Lu Changning and He Weiyu followed Wei Rao in practicing martial arts. Lu Zhuo only came to take a look on the first day and never showed up again afterward.
Martial arts training was extremely arduous, especially during the initial stage of building foundational skills. The gradual improvement in physical fitness happened subtly and was not immediately obvious, making the process feel monotonous.
Take Lu Changning, for example. She had already laid a solid foundation and could directly practice sword techniques. Her progress in executing sword moves was easily noticeable.
He Weiyu, however, was different. While she tediously held horse stances, she watched Wei Rao and Lu Changning wield their swords, which made her own practice seem even more dull. Moreover, she had no genuine interest in martial arts to begin with. The only motivation that kept her going—Lu Zhuo—refused to appear. After just three days of practice, He Weiyu began to lose heart.
Fortunately for her, she caught a chill from the cold wind after sweating profusely during horse stance practice, and her delicate constitution fell ill.
He Weiyu resided in He Shi’s Chunhe Hall. He Shi doted on her as if she were her own daughter. As soon as He Weiyu fell ill, He Shi immediately sent for a physician and dispatched a young maid to her daughter-in-law’s quarters to request leave on her niece’s behalf.
Upon hearing this, Wei Rao decided to visit He Weiyu with Lu Changning.
When the sisters-in-law arrived at the front courtyard, they saw A Gui standing guard outside the study.
Wei Rao summoned A Gui and said, "Cousin Weiyu is ill. The elder miss and I are going to visit her. Go inform the Young Lord and ask if he wishes to join us."
A Gui hurried to the study and returned shortly, reporting to Wei Rao, "Young Madam, the Young Lord said to please convey his regards to Cousin Weiyu on his behalf."
Wei Rao understood—Lu Zhuo was adhering to the propriety of maintaining distance between men and women. Even though He Weiyu was his own cousin, he had no intention of stepping into her bedchamber.
"Let’s go, then," Wei Rao said with a smile to Lu Changning.
When they reached Chunhe Hall, Wei Rao saw He Weiyu lying ill in bed. The thirteen-year-old girl seemed to be running a fever, her face flushed with an unnatural redness that lent her a sickly charm. He Shi was keeping watch by the bedside. The aunt and niece bore some resemblance in appearance—enough that anyone unaware might mistake them for mother and daughter.
He Shi fussed over He Weiyu with tender concern. The warm scene reminded Wei Rao of her own mother.
When she was young and fell ill, her mother would also stay by her side like this, caring for her meticulously and indulging every whim she had while sick. Only after she recovered would her mother become stricter again.
Later, her mother entered the palace. During Wei Rao’s most severe illnesses, her mother was confined within the palace walls, and it was her grandmother and maternal grandmother who stayed with her instead.
Wei Rao had cried for her mother—many times. She cried until she felt like abandoning everything just to enter the palace and find her mother. Yet, no matter how desperately she yearned, Wei Rao never resented her mother. She knew that if her mother could leave the palace, she would surely come to care for her. Her mother had chosen to leave back then because, without her father, the walls of the Cheng'an Marquis’s estate had become a prison that bound her. Her mother had not been happy there.
"Rao Rao, Weiyu is too delicate. Perhaps we should not let her practice martial arts anymore?" He Shi said helplessly to Wei Rao after the physician left. "I’ve tried to persuade her, but she won’t listen. Could you help me convince her?"
Wei Rao had long seen that He Weiyu’s intentions lay elsewhere. However, since both girls had come to learn together, she could not very well teach one and ignore the other."Cousin's constitution truly isn't suited for martial arts. How about this - if you find yourself bored in the future, you can continue coming to the Hall of Pine and Moon with Changning. While Changning practices swordplay, you can sit and watch. If you develop interest, you can start training again. What do you think?" Wei Rao stood by the bedside, speaking gently to He Weiyu.
He Shi thought this was an excellent idea - her niece wouldn't have to endure hardship, and the three women could keep each other company.
He Weiyu was even more pleased, since as long as she could visit the Hall of Pine and Moon, she would have more opportunities to see her cousin.
With the New Year approaching, Wei Rao needed to meet with several estate managers and shopkeepers. As her schedule became busier, she told Lu Changning to practice on her own first and return to the Hall of Pine and Moon after the Lantern Festival.
