"Miss, is it truly impossible for you and the Young Lord to continue?"
As the sun gradually set in the west and the Young Lord had yet to return, Bitao entered from outside and saw her mistress once again arranging the set of shepherd boy wood carvings on the dressing table. Bitao sat down on a small stool nearby, her expression complicated as she asked.
Wei Rao placed the small vine whip into the hand of the girl figurine, then positioned the boy holding a basket, before glancing at Bitao: "It was fake from the start. How long did you expect us to last?"
Bitao pouted: "It just feels like such a loss for you, Miss. You went through the Marriage to ward off misfortune and gained nothing. I always hoped that if you spent more time with the Young Lord, he might genuinely come to care for you. Then you wouldn't need to separate, and could remain the rightful Young Lady of the house. No one would dare gossip about you then."
Wei Rao smiled faintly.
Who hadn't dreamed of such an outcome? But from the very first look Lu Zhuo gave her after waking to discover she was his bride, Wei Rao knew that the most advantageous path for her had been sealed off by him. Later, as Lu Zhuo's humiliations piled up, Wei Rao completely abandoned any hope of becoming true husband and wife with him.
Each time Lu Zhuo insulted her, Wei Rao's desire for separation grew stronger. Previously she'd always weighed the pros and cons, enduring his cold stares and sharper words, but this time, she refused to compromise any longer.
"Just as crops sometimes fail and businesses sometimes lose money, who can guarantee smooth sailing forever? All I've lost is some reputation, but I still get to keep the fifty thousand taels betrothal gift. When you balance it out, I've actually come out ahead," Wei Rao comforted Bitao. After all, her reputation was already tarnished - a little more damage hardly mattered. What Wei Rao truly wanted was the freedom to choose whom she associated with, keeping only those who appreciated her company. As for those who despised her - while she couldn't change their opinions, she could at least avoid them proactively, sparing herself the irritation of their presence.
Bitao wasn't as philosophical, mainly because many things still puzzled her: "If the Young Lord truly doesn't care for you at all, why was he willing to bring you to Jin City?"
Wei Rao explained: "Because he offended me previously. Bringing me to Jin City to enjoy the scenery was his way of making amends."
Bitao: "Then during the journey, why did he follow you everywhere you went?"
Wei Rao: "He feared I might get lost and wouldn't be able to explain it to Grandmother and Lady Dowager."
Bitao: "...But you've argued so bitterly now, and even agreed to separate. Why is the Young Lord still insisting on hosting Cousin tonight? Last night he was so angry he went to the front courtyard without even wearing his outer robe. Someone of his status could easily cancel tonight's banquet with any excuse."
Wei Rao paused, speculating: "The invitation to Cousin came from him. Perhaps he doesn't want to break his word."
Bitao: "Then when you see Cousin tonight, how will you act? If you don't maintain the pretense, Cousin will worry himself sick. But if you do pretend, is the Young Lord still willing to play along?"
Wei Rao truly didn't know what Lu Zhuo's attitude would be.
She neither wanted her cousin to worry about her, nor did she want him interrogating her about what had transpired between her and Lu Zhuo. She could well imagine how many questions would arise if the truth came out.
"Young Lady, the Young Lord has returned. He requests your presence once you've finished dressing."
The voice of the posthouse maid carried in from outside. Wei Rao smiled and told Bitao not to worry before heading out herself.Lu Zhuo stood in the courtyard, dressed in a lake-blue brocade robe. He was speaking with Zhao Song, his expression cool and detached. Upon noticing Wei Rao, he merely cast her a brief glance before averting his gaze.
When Wei Rao approached, Lu Zhuo addressed her with distant politeness: "Let us depart."
Wei Rao stopped him, saying, "Since the heir is occupied with military affairs and my cousin is no distinguished guest, there is no need for you to trouble yourself with social niceties. You may retire early."
She could go alone and simply explain that urgent matters at the barracks had detained him—a plausible excuse.
With his back to her, Lu Zhuo replied coldly, "Rest assured, Miss, I am not one to break my word. I understand basic decorum."
If he insisted on playing the gentleman, what more could she say?
Exiting the post house, they boarded the carriage one after another.
The restaurant was the same riverside establishment where her cousin had previously entertained two wealthy merchants. The journey was short, and the carriage arrived swiftly. However, it was the pleasant month of April, and the streets were bustling with pedestrians. The carriage had to stop in an alley, requiring them to walk the remaining distance.
Lu Zhuo had kept his eyes closed in meditation during the ride. Upon alighting, his face resumed its usual gentle refinement.
Wei Rao truly admired his self-possession—how he could maintain such an aloof demeanor yet smile as if unbothered despite inner resistance.
Since Lu Zhuo was smiling for her cousin’s sake, Wei Rao naturally smiled as well, though her veil concealed it from view.
The river breeze was refreshing, yet noticeably cooler than in daylight.
Wei Rao wore a willow-green beizi over a white underskirt embroidered with crabapple blossoms. As the wind swept by, the snowy hem fluttered in Lu Zhuo’s peripheral vision like a white butterfly poised to take flight. The breeze also caressed her veil, pressing the gauze against her face to outline her elegant nose and full lips.
So beautiful, the legitimate daughter of Cheng'an Marquis—she could have been celebrated as the capital’s foremost beauty and talent. Yet she chose to follow in the footsteps of Shou An Jun and Li Guiren, defying conventions and tarnishing her reputation with each scandal. Her grandmother doted on her; were she aware of Wei Rao’s recent actions, she might grant the requested separation—perhaps with disappointment, perhaps with regret.
But incompatibility was incompatibility. Her spirit was too untamed for the Duke of Yingguo’s Manor to contain, and she had never intended to stay. Had she wished to, she would have restrained herself.
