Upon returning from the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness, Lu Zhuo accompanied Wei Rao as they received greetings from the household servants in the Hall of Pine and Moon.
Wei Rao noticed that Lu Zhuo did not have a single maidservant by his side. Throughout the entire Hall of Pine and Moon, aside from the matrons in the kitchen and laundry, and the rough-duty maids, all those who could serve close to Lu Zhuo were young male attendants.
No wonder Bitao had said that Lu Zhuo only asked them to clean the western chamber and bring water in and out morning and evening. For all other matters, Lu Zhuo handled them personally and did not require close personal service. This must be the Lu Family's tradition—forbidding their men from taking concubines without cause and not assigning personal maidservants, thoroughly preventing young masters from being distracted by feminine charms.
After completing the full set of customary rituals, Lu Zhuo went to his study, while Wei Rao returned to the rear Elegant Breeze Residence to rest.
It was only at noon, during the meal, that Lu Zhuo appeared before Wei Rao again.
He brought a list of gifts for the bridal return visit for Wei Rao to review.
Wei Rao examined it carefully—excellent. Lu Zhuo was indeed keeping his word, as the gifts were prepared as if he were genuinely very pleased with Wei Rao.
"Young Lord has been very thoughtful," Wei Rao smiled at him.
That smile was charming and affectionate, but Lu Zhuo averted his gaze and said, "There are no outsiders here. There's no need for you to put on an act."
Having pretended all morning, Lu Zhuo had no mood to continue the performance.
Wei Rao raised an eyebrow. "How is this putting on an act? Can't I thank you for your thorough consideration?"
Lu Zhuo replied, "It's just fulfilling our agreement. There's nothing to thank."
Wei Rao understood: once they returned to the Elegant Breeze Residence, no matter what Lu Zhuo did, she should not offer a smiling face.
The maidservants brought in the evening meal. Wei Rao chose the main seat facing south to avoid looking up and seeing Lu Zhuo's face while serving herself.
With nothing to say to each other, the meal passed in complete silence.
When it ended, Lu Zhuo rinsed his mouth and asked Wei Rao, who was about to return to her room, "When shall we go for the garden tour this afternoon?"
Wei Rao turned her face slightly and said, "The garden tour is meant to show how newlywed and affectionate we are as a couple, but there's no hurry. It's not too late to go after you've fully recovered. If we go today, I'm afraid people will criticize me for not knowing how to cherish the Young Lord's health."
Lu Zhuo stood up and said, "Then we'll wait a few more days."
The newlywed couple—one returned to her room for a noon rest, the other went to the front courtyard.
The next day brought fine weather: the sky was clear blue, the sunlight bright, and even the relentless cold winds of the twelfth month had ceased.
The servants quietly loaded the bridal return gifts onto the carriage. Wei Rao and Lu Zhuo went to bid farewell to the Duke and Duchess of Yingguo.
Though the Duchess of Yingguo was still upset, she remained concerned about Lu Zhuo: "Your wound has only just scabbed over. Ride in the carriage with Rao Rao later."
Lu Zhuo smiled and said, "Grandmother worries too much. My wound is no longer a concern, and the two households are so close. Riding slowly on horseback won't aggravate it."
Wei Rao sided with the elders and gently advised, "Young Lord, please ride in the carriage with me. Your previous severe illness was due to repeatedly straining the wound. Before you're fully recovered, it's better to be cautious."
The Duchess of Yingguo nodded approvingly. Despite being humiliated by her eldest grandson, she still cared for him—what a fine young lady.
The Duke of Yingguo directly ordered Lu Zhuo, "Listen to your wife. Once you're better, you can ride as much as you want."
Outnumbered three to one, Lu Zhuo had no choice but to agree to ride in the carriage.
After leaving the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness, they arrived at the spacious and imposing main gate of the Duke's Manor. Two carriages and the accompanying maidservants and attendants were ready.
"A Gui, help the Young Lord into the carriage. Be careful."
The coachman set up the stepping stool, and Wei Rao softly instructed A Gui.
A Gui swiftly ran to the Young Lord's side. With the Young Lord's physique, only he could assist him—the maidservants wouldn't have the strength.Lu Zhuo wasn't truly that frail. Glancing at his arm firmly grasped by A Gui, he endured it.
Only after Lu Zhuo had entered the carriage did Wei Rao smile and board herself.
