Wei Rao's ears were pinched red by Shou An Jun.
Yet Wei Rao dared not protest—her answer must have given her away, allowing her grandmother to deduce she and Lu Zhuo hadn't consummated their marriage.
"You little rascal, trying to fool me here? Do you take me for your Old Mrs. Wei?"
Shou An Jun released Wei Rao's ear and jabbed her forehead firmly.
"It hurts..."
Unable to argue, Wei Rao buried herself in her grandmother's embrace, whining petulantly.
Shou An Jun looked at her granddaughter in her arms—the most sensible yet most heartbreaking one—and couldn't bear to continue scolding. Marriage involves both parties. With Lu Zhuo's background and appearance, he'd be a good match for any noble maiden in the capital. Had he been willing to consummate, someone as clever as her granddaughter would have complied, if only for his family's status.
Conversely, their failure to consummate must mean Lu Zhuo was unwilling. If he refused, how could her granddaughter force a man to sleep with her?
Shou An Jun felt indignant on Wei Rao's behalf—such a delicate beauty being rejected by Lu Zhuo was nothing short of humiliation!
Patting Wei Rao's back affectionately, Shou An Jun said gently, "Don't worry about upsetting me, Raorao. Actually, not consummating is for the best. That Lu Zhuo, inwardly arrogant yet outwardly amiable, shows his hypocrisy. Such a man would never give his heart even if you'd consummated. Better to play along for five years, then remarry after annulment."
Wei Rao slowly looked up, surprised. "You really think so?"
Shou An Jun smiled. "Of course. Our Raorao deserves a better man."
Wei Rao sighed in relief, having feared her grandmother would grieve for her.
"By the way, your aunt wrote recently. She said your cousin will visit after New Year to check on the capital's business and bring your wedding gifts."
Wei Rao declined, "This isn't a real marriage—no need for Aunt to spend. She can gift me when I remarry for love after the annulment. I feel guilty even accepting yours."
Shou An Jun chided, "Why feel guilty? Gifts for the first marriage, gifts for the second—no matter how many times you marry, it's our duty as elders. Though I'm not as wealthy as your aunt—I've given you the major assets already. Don't expect more land or shops for your second wedding!"
Wei Rao laughed at her grandmother's teasing.
Shou An Jun then inquired about Wei Rao's interactions with the Duchess of Yingguo and other elders. Learning the Duchess genuinely liked Wei Rao comforted her somewhat.
After their talk, Wei Rao returned to her courtyard. Since the Secluded Manor was far from the capital, she and Lu Zhuo would depart soon.
Lu Zhuo sat in the outer room. Knowing Wei Rao wouldn't delay long, he hadn't rested.
Wei Rao entered, remembering their agreement, and told him, "I couldn't fool Grandmother. She knows we're pretending."
Lu Zhuo reflected on his own performance, curious. "How did she figure it out?"
Confident he'd been flawless—his gaze tender whenever Shou An Jun looked—he was puzzled.
Wei Rao was equally confused, unsure which remark had betrayed them.
Yet recalling the conversation—mentioning "entering" and "bean sprout"—a faint blush crept across her fair cheeks.Like a snow-white pear blossom suddenly transforming into a delicate pink begonia, exuding endless charm.
Upon seeing this, Lu Zhuo inexplicably recalled his mother's private words urging him to consummate the marriage.
Could it be that Shou An Jun had also inquired about their consummation? Wei Rao, having no experience, might have revealed telltale signs?
Averting his gaze, Lu Zhuo said softly, "In that case, I shall go apologize to Old Madam."
Wei Rao smiled faintly, "What fault has the heir committed? You are dignified and proper, not coveting my beauty. My grandmother was actually quite pleased—she's different from your grandmother, valuing practicality more. Since we're bound to separate eventually, maintaining my purity would make remarriage easier later."
Lu Zhuo chuckled, "On this matter, both you and Old Madam may rest assured. Beyond necessary pretense, I would never take the slightest advantage of you."
