After a drizzling spring rain, the common folk took their farming tools and oxen to the fields for planting.
Spring plowing was a joyous occasion. Farmers enthusiastically scattered seeds, tending to them diligently throughout the year, for only in autumn would they reap the harvest and secure their family's provisions.
Shou An Jun had allotted Wei Rao two hundred mu of her thousand mu of fertile land. The fertile fields were already under the care of reliable estate managers. The grandmother and granddaughters went to the farm more for the experience of agricultural fun—if they were truly made to cultivate several mu of land, not only would Wei Rao and Zhou Huizhu be displeased, but Shou An Jun herself lacked the physical stamina for such labor.
The coachman hitched the carriage. Wei Rao and Zhou Huizhu assisted Shou An Jun into the vehicle, and they set off with several guards in tow.
Today, they were going to plant watermelons. The watermelon seeds, with their thick and hard shells, had already been sprouted at home in advance, waiting only to be planted in the ridges.
The spring breeze was delightful. With the carriage curtains drawn up, the fields on both sides of the path were filled with busy farmers. Some families even had children as young as six or seven helping out.
Shou An Jun said to Wei Rao and her sister, "What is hardship? Poverty is hardship. With silver, at least one can eat their fill and dress warmly. As long as one isn't plagued by greed—always wanting more after obtaining something—life can be comfortable. The young masters and misses of wealthy families enjoy complaining without cause. If you ask me, toss them into the fields to work for a few days, and I guarantee they’d forget all their troubles."
Zhou Huizhu remarked, "But that’s only temporary. People are quick to forget. Once they have a good life, they start yearning for an even better one. Unless they farm for a lifetime, as soon as they return to a life of plenty, it won’t be long before they’re coveting more again."
Wei Rao looked at her younger cousin in surprise. "I thought Huizhu only knew how to eat, drink, and have fun. I didn’t expect you to understand such principles?"
Zhou Huizhu sighed. "Since my sister has already turned foolish, if I don’t wise up, how will my mother manage?"
Shou An Jun snorted. "You should worry about yourselves. If a mother needs her children to fret over her, that’s called incompetence."
Wei Rao and Zhou Huizhu exchanged a glance and continued to enjoy the scenery by the window.
They arrived at the sandy fields.
There were two mu of melon fields in total, all assigned to the grandmother and her two granddaughters.
Shou An Jun had arranged everything well: Zhou Huizhu would lead the ox, Wei Rao would push the plow, and she would sow the seeds behind them.
Zhou Huizhu glanced at Wei Rao’s slender figure and laughed. "Let me push the plow instead. The princess is as delicate as a flower—how could she handle such strenuous work?"
Wei Rao smiled without replying. Though she was thinner than her cousin, she was much stronger. Years of martial arts training hadn’t been for nothing.
The big yellow ox was tame and obedient. The two cousins donned their straw hats for shade and began their work.
Wei Rao didn’t mind exerting effort, but she didn’t want to roughen her palms. So, she wrapped several layers of gauze around the plow’s handles. Zhou Huizhen also padded the ox-leading rope with gauze—this was the way young ladies of noble families farmed.
Before they had finished plowing one ridge, Zhou Huizhu, who was leading the ox, suddenly stopped. She coughed and signaled for Wei Rao to look back.
Wei Rao turned around and saw a black horse approaching on the path between the fields. Flying Ink’s jet-black coat gleamed like satin, so beautiful it was enviable.
Catching a glimpse of Lu Zhuo in his brocade robe, Wei Rao glared at her cousin. "Lead the ox. No more looking around."
Zhou Huizhu chuckled.
At the edge of the field, Shou An Jun was still sorting the seeds. Seeing Lu Zhuo dismount and walk toward her, she asked in surprise, "Why has the heir come here?" Don’t you need to be at the military camp?"
Lu Zhuo explained, "Normally, the camp only involves training. Taking a few days off is no issue."Shou An Jun asked again, "How did the heir know we would be going out today?"
She was genuinely curious.
Lu Zhuo smiled and pointed toward the corner of Yunwu Town near the Secluded Manor. "I rented a residence over there. Just now, when I went out for a horseback ride, I noticed the Dowager's carriage and came over to take a look."
