Wei Rao was a restless soul by nature; she would rather fish by the lake than sit idly indoors for half a day.
Fortunately, Lu Changning shared her temperament, either running over to ask Wei Rao for pointers in swordsmanship or inviting her to accompany her to the Duke's Manor's garden to shoot sparrows and practice her aim.
While Lu Changning could do as she pleased in her own home, Wei Rao was a daughter-in-law who had married into the family. Even though the Duchess of Yingguo doted on her, Wei Rao still had to be mindful of her conduct. Thus, she only offered guidance to Lu Changning without participating herself. While Lu Changning shot at sparrows, Wei Rao and He Weiyu stood by, watching with smiles.
As the sparrows flitted about, the three of them, accompanied by their maids, wandered through the Duke's Manor's garden and unknowingly drew near the Zhaohui Hall, where Fourth Master and Fourth Madam resided.
"I'm so thirsty. Let's go ask Fourth Aunt for a cup of tea," Lu Changning said, wiping the fine sweat from her forehead after missing another shot with her slingshot. The sunlight was particularly bright that day, and Lu Changning had been hopping around without rest, so it was no wonder she felt hot.
He Weiyu tugged at Lu Changning's sleeve hesitantly. "Fourth Uncle prefers peace and quiet. Wouldn't it be improper for us to intrude?"
Having lived in the Duke of Yingguo's manor for seven or eight years, He Weiyu was more familiar with the household's dynamics than Wei Rao. Fourth Master of the Lu Family rarely left Zhaohui Hall, and over the years, He Weiyu had only seen him a handful of times—so few that she had never even gotten a clear look at his face.
Lu Changning was genuinely thirsty, and thinking of her fourth uncle's disheveled, self-neglecting appearance, she retorted stubbornly, "How long has he been holed up in there? What difference will one day make? Besides, I'm just going to ask Fourth Aunt for tea. If he doesn't want to see me, he can stay inside."
He Weiyu had no way to dissuade Lu Changning and looked to Wei Rao for help.
Wei Rao, however, was quite curious about the relationship between Fourth Madam and Fourth Master and said nothing.
It was just a cup of tea. If something so trivial could upset Fourth Master, then he was far too fragile.
With Lu Changning leading the way, the group slowly made their way along the cobblestone path to the front of Zhaohui Hall.
Taking advantage of the fine weather, Fourth Madam had set up a chessboard in the courtyard and invited Fourth Master out for a game, hoping he could also enjoy some sunshine.
When Wei Rao and the others entered, they saw the couple sitting face to face in the courtyard. Both were seated, so it was impossible to tell if there was anything amiss with their legs. Had Fourth Master not been unshaven and disheveled, the scene would have been one of warmth and affection.
"Fourth Uncle, Fourth Aunt, we were just shooting sparrows nearby and thought we'd stop by for some tea," Lu Changning said cheerfully.
Fourth Madam, thoroughly engrossed in her game with her husband, was reluctant to rise. She greeted them softly, "Come, have a seat," and instructed the maids to bring tea.
Fourth Master nodded briefly at the three younger women before returning his attention to the chessboard.
Wei Rao and the others drew closer. Wei Rao stood beside Fourth Madam, pretending to study the game. In truth, she was only putting on a show—she had only dabbled in the four arts of qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting, excelling in none.
Lu Changning was much the same, but He Weiyu tilted her head, studying the board intently, her eyes sparkling. She seemed to have some skill in chess.
Beside the square table were pastries and tea set out for the couple, suggesting they had been playing for some time.
Lu Changning glanced at her elegant and beautiful Fourth Aunt, then at her bearded Fourth Uncle. She sidled up to Fourth Master and teased him in a low voice, "Fourth Uncle, there's something I've been wanting to say. Look at you—only thirty-three, yet your beard is even bushier than Grandfather's. You used to be so handsome. Why do you insist on making yourself look so unkempt?"
Fourth Madam's hand, holding a chess piece, trembled slightly, worried that her niece's words might upset her husband.Fourth Master smiled, the corners of his mouth lifting, causing his thick beard to tremble slightly. "I'm not a young girl. What's the point of dressing up so handsomely?"
Lu Changning, never one to mince words, tugged at his beard and said, "Don't men need to dress up too? Look at my eldest brother—outsiders praise his divine looks. When sister-in-law married him, just seeing his face every day lifted her spirits. With you like this, Fourth Aunt probably won't even kiss you, right?"
