Compared to the sensation caused by the marriage to ward off misfortune, Wei Rao and Lu Zhuo's divorce agreement only stirred two small ripples—one at the Duke of Yingguo's Manor and the other at the Cheng'an Marquis's residence.
Before Cheng'an Marquis and his wife Guo Shi had even finished breakfast, the steward rushed in to report that the fourth young lady had returned, followed by several carriages!
Cheng'an Marquis, Guo Shi, and their son, Young Lord Wei Zizhan, who had hurried over upon hearing the news, all came out to see.
The carriages had already been brought into the Cheng'an Marquis's residence.
Wei Rao, dressed in white mourning clothes, stepped down from the carriage.
"Rao Rao, what is the meaning of this?" Cheng'an Marquis felt a surge of intense unease and strode over to his niece.
Wei Rao bowed to her uncle and then retrieved the divorce agreement written by Lu Zhuo from her sleeve, handing it to him.
The stated reason for the divorce was clearly written by Lu Zhuo, who also praised Wei Rao's filial devotion to the elderly lady. In short, he claimed he did not wish to divorce but respected Wei Rao's filial piety, reluctantly letting her return home out of consideration for her feelings.
However, to Cheng'an Marquis and Guo Shi, no matter how eloquently the reason was phrased, it only meant one thing: Wei Rao had truly divorced Lu Zhuo!
Seeing Wei Rao in mourning attire, Guo Shi inwardly cheered a thousand times! It was widely acknowledged throughout the capital that Wei Rao was unworthy of Lu Zhuo. When Wei Rao had married into the Lu Family to ward off misfortune, Guo Shi had been certain she wouldn't last long in the Duke of Yingguo's Manor. Now, just as she had predicted, Wei Rao had been kicked out! The excuse of mourning the elderly lady was surely just a cover—Wei Rao must have realized the Lu Family couldn't tolerate her and seized the opportunity after the lady's death to save face, rather than waiting to be formally divorced and humiliated.
Guo Shi was so overjoyed she could hardly wait to write to her younger daughter Wei Chan, who had accompanied her husband to a post in another region, and share the wonderful news!
Cheng'an Marquis, on the other hand, flushed with anger. He, too, believed his niece had been driven out by the Duke of Yingguo, but his heart ached for her, and he was furious that the Duke's Manor would insult their Wei Family so soon after the elderly lady's passing.
"Come, let's go confront them with your uncle!" Cheng'an Marquis grabbed Wei Rao's wrist, nearly bursting with rage. Wei Zizhan, Wei Rao's cousin, even sent for all the manor's guards to assemble.
Wei Rao's eyes stung slightly. No matter how Guo Shi and Wei Chan behaved, her uncle and cousin had never treated her as an outsider.
Wei Rao stopped the father and son, asking Cheng'an Marquis to step aside so she could explain the whole story privately, including the five-year Contract for their false marriage.
Cheng'an Marquis was too stunned to speak.
Wei Rao knelt before him and said calmly, "Uncle, Grandmother knew about the initial agreement. I kept the truth of my feigned affection with Young Lord Lu from her because I didn't want to upset her. Uncle, everyone in the Duke of Yingguo's Manor treated me well, but Young Lord and I were incompatible, so we divorced voluntarily. Uncle, I only wish to mourn for Grandmother. Whatever people say outside doesn't concern me. Please don't resent the Duke of Yingguo's Manor or worry about me anymore."
Looking at his kneeling niece—so understanding and broad-minded—Cheng'an Marquis wept in shame. "It's all my fault for being useless and letting you suffer so much injustice."
If he had been capable, if he could have elevated the Cheng'an Marquis's residence among the capital's nobility, who would have dared gossip about his niece? Even when Lu Zhuo lay unconscious, the Duke of Yingguo and his wife wouldn't have dared to ask the Wei Family to let their niece marry to ward off misfortune. How pitiful that his second brother had only this one child, and he, as the elder brother, had failed both his brother and his niece in his duty to protect her.His two daughters had secured good marriages, yet his niece...
The recently bereaved Cheng'an Marquis, who had just buried his mother, sat in his chair covering his face with his sleeve, once again weeping until his lap was soaked with tears.
Wei Rao knelt and shuffled over to him, sobbing quietly, "Uncle, please don't be like this. Rao'er is truly fine. I told you this precisely so you wouldn't worry. If you keep crying, Rao'er will go seek refuge with Grandmother and dare not remain in the main family any longer."
Cheng'an Marquis lifted his head, taking a long moment to suppress his tears before gently placing his large hand on Wei Rao's head. "Alright, alright, Uncle won't cry anymore. Rao'er should stay in the family home without a care in the world. Once Uncle completes the mourning period, I will certainly find you another good marriage."
Wei Rao didn't seek a good marriage—she only wished to observe the mourning period for her grandmother in peace and quiet.
"Uncle, I've only told you about this matter. Please don't inform Aunt or Elder Brother. The heir unwilling to consummate our marriage—if this gets out, it would always bring shame upon Rao'er. Let everyone think Rao'er was overly filial, purely requesting separation to observe mourning." Wei Rao spoke with her head lowered.
