The Duke of Yingguo's Manor was one of the capital's most prestigious noble households. To amplify the auspiciousness of the Marriage to ward off misfortune, today's wedding banquet had expanded by dozens more tables than originally planned before Lu Zhuo's accident. All were arranged along the back street of the manor, hosting families from nearby lanes who were usually not acquainted with the Lu Family.
Such ostentatious display starkly contrasted with the manor's usual strict adherence to propriety and tradition.
The more extravagant it became, the clearer it was to the guests that the Young Lord Lu Zhuo's condition must be truly dire—otherwise, the Lu Family would never carry on with such fanfare.
As the wedding procession returned, firecrackers crackled incessantly. Crimson shreds of paper whirled in billows of smoke, and the relentless din finally lent the celebration a semblance of genuine joy. Though the adult guests could scarcely muster real smiles, they forced grins to accommodate the Lu Family. Only the children, oblivious to the gravity, darted through the crowd, eager to catch a glimpse of the bride alighting from the sedan chair. The cleverer and more mischievous ones even sneaked up to the walls, peeking over with curiosity.
Wei Rao, veiled beneath a red bridal cloth, could see nothing but the ground beneath her feet.
The phoenix coronet bestowed by the imperial family weighed heavily on her head. Having worn it throughout the journey, her neck felt nearly crushed by its burden.
Supported by a palace maid, she arrived at the ceremonial hall. The clamor gradually subsided as guests offered perfunctory blessings. Yet hosts and guests alike—including Wei Rao herself—knew these words were mere formalities. Had there been even the slightest hope for Lu Zhuo's recovery, the position of the Duke of Yingguo's Young Madam would never have fallen to the notorious Wei Rao.
During the rituals—first bowing to heaven and earth, then to the elders, and finally to each other as husband and wife—Wei Rao suddenly heard a rooster crow from the opposite side.
She nearly laughed aloud.
While the Lu Family's guests refrained from gossip, Wei Rao had overheard commoners along the roadside discussing how the fifth young master of the Lu Family, Lu Che, was standing in for his elder brother in the wedding procession, clutching a majestic rooster in his arms.
Wei Rao felt no humiliation in bowing to a rooster. In terms of dignity lost, Lu Zhuo had suffered far more.
After the ceremony, the palace maid escorted Wei Rao to the bridal chamber.
Lu Zhuo's residence was called the Hall of Pine and Moon.
The hall followed a three-courtyard layout with side wings. Lu Zhuo occupied the first courtyard, while the mistress, Wei Rao, would reside in the second, where the bridal chamber was prepared.
Due to Lu Zhuo's critical illness, the Hall of Pine and Moon was likely the quietest place within the entire Duke's Manor that day.
With the elaborate rituals concluded, the fifth young master Lu Che had fulfilled his role, and the rooster had been taken away to an unknown location.
The Duchess of Yingguo had arranged for her daughter-in-law, Fourth Madam, to receive Wei Rao.
"Shoucheng is unwell, so we shall simplify the bridal chamber customs for now. Please bear with it, Rao Rao. Once Shoucheng awakens, the family will hold a proper ceremony for you two," Fourth Madam said apologetically, her eyes lingering on the bride's fair, delicate hands resting on her knees.
Wei Rao replied softly, "Mere formalities are of no consequence. This niece-in-law only prays for the Young Lord's swift recovery."
Her voice, sweet and mellifluous, sent a shiver through Fourth Madam. Finally, she understood why there were so many rumors outside accusing the Fourth Miss Wei of being seductively enchanting. Just the sound of her voice could stir one's heart—what might her appearance be like?
Fourth Madam seldom went out and had never seen Wei Rao before.
"There are no outsiders here. Let me help you remove the veil and freshen up. That phoenix coronet must be exhausting to wear."
Wei Rao responded, "Then I trouble Fourth Aunt."Fourth Madam smiled, reaching out to help Wei Rao remove her bridal veil. She handed the red veil to Bitao, then turned back and, upon lowering her gaze, was met with a face of breathtaking beauty—so radiant that it outshone even the large, brilliantly red and dazzling blue gemstones adorning the front of the phoenix crown. It was as if, in a garden bursting with a thousand brilliant flowers, a majestic luan bird had suddenly taken flight, its noble splendor and fiery brilliance rendering all the blossoms vulgar by comparison.
