Wei Rao was pregnant, and Lu Zhuo was overjoyed. However, as the newly appointed commander at the frontier, he couldn’t stay by Wei Rao’s side every day. They agreed that he would usually reside at the military camp but would return without fail on his monthly rest days.
Wei Rao found this arrangement quite agreeable. Lu Zhuo had his responsibilities, and if anything went wrong at the frontier, the entire Lu Family would suffer the consequences, which would trouble her as well. Besides, with the child growing inside her, even if Lu Zhuo stayed by her side constantly, he couldn’t be of much help. It was better for him to focus on his duties as commander.
While Lu Zhuo was busy with military affairs, Wei Rao was far from idle.
She was not one to sit idle. Even though her belly hadn’t yet swelled noticeably, the thought of spending her days confined to the inner quarters was unbearable to her.
Knowing of her recent fascination with military strategy, Lu Zhuo had compiled a collection of military texts for her. Wei Rao studied them on her own, and when Lu Zhuo returned, he would explain any parts she found difficult to understand.
Yet, merely reading books felt insufficient. To learn how to lead troops, Wei Rao needed soldiers of her own.
In this dynasty, there was no precedent for appointing women to civil or military office, and Wei Rao had no intention of breaking that tradition. Fortunately, as a princess, she was entitled to maintain a guard of five hundred soldiers at her Princess Manor.
Once the idea of training soldiers took root, it ignited a fire within her. While Lu Zhuo was away, Wei Rao carefully devised various plans.
On the evening of the twenty-ninth, the day before the month-end rest day, Lu Zhuo hurried back on horseback from the Suzhou military camp.
He did not return empty-handed. Along the way, he had passed a mulberry grove, where clusters of dark-red mulberries hung ripe from the trees. Reining in his horse, Lu Zhuo was approached by an eager mulberry farmer’s wife, who asked if he wished to try the fruit. He bought two jin of mulberries from her, instructing her to pick the largest ones.
Mulberries are delicate fruits, their skins easily bruised at the slightest touch. Despite Lu Zhuo’s careful handling during the journey, many of the berries had been crushed, staining his robe with splotches of red and purple juice.
Naturally, Lu Zhuo couldn’t appear before Wei Rao in such a disheveled state. He ordered A Gui to pick out the intact mulberries and quickly rinsed himself with a bucket of water.
By the time Lu Zhuo emerged, Wei Rao was already seated in the Hall. A plate of freshly washed mulberries lay before her, and she was leisurely eating them with a bamboo skewer. She was experiencing mild morning sickness and currently had a craving for such sweet-and-sour treats.
Spotting Lu Zhuo, Wei Rao smiled and waved the skewer speared with a mulberry in his direction. “Did you buy these from the market?”
Lu Zhuo nodded as he walked over. “How do they taste?”
The fruit was delicious, but Wei Rao couldn’t resist teasing him. Glancing at A Gui outside the door, she remarked slyly, “Why did I hear from A Gui that you brought back two jin of fruit, and more than half were squashed?”
If he had bought them in the city market, the damage from the journey wouldn’t have been so severe.
Hearing this, A Gui scurried away as if his feet were oiled.
Lu Zhuo sighed helplessly. “I passed a mulberry grove on my way back and bought them there. I thought freshly picked ones would be tastier, but I didn’t expect the ride to jostle them so much. If you like them, I’ll have Zhao Song take a carriage there tomorrow to buy more.”
Wei Rao chuckled. “No need for such trouble. The market has everything. If I want some, I can just send someone to buy them.”
Even so, the thought of Lu Zhuo carrying two jin of mulberries all the way back for her warmed her heart with sweetness.She plucked a mulberry, holding up her loose sleeve with one hand as she brought the plump fruit to Lu Zhuo’s lips.
Yet no fruit could rival the allure in her captivating eyes.
After tasting the mulberry, Lu Zhuo took Wei Rao’s hand and led her into the inner chamber. Ten days apart had felt like an eternity. He lifted her onto a chair, and beneath the lightly shaded window, they embraced in a fervent kiss. The sweet and tangy taste of the fruit lingered on their lips as they parted and met again, chasing and yielding until their breaths grew ragged, yet they had to restrain themselves.
Gazing at Wei Rao’s flushed cheeks and seductive, half-lidded eyes, Lu Zhuo finally understood the meaning of torment.
“Back when we could, you were never this obedient,” Lu Zhuo murmured, caressing her cheek.
