After receiving a string of prayer beads blessed by the master, Wang Shi indeed regained her smile, and it was even brighter than before.
As the saying goes, one's hand is shortened by taking gifts. Even if Wang Shi had ten thousand grievances against Wei Rao and her mother, for the sake of that string of prayer beads, she couldn't bring herself to find fault with Wei Rao anytime soon.
Today, the Secluded Manor was exceptionally lively. As noon approached and the banquet was about to begin, the sound of hoofbeats came from outside the manor. It turned out that Emperor Yuanjia had sent someone to deliver birthday gifts to Shou An Jun.
Such imperial favor, no matter how many times received, felt as devout as the first time. Shou An Jun dared not put on any airs, believing she deserved such treatment from Emperor Yuanjia. She immediately led all the family members and servants, young and old, to the second courtyard of the Secluded Manor at the fastest speed. They knelt in order of seniority and rank, kowtowing to express their gratitude.
Emperor Yuanjia had sent Eunuch Zheng, the second most trusted eunuch by his side. Eunuch Zheng's appearance alone was enough to demonstrate the emperor's regard for Shou An Jun.
"It's been many days since we last met, Old Madam. You look spirited and even younger than before," Eunuch Zheng said with a beaming smile, after announcing the imperial decree conveying the emperor's birthday wishes, as he helped Shou An Jun to her feet with both hands.
Shou An Jun smiled and replied, "I'm already sixty—how could I possibly look younger? There was a sudden snowfall last night. Did the emperor catch a chill?"
Eunuch Zheng answered, "When the snow fell last night, His Majesty was still reviewing memorials in the imperial study. He added clothing and blankets in time, so there's no need for Old Madam to worry."
Shou An Jun nodded, her gaze drifting to the boxes of birthday gifts carried by the young eunuchs beside them, her eyes filled with unconcealed longing.
From the moment Emperor Yuanjia was born, she had been by his side, holding him countless times, nursing him countless times. She had watched him grow from a babbling infant in swaddling clothes into a graceful young man, and witnessed him stand out among the princes to inherit the throne. In Shou An Jun's heart, she did not deserve to be Emperor Yuanjia's mother, yet her affection for him surpassed that for her own child.
As for her own child, the number of times she had seen him and the time she had spent with him were pitifully few. Over more than a decade, she had accumulated countless regrets, only to end up as the white-haired sending off the black-haired.
"The banquet is about to begin in the manor. Would you honor us by staying for the meal before leaving?" Shou An Jun sincerely invited after her moment of reminiscence.
Eunuch Zheng declined, "This humble one must return to the palace to report. I shall take my leave now. Please take care, Old Madam."
Shou An Jun understood that those in the palace were always busy. She personally escorted Eunuch Zheng and his entourage out of the Secluded Manor and did not lead the family back to the banquet until the imperial procession had disappeared into the distance.
"Mother, the emperor specially sent an entire procession, making such a grand display. The common folks in the capital and nearby areas must have seen it. This honor is something even the Imperial Order Ladies of noble families do not receive," Wang Shi said, sharing in the glory of her mother-in-law's favor with the emperor. Ultimately, she believed Little Zhou was the true culprit behind her two daughters' tarnished reputations.
Shou An Jun smiled faintly and said, "I live freely and happily in this manor. I can't be bothered with matters in the city and have no desire to discuss them. It would be best if you all refrain from saying such things in the future—it irritates me to hear them."
Wang Shi's smile stiffened, and she instinctively glanced at Big Zhou and her husband, Huo Jingchang.
The couple continued eating as if nothing had happened, paying her no attention.
Nevertheless, Wang Shi felt her pride had been wounded. She lowered her head and did not dare utter another word for the remainder of the banquet.
"Mother, Sister-in-law meant no harm. She thought those words would please you."After the meal, Big Zhou helped Shou An Jun to the inner chamber to rest. Shou An Jun lay on the bed while Big Zhou knelt by the bedside, personally massaging her elderly mother’s legs. Since marrying far away to Taiyuan, she had missed her mother the most. Unfortunately, with the family’s extensive business and her own busy schedule, it was rare to find time to return to the capital to fulfill her filial duties. Even this time, she and her husband would only stay for two nights before leaving again.
