No sooner had Shou An Jun agreed to the marriage proposal from the West Pavilion Marquis Estate than she sent someone to inform Wei Rao.
While civil officials engaged in scheming and factionalism, military generals generally shared bonds forged on the battlefield through life-and-death struggles. Thus, the four leading families of the Upper Four Armies, though secretly vying to become the foremost military clan, maintained surface-level civility by attending each other's banquets. The Lu Family commanded the Divine Martial Army, and the Han Family led the Soaring Dragon Army—whenever one family held a funeral or wedding, they would invariably invite the other.
Shou An Jun wanted Wei Rao to prepare in advance. Once Zhou Huizhen married Han Liao, she would naturally appear at banquets hosted by various mansions in the capital. Zhou Huizhen, foolish and single-mindedly obsessed with competing with Wei Rao, might easily be manipulated by scheming individuals, intentionally or unintentionally causing trouble for Wei Rao.
Wei Rao was stunned by this marriage news.
The messenger sent by Shou An Jun was Liu Momo. Wei Rao stared blankly at Liu Momo, unable to believe such a thing even in her wildest dreams.
With no outsiders in the hall, Liu Momo sighed and said, "The Old Madam had already refused once before, so naturally, she is utterly dissatisfied with that side. But the Madam and the Eldest Young Lady are determined to marry, and the Eldest Young Lady even threatened the Old Madam with scissors, saying that if she wasn’t allowed to marry, she would shave her head and become a nun. The Old Madam had no choice but to agree."
Wei Rao could imagine her grandmother’s helplessness. No matter how foolish her eldest cousin was, she was still a daughter of the Zhou Family and the Old Madam’s own granddaughter. If there had been any other option, the Old Madam would never have consented.
"Young Madam, the Old Madam has already discussed it with me. When the Eldest Young Lady marries, I will accompany her to look after her. With me there, I will never allow that side to bully the Eldest Young Lady too harshly. The Old Madam repeatedly emphasized that you should focus on taking care of yourself and not worry about the Eldest Young Lady," Liu Momo comforted Wei Rao.
Wei Rao’s feelings were deeply conflicted.
Zhou Huizhen was jealous of her—Wei Rao could see that. Yet, as cousins who had grown up together, and since Zhou Huizhen had never truly harmed her, Wei Rao genuinely did not wish to see her cousin foolishly leap into a pit of fire. For the sake of her grandmother and her younger cousin Huizhu, Wei Rao hoped Zhou Huizhen would live a peaceful and happy life. Moreover, as cousins, if Zhou Huizhen foolishly married Han Liao, Wei Rao would also lose face when others mocked Zhou Huizhen.
Unfortunately, things had already reached this point, and she could not avoid this loss of face.
Face was not the main concern, though—what truly mattered was how Zhou Huizhen would fare.
Liu Momo had served in the palace and had weathered many storms. With her by Zhou Huizhen’s side, Wei Rao and her grandmother could indeed worry much less.
"Then I’ll rely entirely on you to look after my cousin," Wei Rao said to Liu Momo with a bitter smile.
Liu Momo chuckled. "To be frank with you, Young Madam, I’ve lived a quiet life with the Old Madam for over twenty years. Staying at the estate every day, I’ve long grown tired of it. The thought of accompanying the Eldest Young Lady out and about, stretching my limbs, makes me feel years younger just thinking about it."
The Zhou Family might lack male members, but Emperor Yuanjia respected Shou An Jun, making him the family’s greatest backing. The Empress Dowager, unafraid of being accused of Emperor Yuanjia’s unfiliality, dared to target Shou An Jun—but would the wife of the Marquis of Xiting dare to gamble the same way?
Thus, Liu Momo was not at all worried about suffering greatly in the West Pavilion Marquis Estate. At most, she would have to constantly match wits with those women and children.
After Liu Momo left, Wei Rao went to the Hall of Loyalty and Righteousness.All visitors to the estate naturally reported to the Duchess of Yingguo. When the Duchess saw Wei Rao, she inquired with concern, "Has something happened at the Secluded Manor?"
Wei Rao did not hide her helplessness. "The heir of the Marquis of Xiting has taken a liking to my cousin and has twice sent matchmakers to propose. My grandmother was moved by his sincerity and agreed to the marriage."
The Duchess was quite surprised. After a moment's pause, she said, "I've watched Han Liao grow up. He is dashing and accomplished in both literary and martial arts. Though he is somewhat older, if he truly treats your cousin well, it could be considered a match of talent and beauty."
To any discerning eye, this marriage was one where the man sought beauty and the woman sought advantage. Facing Wei Rao, the Duchess could only offer pleasantries.