Wei Rao laughed softly and retorted, “And back when we could, you were never this gentle.”
Unable to match her wit, Lu Zhuo rested his chin atop her head, silently steadying his breathing.
Wei Rao toyed with the jade pendant at his waist, tugging and pulling at it idly, before suddenly declaring, “The Princess Manor is permitted to maintain five hundred guards. I want to recruit soldiers.”
Lu Zhuo’s gaze shifted, and he looked down at her.
Leaning against the crook of his arm, Wei Rao outlined her plan. Merely five hundred guards—she could afford to support them. For now, she was interested in training troops, so she would drill them. If her interest waned someday, she would either disband the guards and send them home or, depending on their aspirations, recommend them to military camps.
Wei Rao didn’t know how long her enthusiasm would last, but at this moment, she was eager to begin.
Lu Zhuo glanced at her still-flat abdomen. “Even if you recruit them, how will you manage their training while you’re with child?”
Wei Rao replied, “You’ve left Zhao Song and Zhao Bai with me. They seem quite idle—perfect for drilling the new recruits. By the time the recruits master the basics, I’ll have given birth. Then I can lead them for field training in the woods.”
Lu Zhuo fell silent. Five hundred guards might not seem like many, but managing them was not as simple as Wei Rao imagined.
Seeing his hesitation, Wei Rao sighed in frustration. “You’re out there as a great general, never lacking for things to do. I traveled all the way to Ganzhou with you—must I be confined to the inner quarters, waiting for your return? If it’s going to be this dull, why didn’t I just stay in the capital? At least there, I could visit my mother and grandmother often.”
Lu Zhuo’s heart stirred, and he looked at her intently. “So you agreed to come to Ganzhou only because you thought it would be more interesting than the capital?”
That had indeed been her initial thought, but she was too clever to admit it outright.
She shot him a reproachful glance. “Interest is only part of it. What truly matters is who I’m with. If you were still as detestable as before, I wouldn’t have come.”
The past was a vulnerability Lu Zhuo had handed to her, and whenever Wei Rao brought it up, he felt a pang of guilt.
Wei Rao nestled back into his embrace and took his hand. “These guards are mine. Whether they excel or fail is my responsibility. If these five hundred guards prove capable, it will reflect well on you as their military instructor. If they don’t, I’ll disband them myself and never mention training troops again. How does that sound?”
Lu Zhuo sighed. “I’m only worried you’ll overexert yourself and risk the pregnancy.”
Wei Rao smiled. “With Zhao Song and Zhao Bai here, what exertion would I face? Besides, this is our child—of course I’ll take good care of it.”Lu Zhuo thought for a moment and said, "Nobles and marquises all have the right to maintain household troops, though the permitted numbers vary. However, you must submit a memorial to the Emperor for approval before recruiting. Given your special status as a princess, it would be best to first write a memorial requesting the Emperor's permission. If he grants it, you can proceed with recruitment."
Wei Rao replied, "Mm, I’ll draft a memorial first, and while I’m at it, I’ll also write letters home to Mother, Old Madam, and Grandmother to share the good news."
Seeing her excitement, Lu Zhuo considered that they would be living at the border for three years and thought it would be good to keep her occupied.
Filled with enthusiasm, Wei Rao finished the memorial before dinner. As she was not a court official, she avoided formal rhetoric. In the memorial, she first praised Lu Zhuo and Deputy General Meng, describing how watching the military drills had stirred her emotions and inspired her to emulate them. She earnestly requested Emperor Yuanjia’s permission to try, promising to strictly discipline the household troops and ensure they would not disturb the people.
She drafted it and then asked Lu Zhuo to review it for any improprieties.
Lu Zhuo saw no issues, as Emperor Yuanjia had always been indulgent and fond of Wei Rao.
Next were the family letters.
Wei Rao’s letters to her mother, Little Zhou, and her grandmother were simple—reassuring them of her safety, describing the local customs of Ganzhou, and finally sharing the joyful news of her pregnancy. For the letters to the Duchess of Yingguo and He Shi, Wei Rao dictated while Lu Zhuo wrote on her behalf. In addition to the content shared with her own family, Wei Rao lavishly praised Lu Zhuo.
Lu Zhuo hesitated to write such self-praise. If his grandmother and mother recognized his handwriting, they might misunderstand and think he was boasting about himself.
