The third son Lu Cong's wife, Tao Shi, was a plump young woman with a face like the autumn moon. When she smiled, two dimples appeared, making her extremely likable.
Some people appear amiable but are not necessarily easy to get along with, such as Lu Zhuo. Others' appearances reflect their inner selves—truly beautiful in both looks and heart, like Tao Shi.
Wei Rao had always felt a certain distance between herself and her second sister-in-law Qiao Shi. It wasn't that they had any conflicts; in fact, every time they met, they would converse amiably, chatting about the weather, flowers, clothing, and accessories. However, it never went beyond that. Qiao Shi did not open her heart to Wei Rao. Knowing her own reputation was less than stellar and that she might be disliked by some proper ladies, Wei Rao did not push to get closer.
But Tao Shi was different. Tao Shi was like a cheerful little butterfly flitting among various flowers—able to be intimate with Qiao Shi, able to share heartfelt conversations with Wei Rao, and even with the extremely low-key aunt-niece pair He Shi and He Weiyu, Tao Shi could enthusiastically spend half a day in Chunhetang.
In short, shortly after Tao Shi married into the Lu Family, she quickly became familiar with everyone from every branch.
Once, when Wei Rao was going to the fourth branch, she encountered Tao Shi and Lu Cong on the way. The two were playfully roughhousing like children, just as the Duchess of Yingguo had said—a match made in heaven.
Tao Shi entered the household in October, and by the end of the twelfth lunar month, she was diagnosed with a pregnancy pulse.
With both daughters-in-law pregnant, Second Madam was so overjoyed she seemed to have grown younger by several years.
He Shi didn't say anything in front of Wei Rao, but for the first time, Wei Rao felt a bit of pressure regarding offspring. Fortunately, she was about to leave with Lu Zhuo for his external posting. Otherwise, when Qiao Shi and Tao Shi's children were born one after another, even if Old Madam and He Shi didn't pressure her, Wei Rao, as the eldest sister-in-law, would feel awkward.
"Don't worry, Rao Rao. With my example here, no one will gossip about you," Fourth Madam gently comforted Wei Rao.
Wei Rao thought to herself: You and Fourth Uncle couldn't consummate your marriage for the first few years. But she and Lu Zhuo—except during her menstrual periods—were intimate almost every night, so frequently that Wei Rao could remember the exact positions of every bone and muscle on Lu Zhuo's body, knowing where he was ticklish and where he liked her to touch.
On the twentieth of the first lunar month, He Weiyu got married.
Given He Weiyu's status, her wedding didn't need to be grand—at least not comparable to the packed guest list when Lu Changning married. However, since she was marrying Second Master Qi of the Marquis of Pingxi's household, Old Madam of the Duke of Yingguo's household decided that the banquet should follow the standards of a legitimate daughter of the Lu Family marrying. As for He Weiyu's dowry, the main contributions came from the main branch, with various elders adding their gifts, totaling eighty-four loads—respectable enough.
When the groom came to fetch the bride, beneath the bridal veil, He Weiyu was crying uncontrollably, overwhelmed with gratitude: to her aunt for bringing her from a remote small town, to the women of the Lu Family for their care, and especially to her cousin and cousin's wife for arranging her wedding. She felt deeply ashamed of her youthful petty thoughts toward Wei Rao.
She cried so intensely that even Qi Zhongkai grew apprehensive—did He Weiyu not like him?
Full of doubts, he brought the bride back to the Marquis of Pingxi's household. After being plied with alcohol by the male guests, Qi Zhongkai finally could enter the bridal chamber.
He was seventy percent drunk and usually not very refined. Appearing tipsy before He Weiyu, to his surprise, her eyes were no longer red, and her face showed no trace of sorrow. Instead, she shyly and gently helped him sit in a chair and poured him sobering tea.Qi Zhongkai stared at her intently. He Weiyu was certainly beautiful, but what Qi Zhongkai truly wanted to know was her thoughts—whether she had married him, this rough man, against her will following He Shi's persuasion, or if she had been willing herself.
"Back when I came to propose to you, what were you thinking?" After drinking a bowl of tea, Qi Zhongkai asked directly.
He Weiyu looked at him nervously and flustered. What did he mean by that?
Qi Zhongkai set down the tea bowl, scratched his head, and said, "Well, were you willing to marry me yourself, or did Aunt Shoucheng and the others think I was suitable, so you just followed their wishes and married me?"
He Weiyu blushed, too shy to speak. But seeing that Qi Zhongkai seemed eager to know the answer, she lowered her head, twisting her fingers as she said, "Before meeting the Second Master, I had only heard stories about you—that you were imposing and majestic, that your voice roared like a lion, frightening many noble ladies from even meeting you. Based on rumors alone, I was afraid of you too. But that day at the temple when I saw you, I... I thought you were quite nice, not as terrifying as the stories made you out to be."
Qi Zhongkai's eyes lit up. "So, you were willing to marry me?"
He Weiyu nodded, her face still flushed.
A fire ignited in Qi Zhongkai's heart. Emboldened by the wine, he reached out and pulled his delicate, beautiful wife into his arms.
