The gossip circulating in the capital's streets was well known to Shou An Jun, yet she paid it no mind.
Having been the subject of public discussion for over thirty years, she had been indifferent even in her youthful and spirited days. Now in her old age, she cared even less. Her only slight concern was whether the Duke of Yingguo's household, after the Emperor's reprimand of Lu Zhuo, would redirect their displeasure toward her granddaughter, Wei Rao.
Shou An Jun summoned Wei Rao and relayed the gossip to her.
Wei Rao bowed her head in self-reproach: "It's all my fault for coming to the Secluded Manor and dragging you into this criticism."
Shou An Jun flicked her forehead: "Who wants to hear that? I'm telling you so you're aware. When you return, gauge the attitude of the Duchess of Yingguo." As long as the Duke's household didn't mind, no matter how vicious others' words were, they'd be nothing more than fleeting clouds to the grandmother and granddaughter—not even as substantial as flatulence, which at least could disgust them.
Wei Rao murmured an acknowledgment, then grew puzzled: "Why would the Emperor bother with our affairs? He doesn't seem like someone who still remembers my mother."
Only love for the house extends to the crow—if he cared for her, it would be because of her mother. But Emperor Yuanjia had long abandoned her mother and younger brother at the West Mountain Imperial Palace. During the Lantern Festival, he'd even found leisure to venture out and chase beauties—he might have forgotten her mother entirely. Why would he care about her?
Wei Rao couldn't make sense of it.
Shou An Jun had her own theory: "You and your mother combined couldn't compare to the Divine Martial Army in the Emperor's heart. Why would he reprimand the Young Lord over such a trivial matter? Put another way, even if the Emperor did scold the Young Lord, he wouldn't publicize it. The news was likely spread by someone else, deliberately trying to drive a wedge between you and the Duke of Yingguo's household."
Hearing this, Wei Rao immediately understood. Those daring enough to fabricate rumors about the Emperor could only be the Empress Dowager.
"Why is she so idle?" Wei Rao muttered under her breath.
Shou An Jun laughed: "Put you in her position, and you'd be just as bored."
Wei Rao simply felt grateful she didn't have to be a woman in the palace.
When the rest day arrived, Wei Rao had Bitao and Liuya pack her belongings in advance, waiting only for Lu Zhuo's third visit.
She had an agreement with Lu Zhuo and knew he would definitely come today. Wang Shi and her daughter, however, were unaware. Early in the morning, Zhou Huizhen and Wang Shi speculated whether Lu Zhuo would appear.
"It'd be better if he didn't come. Let her be willful and see how she handles the consequences," Zhou Huizhen said with a tinge of jealousy. What kind of man was Lu Zhuo? A celestial-like gentleman. Wei Rao had stumbled into incredible luck marrying him, yet she didn't know how to cherish it—throwing a fit over a trivial matter and running back to her maternal home. It was truly infuriating.
Wang Shi glared at her daughter: "Don't speak like that. Before marriage, you sisters could afford to bicker and compete like children. After marriage, you must support each other. If Rao Rao thrives in the Duke of Yingguo's household, you'll gain respect in the West Pavilion Marquis Estate too."
Zhou Huizhen snorted: "That depends on her doing well. Otherwise, she'll only drag me down."
Wang Shi glanced out the window and warned her daughter: "Remember Rao Rao's lesson well. After you marry, endure what you must and don't act on whims. Young Lord Han has been married before and keeps several beautiful concubines in his inner court. If you run home, he can simply retreat to his concubines' quarters—unlike Young Lord Lu, whose household forbids concubines, making him naturally anxious to bring Rao Rao back."
Zhou Huizhen dismissed this. With her beauty, how could she be compared to those common painted ladies?
As the sun climbed higher, the maid Wang Shi had sent out finally returned, cheerfully announcing that the Young Lord had come again to fetch the young mistress!
Wang Shi patted her chest in relief. This was the third time—surely Wei Rao would return now?Zhou Huizhen recalled Lu Zhuo's handsome face and felt intensely envious of Wei Rao.
In the Secluded Manor's reception hall, Shou An Jun invited Lu Zhuo to take a seat and inquired with concern, "I heard that because of Rao Rao's mischief, His Majesty reprimanded you, Young Lord?"
Lu Zhuo smiled and said, "That's not true. I don't know who spread such rumors, but please don't take them to heart, Old Madam."