Wei Rao understood that her cousin, despite her beauty, lacked influential father or brothers. Han Liao was almost the highest-status man she could marry. Wei Rao only hoped her cousin would be content with the title of the heir's wife and not foolishly expect Han Liao's undivided loyalty, or she would surely be heartbroken.
Wei Rao informed the Duchess of her cousin's marriage as a matter of propriety. As for Lu Zhuo, with whom she had little to say, she focused on her meal and did not mention a word.
Lu Zhuo left early and returned late, occasionally paying respects to the Duchess. Assuming he already knew, the Duchess never brought up the matter.
By early February, Zhou Huizhen and Han Liao had formally exchanged birth certificates, solidifying the marriage. One day, they met at the palace. Han Liao smiled and caught up with Lu Zhuo, patting his shoulder familiarly. "Shoucheng, we'll be brothers-in-law from now on. How about a drink when you have time?"
Though Han Liao appeared youthful, the age difference was evident when he stood beside Lu Zhuo.
Meeting Han Liao's meaningful gaze, Lu Zhuo smiled faintly. "Certainly."
Han Liao looked at Lu Zhuo's handsome young face and clicked his tongue enviously. "What a pity—you snatched away the prettiest sister first."
His words were filled with covetousness toward Wei Rao and provocation toward Lu Zhuo. Lu Zhuo's expression darkened. He brushed off Han Liao's hand and turned to leave.
Han Liao did not pursue him or attempt to make amends. Lu Zhuo and Qi Zhongkai, these juniors, had shown him disrespect multiple times; this was merely a small retaliation.
As Lu Zhuo walked away from Han Liao toward the palace gate, his gentle exterior belied his contemplation of Han Liao's words. Since Han Liao spoke of becoming brothers-in-law and referred to Wei Rao as the "prettiest sister," it meant Han Liao was about to marry one of Wei Rao's elder sisters. Lu Zhuo recalled Wei Rao's maternal family sisters—the unmarried ones were only the Third Miss of the Cheng'an Marquis Estate and the eldest granddaughter of Shou An Jun, Miss Zhou.
Han Liao had previously proposed to the Zhou family but was rejected. Could he now be marrying the Third Miss of the Wei family?
Returning to the estate that evening, Lu Zhuo considered asking the well-informed A Gui but ultimately decided to inquire with Wei Rao.
Their meetings inevitably took place at the dining table.
The maids served the dishes and withdrew. Wei Rao, experiencing her monthly cycle, had Bitao request the kitchen to prepare a red date and black chicken soup. Though Wei Rao felt no discomfort, the soup was savory and slightly sweet, perfectly suited to her taste. Before the meal, she ladled half a bowl for herself. Just as she was about to taste it, she noticed Lu Zhuo's gaze upon her.
"If you wish to have some, help yourself," Wei Rao said generously, glancing at the soup Bitao had placed near her.Lu Zhuo had no interest in her chicken soup and said indifferently, "Today in the palace, I encountered Han Liao, the heir of the Marquis of Xiting. He was quite pleased to become my brother-in-law through marriage, but unfortunately, I had no idea which young lady he was set to marry. If I hadn’t managed to brush it off in time, our reputation as a loving couple might have been exposed on the spot."
Whose wife’s maternal cousin was about to marry, yet the wife hadn’t breathed a word of it to her husband?
Wei Rao was taken aback and set down her soup bowl.
It was her oversight. She had assumed that only women in the inner quarters would discuss her cousin’s marriage, and since men wouldn’t bother to inquire, she hadn’t informed Lu Zhuo. She never expected Han Liao to be such a gossip, going out of his way to cozy up to Lu Zhuo. That Han Liao, who was around the same age as Fourth Master, actually had the nerve to address Lu Zhuo as a brother.
Han Liao was annoying, but Lu Zhuo wasn’t much better. He could have just asked her directly who Han Liao was marrying—why did he have to take a jab at her?
If only Lu Zhuo had been a little more courteous to her, would she have been so reluctant to exchange even a single word with him?
"It’s my cousin from the Zhou family. I thought you wouldn’t be interested in such matters, so I didn’t mention it," Wei Rao replied casually before turning her attention to the delicious chicken soup.
She lowered her head, her long, curled lashes casting shadows downward. Her petal-like, delicate lips pressed against the white-glazed porcelain bowl as she took a small, gentle sip. When her full lips parted from the bowl, they appeared even more moist and enticing, glistening from the broth.
Lu Zhuo’s thoughts drifted inexplicably to Zhou Huizhen, whom he had once encountered by chance at Cloud Mist Mountain.
