The hour after noon was the hottest time of the day, especially during the scorching heat of midsummer.
Lu Zhuo knelt before the main gate of Flowing Wave Palace, in a spot untouched by the shade of trees, while the palace doors remained tightly shut before him.
Beads of sweat rolled down his handsome face one by one, and the part of his back that had been dampened by water from the vase had long since dried under the sun.
"Your Highness, the Young Lord has been kneeling for an hour," Ying Gu approached the bedside and reported to Little Zhou, who lay listlessly on the bed.
Little Zhou kept her eyes closed, her beautiful face still marked with tear stains.
She did not want to regret her past decisions, for regret was futile, but her heart ached for her daughter.
With her daughter's stunning beauty, even the vigorous Lu Zhuo had resisted consummating the marriage. It was clear how much he had looked down upon her daughter at the time.
Little Zhou knew that Lu Zhuo had the capital to be aloof and proud. She could understand him looking down on other young ladies, but Wei Rao was her daughter—the beloved child she had carried for ten months, so beautiful, so delicate, so endearing, and so pitiable. Yet Lu Zhuo had driven her daughter to the point of begging him to put on an act. The thought of her daughter's humility while pleading with Lu Zhuo brought fresh tears to Little Zhou's eyes.
How utterly outrageous!
If Lu Zhuo had not come to beg for her forgiveness, Little Zhou would have had no authority to punish a deputy general of the Divine Martial Army. But since Lu Zhuo had delivered himself to her doorstep, and since he seemed to enjoy kneeling, he could kneel all he wanted!
Little Zhou forbade anyone from informing her daughter. Her daughter might still be willing to cover for Lu Zhuo, perhaps softened by his repeated pursuits and coaxing. But as a mother, she had to stand up for her daughter. She had to make Lu Zhuo understand that her daughter was cherished and protected, not someone he could trample upon at will.
With the mistress's orders, no one dared to send word to Jade Spring Palace.
Although Wei Rao's Jade Spring Palace faced Flowing Wave Palace across the lake, she could only see the rear of Flowing Wave Palace and had no view of what was happening at the front.
When Little Zhou parted from Wei Rao, she claimed that Emperor Yuanjia had summoned her to share the midday meal and that she would have a proper talk with Wei Rao upon her return in the evening. Wei Rao assumed her mother would be detained by Emperor Yuanjia at the Hall of Diligent Governance. After lunch, Wei Rao also went to rest. No matter how comfortable her carriage was, it could not compare to the comfort of a real bed.
After days of continuous travel, Wei Rao slept until the sun slanted westward, yet she still felt drowsy upon waking.
Suddenly, Bitao rushed in, flustered, and said, "My Lady, the Young Lord is kneeling in front of Flowing Wave Palace! Just now, I noticed some palace attendants peering around Flowing Wave Palace as if something interesting was happening. I sent someone to check, and they said the Young Lord has been kneeling so long he’s almost sun-scorched beyond recognition!"
Wei Rao's drowsiness vanished instantly. After a moment's thought, she deduced that her mother's claim of being summoned by Emperor Yuanjia for the midday meal was a pretext. The real purpose was to summon Lu Zhuo and settle scores. And Lu Zhuo must have told her mother the truth, which was why he was being punished with kneeling.
Wei Rao could understand her mother's anger. However, since Lu Zhuo had jumped into the river to search for medicinal herbs for her, her own anger had subsided. Moreover, during the Dragon Boat Race, when the Empress and a crowd of young ladies were eager to see her humiliated, Lu Zhuo's gift had not only pleased her but also dealt a sharp blow to those people. With him being so adept at handling situations, what reason did she have to torment him further?
Of course, if Lu Zhuo still wished to marry her, he would have to kneel and beg for her mother's forgiveness. This was the sincerity he, as a junior, owed to her mother.On the lake before Jade Spring Palace floated a Black Awning Boat. Wei Rao tidied up briefly and boarded the boat with Bitao and Wei Gōnggong.
As dusk approached, the sunlight softened, and a pleasant cool breeze swept across the lake. Facing the lakeside scenery, Wei Rao felt her heart grow calm.