How could Shou An Jun believe him just because he had a charming smile?
Lu Zhuo approached Shou An Jun and whispered something in her ear for a moment.
Shou An Jun's eyes lit up, and she looked at Lu Zhuo in disbelief.
Lu Zhuo said apologetically, "After much thought over the past few days, this is the only way I could slightly ease Rao Rao's anger. Fortunately, His Majesty was willing to grant my request."
Shou An Jun was deeply moved. "You are very thoughtful, Young Lord. Rao Rao is in the Swallow Garden. You may go find her yourself and share this good news."
Lu Zhuo bowed and took his leave, following a young maid to the Swallow Garden where Wei Rao resided.
After he left, Liu Momo curiously asked Shou An Jun, "Old Madam, what did the Young Lord tell you?"
Shou An Jun smiled and replied, "It's not something I can share, but it is good news."
Based on Lu Zhuo's words, she immediately confirmed two things.
First, His Majesty had not reprimanded Lu Zhuo, and neither Lu Zhuo nor the Duke of Yingguo's Manor held any grudge against her granddaughter.
Second, His Majesty had not forgotten her daughter and her young grandson.
In fact, another piece of good news was also beginning to surface, but Shou An Jun needed to observe further before she could draw a definite conclusion.
The Secluded Manor was vast, with numerous courtyards, but unfortunately, the Zhou family had few members, leaving most of the courtyards empty.
When Wei Rao reached the age to have her own residence, she came to stay at the Secluded Manor, and Shou An Jun allowed her to choose any courtyard she liked. Wei Rao picked the Swallow Garden, located next to the Spring Garden where her mother, Little Zhou, had lived before entering the palace.
In the Swallow Garden, there was a small, exquisite lotus pond with a tiny pavilion at its center. In early spring, there was no trace of lotus leaves, but a six-foot-wide stream of clear, flowing water circled the pavilion, murmuring softly. Dozens of small red carp, each about the size of a palm, frolicked in the water. When Wei Rao tossed some fish food into the pond, the little fish scrambled for it, creating a lively scene.
Wei Rao loved the Secluded Manor, loved her Swallow Garden, and loved this small lotus pond. With such a manor to call her own, she felt she could live happily without ever marrying.
The lotus pond was located behind the main residence. As soon as Lu Zhuo arrived, Bitao ran to inform her mistress.
Wei Rao had questions for Lu Zhuo and was in no hurry to leave. She asked Bitao to invite Lu Zhuo to join her by the pond.
A short while later, Lu Zhuo appeared on the corridor leading to the backyard.
Wei Rao glanced up. Today, Lu Zhuo wore a tea-white brocade robe embroidered with bamboo and crane patterns. The elegant color, paired with his jade-like handsome face, made him appear like the bright moon hanging high in the mid-autumn sky, outshining the stars, or like a crane soaring alone in the heavens, aloof and refined.
Such a Young Lord would earn praise from anyone who saw him. Wei Rao suspected that people were now criticizing her for being willful and mischievous, frequently burdening the esteemed Young Lord with trips between the capital and the Secluded Manor.
Withdrawing her gaze, Wei Rao lazily leaned against the railing and tossed another bit of fish food into the pond.
The little red carp swarmed toward it.
Wei Rao thought to herself, Lu Zhuo was like this fish food. If he were thrown among the daughters of noble families, they would surely scramble to throw themselves into his arms. She, however, did not scramble, and for that, she was questioned for failing to recognize true worth.In the corridor, as Lu Zhuo approached, his gaze immediately fell upon Wei Rao in the pavilion. The early spring scenery was dull and gray everywhere, yet she stood out in a crabapple-pink jacket, draped languidly over the "beauty's rest" bench. With one hand scattering fish food and the other resting on the back of the bench, her fair chin propped on the back of her hand, she gazed at the pond, revealing a long, snow-white nape.
The smooth silk jacket clung to her slender back, accentuating a striking waistline, while a crimson long skirt cascaded like a waterfall from her waist down to the ground, revealing only the tip of a pink satin embroidered shoe.
This Wei Rao resembled a dazzling and enchanting peony, waiting for someone to inhale her fragrance, waiting for someone to pluck her delicate branches.
Lu Zhuo lowered his gaze, instinctively feeling that her demeanor was improper—too seductive.
But then he reconsidered: this was her garden, with no outsiders besides her maids—why should she restrain herself?
