Wei Rao spotted Lu Zhuo and noticed he was also watching her, motionless, with that familiar gentle yet insincere smile playing on his lips.
Having traveled together to Jincheng and not seen each other for a month since Lu Zhuo’s return from conscription, Wei Rao knew she ought to go down and greet him. However, the merchant was just reaching the most thrilling part of the story about the boatman saving the beauty. Wei Rao’s curiosity was piqued—she wanted to hear how the magistrate would rule the case: Would the beauty be granted to her wealthy, consumptive husband who had paid a hefty bride price, or to the young, robust boatman who couldn’t bear to see her married to the wrong man?
The merchant, skilled at building suspense, spoke leisurely, pausing occasionally to sip tea, utterly unhurried.
Wei Rao glanced back at the riverbank and saw that Lu Zhuo had tethered Flying Ink to a willow tree. He was seated at a long wooden table set up by the shore, conversing with a plainly dressed attendant—perhaps intending to dine at that establishment?
Wei Rao checked the shop’s sign: it was a eatery specializing in lamb skewers and mutton soup. The place looked deserted, both inside and out, suggesting the food might not be particularly appealing.
Wei Rao had a hunch that Lu Zhuo might be waiting for her, curious to know why his nominal wife had entered a tavern with three men.
Though she felt no guilt, Wei Rao didn’t want Lu Zhuo to misunderstand. Once the merchant finished his tale, she whispered a few words to her cousin Huo Jue, then hoarsely addressed the two merchants: “It seems an old friend I haven’t seen in years is on the bank. I’m eager to go down and catch up—please forgive my rudeness for leaving early.”
Both merchants smiled and assured her it was no trouble.
Wei Rao bid farewell to the three men and exited the private room. Zhao Song and Zhao Bai were waiting in the corridor.
She signaled for them to follow her downstairs.
The tavern they were in was quite renowned in Jincheng. As Wei Rao descended, staff were guiding new patrons upstairs, resulting in a bit of a delay as they navigated around each other. By the time she stepped out of the teahouse and looked across the river toward Lu Zhuo, she was taken aback: the previously empty lamb shop was now nearly full, especially the tables surrounding Lu Zhuo. They were occupied entirely by female patrons—middle-aged women in their thirties or forties, as well as young maidens around thirteen or fourteen.
All the women were staring at Lu Zhuo, who serenely sipped his tea, seemingly oblivious to the attention.
Wei Rao felt she was witnessing quite a spectacle.
Zhao Song, noticing the young mistress staring intently at the Young Lord, felt a jolt of alarm. Recalling the image of the Young Lord carrying a hedgehog and adorned with yellow flowers, he pushed aside his joy at the Young Lord’s return and hurriedly whispered in defense: “Young Mistress, our Young Lord is exceptionally handsome—it’s common for commoner women to stare when he goes out. But rest assured, the Young Lord is virtuous and keeps his distance from women. He has never spared them a second glance…”
Before he could finish singing his praises, Zhao Bai suddenly tugged at his sleeve.
Zhao Song turned, puzzled.
Zhao Bai discreetly pointed toward the Young Lord.
Zhao Song looked again and saw a young lady in a colorful dress, accompanied by her maid, had taken a seat opposite the Young Lord at his small table. She was smiling and speaking to him, and the Young Lord—whom he had just described as “never sparing a glance at others”—showed no sign of displeasure. In fact, he even pushed the plate of grilled skewers in front of him toward the colorful-dressed lady.
Zhao Song’s face flushed red. Had the Young Lord not noticed that the young mistress had come downstairs? Or was he deliberately trying to provoke her anger, as if carrying a hedgehog hadn’t been enough?
Zhao Song was filled with anxiety for the Young Lord, but in that moment, he was at a complete loss for what else to say.Zhao Bai suddenly said indignantly, "That young lady is truly thick-skinned. She must have said something the Young Lord couldn't refuse. Our Young Lord has the best temper and would never want to embarrass her in public!"
Zhao Song immediately viewed his younger brother in a new light. Yes, that must be it.
