Lu Zhuo was infatuated with Wei Rao. Since Wei Rao wanted to learn military leadership from him, merely reading military texts wasn't enough—naturally, there were times when she needed Lu Zhuo's explanations. Whenever such moments arose, it became an opportunity for her to willingly seek him out.
"You've tanned," Lu Zhuo murmured against her neck, noticing the faint line at her collar, his tone teasing.
It wasn't as if Wei Rao didn't care at all, but this temporary darkening would fade once she stayed indoors, just like Lu Zhuo, whose complexion varied between seasons—slightly sun-kissed during summer campaigns but quickly regaining its jade-like fairness by winter.
"You're darker," Wei Rao retorted, lifting his chin to examine his face.
Having arrived at the military camp earlier and spending more time under the sun, Lu Zhuo refused to use the precious palace beauty cream that Wei Rao applied before bed, resulting in a more distinct tan line on his neck than hers.
"Dark or not, I'm still your man," Lu Zhuo suddenly intensified his embrace, silencing Wei Rao's jest.
These midday rendezvous were joyous—Lu Zhuo enjoyed them, and so did Wei Rao. Yet, once they left the tent, both had to adopt different demeanors, deliberately misleading others into misinterpreting the faint blush on their faces as anger from an unpleasant encounter.
However, Wei Rao was busy with drills and lacked the energy to indulge Lu Zhuo's antics frequently. Lu Zhuo was even busier: the 200,000 garrison troops of Ganzhou weren't all concentrated at the main camp but divided among four locations—Ganzhou, Suzhou, Ningzhou, and Liangzhou, each with 50,000 soldiers. Currently, Lu Zhuo was responsible for training the 100,000 troops in Ganzhou and Suzhou, while Meng Kuo led the other 100,000 in Ningzhou and Liangzhou. Thus, Lu Zhuo frequently traveled between Ganzhou and Suzhou.
A month later, the soldier under General He who had taken marriage leave returned to duty.
Wei Rao had largely grasped the basics of drilling soldiers, but she had no desire to return to Ganzhou City prematurely.
Lu Zhuo was equally reluctant to let her go. Wei Rao had only mastered the simplest soldier drills; to truly learn command, there was much more to study.
So, Wei Rao remained in the camp under the guise of Lu Zhuo's cousin. By day, Lu Zhuo took her everywhere, teaching her firsthand as she listened and observed. Evenings were spent studying military texts together. Two months slipped by unnoticed.
On this day, Lu Zhuo was to lead 50,000 elite troops to a valley between Suzhou and Ningzhou for a combat exercise with Meng Kuo's 50,000 soldiers.
Wei Rao was going too.
Before dawn, the soldiers had risen. Wei Rao came to Lu Zhuo's quarters for breakfast. To boost morale for the departure of 50,000 troops, the kitchen had prepared meat pies with stewed vegetables—the same meal Lu Zhuo and Wei Rao ate.
The meat pies, filled with a bit of pickled vegetables and pan-fried to a golden crisp, emitted a savory aroma of preserved greens and meat.
Wei Rao stepped inside but was immediately overwhelmed by the smell. Though she usually found it appealing, her stomach churned now, forcing her to retreat quickly.
"Cousin?" Zhao Song asked, puzzled.
Wei Rao waved him off, turning away to compose herself.
Lu Zhuo emerged and, seeing her standing aside with a pale complexion, asked concernedly, "What's wrong?"
Wei Rao had a vague suspicion. Lu Zhuo's mother, He Shi, eager for a grandson, had described various early pregnancy symptoms to her. Wei Rao hadn't thought much of it until now, but she suddenly recalled: her last menstrual cycle had ended just before coming to the camp, and two months had passed without another.Today, after watching the military exercise, she would return to Ganzhou City and then invite a physician to check her pulse.
"It's nothing, just a slight itch in my nose," Wei Rao said with a smile.
Lu Zhuo glanced at her delicate nose bridge, lifted the curtain, and invited her inside.
After breakfast, the fifty thousand troops had assembled. Lu Zhuo mounted his horse, with Wei Rao by his side, and they marched grandly toward the exercise location.
After a day's march, they reached the valley by evening, where the army set up camp.
Early the next morning, the two armies faced off.