Wei Rao: "Indeed, you've signed the contract, so I naturally trust you. It's getting late, let's depart for the city now."
Together they went to bid farewell to Shou An Jun.
Shou An Jun requested Lu Zhuo to speak privately in the side hall.
Wei Rao secretly clenched her hands. She had exaggerated her grandmother's delight before Lu Zhuo—she hoped her grandmother wouldn't give them away.
In the side hall, Lu Zhuo began by apologizing to Shou An Jun: "Fourth Young Lady performed the marriage to ward off misfortune for me. However, we happened to meet twice before the wedding and found no mutual interest. I didn't wish to force either party, hence the five-year agreement. I beg your forgiveness for any impropriety."
Shou An Jun gestured for him to rise, smiling magnanimously: "I know. Rao Rao has told me everything. That girl dislikes constraints, and noble families with their numerous rules truly don't suit her. Initially, we were honored by Old Madam's regard in arranging this marriage to ward off misfortune. Now you've recovered, and Rao Rao has gained the backing of an influential family. This has been mutually beneficial—neither owes the other."
Lu Zhuo listened with lowered eyes.
Shou An Jun turned toward the window: "I asked you here to entrust Rao Rao's safety to you for five years. She's just a young girl who thinks a few years of sword practice makes her fearless. But human hearts are treacherous—she narrowly escaped death four years ago, and next time she might not be so fortunate. The Lu Family's loyalty to the sovereign and service to the country commands my deepest respect. I implore you, for the sake of your marital bond, to protect Rao Rao and prevent her from being at others' mercy. After all, what do the grievances between elders have to do with her?"
Having spoken, Shou An Jun heaved a long sigh.
Lu Zhuo thought of his own grandmother—when she went to Cheng'an Marquis' residence to propose the marriage, her words must have been even more earnest than Shou An Jun's now.
Lu Zhuo promised: "Rest assured, Old Madam. For as long as Wei Rao remains a member of the Lu Family, I shall protect her."
Shou An Jun smiled, her gaze sweeping over Lu Zhuo's face as her manner relaxed: "Rao Rao has a good heart, though her temper runs hot. If she ever offends you, I beg you to consider her youth and not hold it against her."
Lu Zhuo replied gently: "Being five years her senior, that is only proper."
"What did my grandmother say to you?"
Wei Rao asked impatiently as soon as they boarded the carriage.
This was the first time Lu Zhuo had seen her so anxious. In all their encounters before and after the wedding, Wei Rao had always maintained composure—even when she tearfully complained of grievances before his grandmother, she had wept gracefully and with perfect decorum.
Lu Zhuo countered: "What do you think Old Madam would say to me?"
If Wei Rao could guess, why would she need to ask him?She furrowed her brows, studying Lu Zhuo's expression.
Lu Zhuo pressed his lips together, his profile cold as he gazed toward the carriage curtain.
Wei Rao wondered: Could it be that though her grandmother had appeared magnanimous in front of her, she actually resented Lu Zhuo for his insult and had scolded him?
"Whatever was said, you brought it upon yourself," Wei Rao leaned against the carriage board and hummed.
Lu Zhuo's lips curved upward as he glanced over. "Didn't you say Old Madam was pleased we're pretending to be married? If so, why would you think she'd blame me?"
Wei Rao glared at him. "Grandmother is fiercely protective. You insulted me for being greedy and afraid of losing—shouldn't she have scolded you?"
Lu Zhuo frowned. "You told Old Madam about that incident?"
Wei Rao naturally hadn't mentioned it—she just couldn't stand Lu Zhuo's smugness and wanted to provoke him. Seeing that Lu Zhuo indeed cared about his reputation, she smiled triumphantly and raised an eyebrow. "If the Young Lord dares to do it, why fear me speaking of it?"
Lu Zhuo clenched his hand.
A girl who had already undergone her coming-of-age ceremony was considered a young woman—why did she still behave so childishly, reporting every trivial matter to her elders?