Fourth Madam was utterly captivated.
Wei Rao couldn’t very well urge an elder to hurry. Shifting her gaze, her eyes suddenly fell upon the Young Lord Lu Zhuo, who was said to have been gravely injured and unconscious for over ten days.
Wei Rao’s pupils contracted sharply, and her breath caught in her throat.
She had seen Lu Zhuo twice before, and each time, he had been the epitome of grace and refinement, as flawless as jade. Even carrying a wild boar up a mountain hadn’t diminished his elegance.
But the Lu Zhuo before her now was sallow-faced, emaciated, his lips ashen gray.
What difference was there between this Lu Zhuo and a dead man?
The pungent scent of medicine finally registered in Wei Rao’s senses. In that moment, she suddenly understood: her wild imaginings of the previous night had been just that—Lu Zhuo would not wake. She was destined to spend a simple five years of widowhood in the Duke of Yingguo’s Manor.
But this was Wei Rao—a woman trained in martial arts, who had hunted beasts and slain assassins. Any other young lady, cherished and pampered by her family, would have screamed in terror at such a sight.
Wei Rao had been veiled all this time, but her maids, Bitao and Liuya, who had accompanied her as part of her dowry, had already caught sight of the groom lying on the bridal bed. They were too frightened to utter a sound.
Following Wei Rao’s gaze, Fourth Madam’s eyes welled with tears, her heart aching as she said, “Shoucheng… he wasn’t like this before.”
Fourth Madam was very young, only five years older than Lu Zhuo. Lu Zhuo had previously been stationed at the frontier, and it was only at the beginning of the year, when he returned to the capital, that Fourth Madam had truly met this eldest nephew. At that time, Lu Zhuo had been gentle as jade, handsome as an immortal. Whether elders or young maidens, anyone who saw him would be fond of him, captivated by his elegance.
Anyone who had seen Lu Zhuo before would feel heartache and regret to see him reduced to such a state.
It was like witnessing a rare and exquisite piece of jade suddenly shattered—who wouldn’t feel the pain?
“Fourth Aunt, there’s no need to grieve. The Young Lord will recover,” Wei Rao comforted her in return.
Fourth Madam immediately smiled. “Yes, yes! With Rao Rao’s beauty, when Shoucheng wakes and sees you, he’s sure to smile.”
As she spoke, Fourth Madam stepped forward and helped Wei Rao remove the phoenix crown.
The bridal chamber was quiet. After a brief rest, Fourth Madam called over a matron and introduced her to Wei Rao. “This is Mama Miao, the most trusted elder by the old madam’s side. Originally, Shoucheng’s medication changes and bathing were handled by his personal attendants, but since he’s been staying here these past two days, it’s inconvenient for them to come. The old madam has arranged for Mama Miao to attend to him.”
Mama Miao was in her fifties, with a kindly and amiable demeanor. She bowed respectfully to Wei Rao.
Wei Rao glanced at Lu Zhuo with a pang of sorrow, then spoke with virtuous grace to Mama Miao, “The Young Lord is so severely injured, I dare not take over recklessly. Let me learn from you first. Once I’ve mastered it, I’ll take care of the Young Lord myself from then on, so you won’t have to travel back and forth.”
Mama Miao smiled and nodded. Whether sincere or not, this Fourth Young Lady certainly knew how to win people over.
For now, that was all there was to Hall of Pine and Moon. Exchanging a glance with Mama Miao, Fourth Madam went to report back to her mother-in-law.By now, the sky had darkened, and the Duchess of Yingguo truly had no heart for socializing, retiring early to her room to rest.
She was exhausted, yet sleep eluded her. Ever since her eldest grandson had fainted, the Duchess had not enjoyed a single good night's sleep. She was constantly plagued by nightmares—dreams of her three deceased sons, visions of her grandson being wounded on the battlefield, and scenes of a mourning hall set up in the household, with her grandson gone as well.
Just the thought of it made the Duchess unable to hold back her tears.
"Mother, please don't cry. Fourth Young Lady has already married into the family, and Shoucheng will surely recover soon," Fourth Madam forced herself to sound cheerful, repeating words she had uttered countless times.
The Duchess wiped away her tears and looked at her daughter-in-law, asking, "How is it? Was Rao Rao frightened by Shoucheng?"