Since the estate managers and shopkeepers were all men, Wei Rao could only receive them in the front courtyard's Hall.
This was Wei Rao's private matter. Lu Zhuo would make a brief appearance before retreating to his study, showing no interest in the extent of Wei Rao's dowry properties.
When He Shi came to visit her son, she happened to encounter one such meeting with two estate managers. The managers naturally didn't come empty-handed - sweet potatoes, cabbages, chestnuts, pheasants, rabbits, pickled vegetables, and cured meats. Though these were all common farm products, the baskets piled up together created a festive atmosphere of abundant harvest.
"How much land did Raorao bring as dowry?" He Shi asked her son after entering the study, glancing at the goods in the courtyard.
Lu Zhuo personally served tea to his mother and replied lightly: "I don't know, and it's not appropriate for me to inquire about her dowry."
With tea already served, He Shi had to sit down. Her eyes bright as she said to her son: "I've heard that Shou An Jun alone gave Raorao quite a substantial dowry. And Raorao still has that wealthy aunt of hers. Since the wedding was arranged in haste, once her aunt gets the news, she'll surely send an additional gift."
For women who rarely left their homes, discussing such trivial matters was a form of entertainment.
But Lu Zhuo had no patience for such talk, nor did he want his mother coveting Wei Rao's dowry.
"Whether there are additional gifts or not, they belong to her and have nothing to do with me," Lu Zhuo gently reminded his mother.
He Shi said cheerfully: "They may have nothing to do with you, but they have everything to do with my future grandchildren."
Who didn't like silver? He Shi wasn't coveting her daughter-in-law's dowry, but if her daughter-in-law was wealthy, it would ensure that the main branch's descendants would be well-off. The thought of her descendants living in abundance made He Shi happy, and the happier she became, the more she talked: "The Old Madam has excellent judgment. Raorao is beautiful, easy to get along with, and knows martial arts. In the future when you're away leading troops, Raorao can even teach the children martial arts..."
In He Shi's view, a daughter-in-law like Wei Rao was truly beyond reproach.
Lu Zhuo glanced out the window and asked curiously: "Mother, don't you mind her poor reputation?"
He thought all women cared about such things. The bad reputations of Wei Rao and the Zhou family daughter were all spread by women gossiping among themselves.
He Shi snorted: "Raorao is after all the legitimate daughter of Cheng'an Marquis's household. I came from a humble background - when I married your father, how many people were jealous and looked down on me? Why should I care about such things? As long as Raorao is a good girl, reputation is meaningless. It's Raorao who will spend days with me, not her reputation."
Lu Zhuo fell silent.
He Shi looked at her son and narrowed her eyes slightly: "What, do you care about such superficial matters?"
Lu Zhuo laughed: "Mother worries too much. I think Raorao is just fine."He Shi, having been separated from her biological son for many years and unaware of what kind of person he had grown into in the military camp, believed him immediately and asked in a low voice, "How is your injury? If it's not serious, quickly consummate the marriage with Raorao. I'm still waiting to hold a grandson."
Lu Zhuo lowered his gaze, coughed lightly with his hand covering his lips, and said, "The Imperial Physician has advised against consummating the marriage before the New Year."
He Shi sighed, "Yes, you were so gravely ill. It's best to focus on recuperating properly."
Only if her son remained well would there be hope for a grandson.
On the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth lunar month, Wei Rao went to discuss with the Duchess of Yingguo, expressing her desire to visit her maternal grandmother at the Secluded Manor.
"My grandmother, aware of the rumors surrounding her, has only entered the city once in all these years—before my wedding. Now that I've married into the Duke's Manor, no matter how much she misses me, she won't visit abruptly. I must be the one to go to her. If I visit, my grandmother will see that I'm doing well here and can celebrate the New Year with peace of mind."
Wei Rao sat beside the Duchess of Yingguo, speaking softly and gently.
Her voice was clear and sweet, yet her words were thoughtfully composed, explaining both the necessity of her visit to the Secluded Manor and her satisfaction with her marital family.
The Duchess of Yingguo felt undeserving of such words. Given how her grandson had treated Wei Rao, how could she possibly be doing well?