The carriage set off.
Wei Rao and Lu Zhuo sat at opposite ends of the bench. Lu Zhuo kept his eyes lowered, the corners of his lips slightly upturned. Even if the curtain were suddenly blown open by the wind, outsiders would see him appearing cheerful—the Young Lord of the Duke of Yingguo's Manor happily accompanying his newlywed wife on her homecoming visit.
Wei Rao leaned comfortably against the carriage panel, idly toying with the jade pendant at her waist as she softly introduced her family to Lu Zhuo. The Cheng'an Marquis's household was much simpler than the Duke of Yingguo's Manor: Old Mrs. Wei, the Cheng'an Marquis Guo Shi and his wife, along with Wei Zizhan and Wei Chan. Wei Rao's eldest cousin Wei Shu had married into the Prince Duan's household, while her second cousin Wei Xian had married far away, her husband's family not residing in the capital.
Lu Zhuo memorized each one and asked her, "Should we inform the Old Madam about our five-year agreement?"
Wei Rao shook her head. "Let's keep it from my grandmother and maternal grandmother for now. I don't want them worrying about me for the next five years. I only told the Old Madam because she would never worry about me mistreating you—this is different from a daughter marrying out."
Lu Zhuo said, "As you wish. If you change your mind later, just let me know."
Wei Rao replied, "Alright."
The two carriages moved steadily through the streets, one following the other. Some commoners recognized the insignia of the Duke of Yingguo's Manor and gathered curiously, chasing after servants like Bitao who accompanied the carriage to inquire about the occasion.
A Gui chuckled merrily. "Our Young Lord has recovered splendidly and is accompanying the young madam on her homecoming visit today."
A Gui firmly believed the Young Lord's awakening was entirely due to the young madam's influence, so his demeanor was particularly jubilant. The watching crowd, observing this, surmised that the Young Lord must be quite satisfied with his beautiful new wife.
"They say the Fourth Miss of the Wei family is exceptionally beautiful, praised alongside Sixth Miss Xie as peony and herbaceous peony. With such beauty and the grace of Marriage to ward off misfortune, of course the Young Lord is pleased."
"Speaking of which, the Young Lord is truly fortunate. If he hadn't been injured, he would've been delayed three years by the Xie family's mourning period before marrying at his age. This injury brought him a beautiful bride early—what luck with women."
"But Sixth Miss Xie has a better reputation..."
"Can a good reputation put food on the table? Marriage and children come down to certain matters. If she's pretty and can bear children, that's enough. Anyway, the Duke of Yingguo's Manor is already among the capital's top families—any marriage would be beneath them."
"Fourth Miss Wei stumbled into great fortune, marrying the most enviable ideal gentleman. Poor Sixth Miss Xie, delayed by mourning rites—after three years she'll be an old maid. Will she still marry well?"
"She's still the capital's top talent and beauty no matter what. Why would someone like you need to worry?"
Fragments of such discussions faintly drifted into the carriage.
Wei Rao cast a sidelong glance at Lu Zhuo.
Lu Zhuo sat with eyes closed in meditation, his profile as gentle and refined as jade.
Wei Rao looked toward the window curtain, recalling how the Empress Dowager and Empress had once mocked her unmarried status by mentioning Sixth Miss Xie's betrothal to Lu Zhuo. Yet in just over half a year, this "ideal match" had fallen into her lap. Surely those in the palace must feel somewhat displeased?
As for the never-met Sixth Miss Xie, her future marital prospects had nothing to do with Wei Rao.
She hadn't stolen Lu Zhuo—the Duke and Duchess of Yingguo had personally come to plead for her to marry him.
Soon, the carriage stopped before the gates of the Cheng'an Marquis's residence.
Wei Rao alighted first, then together with A Gui, she supported Lu Zhuo as he descended from either side.Yongning Alley had already gathered a crowd of onlookers. Witnessing Lu Zhuo, the heir of Duke of Yingguo's Manor who had been revived by the wedding, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Wei Rao like celestial beings descended from heaven—though he appeared somewhat haggard but otherwise unharmed—the spectators' expressions turned vividly complex.
Envious, jealous, admiring—regardless, Lu Zhuo's appearance had undoubtedly added considerable liveliness to Yongning Alley.
At Cheng'an Marquis's residence, Old Mrs. Wei and three generations of her family were waiting in the main hall.
