On the night of the Lantern Festival, the various branches of the Duke of Yingguo's household gathered together to enjoy sweet rice dumplings and solve lantern riddles.
With Lu Cong and Lu Ze set to depart early the next morning, Second Madam and Third Madam wore strained smiles on their faces.
"Will you be going out to enjoy the festivities tonight?" the Duchess of Yingguo asked her grandchildren.
Lu Cong grinned. "No, it's the same sights every year. Later, we've arranged to meet with Eldest Brother and Second Brother in the pavilion to compose poetry under the moonlight."
Compose poetry?
Just as Wei Rao found this peculiar, the Duchess exposed Lu Cong's bluff: "How much literary talent do you really possess? I suspect you're going there to drink instead!"
Lu Cong flashed a toothy smile.
Second Madam, her eyes red-rimmed, admonished her son: "You may drink freely at home, but once you reach the border, you must not touch a drop."
Lu Cong immediately felt a headache coming on. His mother's repetitive warnings had nearly worn out his ears.
As soon as the family banquet concluded, Lu Cong gathered his brothers and took their leave. Even the youngest, Fifth Young Master Lu Che, tagged along, receiving a stream of admonitions from Third Madam.
After the Duke of Yingguo and Fourth Master had left the table, the Duchess reassured her daughters-in-law: "Enough of your worries. General Li's family has been close with ours for generations. With Third and Fourth serving under General Li's command, they'll be the ones bullying others—who would dare bully them? They'll return after three years."
Second Madam and Third Madam rose and acknowledged her words.
The Duchess glanced at her youngest daughter-in-law, Fourth Madam.
Fourth Madam had been unusually quiet tonight. While her sisters-in-law fretted over their sons' impending journey, she could only feel envy. She too wished to have children with Fourth Master—a son who would follow his elder brothers' footsteps in martial training to defend their country, or a daughter who could grow up carefree and healthy like Changning.
"Very well, with so many lanterns decorating the manor, let us take a stroll as well," declared the Duchess, rising with her cane and leading the way to the garden.
Lu Changning had no interest in solving riddles. She dragged He Weiyu off to watch their brothers drinking, and would have invited Wei Rao too, but Wei Rao had no desire to join her brothers-in-law's revelry. After Lu Ya and the others had stared at her blankly the previous night, Lu Zhuo had stepped in to shield her—his intention was clear. The more he acted this way, the more Wei Rao felt compelled to maintain distance from her brothers-in-law, lest Lu Zhuo suspect her of ulterior motives.
The Duchess summoned Wei Rao and Fourth Madam to accompany her. Before they had walked far, He Shi discreetly pulled Wei Rao aside, and the mother-daughter pair fell behind.
"Don't stand on ceremony. The garden is vast—feel free to explore separately," the Duchess remarked with a smile, having noticed He Shi's furtive movements.
He Shi was only too glad to comply. Without summoning any maids, she led Wei Rao to a secluded spot.
"Mother, what is this about?" Wei Rao was baffled by He Shi's behavior.
He Shi chuckled softly and whispered, "Rao Rao, before the New Year, Shoucheng needed to recover from his injuries, and the Imperial Physician advised against consummating your marriage. Now that Shoucheng has joined the Divine Martial Army after the New Year, have you two...?"
While it would be improper for younger generations to broach such topics with elders, it was perfectly natural for a mother-in-law to inquire.
The darkness provided Wei Rao cover. She lowered her head and shyly murmured an affirmation.
He Shi rubbed her hands together in delight. "That's wonderful, truly wonderful! Our main branch has only Shoucheng. The sooner you consummate, the sooner you can have several children and fill the household with lively energy."
Wei Rao merely twisted her handkerchief in feigned bashfulness, thinking to herself that He Shi's beautiful dreams were doomed to disappointment—it would be years before He Shi could hold a grandchild in her arms.He Shi clearly longed for a grandson, quietly instructing Wei Rao on various positions, diets, and other matters believed to aid conception and bearing sons.
Wei Rao let the words go in one ear and out the other, occasionally feigning surprise and asking a question to pretend she was truly listening.
After the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law whispered for two or three quarters of an hour, He Shi had said enough and, satisfied, parted ways with Wei Rao, returning early to rest.
