After the Double Ninth Festival, the weather turned cold, and the pampered official wives gradually reduced their visits. Wei Rao also seldom went out. When she felt like riding, she would take a few laps around the large garden behind the Princess Manor.
After several heavy snowfalls, the common people began preparing for the New Year.
Before the New Year, Wei Rao visited the Secluded Manor.
Shou An Jun was in good health, and her regimen included strolling around the Secluded Manor every morning, occasionally practicing the Five Animal Exercises when the mood struck.
"Your aunt has written. After the first month, their family of four will come to the capital for three months, staying until both you and Huizhu are married," Shou An Jun informed Wei Rao with a smile.
The so-called family of four referred to Wei Rao's aunt Big Zhou, her uncle Huo Jingchang, her cousin Huo Jue, and Huo Jue's newlywed wife, Song Shi. Their cousin Huo Lin had long been married with children and lived with her husband's family, making it difficult for her to travel.
"That's wonderful. I haven't met my cousin-in-law yet," Wei Rao said with anticipation.
Shou An Jun smiled warmly. "Your aunt says your cousin-in-law is well-educated, reasonable, and skilled in managing the household. With her help, your aunt has had much less to worry about."
Huo Jingchang had several clan brothers with whom they maintained regular contact. These relatives were also involved in the Huo family's businesses, intertwining familial and financial ties. Beneath the surface, the clan relationships were not as harmonious as they appeared, which necessitated Huo Jue marrying a capable partner—someone who could manage the household internally and handle relatives externally.
This was why, when Big Zhou had considered choosing between Zhou Huizhen and Zhou Huizhu as a daughter-in-law, Shou An Jun had never agreed. Of the two sisters, one was overly ambitious, and the other was content with simplicity—neither was suited for the Huo family.
As the New Year approached, Wei Rao was summoned to the palace by Little Zhou, who arranged for her to stay in Zhaoning Palace. This allowed mother and daughter to see each other daily, sparing Wei Rao the loneliness of staying alone at the Princess Manor.
With no Empress Dowager in the palace, Little Zhou enjoyed exclusive favor in the harem. Noble Consort De, Noble Consort Xian, and Noble Consort Hui maintained superficially cordial relations with her. Although the Empress disliked Little Zhou, she dared not act against her. Thus, Zhaoning Palace remained peaceful and joyful. The Fourth Prince was temporarily brought back to Zhaoning Palace and would return to his own residence after the New Year.
Spending the New Year with her mother after many years, and now with an admiring younger brother, Wei Rao felt deeply content.
She stayed until the fifteenth day of the first month, enjoying the lantern festival in the palace, before returning to the Princess Manor to await her wedding in peace.
The wedding was set for the sixth day of the third month.
On the first day of the third month, the Duke of Yingguo's family sent the betrothal gifts, which were no less lavish than those for Wei Rao's first marriage.
Shou An Jun, Big Zhou, Wang Shi, cousin-in-law Song Shi, and Wei Rao's elder aunt Guo Shi all moved into the Princess Manor to help with the pre-wedding banquets. Regardless of Wei Rao's high status, family relatives were essential for wedding preparations. However, with Wei Gōnggong leading the palace staff in managing affairs, the elders only needed to assist in hosting guests.
On the day Shou An Jun and the others arrived, Huo Jue also came and met with Wei Rao.
Wei Rao regarded him as an elder brother. Huo Jue, looking at his cousin who was about to marry the same man again, felt a sense of relief. Fortunately, when the news of Wei Rao's divorce from Lu Zhuo reached Taiyuan, he had already married Song Shi, leaving him no room for regret. Otherwise, he would have struggled with whether to break off his engagement and pursue his cousin. Yet, since Wei Rao was remarrying Lu Zhuo, it meant that even at the time of their divorce, she had held a place for him in her heart. Even if he had tried, she would not have accepted him.At this moment, Huo Jue felt an unprecedented calmness facing Wei Rao—no regrets, no pity, only blessings for her.
