Observing Wei Xun’s impatience towards Ba Lang, Yin Hui felt an even stronger admiration for Wei Luo’s qualities as a father.
Yin Hui no longer had any memories of her own father. Her upbringing was shaped by the love of her busy grandfather, who had limited time for her. Despite his tight schedule, he indulged Yin Hui’s every wish, whether it was bringing her gifts or taking her out to play. He also accompanied her in reading books and practicing calligraphy.
In her childhood, Yin Hui yearned for the presence of a father who could effortlessly pick her up and a gentle, amiable mother by her side every day. However, she accepted the reality and found solace in the fact that her own children now had what she once longed for.
Bored on the ship with nothing to do, Yin Hui developed a habit of observing Wei Luo as he taught the children. Despite Wei Luo’s usually reserved demeanor, Yin Hui could discern a trace of tenderness when he patiently guided the children.
Occasionally, Xiao Ning would cause a disturbance, prompting Wei Luo to hold her while continuing to instruct their two sons. Xiao Ning sought attention out of boredom.
In the evening, after the afternoon classes concluded, Xiao Heng and Xiao Xun headed to the deck to play. Wei Luo only requested the children to focus on their studies, allowing them to play afterward as long as they didn’t quarrel or venture too close to the ship’s edge.
“Have a sip of tea,” Yin Hui entered the study with freshly brewed chrysanthemum tea.
Wei Luo, dressed in a dark uniform, sat by the window, calmly reviewing the children’s writings. He appeared much like a dedicated teacher. When Yin Hui took her seat across from him, Wei Luo briefly glanced at her before returning to his examination of the children’s work.
The ship swayed gently with the waves as Yin Hui refilled his tea bowl. Wei Luo lifted the tea bowl, sipped while looking at the writings, and emptied it in one go.
“Xiao Heng’s writing is impressive, but Xiao Xun is still young,” Yin Hui remarked with a smile.
Wei Luo commented, “One must persist in practicing calligraphy; Xiao Heng’s handwriting still lacks stability.”
Yin Hui instinctively defended her son, saying, “It must be due to the ship swaying from time to time.”
Yin Hui added with a snort, “Don’t be too strict. Compared to Er Lang, Si Lang and the others, our son is doing quite well.”
As Wei Luo set aside his sons’ writings, he shared, “I overheard my father earlier. He intends for the children to study in the palace.”
Reflecting on her past life, Yin Hui feigned surprise, asking, “Why must it be so troublesome?”
Wei Luo didn’t know what his father was thinking, maybe he felt that the palace was too empty. When everyone lived together in the Yan Palace, it was very lively. After reaching the capital, his married children would live alone in separate residences. Although the fifth child was not yet married, the palace was also divided. Even the third sister had her own residence. There wouldn’t be a single child in the palace all of a sudden. His father may not be used to it.
Yin Hui acted as if she had figured it out, saying, “Let them go, the teachers invited by the Emperor must be great scholars, but the children have to work harder. I don’t know how far our place is from the palace.”
Wei Luo attempted to explain, but their conversation was interrupted when Xiao Ning entered, led by the wet nurse. The couple exchanged glances and decided to prioritize accompanying the child.
For dinner, a dish of braised fish and fish soup, freshly caught from the river, awaited them. Xiao Heng and Xiao Xun eagerly devoured large bowls of rice each, while Sister Ning enjoyed half a bowl of fish filet soup.
Despite the ship’s movements, the children exhibited healthy appetites, and the parents were in high spirits. As night descended and the river winds intensified, the wet nurse escorted the children back to their rooms.
Yin Hui and Wei Luo’s chamber was separated from the children’s area by a ship hall and a study. The sounds of the flowing water outside drowned out the children’s conversations with the wet nurse, creating a serene ambiance.
The cabin, akin to the living room in the Yan Palace, had burning earth dragons (kang). Despite the thick cotton curtains and silver frost charcoal burning by the bedside, the room retained a chill.
Retiring early, Yin Hui nestled in Wei Luo’s arms, resuming the conversation that had been interrupted earlier. Wei Luo held a map he had sketched before bedtime, with the imperial palace at the center.
To the east were the mansion of Wei Yang and Wei Yan, along with the mansion of Second Princess Wei Shan. On the west side were the mansions of Wei Xuan and Wei Jing, as well as the mansion of the Eldest Princess Wei Jing. Wei Jing and Wei Ying’s mansions were both situated in the north.
As Wei Luo, on the brink of starting a new life in the capital and acquiring his own mansion, described various locations in the palace, including where his mother and concubines resided, the conversation took a more serious tone. Moving his slender fingertips across the map, he shared these details with Yin Hui, who, in a cheerful mood, listened with genuine interest.
The Yan Palace in Pingcheng was the home of a large family, while Prince Shu’s Mansion in Beijing was the small home of her and Wei Luo. In the Yan Palace, she must respect her parents-in-law at the top, and live in harmony with her sisters-in-law. But as the main wife of the new place, once the door was closed, she could enjoy herself as she wanted.
“Father gave each of the princesses a palace, so the eldest sister and second sister will continue to live in their husband’s house, or will they move to their mansion with their husbands?” Yin Hui asked enthusiastically.
Wei Luo said, “It depends on where they want to live. As far as I know, the elder sister and her husband have already moved to the mansion.”
Wei Jin was the same age as him, but he was a few months older. When they were young, they studied together. When boys played around, they tended to quarrel.
Although Wei Yan was the second elder brother, he didn’t dare to bully his sister.