As the spring breeze grew warmer, the winter jasmine and plum blossoms in the Princess Manor were the first to bloom.
At the center of the manor's garden lay a lake, with a small island built in its midst. Wei Rao had previously ordered the gardeners to plant winter jasmine along one shore of the lake and around the island. Now, the tender yellow blossoms had opened like two bright ribbons, complementing each other beautifully.
Wei Rao had invited Zhou Huizhen and Zhou Huizhu to the Princess Manor as guests. The three cousins sat in a small boat, sipping tea while admiring the scenery on the lake.
"Sister Rao, this residence is truly wonderful. I feel like abandoning Mother and Grandmother to come live with you," Zhou Huizhu said enviously, resting her chin in her hands.
Wei Rao laughed. "Come then, I could use some company."
Among the three cousins, Zhou Huizhen was the only one with her hair styled in a married woman's bun. She sat a little farther away, watching Wei Rao and Zhou Huizhu leaning against each other carefreely. As she glanced around the magnificent Princess Manor, Zhou Huizhen felt both the comfort and leisure of the moment and an overwhelming envy for Wei Rao. However, perhaps because being with Wei Rao made her feel somewhat relieved, she found herself free of jealousy.
She had once thought that marrying into a prestigious family would bring her everything she dreamed of. But after actually marrying Han Liao, Zhou Huizhen realized that her grandmother might have been right—life in a wealthy, influential household was not as simple as she had imagined.
"Sister, why do you look so down? Has Brother-in-law been mistreating you again?"
Noticing Zhou Huizhen's sorrowful expression, Zhou Huizhu worriedly moved back to sit beside her.
Wei Rao also sat down on Zhou Huizhen's other side but did not speak immediately. After all, she had previously tried to dissuade Zhou Huizhen, just like her grandmother had. If she spoke rashly now, it might make Zhou Huizhen defensive, misunderstanding her intentions as gloating or criticizing her further.
"He hasn't mistreated me. He's usually out early and back late, hardly ever at home," Zhou Huizhen clarified on Han Liao's behalf.
In Zhou Huizhen's heart, Han Liao was not particularly attentive to her, but he wasn't terrible either. Aside from refusing to side with her in front of her mother-in-law or his legitimate daughter, and aside from being unwilling to severely punish any concubine who offended her, Han Liao had never truly mistreated her. Moreover, at night, Han Liao was very gentle, always making her feel ecstatic. Whenever she recalled those moments of tenderness, the minor grievances of the day seemed insignificant.
But when it was Han Liao's turn to visit other concubines' rooms, and she lay alone in bed unable to sleep, thinking of him being just as gentle with others, Zhou Huizhen felt a sour ache in her heart.
These past few days, she had been menstruating, and Han Liao had been staying with others the entire time.
This was the reason for Zhou Huizhen's sadness.
But since her younger sister was not yet married, Zhou Huizhen could not tell her.
Once they reached the island and Zhou Huizhu went to admire the plum blossoms, Zhou Huizhen quietly confided her troubles to Wei Rao.
She desperately needed to talk to someone. Liu Momo would only tell her that Han Liao was inherently lustful and that he would neglect her even more as she grew older. Zhou Huizhen wanted to hear a different perspective.
"Rao Rao, how did you used to get along with Lu Zhuo? How did you capture and hold his heart?" Zhou Huizhen hoped Wei Rao could teach her. Since she and Wei Rao were similarly beautiful, and Wei Rao had managed to make Lu Zhuo beg her to remarry him, there must be some clever tricks to controlling a husband.
Han Liao was nothing but a middle-aged lecher. Wei Rao would rather her cousin give up on him and leave Han Liao sooner—how could she possibly offer advice? Besides, she had no tricks to share because she had never truly captured Lu Zhuo's heart in the first place.Looking at Zhou Huizhen’s eager and inquisitive eyes, Wei Rao sighed and said, “It’s not that I don’t want to help you, cousin, but Lu Zhuo and Han Liao are simply not the same kind of men. Lu Zhuo is young and has never slept with a woman before. Suddenly marrying a beauty like me, of course he cherishes me. As for Han Liao, I suspect he’s been bedding maids and concubines since his youth. After twenty years, what kind of beauty hasn’t he seen? What kind of temperament hasn’t he encountered—naive, clever, gentle, or fiery-tempered… His back residence is like a garden. No matter how beautiful you are, cousin, it’s hard to hold his attention for long.”
Upon hearing this, Zhou Huizhen’s worries only deepened.
Wei Rao leaned closer to Zhou Huizhen’s ear and whispered, “Cousin, with your beauty, if you were to remarry a decent young man, I guarantee you could enchant him completely, making him obey your every word.”
Zhou Huizhen’s ears flushed with heat, and she glared at Wei Rao. “What nonsense are you talking? I have no intention of remarrying.”
Wei Rao didn’t press further, merely sighing, “What a pity, then. A prestigious family like the West Pavilion Marquis Estate would never let you go out so easily. From now on, I’ll only be able to visit Huizhu often.”
