Today Wei Rao woke up later than yesterday when she had to serve tea, but this time she awoke naturally. After comfortably rolling halfway over in bed, when she opened her eyes, she actually felt refreshed and clear-headed, as if Lu Zhuo hadn't disturbed her in the middle of the night.
Recalling the events, Wei Rao's eyes sparkled as she unconsciously burrowed deeper into the quilt.
She had been tired, but once it began, she became completely immersed in it—both shy and delighted. No matter how dignified and proper they were during the day, at that moment they were completely open with each other. He was no longer the refined and gentle Young Lord, and she was no longer the willful and unrestrained princess. She and Lu Zhuo were simply a man and a woman, their breaths mingling, intimate and close.
So this is what it means to be husband and wife.
The maids came in to help her get up. When Wei Rao stepped out of the inner chamber, Lu Zhuo had also arrived. Despite waking up so early, he still hadn't eaten breakfast.
"The Young Lord said he wanted to wait for the princess to eat together," Bitao explained with a smile.
Wei Rao shot a sidelong glance at Lu Zhuo.
Lu Zhuo pulled out a chair for her and invited her to sit.
Breakfast still included nourishing soup. Wei Rao drank half a bowl, and her fair complexion with a rosy glow looked even better.
It wasn't too late, but not too early either. After the meal, Wei Rao and Lu Zhuo set off.
The carriage was already prepared. Lu Zhuo helped Wei Rao into the carriage, and once inside, they were alone together again. Being newlyweds, at times like this, Wei Rao couldn't help but recall the scenes from the night. She didn't know what was going through Lu Zhuo's mind beneath his gentlemanly facade, and fearing he might look at her with that certain gaze, she simply leaned against the carriage wall and pretended to sleep with her eyes closed.
Lu Zhuo sat upright, his hands resting on his knees, his peripheral vision catching her fair face and rosy lips. The rumbling sound of the turning wheels made the carriage seem excessively quiet—quiet like the night, a night where anything could be done. Her hand seemed to still be hooked around his neck, her soft moans and sobs still echoing in his ears.
At this moment, Lu Zhuo realized just how fragile his self-control was in her presence.
"How did Her Ladyship treat me before the princess's marriage?" Lu Zhuo took a sip of tea and spoke to divert his attention.
Wei Rao's long eyelashes fluttered slightly as she answered truthfully, "Since I was willing to marry you and it was an imperial decree, Her Ladyship naturally hopes we can be a loving couple. However, she still resents you in her heart and probably won't give you a warm smile for some time."
Lu Zhuo could understand.
Parents' protectiveness and worries for their children are different. For instance, if someone plotted against him, Lu Zhuo could patiently follow the clues step by step. But if someone threatened his child's life, Lu Zhuo would want to capture the culprit immediately and strike them down with one blow.
Those times he had offended Wei Rao—at the moment, he thought he had his reasons. Afterward, he regretted it and immediately went to apologize to Wei Rao, hoping for her forgiveness. But if a future son-in-law offended his daughter the way he had offended Wei Rao, would Lu Zhuo consider things from the son-in-law's perspective? No, he would only seize the son-in-law, teach him a lesson, and make him stay far away, never to appear before his daughter again.
Thinking of this, Lu Zhuo felt even more grateful.
He was able to win Wei Rao back because she had grown up, because she was independent enough to give him the chance to see her. If Wei Rao were still a young girl living under her parents' care, if she were a daughter who obediently followed her parents' wishes, Lu Zhuo might have truly missed his chance with her.
Lu Zhuo reached out and took hold of Wei Rao's small hand resting on her lap.Wei Rao was startled, opening her eyes to look over. Just as she was about to scold him for his nonsense, she met Lu Zhuo’s apologetic gaze.
“If I could start over, I would never treat you that way,” Lu Zhuo said.
Wei Rao thought for a moment, then smiled. “If you could start over, you would have avoided the enemy’s movements on the battlefield and wouldn’t have been injured. If you hadn’t been injured, how would there have been a Marriage to ward off misfortune for you?”
Lu Zhuo was taken aback.
Wei Rao looked at him with playful amusement. “If that were the case, the peonies in the back garden would have been planted by the young master himself.”
Though she was smiling, her gaze had already turned cold. Lu Zhuo, quick to react, chuckled and said, “When I said start over, I only meant turning back time. I would still remember you. Since I’d remember, how could I marry someone else? I would definitely annul the previous engagement first and then formally court the princess with all due ceremonies.”
Wei Rao snorted. “Then Grandmother and everyone in the capital would suspect you were possessed.”
Lu Zhuo looked at her and said, “Not possessed—enchanted by a peony spirit’s seductive arts.”
Hearing this, Wei Rao slapped his hand away and scolded in a low voice, “Who would bother casting seductive arts on you? It’s just you being lustful and pretending to be a gentleman.”
Lu Zhuo smiled apologetically. “Alright, alright, it’s my lustful heart clouding my judgment. It has nothing to do with the princess.”
