As Lu Zhuo had predicted, the next day Wei Rao received an invitation from the Duke of Yingguo's Manor. It was handwritten by Fourth Madam, with subtle expressions of gratitude that perhaps only Wei Rao could fully comprehend.
The messenger was Di Cui, Fourth Madam's chief maid.
"Your Highness, Madam misses you dearly. She deeply regretted your absence at the young master's full moon celebration. "Madam specifically requested that you must attend the young master's Zhuazhou ceremony," Di Cui relayed faithfully, though she herself didn't understand why her mistress was so insistent on persuading the current Princess, who was once the young madam of the household.
Wei Rao recalled that Lantern Festival years ago when Fourth Madam had run crying into the bamboo grove after overhearing two young maids' gossip. Having yearned for a child for so long, Fourth Madam had finally been blessed with Ang'er after nine years of marriage. She must dote on the child immensely, and her gratitude for Wei Rao's matchmaking must be equally profound.
By attending, accepting Fourth Madam's gratitude, and offering her blessings to Ang'er, Wei Rao could help Fourth Madam achieve complete contentment.
"I am honored by Madam's kind invitation. I shall certainly attend the young master's Zhua Zhou ceremony," Wei Rao replied with a smile, closing the invitation.
Delighted, Di Cui returned to deliver the response.
Wei Rao then instructed Wei Gōnggong to arrange for jewelers to bring several sets of longevity locks for her to choose from as a gift for Ang'er.
Upon learning that the newly titled Filial and Benevolent Princess wished to purchase jewelry, the jewelry house immediately dispatched their most capable manager with their finest selection of longevity locks. Though Wei Rao's reputation among commoners was somewhat controversial, no one questioned her wealth. When she had hastily married previously, her dowry had stretched an entire street. Moreover, she had been able to take fifty thousand taels of silver from the Duke of Yingguo's Manor after the separation, not to mention having the support of her maternal uncle, the wealthiest man in Jincheng.
While some criticized Wei Rao's various unconventional behaviors, all those less wealthy than her envied her fortune. Now, having been specially ennobled as a Princess by Emperor Yuanjia, Wei Rao possessed not only wealth but also honor and a magnificent manor. Such imperial favor rivaled that bestowed upon princesses!
Yet the current dynasty had no princesses—the three princes were all young, and only Prince Duan had a consort, who had borne only sons. Thus, Wei Rao stood as the sole Princess in the capital!
Impressed by the jewelry house's sincerity, Wei Rao selected a gift for Ang'er. She then mounted her snow-white steed, dressed in women's riding attire with a veil, and departed from the Princess Manor.
Wei Gōnggong and Bitao rode alongside her, with four guards providing escort front and rear.
Commoners on the streets paused their work, craning their necks and standing on tiptoe to catch a glimpse of the approaching Filial and Benevolent Princess.
The Princess's white horse was pure snow without a single stray hair, gleaming brilliantly under the bright spring sunlight.
She wore magnificent crimson riding robes, the luxurious silk draping over the white horse's back, together radiating captivating splendor.
Behind her lightweight veil, her red lips and exquisite nose were faintly visible.
She possessed a pair of captivating phoenix eyes that seemed to carry infinite tenderness and grace wherever they glanced.
Under her guards' protection, the Princess headed toward the city gates.Until the princess's figure disappeared from sight, the commoners suddenly snapped back to reality. These very people had once mindlessly mocked the fourth daughter of the Wei family for being ostracized by the Duke of Yingguo's Manor and voluntarily seeking divorce. They had once eagerly speculated that the fourth daughter of the Wei family was hiding in her secluded chambers, heartbroken and too ashamed to show her face. Yet today, the fourth daughter of the Wei family, the Filial and Benevolent Princess, shone as brilliantly as a pearl, like a mythical luan bird descending to the mortal world, radiating dazzling splendor from head to toe.
Where was the destitution they spoke of?
If this was what they called destitution, then they pleaded with the heavens to let them become as "destitute" as the princess!
Once outside the city gates, Wei Rao let loose and galloped swiftly toward her maternal grandmother's Secluded Manor.
In the past, while the Empress Dowager was alive, both her grandmother and maternal grandmother had hoped for her to marry into a noble family for protection. They insisted she maintain a dignified appearance and refrain from riding horses in public view. Thus, Wei Rao had always taken a carriage to the Secluded Manor, meandering slowly for over an hour.
Now that the Empress Dowager was gone, Wei Rao no longer needed to seek refuge through marriage. Even Emperor Yuanjia had told her she could do as she pleased—what reservations did she have left?
After being confined to the inner chambers for over a year, Wei Rao reveled in the feeling of galloping freely once more. The chilly early spring wind did not make her feel cold; instead, it swept away the stagnation of the past year.