Yet, now that he had arrived, wasn't she afraid of him seeing her in such an alluring state?
Or perhaps she was completely unaware of how she appeared.
Or perhaps she detested him so much that she didn't care what he thought of her.
Lost in thought, Lu Zhuo reached the stone steps outside the pavilion. From this angle, Wei Rao's slender waistline became even more pronounced.
Adhering to the principle of not gazing improperly, Lu Zhuo lowered his eyes and stepped into the pavilion. Seeing that Wei Rao showed no intention of acknowledging him, he chose a stone chair partially facing her and sat down.
Wei Rao finished scattering the last of the fish food, turned around holding the empty plate, and glanced at Lu Zhuo before asking, "Has our matter truly alarmed the Emperor?"
Lu Zhuo, facing the stone table, replied, "It alarmed the Empress Dowager. She intended to issue a decree reprimanding me, but the Emperor intervened. He summoned me and urged me to resolve this matter quickly."
The Empress Dowager even considered issuing a decree?
Wei Rao laughed in exasperation, "Those who don't know better would think the Empress Dowager dotes on me deeply."
Lu Zhuo glanced at her gorgeous skirt hem and said apologetically, "This matter arose because of me. I've already explained it to my mother and grandmother. They don't mind how outsiders gossip and only hope I can earn your forgiveness."
Recalling the Duchess of Yingguo's kind face and He Shi's hopeful eyes wishing for them to bear children soon, Wei Rao sighed and stood up. "Enough. I summoned you here only because of the rumor about the Emperor reprimanding you. Since it's merely a false report, I have nothing more to ask. Let's return now."
Lu Zhuo stopped her, saying, "There's one more matter I'd like to discuss with you."
Wei Rao looked at him, puzzled.
Lu Zhuo gestured for her to sit.
Wei Rao took a seat opposite him.
Lu Zhuo asked her, "Do you know of Jincheng?"
Wei Rao naturally knew. The dynasty had twenty prefectures, and Jincheng was the capital of Qingzhou in the northern regions. Such knowledge was part of the foundational education memorized by all young nobles and ladies from esteemed families.
Lu Zhuo actually doubted she wouldn't know even this? Wei Rao couldn't help but glare at him.
Lu Zhuo averted his gaze and explained, "The Divine Martial Army is recruiting new soldiers. I'm responsible for the Jincheng area and will set off in two days. The round trip may keep me away from the capital for about three months."
Wei Rao felt a surge of joy—finally, she wouldn't have to live under the same roof as Lu Zhuo. However, she showed no expression and said indifferently, "What does your trip to Jincheng have to do with me?" They weren't a real couple; she had no reason to care about Lu Zhuo's travels.
Lu Zhuo looked at her and said, "Jincheng is only half a day's ride at full gallop from the West Mountain Imperial Palace."
Wei Rao abruptly turned to him, her eyes shining like stars.Lu Zhuo was slightly unsettled by the brilliance in her gaze and said solemnly, "My harsh words wounded you. Since you haven't seen your mother for many years, I thought if I brought you to Jincheng and arranged a visit to the West Mountain Imperial Palace to see Li Guiren, you might forgive my earlier offense."
Wei Rao clenched the fabric of her skirt over her knees, her heart swaying between longing and suspicion. "But that's the Imperial Palace—outsiders cannot enter without permission. How could you possibly bring me in?"
Lu Zhuo had come prepared. He retrieved an object from his robe and placed it before Wei Rao.
It was a scroll of imperial decree in bright yellow. Unrolling it, Wei Rao confirmed it was indeed an edict permitting her and Lu Zhuo to visit her mother at the imperial palace. Though uncertain of the calligrapher, the imperial seal stamped at the corner was unmistakably genuine.
Her hands trembled slightly as she held the decree. She looked at Lu Zhuo and asked, "Did... did you request this from the Emperor?"
Lu Zhuo nodded. "Yes, and I must thank His Majesty for his grace."
Wei Rao gazed at the decree again, wanting to smile, but tears fell instead.
She had fallen into icy waters at age eleven during winter, remaining bedridden for over a year during her recovery. After moving to the Secluded Manor to train in martial arts under her master to rebuild her strength, she finally regained her health—only to have her mother sent to the West Mountain Imperial Palace by Emperor Yuanjia's decree after giving birth to a prince, following accusations by the Empress Dowager. Counting carefully, it had been four years and two months since she last saw her mother.
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