Wei Rao accompanied Shou An Jun in planting vegetables for a while. The small garden was tidied up in just half an hour.
Having satisfied her craving for farming, Shou An Jun leaned on Wei Rao’s arm as they walked back toward the Secluded Manor. As they strolled, she said to Wei Rao, "One must have wealth. With wealth, farming is merely a pastime—you can till the soil and sow seeds when the mood strikes, and when it doesn’t, you can comfortably enjoy flowers and tea in the garden, without having to toil from dawn till dusk just to feed the family."
Wei Rao glanced back at the vegetable patch and replied with a smile, "Indeed. Just sowing two bowls of seeds made my waist ache a little. I couldn’t bear planting several acres of land continuously."
And this was despite her martial arts training—even she struggled with prolonged bending and stooping.
"Having wealth alone isn’t enough; one must also have influence," Shou An Jun said, glancing at her most clever granddaughter and lowering her voice. "Today’s incident serves as a warning. They didn’t know you practice martial arts and sent two ordinary assassins. What if they had dispatched two experts, well-prepared? Even if they didn’t kill you, they could have left you half-dead."
Wei Rao’s smile vanished.
Shou An Jun’s gaze drifted toward the row of tender green willow branches by the wall, as if merely admiring the splendid spring scenery, while she continued softly, "Your uncle died young, and the Zhou family has no male heirs to rely on. Your elder uncle at home is of average talent—at best, he might grind his way to a fifth-rank capital official through seniority, but he won’t be of much use. Raorao, your cousin Zhen may have beauty but lacks cunning, which is why I never considered marrying her into a high-ranking family. You’re different. With your looks, background, and skills, you must find yourself a powerful and influential husband. Whether the man loves you or not is unimportant; what matters is that outsiders will think twice before crossing you, out of respect for your husband’s family."
Wei Rao frowned. She hadn’t even begun to consider marriage.
Shou An Jun pressed on, "You’re fifteen now—it’s time to take this seriously. I’ll only say this once. Whether you heed my advice is up to you."
Wei Rao replied dismissively, "Even if I wanted to climb the social ladder, would influential families be so easy to win over?"
Shou An Jun chuckled. "You live in the capital. Your grandmother will arrange for you to make appearances at various mansions. I’m only reminding you to be aware—when opportunity arises, seize it. Your grandmother has a reputation for virtue, your father died heroically, and the Emperor holds you in high regard. These are all your assets."
Wei Rao pressed her lips together.
Shou An Jun delivered another blow: "After such a major incident, at the end of the month when your cousin comes to the Secluded Manor to visit me, you should return to the capital with him. Behave properly for a while and act like a dignified young lady from a respectable family. Only after you’ve settled your engagement may you come see me again. Otherwise, until you’re betrothed, I won’t see you—and sneaking here won’t help either."
Wei Rao protested anxiously, "Grandmother, how can you be so cruel?"
She could dismiss everything else as idle talk, but this last condition was too much. How could it be fair?
Wei Rao pouted and tried to wheedle her way out, but it was useless. This time, Shou An Jun was resolute: "I’m doing this for your own good."
Wei Rao left her grandmother behind and stormed back to her own courtyard in a huff.Lady Shou An Jun returned to the Hall of Blessed Peace with a tranquil heart. She allowed the young maids to assist her in washing her hands, and after finishing, she reclined on the daybed by the window to rest. The lower part of the window was made of transparent glass, while the upper wooden window was propped open, leaving only a layer of gauze to keep out the dust. Outside, the delicate pink peach blossoms in the courtyard were visible, and their fragrance drifted in through the gauze.
If she didn’t have younger generations to worry about, this life would truly be as carefree as that of an immortal.
Lady Shou An Jun dozed off with her eyes closed for a while. When she opened them again, Liu Momo was sitting on a chair in front of the daybed, sewing the sole of a shoe.
“You’re back?” Lady Shou An Jun yawned and sat up.
As soon as her mistress awoke, Liu Momo put away her sewing basket and handed it to a young maid to take away. She then picked up a teacup and poured Lady Shou An Jun a cup of fragrant chrysanthemum tea.
After Lady Shou An Jun had taken a sip, Liu Momo sighed and said, “This old servant was momentarily bewitched and joined Madam and the eldest young lady in doing something shameful.”
Lady Shou An Jun narrowed her eyes and listened as Liu Momo explained the incident in detail.
“Was that young man really that handsome?” Lady Shou An Jun asked curiously after hearing the story.
Liu Momo didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “After all I’ve said, the thing you care about most is the person who witnessed our embarrassment?”
Lady Shou An Jun replied, “It’s not that I care. If he truly looked like an immortal, I’d feel a bit better. Otherwise, if an ordinary man could bewitch those two into such a disgraceful state, I’d be furious to death.”
Liu Momo quickly reassured her, “Don’t be angry, my lady. That man was truly handsome. To speak without disrespect, he was even more charming to young girls than the emperor in his youth. His face was like polished jade, elegant and noble. What’s more, he had a kind heart, willing to rescue others in distress. It’s a pity we wronged him, and he left in great anger.”