Annoyed by his glib tongue, Wei Rao glared at him and turned her face away, ignoring him.
Having placated her, Lu Zhuo finally let the carriage fall silent again, contemplating another possibility with lingering fear. If he hadn’t been injured in battle and had never known Wei Rao, his marriage to Sixth Miss Xie would have proceeded as planned…
The thought had barely formed when Lu Zhuo cut it off, feeling grateful for the first time for the injury he had suffered years ago.
The imperial palace had arrived.
Lu Zhuo stepped out of the carriage first and, upon looking up, saw Han Liao walking out in the Soaring Dragon Army’s dark golden official robes.
Lu Zhuo ignored him completely, only reminding Wei Rao to put on her veil.
It was improper to wear one when entering the palace, but the women’s carriages were always equipped with veils and face coverings. Lu Zhuo didn’t want Han Liao to see Wei Rao.
Just as Wei Rao was wondering why Lu Zhuo had made such a request, a somewhat familiar voice came from outside: “Is Shoucheng accompanying the princess to pay respects to Her Majesty?”
Surprisingly, Lu Zhuo paid the speaker no mind.
Wei Rao adjusted her veil and leaned out of the carriage. Turning her gaze, she finally saw Han Liao, who had already approached Lu Zhuo.
Although Han Liao had married her cousin Zhou Huizhen, Wei Rao’s only close encounter with him had been four years ago at the Dragon Boat Race. After competing with Lu Zhuo, Qi Zhongkai, and others, Han Liao had come to the Star Plucking Tower to pay respects to Emperor Yuanjia and the Empress Dowager. Later, when Han Liao visited the Secluded Manor, Wei Rao, as a female guest, had no opportunity to see him. Of course, even if she had the chance, she had no interest in meeting him.
Wei Rao vaguely remembered that her first impression of Han Liao four years ago was of a dignified and youthful man. Now, after four years, Han Liao finally looked more like a man in his mid-thirties. The corners of his eyes were creased with wrinkles when he smiled, and though his features were striking, his gaze seemed murky, lacking the elegance and refinement of Lu Zhuo’s fourth uncle.
What kind of dignified demeanor could a lecherous man possibly have?
“Cousin Rao, congratulations on your marriage,” Han Liao said, his eyes burning as if trying to pierce through the thin veil.
Wei Rao was nearly sickened by him and replied coolly, “Lord Han, you may address me as Princess.”
As if oblivious to her disdain, Han Liao continued familiarly, “We’re relatives by marriage. Between cousin and brother-in-law, just call…”Before he could finish, Lu Zhuo directly took Wei Rao's hand and walked past Han Liao toward the palace gate.
Han Liao was unworthy of seeing Wei Rao's face, nor was he worthy of her wasting more words on him.
Wei Rao understood Lu Zhuo's meaning and walked forward without looking back.
The couple walked side by side, one as tall and handsome as bamboo, the other as slender as a vine. Han Liao stopped outside the palace gate, watching Wei Rao's retreating figure, his eyes narrowing slightly.
Wei Rao's actions before marriage—throwing tea bowls and demanding Lu Zhuo enter the water to gather herbs—had drawn criticism from women who deemed her improper. Yet Han Liao only felt the fire in his chest grow hotter. To him, Wei Rao was like a true celestial maiden: not only beautiful but also arrogantly dismissive of mortals. The more aloof she was, the more urgently he wanted to seize her and personally destroy all her pride.
"If you encounter him in the future, there's no need to even speak to him."
After walking some distance, Lu Zhuo instructed Wei Rao with a displeased expression.
Wei Rao nodded, then grew curious: "I dislike him because of my cousin. What grievance do you have with him?"
They had once argued over Zhou Huizhen's intention to marry Han Liao, though the focus hadn't been on Han Liao at the time. Han Liao's lecherous nature shouldn't have warranted Lu Zhuo's refusal to even exchange basic pleasantries. Just now, before she had even stepped out of the carriage and before Han Liao could attempt familiarity, Lu Zhuo had already been rude to him.
Lu Zhuo's expression turned colder as he explained in a low voice: "When he was engaged to your cousin, he once approached me for conversation. His words showed great disrespect toward you sisters."
Wei Rao frowned. What decent words could come from Han Liao's foul mouth? She could easily guess.
"That's why I wanted to persuade the Old Madam through you to change her mind." Lu Zhuo gave Wei Rao a deep look. At the time, he hadn't understood, but now he realized he had already cared for Wei Rao back then—otherwise, why would he have meddled in Zhou Huizhen's affairs?
Wei Rao had no idea what he was thinking, assuming instead that Lu Zhuo was reiterating how Han Liao was an unsuitable match for her cousin.
Wei Rao also felt embarrassed by her cousin's choice, but given the circumstances at the time, her grandmother had no better alternative.
"Children and grandchildren are all debts. You'll understand when you reach Grandmother's age." Having already argued once before, Wei Rao had no intention of saying more now.
