Wei Rao had not consummated her marriage with Lu Zhuo. She was almost entirely ignorant in such matters, with the little she did know coming solely from two fleeting glances at the booklet her grandmother had given her.
From those brief glimpses, it seemed to Wei Rao that if a man were missing a leg, it would be quite difficult to accomplish the deed?
The more mysterious something was, the more it piqued curiosity. On her way back to the Hall of Pine and Moon, Wei Rao’s mind was filled with inappropriate images. Of course, she was too embarrassed to imagine Fourth Master or Fourth Madam in such scenarios. Instead, she tried placing herself in the woman’s position, while temporarily substituting Lu Zhuo for the figures in the booklet—after all, the number of men Wei Rao had frequent contact with could be counted on one hand.
Wei Rao also recalled the time her grandmother had caught her in a lie and pinched her ear. To this day, she still didn’t understand what had been wrong with her answer.
Back at the Hall of Pine and Moon, Wei Rao closed the door to her inner chamber and rummaged through her belongings to find the two booklets given to her by her grandmother and her maternal grandmother, respectively.
She started with the one from her grandmother.
The booklet had a preface. Leaning against the headboard, Wei Rao carefully read it through and suddenly understood.
It turned out that consummation was best when both parties were willing and prepared with patience; otherwise, it could cause the woman unbearable pain.
Just reading the warnings in the preface made Wei Rao feel physically uncomfortable. As for the illustrations, they were utterly grotesque, making her doubt whether women could truly derive pleasure from such acts.
With the sole purpose of seeking answers, Wei Rao flipped through the pages quickly until she paused at one illustration.
In this drawing, the woman was positioned above the man.
Beneath the illustration was a small paragraph of text. Wei Rao read it from beginning to end, then closed the booklet, her heart beating a little faster.
If Fourth Madam and Fourth Master were indeed as she suspected, she had already found a solution.
The problem was, how could Wei Rao confirm her suspicions, and how could she convey this method to Fourth Madam?
Inquiring about intimate secrets was entirely different from expressing concern over why Fourth Madam had been crying. Unless Fourth Madam confided in her voluntarily, Wei Rao could not bring herself to broach the subject.
In the evening, Lu Zhuo returned. After changing into casual attire, he came directly to the back residence for dinner.
Neither of them paid any attention to the other, each eating in silence. After rinsing their mouths, Lu Zhuo went to the western chamber—tonight was his turn to rest in the back residence.
"Fourth Master shaved his beard, and Miss Lu was so delighted. The Young Lord would surely be pleased to hear about it too. Why didn’t you mention it to him, miss?"
While helping Wei Rao comb her hair, Liuya asked softly.
Wei Rao glanced at her in the mirror. "He doesn’t even speak to me. Why should I initiate a conversation? What good would it do me if the Young Lord were happy?"
Liuya lowered her head guiltily.
She thought that since the Young Lord was exceptionally handsome and came from a prominent family, and since both the Duchess of Yingguo and the First Madam doted on her mistress, if Wei Rao could become true husband and wife with the Young Lord and live harmoniously for a lifetime, wouldn’t that be better than divorcing after a few years, remarrying, and being gossiped about again?
Unfortunately, her mistress was too proud to curry favor with the Young Lord, and the Young Lord, being haughty himself, disdained Wei Rao due to her reputation and refused to engage with her.
Wei Rao looked at her two maids and warned them in advance, "It’s fine if you think the Young Lord is admirable, but it’s best if neither of you harbors any intentions of trying to matchmake me with him or curry his favor. If I find out, I’ll send you to serve him permanently—never to return."Liuya and Bitao knelt down with a thud: "What are you saying, miss? No matter how excellent the heir may be, he could never compare to you. Whoever you like, we like; whoever you disdain, we would never flatter before him."
Wei Rao smiled faintly, tilting her head to remove the pearl earrings from her ears as she said casually: "Good that you understand. Let me make it clear—the heir has repeatedly insulted me. Even if someday he realizes my worth and kneels begging me to be his wife, I would never consent, let alone have me curry favor with him first."
With this, Liuya and Bitao fully understood their mistress's stance.
The next day, after Lu Zhuo left the manor, Wei Rao finished her breakfast and went to Zhongyi Hall to pay respects to the Duchess of Yingguo.
When she arrived, both Second Madam and Third Madam were present, their eyes surprisingly red-rimmed.
Wei Rao was startled. The day after tomorrow would be the Lantern Festival on the fifteenth of the first lunar month, a joyous occasion when every household hangs lanterns and guesses riddles. Why were both Second Madam and Third Madam crying?
"You should both go back and prepare," the Duchess of Yingguo said with a sigh after Wei Rao had paid her respects, addressing her two daughters-in-law.
Second Madam and Third Madam stood up and withdrew side by side.
Wei Rao watched her aunts leave the room before sitting on the embroidered stool beside the Duchess of Yingguo, looking at her with concern.
The Duchess patted Wei Rao's head and said leisurely: "Last night, your grandfather suddenly told me that after the fifteenth, he plans to send Cong'er and Ze'er to the border for training. They won't return for three years. Your second and third aunts are heartbroken, hence their tears. Don't laugh at them, Raorao."
Wei Rao quickly replied: "I wouldn't dare, Grandmother. But aren't Third Brother and Fourth Brother too young?"