Though rough on the surface, Qi Zhongkai was considerate and knew how to cherish others. So, three days later, when He Weiyu brought him back to her family home, Wei Rao and He Shi could both see her satisfaction with Qi Zhongkai.
Lu Zhuo had full confidence in Qi Zhongkai's character. Ever since Qi Zhongkai and He Weiyu became engaged, Lu Zhuo had never worried about his cousin's marital happiness.
"When we're not in the capital, I'll trouble you, Brother Qi, to bring my cousin over often to keep my mother company," Lu Zhuo said solemnly, raising a toast to Qi Zhongkai during the midday banquet.
Qi Zhongkai laughed heartily. "We're family—it's only natural. Though I won't call you 'cousin,' from now on, your mother is my own aunt. I promise to be even more filial than you."
Lu Zhuo smiled, raised his wine cup, and drained it in one go.
Over the next two days, Wei Rao and Lu Zhuo bid farewell to the Imperial Consort in the palace, Shou An Jun at the Secluded Manor, and even Wei Rao's uncle, Cheng'an Marquis. The couple's estates were left in the care of capable and trusted aides. On the twenty-sixth day of the first lunar month, Lu Zhuo, armed with the Ministry of War's transfer documents appointing him as garrison commander of Ganzhou, set off with Wei Rao.
The journey was long, taking over a month. Wei Rao brought only her two accustomed maids, Liuya and Bitao, along with sixteen guards from the Princess Manor. Lu Zhuo brought A Gui, Zhao Song, Zhao Bai, and a squad of personal guards from the Divine Martial Army. Having both experienced assassination attempts before, the couple made thorough preparations for this long journey.
Ganzhou lay far to the west of the capital, still in the season where water froze instantly. Aside from occasionally dismounting to ride for a while, Wei Rao spent most of her time inside the carriage, sitting or lying down, utterly bored. Even when she lifted the curtain to gaze at the scenery, all she saw was barren land—grass not yet green, flowers not yet bloomed, while the cold wind blew incessantly, chilling her face until it stiffened, making her refuse to poke her head out again.
Lu Zhuo attended to his delicate wife almost obsequiously, worried that she might grow unhappy and turn back to the capital midway.
Wei Rao, however, was not that fragile. Moreover, this trip to Ganzhou was not something Lu Zhuo had coaxed her into—she had wanted to see the world outside herself.
"During your eight years of training at the border, were you stationed in Ganzhou?" Leaning on the narrow couch, Wei Rao rested her legs on Lu Zhuo's knees and asked curiously.Lu Zhuo picked up a thin blanket to cover her legs, then slipped his hand underneath to hold her delicate feet. "No, it used to be in Pingcheng. Pingcheng is closer to the capital, while Ganzhou lies further west, situated at the border junction of our dynasty, the Wuda People, and the Qiang Kingdom."
Precisely because Ganzhou was located at this tri-border area, it held immense strategic importance to the Central Plains.
Lu Zhuo's voluntary request for a transfer to Ganzhou this time truly reflected his desire to gain substantial experience. Emperor Yuanjia's willingness to entrust Ganzhou to him clearly demonstrated the emperor's trust and high regard for Lu Zhuo.
Realizing Ganzhou's significance, Wei Rao developed a keen interest in the region.
Lu Zhuo had brought along a topographical map of the Ganzhou area. He unfurled it and began explaining in his clear, melodious voice, his handsome features complementing his storytelling skills. He understood exactly what would capture Wei Rao's interest, keeping her thoroughly engaged.
"In recent years, with no conflicts at the border, trade has resumed among the three nations. You'll see Qiang people, Wuda People, and even merchants from more distant Western Regions in Ganzhou. Their native languages differ greatly from our Central Plains tongue—listening to them speak would be like hearing complete gibberish to you," Lu Zhuo said with a laugh.
Wei Rao's eyes sparkled with defiance. "So it's gibberish to me, huh? Can you understand them then?"
Lu Zhuo smiled. "I've studied both the Qiang language and Uda Language. I wouldn't claim mastery, but daily communication shouldn't pose much problem."
Wei Rao immediately grew curious and asked Lu Zhuo to say the same phrase in both Qiang language and Uda Language.
Lu Zhuo complied effortlessly. Though Wei Rao couldn't understand the words, his confident delivery convinced her he wasn't bluffing.
She began learning from him right away. Both languages proved complex, so Wei Rao decided to focus on Uda Language first—since the Wuda territory was much larger than the Qiang Kingdom, there would likely be more Wuda merchants in Ganzhou city.
The more monotonous the journey became, the more diligently Wei Rao studied Uda Language. By the end of their month-long travel, according to Lu Zhuo's assessment, she could basically communicate with two or three-year-old Wuda children—and even then, only those who were slow learners...
When he teased her about this, Wei Rao responded by kicking him hard.
Lu Zhuo caught her foot, his palm burning hot. The way he looked at her then seemed ready to devour her whole.
Truth be told, most waystations along their route had been rather crude. To prevent outsiders from overhearing, Lu Zhuo had been exercising considerable restraint for quite some time.
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