Lady Shou An Jun nodded, feeling somewhat less stifled.
“My lady, shall we allow Madam and the others to go out tomorrow?” Liu Momo asked as she poured more tea.
Lady Shou An Jun snorted, “Go out? Haven’t they embarrassed themselves enough? The two of them have been wandering around the mountains for days and have seen almost all the eligible young gentlemen. From now on, they should stay home and wait. If a respectable family comes to propose marriage, they’ll get their wish. If not, they might as well not marry at all. I’ll find a decent, honest man to marry into the Zhou family.”
Liu Momo was shocked. Marry into the Zhou family?
The Zhou family had no male heirs, so it had long been expected that one of the girls would remain at home and take a husband who would marry into the family. However, Liu Momo had heard Lady Shou An Jun say before that the Zhou family’s reputation was so poor that forcibly continuing the family name was meaningless. It would be better to marry off both girls. After she passed away, the Secluded Manor would be left to her imperial grandson, while the farmland and shops would be divided equally among Wang Shi and the other younger generations. She would leave nothing for herself.
Lady Shou An Jun glanced out the window and said, “Both are dear to me. Zhen’er is my own granddaughter, and I can’t bear to see her suffer in another family. If she stays under my watch, even if she envies those in high society, at least she won’t have to endure anyone’s scorn.”
Liu Momo replied, “I’m just afraid the eldest young lady won’t understand your intentions.”
Lady Shou An Jun smiled bitterly. Children rarely understand such things from a young age. It often takes experiencing hardship for them to appreciate their elders’ efforts.
Because of the assassin, Wei Rao could no longer wander around outside. Meanwhile, Wang Shi and Zhou Huizhen were forbidden by Lady Shou An Jun from leaving the house.
Wei Rao only learned about the incident involving Wang Shi and her daughter on the mountain the next day, from her younger cousin Zhou Huizhu.
She was still upset with her grandmother and hadn’t gone to pay her respects that day."Eldest Sister seems so absent-minded, she looks more like she's heartbroken over that celestial gentleman."
Under the peach blossom tree, Zhou Huizhu picked up a piece of peach blossom cake, munching on it while poking at her own sister's sore spot.
Wei Rao brushed a crumb from the corner of her younger cousin's mouth and said, "You can only say that to me and Linlin, don't go spreading it around."
Zhou Huizhu widened her eyes: "I'm not a fool, I wouldn't tell anyone even if they asked me."
It was fine for sisters to discuss their eldest sister among themselves, but if word got out, it would bring shame to the entire Zhou family.
"What kind of celestial gentleman? Could he be more handsome than my brother?" Huo Lin interjected.
Zhou Huizhu: "I haven't seen him myself, how would I know?"
Wei Rao inexplicably thought of a face that truly deserved the praise of "celestial," and the timing matched as well.
If it really was Lu Zhuo, no wonder her aunt had been so intent on matchmaking.
"Rao Sister, why didn't you go to Grandmother's place this morning?" Zhou Huizhu's interest returned to family matters.
Wei Rao said angrily: "Grandmother told me to quickly find a good husband, and said I'm only allowed to stay at the manor until the end of the month. I can only come back after I'm engaged."
Now both Zhou Huizhu and Huo Lin understood why Wei Rao was so upset.
"Don't tell Aunt or Cousin," Wei Rao pinched Zhou Huizhu's ear, taking preventive measures.
Zhou Huizhu chuckled: "Even if I don't say anything, Mother will guess when you don't come for so long."
Wei Rao snorted and went to stroll through the peach blossom grove.
The Secluded Manor was spacious enough, with artificial hills, lakes, mountain pavilions, and flower groves—everything one could want. The young ladies who couldn't freely go out gradually gathered to play together.
During hide-and-seek, Wei Rao deliberately hid in a tree. Zhou Huizhen searched everywhere but couldn't find her and had to admit defeat. When Wei Rao jumped down from the tree, Zhou Huizhen insisted she had cheated.
"Alright, alright, this round you hide, and I'll seek," Huo Lin stepped in as peacemaker, cutting off Zhou Huizhen's endless arguments.
Zhou Huizhen glared fiercely at Wei Rao before going to find a hiding spot.
Wei Rao didn't bother arguing with her. It had been six days since Wang Shi and her daughter last went out. Despite their calculated attempts to encounter so many young gentlemen, no one had come to the Secluded Manor to propose. No wonder Zhou Huizhen was in a bad mood—she was just taking it out on Wei Rao.
But Wei Rao's mood was growing increasingly sour too.
She was still in a cold war with her grandmother, avoiding her every day in an attempt to force her to take back those words. Unfortunately, her grandmother was too stubborn. With the end of the month approaching, her grandmother showed no intention of reconciling. Since Wei Rao didn't go to the Hall of Blessed Peace, her grandmother didn't send anyone to her courtyard to offer an olive branch.
Among the four cousins, two were preoccupied with their troubles, and the hide-and-seek game ended unhappily.
