Little Zhou still remembered how adorable Wei Rao looked at two or three years old with her short arms and legs. It seemed like just a blink of an eye, and her daughter had already blossomed into a graceful young woman, as lovely as a lotus bud shyly waiting to bloom—so delicate and tender. With her face flushed red, she allowed her mother to help undo her clothes.
"Already married, yet still so bashful," Little Zhou teased softly.
Wei Rao had grown accustomed to being attended by Bitao and Liuya over the years. Though the person before her was her mother, they hadn't seen each other for a long time. No matter how close she felt to her mother in her heart, being so exposed all at once made Wei Rao shy.
"Alright, hurry into the water," Little Zhou said, holding the clothes her daughter had taken off.
Wei Rao, like a small jade-white fish, swiftly leaped into the spacious bathtub.
Little Zhou set the clothes aside, picked up a tray holding various types of Flower Dew, and walked over to the bathtub. After making preparations, she began by washing her daughter's hair.
One end of the bathtub was specially designed for washing hair. Wei Rao moved over, leaned back gently, and her slender neck rested perfectly in the tub's elongated, smooth groove, allowing her to lie back comfortably with her face upturned.
Little Zhou sat on a chair, with a small round stool in front of her holding a basin for washing hair. Once Wei Rao was settled, Little Zhou gathered her daughter's fine, jet-black hair, scooped warm water with a ladle, and sprinkled it gradually over her hair. After the hair was completely wet, she ladled a scoop of Flower Dew for washing hair, applied it evenly, and then alternated between gently massaging her daughter's scalp and carefully washing her hair.
Wei Rao felt extremely comfortable. In this position, she could see her mother's eyes.
"Mother, have you been well at the detached palace?" Wei Rao asked quietly.
Little Zhou looked at her daughter and smiled. "Apart from missing you and your grandmother, everything has been fine. When the Emperor and his entourage aren't here, I'm the only noble in the palace. The Emperor has given instructions, so the palace servants don't dare neglect me or Yan Ge'er. As you've seen, the detached palace has mountains, water, and grasslands. Here, I have no restraints and live very happily—much more content than when I was in the imperial palace."
Wei Rao could see that the detached palace was indeed wonderful; she would be happy living there too.
"Mother, last year I saw the Empress Dowager. She seemed to be nearing her end," Wei Rao said in an even lower voice.
Little Zhou's eyes lit up. "So soon?"
Wei Rao knew then that she and her mother were hoping for the same thing. She chuckled softly, "Not exactly soon. I estimate she might live another two or three years. If the Emperor finds some miraculous elixir, she could live even longer."
Little Zhou replied, "There aren't that many miraculous elixirs. I've read historical records—many emperors in their old age sought immortality through alchemy, yet none truly achieved it. If emperors can't even extend their own lifespans, how much less so for others?"
Wei Rao exclaimed in surprise, "Mother, you read historical records?"
Little Zhou flicked her daughter's smooth forehead playfully. "What's so surprising about that? I loved reading books even when I was a young lady. I've read almost all the books in the Secluded Manor's collection."
Wei Rao didn't enjoy reading. Her grandmother's Secluded Manor did have a library, and Wei Rao had gone there a few times to look for storybooks, but finding little of interest, she never went back.
"There's nothing here for you to worry about, Rao Rao. Tell me, how has the heir been treating you?" Little Zhou was more eager to learn about her daughter and son-in-law's life.Wei Rao lowered her lashes slightly and said with a smile, "The heir is very good. Though my reputation in the capital isn’t the best, he doesn’t look down on me at all. I can be quick-tempered at times, yet he’s always accommodating. He even went so far as to request an imperial decree from the Emperor just to cheer me up. Old Madam, my mother-in-law, and my aunts are all very caring toward me, and Miss Lu is even learning swordplay from me."
Little Zhou listened attentively as she washed her daughter’s hair.
Even when she was still in the capital, she had heard of the prestige of the Duke of Yingguo’s Manor. During the Lantern Festival, when she met Emperor Yuanjia, the Emperor had praised Lu Zhuo effusively. Though Little Zhou had never witnessed Lu Zhuo’s heroic presence on the battlefield or his extraordinary skills during the Dragon Boat Race, she had seen the man himself—his dignified bearing and handsome appearance were a perfect match for her celestial-like daughter.
The only thing that worried Little Zhou slightly was that the men of the Duke of Yingguo’s Manor had sacrificed too much. She feared that one day, Lu Zhuo might also…
But accidents could happen to anyone, and overthinking would only lead to unnecessary anxiety. For now, Little Zhou was extremely satisfied with Lu Zhuo.