However, because of his momentary misspoken words, even his own grandmother had reprimanded him. Yet Shou An Jun hadn't mentioned it at all, only hoping he would take good care of Wei Rao. Lu Zhuo genuinely admired Shou An Jun's self-restraint.
Thinking of Shou An Jun, Lu Zhuo didn't wish to argue further with Wei Rao. "Old Madam summoned me and said two things: first, she hopes I'll protect your safety; second, she said you have a quick temper and hopes I won't take it to heart. I promised Old Madam both."
Wei Rao's smile stiffened. After a moment, she turned her head away. "Elders always worry unnecessarily."
Lu Zhuo didn't respond further.
Silence fell in the carriage. As Wei Rao adjusted her position to doze off, Bitao suddenly exclaimed outside the window, "It's snowing!"
Hearing this, Wei Rao lifted the curtain. The howling wind from the morning had diminished considerably, but snowflakes drifted down from the gloomy sky—it looked like heavy snow was coming.
In the distant fields, a group of village children chased and played, while on the country paths, villagers carrying New Year's provisions gradually made their way home.
The atmosphere of the New Year filled the air. When they passed through Yunwu Town again, Zhang's shop was still open. Wei Rao instructed Bitao to buy five packages of sugar-coated haws, five skewers each—one package for each of the four branches of the Lu Family, plus one for the old couple, the Duke of Yingguo and his wife.
The snowflakes grew heavier. By the time the master and servants returned to the Duke's Manor, the ground was already covered with a layer of snow.
Wei Rao draped her cloak over her shoulders, planning to personally distribute the sugar-coated haws. They weren't valuable items—just a small token of her regard.
Lu Zhuo had just freshened up and washed his hands. As he came to the doorway to admire the snow, he saw Wei Rao appear in the corridor with her maid Bitao.
Lu Zhuo glanced at A Gui.
A Gui hurried out and asked with a smile, "Young Madam, with such heavy snow, where are you going?"
Wei Rao turned her head, her gaze passing over A Gui to land on Lu Zhuo under the eaves. He still wore the same deep red brocade robe, standing as proudly in the snow as the red tassel on a spear tip.
"I brought some snacks to share with Old Madam and the others," Wei Rao said softly.
A Gui looked back at the Young Lord.
Lu Zhuo said to Wei Rao, "Let's go together."
Hearing this, A Gui hurried to prepare an umbrella.
Lu Zhuo didn't allow A Gui to follow. Holding the umbrella, he came to Wei Rao's side. When they reached the end of the corridor, Lu Zhuo stepped forward first, opened the umbrella, and stood at the steps of the corridor exit, looking back at Wei Rao.
Since they were pretending to be a harmonious couple, naturally they should share an umbrella.Wei Rao understood implicitly and stepped under his umbrella with a smile.
Bitao walked behind, holding an umbrella in one hand and a food box in the other, maintaining a distance of five or six steps. In her eyes, the Young Lord and the young lady, though squeezed under one umbrella like an immortal couple, were still separated by a foot-long gap, clearly demarcated—nothing like a real married pair who ought to be arm-to-arm, pressed close for sweetness.
"Young Madam, snow has settled on your shoulder."
After following silently for a while, Bitao couldn't resist reminding them. Though she addressed her as Young Madam, she was actually hinting that the Young Lord held the umbrella too centered, causing snowflakes to land on both their outer shoulders.
Lu Zhuo stared straight ahead, completely unaware of Wei Rao's other shoulder. He thought he had already tilted the umbrella toward Wei Rao as much as possible, never expecting it still...
He continued to slant the umbrella cover toward Wei Rao.
Like a straight emerald bamboo, its trunk rigidly upright, with a crooked branch jutting out askew—no matter how one looked, it was jarring.
Bitao quickened her pace and murmured behind her masters, "Young Lord, young lady, if you're going to pretend, at least make it convincing. Staying this far apart, who could you possibly fool?"
Lu Zhuo's grip on the umbrella tightened slightly.
Wei Rao moved closer to him with clear distaste.
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