Sometimes racing, sometimes trotting—adjusting her pace according to the scenery—Wei Rao and her party arrived at the gates of the Secluded Manor in just half an hour.
Wei Rao herself was the living token granting free access to the Secluded Manor. Handing her steed to a servant, she dashed inside with a smile.
Shou An Jun had already received news of her granddaughter moving into the Princess Manor and guessed the young woman would visit soon. Hearing Wei Rao's excited cry of "Grandmother!" from outside, she wasn't the least bit surprised and smiled, signaling a maid to lift the curtain.
Wei Rao rushed in unimpeded. Seeing her maternal grandmother seated on the couch with that affectionate, doting gaze, she was reminded of another elderly woman.
Suddenly, Wei Rao burst into tears, throwing herself into Shou An Jun's arms with muffled sobs.
Startled, Shou An Jun patted her shoulder and asked, "What's wrong? Weren't you just overjoyed moments ago? Who has mistreated you?"
Wei Rao sniffled, "No one mistreated me. Seeing you made me think of Grandmother."
Understanding dawned on Shou An Jun. She stroked the young girl's—no, young woman's—head and said softly, "It's only natural to miss her. Your grandmother doted on you so—it'd be heartless not to think of her. But remember her suffering in those final months—an early release was a mercy for her. Now she's in the afterlife, enjoying fine food and drink, with your grandfather at her beck and call. She's probably living joyfully."
Wei Rao's shoulders shook. Wiping her tears, she looked up and retorted, "Grandmother would never order Grandfather around. She had the gentlest temper."
Shou An Jun tapped her nose playfully. "True, your grandmother had the gentlest temper. I'm the one with the fiery disposition."
With this lighthearted banter, Wei Rao's tears completely dried up.
Wei Rao recounted what Emperor Yuanjia had told her to her maternal grandmother.
Shou An Jun nodded. "I expected as much. Since the Emperor cares for your mother, he wouldn't let you suffer. He was constrained by the Empress Dowager before, but now he's compensating you in one go."
"But if the Emperor is compensating me, why hasn't he brought Mother back to the palace?" Wei Rao sounded puzzled.
Shou An Jun chuckled. "If the Emperor fetched your mother right after the Empress Dowager passed, what would the officials say? Just wait—it should happen this year."When Shou An Jun was unaware of her daughter's situation at the temporary palace, she truly couldn't grasp Emperor Yuanjia's intentions. However, after her granddaughter visited the palace and relayed the actual circumstances, Shou An Jun began to understand clearly.
"Then, after Mother returns to the palace, if I continue to act as I please outside, might I cause trouble for her?"
"How could that be? Everyone knows the way our three generations of women carry ourselves. If you suddenly start behaving 'properly,' those with ulterior motives would suspect you have hidden agendas. Besides, why trouble your little head with such thoughts? Just focus on taking care of yourself. As the Emperor said, as long as you don’t break the law, you’re free to do as you wish. Matters in the palace are your mother’s responsibility—does she need you to worry about her?"
After being scolded lightly, Wei Rao nuzzled her grandmother’s shoulder affectionately.
Shou An Jun laughed.
Wei Rao then brought up the first birthday banquet at the Duke of Yingguo’s manor.
Shou An Jun approved: "That’s just as well. The marriage to ward off misfortune ended in divorce, yet you continue to maintain ties afterward. This can be seen as fostering goodwill with the Duke of Yingguo’s household. Since it helps dispel those rumors, why not do it?"
Wei Rao whispered, "I’m doing it for Fourth Madam and Old Madam. I don’t care what others say."
Shou An Jun pinched her smooth cheek: "Of course, our Rao Rao acts with integrity and isn’t afraid of gossip."
Wei Rao chuckled and hugged the old lady’s waist: "Grandmother, my Princess Manor is ready. Why don’t you come live with me? The estate is so large—it feels too empty with just me there."
Shou An Jun: "I won’t go. No matter how fine your Princess Manor is, it can’t compare to my Secluded Manor. Your grandmother plans to retire here and won’t go anywhere. If you find your manor too empty, then find yourself a prince consort soon and have a few children—then it won’t feel empty anymore."
Wei Rao: "I don’t want that! I just got the manor and haven’t had enough time living there alone. I’m not in a hurry to bring someone else in."
Shou An Jun studied her granddaughter’s expression carefully and probed: "Do you really have no lingering feelings for Lu Zhuo?"
Wei Rao was astounded: "Why should I have any feelings for him?"
Shou An Jun said, "Setting aside his status, just his appearance…"
Wei Rao scoffed: "He may be handsome, but am I lacking? Why should he attract a crowd of young ladies vying to marry him, while I can’t attract a group of fine young men competing to be my prince consort?"