Elegant people enjoyed guessing lantern riddles, but He Shi, lacking sufficient learning, did not care for them.
Wei Rao intended to find the Duchess of Yingguo and walked alone along a quiet path. As she went, she suddenly heard a hushed, deliberately lowered murmur. Curiosity piqued, she silently approached the bushes ahead.
"Second Madam and Third Madam have nothing to pity—Fourth Madam is the one to be pitied. She’s been married for eight years and still hasn’t shown any sign of pregnancy. Fourth Master is Old Madam’s only surviving son—do you think Old Madam would stand by and watch him without an heir? I say, it won’t be long before Old Madam arranges for Fourth Master to take a concubine."
"But doesn’t the Duke's Manor have a rule against taking concubines?"
"It only says one cannot take a concubine without reason. Fourth Master’s situation is different—taking a concubine is for the sake of an heir."
Wei Rao frowned and was about to go over and reprimand these two bold maids for gossiping about their masters when she suddenly noticed another figure hurriedly leaving from the shadows opposite. Under the nearby hanging lanterns, the figure looked remarkably like Fourth Madam!
Fourth Madam seemed to have been upset by the words, covering her face as she fled in a direction even more secluded than this area.
Concerned for Fourth Madam, Wei Rao temporarily set aside the two maids and quickly went after her.
To avoid drawing others’ attention and embarrassing Fourth Madam further, Wei Rao didn’t dare run too fast, alternating between walking and chasing. It took a long time before she finally found Fourth Madam’s figure in the bamboo grove north of the garden. In the depths of winter, the bamboo grove was desolate and bleak. Fourth Madam clung to a thick bamboo stalk, weeping bitterly.
Wei Rao stepped back a few paces, thinking that since Fourth Madam was feeling so distressed, it might be good for her to cry and vent her emotions.
When Fourth Madam’s sobs gradually subsided, Wei Rao called out softly, "Fourth Aunt."
Fourth Madam was startled, releasing the bamboo and turning around. Recognizing Wei Rao, she quickly wiped her tears and turned her head away in embarrassment, saying, "Rao Rao, what are you doing here?"
Wei Rao had already prepared an excuse while waiting quietly. Hearing this, she tapped the ground with the tip of her shoe, also appearing embarrassed as she replied, "I just parted ways with Mother and wanted to come here alone to clear my mind. I saw Fourth Aunt running over and was afraid you’d ask why I was here, so I hid. I didn’t expect... Fourth Aunt, what’s wrong? Why are you crying so sadly?"
She couldn’t mention the two maids’ words—that would only make Fourth Madam feel worse.
Seeing that Wei Rao seemed to have something difficult to say, Fourth Madam’s curiosity was piqued, and she felt slightly less embarrassed than before. Besides, she had already been caught once by her niece-in-law with red, tearful eyes—one more time didn’t seem to matter much.
"This place is so remote—do you have something on your mind, Rao Rao?" Fourth Madam was also concerned about Wei Rao and came over, taking her hand as she spoke.
Wei Rao lowered her head, appearing unsure how to begin.
Fourth Madam said gently, "If it’s not convenient to say, I won’t press you. But you must never come out alone like this again. You’ve only been married a short while and aren’t familiar with this area—what if you get lost?"
Wei Rao said gratefully, "Fourth Aunt, you’re so kind to me."Fourth Madam smiled. Seeing that Wei Rao had finished speaking but still hung her head, seemingly reluctant to leave just yet, she couldn't help but express further concern.
Upon hearing this, Wei Rao gently withdrew her hand from Fourth Madam's grasp, covered her face with both hands, and turned away, hesitatingly saying, "It's really nothing much. It's just that Mother is eager to have a grandson and just asked me whether the heir and I have consummated our marriage."
Fourth Madam was first startled, then laughed softly, saying gently, "Sister-in-law only has Shoucheng as her child, so it's understandable that she's anxious. Rao Rao, don't worry. You're both so young; you'll conceive soon."
Wei Rao gave a shy smile and lowered her head, saying, "Mother said the same thing. Moreover, she even taught me a method that's said to be very effective, guaranteeing that I'll conceive within a year."
