Wei Rao didn't know whether Lu Zhuo had obediently gone to the military camp and stopped watching her. In any case, she had no plans to leave the Secluded Manor for now.
Unexpectedly, two days later, Lu Zhuo didn't come to bother her again, but Han Liao arrived instead. He said Zhou Huizhen missed Shou An Jun, so he accompanied her back to her maiden home for a short stay.
Facing Han Liao, Shou An Jun wore a superficial smile and said that as long as the wife of the Marquis of Xiting didn't mind, Zhou Huizhen could stay at the Secluded Manor as long as she wished. However, since the Zhou family had no male host, it would be inconvenient to keep Han Liao for long. She invited him to have a cup of tea and then quickly leave.
Wei Rao wasn't present when Shou An Jun entertained Han Liao. It was only after Han Liao left that Zhou Huizhu came running to tell her about it.
"Han Liao is gone, but what about cousin?" Wei Rao asked curiously.
"Sister has stayed. Han Liao said he would come to pick her up at the end of the month," Zhou Huizhu said gleefully. "Sister Rao, you didn't see it. After grandmother said those words, Han Liao's eyebrows twitched uncontrollably. He wanted to lose his temper but had to hold it in. He really is something—grandmother didn't even prepare a dowry for sister when she married him. Isn't the meaning obvious enough? And he still dares to dream of staying overnight at the Secluded Manor. He's so lustful; if grandmother let him stay, what would become of our reputations?"
Wei Rao could imagine Han Liao's expression, which made her laugh as well.
Her grandmother was someone who could even handle the late emperor and the Empress Dowager. Even Emperor Yuanjia respected her grandmother. How could Han Liao's status earn him special treatment from her? If Han Liao were likable enough, even if he were a beggar, her grandmother would treat him kindly. On the contrary, Han Liao had no choice but to endure her grandmother's cold demeanor.
"How did cousin react when grandmother treated Han Liao like that?" Wei Rao asked.
Zhou Huizhu sighed lightly. "She was definitely unhappy, but she didn't say anything. After all, sister knows what kind of person Han Liao is."
In Zhou Huizhu's view, her sister didn't like Han Liao himself—she only liked his status and the so-called dignity he could give her. At most, she might also like his face. Han Liao's character was flawed, but his looks and talents were genuine. If Han Liao were an ugly, fat man, no matter how powerful he was, her sister probably wouldn't have accepted him.
Speak of the devil, Zhou Huizhen arrived.
"Rao Rao, I heard that Viscount Lu helped grandmother with farming?" As they were close sisters, Zhou Huizhen didn't beat around the bush and directly asked about the rumors she had heard in the city.
Wei Rao found it strange. "This place is so far from the capital. How could gossip travel there so quickly?" It had only been two days!
Zhou Huizhen said, "Don't you know? Everyone in the capital is curious about whether you and Viscount Lu will reconcile. I don't know about other households, but even the maids in our marquis' residence love to discuss this matter. Some are even placing bets. Besides, so many people have been coming to Cloud Mist Mountain for outings recently. Someone brought the news back to the capital that very day."
Wei Rao understood.
Zhou Huizhen looked at Wei Rao with a sour and melancholic expression. "Do you really not plan to marry Viscount Lu anymore, or are you deliberately stringing him along to boost your own value?"
Zhou Huizhen couldn't understand Wei Rao.
Han Liao was so inferior to Lu Zhuo in every way—age, looks, family background—yet she couldn't bring herself to leave Han Liao. If Han Liao were even half as devoted to her as Lu Zhuo was to Wei Rao, Zhou Huizhen would willingly endure Han Liao's mother and his bunch of children. But Wei Rao—how could she bear to divorce Lu Zhuo and treat him with such indifference?Wei Rao could almost smell the sourness emanating from Zhou Huizhen and laughed, "What does it matter what I think? He's the one insisting on pestering me—I never forced him to chase after me. If you're envious, cousin, why not quickly divorce Han Liao? With your beauty, if you just wait a little longer, you're bound to find someone who treats you just as well."
Zhou Huizhen gritted her teeth in anger, "Why do you always urge me to divorce? Can't any of you wish me well?"
Zhou Huizhu muttered under her breath, "Married to a man like that, how could things go well? If you hadn't married him in the first place, would we be hoping for your divorce?"
Zhou Huizhen was furious and left without even drinking her tea.
Zhou Huizhu asked Wei Rao doubtfully, "Do you really think this approach will work?"
Wei Rao smiled, "Of course it will. First, we make sure cousin remembers she has the option of divorce. When Han Liao completely breaks her heart one day, she'll think of that way out." Unlike some women who, despite being mistreated by their husbands' families, still fear this and that, too afraid to seek divorce.
Perhaps because they had teased her too often, Zhou Huizhen no longer got angry when Wei Rao and Zhou Huizhu brought up divorce. She still joined them every day to play—the three cousins flew kites, fished, admired flowers, and played hide-and-seek in the Secluded Manor. Their relationship became even more harmonious than when they were young girls.
One early morning, after practicing her sword techniques, Wei Rao suddenly felt like going for a horseback ride.
The sky had brightened quickly, but it was still very early—no cooking smoke had yet risen from the rooftops in Cloud Mist Town.
Wei Rao changed into her riding attire, donned a veil, and went out.
Amid the serene tranquility, she galloped toward Cloud Mist Mountain, planning to ride along the foothills until she'd had her fill before returning.
Unexpectedly, as she rounded a bend, a dark figure suddenly appeared in her peripheral vision. Turning her head, she saw Lu Zhuo astride Flying Ink.
