On his first visit to Wei Rao, Wei Gōnggong brought the initial topographical map of the Princess Manor.
Within the capital, the closer one got to the imperial city, the less vacant land remained—it had long been occupied by mansions built by nobles and officials for generations. Of course, not every family could smoothly maintain official positions across generations. Some descendants proved incompetent, falling into such decline that they could no longer survive in the capital, leading them to sell their ancestral homes and relocate. Other officials, whether due to corruption or rebellion, had their positions stripped, properties confiscated, and were imprisoned. In such cases, their residences would be seized by the state.
When new officials deserving of recognition and reward emerged, the emperor would select a residence from the state treasury to bestow upon them.
With corrupt and treacherous officials appearing in every era, the emperor never worried about lacking properties to reward new nobles.
The mansion bestowed upon Wei Rao by Emperor Yuanjia was originally the residence of the late Princess Changle.
Wei Gōnggong briefly introduced Princess Changle to Wei Rao. In terms of seniority, Princess Changle was a grand-aunt of the previous emperor, dating back some generations. During her lifetime, she was deeply favored by her imperial father and lived with extreme willfulness and indulgence. Though married to a consort, she also kept male favorites, and despite public criticism, it never affected her in the slightest—she lived a joyful and carefree life until the end.
Princess Changle had two children, both of whom died young. Thus, after she and her consort passed away one after another, her mansion reverted to the state treasury.
Without an owner, Princess Changle’s mansion had long fallen into disrepair and required reconstruction. As for whether major or minor modifications were needed, it was naturally up to Wei Rao, the new mistress, to decide.
Wei Rao carefully examined the topographical map of the mansion: it followed a structure with residential quarters in the front and a large garden in the rear. The front alone contained seven large halls, along with several side courtyards and auxiliary rooms of varying sizes. The rear garden occupied an area comparable to the front courtyard, with water drawn from the Shun River to form a lake, and featured pavilions, towers, artificial hills, and rockeries—surprisingly, it was no less impressive than her maternal grandmother’s Secluded Manor.
It was worth noting that this was in the capital, where land was worth its weight in gold, and the scale was almost equivalent to that of a prince’s residence.
Indeed, Princess Changle’s mansion had originally been built to the same specifications as a prince’s residence. Now bestowed upon Wei Rao and converted into a Princess Manor, only the number of main gates was reduced by two, while the interior remained entirely unchanged.
Wei Rao made no alterations to the landscape, courtyards, or other areas requiring extensive labor. However, since Princess Changle had favored willow trees, nearly every courtyard in the mansion was planted with them. Wei Rao rearranged the floral and tree plantings throughout the estate to eliminate the monotony.
After over nine months of reconstruction, the Princess Manor was completely renewed. Following Wei Gōnggong’s advice, Wei Rao bid farewell to her uncle on the eighteenth day of the first lunar month and moved into the Princess Manor in a grand procession, accompanied by her maids and chests of belongings.
This relocation was even more magnificent than her Marriage to ward off misfortune to Lu Zhuo. Back then, the bridal sedan was preceded by Lu Zhuo’s young cousin carrying a large rooster. This time, as a princess moving residences, Wei Rao’s carriage was escorted by eight guards from the Princess Manor riding ahead and behind, along with palace maids and eunuchs bestowed by the emperor.
Sitting inside the carriage, Wei Rao could hear the discussions and envious murmurs of the common people on both sides.
What was the title of the British Duke’s daughter-in-law worth? She was now a princess. Except when in the presence of the emperor, empress, imperial consorts, princes, or princess consorts, everyone else—whether cabinet ministers or first-rank Imperial Order Ladies—had to bow to her. Moreover, as a specially enfeoffed princess of non-imperial blood by Emperor Yuanjia, even if Emperor Yuanjia passed away and a new emperor ascended the throne, unless Wei Rao committed an unforgivable crime, the new emperor would find it difficult to strip her of her princess title.A year ago, Wei Rao never imagined she would become a princess. Now that she held the title, neither Madam Marquis of Pingxi nor the Cheng'an Marquis's wife could openly insult or disrespect her anymore. Just thinking about Guo Shi's jealous yet forced-to-endure expression made Wei Rao laugh aloud. And the late Empress Dowager—what would she feel witnessing this from the heavens?
Wei Rao never considered herself unworthy of this princess title.
The late emperor owed debts to her maternal grandparents, while the Empress Dowager had been the chief instigator and even attempted twice to take her life. Since Emperor Yuanjia wished to make amends, Wei Rao dared to accept them!
The Princess Manor was entirely refurbished, though unfortunately, the season was wrong—early spring chill lingered, leaving flowers and trees still barren, not yet revived.