Upon reaching the restaurant, Wei Rao looked up to see her cousin smiling down at them from a window.
Her eyes curved with delight—the familiar face of a loved one lifted her spirits.
Lu Zhuo followed silently behind as they ascended to the second floor.
Huo Jue’s attendant stood guard outside the private room. Spotting them, he respectfully opened the door, closing it again after they entered.
"How long have you been waiting, Cousin?" Wei Rao removed her veil and asked with a smile.
Huo Jue grinned, "I’ve only just arrived. That the heir, despite his military duties, could spare time to meet me is an utmost honor."
He bowed to Lu Zhuo, who smilingly sidestepped the gesture: "We are family, Cousin. There’s no need for formalities."
The three took their seats. After ordering dishes, they engaged in casual conversation.
Lu Zhuo was adept at maintaining appearances, and Huo Jue proved equally suave in social settings. They chatted effortlessly about commerce and military conscription, leaving Wei Rao with no opening to speak—she was reduced to a mere listener."By the way, a few days ago when the heir was away recruiting soldiers, Raorao felt lonely and bored. She begged me to take her out for a stroll, and I agreed out of momentary soft-heartedness. However, I have sternly warned Raorao not to do such things unbecoming of her status as the heir's wife again. Raorao has already promised me, but the heir should still keep a close eye on her and not indulge her whims anymore."
Huo Jue filled a cup with wine and said to Lu Zhuo, "As her elder brother, I also indulged her once. I should punish myself with three cups."
Although Lu Zhuo tried to stop him, Huo Jue still drank three large cups in succession.
"Cousin, you're being too formal. I naturally know Raorao's temperament. I feel assured with you watching over her." Lu Zhuo poured himself a cup and toasted Huo Jue.
Wei Rao simply kept her head down and focused on eating, listening to the two men go back and forth.
Huo Jue suddenly laughed, looking at Wei Rao. "Although I sometimes want to restrain Raorao, as her elder brother who rarely sees her, I'm afraid of saying something too harsh that might make her cry. However, when we meet again next year, I won't have to worry. I don't dare to scold Raorao too much—her future cousin-in-law will take care of that for me."
Wei Rao, who had been nibbling on sweet and sour pork ribs, dropped her rib in surprise and looked up. "Cousin, you're engaged?"
Huo Jue smiled and nodded.
Wei Rao immediately fired off a series of questions: how far along the engagement process was, which family the future cousin-in-law was from, and so on.
Huo Jue answered each question patiently. When mentioning his fiancée, his gaze softened, clearly very satisfied with her.
Though Wei Rao herself had lost interest in marriage, she was genuinely happy that her cousin had found someone he loved.
Lu Zhuo observed her delight and Huo Jue's candidness. When he drank again, the spicy wine seemed to have lost its flavor.
Back in the capital, he had suspected the relationship between Wei Rao and her cousin Huo Jue.
Coming to Jincheng and hearing that Wei Rao and Huo Jue had been inseparable for days, that suspicion resurfaced.
But now, the cousins were happily discussing Huo Jue's marriage, and Wei Rao was so genuinely happy for him—where was any trace of romantic affection?
After the banquet ended, the three walked out of the restaurant one after another.
Huo Jue's carriage was parked in another direction, so they were about to part ways. Huo Jue first said to Lu Zhuo, "Heir, although Raorao is young, she has already experienced life and death. If she hadn't practiced martial arts, she might have died or been confined to a sickbed. But because of her training, her temperament is quite different from that of ordinary young ladies. I ask that you bear with her, considering her pure and kind nature."
"Who asked you to nag about these things?" Wei Rao pushed Huo Jue as if annoyed and embarrassed, then turned and ran to the riverside.
Lu Zhuo watched her retreating figure.
Huo Jue smiled and said quietly, "Grandmother said Raorao responds better to kindness than force. The more outsiders criticize her, the less she cares, and the more she does the opposite. But if someone treats her well, she'll repay them with all her heart. Don't be fooled by her seeming annoyance at my meddling—she's probably crying secretly because her brother cares for her."
Lu Zhuo looked at Huo Jue but didn't know what to say.
Huo Jue cupped his hands toward him. "It's getting late, I must take my leave."
With that, Huo Jue turned with a smile and disappeared into the crowd with his attendant.
When Lu Zhuo looked toward Wei Rao again, she was no longer by the river. Frowning, he scanned the area and found her—she had somehow run to a nearby pancake stall and was buying pancakes from the vendor.
The river breeze lifted her veil, revealing a flower-like, delicate profile.That was a face easily criticized as that of a seductress, yet at this moment, Lu Zhuo was reminded of the hedgehog she had once hunted in the mountains.
No one provoked the hedgehog—it leisurely foraged and played. But once an enemy approached, it would curl into a ball, hiding its softest parts and revealing a back full of sharp spines.
Huo Jue gave her care and compassion, so she responded with gentleness.
He, on the other hand, had repeatedly offended Wei Rao, and thus, all she returned to him were thorns.
"Master, earlier when Madam discussed with you about proposing marriage to the Song family, didn’t you refuse?"
On the other side, Huo Jue’s attendant, recalling the conversation he had overheard outside the private room, asked in confusion.
Huo Jue smiled and said, "At the time, I hadn’t thought it through carefully. Now I believe Miss Song is quite suitable. I will entrust a matchmaker to propose upon our return."
The attendant replied, "Madam will surely be overjoyed."
Huo Jue smiled without another word.
Once, his mother had hoped he would marry his cousin from the Zhou family, but both he and his maternal grandmother felt it was inappropriate. After returning to Taiyuan, his mother began arranging introductions to local young ladies, and among them, she was most satisfied with Miss Song.
Miss Song was indeed a fine match, and he would treat her well.
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