had already sent servants to scout locations, waiting for his honored presence. He didn’t want to be confined in the palace and unable to fully enjoy himself.
“Zhaoting, stop,” the Queen Dowager narrowed her eyes at Xi Zhaoting and Li Weiheng. “Won’t you keep your Grandmother company? Why are you in such a hurry to leave the palace?”
His Royal Highness usually does not talk much, except when studying under my father. As a young lady, I typically only move between my mother’s quarters and my boudoir, so I do not know his temperament well,” Wei Linxia said.
The old empress dowager nodded knowingly before suddenly laughing. After chatting for a while, she could not sustain herself, and the palace maids helped her lie down. Only then did Wei Linxia leave Shouan Palace.
Why ask about the Thirteenth Prince? And laugh so strangely?
Thinking about the Thirteenth Prince, Wei Linxia recalled Xi Linxuan’s face that she had glimpsed moments ago. His lips were tightly pressed, his face full of disdain. She had inadvertently made eye contact and received a fierce glare. His character was self-evident.
Wei Linxia wondered if the Thirteenth Prince’s gloomy demeanor was due to neglect stemming from his physical disability or if his character had led to his isolation. She observed that, from his wheelchair, his legs appeared intact, raising questions about his condition and whether an injury had altered his personality.
As she pondered, a eunuch pushed the Thirteenth Prince forward, breaking her thoughts.
“Wei Linxia pays respects to Your Highness,” she said, curtsying as etiquette dictated.
She waited for him to say “rise,” hoping to relieve the discomfort of her position. However, silence lingered, forcing her to maintain her curtsy. This lack of acknowledgment left her somewhat displeased; even the King of Huo and the empress dowager were more accommodating. The Thirteenth Prince seemed oddly contentious, but Wei Linxia refused to show weakness or beg for mercy.
Steadily holding her curtsy, her hands placed on her right hip, and her head slightly lowered, she displayed respect. Xi Linxuan tilted his head back slightly in an attempt to catch a glimpse of her expression, but she remained downcast, betraying no anger.