Shou An Jun understood. To win back her granddaughter's favor, Lu Zhuo had deliberately rented a house in Yunwu Town. When her granddaughter moved to the Secluded Manor, he followed. On ordinary days, he only needed to have someone keep an eye on her granddaughter's movements. If her granddaughter didn't go out, he would attend to his duties at the military camp. If she did, Lu Zhuo would come over to offer his attentions.
If Shou An Jun disliked Lu Zhuo, she would certainly be displeased by his actions. But she liked him—whether in terms of family background, appearance, or talent, she believed Lu Zhuo was the best match for her granddaughter. Her granddaughter was merely stubbornly holding onto her pride and not truly looking down on Lu Zhuo. Thus, Shou An Jun was happy to see things unfold.
Moreover, Lu Zhuo had an advantage in pursuing her granddaughter.
The two had been married and then separated. If her granddaughter had never been married, Lu Zhuo, as an unrelated man, persistently pursuing her like this would harm her reputation. But since the two had shared a bed—or so everyone thought—as long as they weren’t seen embracing, no one could spread rumors detrimental to her granddaughter. If anything, they would speak of Lu Zhuo's deep affection for her.
If her granddaughter rejected Lu Zhuo's advances, others would say she had high standards as a princess. If she accepted, their reunion would become a celebrated tale.
"Dowager, let me help you sow the seeds," Lu Zhuo said, rolling up his sleeves and crouching down.
Shou An Jun shook her head with a smile. "I’m not tired here. If the heir wishes to help, why not go assist with plowing the fields?"
Lu Zhuo complied respectfully.
He strode toward Wei Rao.
Zhou Huizhu watched the scene with amusement.
Wei Rao pretended not to hear the approaching footsteps.
"What is the heir here for?" Zhou Huizhu asked playfully. Although her cousin seemed very angry with Lu Zhuo, Zhou Huizhu had caught her secretly petting Jinzi. If her cousin truly disliked Lu Zhuo so much, why would she be affectionate with the dog he had given her?
Zhou Huizhu had always felt that, with Lu Zhuo's looks, as long as he hadn’t committed any heinous crimes or been promiscuous, if she were her cousin, she could forgive him.
Lu Zhuo gazed at Wei Rao's profile and said, "I wanted to help. The Dowager asked me to come plow the fields."
Upon hearing this, Zhou Huizhu immediately said, "Then, Heir, come help me lead the ox!"
She wanted to give Lu Zhuo a chance to be alone with her cousin.
Wei Rao, of course, saw through her cousin's little scheme. Since Lu Zhuo insisted on helping, she stiffly yielded her spot to him. "Since the heir is so eager to help, why don’t you take over the plow? I’ve seen other farmers manage both leading the ox and pushing the plow at once. Given the heir’s exceptional martial skills, a small task like plowing surely won’t stump you."
Beneath her wide straw hat, her stunningly beautiful face and captivating eyes regarded him coldly.
Lu Zhuo wasn’t afraid of her coldness—he only feared her indifference.
"Thank you for your high regard, Princess. I am willing to give it a try," Lu Zhuo replied respectfully, stepping forward to take the plow.
Wei Rao took her veil, exchanged a glance with Zhou Huizhu, and without looking back, went to find the Dowager."Grandmother, you already know his character, why did you agree to let him help?" Wei Rao moved closer to Shou An Jun and whispered.
Shou An Jun paused from scattering seeds, glanced at Lu Zhuo ahead, and muttered under her breath: "He bullied you and disrespected your mother, so I must punish him. A young master like him has never plowed fields before. If he maintains his dignity and actually finishes these two acres, then I'll respect his ability to adapt. If he gives up halfway from exhaustion, let's see how he can ever show his face before us again."
Wei Rao bit her lip. Why did she feel her grandmother had other calculations in mind?
"Enough, you two shouldn't idle either. Go scatter seeds," Shou An Jun ordered the sisters. "One scatters seeds, the other covers them with soil."
Zhou Huizhu: "I'll scatter seeds!"