"Society’s expectations for a good husband and a good wife are different…"
"Then I simply won’t marry. Whoever believes I would make a good wife for him can come and compete for me. I’ll choose someone worthy from among them. If no one comes, I have wealth, a manor, and honor—why should I lower myself to marry a man who looks down on me or isn’t my equal?" Wei Rao declared in one breath.
Shou An Jun conceded defeat. This young girl’s way of thinking was exactly like hers in her youth. When she left the palace, though she was already middle-aged, there were still confident widowers who came seeking marriage, either for her wealth or her beauty. But Shou An Jun found none of them worthy, preferring to remain mistress of her Secluded Manor.
"You’re absolutely right. Rao Rao is still young and has plenty of time to take her pick. Your grandmother refuses to believe all the fine men in the capital are blind—that not a single one can see your worth."
The grandmother and granddaughter shared many intimate words, as if trying to make up for all the conversations they had missed over the past year.
However, they hadn’t spoken for long when Wei Rao’s aunt, Wang Shi, having heard the news, arrived.Shou An Jun gave Wei Rao a meaningful look and had a maid invite Wang Shi in.
"Aunt, it's been so long since we last met. How have you been?"
In high spirits, Wei Rao greeted Wang Shi with a warm smile.
Before arriving, Wang Shi had been imagining what Wei Rao—who had returned home after a divorce and remained secluded for a year—would look like. Would she appear haggard and thin? Or would she be here to weep and complain to the old lady? To her surprise, as soon as she entered, she saw Wei Rao, radiant as a peony. At eighteen, the young woman’s delicate features had fully blossomed, exuding such charm and allure that even Wang Shi felt her heart flutter at her beaming smile.
Wang Shi was so stunned by Wei Rao’s appearance that she didn’t even hear what Wei Rao had said.
In Wei Rao’s eyes, however, Wang Shi looked much older than the last time they had met.
The previous occasion was at Zhou Huizhen’s wedding, when Wang Shi, overjoyed at gaining a son-in-law like the Young Lord of the West Pavilion Marquis Estate, had seemed years younger, glowing with happiness. Yet, in just over a year, the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes had deepened noticeably.
Could it be that Zhou Huizhen was not faring well in the West Pavilion Marquis Estate?
Wei Rao had never believed that Zhou Huizhen would lead a comfortable life after marrying into the estate. Still, Zhou Huizhen had insisted on the match, and given her striking beauty, Wei Rao had assumed that Han Liao would dote on her for at least a couple of years.
Had Han Liao turned out to be even worse than she had anticipated?
Naturally, Wang Shi would not disclose her daughter’s hardships in front of Wei Rao. It was only after Wang Shi left that Shou An Jun shared a few details with Wei Rao.
When Zhou Huizhen married, Shou An Jun had specially sent Liu Momo as her companion. Liu Momo, having served in the palace, was well-versed in navigating both overt and covert schemes. Under her protection, Zhou Huizhen had managed to avoid major pitfalls at the hands of her mother-in-law, the Marquise of Xiting, and Han Liao’s legitimate and illegitimate children.
But Zhou Huizhen wanted more than mere survival—she craved Han Liao’s devotion, the kind of affection she had witnessed Lu Zhuo showering upon Wei Rao. She longed to be cherished and held dear.
Initially, Han Liao did indulge her for a couple of months. However, once the novelty wore off, his attentions were confined to the nighttime. When Zhou Huizhen asked him to speak up for her in front of her mother-in-law, he remained silent. When she demanded he discipline his disrespectful children, he turned a blind eye. And when she threw tantrums, he simply retreated to his concubine’s quarters.
In a fit of anger, Zhou Huizhen returned to her parental home.
Han Liao waited a full month before fetching her back. With a few sweet words and gentle coaxing, he easily persuaded her to return. Yet, once back at the West Pavilion Marquis Estate, her situation deteriorated further. When she cried or protested, Han Liao coldly declared that if she dared run home again, she need not return—he would not come for her.
Recalling the agonizing month of waiting, hope, disappointment, and anxiety, Zhou Huizhen dared not flee again.
Even her desire for a child to bolster her standing remained unfulfilled—over a year had passed, and she still had not conceived.
This was the source of Wang Shi’s worries.
All of this, Wei Rao had foreseen.
"Grandmother, when do you plan to persuade Cousin to leave the Han family?" Wei Rao was more concerned about this.
Shou An Jun replied, "My plans are irrelevant. It depends on her. She will return once she gives up hope."
Her granddaughter was stubborn. All Shou An Jun could do was arrange for Liu Momo to watch over her and set aside a portion of the family estate, waiting for her return.
"By the way, where is Huizhu?""The daughter of Village Chief Liu is about to get married. Before the wedding, she's hosting a banquet for her close girlfriends. Huizhu, being good friends with her, has gone to attend the feast."
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