Cheng'an Marquis wiped his face with his sleeve. "Rao'er, rest assured. Uncle knows what to do. No matter how much your aunt probes, I will never tell her."
Wei Rao trusted her uncle.
All her dowry belongings were moved back to the rear courtyard of the Hall of Verdant Spring. Once everything was settled, Wei Rao ordered the courtyard gates closed. Apart from necessary comings and goings of servants, she would receive no visitors.
Guo Shi was eager to learn what her husband and Wei Rao had discussed in the study, but the moment she broached the subject, Cheng'an Marquis sternly rebuked her with a cold expression.
Guo Shi thought to herself that her husband probably didn't want to offend the Duke of Yingguo's Manor because of Wei Rao, yet couldn't say it aloud, hence his shameful anger.
When the Empress Dowager was buried in the imperial mausoleum and the three-month national mourning period ended, the capital finally returned to normal.
Interactions among noble families increased, and news of Wei Rao and Lu Zhuo's quiet separation before the New Year finally spread. Everyone who heard about it shared Guo Shi's view, believing Wei Rao could no longer endure life in the Duke of Yingguo's Manor and had seized this opportunity to request leaving, while the Duke of Yingguo's Manor had conveniently acquiesced.
Gradually, more rumors emerged claiming that the Fourth Miss of the Wei family had secluded herself in her grandmother's courtyard after returning home, never stepping beyond the inner gates, not even receiving Cheng'an Marquis's family. No one knew whether she was too ashamed to face others or had become heartbroken, henceforth adopting a vegetarian diet, chanting Buddhist sutras, and retreating from worldly affairs.
The nobility in the palace seemed to have heard these discussions as well. Soon, an imperial decree issued by Emperor Yuanjia arrived at Cheng'an Marquis's residence.
The first half of the decree stated that when the heir of the Duke of Yingguo's Manor, Lu Zhuo, was critically ill, the Fourth Daughter of the Wei family, with a benevolent heart, willingly entered into Marriage to ward off misfortune. After marrying, the Fourth Daughter of the Wei family respected and obeyed her husband's elders, cared meticulously for her husband, and was highly praised and loved by the entire Duke of Yingguo's Manor—all of which he had verified with the Duke of Yingguo, the Duchess of Yingguo, and Lu Zhuo.
The latter half of the decree separately praised Old Mrs. Wei's virtuous character and the profound bond between grandmother and granddaughter. It further stated that although Wei Rao had married the outstanding Lu Zhuo, whom all the young ladies in the city competed to wed, she was still willing to voluntarily return home to observe mourning for her grandmother. Her filial piety was comparable to Zhong You carrying rice over a hundred miles and Ding Lan carving wood to serve his parents!
Therefore, Emperor Yuanjia specially conferred upon the Fourth Daughter of the Wei family the title of Filial and Benevolent Princess and additionally bestowed upon her a Princess Manor to commend her utmost purity and filial devotion.
Once this decree was announced, the entire city was astir.
Some court officials attempted to oppose Emperor Yuanjia conferring the title of princess upon a non-imperial clan woman, arguing that Wei Rao's benevolence and filial piety fell far short of the praise lavished in the imperial decree.Emperor Yuanjia then questioned the Duke of Yingguo and Lu Zhuo, who were also present in the grand hall.
The Duke of Yingguo stated that if Wei Rao had not been willing to enter into a marriage to ward off misfortune for his grandson, his eldest son’s lineage might have been severed. Wei Rao was the epitome of benevolence!
Lu Zhuo explained that he and Wei Rao had been deeply devoted as husband and wife. However, Wei Rao, wishing to observe mourning for her grandmother and unwilling to hinder his prospects, had voluntarily requested to return to her family, demonstrating the utmost filial piety.
Thus, the grandfather and grandson silenced the opposing officials.
The common people remained skeptical, convinced that Emperor Yuanjia was showing favoritism toward Wei Rao by insisting on bestowing the title of princess, and that the Duke of Yingguo and Lu Zhuo had no choice but to comply.
As for why Emperor Yuanjia favored Wei Rao, it must surely be because of Li Guiren!
Speaking of Li Guiren, the common people had even more to discuss. When Li Guiren first entered the palace, the public had eagerly speculated about all sorts of romantic affairs between Emperor Yuanjia and her. At that time, Li Guiren was immensely favored—so much so that even the Empress Dowager could do nothing about it. It was only when the Empress Dowager fell ill that Emperor Yuanjia, out of filial devotion, reluctantly parted with his beloved and sent Li Guiren and the Fourth Prince to the remote West Mountain Imperial Palace.
Now that the Empress Dowager had passed away, Emperor Yuanjia would surely bring Li Guiren and her son back to the palace soon!
The common people spoke with certainty, but there was no movement in the palace.
The construction of the Princess Manor began, and the newly titled Filial and Benevolent Princess remained secluded in the Back Residence, with no one knowing what she was thinking.