Shou An Jun looked at her eldest daughter and said with a bitter smile, "I know, she’s just a bit dull and doesn’t understand what others truly want to hear."
Wang Shi, as a daughter-in-law, had her petty schemes but was not a bad person. Otherwise, even if Wang Shi were unwilling to leave, Shou An Jun would not have wanted to keep a malicious daughter-in-law to bring harm to the family.
After discussing Wang Shi, Big Zhou lowered her voice and asked, "Mother, what do you think the Emperor truly means? He continuously bestows favors upon you but never mentions bringing my sister and her child back to the capital. I’ve heard that in the past two years, the Emperor hasn’t visited the West Mountain Imperial Palace even once? Back then, he insisted on taking my sister into the palace. She even bore him a son. Is he really going to abandon her now?"
Big Zhou felt her sister had been wronged. Everyone accused her sister of seducing the Emperor with her charms, but only the family knew the truth—it was Emperor Yuanjia who had coveted her sister’s beauty.
At the mention of this, Shou An Jun couldn’t even manage a bitter smile.
When Emperor Yuanjia was young, she could still discern his thoughts. But as he grew older, his mind became increasingly difficult to read. Even when she was in the palace, she couldn’t accurately guess his intentions. Now, having been out of the palace for over twenty years, their occasional meetings were limited to polite exchanges and pleasantries. Shou An Jun truly had no insight into Emperor Yuanjia’s feelings for her younger daughter.
"Both thunder and rain are the grace of the sovereign. We can only leave it to fate," she said. Since she couldn’t decipher his intentions and had no means to intervene, Shou An Jun simply chose not to dwell on it. "Your sister’s temperament would have felt stifled in the confined space of the palace, especially with the Empress Dowager suppressing her. Moving to the imperial palace might not be such a bad thing for the two of them."
Though Shou An Jun couldn’t see through Emperor Yuanjia, she understood the Empress Dowager all too well. She genuinely believed it was for the best that her daughter could stay far away from the Empress Dowager.
After some thought, Big Zhou nodded in agreement.
"Jue Ge’er is no longer a child. When do you and your husband plan to arrange a marriage for him?"
Shou An Jun invited her eldest daughter to sit beside her for a private conversation. There was nothing wrong with her legs, so there was no need to keep massaging them.
Big Zhou smiled again and said softly, "Huizhu is quite endearing. What do you think, Mother?"
Shou An Jun knew her eldest daughter was considering strengthening family ties through marriage, but she outright rejected the idea. "The Huo family has businesses spanning the entire realm, and all of it will eventually fall on Jue Ge’er’s shoulders. Huizhu is innocent and lacks cunning—she’s not suited to be the matriarch of the Huo family. Huizhen is too ambitious, determined to marry into nobility, so she’s not suitable either. As for Raorao, there’s no need to even mention her—Old Mrs. Wei would never allow her to marry into a merchant family. So, you’d better start looking for suitable girls from other families."
Big Zhou was stunned. Did this mean neither of her nieces nor her niece by marriage could become her daughter-in-law?
"Trust me on this," Shou An Jun concluded, then closed her eyes to take a nap.
Big Zhou felt discontented. In matters of marriage, it ultimately depended on whether the children were compatible. Over the next six months, her son would be managing the family’s branch in the capital and would inevitably visit the Secluded Manor frequently to pay respects to his grandmother. With more opportunities for cousins to meet, perhaps a good match could still be made. Whether it was her niece Huizhu or her niece by marriage Raorao, she adored them both.Wei Rao had been cooped up in the capital all winter, and she had no intention of missing out on such beautiful snow scenery today.
After her aunt helped their grandmother away, Wei Rao called her cousin Huo Jue, along with her younger cousins Zhou Huizhu and Huo Lin, to the corner of the corridor to discuss going out to enjoy the snow. Her elder cousin Zhou Huizhen always adhered to the conduct of a refined young lady and never participated in such activities, so Wei Rao didn’t bother inviting her.
Zhou Huizhu, who shared Wei Rao’s playful nature, immediately agreed.
Huo Lin looked at her brother.
Huo Jue said to Wei Rao, "Grandmother probably won’t allow it."