The small boat soon reached shore. The servants of Flowing Wave Palace had already noticed the boat drifting from Jade Spring Palace. Confirming it was the princess, they promptly invited Wei Rao inside.
Instead of visiting her mother first, Wei Rao quietly approached the tightly shut palace gates of Flowing Wave Palace under her parasol. Peering through the narrow crack between the doors, her eyes immediately fell upon Lu Zhuo kneeling directly ahead. He truly appeared sun-scorched—his face and neck flushed crimson, while his lips were pale and cracked from dehydration. His crimson official robe was drenched in sweat. Only his handsome features preserved some dignity despite the harsh exposure; anyone else would have looked utterly disheveled and pitiable.
Having seen enough, Wei Rao returned to the inner hall.
Little Zhou had freshened up and ordered servants to prepare fruits. As Wei Rao entered, Little Zhou called her daughter to sit beside her and share the refreshments.
Wei Rao picked up a lychee, peeling it as she asked curiously, "Mother, what did the heir say to you?""
Little Zhou replied coldly, "He confessed exactly what he had done.Wei Rao glanced at Ying Gu, who shook her head—she hadn’t heard the heir's words firsthand.
Before Wei Rao could inquire further, Little Zhou’s eyes reddened. She dismissed Ying Gu, then said to her daughter with aching heart, "Rao Rao, are you still pleading for him? Back then, he treated you so poorly—refusing to consummate the marriage, forcing you to beg him to act out a charade with you. If someone treated me that way, I’d never look back."
Wei Rao nearly choked on the lychee flesh. Swallowing it, she exclaimed in shock, "I begged him to act with me?"
Little Zhou furiously recounted Lu Zhuo’s version of events.
Wei Rao understood—Lu Zhuo’s sincerity had been excessive, deliberately exaggerating his own faults.
She then fully explained to her mother: while Lu Zhuo’s disdain for her was real, she too had her pride back then. Guessing his intentions, she hadn’t used the leverage of their "Marriage to ward off misfortune" to force a genuine union, but instead proposed a five-year agreement. When signing the Contract, she held no resentment—it was a fair transaction. Had she insisted on becoming the true wife of the Duke of Yingguo’s heir, Lu Zhuo’s character would have compelled him to grant her the dignity due a wife, however reluctantly.
"Mother, he isn’t that terrible. It’s been three years now. Seeing how he repents, won’t you forgive him?" Wei Rao said with a smile.
What Wei Rao had despised most was Lu Zhuo’s arrogance. Now that he had humbled himself for her, bending his pride to apologize, her anger dissolved into forgiveness.
Hearing her daughter’s explanation, Little Zhou felt somewhat relieved. Observing Wei Rao’s serene, charming demeanor as she ate lychees, Little Zhou sighed, "Rao Rao, you defend him so earnestly—do you wish to rekindle your past bond with him?"
At this, Wei Rao lowered her head, a delicate blush spreading across her fair, translucent cheeks.
She couldn’t deny the joy she felt when Lu Zhuo pursued her so openly.
Nor could she deny how her heart rippled when Lu Zhuo leaped into the Shun River before the Divine Martial Army soldiers and watching crowds to retrieve bitter medicine for her.
With Lu Zhuo’s face, his talents, and his subsequent sincerity, she found herself unable to refuse.In addition, Lu Zhuo also had a family who liked and treated her well.
If Wei Rao were to marry, looking across the capital, there truly was no better choice than Lu Zhuo.
But was she willing to marry Lu Zhuo herself?
Wei Rao was willing.
Little Zhou understood. Lu Zhuo had sincerely repented, and her daughter was willing. If she continued to obstruct them, it would only breed resentment between the two.
Little Zhou instructed her daughter to wait in the inner chamber while she moved to the Hall and ordered someone to summon Lu Zhuo inside.
The palace gates of Flowing Wave Palace, which had been closed for half a day, finally opened. Lu Zhuo lifted her gaze and saw Ying Gu.
Ying Gu spoke politely, "Young Master Lu, Her Highness requests your presence inside."
Lu Zhuo nodded. Her legs had long gone numb, so she pressed one hand against the ground, steadied herself for a moment, and then slowly rose to her feet.
