Lu Cong and Lu Changning were stirring up excitement over there. Lu Zhuo stood with his left hand behind his back, his right hand toying with a short arrow as he gazed at Wei Rao with a silent smile, clearly implying that if she accepted the challenge, he would gladly oblige.
Wei Rao recalled the Dragon Boat Race, where despite one member of the Divine Martial Army falling off his horse and losing an arrow, Lu Zhuo single-handedly lifted the army's mounted archery performance from last place to second with his almost supernatural skill. She had been present then, witnessing firsthand how Lu Zhuo, like a dazzling red light, fired arrows in rapid succession, each piercing through three targets in a row.
No matter how much Wei Rao disliked Lu Zhuo's hypocrisy, she couldn't help but admire his martial prowess.
Lu Zhuo had trained at the border for eight years, while she had only practiced swordplay for four. She was well aware of the disparity in their martial skills.
"Forget it. If I compete with your eldest brother, losing is inevitable. Even if I win, it would only be because he went easy on me."
Lu Zhuo was always one for putting on a show. If they really competed, he would likely stage a performance.
Wei Rao didn't care for that. She'd rather lose fair and square.
With no spectacle to watch, Lu Changning felt somewhat disappointed.
Lu Cong stepped back and winked at Lu Zhuo. "Eldest Brother, tell us, would you go easy on Sister-in-Law? You never hold back when competing with us."
Lu Zhuo smiled. "Since there's no competition, what's there to hold back? The wind is picking up—let's head inside."
After the arrow-throwing game ended, Wei Rao, Lu Changning, and He Weiyu went to find the elders.
Even with so many people around, by the time midnight arrived and the New Year began, Wei Rao was so tired she had to stifle several yawns.
Firecrackers were set off at every manor, and the Duke of Yingguo's Manor was no exception.
Wei Rao stood beside Lu Zhuo, wrapped in her cloak, her feet feeling as if they were about to freeze solid. When the last string of firecrackers had finished, the Duchess of Yingguo finally announced that everyone could return to their rooms to rest.
"Make sure to soak your feet before going to bed," He Shi, bundled up like a cotton ball, urged her son and daughter-in-law warmly as they walked together for a while before reaching a fork in the path.
Lu Zhuo thanked his mother and watched as she and her niece walked some distance away before heading toward the Hall of Pine and Moon with Wei Rao.
As soon as He Shi was gone, Wei Rao no longer felt the need to hold back. Leaving Lu Zhuo behind, she and Bitao scurried back to the Hall of Pine and Moon in a quick dash.
The water room always had hot water ready. Liuya told Bitao to go rest and took over the task of helping Wei Rao wash her feet.
"Young Lord is back. Go fetch water for him," Wei Rao instructed Liuya, holding a teacup, as soon as she had dipped her feet into the basin and heard movement outside.
Liuya hurried out.
Lu Zhuo sat in the master's chair and asked Liuya, "Has the Young Mistress retired?"
Liuya bowed her head and replied, "She's just started soaking her feet. Would you like to soak yours as well, Young Lord? This servant will fetch water."
Lu Zhuo nodded and went to the west room.
Liuya brought in the foot-washing basin, placed a towel beside it, and prepared to withdraw, intending to return later to clean up.
Lu Zhuo instructed, "I have something to discuss with the Young Mistress. Tell her to come to the hall after she finishes washing."
Liuya responded, "Yes."
Leaving the west room, Liuya passed through the hall and the East Side Room, went around the screen, and stood before Wei Rao, who was still soaking her feet. "Young Mistress, the Young Lord has something to discuss with you. He asks that you meet him in the hall after you finish."
Wei Rao yawned and pointed to the towel.
Liuya knelt on the cushion in front of the bed and meticulously attended to her mistress, drying her feet. Her mistress was beautiful, and even her feet were fair and lovely, with plump, adorable toes.
"Go tell the Young Lord that I know what he wants to ask, but it's too late now, and we have New Year's greetings to make tomorrow morning. I'm tired—we can talk tomorrow."After giving her instructions, Wei Rao withdrew her already dried feet and slipped under the covers to meet the Duke of Zhou in her dreams.
Liuya quickly tidied up the foot-washing basin, extinguished the lamp, and retreated while carrying the basin. As she turned around, she was startled by the Young Lord sitting in the official's armchair, nearly dropping the foot-washing basin in her hands.
"Have... have you finished washing?" Liuya asked, her heart still pounding.
Lu Zhuo grunted in affirmation. It was just washing feet—how much time could that take?
He looked behind Liuya.
Anxiously, Liuya conveyed her young lady's message.
Lu Zhuo clenched his hand. This Wei Rao—since she knew he cared about why Fourth Madam was crying, why would she drag out something that could be explained in a few words until tomorrow morning?
Lu Zhuo was very displeased, but Wei Rao had hidden herself in the inner chamber, and he couldn't just charge into her boudoir.
Having stayed up late on New Year's Eve, Wei Rao didn't get up early to practice swordplay at dawn, sleeping until she was awakened by the sound of firecrackers.
