March is the perfect season for spring outings, but with this heavy snowfall, the spring scenery has transformed into a winter wonderland—nothing could feel fresher. The noble sons and young ladies of the capital flocked to the outskirts in droves, fearing that if they arrived too late, the pristine mountain snowscape would be marred by footprints, ruining their delight in the chaotic scene.
Wei Rao was also heading out of the city, but her purpose was to celebrate her grandmother Shou An Jun's birthday.
When her grandmother stirred up all sorts of rumors and gossip as a wet nurse in the palace, Wei Rao's mother, Little Zhou, was just a young girl, and Wei Rao hadn't even been a thought. As she grew older and heard those idle whispers, curiosity led her to ask her grandmother about it. Shou An Jun avoided the topic by saying, "It's not proper to discuss palace affairs," and instead shared the story of how she received her noble title.
Back then, before Shou An Jun left the palace, Emperor Yuanjia asked what reward she desired. Deeply moved, she reminisced about her childhood rural life and expressed a wish to return to her hometown, buy a few acres of land, raise pigs and chickens, and live out her years in peace.
Emperor Yuanjia did not send her back to her ancestral home, where no relatives remained, but instead bestowed upon her a manor in the outskirts of the capital, along with a thousand acres of fertile farmland. He personally inscribed the plaque "Secluded Manor" for the estate. Additionally, the emperor granted her the title "Shou An Jun," exempting her from kneeling before princes and nobles.
Although Shou An Jun owned a residence within the city, she had lived at the Secluded Manor ever since leaving the palace.
The manor was constructed by the Imperial Household Department, covering a vast area. While it appeared majestic from the outside, one could only appreciate its refined elegance upon entering. Aside from its remote location, it was no less impressive than the mansions of the capital's elite, even incorporating the beauty of Jiangnan-style gardens. In comparison, her small city house seemed like servants' quarters—if Wei Rao were in her place, she would choose to live at the Secluded Manor too.
With this snowfall, the manor must be even more breathtaking.
Wei Rao grew impatient.
When she set out, she had only thought of the beautiful snowscape, not anticipating that other young nobles would also be heading out of the city. Carriages from various Duke's Manors, marquisates, and baronies, along with those of officials great and small, mingled with merchants' cargo carts, forming a long queue jammed at the city gate. The carriage from Cheng'an Marquis's household ended up pitifully at the tail.
Wei Rao restrained her impatience, leaning back against the seat and closing her eyes to rest.
"Good heavens, so many people! How long will this take? Shoucheng, let's go ahead and have a word with the guards to get through first."
A booming, bell-like voice suddenly rang out from beside the carriage, startling Wei Rao and making her ears tingle.
From the sound of it, this person intended to use connections with the city guards to jump the queue.
To cut in line so rudely and still shout so loudly—how could anyone be so shameless?
Wei Rao opened her eyes, gazing toward the carriage curtain, eager to hear how the person named "Shoucheng" would respond.
"Let's wait in line. There's no hurry."
Just five brief words, clear and mellow, low yet pleasing to the ear.
Drawn by this delightful voice, Wei Rao quietly moved to the carriage window, signaling to her maids Bitao and Liuya inside the compartment to stay silent. Carefully, she lifted the edge of the window curtain, creating a gap no wider than a chopstick before stopping. Tilting her head, she peeked outside.About a dozen steps behind their family's carriage, two fine horses stood tethered. On the leading horse sat a robust man dressed in a sapphire-blue round-collared brocade robe, with thick eyebrows, tiger-like eyes, and skin the color of ancient bronze. Wei Rao recognized this man—he was Second Master Qi of the Marquis of Pingxi's household, a former top military examinee who now served as an imperial guard in the palace. Though his straightforward nature had offended many frivolous young nobles, he had earned the favor of Emperor Yuanjia.
The other man's horse was positioned further back, and his upper body was obscured by the carriage of the Cheng'an Marquis's household. Wei Rao could only see his hands gripping the reins—hands as pale as fine jade, with long, slender fingers, strikingly elegant.
"You, Shoucheng, are always so proper."
Just as Wei Rao was secretly observing, Second Master Qi urged his horse to retreat, making it clear he wouldn't cut in line ahead.
