Upon returning from Cloud Mist Mountain, Aunt He Shi and her niece went back to Chunhe Hall, while Wei Rao and Lu Zhuo returned to the Hall of Pine and Moon.
"What did Qi Zhongkai say when he went out looking for you?"
Once they entered the inner chamber, Lu Zhuo finally had the chance to ask. On the way back, he hadn’t inquired because his cousin was also present.
Wei Rao stood by the washstand, wiping her hands with a damp cloth as she smiled and said, "He called himself a rough man and told Cousin not to take his rudeness to heart. Honestly, if I hadn’t seen it myself, I wouldn’t have believed he knew how to comfort a young lady he’d just met."
Recalling Qi Zhongkai’s behavior at the time, Wei Rao couldn’t help but glance at Lu Zhuo.
Anyone comparing Qi Zhongkai and Lu Zhuo would conclude that Lu Zhuo was the refined gentleman, while Qi Zhongkai was rough and unpolished.
But based on Wei Rao’s experience, Qi Zhongkai was the true gentleman, whereas Lu Zhuo was nothing but a hypocritical, arrogant nobleman. Before their trip to Jin City, Lu Zhuo had never spoken to her in such a gentle, courteous tone.
What young woman wouldn’t want to meet a kind man who knew how to comfort and reassure her?
Qi Zhongkai might not look gentle, but his actions had moved not only He Weiyu, who had experienced his kindness firsthand, but even Wei Rao, who had merely observed from the side. Of course, her thoughts weren’t about how nice it would be if Qi Zhongkai treated her that way, but rather about how Lu Zhuo had never comforted her so tenderly.
Feeling dissatisfied, Wei Rao’s gaze toward Lu Zhuo was naturally filled with disdain.
Lu Zhuo found it both amusing and frustrating. He had wanted to comfort Wei Rao, but had she ever given him the chance? It was true that Wei Rao had shed tears in front of him—sometimes out of anger, like when she threw a bowl at him and stormed into her room, or when she was overwhelmed by the crowd before meeting the Imperial Consort, or when her grandmother passed away. In the face of such grief, any comfort he offered felt hollow and inadequate.
As for Qi Zhongkai…
"He was motivated by her beauty," Lu Zhuo pointed out bluntly. "If your cousin weren’t so pretty, do you think he would have cared?"
Wei Rao snorted. "So what if he was? For Cousin, it’s enough. He’ll cherish her because of her beauty, and naturally, he’ll treat her well because of it. A man like him appreciates beauty but isn’t fickle. Once he has one, he won’t pursue another. The prettier Cousin is, the more Second Master will adore her. Isn’t that wonderful?"
Lu Zhuo fixed his gaze on Wei Rao’s face. "How can you be so sure he isn’t fickle?"
Wei Rao just knew.
First of all, Qi Zhongkai had an honest and upright appearance, unlike frivolous playboys like Han Liao with their lecherous gazes. Secondly, that day, Qi Zhongkai had been wholly focused on comforting He Weiyu, without casting a single extra glance at Wei Rao. That alone proved he was a devoted man. Once he set his heart on caring for He Weiyu, he wouldn’t be distracted by other beauties around her.
Lu Zhuo walked over to her.
Thinking he wanted to wash his hands, Wei Rao handed him the freshly wrung cloth.
"Help me," Lu Zhuo said with a smile.
Wei Rao glared at him. He lacked the gentleness of other men, yet he expected her to wait on him?
She tossed the cloth into his hand and brushed past him, heading straight to a chair to pour herself some tea.
Lu Zhuo chuckled softly as he wiped his hands, his eyes still on her. "He may not be fickle, but he’s too easily swayed. If one beauty doesn’t marry him, he’ll quickly fall for the next."
This was both a blessing and a curse for Cousin. Qi Zhongkai would undoubtedly treat her well after they married, but if anything were to happen to her, he would easily move on and marry another beauty.Wei Rao held her teacup, pondering Lu Zhuo's words, and had to admit he was right.
Yet, how much better was Lu Zhuo compared to Qi Zhongkai? It had only been a year from the time he looked down on her to when he insisted on marrying her.