Unable to stay overnight at the Princess Manor, he privately spoke with his mother, Big Zhou, before leaving. He mentioned that his wife, Madame Song, feared the cold at night and requested his mother to ask his cousin to prepare two extra quilts for her.
Big Zhou clicked her tongue in admiration, remarking that she hadn’t realized her son was so attentive to his wife.
Upon learning of this, Wei Rao smiled and instructed Liuya to make the arrangements.
On the evening of the fifth day, Shou An Jun visited Wei Rao’s room again. Once seated, she took out a small booklet.
Wei Rao’s cheeks flushed crimson.
Shou An Jun stared at her and said, “Seeing you like this, I know for sure that you and Shoucheng truly did nothing that year. I suppose the booklet I gave you before was thrown away long ago?”
Wei Rao hadn’t discarded it—where could she possibly throw such a thing? It wouldn’t be proper if anyone saw it. After helping Fourth Madam, Wei Rao had stored the two booklets given by her grandmother and maternal grandmother at the bottom of her chest.
“Keep it. Since I’ve brought it, whether you read it or not is up to you.” Having already given all necessary advice long ago, Shou An Jun handed the booklet to Wei Rao and left.
Wei Rao asked Bitao and Liuya to extinguish the lights. After the maids withdrew, she secretly lit a lamp, hid behind the bed curtains, and studied the contents with a racing heart and flushed cheeks. During her first marriage, Lu Zhuo had been on the brink of death, lacking the strength to consummate the union, which was why Wei Rao hadn’t bothered to read it then. This time was different—she needed to understand what consummation truly entailed.
At the Duke of Yingguo’s Manor, after the evening banquet concluded, the Duke summoned Lu Zhuo to his study.
Lu Zhuo had drunk at the banquet, with military officers vying to toast him. Despite his strong alcohol tolerance, his face was tinged with red.
The young heir, soon to be a groom, radiated a vigorous and spirited aura, starkly different from his usual gentle and refined demeanor.
The Duke looked his grandson up and down and snorted, “What? Getting married for the second time, and still planning to be a fake couple?”
Lu Zhuo replied sheepishly, “I wouldn’t dare.”
His past foolishness had not only hurt Wei Rao but also troubled the elders to worry on his behalf again—a true act of unfiliality.
The Duke reckoned his grandson wasn’t that foolish. What young man wouldn’t eagerly anticipate his wedding night?
“Take this and study it carefully alone in your room. Save yourself from embarrassment tomorrow night.” The Duke tossed the pre-prepared booklet to Lu Zhuo.
Lu Zhuo caught it with both hands and saw the words “Art of the Bedchamber” written on the cover.
His handsome face slightly flushed as he returned to the Hall of Pine and Moon under the cover of night.
After bathing and dismissing A Gui, Lu Zhuo sat on the bed, took out the booklet his grandfather had given him, and opened the first page with an expressionless face, as if reading a military manual.
The booklet contained thirty-six illustrations. Apart from carefully reading the annotations on the first page, he understood the rest just by looking at the images.
Having trained at the border for eight years, Lu Zhuo had heard some crude jokes, but it wasn’t until tonight that he realized the myriad variations possible between a man and a woman. Though there were many techniques, some postures were too bold—even if he were willing, Wei Rao might not be.
Putting the book away, Lu Zhuo lay in bed, his mind wandering until he finally fell asleep in the early hours of the morning.
The next day, Lu Zhuo rose early, dressed meticulously, entertained guests throughout the morning and noon, and in the afternoon, at the auspicious hour, he set off for the Princess Manor to fetch his bride.