She rushed to grab the seeds and thoughtfully handed the soil-rake to Wei Rao.
While absentmindedly wrapping gauze around the rake handle, Wei Rao observed Lu Zhuo ahead. Dressed in brocade robes utterly unsuited for sandy soil, he held the plow with one hand and a whip with the other—though he seemed not to need the whip, as the ox obeyed him perfectly, moving straight forward. And Lu Zhuo's figure holding the plow appeared more elegant than those farmhands...
Has he mastered it so quickly? Was he a farmer in his past life?
But having plowed herself, Wei Rao knew that even with the gentlest ox, the person guiding the plow must exert strength. She wanted to see how long Lu Zhuo could persist.
After finishing one furrow, Lu Zhuo turned the ox around and came toward the three women.
Wei Rao pulled down the brim of her straw hat to prevent him from seeing her face, vigorously hooking soil with her rake to cover the seeds.
Shou An Jun and Zhou Huizhu scattered seeds quickly, moving far ahead, leaving Wei Rao behind.
Soon, Lu Zhuo reached her side.
Though he couldn't see her face, he could see her delicate chin and tightly pressed red lips.
Her expression while raking soil seemed less about burying seeds and more about burying him alive.
What must I do for the princess to forgive me?" Lu Zhuo asked quietly.
Wei Rao pretended not to hear.
One pushing the plow north, the other raking soil south—they passed each other.
But they would meet again. When they did, Lu Zhuo spoke as if to an acquaintance, smiling as he updated Wei Rao: "I've rented a residence in Yunwu Town. If you have any instructions, just send someone to inform me."
Wei Rao looked up in disbelief.
Lu Zhuo smiled and pointed in the direction.
Wei Rao frowned. "Are you so free you don't need to go to the military camp?"
Lu Zhuo replied, "Without wartime duties, my responsibilities at camp aren't heavy. Now that Fourth Uncle has joined the camp, it's easier for me to slip away."
Wei Rao sneered, "If you're staying to encounter me by chance, I advise you to obediently return to camp. Starting tomorrow, I won't leave the Secluded Manor until I return to the capital."
Lu Zhuo looked resigned. "Very well, I'll return to the capital. Please don't let me ruin your spring outing enjoyment."
Wei Rao didn't want to speak with him. Lu Zhuo's composed, confident demeanor infuriated her—as if he were certain she would eventually accept him.
Dropping the rake, Wei Rao bid farewell to her grandmother, walked to the field's edge, mounted her horse, and returned to the Secluded Manor.
By late morning, Shou An Jun returned with Zhou Huizhu.
Zhou Huizhu rushed to Wei Rao's Yanyuan as soon as she alighted from the carriage.
Sweat-covered, she was greeted by Bitao, who smilingly brought water to help the cousin wash her face, while Liuya prepared tea.Zhou Huizhu gulped down a bowl of tea and said to Wei Rao, who was leisurely reading on the couch, "Sister Rao, that Lu Zhuo is truly hypocritical! When you were around, he dutifully plowed the fields, but as soon as you left, he found an excuse to slip away. He left me and Grandmother to plant two acres of watermelons all by ourselves—I'm exhausted!"
Wei Rao didn't even lift her eyes. Since Lu Zhuo had gone to the fields, given his nature, it was impossible for him to quit halfway.
Sure enough, seeing her complete indifference, Zhou Huizhu leaned in eagerly: "He wasn't sincere at all—aren't you even a little angry, Sister Rao?"
Wei Rao gave a faint "Hmm."
Zhou Huizhu, feeling deflated, confessed the truth: "I was teasing you. Lu Zhuo worked very diligently—not only did he plow the fields, but he also helped with harrowing the soil. Anyone who didn't know better would think he was a tenant farmer for our family."
Wei Rao's heart stirred, and she asked, "What was Grandmother's attitude toward him?"
Zhou Huizhu thought for a moment and replied, "Grandmother was polite to his face, but on the way back, she warned me not to be fooled by him, saying he's cunning and not a good man."
Wei Rao pondered quietly. Could it be that Grandmother truly wasn't helping Lu Zhuo win her favor?
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