After a moment of surprise, Wei Rao continued riding forward.
The sound of hoofbeats followed as Lu Zhuo caught up. Though Wei Rao didn't want him to overtake her, her horse was no match for his, and soon he rode alongside her.
"What a coincidence. I came here for a ride, and so did the princess," Lu Zhuo said with a smile.
Wei Rao felt a surge of irritation. What did he mean? Did he think she had followed him here after seeing him?
"If I'd known you were here, I wouldn't have come," Wei Rao slowed her pace and said coldly.
Lu Zhuo matched her speed.
Wei Rao reined in her horse and glared at him, "Didn't you say you were returning to the capital and wouldn't disturb my leisure?"Lu Zhuo turned his horse to face her and retorted, 'When we left the palace, you said you forgave me for offending your parents.'" Since you've forgiven me, why won't you reconcile with me?"
Wei Rao found it laughable, "You made ample amends for offending my parents, but what about the offenses against me? Moreover, even if I forgave you entirely, that doesn't mean I'd fall for you. The Marriage to ward off misfortune was for benefits—if I remarry, why shouldn't I marry someone I actually like?"
Lu Zhuo asked earnestly, "What would make you like me?"
Wei Rao turned her head away, "That's none of your concern. It definitely won't be you anyway."
Lu Zhuo smiled wryly, "You see, since you disdain me so much, if I didn't take the initiative to see you, wouldn't I never achieve my wish in this lifetime? So rather than be forgotten by you, it's better I try a few more times. Perhaps one day I'll get it right and earn a bit of your favor."Wei Rao pursed her lips and retorted sarcastically, "Didn't the heir apparent find me lacking in propriety? Now you keep insisting I remarry you—aren't you afraid I'll corrupt the Lu Family's reputation with my unseemly behavior? Afraid I'll keep changing clothes in the wilderness, keep dining in taverns with unrelated men? Afraid I might someday make you a cuckold and have you mocked as the town laughingstock?"
Though her words mocked Lu Zhuo, her eyes blazed with fury.
Lu Zhuo suddenly understood: when he had criticized or restrained her before, she might have seemed indifferent or forgetful, but she had internalized every word.
Those remarks had indeed come from him—once spoken, they couldn't be retracted. He couldn't deny them, but he needed to explain.
"I know I said many harsh things, but I never meant you harm. Often, I was thinking of your well-being. Changing clothes outdoors risks others seeing you—you'd suffer the consequences. Being seen entering taverns with men—if malicious observers spread rumors, you'd still be the one harmed..."
"Do you think I'm a fool? I weigh my actions carefully. Who would be in those remote mountains? When I attended lectures with my cousin, I disguised myself—who could recognize me? Why meddle in my affairs?"
"We're husband and wife. Your concerns are mine—how is that meddling?"
"Nonsense! Others might not know, but you signed the Contract yourself. We're merely pretending—it ends in five years at most. Why control me?"
"I signed the Contract, but contracts are rigid while people are fluid." Lu Zhuo stepped closer, meeting her furious gaze. "When I signed, how could I have known I'd fall for you? That your tears would make me rather take a blow to my forehead than evade you? That behind your unconventional facade, you exercise sound judgment? That beneath your willfulness lies deep filial piety, swallowing grievances silently? That your fearless exterior hides fear of your mother's rejection? That despite hating me, you'd still risk danger to save me?"
Wei Rao tightened her grip on the reins.
Noticing her hands, Lu Zhuo laughed bitterly and lowered his gaze. "You think I care about you visiting taverns with other men? No—I was angry. Angry that after rushing back to Jincheng, I found you gone. Angry that you chat and laugh with others but never soften your words for me."
"If I only cared about the Contract, why would I mind you joking with other men? A scandal would actually give me grounds for early separation. If I hadn't developed feelings, why would I care where you change clothes?"
He lifted his head, studying her stubborn profile. "Wei Rao, you can mock me for looking down on you before yet now being unable to live without you. You can refuse to forgive or accept me. But don't always assume the worst of me. I may not be a gentleman, but I'm not so vile as to repeatedly mistreat you with malice."
Wildflowers bloomed along the deserted path. As Lu Zhuo spoke, Wei Rao stared at one blossom.
Yet she registered neither its color nor dewdrops on its petals. His voice filled her ears; their shared memories flooded her mind.
The final scene: waking in the carriage just past dawn, stars still crowding the sky, Lu Zhuo—wounded—sitting on the carriage shaft, gently telling her Jincheng lay ahead.Those few short words were the gentlest she had ever heard Lu Zhuo speak.
It wasn't an act, nor was it sarcasm. He had truly driven the carriage all night for her, genuinely comforting her, telling her she no longer needed to endure the hardship of the journey.
He was the heir to the Duke of Yingguo, the most dazzling young commander among the Four Elite Armies, a hero who had achieved great military exploits on the frontier, a celestial gentleman who had captivated her aunt, cousins, and even all the young ladies of the capital with his ethereal grace, a refined and courteous scholar who treated others with warmth. Which young lady wouldn't want to marry such a Lu Zhuo?
She wasn't some proper young lady, but if Lu Zhuo respected her, she would want to marry him too.
Yet from their very first meeting, Lu Zhuo had despised her. Even when she humbled herself to perform the wedding ceremony with a rooster to ward off his misfortune, he still looked down on her.
Outwardly, he was a gentleman, but in front of her, he was either sneering or mocking.
Why?
Wei Rao raised her whip, and the snow-white steed shot forward like a streak of light.
Flying Ink shifted its hooves, but its rider restrained it.
She was upset, and he was willing to wait.
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