Four years had passed, and he was now twenty-four—an age considered quite mature. His fifth brother, Lu Che, who had stood in for him to fetch Wei Rao back then, was already a handsome youth of sixteen.Qi Zhongkai wrapped his arm around Lu Che’s neck, teasing Lu Zhuo: “Back then, you were lying in bed, completely unaware, and our poor Little Five had to hold a majestic rooster. That rooster was quite unruly, and Little Five was so afraid it would fly away that he clung tightly to it the whole way—so nervous!”
Lu Che elbowed him, his face flushing red: “I wasn’t nervous at all! Stop talking nonsense!”
The third brother, Lu Cong, and the fourth brother, Lu Ze, had just returned from the border. Seeing Qi Zhongkai bullying their younger brother, the two of them stepped forward, each grabbing one of Qi Zhongkai’s arms, rescuing the still slender Lu Che.
“Second Master, why do you always tease our eldest brother? You’re already twenty-five and still haven’t settled down?” Lu Cong mocked, silently adding in his heart: Could it be that you’re still pining for our sister-in-law?
Qi Zhongkai wasn’t pining for Wei Rao. For Wei Rao, if he could marry her, he would certainly strive for it. But once Wei Rao was betrothed, he let go of his hopes. However, Qi Zhongkai had exceedingly high standards for his future wife’s beauty. Unfortunately, he himself was burly and rough, and the beautiful young ladies from families of similar status to the Qi Family didn’t take a liking to him. As for those who weren’t beautiful, Qi Zhongkai had no interest in them. And if the woman’s family background was too low, Madam Marquis of Pingxi wouldn’t even arrange for her son to meet them.
Thus, Qi Zhongkai’s marriage prospects were delayed.
Mentioning this, Lu Zhuo glanced at Qi Zhongkai.
Qi Zhongkai glared at him: “What are you looking at? I’m not that kind of person. If you dare introduce me to a beauty, I’ll marry her right away!”
He Shi came looking for her son to talk. Before she even rounded the corridor, she heard Qi Zhongkai’s booming voice.
When she arrived, Lu Zhuo and the other young juniors bowed in unison.
Aside from the five Lu cousins, Qi Zhongkai was the only outsider. He Shi’s heart grew fervent, and she scrutinized Qi Zhongkai several times, making him wonder if he had worn his clothes incorrectly. He lowered his head to check.
He Shi called her son aside. After discussing some trivial matters about the wedding procession, she asked excitedly: “Is Zhongkai delaying marriage because he wants to marry a beauty?”
Lu Zhuo understood her implication and frowned: “Mother, are you thinking of marrying Cousin to him?”
He Shi nodded repeatedly: “Yes, yes! Weiyu’s family background may be humble, but her looks are only slightly inferior to Raorao’s. Zhongkai would definitely like her if he saw her.”
Lu Zhuo said: “Even if he likes her, Cousin may not be willing.”
He Shi didn’t understand: “Why wouldn’t Weiyu be willing? Oh, because Zhongkai once proposed to Raorao? That’s nothing—it’s all in the past. You don’t mind and still treat him as a brother, which shows Zhongkai is open-hearted and honorable. Besides, he’s from a noble family. If Weiyu could marry him, she’d be overjoyed.”
Lu Zhuo was indeed concerned about this, fearing that a young woman might be narrow-minded and mind that her husband had once pursued another woman.
But even if his cousin wanted to marry Qi Zhongkai, Qi Zhongkai’s approval alone wasn’t enough. Madam Marquis of Pingxi was extremely particular about family background—she had even looked down on Wei Rao at one point.
Seeing that her son didn’t seem to approve, He Shi quickly said: “Forget it, forget it. Today is your joyous day—I won’t discuss this with you. After Raorao marries into the family, I’ll talk it over with her.”
With that, He Shi left. She truly felt that talking to her son was exhausting, far less effortless than dealing with her daughter-in-law.
As soon as Lu Zhuo parted from his mother, he quickly put the matter out of his mind.
Today, he was marrying Wei Rao into the family. Aside from Wei Rao, everyone else was merely a passerby in his eyes and thoughts.
OpenNovel