After touring her manor in a soft sedan chair for a day and receiving salutations from the manor's staff, Wei Rao submitted a petition to the palace the next day, requesting an audience to thank the emperor.
Emperor Yuanjia, burdened with myriad state affairs, did not grant immediate audiences to just anyone. He permitted Wei Rao to enter the palace three days later.
On the appointed day, Wei Rao donned the court robes bestowed upon her as a princess and set off with Wei Gōnggong.
The emperor handled political matters in the imperial study. Any officials summoned or qualified to report there had to wait quietly at the foot of the nine-tiered steps outside. Only when Emperor Yuanjia dispatched a eunuch to announce a name would that person enter.
When Wei Rao arrived, she found six or seven people already lined up ahead, standing in two rows without exception—all were ministers she didn't recognize.
Wei Gōnggong supported her left hand as they advanced, quietly explaining the procedure: she would hand her petition to a young blue-robed eunuch nearby, who would pass it to Chief Eunuch Kang in the study. Eunuch Kang would then place it on the emperor's desk. Normally, petitions were arranged by urgency, then by order of submission. However, exceptions occurred—if Eunuch Kang disliked someone or the emperor intentionally meant to slight them, their petition would be relegated to the bottom.
Wei Rao thought her gratitude petition would surely be last in line.
After handing the document to the blue-robed eunuch, she followed instructions and took the empty spot in the third row on the right.
The other five ministers present averaged around forty years old. Apart from the youngest, a civil official in his thirties who glanced her way twice, the others remained motionless—some frowning deeply, others meditating with closed eyes.
Soon, a purple-robed official emerged from inside, and Eunuch Kang invited the stern-looking gray-haired minister in.
Observing these officials curiously, Wei Rao suddenly felt that Emperor Yuanjia resembled a household matriarch—both began their days receiving stewards to manage affairs, though the emperor's concerns were grander, spanning the entire Central Plains and vigilance against border nations.
As one official exited, another from below would enter, occasionally joined by new arrivals queuing up.
Wei Rao stood for a full hour. Fortunately, the early spring weather was cool with warm sunlight, or she might have been drenched in sweat and utterly disheveled.
Finally, the last minister beside her entered. Once he emerged, it would be her turn, right?
Wei Rao anticipated eagerly.
Just then, footsteps sounded behind her.
Gritting her teeth, Wei Rao stole a glance as the newcomer approached the blue-robed eunuch.It was a figure in a crimson official's robe.
The color of that robe...
Just as a sense of familiarity began to surface in Wei Rao's heart, the man turned around—a face of unparalleled handsomeness, gentle and refined brows and eyes. Who else could it be but Lu Zhuo?
Wei Rao quickly lowered her gaze.
Lu Zhuo walked step by step toward her.
In his eyes, Wei Rao was dressed in her princess court attire—a set of vermillion gold-woven jacket and gauze skirt, adorned with a ceremonial cape. Against the backdrop of that golden-red ensemble, her jade-white neck appeared whiter than frost and snow. On her head, she wore a princess' phoenix crown inlaid with gems and pearls, layered with kingfisher feathers. Whether from standing too long or the crown being too heavy, her fair face bore a faint blush, like the finest rouge.
After more than a year apart, she seemed to have grown taller and even more beautiful.
"Lu Zhuo pays his respects to the Princess." He stopped three steps away and bowed to Wei Rao.
The faint smile at the corner of his lips made Wei Rao feel teased.
Given their past relationship, he clearly didn't need to acknowledge her.
Wei Rao turned her face away, ignoring him, instead feeling annoyed that Lu Zhuo had come at this moment. The officials must all have serious matters to attend to, and with Lu Zhuo's arrival, she would have to wait until he finished his audience with Emperor Yuanjia.
Unperturbed by her disregard, Lu Zhuo stood facing the imperial study and began conversing with her in a low voice: "It's been a year since we last met. How has the Princess been faring?"
Wei Rao pressed her red lips together. Having stood for so long, she was thirsty and didn't want to waste her breath talking to him.
Lu Zhuo continued on his own: "Last January, Fourth Madam safely gave birth to a son, nicknamed An'ge. In a few days, we'll be holding his first birthday banquet. I wonder if the Princess would grace us with her presence?"
Wei Rao's heart stirred. So much had happened over the past year that she had forgotten about Fourth Madam's pregnancy.
But what did Lu Zhuo mean by this? Their marriage had ended—it was over. Why would the Duke of Yingguo's Manor invite her to a banquet?