Zhou Huizhen bit her lip and retorted, “Do you not plan to remarry either? Can you guarantee that your next husband’s family will indulge you in running around everywhere?”
Wei Rao laughed. “Before I marry, I’ll definitely test the attitude of the man’s family. If they can’t accept me, I won’t marry. Cousin, look at me—I live in such a fine manor, with gold and silver at my disposal. By all accounts, others should be the ones begging for my hand. Why should I lower myself to accommodate someone else?”
Zhou Huizhen had no rebuttal. After a moment, she replied, “You’re the only one with such good fortune in this world. Not every girl can be granted the title of princess.”
Wei Rao said, “Even without the title of princess, what matters is having property and silver of your own. With these, you can be your own master.”
Zhou Huizhen argued, “What if your husband’s family is more powerful and influential than you?”
Wei Rao replied, “Then I’ll find a husband who is inferior to me and wouldn’t dare to disrespect me.”
Zhou Huizhen said, “Marrying up is what brings glory. Marrying down only invites ridicule.”
Wei Rao countered, “Some glory is only superficial, while the reality is bitter. Others may be mocked outside, but at home, they reign supreme and live in comfort.”
Zhou Huizhen suddenly realized that Wei Rao was implying that her life in the Han family was unsatisfactory.
Humiliated and enraged, Zhou Huizhen stormed off in anger.
Seeing this, Zhou Huizhu wanted to chase after her sister, but Wei Rao held her back, gazing with mixed emotions at her cousin’s retreating figure. “She can’t handle a few honest words, but the truth is right in front of her. Sooner or later, she’ll come to understand. Indulging and flattering her endlessly would only harm her.”
After Zhou Huizhen left, Han Liao returned from the military camp and eagerly headed to the Princess Manor.
The guards stopped him at the gate and sent someone inside to announce his arrival.
Han Liao was restless with anticipation. He had seen Wei Rao’s beauty and heard of her willful and unruly nature. Such a temperament suited his tastes perfectly—Zhou Huizhen’s submissive and obedient demeanor, in contrast, held no appeal for him. Lu Zhuo was too young to tame a vixen like Wei Rao; it would take someone like him to do it.
The thought of seeing Wei Rao soon made his chest burn with growing heat.
But to his utter surprise, Zhou Huizhen had not waited for him to pick her up and had already returned home.
“The lady of the estate has already returned. The princess says it’s late and will not entertain you, sir,” the messenger eunuch said politely.
Han Liao smiled and took his leave, but the moment he mounted his horse, his face darkened."Why did you come back before I could pick you up?" Upon returning to the Marquis Manor, Han Liao scolded Zhou Huizhen as soon as he saw her, failing to notice her red-rimmed eyes.
Zhou Huizhen felt even more aggrieved. If Han Liao had treated her well enough, would she have been mocked and ridiculed by her cousin?
"What does it matter whether you pick me up or not? Why are you shouting at me?" Zhou Huizhen retorted sulkily.
Han Liao's expression shifted slightly. He couldn't let Zhou Huizhen detect that he had been thinking of Wei Rao.
When it came to coaxing a beauty, Han Liao knew how to adapt. He immediately dismissed Liu Momo and the maids, pulled Zhou Huizhen into his embrace, and employed his honeyed tactics. Soon, Zhou Huizhen was breathless and yielding to his every whim.
Liu Momo stood outside, listening to the commotion within, could only lament Zhou Huizhen's lack of resolve.
After staying at the Princess Manor for a few days, Wei Rao and Zhou Huizhu went together to the Secluded Manor, planning to reside there for some time before returning to the capital.
During this visit to the Secluded Manor, Wei Rao noticed a black-and-white dog by her grandmother's side. It had a slender build, with glossy black fur around its eyes, ears, and along its back, while the rest of its coat was snow-white. It was a breed Wei Rao had never seen in the capital.
"Grandmother, where did this dog come from?" Wei Rao asked curiously.
Shou An Jun smiled and said to the dog, "Jinzi, go fetch a cushion for the young miss."
The dog named Jinzi immediately ran into the hall, then into the side room, and soon returned with a cushion in its mouth, placing it before Wei Rao.
Wei Rao and Zhou Huizhu were utterly astonished.
Shou An Jun then instructed Jinzi to perform several more tasks. Like a child of six or seven, Jinzi understood everything and accurately carried out every command.
Wei Rao and Zhou Huizhu exchanged a glance, then simultaneously rushed to Shou An Jun's side—one massaging her shoulders, the other kneading her back—both hoping to persuade her to give Jinzi to them.
Shou An Jun squinted with laughter. "There's no need for either of you to beg. This dog was a gift, and I've grown quite fond of it. I intend to keep it for myself."
Zhou Huizhu asked, "Who gave it to you? I'll go ask them for one too!"
Shou An Jun looked at Wei Rao and said with a smile, "It was a gift from the Young Lord of the Duke of Yingguo's household. I don't know if he has any more."