As the commander, Lu Zhuo did not need to participate directly. He led his personal guards to a hill, observing and directing the battle from afar.
The weather was clear, but the clash of a hundred thousand soldiers stirred up dust that rose high, blotting out the sky. Meng Kuo's fifty thousand troops charged like a herd of bulls, crashing recklessly into Lu Zhuo's forces. However, Lu Zhuo's fifty thousand soldiers divided into formations, hunting like a pack of wolves. They swiftly scattered the bull-like charge and rapidly shifted formations to encircle the enemy.
This was the wolf kill formation Lu Zhuo had devised specifically to counter Meng Kuo's proud iron bull battalion. Each formation consisted of a hundred soldiers, forming a small wolf pack. Once the enemy was scattered, five nearby small formations quickly merged into a large wolf pack, encircling and annihilating the trapped enemy soldiers.
When Wei Rao first heard Lu Zhuo explain this formation, she thought it was formidable. Now, witnessing the power of the wolf kill formation firsthand, she felt her heart surge with excitement. She stole a glance at Lu Zhuo, who sat astride his horse in silver armor, gazing calmly at the battlefield ahead. His demeanor was gentle and composed, like that of a scholar.
Unbidden, Wei Rao suddenly recalled Lu Zhuo in the tent—forceful and domineering, as if every move aimed to shatter her composure, much like the wild wolves charging into the herd of bulls.
A sudden warmth flushed through her. She averted her gaze and continued watching the battle.
After half a day of intense fighting, Meng Kuo was defeated, surrounded, captured, and brought bound before Lu Zhuo.
Meng Kuo's face was dark with fury.
Lu Zhuo personally untied the ropes binding him and said with a smile, "Deputy General, your iron bull battalion has long been renowned in the northwest. On my way to Ganzhou, I began devising a strategy to break it. It was only by planning carefully against an unprepared opponent that I managed to win by chance. Now that you have experienced my wolf kill formation, given time, you will surely devise a countermeasure. When we battle again, the outcome will be uncertain."
Meng Kuo had expected the younger Lu Zhuo to mock him after his defeat, but instead, Lu Zhuo spoke these words.
In truth, Meng Kuo had long heard of Lu Zhuo's wolf kill formation but had underestimated it without experiencing it firsthand. As Lu Zhuo said, given time, he could reclaim his honor.
Meng Kuo had that confidence, but defeat was defeat. A real battlefield would not grant him a second chance. Lu Zhuo, despite his youth, had defeated him fairly, and Meng Kuo was sincerely impressed.
"General, there is no need for modesty. By the time I devise a way to break the wolf kill formation, you will have already drilled a new one. The Divine Martial Army is renowned across the land, and the men of the Lu Family are all heroes. I, Meng Kuo, submit!" Meng Kuo struck his chest with a fist and knelt on one knee before Lu Zhuo. "I was blind to your greatness before. From today onward, I am at your command!"
Lu Zhuo helped him up with both hands and said, "I am still inexperienced and hope for your assistance, Deputy General. Let us work together to safeguard the border."
Meng Kuo nodded firmly.
Lu Zhuo had to return to the military camp, while Wei Rao was escorted directly back to Ganzhou City by Zhao Song.
"Young Mistress, you've finally returned! How did you get so tanned?" Bitao and Liuya rushed out eagerly. Seeing their mistress sunburned, the two maids were heartbroken.Zhao Song stood behind the lady, glancing at her face which still appeared fair and clean in his eyes, then looking at Bitao's distressed expression. His heart sank. If the lady was considered dark, then his own face must be as black as coal. Being so dark, if he were to ask the lady for Bitao's hand in marriage, would she even agree?
Wei Rao comforted the two maids and said to Zhao Song with a smile, "Alright, you may return to the military camp now. Inform the Young Lord that all is well."
Zhao Song nodded, stole another glance at Bitao, remounted his horse, and departed.
After Zhao Song left, Wei Rao turned to A Gui and said, "The sun is too strong today; I'm feeling unwell. Please summon a physician."
A Gui immediately dispatched a nimble-footed servant to fetch the city's best physician, while Bitao and Liuya helped Wei Rao into the Back Residence, fussing over her with great concern.