"My attraction to you isn't just because of your beauty," Lu Zhuo said, as if reading her mind, immediately explaining.
Wei Rao laughed. "Really? If I were hideously ugly, would the heir still go to such lengths to win me back?"
Lu Zhuo fell silent.
Wei Rao snorted. "You're no different yourself, so why look down on Second Master Qi?"
Lu Zhuo didn't argue, instead turning the question back on her: "Men are drawn to beauty, but aren't women the same? If I were hideously ugly, you wouldn't have married me either."
Wei Rao's expression shifted, then she suddenly smiled, studying Lu Zhuo's face. "The heir reminds me—back when I married you to ward off misfortune, your appearance then..."
Lu Zhuo's brow lifted slightly. He set down his towel and walked toward her.
Wei Rao's heart raced, knowing if Lu Zhuo caught her, she wouldn't escape. She put down her teacup and tried to flee.
But Lu Zhuo was faster, wrapping his arms around her waist and holding her tight no matter how she struggled. He pressed her onto the bed and leaned down to kiss her. Once he restrained her hands, her body's resistance was futile. Yet she truly didn't want to do this with him in broad daylight. As Lu Zhuo's hands tugged at her sash, Wei Rao cried out urgently, "Lu Zhuo!"
Lu Zhuo lifted his head, his deep phoenix eyes gazing at her.
Wei Rao finally softened a little, her voice sweet and pleading. "Come back tonight, not now."
Lu Zhuo's throat moved, but he said, "If you promise I can come anytime from now on, I'll stop."
Wei Rao glared at him. Lu Zhuo watched her, his hand lifting her gown.
She hurriedly relented, "Fine, fine, anytime you want from now on."
Lu Zhuo smiled, kissed her gently, and finally helped her sit up.
Wei Rao lowered her head to straighten her clothes, glancing sidelong at his hands. She snorted, "Seriously, in your opinion, will Second Master Qi come to you to ask about my cousin?"
Lu Zhuo said, "He's impatient. Once he's figured it out, he'll come right away."
Wei Rao: "Then remember to tell me. Mother and my cousin are both uncertain, so I can reassure them."
Whether the marriage proposal succeeded or not hinged entirely on whether Qi Zhongkai had developed feelings.
Qi Zhongkai wandered around Cloud Mist Mountain all day but never saw the legendary snow fox.
In the morning, he had genuinely been intent on hunting the snow fox, but by afternoon, He Weiyu's figure in her white dress under the green bamboo kept flashing through his mind.
Both were white, but the beauty was far more captivating than the snow fox—He Weiyu's pear-blossom-like skin, her dewy, shimmering eyes...
Distracted, Qi Zhongkai tripped over a branch and nearly took a heavy fall.
After the scare, he laughed and cursed under his breath. He and Lu Zhuo were so close—how had he only just learned that Lu Zhuo had such a beautiful cousin? Judging by her age, she must be of marriageable age, yet he had never heard Lu Zhuo mention her. Had Miss He been betrothed to anyone else?
If he were seventeen, eighteen, or even twenty, Qi Zhongkai wouldn't have immediately thought of marriage after a fleeting attraction. But he was twenty-five now, nagged by his grandmother and mother dozens of times every year. After so much urging, even he felt it was time to take a wife. Delaying until now wasn't because he didn't want to marry—it was simply that he hadn't met anyone he truly liked. The only great beauty he'd ever fancied had ended up marrying Lu Zhuo.The more Qi Zhongkai thought about it, the more he felt Lu Zhuo was being inconsiderate. He clearly had a beautiful cousin and knew Qi Zhongkai wanted to marry a beauty, yet he had kept it from him all along.
Qi Zhongkai also recalled how pitifully Miss He had cried at noon, yet Lu Zhuo remained unmoved and even urged him to eat. Was this how an elder brother should act? Could it be that because she was just a cousin, Lu Zhuo looked down on Miss He and never even mentioned her to him?
With these thoughts, Qi Zhongkai grew increasingly sympathetic toward Miss He and more curious about her circumstances.
The next evening, as Lu Zhuo left the Divine Martial Army camp with his three cousins, Qi Zhongkai came running toward them halfway.