Wei Rao laughed. "Cousin, you worry too much. Our grandmother is the least concerned with conventional etiquette—she only wants us to have fun. If you don’t believe me, ask Huizhu. Knowing how much we love to play, Grandmother has several sets of men’s clothing made for us every year."
Zhou Huizhu nodded repeatedly, grabbing Huo Lin’s hand and saying, "Sister Lin, you’re about my height. You should be able to wear my clothes. Come with me to change into men’s attire now."
Without giving Huo Lin a chance to refuse, she cheerfully pulled her away.
Wei Rao turned back to Huo Jue. "If you won’t come, I’ll ask Gonggong Li to assign two guards to accompany us."
Gonggong Li and Liu Momo had served as a young eunuch and maid beside their grandmother during her time in the palace. When their grandmother left the palace, Emperor Yuanjia gifted both of them to her. Now, Gonggong Li managed the external affairs of the Secluded Manor, while Liu Momo oversaw the inner household. Together, they assisted their grandmother in running the manor efficiently.
Huo Jue looked at Wei Rao’s delicate, flower-like face and sighed helplessly. "I’ll go with you."
Wei Rao had known all along that her cousin wouldn’t let the three of them go out alone. She asked Huo Jue to wait in the front courtyard while she went to change her clothes.
Huo Jue turned and walked forward, patting the pouch at his waist. It contained both silver notes and loose silver—enough for their outing, so there was no need to send a servant for more.
"Are you heading out, Young Master?" Gonggong Li inquired politely upon seeing Huo Jue in his blue robe.
Huo Jue smiled calmly. "The March snowscape is rare. I’m accompanying the young ladies for a stroll."
Gonggong Li understood. Whenever Fourth Young Lady came to the Secluded Manor, she would either go horseback riding, spring outings, or hunting—never content to stay quietly at the manor.
"Second Young Lady and Fourth Young Lady will surely want to ride. How would you and the other young lady prefer to arrange things?" Gonggong Li asked courteously.
Huo Jue looked surprised. Both of his younger female cousins knew how to ride?
But Gonggong Li’s expression confirmed it.
"Prepare horses for everyone," Huo Jue said. His own sister, Huo Lin, also knew how to ride.
Gonggong Li went to make the arrangements. After a short wait, Huo Jue saw Zhou Huizhu and Huo Lin approaching together. The two girls had indeed changed into men’s clothing, but their delicate features, graceful demeanor, and slender figures gave them away instantly. The disguise was likely more for convenience than deception.
"What, are you planning to hunt?" Huo Jue asked, noticing the quivers on their shoulders.
Zhou Huizhu grinned. "Of course! The snow is covered in rabbit tracks. If we follow them, we’re bound to catch some rabbits."
Just as she finished speaking, Wei Rao arrived.
Huo Jue looked up, and this time, his gaze lingered on her, unable to look away.Wei Rao was actually dressed in a striking crimson martial attire, with a precious sword at her waist and black boots on her feet. A jet-black belt studded with gems cinched her slender waist, so narrow it could be encircled by two hands. On her head, she wore a black veil hat with golden edges, its crown adorned with a pearl the size of a lychee that shimmered with a lustrous glow under the sunlight.
Such an outfit was already eye-catching, but compared to Wei Rao’s ethereal, jade-like face, it immediately became like green leaves setting off a vibrant red flower.
With her dark brows, bright eyes, snow-white skin, and vermilion lips, she carried herself in male attire without any of the restraint or timidity typical of women. Instead, she exuded an air of heroic elegance and graceful poise. As a man accustomed to hearing endless praise, Huo Jue felt an inexplicable sense of unworthiness rising within him as he watched Wei Rao approach, her smile growing ever more dazzling.
"Sister Rao, you look absolutely stunning!"
While Huo Jue was still stunned, Huo Lin, who was seeing Wei Rao dressed like this for the first time, ran over in awe, circling her and admiring her from every angle.
Wei Rao teased her, "Who told you to follow the wrong person? If you come back to my room with me, I’ll dress you up just like this."
Huo Lin knew her own limitations—even if she wore the exact same clothes, she could never match Sister Rao’s captivating charm.
"Alright, let’s set off. I know a path up the mountain where there are fewer people, and the snow is mostly untouched."
Gazing toward Cloud Mist Mountain, Wei Rao spoke with exhilaration.
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