That morning, Wei Rao and Lu Zhuo did not linger in bed and rose early.
Lu Zhuo had stayed at the princess’s manor for two nights. While outsiders might not know, the Lu Family was certainly aware. Since Wei Rao had reconciled with Lu Zhuo, as a daughter-in-law, she naturally needed to pay her respects to her father-in-law, Lu Mu, whom she had never met, as soon as possible. Otherwise, even if Lu Mu did not blame her, Wei Rao would feel embarrassed herself.
"What is Father’s temperament like?" Wei Rao asked Lu Zhuo, who was sitting by the bed, as she combed her hair.
Mentioning his father brought a touch of melancholy to Lu Zhuo’s heart.
When his father was first captured by the Wuda, Lu Zhuo was only eight years old, just old enough to remember. He recalled his father as a very strict man, rigorous in his martial training, who only occasionally showed a hint of gentleness. Despite this, when his father set off for the battlefield, Lu Zhuo secretly cried, hoping his father would return home soon.
Unexpectedly, his father never came back from that battle.
With his father absent, Lu Zhuo had no chance to truly understand what kind of person he was. When they reunited after twenty-two years, his father had aged—a veteran general long exiled to the northern grasslands to herd sheep. His loyalty to the nation remained unshaken, but the harsh winds of the plains had weathered and aged him, smoothing the edges of his youth with time.
When Wei Rao asked about his father’s temperament, all Lu Zhuo could describe was his father’s current disposition.
"Father is calm-minded, speaks little, and smiles often," Lu Zhuo summarized.
Smiles often?
Wei Rao glanced at Lu Zhuo. He himself was a man who smiled easily, praised by the people as the "Gentle-Faced General."
"Rao Rao, don’t worry. Father has heard about your deeds on the battlefield, and he likes you very much," Lu Zhuo said, walking over and smiling at her reflection in the mirror.
Wei Rao feigned nonchalance. "I’m not worried at all. If Father doesn’t like me, I’ll just keep living at the princess’s manor."
Lu Zhuo pinched her shoulder, his smile speaking volumes.
Wherever she lived, she wouldn’t shake him off again.
After breakfast, Lu Zhuo picked up their daughter and got into the carriage with Wei Rao.
"Papa, don’t you need to read books anymore?"
A Bao sat between her father and mother. After waiting so long for her father to bring them back to the Duke’s Manor, she suddenly thought of this question.
Hearing this, Wei Rao shot Lu Zhuo a glare.
Lu Zhuo wrapped one arm around their daughter to hold Wei Rao’s hand and replied with a smile, "No more reading. From now on, whenever Papa has time, I’ll spend it with A Bao and your mother."
A Bao grinned, her eyes crinkling happily.
They arrived at the Duke’s Manor.
The family of three alighted from the carriage and first went to the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness to pay their respects to the Duke and Duchess of Yingguo.
Despite being mentally prepared, Wei Rao still blushed. After all, the princess’s manor had once hosted a steady stream of suitors.
The Duke and Duchess paid no mind to that.
The more people sought Wei Rao’s hand, the more it proved her worth. The Lu Family didn’t care about Wei Rao’s background as the daughter of a concubine or her special title as a princess. They cared only about Wei Rao herself—a woman who had saved the lives of both Lu Zhuo and his brother Lu Ya. For that alone, the entire Lu Family was grateful to her and indebted to her kindness.
"It’s good to have you back, it’s good to have you back," the Duchess of Yingguo said, patting Wei Rao’s hand and smiling. She looked from Wei Rao to Lu Zhuo, and the Old Madam declared with certainty, "Ever since Shoucheng returned, I knew you two would end up together. I just didn’t expect you both to be so stubborn, making me wait this long."Wei Rao lowered her eyes and softly explained to Old Madam, "I was afraid the heir would blame me, so I didn't dare visit without permission."
The Duchess of Yingguo had already guessed and glared at Lu Zhuo, "I told him this long ago, but he insisted you had fallen out of love with him. He'd rather shut himself in his study all day than go out. Your mother and I took turns persuading him, but he wouldn't listen."