"Is Second Master here to drink with us?" the third cousin, Lu Cong, asked with a laugh.
Qi Zhongkai scoffed, "You’re still wet behind the ears. Who’d want to drink with you? Shoucheng, come with me—let’s go have a drink."
Lu Zhuo smiled and followed Qi Zhongkai.
Lu Cong shouted from his horse, "You’re the one who’s not grown enough—that’s why you don’t dare marry, afraid people will laugh at you!"
Preoccupied with his own concerns, Qi Zhongkai couldn’t be bothered to argue. He turned back with a grin, "Just you wait, kid. Sooner or later, I’ll strip your pants and count for you!"
Lu Cong’s face paled slightly. In terms of strength, he was no match for Qi Zhongkai—was this guy serious?
After teasing Lu Cong, Qi Zhongkai grinned at Lu Zhuo.
Lu Zhuo warned him, "Know your limits."
Qi Zhongkai’s eyes shifted mischievously as he replied, "Fine, I’ll do it for your sake."
Lu Zhuo glanced at him and said, "I promised the Princess I’d return early. If you’re only here to drink, I’m afraid I can’t accompany you."
Qi Zhongkai said sourly, "You’ve married the Princess, but I’m still single. If you don’t want me bothering you for drinks, then introduce me to a beauty."
Lu Zhuo frowned, "I’ve seen far fewer eligible young ladies in the capital than you have. How could I possibly introduce anyone to you?"
Qi Zhongkai paused, then muttered under his breath, "You just don’t want to introduce anyone to me. Otherwise, why have you never mentioned your beautiful cousin?"
Lu Zhuo’s expression turned cold, and he spurred his horse forward.
Qi Zhongkai quickly chased after him, blocking his path. "Look at you—do I seem like some lecher? I’m genuinely anxious. If Miss He isn’t betrothed yet, can I marry her? You know me—would I joke about something like this? Since I’m asking you about her, I’m serious."
Lu Zhuo tried to ride past him, but Qi Zhongkai stubbornly blocked the way. Gripping the reins tightly, Lu Zhuo asked sternly, "You want to marry Weiyu?"
Only then did Qi Zhongkai learn Miss He’s given name—Weiyu. Weiyu, Weiyu—truly a beauty, with an equally beautiful name.
He nodded eagerly, "Yes, yes! Your third and fourth cousins are about to get married—how can I not be anxious?"
Lu Zhuo studied him intently for a moment before saying, "During my years at the border, it was my cousin who took care of my mother in my stead. My mother treats her like her own daughter, and I regard her as my own sister. But in the eyes of outsiders, she’s merely a girl from a modest family staying at the Duke’s Manor, with few prospects for marriage. If you truly wish to marry her, please discuss it with the Marquis and Marchioness first, then formally propose. Otherwise, I won’t speak further about my cousin with you."
Qi Zhongkai replied, "I’m just afraid Miss He might not fancy me, so I wanted to ask you first if I stand a chance. If you think well of me, I’ll definitely propose."
Lu Zhuo looked him up and down and said bluntly, "In terms of family background, she would be marrying above her station with you. But as for you..."Qi Zhongkai rubbed his nose and retorted indignantly, "What's wrong with me? I may not shine in front of you, but there aren't many in the Imperial Guard better-looking than me."
Lu Zhuo offered no comment.
Having seen through him, Qi Zhongkai said irritably, "Forget it, I won't beg you. I'll arrange the marriage proposal first. But if you truly consider me a brother, do me this favor properly. If I find out you've been badmouthing me in front of Miss He, don't blame me for turning against you!"
Lu Zhuo still showed no sign of relenting.
Qi Zhongkai rode off first.
Seeing their eldest brother left alone, Lu Ya, Lu Cong, and Lu Ze quickly caught up. "Big brother, did you have a falling out with Second Master Qi?"
They had all heard the "turning against you" remark.
Lu Zhuo smiled. "He invited me for a drink. I'm unavailable."
The three Lu brothers exchanged glances, all thinking of their incredibly beautiful sister-in-law, the princess, waiting at home.
This Second Master Qi really had no sense of timing—how could their newlywed brother, with his lovely wife eagerly awaiting his return, possibly go drinking with him?
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