"Tell me more about how the heir treats you well, starting from your wedding day," Little Zhou said gently.
Wei Rao dared not meet her mother’s tender, expectant gaze. As for how Lu Zhuo treated her well, it wasn’t hard to fabricate—she could simply reverse the things he had actually done to her.
After the bath, Little Zhou fetched a brand-new set of young maiden’s clothing from the clothes rack.
Wei Rao looked at her mother in surprise.
Little Zhou smiled and said, "Sometimes when I miss you, I make clothes for you—for all seasons. I just didn’t know how tall you’ve grown. Try this on first and see if it fits."
Wei Rao’s eyes stung with emotion again. Little Zhou quickly helped her daughter into the clothes, trying to distract her.
Wei Rao was taller and more curvaceous than Little Zhou had expected. The lightweight, flowing skirt fit well enough, but the upper jacket was slightly tight around the chest, accentuating Wei Rao’s figure even more prominently. Still, it wasn’t indecent and could be worn in public.
"Mother, I brought a change of clothes. I’ll just wear what I brought," Wei Rao said, turning sideways to the mirror and growing increasingly uneasy.
Little Zhou chuckled, "Just wear this. It looks fine, and there’s no one else here anyway."
Lu Zhuo counted as "someone else," but Wei Rao, afraid her mother would grow suspicious, reluctantly gave in.
The mother and daughter chatted for a long time. Just as Wei Rao finished changing, the Fourth Prince, who had been napping, woke up and eagerly rushed over to see his sister.
The three-year-old Fourth Prince was no different from any ordinary boy his age. Having heard his mother speak countless times of his elder sister’s arrival, to him, it felt like gaining a close playmate. And since his sister was so beautiful, the Fourth Prince clung to Wei Rao’s hand, refusing to let go, and insisted on taking her to see his favorite spots in the temporary palace.
Little Zhou, accompanied by two palace maids and two eunuchs, followed her two children. Before leaving, she instructed Ying Gu to prepare a banquet at the Canglang Pavilion in the outer court that evening to entertain her son-in-law.
Ying Gu, sharing in her mistress’s joy, went to the outer court to see Lu Zhuo.
Lu Zhuo had been assigned to a courtyard in the temporary palace reserved for accompanying officials, far removed from the inner court. With few people in the palace, all he could hear indoors were the soft murmurs of a few palace maids and the cheerful chirping of birds.
He had woken early, bathed, changed clothes, and was now sitting in the hall, awaiting Li Guiren’s summons.Ying Gu arrived and said to him with a smile, "Young Master, Her Ladyship has taken the young mistress and His Highness to enjoy the gardens. Given the time constraints today, Her Ladyship can only host you at the Surging Waves Pavilion this evening. However, she mentioned that tomorrow she will take you and the young mistress on a proper tour of the palace, and the day after, she will make arrangements based on your and the young mistress's preferences. There are plenty of enjoyable spots here in the palace."
Lu Zhuo smiled and replied, "I thank Her Ladyship for her kindness."
This was Ying Gu's first time seeing someone like Lu Zhuo, and the more she looked at him, the more she felt that the young lady had married well. She called over a young eunuch and said to Lu Zhuo, "Young Master, you may stroll around the outer gardens first and slowly make your way to the Surging Waves Pavilion. Her Ladyship and the others should also be leisurely making their way over."
Lu Zhuo expressed his thanks once more.
Ying Gu, having completed her task, returned to report.
Lu Zhuo asked the young eunuch to guide him.
The palace was vast, and Lu Zhuo strolled leisurely for about two or three quarters of an hour before reaching the Surging Waves Pavilion, which was built by the lake. At dusk, the red sun had withdrawn its dazzling daytime brilliance, hanging in the sky like a bright red lantern. The gentle glow of the setting sun spread across the lake, shimmering on the water's surface. The distant mountains and nearby waters broadened one's heart and mind.
With the Emperor absent, this palace seemed to belong entirely to Li Guiren, who could arrange everything within it as she pleased.
Such authority was likely unmatched even by the Empress in the palace.
The sound of hoofbeats came from afar. Standing by the lakeside outside the Surging Waves Pavilion, Lu Zhuo saw a carriage leisurely approaching from the direction of the inner gardens. The carriage was draped with colorful, thin gauze on all sides, the curtains swaying gently in the breeze, occasionally revealing faint silhouettes inside. The distance was too great for Lu Zhuo to make out the occupants clearly, but he was certain that the Fourth Prince was among them.
Lu Zhuo walked forward a short distance to prepare to greet Li Guiren.