Fourth Madam felt a surge of warmth in her heart. Although she and Fourth Master had not yet become true husband and wife due to his leg ailment, he had even agreed to shave his beard. Perhaps one day he would be willing to try again. If she could learn this method that Sister-in-law had shared with Wei Rao in advance, maybe she too could successfully have a child?
Fourth Madam nervously clenched her hands. She wanted to ask but couldn't bring herself to speak.
Wei Rao, noticing Fourth Madam's fidgeting fingers, blinked and suddenly asked with concern, "Fourth Aunt, why are you crying again?"
Fourth Madam instinctively wanted to avoid the question, but then she thought, if she shared her troubles, her clever and kind-hearted niece-in-law would surely tell her the secret to conceiving.
Their chance encounter in the bamboo grove tonight felt like fate. Since her niece-in-law had already confided in her, keeping secrets would only create distance between them.
Thus, Fourth Madam expressed her envy of Second Madam and Third Madam, ultimately attributing it to her own childlessness.
With the topic opened, Wei Rao smoothly said, "Fourth Aunt, don't worry. I'll tell you the method Mother shared with me. You can try it later, and perhaps it will work."
Suppressing her excitement, Fourth Madam said, "Alright, alright. I'm already this old. If I don't try now, I might never have the chance again."
Wei Rao laughed, "Fourth Aunt, you're talking nonsense. You're only twenty-six; that's not old at all."
Fourth Madam smiled modestly.
Wei Rao looked at her, then suddenly patted her own cheek, blushing as she said, "That method... it's a bit embarrassing to tell you."
Fourth Madam also felt her face grow warm. However, overhearing those two maids' gossip had stirred a competitive spirit in her. She pulled Wei Rao further into the grove, finally stopping and whispering, "It's just the two of us here. Rao Rao, go ahead and say it. I promise I won't tell anyone."
Wei Rao mumbled, "Then... if Fourth Uncle asks, just say Grandmother told you. Please don't bring me into it."
Fourth Madam's ears turned red. "I definitely won't mention you."
In the dimly lit depths of the bamboo grove, illuminated only by faint moonlight, Wei Rao leaned close to Fourth Madam's ear and whispered the consummation posture she had seen in the little booklet.
Fourth Madam was mortified. How could a woman take the initiative in such matters?
Moreover, after all these years of infertility, her own mother and Old Madam, unaware of the truth, had privately advised her, but she had never heard of such a method.
But Fourth Master was thin-skinned. He had tried a few times but gave up in frustration due to his leg troubles. If... if Fourth Master didn't have to move and she took the initiative, perhaps it could really work.
Embarrassing as it was, Fourth Madam longed even more to consummate her marriage with Fourth Master, to have children with him, and to raise them together."Ah, this is so embarrassing, Fourth Aunt, let's hurry along." Wei Rao tugged at Fourth Madam's sleeve, speaking in a sweet, coquettish tone.
Fourth Madam was in high spirits, for with newfound hope, she paid no mind to the maids' gossip anymore, feeling only profound gratitude toward Wei Rao.
"Rao Rao, if this method succeeds, you will be the great benefactor of Fourth Master and me." Stopping Wei Rao, Fourth Madam spoke with solemn gravity.
Wei Rao dared not claim credit—if this method truly worked, it would rely entirely on Fourth Madam's courage.
That particular position was something Wei Rao could never perform with any man.
The two walked hand in hand out of the bamboo grove, accompanied each other for a short while, then parted ways with tacit understanding.
Fourth Madam seemed to return to Chaohui Hall, while Wei Rao was about to retrace her steps when a tall, straight figure suddenly emerged from behind an old tree.
Wei Rao stared at Lu Zhuo as if she'd seen a ghost: "You—weren't you off drinking? Why are you here?"
Lu Zhuo glanced toward the bamboo grove to the north and countered: "Why was Fourth Aunt crying? What did you discuss in there?"
What Wei Rao and Fourth Madam had discussed could never be shared with any man.
"Women's private talk. You, sir, being most proper, would do best not to inquire."
Lu Zhuo pressed his lips together.
Wei Rao smiled and walked past him.
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