In truth, Zhou Huizhen and Wei Rao looked strikingly similar, almost like twin sisters. Both had phoenix eyes with upturned corners. Yet, anyone who had seen Wei Rao could easily tell them apart, for every feature of Wei Rao’s was imbued with an alluring charm. Her eyes seemed to seduce even when she was glaring, her lips appeared perpetually inviting, and her voice carried a sweetness tinged with a coquettishness that could send shivers through a man’s entire being.
Such beauty could indeed make her the most captivating woman in the capital, yet it also gave the impression that Wei Rao was no proper lady from a respectable family—far from a suitable candidate for a virtuous wife.
Lu Zhuo thought of his four younger cousins, each of whom had been utterly mesmerized by Wei Rao at some point.
When Wei Rao attended the palace banquet during the Dragon Boat Festival, she knew to apply makeup that made her appear dignified and gentle. Why, then, did she not do the same after marriage? Did she think her fox-like allure was so appealing that she had to enchant every man she met, as if proving her charm by bewitching them all?
His own cousins were restrained enough not to fall for her charms. Qi Zhongkai might have fancied her, but he valued brotherhood more and had even stopped visiting the Duke’s Manor frequently to avoid any suspicion. But what kind of man was Han Liao? His first proposal to the Zhou family was likely because he had caught sight of Zhou Huizhen flaunting herself at Cloud Mist Mountain. His second proposal, and the fact that he came to flaunt it in front of Lu Zhuo after it was accepted, clearly showed that Han Liao had been captivated by Wei Rao. Unable to have her, he settled for the next best thing, even risking another rejection from Shou An Jun to pursue Zhou Huizhen.
What’s more, since Zhou Huizhen bore such a strong resemblance to Wei Rao, it was possible that when Han Liao lay with Zhou Huizhen, his mind would be fantasizing about Wei Rao.
Lu Zhuo’s expression grew increasingly grim. Even if Wei Rao was only his wife in name, he couldn’t bear the thought of Han Liao defiling her in such a manner.
"Han Liao is a frivolous and lustful man. Does Shou An Jun truly believe that his second proposal is a sincere gesture to marry your cousin?" Lu Zhuo asked, looking directly at Wei Rao. If possible, he hoped Shou An Jun would reconsider her decision.Wei Rao glared at him and said, "My grandmother hasn’t lost her wits, but if my aunt and cousin are willing, what can she do?"
Lu Zhuo frowned. "Shou An Jun is the head of the family. As long as she refuses, your cousin cannot marry."
Wei Rao sneered, "You make it sound easy. My cousin is determined to marry Han Liao. If Grandmother opposes her, she’ll resent her for life. Rather than forcing her to obey, it’s better to let her run into a wall herself. Once she’s hurt, she’ll naturally regret it and understand Grandmother’s intentions. By then, she can return home after a divorce, with money and land, and still live well."
Lu Zhuo had never heard such absurd reasoning. Arguing across the dining table, he retorted, "A woman’s duty is to remain faithful to one man. If Shou An Jun steels her heart, she can arrange a suitable match for your cousin. Why must she let her own granddaughter run into a wall and face public scorn?"
Wei Rao laughed mockingly. "You are not a fish; how can you know the fish’s joy? My cousin believes Han Liao is the one for her now. Unless you find someone whose family status, appearance, and talent surpass Han Liao’s, she won’t be content with anyone else. Why drag an innocent man into a marriage with a resentful wife? Besides, the Zhou family has no rule demanding lifelong fidelity. If a man is despicable, why cling to him for life? To do so would be foolish."
Wei Rao was referring to the living—for instance, her aunt Big Zhou’s first marriage. Her hypocritical former uncle had frequently resorted to violence. Had her aunt not left, would she have waited to be beaten to death?
But Lu Zhuo, provoked by Wei Rao’s scornful gaze, felt she was mocking his mother, second aunt, and third aunt as foolish women!
Blood rushed to his head. Coldly, he demanded, "Then, did your mother return home because your father was despicable?"
Before he finished speaking, a half-bowl of warm chicken soup splashed into his face.
Lu Zhuo closed his eyes, letting the soup trickle down his cheeks.
Still furious, Wei Rao hurled the bowl in her hand straight at his forehead.
The teacup whistled through the air. Lu Zhuo could have dodged it, but upon hearing an unfamiliar sob, he remained motionless.
With a dull thud, the teacup was knocked aside and shattered on the floor.
Bright red blood gushed from Lu Zhuo’s forehead, bypassed his brow, and streamed downward.
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