Wei Rao first took a bath and changed back into women's attire. Just as she finished styling her hair, the physician arrived.
Both maids accompanied her to the front courtyard.
They stayed close by Wei Rao's side, while A Gui remained stationed at the door. If the lady were truly ill, he would need to send someone to inform the Young Lord.
The esteemed elderly physician took Wei Rao's pulse for a while, then glanced at the peeking A Gui. He asked a few questions in a low voice and, after receiving confirmation, smiled and said, "Congratulations, my lady. You have a Pregnancy pulse. Judging by the pulse, it has been over a month."
Wei Rao had already suspected as much, so she merely smiled upon hearing the news.
Bitao and Liuya were so overjoyed they nearly jumped for excitement. A Gui, who had been listening outside, heard everything clearly. After the physician left, A Gui excitedly asked Wei Rao, "My lady, such wonderful news! Shall I send someone to deliver a letter to the Young Lord?"
Wei Rao shook her head and instructed him, "I want to give the Young Lord a surprise. None of you are allowed to leak this news."
A Gui understood and repeatedly promised to keep it secret.
Wei Rao looked down at her belly, recalling how she and Lu Zhuo had always used various excuses during their encounters in the military camp, acting as stealthily as thieves without making a sound. She was certain even Zhao Song had no idea what they had been up to. But now, with a child on the way, Zhao Song would only need to think a little to figure it out.
Wei Rao's face flushed slightly. After all, Zhao Song was Lu Zhuo's man, and having him know such things was rather embarrassing.
Three days later, Lu Zhuo returned.
From Zhao Bai and A Gui to Bitao and Liuya, everyone acted as if everything in the residence was normal.
Lu Zhuo bathed first in the front quarters, washing away the sweat and heat, then eagerly hurried to the Back Residence to find Wei Rao.
As soon as he arrived, Bitao and Liuya tactfully retreated to the corridor.
Wei Rao lounged lazily on the couch, holding a military strategy book. When Lu Zhuo entered, she gave him a brief glance before returning to her reading.
Though it was daytime, he couldn't suppress the fire within him. In the military camp, their encounters had always been furtive. Now that they were finally home, Lu Zhuo scooped Wei Rao into his arms and carried her straight to the inner chamber.
Wei Rao, soft and pliant, nestled in his embrace, allowing him to hold and kiss her, feeling the intensity of his passion. Just as Lu Zhuo was about to untie her sash, Wei Rao leaned close to his ear and whispered, "I have a secret to tell you."
Lu Zhuo paused, lifting his head from the crook of her neck.
Wei Rao wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled, her eyes seductive and alluring.
Lu Zhuo's throat moved. "What secret must you tell me now?" If it was trivial, he would ignore it.
Wei Rao deliberately teased him, "Guess."
Lu Zhuo didn't want to guess and pressed down on her again.
After toying with him enough, Wei Rao finally grabbed his hair and said, "You're going to be a father."Before the words had fully left her mouth, Lu Zhuo abruptly raised his head, staring at her in disbelief.
Wei Rao shot him an embarrassed, annoyed glare. "This is all your doing. Now everyone will guess what we've been up to."
Lu Zhuo was still immersed in the shock of becoming a father. He lowered his gaze to Wei Rao's abdomen—was their child growing here?
"Have you consulted a physician?" Lu Zhuo's heart pounded like a drum, yet he worried Wei Rao might be deceiving him. She was as cunning as a fox, always delighting in teasing him.
Wei Rao snorted. "If you don't believe me, go ask A Gui."
Lu Zhuo actually stood up, straightened his robes, and strode out purposefully.
Wei Rao remained stunned on the bed. Not long after, Lu Zhuo returned, embracing her and covering her with fervent kisses.
Meanwhile, Zhao Song had also heard the joyful news about the princess from his younger brother Zhao Bai.
Zhao Song smiled, completely unsurprised.
Although the young master always used the pretext of discussing military strategy whenever he invited the princess into his tent, how was it that during those sessions—each lasting a full half-hour—Zhao Song never overheard any conversation while standing guard outside? Were his superiors afraid he might learn their secrets?
Zhao Song could only hope the princess would give birth to a son. A young master conceived in the military camp would surely be extraordinary.
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