Wei Rao held Old Madam's hand as if she were her own family, complaining pitifully, "So it was only after your persuasion that he came to see me. If you and mother hadn't intervened, the heir might have been contemplating what kind of new granddaughter-in-law to pick for you."
As she spoke, Wei Rao cast a light glance at Lu Zhuo.
Though Lu Zhuo knew she was merely teasing him along with Old Madam, her words still choked him. The frustrating part was that while Wei Rao could fabricate stories about him, he had no way to clear his name.
"Your Highness, please spare your subject," Lu Zhuo said, bowing to Wei Rao under the Duke of Yingguo's suspicious gaze.
Wei Rao laughed.
A Bao hadn't yet grasped what was happening - the adults' conversation was too complicated.
After leaving Zhongyi Hall, the family of three proceeded to Chunhe Hall.
Along the way, A Bao asked Lu Zhuo, "Father, what is a granddaughter-in-law?"
Wei Rao nearly burst out laughing.
Lu Zhuo gave her a helpless look before picking up his daughter and explaining seriously, "I am Great-grandmother's grandson, so your mother is her granddaughter-in-law."
A Bao blinked, then suddenly understood. Angrily, she said, "So when Father refused to fetch mother before, were you planning to pick me a stepmother?"
Lu Zhuo immediately responded, "No, Father only has your mother in his heart. It's your mother who wanted to find you a new father, that's why I didn't dare see her."
If Wei Rao could complain to Old Madam, Lu Zhuo could just as well complain to their daughter.
Wei Rao was curious how their daughter would respond.
Both parents fixed their eyes on A Bao.
Knowing about her mother's previous intention to find a new father, A Bao thought for a moment and declared, "Mother thought you were dead, that's why she wanted to find me a new father. So mother wasn't wrong. But you came back knowing mother was still alive, yet wanted to find me a stepmother? Father is wrong! I don't like you anymore!"
Having said this, A Bao reached out toward her mother standing nearby.
Wei Rao smiled and moved to take her.
Lu Zhuo stopped her hand and said earnestly to their daughter, "A Bao, don't listen to your mother's nonsense. Father never thought about finding you a stepmother."
A Bao wasn't entirely convinced and looked to her mother for confirmation.
Having teased Lu Zhuo enough, Wei Rao nodded to her daughter and said with a smile, "No new father, no stepmother. From now on, our family of three will stay together and never separate again."
Only then did A Bao forgive her father.
Chunhe Hall lay just ahead.
Lu Mu and He Shi had already received news that their son had returned with his wife and granddaughter.
Having been back at the residence for a month, whenever Lu Mu was with He Shi, aside from reminiscing about their youthful days as an affectionate couple, He Shi spent the rest of the time telling him about events in the capital over the past twenty-plus years - particularly emphasizing their son's two marriages with his wife. Listening with a smile, Lu Mu felt he already knew his daughter-in-law quite well.
"Shoucheng is blessed to have married Rao Rao - it's fortune you cultivated for him," He Shi stated with conviction.Even if every young lady in the capital had once regarded Lu Zhuo as the ideal son-in-law, in He Shi's heart as a mother-in-law, Wei Rao was more than a match for her son. Her son was handsome, and Wei Rao was beautiful; her son was the Young Lord of the Duke's Manor, while Wei Rao was first a noble daughter of a Count's household, then successively granted the titles of Princess and Princess Royal—her status had long surpassed her son's by a significant margin!
Lu Mu teased her: "Other mothers-in-law are always finding fault with their daughters-in-law, but you're quite the exception."
He Shi retorted: "Rao Rao is far more considerate to me than Shoucheng."
For instance, if it weren't for Wei Rao's help in arranging her niece He Weiyu's marriage, their son would still be hesitating over every little detail.
As they spoke, a servant announced that the Young Lord and his family had arrived.
He Shi and Lu Mu went to the Hall.
"Grandfather! Grandmother!" A Bao abandoned her parents and ran in with a sweet smile.
He Shi reached out with a laugh and pulled her granddaughter into her arms.
Lu Mu smiled as he looked at his son and daughter-in-law outside the door. There was no need to scrutinize his son too much, but this daughter-in-law was indeed as stunningly beautiful as his wife had praised. With such looks and such a free-spirited temperament, it was no wonder their son had fallen so deeply for her and had been determined to win her back no matter what.