Wei Rao laughed at him, "Why be so reserved? Grandmother and Mother will know this is my letter. They’ll understand you’re writing for me because you’re concerned about my pregnancy. This gesture is akin to ‘adding fragrance to the red sleeves’—they’ll be delighted to see how well we get along. Otherwise, with us so far away, they’d be endlessly worried."
Lu Zhuo was momentarily taken aback, then smiled and stopped protesting. He wrote exactly what Wei Rao dictated.
When it came to pleasing elders, he was far less skilled than Wei Rao.
Afterward, Lu Zhuo also wrote a letter to his grandfather, the Duke of Yingguo.
The next day, a courier took these letters and rushed them back to the capital.
At the Duke of Yingguo’s Manor.
He Shi sat beside the Duchess of Yingguo as they read the letters. She began smiling as soon as she opened them—she laughed at Lu Zhuo establishing his authority, chuckled when her son bested Deputy General Meng, and beamed with joy upon learning of her daughter-in-law’s pregnancy. Finally, when her son urged her to take care of her health—even if the words might have come from Wei Rao—seeing them written in her son’s own handwriting brought tears to He Shi’s eyes.
During his youth at the border, her son would write home every year, but each letter was just a thin sheet of paper with the same few reassurances not to worry. How could that satisfy a mother yearning for her son?
The Duchess of Yingguo finished reading the letter and said to He Shi with a smile, "With Rao Rao around, Shoucheng has become much more lively."
She had always known she hadn’t misjudged—Wei Rao and her eldest grandson were a perfect match.
He Shi wiped her eyes and said urgently, "Mother, Rao Rao is pregnant, and she only has two inexperienced maids with her. Why don’t we select a couple of reliable matrons to send and care for her?"
The Duchess of Yingguo nodded, "You’re very thoughtful. Let’s do that. I’ll make arrangements right away."
Secluded Manor.After reading her granddaughter's letter, Shou An Jun was naturally overjoyed. However, knowing that the Duke of Yingguo's Manor would send matrons to attend to her, she decided not to interfere further. With her youngest granddaughter Huizhu already married to a suitable husband, she needed to focus on finding a good match for her eldest granddaughter Huizhen, lest the young woman dwell on unnecessary worries and self-pity.
In the palace, Emperor Yuanjia brought Wei Rao's memorial to Little Zhou.
Little Zhou had just finished reading her daughter's letter. The thought of her daughter becoming a mother filled her with both joy and guilt—guilt over having spent too little time with her. Her eyes reddened, prompting Emperor Yuanjia to assume the letter contained sad news. He picked up the letter and read it, only to discover it was joyful news.
"Rao Rao is with child—why are you crying?" Emperor Yuanjia asked, puzzled.
Little Zhou shot him a glare but did not reply. Matters between mother and daughter were beyond a man's understanding.
Emperor Yuanjia vaguely grasped the reason and coughed lightly, frowning as he said, "Since Rao Rao is pregnant, why is she still thinking about raising household troops? I was inclined to grant her request, but I worry she might overexert herself in her playful enthusiasm."
Little Zhou exclaimed in surprise, "Raising household troops?"
Emperor Yuanjia chuckled and handed her the memorial.
Little Zhou snatched it and read it carefully from start to finish, then stared blankly after finishing.
Emperor Yuanjia laughed, "I've always said Rao Rao has a chivalrous spirit. If she were a man, she might not be inferior to Shoucheng."
Little Zhou replied self-mockingly, "Only you would praise her like that. If this gets out, who knows what gossip might arise."
Emperor Yuanjia pondered and said, "Then, should I reject her memorial?"
Little Zhou immediately glared at him. "The borderlands are harsh. She's finally found something to enjoy—why must Your Majesty spoil her fun? You were the one who willingly granted her the title of princess, and the five hundred household troops were also set by you. Rao Rao is merely acting within the regulations—what has she done wrong?"
Emperor Yuanjia felt a headache coming on and explained, "Weren't you worried that others might criticize Rao Rao for raising private troops?"
Little Zhou snorted, "As long as Rao Rao is happy, what others think is none of her concern."
Emperor Yuanjia understood. "Then I shall approve it?"
Little Zhou's eyes sparkled as she tossed the memorial back to him. "This is Rao Rao's memorial to you. Whether to approve it or not is your decision—I won't get involved."
Emperor Yuanjia laughed heartily and pulled her into his embrace.
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