Lu Zhuo, however, was amused by her prematurely solemn tone and teased, "Is the Princess Consort so eager to have me bear debts already?"
Wei Rao tilted her head in confusion before suddenly understanding, her cheeks instantly flushing.
With this distraction, Han Liao was forgotten by both of them.
The Noble Consort resided in Zhaoning Palace.
When Lu Zhuo and Wei Rao were led to Zhaoning Palace by the palace attendants, they discovered the Fourth Prince was also present.
The Fourth Prince was now six years old. When they had met last year at the temporary palace, Wei Rao had noticed her younger brother had become much more sensible and courteous. After another half year in the palace, the last traces of childishness seemed to have vanished from him. His every gesture now resembled that of a prince raised deep within the palace walls—precociously mature.
"Your subject pays respects to the Fourth Highness." Lu Zhuo bowed respectfully to the Fourth Prince.
The Fourth Prince nodded and granted permission to rise, then turned his gaze to Wei Rao's face, finally smiling. "Sister and the Hereditary Prince, please wait a moment. Mother Consort will arrive shortly."
Wei Rao was in no hurry. Sitting beside her brother, she softly asked if he had grown accustomed to living in the palace.
The Fourth Prince pressed his small lips together.
He disliked the palace—not only was it confined, but there were also far too many unpleasant people.Zhaoning Palace was fine, but the young eunuchs and maids in other halls loved to gossip. The Fourth Prince heard many unpleasant remarks about his mother and sister, which made him very angry. He told his mother and asked her to punish them, but his mother said that while she could control their mouths, she couldn't control their hearts. The best way was not to care and to have a clear conscience.
The Fourth Prince didn't quite understand. His mother was lenient, so he went to his father to seek justice. His father told him that as a prince, he could punish any palace servants who made mistakes. So the Fourth Prince caught two maids and had them beaten with boards. However, witnessing the two maids wailing in agony made him equally uncomfortable.
His father then found him a supposedly very strict tutor. Suddenly burdened with many extra lessons, the Fourth Prince became too busy to run around the imperial garden and listen to gossip anymore...
Before the Fourth Prince could confide his troubles to his sister, Little Zhou appeared.
She only glanced at Lu Zhuo before signaling Wei Rao to follow her to the inner hall.
Wei Rao bit her lip. She guessed that her mother and grandmother, like the Duchess of Yingguo, would be concerned about whether she and Lu Zhuo had consummated their marriage.
Of course Little Zhou was concerned—this was a major issue related to her daughter's marital happiness. If Lu Zhuo, who was already so infuriating, couldn't even satisfy her daughter in bed, what was the point of marrying him?
Not only was Little Zhou concerned, but she also asked much more bluntly than the Duchess of Yingguo. This was also Lu Zhuo's own fault—if he hadn't been so detestable during his first marriage, given his military background, Little Zhou wouldn't have had to worry so much about his capabilities.
Of course, Lu Zhuo's mistakes only brought embarrassment to Wei Rao.
"Mother, why are you just like Grandmother!" Wei Rao covered her face and said.
Little Zhou: "Nonsense, who do you think gave birth to your grandmother?"
Unable to avoid it, Wei Rao had to answer her mother's questions truthfully.
In the outer hall, the Fourth Prince kept glancing at Lu Zhuo intermittently—trying to appear composed but too young to hide his inner conflict.
"Your Highness, what troubles you?" Lu Zhuo asked understandingly.
The Fourth Prince glared at him and said, "Mother Consort said you never liked sister before and made her suffer greatly."Lu Zhuo flushed with shame and admitted, 'I did indeed wrong the princess, but it wasn't due to dislike.'""
The Fourth Prince didn't believe him: "If you liked sister, how could you make her cry?"
Lu Zhuo smiled bitterly: "Your Highness may not understand—loving someone is like studying. Some people are naturally gifted, while others are too foolish. Though they love, they don't know how to express it properly. I am that foolish type."
Seeing his sincere expression, the Fourth Prince tilted his head and pondered: "Like how I loved a bird but used the wrong method—caging it and accidentally killing it?"
Lu Zhuo looked at the six-year-old child in surprise.
The Fourth Prince knew he had understood correctly and glared even more fiercely at Lu Zhuo: "Did you hurt my sister?"
Lu Zhuo quickly said: "I wouldn't dare! I merely... lacked eloquence and hurt the princess's feelings."
The Fourth Prince angrily said: "Hurting her feelings is also unacceptable!"
Lu Zhuo: "Exactly. So I've already realized my mistake and will never let the princess be hurt again."
In the inner hall, just as Wei Rao and her mother finished their private talk and were about to come out, they heard Lu Zhuo's promise.
Wei Rao looked at her mother.
Little Zhou felt very relieved. Though her own knowledge was limited and she might not be able to teach her son how to be an outstanding prince, she was determined to teach him how to be a good younger brother.
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