When they were close enough, Little Zhou in the carriage noticed Lu Zhuo's figure. Reflecting on it, she had been busy catching up with her daughter all day and had not yet met Lu Zhuo. The only time she had seen him was during the Lantern Festival, when she had secretly watched him from a boat. She had wanted to show herself then, but Emperor Yuanjia, concerned about his dignity, did not want his subject Lu Zhuo to know of his frivolous behavior and only allowed her to peek.
"I've kept the Young Master waiting for half a day. It was impolite of me," Little Zhou said, turning her head to her daughter.
Wei Rao snorted, "A son-in-law is half a son. Even if you didn't see him for half a day, or even if you never saw him, he wouldn't dare find fault with you."
Little Zhou tapped her daughter's nose and said, "You and your spoiled temper!"
"Mother, now that Sister has married Brother-in-law, will they have a baby?" the Fourth Prince, seated between them, suddenly asked.
Wei Rao's face instantly flushed bright red. What nonsense was this brother of hers spouting?
Little Zhou patted her son's head and said to Wei Rao with a laugh, "Don't talk nonsense."
The carriage came to a stop by the shore.
Wei Rao was the first to jump down.
The lake breeze gently brushed against her, causing her long skirt to sway. Her face had regained its usual fair and rosy complexion, and the golden sunset enveloped her, making her as beautiful as a celestial maiden who had suddenly descended to earth.
Lu Zhuo approached her and asked in a low, concerned voice, "Is my lady feeling better?"
Wei Rao, looking at her brother who had poked his head out, forced a smile and said, "I'm fine now."
Lu Zhuo nodded and stood side by side with her, smiling at the Fourth Prince, who was watching them.
The Fourth Prince was always delighted to see anyone who came from outside the palace, especially such a handsome brother-in-law. As soon as he saw his brother-in-law smile at him, he immediately ran over and called out "Brother-in-law!" in a clear, bright voice.Lu Zhuo's smile grew even more tender, but before he could say anything, he noticed a pair of embroidered shoes stepping onto the carriage shaft. Immediately, he dropped to both knees and said respectfully, "Your guilty son-in-law pays his respects to Your Ladyship."
Wei Rao was taken aback, initially puzzled by Lu Zhuo's sudden grand gesture toward her mother. But upon hearing him refer to himself as "guilty son-in-law," she understood.
Little Zhou hadn't expected her son-in-law to act this way either. After stepping down from the carriage and steadying herself, she quickly made a gesture to help him up and said, "Rise quickly, Young Master. Rao Rao has already told me everything. It's a trivial matter—if anyone's to blame, it's Rao Rao for her quick temper. How could you be at fault?" After speaking, Little Zhou shot her daughter a meaningful look, signaling Wei Rao to help Lu Zhuo up promptly.
Wei Rao sneered inwardly. Lu Zhuo had insulted both her father and mother—he owed her mother this kneel.
Her mother simply didn't know the truth. If she did, she probably wouldn't even agree to see Lu Zhuo.
Nevertheless, Wei Rao walked over, tugged at Lu Zhuo's sleeve, and feigned complaint, "Young Master, please rise. If you keep kneeling, Mother will scold me for being unreasonable."
Lu Zhuo gently brushed her hand aside, bowed his head to Li Guiren, and said, "Rao Rao saved my life, yet I repeatedly offended and angered her. I have realized my mistakes and beg Your Ladyship to punish me."
Little Zhou laughed. "Since you sincerely admit your fault, I shall punish you by demanding that you treat Rao Rao even better from now on and never make her angry again."
Lu Zhuo said with chagrin, "As her husband, it is my duty to treat Rao Rao well. Your Ladyship, please assign a different punishment."
Little Zhou thought for a moment and said, "Very well, a stricter one then. I've heard you excel in both literary and martial arts, so I sentence you to compose a poem extolling Rao Rao's beauty. How does that sound?"
Lu Zhuo glanced sideways, his gaze falling on Wei Rao's pink satin embroidered shoes.
"Composing a poem counts as a strict punishment? Mother is clearly biased toward him," Wei Rao grumbled, then ran into the Canglang Pavilion as if in a huff.
Little Zhou said to Lu Zhuo with a smile, "Once the poem is finished, recite it directly to Rao Rao. There's no need to report back to me."
Lu Zhuo had no choice but to reply, "Your guilty son-in-law accepts the command."
"Good, rise quickly," Little Zhou repeated her gesture of assistance.
Lu Zhuo stood up, keeping his eyes downcast and avoiding looking at the noble lady standing right before him.
Little Zhou nodded in satisfaction, then turned and headed toward the Canglang Pavilion.
Lu Zhuo followed silently.
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