This remark was truly excessive. The youngest, He Weiyu, flushed bright red, while the subject of the discussion, Fourth Madam, turned crimson from cheek to cheek.
Wei Rao also felt her face grow slightly warm. Her gaze shifted to Fourth Master across from them. He was looking down at the chessboard, seemingly unaffected—or if he was, it was mostly hidden by his beard.
"If your mother hears this, she'll scold you again," Fourth Master said as he placed a chess piece, casting a helpless glance at his niece.
The young maids brought tea. Fourth Madam shot Lu Changning a meaningful look, hoping the tea would shut her up.
Lu Changning drank her tea but continued to scrutinize Fourth Master.
From the time Lu Changning could remember, she had no father, no eldest uncle, no third uncle—only a fourth uncle with a broken leg.
Lu Changning adored this fourth uncle, the only male elder who stayed at home for long periods. As a child, she loved running to Zhaohui Hall to find him. Though gloomy in public, Fourth Uncle was entirely different when alone with her. He would smile, ask if she was hurt after a fall, gently comfort her when she complained about her mother's strictness, and repeatedly indulged her mischief.
Later, Fourth Uncle married, and she gradually grew up, no longer able to frequently disturb him and Fourth Aunt. Yet for some reason, after marrying, Fourth Uncle smiled less and grew more beard, making himself look like a disheveled old man.
If not for Fourth Aunt's kindness, Lu Changning might have suspected Fourth Uncle was deliberately making himself unattractive to upset her.
Seizing this rare moment when Fourth Uncle seemed in good spirits, Lu Changning had a sudden idea. She jumped behind him, massaging his shoulders while grinning. "Fourth Uncle, look how sunny it is! Why not shave your beard and let your peerlessly handsome face bask in the sun?"
He Weiyu pursed her lips in a smile. Fourth Madam remained flushed but felt a flicker of anticipation at Lu Changning's words.
She loved Fourth Master regardless, but she preferred him without the beard.
The visible part of Fourth Master's face above his beard reddened slightly at his niece's flattery. He frowned and said sternly, "Stop fooling around."
Lu Changning wheedled, "I'm not fooling around! I miss you, Fourth Uncle. Please let me see you. Grandmother said she'll arrange a marriage for me this year. Would you really let me leave home without even remembering what my own uncle looks like?"
Fourth Master remained stern, his voice cold. "Finish your tea and then—"
But just as he spoke, Wei Rao softly called out, "Fourth Uncle," though her voice was immediately cut off by his.
Fourth Master could scold his niece, but for Wei Rao—his newly wedded niece-in-law who had willingly entered a Marriage to ward off misfortune for his nephew at a critical time—he paused involuntarily. He looked questioningly at the young woman standing beside his wife, gesturing with his eyes for her to continue.Wei Rao was adept at handling herself among the female elders, but facing the reclusive and unpredictable Fourth Master, she felt somewhat nervous. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have mustered her courage for so long only to fall silent the moment Fourth Master spoke.
Now that Fourth Master had invited her to speak, Wei Rao had no choice but to brace herself and say, "Fourth Uncle, I heard Grandmother complaining about you the other day too. She said it’s been a long time since she’s seen your real face. Why not listen to my sister and go for a shave?"
Wei Rao wasn’t just joining Lu Changning in stirring up trouble; she had sensed Fourth Madam’s unspoken wish. Fourth Madam was so kind—even when Wei Rao acted rashly, she never took offense—so Wei Rao naturally sided with her.
"Fourth Uncle, look, even my sister-in-law can’t stand it anymore. Don’t you think you should shave?" Lu Changning gave Fourth Master’s shoulder a firm squeeze.
Fourth Master held a chess piece, remained silent for a moment, and then looked at Fourth Madam.
Fourth Madam lowered her lashes, her red lips pressed together, and softly added her persuasion, "Shall we shave it, then?"
Her gaze was as gentle as water, filled with cautious apprehension, afraid her husband would be angry with her.
Seeing this, Fourth Master smiled wryly and said, "Alright."
Lu Changning jumped for joy and urged the stunned Fourth Madam, "Fourth Aunt, hurry and fetch the tools. I want to watch."