Fourth Madam shook her head, comforted. "Your judgment of character has never been wrong, Mother. Fourth Young Lady is indeed exceptionally brave and composed. Not only was she not frightened, but she even comforted me instead. She is so sensible, and with Mama Miao looking after her, please don't worry tonight. Get a good night's sleep and wait to drink your granddaughter-in-law's tea tomorrow morning."
Hearing this, the Duchess felt somewhat relieved.
Hall of Pine and Moon.
Not long after Fourth Madam left, Mama Miao also retired to the side room, leaving the main chamber to the new bride.
Wei Rao glanced at Lu Zhuo, who lay as still as a corpse, and found the heavy scent of medicine on him unpleasant. She sat down on a chair to rest.
"Young Lady, the Young Lord..." Bitao closed the door and, along with Liuya, gathered around Wei Rao, speaking in hushed tones. Their eyes betrayed unconcealed pity—pity for their mistress. When the young lady had first decided on the Marriage to ward off misfortune, they had all hoped it would succeed. But now, having seen the Young Lord with their own eyes, neither Bitao nor Liuya dared to cling to such hopeful dreams anymore.
Wei Rao said calmly, "What's all the fuss? We anticipated this long ago. Just focus on your own duties and don't think about anything else. Even if you do think about it, make sure not to say it out loud or let anyone notice."
She had agreed to the Marriage to ward off misfortune, and the entire Duke's Manor was unaware of her ulterior motives, feeling only gratitude toward her. If the three of them—mistress and maids—revealed any flaws, allowing the Lu Family to detect their disdain for Lu Zhuo, wouldn't they have offended the Lu clan for nothing?
Bitao and Liuya understood perfectly.
"Enough, open the door," Wei Rao said cautiously, returning to Lu Zhuo's bedside to keep watch.
No one else from the Lu Family came that night. The kitchen sent over the evening meal, and Wei Rao, breathing in the pervasive smell of medicine, ate until she was about seventy percent full.
After the meal, Mama Miao came in to change Lu Zhuo's dressings and, while at it, turned him to lie on his other side—previously facing outward, now facing inward.
Mama Miao was very considerate, moving Lu Zhuo to the inner side of the bed so that Wei Rao wouldn't have to lie on the inside, facing his sickly appearance and feeling afraid.
"Madam, you should rest early. The Young Lord might wet the bed during the night. Please don't hesitate to call for me—I'll come in and take care of it."
"Thank you for your trouble, Mama," Wei Rao said gratefully, not showing the slightest hint of disgust.
Mama Miao took her leave.
Liuya went to see her out, while Bitao, recalling Mama Miao's words, stared wide-eyed at the bed.
Wei Rao whispered, "What's so strange about it? He's not some immortal. Since he eats and drinks, of course he'll excrete."
Bitao's eyebrows furrowed tightly together, distressed on her mistress's behalf.
Wei Rao could still accept it. After all, she only had to sleep beside Lu Zhuo and didn't need to personally attend to him. However, as time went on, when she truly took over tasks like changing his dressings and wiping him down, the dirty and exhausting work would inevitably fall to Bitao and Liuya."Get ready," Wei Rao said to her two maids with schadenfreude.
At this, Bitao and Liuya wished even more fervently for the Young Lord to wake up soon.
After attending to Wei Rao's foot washing, the two maids retreated with the brass basin.
The room was brilliantly lit, a pair of dragon-and-phoenix wedding candles as thick as wrists burning quietly.
In the harsh winter, the chamber remained relatively warm thanks to the Underfloor Heating System beneath.
Wei Rao lay with her back to Lu Zhuo; after all, newly married and in an unfamiliar place, she couldn't sleep.
Marriage to ward off misfortune, marriage to ward off misfortune.
Wei Rao still hoped Lu Zhuo would wake up, proving her usefulness. Otherwise, if Lu Zhuo died and the Marriage to ward off misfortune failed, those idle gossips outside would have plenty to chatter about.
Her thoughts drifted aimlessly until the second watch, when exhaustion finally lulled her to sleep.
Beside her, Lu Zhuo, covered separately with a brocade quilt, remained in the side-sleeping position Mama Miao had arranged. Just as the distant streets faintly echoed with the third watch clapper, Lu Zhuo's dry, cracked lips twitched slightly.
A moment later, the man opened his eyes.
Author's note: Young Lord Lu: Oh no, I need to pee.
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