With that, his companion was even less likely to advance.
Wei Rao let the curtain fall and settled back into the center of her seat, quietly asking Bitao and Liuya, "Among the noble sons of the capital, is there anyone named Shoucheng?"
Having been born and raised in the capital, Wei Rao had directly or indirectly heard of countless scions from prominent families. For someone to make the headstrong Second Master Qi obediently comply with just a simple remark meant he was either of remarkable status or exceptional ability—certainly no unknown figure.
Bitao and Liuya both shook their heads; they hadn't heard of such a person either.
"Shoucheng must be his courtesy name. If we knew his formal name, we might recognize him," Liuya speculated.
A man's courtesy name was like a young lady's private name—used only among close relatives and friends.
"Never mind, whoever he is, it has nothing to do with us."
As Wei Rao finished speaking, the carriage finally moved forward, advancing half a carriage length.
Wei Rao was patient, but behind the carriage, Qi Zhongkai (Second Master Qi) craned his neck, already growing restless after such a short wait. He turned to Lu Zhuo and said, "Are you coming or not? If you're not, I'll head out of the city first!"
Lu Zhuo smiled faintly. "Brother Qi, go ahead if you wish."
Dressed in a white brocade robe, he sat composedly on his horse, truly in no hurry at all.
But how could Qi Zhongkai actually abandon his friend? The two had known each other since childhood and later trained together for five years in the frontier army. Three years ago, Qi Zhongkai returned to the capital to take the military examinations and then became an imperial guard. Lu Zhuo, however, had been kept in the military camp by his father. If not for reaching marriageable age and the repeated urgings of the Duchess, the Lu Family patriarch would still have been reluctant to recall Lu Zhuo to the capital.
"Eight years! Your family's old master is truly ruthless," Qi Zhongkai remarked, unable to move. He looked Lu Zhuo up and down, his sympathy suddenly turning to teasing. "Wait, though—after five years away, I've tanned so much. You spent three more years than I did, so how are you still this pale? Don't tell me you've been slacking off inside the tent all along?"
Lu Zhuo glanced at Qi Zhongkai's bronze, resolute face and replied, "As I recall, you were already this shade before you went to the frontier for training."
Some people darken from sun exposure; others are naturally that way—can't blame the sun.
Hearing this, Qi Zhongkai suddenly burst into roaring laughter.
The men of the Qi Family were known for their loud voices, and even Lu Zhuo, subjected to Qi Zhongkai's laughter at close range, frowned slightly.
The Cheng'an Marquis's carriage was right in front, and Qi Zhongkai's sudden outburst startled Wei Rao and her maids inside. Even the large black horse pulling the carriage shifted its hooves uneasily, causing the carriage to sway slightly.
Wei Rao said nothing, but her expression darkened as she pressed a hand to her chest, where her heart was pounding rapidly.How could our delicate young lady endure such a fright?
Bitao leaned out of the carriage window, glaring behind her as she said, "Second Master Qi, is it? Could you please lower your voice? Our horses are about to be startled by you."
Wei Rao did not stop her maid. She had met Emperor Yuanjia and Qi Zhongkai at her grandmother's manor. Though they were not close acquaintances, she believed Qi Zhongkai would grant them this small, reasonable request out of courtesy.
Qi Zhongkai recognized Wei Rao but not Bitao, and from behind the carriage, he couldn't identify its owner. Annoyed at being scolded by a young maid while he was in good spirits, he rode up to the window and glared at Bitao. "How dare you reprimand even me? Who is your mistress?"
Bitao sniffed softly. "Second Master Qi, your memory fails you. Last year, when His Majesty visited the Secluded Manor, you were so dizzy from the heat outside that you begged me to fetch you a bowl of cool tea. Have you forgotten that?"
At the mention of the Secluded Manor, Qi Zhongkai immediately recalled. His mind conjured the image of a face as captivating as a peony, with phoenix eyes that shimmered like dewdrops—so beautiful one would wish to cradle her in their palms, devoutly gazing up at her daily, even willing to face the soles of her shoes.
Such a delicate beauty would indeed be easily startled by his booming voice!