Her crimson official robe was soaked with sweat on both the front and back. Though she appeared disheveled, no one would disdain her because of her striking face—they would only pity her for enduring such hardship.
Lu Zhuo’s physical condition was tolerable, but she was extremely thirsty.
As Lu Zhuo entered the palace gates, a young palace maid emerged from behind Ying Gu, carrying a tray with a teapot and a towel.
Lu Zhuo thanked Ying Gu, grabbed the teapot, and tilted her head back to drink, downing half the pot in one go before setting it aside. She then used the slightly damp towel to wipe her hands, face, and neck. The traces of sweat were completely erased, revealing her handsome features once more. Her lips, moistened by the water, regained some of their rosy color, giving her the delicate, weary appearance of someone recovering from a serious illness.
Seeing this, Ying Gu thought to herself how unfair heaven was—with Young Master Lu’s looks, what young woman could refuse him if he sincerely sought to marry her?
After a brief cleanup, Lu Zhuo was brought before Little Zhou.
Lu Zhuo made to kneel again, but Little Zhou stopped her in time. After looking Lu Zhuo over from head to toe, Little Zhou said calmly, "There’s no need for such courtesy, Young Master. Earlier, I believed you had wronged my daughter, so it was only right for you to kneel, and I did not stop you. Now, Rao Rao has explained the whole story to me. Both of you were acting according to the agreement, fairly and justly. You simply did not think highly of Rao Rao—how is that a fault? The annulment is for the best. You may marry another virtuous wife, and I can select a fine husband for Rao Rao."
Hearing this, Lu Zhuo immediately knelt despite the soreness in her knees and pleaded earnestly, "Your Highness, three years ago, I was blind. Now, my eyes see only the Princess. I have sworn to marry no one but her, and I beg Your Highness to grant us your blessing."
Wei Rao, hiding behind the curtain in the inner chamber, watched as Lu Zhuo’s forehead beaded with sweat from the pain, and finally felt a twinge of pity.
Little Zhou remained unmoved. Gazing at the palace buildings behind Lu Zhuo, she said, "What does your oath matter to me? I only know that my Rao Rao is the finest young lady in the world. As her mother, it is my duty to choose the finest young man for her. Three years ago, I was not in the capital and had no opportunity. Now, times have changed. Young Master, you may wait if you wish, but when Rao Rao remarries, I will ensure her wedding is grand and glorious."
With that, Little Zhou ordered Ying Gu to see the guest out and turned to walk toward the inner chamber.
Wei Rao quickly stepped aside to avoid being seen.
Ying Gu, meanwhile, politely escorted Lu Zhuo out.
Lu Zhuo’s heart was in turmoil.
She had always wanted to earn Wei Rao’s forgiveness and win back her affection. It was only when they met by the riverbank and Wei Rao finally agreed to speak with her, allowed her to dive into the river for herbs, and gave her a chance to prove herself that Lu Zhuo saw a glimmer of hope. And when Wei Rao accepted her Jujube Rice Dumpling and her Golden Canary, Lu Zhuo finally felt she had some chance of success.But had Wei Rao truly forgiven him? Or had she forgiven him, yet did not like him and was unwilling to remarry him?
In the capital, Wei Rao had full authority over her own marriage. Now at the traveling palace, she respected and honored her mother so deeply—if Little Zhou insisted on selecting a new husband for her, would Wei Rao agree? Moreover, could it be that Little Zhou had said those words precisely because Wei Rao had already expressed something, having first asked her mother to help her choose a good marriage?
Suddenly, Lu Zhuo had no certainty at all about Wei Rao’s feelings.
And among those who had followed the imperial procession to the traveling palace were not only high-ranking court officials but also many young talents. Even if those men were inferior to him in family background, ability, or appearance, at least they had not offended Wei Rao and her mother. What if Little Zhou truly picked someone among them who satisfied Wei Rao? That Li Wei—Wei Rao had been willing to watch him compete with Qi Zhongkai. Could it be that she had already developed feelings for him?
That night, Lu Zhuo lay awake until dawn.
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