Zhou Huizhu exclaimed, "What?"
She turned to look at Wei Rao.
Wei Rao's expression was indescribable—mostly because she couldn't believe Lu Zhuo hadn't given up and had even come to curry favor with her grandmother. And her grandmother had actually accepted the gift!
"What do you mean by this?" Wei Rao pouted, sitting down beside Shou An Jun with a resentful look, ignoring Jinzi.
Shou An Jun replied, "I don't mean anything by it. The two of you merely ended your engagement; there's no animosity between you. That day, the Young Lord came to the mountains to hunt, grew thirsty, and stopped by the Secluded Manor to ask for water. I offered him tea, and he gave me Jinzi in return. It was a simple exchange of courtesy. What's improper about that?"
Wei Rao bit her lip. She didn't believe her grandmother was oblivious to Lu Zhuo's intentions.
Zhou Huizhu leaned over Wei Rao's back and said playfully, "Is Sister Rao afraid that Grandmother accepted the Young Lord's fine dog and plans to trade you for it? If so, Sister Rao is worrying for nothing. No matter how precious Jinzi is, could it compare to you? Even if the Young Lord offered silver instead of gold, he still couldn't exchange it for Sister Rao."
"Are you asking for a spanking?" Wei Rao immediately chased after Zhou Huizhu, only returning to Shou An Jun's side breathlessly after driving her away.
"Jinzi, serve tea to the young miss," Shou An Jun instructed.
Wei Rao turned her gaze to Jinzi.Jinzi truly carried the tea tray beneath the teacup in its mouth, steadily approaching her, a pair of dark and bright eyes looking over.
Wei Rao was impressed!
"Such a clever dog—you might be willing to return it, but I'm not." Shou An Jun called Jinzi over, stroking its head as she spoke.
Wei Rao had nothing to say. Lu Zhuo was truly remarkable, managing to find such a dog—it was almost like it had gained sentience.
"Did he only send you the dog? Did he say anything else?" Wei Rao asked sullenly.
Shou An Jun looked at her and said, "Why would he say anything else? What do you think he might have said to me, Raorao?"
Wei Rao: "...I'm not talking to you anymore. I'm going back to the capital!"
Only after she had teased her enough did Shou An Jun grab Wei Rao's hand and press her back into the chair. Seeing Wei Rao's flushed face—whether from anger or some other reason—Shou An Jun tapped her rosy cheek and laughed, "The heir told me that he was blind before, but later he realized his mistake. He can't let you go and hopes I'll put in a good word for him."
Wei Rao glared at her: "Did you agree?"
Shou An Jun: "How could I? This is between the two of you. I'll just accept the gift; I won't interfere in the rest."
Wei Rao said anxiously, "But by accepting the gift, aren't you endorsing his pursuit of me?"
Shou An Jun: "Even if I didn't accept the gift, he would still keep pursuing you. No matter what, he's determined to chase after my granddaughter. What's wrong with me accepting a dog from him?"
Wei Rao finally understood: her grandmother liked Lu Zhuo and was happy to see him pursuing her.
"What's so great about him? He even looked down on my mother for remarrying and constantly criticized me for being unruly. Just because he comes from a good family, you like him?" Wei Rao couldn't accept how easily her grandmother had been won over by Lu Zhuo.
Shou An Jun narrowed her eyes: "When did he ever look down on your mother for remarrying?"
Wei Rao snorted: "Last time I was here, his mother was a widow, so he thought my mother's remarriage was improper. Later, when we went to the imperial villa and he saw how much the Emperor still favored my mother, he decided he wanted to make our marriage real."
Shou An Jun rocked in her chair, understanding why her granddaughter was so angry with Lu Zhuo.
But people's thoughts can change. If Lu Zhuo truly looked down on her granddaughter or disapproved of their family's way of doing things, he wouldn't have taken the initiative to bring her to the imperial villa. The Duke of Yingguo's family had been trusted by the emperor for generations; Lu Zhuo had no need to humble himself or curry favor with anyone for the sake of reputation or gain.
"So, you mean that only because your mother had a chance to regain favor and because you became a princess, Lu Zhuo wants to win you back? In truth, he doesn't really like you?" Shou An Jun's face darkened, and she stopped stroking Jinzi's head, her voice growing increasingly angry. "I never expected that the heir of the prestigious Duke of Yingguo, a passionate man who defends the nation, would turn out to be such a social-climbing opportunist!"
Wei Rao was shocked by her grandmother's fury, then felt a pang of guilt.
When she had argued with Lu Zhuo, she had thought this way and mocked him for it, but deep down, she knew he wasn't that kind of person.
She just couldn't stand his arrogant, self-righteous attitude. She just couldn't swallow her pride.
"Don't worry, Raorao. Next time he comes, I'll return Jinzi to him and never let him set foot in our home again," Shou An Jun added.
Hearing this, Wei Rao instinctively replied, "Yes, that would be best."
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