"So it's the Fourth Young Lady," Qi Zhongkai promptly ignored Bitao, guessing Wei Rao's location. He cupped his hands in apology. "I didn't realize the Fourth Young Lady was here. That was my rudeness just now. Rest assured, I'll speak softly from now on and promise not to disturb you again."
Even through the curtain, Wei Rao could sense Qi Zhongkai's sincerity. Since he had shown her respect, she ought to reciprocate. Thus, she replied softly, "The young maid overreacted. Please do not take it to heart, Second Master."
Qi Zhongkai laughed. "Not at all, not at all. Is the Fourth Young Lady heading out to enjoy the snow as well?"
Wei Rao smiled. "You could say that."
Though Qi Zhongkai was a rough man, he could tell by now that the Fourth Young Lady was unwilling to continue their conversation. And rightly so—with the constant flow of people near the city gates, if he were seen lingering by the Cheng'an Marquis's carriage, it would only spawn unsavory gossip about the Fourth Young Lady.
"Fourth Young Lady, please take your time. I shall take my leave now."
"Mmm."
Even the soft hum from the beauty was delightful to the ears.
Qi Zhongkai reluctantly returned to Lu Zhuo's side.
Lu Zhuo wasn't curious about who was in the carriage, but Qi Zhongkai adjusted his horse to ride alongside him and leaned in to whisper, "That's the Fourth Young Lady of the Cheng'an Marquis's household, the most beautiful maiden in the capital. You've just returned from the border, so you might not have heard of her yet."
Lu Zhuo hadn't heard of the Fourth Young Lady of the Wei family, but he was familiar with Shou An Jun and Li Guiren.
Li Guiren was the mother of this Fourth Young Lady, Little Zhou.
The rumors Lu Zhuo had heard claimed that Little Zhou, unable to bear the loneliness of widowhood, had abandoned her young daughter and returned to her maternal home, living with Shou An Jun at the Secluded Manor. Emperor Yuanjia, grateful for Shou An Jun's upbringing, often visited the manor. To secure the emperor's favor, Shou An Jun had Little Zhou dress lavishly to enchant him. The emperor, indeed captivated by Little Zhou's beauty, took her as his consort and bestowed upon her the title of Li Guiren.After entering the palace, Li Guiren enjoyed Emperor Yuanjia's deep affection, but her unrestrained behavior repeatedly violated palace regulations, earning the Empress Dowager's displeasure. Later, when Li Guiren became pregnant and gave birth to a prince, it should have been a joyous occasion. However, on the very same day, the Empress Dowager fell gravely ill. A renowned diviner was summoned and declared that the prince born to Li Guiren was astrologically incompatible with the Empress Dowager. If the child remained in the palace, the Empress Dowager's life would be in imminent danger.
Emperor Yuanjia, being filial, sent Li Guiren and her son to the West Mountain Imperial Palace for the Empress Dowager's sake. Two years had passed since then.
These details drifted through Lu Zhuo's mind like a breeze carrying the scent of fresh snow, leaving no impression on him. Unbeknownst to Lu Zhuo, whenever young noblemen in the capital mentioned Wei Rao, they would eagerly discuss her with great enthusiasm. His indifference immediately made him an outlier.
Talking about romantic affairs with someone as proper as him was particularly dull.
Qi Zhongkai found an excuse for Lu Zhuo's lack of interest: "I almost forgot—you're already engaged."
Once engaged, the next steps were marriage, children, and fatherhood. The Lu Family had no tradition of taking concubines, so no matter how beautiful other women might be, they were irrelevant to Lu Zhuo. No wonder he showed no interest in such discussions.
Qi Zhongkai sympathetically patted Lu Zhuo's shoulder.
Lu Zhuo needed no sympathy.
His grandmother had chosen as his fiancée the legitimate granddaughter of Old Tutor Xie, the Imperial Teacher. She could paint at three, compose poetry at five, and excelled in all four arts of the lute, chess, calligraphy, and painting, earning the reputation as the capital's top talented lady. Though Lu Zhuo had never met his fiancée, his grandmother, mother, other elders, and female cousins had all seen her—every one of them praised her beauty and virtuous demeanor.
This was the kind of wife Lu Zhuo desired. As for those women with only beauty to their name and notorious reputations, he disdained even looking at them, let alone gossiping about them.
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