Hearing this, Wei Rao smiled and said to He Weiyu, "Fourth Uncle and Fourth Aunt are busy now. Why don’t you keep me company for a game?"
While Lu Changning could watch Fourth Master shave his beard, it wouldn’t be proper for Wei Rao, as a niece-in-law, to spectate.
Lu Changning cooperatively pushed Fourth Master to the other side of the courtyard.
Wei Rao sat in a chair with her back turned to Fourth Master.
The sunlight was warm and soothing. Wei Rao played absentmindedly, while He Weiyu openly craned her neck to watch Fourth Master, though unfortunately, Fourth Madam, who was personally handling the task, blocked his face from view.
Lu Changning sat on the steps, chin in hand, watching as Fourth Madam, her face flushed with shyness, shaved Fourth Master’s beard.
"Fourth Aunt, are you sure you can do this? Your hand seems to be trembling," Lu Changning asked with concern.
Fourth Madam’s face was burning red, and her palms were indeed sweaty.
"Let A-Shi do it," Fourth Master said, his eyes closed.
A-Shi was the servant who attended to Fourth Master’s daily needs. Summoned by a young maid, A-Shi washed his hands, ran his fingers over the beard Fourth Master had cultivated for years, and asked, "Master, shall I shave it all off or leave some?"
"Leave what? Shave it all off," Lu Changning declared decisively.
Fourth Master smiled wryly again, while Fourth Madam stood nearby, a faint, delighted smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
A-Shi was far more skilled. Using two razors alternately, he worked back and forth, up and down, with crisp, precise movements. After a quarter of an hour, he had completely shaved off the beard that had covered Fourth Master’s face for years, revealing a pale complexion that had long been hidden from the sun. The upper half of his face was as fair as fine jade, while the lower half looked as if it had been soaked in water—pale and almost translucent.
Though the tones of his skin differed, without his beard, Fourth Master looked at least ten years younger in just those fifteen minutes. The scruffy uncle had transformed back into the handsome, dashing young man he once was.
Fourth Madam wanted to look but didn’t dare. Though they had been married for eight years, she felt as if she had returned to the early days of their marriage.
"Fourth Aunt, why is your face so red?" Lu Changning asked curiously. Even her sister-in-law wasn’t this shy around her elder brother.
Teased repeatedly by Lu Changning and overwhelmed by her own emotions, Fourth Madam, in her embarrassment, hurriedly retreated to the backyard of Zhaohui Hall.
Lu Changning was left dumbfounded.
Fourth Master cleared his throat and said to his niece, "Alright, since the weather is nice, why don’t you all continue your stroll in the garden?"Wei Rao and He Weiyu, upon hearing this, rose from their seats and approached, respectfully bidding farewell to Fourth Master with a bow.
Wei Rao took the opportunity to steal a few glances at Fourth Master and noticed he bore a strong resemblance to the Duke of Yingguo—with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, a dashing and spirited demeanor. Even after over a decade in a wheelchair, he retained the imposing aura of a military commander. Unlike Lu Zhuo, who was overly handsome and prone to feigning gentlemanly manners, exuding an air of scholarly refinement.
"So, isn’t Fourth Uncle quite handsome?" Lu Changning asked Wei Rao with a hint of pride as they left Chaohui Hall.
Wei Rao nodded and smiled. "With all that beard before, I truly couldn’t tell."
He Weiyu sighed wistfully, "I’d almost forgotten what Fourth Uncle looked like too."
Lu Changning stroked his chin, glanced at Wei Rao, and remarked curiously, "Somehow, I feel today’s Fourth Madam acted more like a shy, blushing bride than Sister-in-law ever did. She flushed several times—and it’s not as if she’s never seen Fourth Uncle’s face before."
Wei Rao had noticed it as well, especially the moment Fourth Madam hurried away. How could she behave like that after years of marriage?
As for herself, she didn’t blush because she had no affection for Lu Zhuo; theirs was a marriage in name only. But Fourth Madam and Fourth Master…
An untimely and improper, absurd thought suddenly crossed Wei Rao’s mind.
Could Fourth Master, with his disabled legs, actually consummate the marriage with Fourth Madam?
If not, then Fourth Madam’s behavior made perfect sense. Yearning for Fourth Master yet lacking physical intimacy, she would naturally still carry herself like a newlywed.
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