As if reading her thoughts, Lu Zhuo said: "Our separation was to fulfill your filial duties, not because of any rift between us. Now that your mourning period is over, maintaining ties with our household will help dispel those unfounded rumors among the public. Otherwise, it would only confirm to everyone that you were driven away."
Wei Rao laughed: "Those are old, stale matters. Even if idle people still like to gossip, what does it have to do with me? The day I dared to separate, I stopped caring about subsequent idle chatter."
Lu Zhuo glanced at her: "Inviting you to celebrate An'ge's first birthday is Old Madam and Fourth Madam's idea. The invitation will soon be delivered to the Princess Manor. I merely happened to see you first and wanted to inform you in advance. Whether you go or not is entirely up to you."
Wei Rao's heart softened. Old Madam had treated her very well, and she shared a bond with Fourth Madam's child that could not be spoken of to outsiders.
Just then, Eunuch Kang emerged with another official.
Wei Rao clenched her hands without much hope.
"Princess, His Majesty requests your presence," Eunuch Kang said, glancing at Lu Zhuo before smiling at Wei Rao.
Wei Rao's face instantly lit up with joy—finally, she didn't have to wait any longer!
The hem of her court robe was very long. Holding up the skirt with both hands, Wei Rao carefully ascended the steps.
Lu Zhuo stood gracefully below, watching her like a red phoenix dragging its brilliant tail feathers, cheerfully entering the imperial study.
Before stepping into the inner hall, Wei Rao reined in her excitement at finally finishing her wait.
"Your subject Wei Rao pays respects to Your Majesty."
Once inside, Wei Rao knelt on the ground, voicing words of gratitude as she performed three kneelings and nine prostrations to Emperor Yuanjia.
Emperor Yuanjia smiled and ordered Eunuch Kang to bring her a seat and serve tea."You've been waiting quite a while, Raorao. Had I known there would be so many people today, I would have arranged to see you another day." Emperor Yuanjia held a teacup and smiled at Wei Rao before taking a sip.
Wei Rao understood that if the emperor had chosen to see her before the officials who had political matters to report, it would have been inappropriate for both of them.
"Your Majesty has bestowed such generous rewards upon me. I am overjoyed in my heart, and I wouldn't mind standing here another day without feeling tired," Wei Rao replied playfully. At this moment, Emperor Yuanjia treated her more like a junior, so she didn't feel overly restrained—after all, that wasn't her nature to begin with.
Emperor Yuanjia nodded and asked Wei Rao if she had grown accustomed to living in the Princess Manor.
The Princess Manor was quite nice, but Wei Rao had a lingering doubt in her heart.
After drinking tea to moisten her throat, Wei Rao knelt down again and asked uneasily, "Your Majesty, I am truly delighted to have been granted the title of princess. However, given my tarnished reputation, I fear I might inadvertently do something that invites criticism. Your Majesty, I am not afraid of criticism myself, but I worry about tarnishing your esteemed name and failing to live up to your thoughtful intentions. Therefore, I beg Your Majesty to enlighten me on how to properly fulfill the role of the Filial and Benevolent Princess."
Wei Rao was afraid that Emperor Yuanjia would expect her to become a prim and proper young lady who strictly followed conventions.
Emperor Yuanjia laughed and motioned for Wei Rao to rise first.
Wei Rao stood up, her small hands clasping together nervously.
Emperor Yuanjia, tired of sitting, stood up with his hands behind his back and walked to the window of the imperial study, beckoning Wei Rao to join him.
Wei Rao stepped to the side, slightly behind Emperor Yuanjia.
The window of the imperial study was open. From here, one could see the nearby palaces, the distant capital city, and the boundless blue sky.
"Raorao, do you know why I granted you the title of princess?" Emperor Yuanjia asked suddenly, stretching his neck.
Wei Rao lowered her head and whispered, "Your Majesty pities me."
Emperor Yuanjia smiled and said, "It is out of pity, and also as compensation. Whatever the reason, I hope you can live peacefully and contentedly. If becoming a princess meant you had to suppress your true nature at every turn, making you live in gloom and unhappiness, wouldn't that be tantamount to me punishing you?"
Wei Rao's eyes lit up.
Emperor Yuanjia continued, "Your title is Filial and Benevolent. As long as you are filial to your elders and compassionate toward the suffering, joyful in doing good and generous in giving, you will live up to this title and not disappoint my thoughtful intentions. As for everything else, you may follow your heart's desires. As long as you do not break the law, I will tolerate all of it."
Having said this, Emperor Yuanjia turned slightly and looked at Wei Rao with a gentle gaze.
Wei Rao understood and knelt once more to express her gratitude!
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