"Father, I've brought Rao Rao to pay our respects and serve you tea," Lu Zhuo said, taking the lead.
At the same time, Wei Rao curtsied to Lu Mu: "Father, you've returned from afar, and I am late in greeting you. Please forgive my tardiness."
Lu Mu laughed: "No need for such formalities. Rao Rao is a Princess Royal—by rights, we should be bowing to you."
He had initially planned to do just that, but his wife had said their daughter-in-law wouldn't appreciate it and advised him not to stand on ceremony, lest it make her feel constrained.
Wei Rao indeed insisted it wasn't necessary.
With He Shi and Lu Zhuo present, the unnecessary formalities were quickly set aside.
Servants brought over brocade cushions for Lu Zhuo and Wei Rao to kneel on as they performed the newlyweds' tea ceremony for Lu Mu.
In Wei Rao's eyes, Lu Mu had the bronzed complexion common among men of the grasslands, giving him a resolute and weathered appearance. Yet, as the father of such a handsome son as Lu Zhuo, his features were undeniably fine. Even at fifty-one, Lu Mu remained more distinguished-looking than other elders. As Lu Zhuo had said, Lu Mu was indeed a man of few words but frequent smiles, never giving off a stern impression.
Perhaps the military commanders of the Lu Family lineage were all more refined and elegant than other generals.
"Father, please accept this tea from your daughter-in-law," Wei Rao said respectfully, raising the teacup. She held immense admiration for this steadfast and unyielding father-in-law.
Lu Mu accepted the tea from his daughter-in-law with a smile.
A Bao, leaning against He Shi, found it amusing to see her parents serving tea to her grandfather. As soon as they rose, she suddenly dashed over, eagerly kneeling on the brocade cushion to serve tea as well.
He Shi laughed until tears welled in her eyes.
Lu Zhuo remarked: "Let her do it. It's only right for a granddaughter to show filial respect to her grandfather."
Lu Mu naturally indulged his adorable little granddaughter.
So A Bao imitated her parents, serving tea first to her grandfather and then to her grandmother.
After drinking her granddaughter's tea, He Shi couldn't help but glance at Wei Rao's abdomen and said with a smile, "When are you two going to give A Bao a little brother?"
Wei Rao: ...
After all these years, her mother-in-law's longing for a grandson truly hadn't changed.
Normally, Wei Rao might not have minded, but now, in front of her father-in-law, she blushed.
Lu Mu shot his wife a look, cautioning her to watch her words.He Shi had merely spoken casually, but seeing her son also looking at her uncomfortably, she quickly coughed and took A Bao’s hand, saying, “You’ve just returned, so hurry to the Hall of Pine and Moon to get settled. I’ll watch A Bao for you.”
Lu Zhuo and Wei Rao took the opportunity to excuse themselves.
“Mother was just saying that casually, not urging you. Don’t take it to heart,” Lu Zhuo said softly as they walked side by side toward the Hall of Pine and Moon, leaning closer to Wei Rao.
How could Wei Rao not understand He Shi’s temperament?
She teased her mother-in-law lightly to Lu Zhuo, whispering, “If our father had returned a few years earlier, perhaps he could have given you a younger brother.”
Lu Zhuo looked up at the sky. At their parents’ age, it was better not to give him a younger brother.
Although they had already indulged for two nights, when they rested again in the Hall of Pine and Moon that evening, Lu Zhuo’s enthusiasm remained undiminished. Wei Rao was almost overwhelmed by him.
“You have to go to the palace tomorrow. Aren’t you afraid you won’t be able to get up?” she chided.
Lu Zhuo gazed at her enchanting, radiant face and said hoarsely, “When I was confined to the wheelchair, it was only by thinking of you that I managed to endure.”
Wei Rao was puzzled. “If you couldn’t even move, wouldn’t thinking of me make it even harder?”
Lu Zhuo held her tighter and whispered in her ear, “I thought, my legs must recover. Otherwise, even if I returned, I wouldn’t be able to serve you properly.”
Hearing this, Wei Rao leaned against his shoulder, her eyes seductive and hazy, letting him exert himself to please her.
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