Feeling ashamed yet unable to advise Wei Rao to tell Shou An Jun the truth and expose her own grandson's shortcomings, the Duchess could only cooperate with Wei Rao, concealing the facts from Shou An Jun just as they had from Old Mrs. Wei.
"You should go. Have Shoucheng accompany you," the Duchess decided.
Wei Rao hesitated, "Is that appropriate? My grandmother and I have always been close. Visiting her alone after marriage would maintain our private bond, but if the heir accompanies me, it would involve the entire Duke's Manor. Old Madam, you must have heard about the Empress Dowager..."
The Duchess patted Wei Rao's hand and smiled, "Raorao, since you've married into our family, your relatives are now the Lu Family's relatives. It's the end of the year now, and I'm too busy to go out. When spring arrives and the weather warms, I'll visit Cloud Mist Mountain to enjoy the flowers and will surely stop by the Secluded Manor for a cup of tea with Shou An Jun."
The idea was almost laughable. The Duke of Yingguo's Manor had stood firm in the capital through the blood and sacrifices of the Lu Family's men—why would they fear an elderly Empress Dowager?
Shou An Jun enjoyed Emperor Yuanjia's filial respect but had no sons or grandsons to support her family. Once she passed, the Zhou family's daughters would be of little consequence. If the Duke of Yingguo's Manor dared not associate with such a family, how could they speak of battling enemies on the front lines?
"Raorao, do as you wish. As long as I've given my permission, you need not have any concerns," the Duchess said affectionately, her eyes carrying the unwavering righteousness of an ancient pine standing firm against storms atop a mountain peak.
Wei Rao looked up. Faced with such a Duchess of Yingguo, she found herself unable to utter the smooth, clever words that usually came so easily to her.
"Outsiders say I took advantage by marrying the heir to ward off misfortune, but I scoff at such talk. Yet, with you treating me so kindly, even if I can only enjoy your protection for five years, marrying into the Lu Family is my great fortune," Wei Rao knelt before the Duchess, her eyes reddening before she even spoke.
The Duchess helped her up, smiling as she said, "Grandmother is old and can judge people well. Shoucheng is still young. He may be foolish now, but he will eventually recognize your worth. When that time comes, I only hope that, for my sake, you'll be willing to give him a chance and remain my granddaughter-in-law for life."Wei Rao did not respond, instead teasing playfully, "If the Young Lord heard this, he would laugh at you for being muddleheaded."
The Duchess of Yingguo thought of her grandson's humiliation of Wei Rao, her lips tightening as her good mood vanished entirely.
The next day, Lu Zhuo, following the Duchess of Yingguo's orders, was to accompany Wei Rao on a trip to the Secluded Manor. The Duchess had specifically instructed that Lu Zhuo should ride on horseback before leaving the city, and only switch to the carriage after traveling two miles beyond the city gates.
Lu Zhuo had been conscious for half a month, and the scabs on his wounds had mostly fallen off. While he was still unfit for sparring with others, riding a horse was no issue.
After setting off, Wei Rao rode in the carriage while Lu Zhuo rode on horseback alongside it.
As the couple made their way out of the city, they traveled along the busiest street in the capital. The moment the commoners on the street caught sight of Lu Zhuo—a gentleman as handsome as a celestial being—they immediately crowded around.
Lu Zhuo wore a gentle smile, appearing refined and courteous.
"Is the Young Lord fully recovered from his injuries?" someone called out with concern.
Lu Zhuo smiled and replied, "Thank you for your concern, I have fully recovered."
"Where is the Young Lord headed?" Seeing how approachable he was, the commoners tossed another question his way.
Lu Zhuo’s smile deepened as he glanced toward the carriage and said, "Accompanying my wife to visit relatives outside the city."
The onlookers, seeing his tender and affectionate demeanor, collectively drew a sharp breath!
The Young Lord’s radiant smile clearly showed he was very satisfied with Miss Wei Rao, the Fourth Young Lady brought in for the Marriage to ward off misfortune!
Inside the carriage, Wei Rao quietly observed the reactions of the commoners. Then, glancing at Lu Zhuo sitting upright on his horse, she smiled.
Men take pride in possessing beauty, and today, she had gained a peerlessly handsome groom. Taking him out for a stroll had indeed earned her plenty of face.
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