Wei Chan stood beside her mother Guo Shi, watching as Lu Zhuo and Wei Rao drew closer. Seeing Lu Zhuo's ethereal elegance, and that such an exceptional man had become Wei Rao's husband, Wei Chan felt as if a vat of vinegar had overturned in her heart, souring her to the point where her eyes nearly reddened. When Sixth Miss Xie—renowned for both beauty and talent—married Lu Zhuo, Wei Chan had accepted it wholeheartedly. But with Wei Rao as the bride, Wei Chan deemed her unworthy! She couldn't help thinking that if her own luck had been slightly better, she too could have been Lu Zhuo's wife!
Wei Chan's gaze toward Wei Rao barely concealed her resentment.
Wei Rao simply found it embarrassing.
Was a man with a handsome face really worth such envy from Wei Chan? While her cousin seethed with jealousy toward her own kin, Lu Zhuo might very well be inwardly scorning the upbringing of the Wei family's daughters—just as he had condescendingly implied that day on Cloud Mist Mountain that she and her two cousins had brought the embarrassment upon themselves by allowing unfamiliar men to see their legs, all due to their lack of self-respect.
Unaware that he had become the ideal husband every young lady dreamed of marrying, Lu Zhuo didn't assume Wei Chan coveted him. However, her hostile glare at Wei Rao made it evident that the cousins were at odds, and Wei Chan was displeased with Wei Rao's advantageous marriage.
If Wei Rao lacked self-restraint, then Wei Chan's jealousy toward her own cousin bordered on malice.
"Shoucheng, it was Old Madam who arranged Rao Rao's marriage to you. At the time, you were unconscious, and we elders had no idea of your feelings. Now that you've seen Rao Rao, are you satisfied?"
After exchanging greetings, Old Mrs. Wei teased him with a smile.
Lu Zhuo's dark eyes gazed affectionately at Wei Rao, causing her to blush and lower her head. Only then did he smile at Old Mrs. Wei and say, "Rao Rao is wonderful. I must thank you, Grandmother, for approving this marriage, allowing me the honor of becoming her husband."
Old Mrs. Wei replied with relief, "There's a disparity in our families' statuses. As long as you don't feel slighted, that's what matters."
Lu Zhuo rose and said, "Grandmother, you flatter me. Rao Rao saved my life—I could never feel anything but gratitude toward her. How could I possibly feel slighted?"Wei Rao seized the moment to act cute, 'Grandmother, please don't say such things.' One moment you belittle me, the next you praise me—I don't know whether to feel ashamed or delighted."
Old Mrs. Wei laughed, "Alright, alright. Truly, a married daughter is like spilled water—I can't even nag a few words as your grandmother."
With that, Old Mrs. Wei instructed Cheng'an Marquis and his son to entertain Lu Zhuo while she drew Wei Rao to her side. Hand in hand, grandmother and granddaughter departed.
Guo Shi and Wei Chan naturally followed suit.
Old Mrs. Wei irritably dismissed the mother and daughter.
When they were alone, Wei Rao lied to her grandmother, claiming that she and Lu Zhuo had truly consummated their marriage.
Old Mrs. Wei was skeptical: "He woke up to find his wife replaced, and the heir didn't resist at all?"
Wei Rao snorted, "Why would he resist? Marrying me is his good fortune—he ought to be secretly rejoicing."
Old Mrs. Wei probed further, "So, you've... become true husband and wife?"Wei Rao thought of the indecent image of a man and woman embracing from the little booklet, her face flushed. Lowering her head and clenching her hands, she spoke with a mix of shyness and disdain, "Yes, he's a hypocrite. His wounds aren't even healed, yet he comes to bully me. If I weren't afraid of touching his injuries, I'd really want to kick him off the bed."
Old Mrs. Wei, knowing her granddaughter was skilled in martial arts, quickly said, "Don't you dare! If he bullies you, it's because he likes you. You mustn't resort to violence."
Wei Rao buried herself in her grandmother's embrace, pretending to be too shy to say more.
She could have used the same act with the Duchess of Yingguo, but Wei Rao was unwilling. She wanted the Duchess to go cause trouble for Lu Zhuo, so that once the act began, the Duchess wouldn't later grow impatient for a great-grandson and suspect Wei Rao had fertility issues. Conversely, if her grandmother or maternal grandmother asked, she could easily blame it on Lu Zhuo's inadequacy.
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