The Duke of Yingguo’s Manor remained one of the capital’s most prestigious noble families. The Young Lord Lu Zhuo was single again, and matchmakers gradually began to visit, eager to marry their daughters into the Lu Family. Unfortunately, the Duchess of Yingguo declined every proposal, excusing herself by saying she was too old to concern herself with her grandson’s marriage and that the Young Lord should choose for himself.
When this news spread, someone—no one knew who first—thought of Sixth Miss Xie Hualou, and new rumors began to circulate on the streets. Sixth Miss Xie and Young Lord Lu were a match made in heaven. It was only because of the Grand Tutor’s passing that Sixth Miss Xie had been unable to marry him in the marriage to ward off misfortune. However, Young Lord Lu had always held Sixth Miss Xie in his heart and was waiting until the Xie Family’s initial mourning period ended to propose.
Eager commoners calculated and realized that Young Lord Lu would not have to wait much longer. By the following spring, when flowers bloomed, the Xie Family would complete their mourning period, and it would be the perfect time for Young Lord Lu to propose!
Gossip about the romantic entanglements of Wei Rao, Lu Zhuo, and Sixth Miss Xie never ceased. Sometimes the discussions were lively, other times only fragmented remarks were heard. When winter arrived once more, Emperor Yuanjia led the princes and imperial grandsons to the imperial mausoleum to pay respects to the Empress Dowager, who had passed away a year earlier. The Empress and the three consorts also attended. It was then that the commoners suddenly realized: Li Guiren was still residing in the imperial palace!
When the Empress Dowager first died, some had asserted that Emperor Yuanjia would bring Li Guiren and her son back to the capital. When the Fourth Miss of the Wei Family was enfeoffed as a princess, rumors of Li Guiren and her son’s imminent return to the palace grew even more rampant. Yet, as a full year passed, why had Emperor Yuanjia still not remembered Li Guiren? Had he truly forgotten her? Was the Fourth Miss of the Wei Family enfeoffed as a princess solely due to her filial piety?
Firecrackers sounded, heralding another new year.
On the first day of the new year, the chief eunuch of the Princess Manor, Wei Gōnggong, arrived to pay his New Year’s respects to the princess, bringing the latest version of the topographical map of the Princess Manor.
Wei Rao resided in the Hall of Verdant Spring. When Wei Gōnggong arrived, he first encountered Cheng'an Marquis and Guo Shi.
Wei Gōnggong politely bowed to Cheng'an Marquis and was then led directly to the Hall of Verdant Spring by a maid.
Guo Shi stared jealously at Wei Gōnggong’s retreating figure.She certainly held no jealousy toward a eunuch; her envy was directed at Wei Rao and Little Zhou. Among all the chaste widows in the world who upheld their vows, why did Emperor Yuanjia single out Wei Rao to bestow the title of Filial and Benevolent Princess? It was clearly for Little Zhou's sake! Outsiders had never witnessed Little Zhou's beauty, leading to all sorts of speculation, but ever since the imperial decree conferring the princess title was issued, Guo Shi knew Little Zhou would inevitably return!
Before Wei Rao was enfeoffed as a princess, she was a destitute woman whom everyone in the capital could mock. Yet she was clever, hiding away in the Hall of Verdant Spring and refusing to see anyone, leaving Guo Shi no opportunity to taunt her. Now that Wei Rao had become a princess, her status surpassed even that of Guo Shi, the wife of Cheng'an Marquis. Guo Shi could no longer voice her sarcasm, forcing all her pent-up grievances to rot inside her!
Cheng'an Marquis caught sight of Guo Shi's ugly expression and stormed off in disgust.
In the Hall of Verdant Spring, Wei Gōnggong met his new mistress—the Filial and Benevolent Princess—for the second time.
The princess should have ended her mourning period by the New Year, yet she still wore plain white robes. Her hair was thick and jet-black, gleaming like dark pearls, but adorned only with a single sandalwood hairpin. Such simplicity in her attire, yet the princess's face was the most breathtaking sight in the world—her brows like distant mountains, her eyes resembling spring water, and her lips crimson and alluring.
Wei Gōnggong had never seen the princess before, but when Emperor Yuanjia assigned him to assist her in managing the Princess Manor, he had guessed her significance in the emperor's heart.
During his first audience with the princess, Wei Gōnggong had been captivated by her beauty. Such a beauty deserved to be cherished, adored, and protected—those who spoke ill of her were merely consumed by jealousy!
"Your Highness, the manor has been fully restored. This is the newly drafted topographical map by the craftsmen. Please review it."
Wei Rao nodded.
Bitao stepped forward to hold up the map, presenting it before the princess.
Wei Rao gently unrolled it, revealing a residence where every mountain and stream had been constructed exactly according to her wishes.
"Your Highness, now that your mourning period has ended, you should move into the Princess Manor as soon as possible and enter the palace to express gratitude for the emperor's favor."
"Mm, are there any auspicious dates recently?"
Wei Gōnggong smiled. "This servant has checked—the eighteenth day of the first lunar month is ideal for relocation, most auspicious!"
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