Liuya and Bitao came in to attend to her.
Rubbing her eyes, Wei Rao asked, "Has the Young Lord risen yet?"
Bitao said with surprise, "He's been up for a long time. When I came from the back, the Young Lord was still practicing martial arts. It seems his injury has completely healed."
Wei Rao's yawn stopped halfway. If Lu Zhuo was going to practice martial arts and she wanted to practice swordplay, how could one small courtyard be enough? She needed to tell Lu Zhuo to practice in the front courtyard from now on, and have A Gui attend to his washing, saving Bitao and Liuya some trouble.
This morning, the Duke's Manor was to hold ancestral worship ceremonies. Wei Rao dressed in splendid attire to show respect for the Lu Family ancestors, which took quite some time.
Lu Zhuo sat in the hall, growing increasingly impatient.
Since he had moved to the rear courtyard, Wei Rao had practiced swordplay every day, not even interrupted by snow. Eager to find out what had happened to Fourth Madam, Lu Zhuo had disregarded the Imperial Physician's advice and risen early to practice martial arts, all so he could meet Wei Rao sooner and hear her explanation. Who would have thought that just when he had matters to attend to, Wei Rao would sleep in?
The curtain on the east side was lifted again, and Lu Zhuo glanced over.
Wei Rao stepped out with lowered eyes, dressed in the red attire of a new bride, golden hairpins in her hair, her freshly washed cheeks as delicate as flowers.
Lu Zhuo had grown accustomed to Wei Rao's undisguised charm, but seeing her suddenly with her lips carefully shaped into a demure cherry mouth, he was taken aback.
Wei Rao gave him a faint smile. "You rise so early, Young Lord. May the New Year bring you good fortune."
Exchanging New Year's greetings on the first day was customary. Suppressing his irritation, Lu Zhuo replied, "May the New Year bring you good fortune."
The newlywed couple, dressed impeccably, walked side by side toward He Shi's Chunhe Hall.
Lu Zhuo signaled Bitao to keep her distance, then moved closer to Wei Rao and asked in a low voice, "Did you ask Fourth Aunt last night?"
Wei Rao tilted her head slightly, as if hesitant to speak. "I did, but it concerns Fourth Aunt's secret. I promised her I would keep it confidential, so there's no need for you to inquire further."
Wei Rao had, of course, learned nothing, but she couldn't tell Lu Zhuo the truth. Otherwise, wouldn't she be handing him ammunition to mock her for bringing trouble upon herself?
Lu Zhuo frowned. They were his fourth uncle and aunt—why did Wei Rao speak as if he were the outsider?
"Is there anything Mother or Grandmother can help with?" he asked after a moment of silence.
Wei Rao smiled. "No need. Fourth Aunt can handle it herself."
She acted so convincingly that Lu Zhuo found himself unable to press further. If it involved women's private matters, he really shouldn't pry.
As the new bride of the Lu Family, Wei Rao received thick red envelopes from several elders during the New Year's greetings.Lu Zhuo's younger cousins were at least handsome youths, and since propriety had to be maintained between sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Wei Rao only prepared New Year's money for Lu Changning and He Weiyu.
After breakfast, Wei Rao returned to the Hall of Pine and Moon. Taking several red envelopes from Bitao, she retrieved her share of gifts and handed the rest to Lu Zhuo: "Our families exchange ceremonial gifts back and forth, but these monetary gifts are only for me. I won't take advantage of your Lu Family. You keep them, and when we separate, find an opportunity to return them to the elders."
Lu Zhuo looked at her coldly: "Our Lu Family isn't poor to that extent."
Wei Rao smiled: "It has nothing to do with wealth or poverty. You said it yourself, we're merely a nominal couple, so it's better to have fewer financial dealings. Winning at cards is at least earned through my skill, but if I take this freely given money, I'll never be able to hold my head up before you again. Why bother? Including the jewelry the elders gave me - I have to wear it occasionally to show appreciation, but when I leave, every piece will remain here intact."
Lu Zhuo had nothing to say. He collected the red envelopes and went to the west room with a dark expression, soon returning to the front courtyard.
Wei Rao sat in the official's chair, smiling as she watched his retreating figure, feeling immensely satisfied.
In the following days, Wei Rao accompanied the Duchess of Yingguo to various banquets and social gatherings. With the Duchess backing her, those official ladies who had previously mocked and looked down on Wei Rao in public moderated their attitudes.
After the eighth day of the first lunar month, the Duke of Yingguo, Lu Zhuo, and Lu Ya all had to return to duty at the Divine Martial Army.
On the evening of the seventh, Lu Zhuo discussed with Wei Rao that henceforth he would only stay overnight in the Back Residence ten times per month, once every three days. After all, the newlywed period had passed, and he needed to lead troops at the Divine Martial Army. Staying in the Back Residence every night would inevitably create an impression of being lustful and indulgent. Once every three days was what Lu Zhuo considered a reasonable frequency.
Wei Rao thought this arrangement was quite good, with the only regret being that Lu Zhuo still had to return to the Back Residence for dinner.
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