The Duchess sighed: "Back when your father-in-law, second uncle, and third uncle died in battle one after another, and the fourth uncle was left with a crippled leg, the second generation had no one left to fight. Your grandfather, worried that the grandchildren would be incompetent, sent Shoucheng to the border when he was only twelve. Later, after my earnest pleas, your second brother stayed in the capital a few more years. Now it's your third and fourth brothers' turn—one is seventeen, the other fifteen. At least they'll have each other for company when they go for training."
Just as eaglets learning to fly must fall from cliffs repeatedly before they can soar, the Lu Family, with generations of military leaders, must be stern in nurturing capable generals. Elders must be resolute and let their descendants go forth to temper themselves.
This was the Lu Family's method of raising sons, and the Duchess of Yingguo had to support her husband in this.
Hearing this for the first time, Wei Rao was both shocked and admiring.
While children from other families were still studying in school at fifteen or sixteen, the young masters of the Duke of Yingguo's Manor were sent to harsh borderlands to endure hardships.
The noble title earned by the Lu ancestors through bloodshed had been maintained to this day precisely because each generation of men underwent rigorous training and fought bravely.
Wei Rao recalled the cheeky grins of Lu Cong and Lu Ze when they had egged her on to compete with Lu Zhuo in pitch-pot. The thought that the two brothers would depart for the border in two days made her feel somewhat sorrowful too.
"When Shoucheng returns this evening, accompany him to visit the second and third branches. He has been through training himself—let him share whatever advice he has for his younger brothers. It will comfort your second and third aunts, especially your third aunt. Ze'er is her eldest son, and this is his first time leaving home this year."
Wei Rao nodded in agreement.
That evening, Wei Rao came to the front courtyard early, lest Lu Zhuo delay upon his return and put off seeing her until mealtime.Lu Zhuo returned from the military camp wearing the red tiger-and-leopard patterned official robe of a fourth-rank deputy general. The majestic and solemn tiger-and-leopard patterns finally lent this refined and gentle Young Lord a third of the imposing aura befitting a military officer.
Bitao stood under the eaves outside the hall. When Lu Zhuo saw her, he knew Wei Rao had arrived.
"Does my wife have business with me?" Lu Zhuo smiled at Wei Rao as soon as he entered, speaking in A Gui's presence.
Wei Rao stood up and walked toward him. "Grandfather has given orders for Third Brother and Fourth Brother to depart for the border after the Lantern Festival. Grandmother specifically instructed me to visit Second Aunt and Third Aunt with you."
Lu Zhuo understood. Glancing at his attire, he said, "I'll change my clothes, then we can go together."
Wei Rao hummed in agreement.
Lu Zhuo immediately headed to the eastern chamber.
A Gui was about to follow when he suddenly remembered that with the young mistress present, it was naturally her duty to attend to the Young Lord. How could he deprive them of this opportunity for closeness?
A Gui lowered his half-raised foot and smiled at Wei Rao. "This humble servant will fetch water."
Only after A Gui left did Wei Rao realize his implication.
Since Lu Zhuo had chosen to keep A Gui in the dark, Wei Rao had no choice but to play along. She entered the eastern chamber, passed through the secondary room, and stopped at the entrance to the inner chamber. Lowering her voice, she said to the person inside, "A Gui has gone to fetch water. I've come to assist the Young Lord with changing."
Lu Zhuo had just emerged from the washroom after relieving himself, his outer robe half removed. Upon hearing this, he draped the robe back over his shoulders and fastened his belt. "Come in."
Wei Rao kept her eyes downcast as she lifted the curtain. After entering, she glanced toward Lu Zhuo and, seeing him fully dressed, finally looked up and explained helplessly, "I was afraid you might go to the study to read and delay us, so I came to wait for you."
Lu Zhuo nodded to show his understanding.
The two stood facing each other in silence. Wei Rao quickly scanned the room's furnishings. For a noble scion of his status, the chamber was surprisingly austere, devoid of any superfluous objects. Compared to her last visit during his "convalescence," the only addition was a small high table to the left of the canopy bed, upon which lay horizontally a silver-bodied spear with red tassels.
Wei Rao studied the spear curiously. Was this Lu Zhuo's weapon?
"A Gui has returned. Do you plan to change my clothes from over there?" Lu Zhuo suddenly remarked.
They stood more than ten paces apart—even if Wei Rao threw herself to the ground, she wouldn't reach him.
If he wanted her to approach, he could have said so directly instead of being sarcastic.
Wei Rao stiffly walked over to Lu Zhuo. Just as A Gui announced his return, she swiftly adopted a gentle and virtuous expression, placing both hands on Lu Zhuo's belt and slowly loosening it.
The difference in their heights allowed Lu Zhuo to catch the faint fragrance from her hair, reminiscent of osmanthus but more delicate.
"All Lu Family men go for training when they come of age. There's nothing to worry about."
He spoke as if they had been discussing the matter all along.
Wei Rao responded quickly, playing along. "Yes, Grandmother said the same."
A Gui kept his head lowered as he set down the water basin, then retreated without a single glance.
The moment A Gui left, Wei Rao immediately released the still-fastened belt, turned, and walked to the window, standing with her back to Lu Zhuo.
Lu Zhuo retrieved an everyday robe from the wardrobe. Glancing at her back, he moved behind the screen to change quickly, then went to wash his hands and face.
"Let's go."
Once ready, Lu Zhuo called to her.
Hearing this, Wei Rao walked straight to the inner chamber door without looking around. She waited for Lu Zhuo to join her, and then the two left side by side, inseparable in appearance.
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