Zhou Huizhen returned to her room, while Zhou Huizhu and Huo Lin fished by the pond. Restless, Wei Rao relied on her agility to sneak to the back wall of her grandmother's room at the Hall of Blessed Peace, hoping to overhear if her grandmother mentioned her to Liu Momo.
If her grandmother truly refused to change her mind, Wei Rao decided she would compromise—after all, her grandmother genuinely had her best interests at heart.
Wei Rao arrived at just the right moment. As she approached the window, she heard Gonggong Li announce that a matchmaker had arrived.
Both Shou An Jun and Liu Momo inside the room were surprised, and Wei Rao pricked up her ears.
A matchmaker? Had she come to propose to Zhou Huizhen? Had their widespread efforts finally caught a fish?Shou An Jun brought Liu Momo along to the Hall to meet with the matchmaker and also sent someone to summon Wang Shi.
On such occasions, Wei Rao couldn’t show her face openly, so she slipped behind the Hall again to eavesdrop. A young maid passing by spotted her, but Wei Rao promptly raised a finger to her lips. The maid, well-acquainted with the young mistress’s temperament, smiled and continued on her way as if nothing had happened, carrying tea to serve in the Hall.
Wei Rao pricked up her ears to listen.
Matchmakers are all eloquent speakers, and this one spun a fantastic tale, summarizing it as: Han Liao, the Young Lord of the Marquis of Xiting, wished to marry Zhou Huizhen as his second wife.
The Young Lord of the West Pavilion Marquis Estate!
Wei Rao’s jaw dropped!
The Lu Family of the Duke of Yingguo’s Manor had long been a military clan deeply trusted by the emperors of this dynasty. Under the formidable reputation of the Lu men, other generals paled in comparison, and for generations, none had surpassed the Lu Family. However, with three of Lu Zhuo’s father’s four brothers dead and one disabled, and Lu Zhuo’s generation not yet fully grown, over the past five years, the father and son of the Marquis of Xiting, the Han Family, had shone brightly, achieving numerous military successes.
Among the common people, rumors had already spread that the Han Family of the West Pavilion Marquis Estate might replace the Lu Family of the Duke of Yingguo’s Manor.
Such a Han Family actually wanted to marry a woman from the notorious Zhou Family?
It wasn’t that Wei Rao looked down on her maternal cousin, but the Han Family’s marriage proposal seemed to have ulterior motives no matter how she thought about it.
Wang Shi was burning with excitement. As soon as the matchmaker left, she couldn’t wait to say to Shou An Jun, “Mother, I think this marriage alliance is acceptable!”
Shou An Jun smiled and asked, “Oh? Then tell me, what’s so good about the Han Family?”
Wang Shi immediately rambled on about the Han Family’s glory.
Shou An Jun then asked, “Such a distinguished Young Lord—why would he want to marry Zhen’er? Aren’t the virtuous and talented noble maidens of the capital appealing enough?”
Only then did Wang Shi realize that her mother-in-law’s smile was feigned and that she might not be pleased deep down.
Wang Shi said awkwardly, “This daughter-in-law is foolish. If there’s anything unsuitable about the Han Family, please enlighten me, Mother.”
Pleased with her daughter-in-law’s attitude, Shou An Jun nodded and analyzed point by point: “First, Han Liao’s mother, the Marquise of Xiting, is notoriously domineering. She forbids the Marquis of Xiting from taking concubines but loves to foist them upon her three sons. Han Liao’s first wife, dissatisfied with her mother-in-law, spoke ill of her outside. When the Marquise of Xiting found out, she went to Han Liao in tears. Enraged, Han Liao slapped his first wife so hard she spat blood. From then on, she was neglected by him and tormented daily by her mother-in-law, which led to her haggard and early death.”
Wang Shi’s smile vanished.
Shou An Jun continued, “Second, Han Liao has a pair of legitimate children—a fourteen-year-old daughter and a twelve-year-old son—as well as several illegitimate children. Zhen’er would have to become a stepmother to over ten children upon marriage. Being a stepmother is difficult; just dealing with these children would give her a headache. If she makes the slightest mistake and one of them complains to Han Liao or the Marquise of Xiting, as a newly arrived daughter-in-law, how could she possibly gain any advantage?”
“Third, Han Liao is lustful and fickle. He has no fewer than nine or ten concubines at home. Although Zhen’er is beautiful, over time, he is bound to grow tired of her. If her husband doesn’t protect her, Zhen’er will surely find herself isolated and bullied at every turn in the Marquis Estate.”
Wang Shi was dumbfounded. After a long while, she asked a question that Wei Rao also wanted to know: “Mother, you usually don’t go out. How do you know so much about the affairs in the capital?” It was as if she were reciting from memory!Shou An Jun gave a faint smile: "You needn't concern yourself with this. In any case, this marriage proposal is unsuitable. In a few days, I will find an appropriate excuse to decline the Han family. Just pretend you know nothing, and don't breathe a word of it to Zhen'er."
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