Wei Rao was amused by the Zhao brothers' eagerness to defend Lu Zhuo. What did it matter to her whether Lu Zhuo attracted admirers or not? She only felt it was proper etiquette to go downstairs and meet him, but now there were no empty seats beside Lu Zhuo, and he already had an enthusiastic beauty accompanying him. Wouldn't she be spoiling their enjoyment if she went over?
Returning to the tavern wasn't appropriate either. After some thought, Wei Rao said to Zhao Bai, "You go attend to the Young Lord. Zhao Song will accompany me back to the posthouse first."
Having said this, Wei Rao walked ahead.
Zhao Song shot Zhao Bai a meaningful glance and immediately followed.
Watching the Young Lady's retreating figure, Zhao Bai felt certain she must be very angry now!
Zhao Bai ran across the nearest stone bridge to the opposite bank, then rushed sweating to the front of the mutton shop. As he approached the Young Lord's location, he overheard the colorful-skirted young lady asking about the Young Lord's origins. The Young Lord gave a faint smile, glanced at him, and rose saying, "Please enjoy your meal, miss. I must take my leave."
Understanding the situation, Zhao Bai went to untie Flying Ink and caught up with the Young Lord who had already reached the street.
"My lord, didn't you see the Young Lady just now?" Zhao Bai asked anxiously.
Lu Zhuo glanced in the direction Wei Rao had left. "I saw her. Why was the Young Lady at the tavern?"
Zhao Bai then recounted how the Young Lady had coincidentally met her cousin Huo Jue.
Lu Zhuo: "Has the Young Lady been following Cousin Huo in business these past few days?"
Zhao Bai: "Yes, the Young Lady has been disguised as Cousin Huo's younger cousin. She rarely speaks, and when she does, she lowers her voice. No one has seen through her disguise yet."
Speaking of this, Zhao Bai genuinely admired the Young Lady. Though she was an enchantingly beautiful woman, she could disguise herself as a man flawlessly, carrying herself with natural grace without any of the coy shyness typical of boudoir ladies—only her height was somewhat lacking.
Lu Zhuo thought of the Wei Rao he had just seen. While her usual male attire was merely for convenience, today while accompanying Huo Jue in close dealings with merchants, she had not only applied a fake mustache and altered her lip shape but had also padded her chest flat inside her robe.
Nevertheless, Lu Zhuo still believed Wei Rao shouldn't accompany Huo Jue to such social engagements. Men at dining tables invariably made somewhat vulgar jokes—as a woman, she should avoid such situations rather than actively participate.
However, Lu Zhuo had also come to understand Wei Rao's temperament: she preferred activity to quiet, and dared to covertly disobey even the Old Madame's instructions. He could do nothing about it, let alone expect Zhao Song or Zhao Bai to persuade her to stay quietly at the posthouse.
"My lord, since you saw the Young Lady, why did you allow those women to sit beside you?" Zhao Bai asked, puzzled. "The Young Lady left her seat immediately upon seeing you to come meet you, yet you... I'm afraid you've deeply offended her this time."
What woman would be pleased to see her husband chatting and laughing with other women? Especially the Young Lady with her willful temper—first making the Young Lord plead three times at the Secluded Manor before she'd return to the residence, then punishing and teasing the Young Lord in front of the Yang siblings. Zhao Bai felt that this time, the Young Lord would surely pay a heavy price to appease her.
Lu Zhuo smiled. "The shopkeeper sets up tables for business. I can't very well prevent others from taking seats."Wei Rao was in no hurry to see him. From the moment she noticed him to when she left her seat and descended the stairs, at least two cups of tea's worth of time had passed. It was only because he stubbornly lingered by the shore that she reluctantly went down to meet him.
Zhao Bai lamented on his master's behalf: "Then why didn't you leave when they sat down?"
Upon hearing this, Lu Zhuo merely smiled.
At the posthouse, Wei Rao removed her fake beard and washed her face. While Bitao was combing her hair, a young maid from the courtyard announced that the Young Lord had returned.
Bitao instinctively quickened her pace.
Wei Rao, however, felt no urgency. She had met with someone and dined with them—Zhao Bai must have already reported everything to Lu Zhuo.
With a clear conscience, Wei Rao cared little about how Lu Zhuo viewed her, especially since he was merely her temporary husband.
After finishing her toilette, Wei Rao entered the hall and saw Lu Zhuo seated in the northern master's chair, sipping tea, with two young maids from the posthouse attending him.
Noticing Wei Rao, Lu Zhuo set down his teacup with a smile and walked toward her, like a long-absent husband finally reunited with his beloved wife.
Wei Rao responded with a faint smile and lowered gaze.
Bitao signaled with her eyes, leading the young maids out and thoughtfully closing the door behind them.
The moment the door shut, Lu Zhuo halted his steps.
He now stood just a pace away from Wei Rao, who caught a faint whiff of mutton—undoubtedly picked up by Lu Zhuo from that lamb shop. Covering her nose with a handkerchief, Wei Rao circled around him to another master's chair and asked lightly, "Has the Young Lord recruited enough soldiers?"
Lu Zhuo took a deep breath with his back to her. He hadn't noticed the odor earlier, but her disdain made him aware of the mutton scent clinging to him.
The food at that lamb shop was utterly unpalatable. Lu Zhuo had ordered grilled meat and a bowl of lamb soup. After one taste of the grilled meat, he couldn't bring himself to try the soup. Yet even that brief exposure had left him smelling of mutton—no wonder the place stood empty during the bustling lunch hour while other restaurants thrived.
"The recruitment is complete. Whether they are quality soldiers will be known in a month," Lu Zhuo replied as he untied his outer robe, revealing a thin layer of white underwear beneath.
Wei Rao frowned at the sight and averted her face.
Lu Zhuo tossed his outer robe onto an empty master's chair and glanced at Wei Rao. "I'm tired from half a day's travels. If you have anything to discuss, let's talk in the side room."
Without waiting for a response, he entered the adjoining chamber.
Wei Rao sat for a while before following. Lifting the curtain, she saw Lu Zhuo emerging from the inner room carrying his quilt.
Wei Rao remarked, "Cousin has come to Jincheng for business—Zhao Bai must have informed you?"
Lu Zhuo nodded. "Since your cousin has traveled far, I've sent Zhao Song to deliver an invitation. Tomorrow evening, we shall host a banquet in his honor."
Though her cousin was a merchant and Lu Zhuo the esteemed heir to the Duke of Yingguo—who wouldn't be criticized for neglecting such courtesies—his initiative to arrange the banquet showed respect both to Wei Rao and Huo Jue.
Wei Rao acknowledged his consideration: "Then we'll trouble the Young Lord with the expenses."
After setting down the quilt, Lu Zhuo sat in his chair wearing only his underwear and asked Wei Rao, "How fares your cousin's business?"
Wei Rao had no choice but to sit beside him, lowering her eyes as she answered, "The goods he brought have all been sold. Next, he plans to acquire a batch of furs."
Lu Zhuo tapped the armrest of his chair and smiled. "Will you be joining him?"
Wei Rao wanted to go, but she had promised her cousin that once Lu Zhuo returned to the city, she would no longer visit him."No, my cousin is very strict about propriety. I only managed to persuade him to bring me along by claiming boredom when you were away. Now that you're back, if I go again, he'll become suspicious." Wei Rao deliberately praised her cousin, though this was indeed the truth—she didn't want Lu Zhuo to misunderstand her cousin as someone who defied conventions.
Lu Zhuo chuckled. Her way of speaking was quite amusing—when Huo Jue restrained her, it was "strict about propriety," but when he restrained her, she wished she could sew his mouth shut.
"My apologies for returning too early and spoiling your entertainment," Lu Zhuo tilted his head, looking at Wei Rao with a guilty expression.
Yet in the word "entertainment," Wei Rao detected Lu Zhuo's sarcastic tone.
She replied indifferently, "Entertainment is too grand a word—just some mischief. Now that I've eaten and drunk my fill, I'll take my afternoon rest. You should rest early too, Young Master."
With that, Wei Rao entered the inner chamber, closing and bolting the door behind her.
Lu Zhuo gazed out the window, then finally smiled.
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