“It’s tiring enough riding in a carriage all this way. Raorao should go rest first.”

After admiring her little granddaughter’s hunting spoils, Old Madam Wei smiled and dismissed her.

Wei Rao lived in the back courtyard of Zhengchun Hall, making it convenient to see her grandmother at any time. There was no rush for this moment, so she smiled and took her leave.

Neither Guo Shi’s nor Wei Chan’s expressions were pleasant.

Wei Rao was sharp-tongued and quick-witted. Over these two years, whenever they tried to embarrass Wei Rao, they never once succeeded.

Old Madam Wei set down her tea bowl and had her head maid Fei Cui guard outside the hall, forbidding the little maids from eavesdropping.

Guo Shi and Wei Chan both looked toward the Old Madam.

Old Madam Wei’s smile had vanished at some point. Glancing at Wei Chan, she coldly questioned Guo Shi: “Those idle rumors just now—when did you hear them, and from whose mouth?”

Guo Shi twisted her handkerchief and smiled ingratiatingly: “A few days ago, I had arranged to go offer incense with Madam Li, and she told me. It wasn’t just Madam Li—when I took Chan’er to Zhencui Tower to pick jewelry, we encountered several madams discussing this matter. They stopped talking when they saw me, but those I’m close with privately advised me as an aunt to restrain Raorao a bit, lest she cause trouble outside and implicate our Wei family’s reputation.”

Old Madam Wei stared sharply at her daughter-in-law: “Is that so? When they were spreading rumors and slandering Raorao, did you, as her aunt, speak up to clear her name?”

Guo Shi understood her mother-in-law’s meaning. She lowered her head and quietly retorted: “I didn’t see with my own eyes that Raorao didn’t go—how could I prove it for her? You know what that child Raorao is like, always running to the villa every few days…”

“Sophistry! You didn’t see Raorao didn’t go, so you believed the outsiders’ gossip. But Raorao is still your niece—you also didn’t see her go, so why didn’t you believe Raorao?” Old Madam Wei sternly interrupted Guo Shi.

Guo Shi’s face turned pale from the Old Madam’s scolding.

She felt guilty.

Actually, after hearing several rounds of discussion, the main subject was still Zhou Huizhen. Her sister-in-law from her maiden family had said she didn’t see Wei Rao with other girls. But Guo Shi was unhappy that her mother-in-law favored Wei Rao over her daughter, so she deliberately stirred up trouble with her mother-in-law. She hadn’t expected that her mother-in-law wouldn’t even seek outside verification—she still believed whatever Wei Rao said.

As a daughter-in-law, Guo Shi didn’t dare continue arguing, but in her heart, she resented Old Madam Wei’s favoritism—such blatant favoritism!

“Grandmother, Mother is also thinking of Fourth Sister’s good. The Zhou family’s reputation is terrible—it’s universally acknowledged in the capital. If Fourth Sister truly understood propriety, she shouldn’t frequently visit there.” Wei Chan couldn’t help but interject.

Old Madam Wei sneered and looked at Wei Chan: “If your mother truly cared for Raorao’s good, she should have righteously scolded those speaking ill of Raorao. Chan’er, you bear the Wei surname, and your Fourth Sister also bears the Wei surname. You two are sisters whose bones are connected, even if broken. If you allow others to gossip about Raorao and let her reputation be ruined, don’t expect to remain unaffected yourself.”

Wei Chan bit her lip and lowered her head: “Grandmother only knows how to scold me. Why don’t you manage Fourth Sister? If she didn’t go out, there wouldn’t be so many incidents.”

Old Madam Wei laughed in anger: “Yes, if Raorao didn’t go out, she wouldn’t be splashed with cold water. If you mother and daughter didn’t go out, you wouldn’t become fools following trends and spreading rumors. Fine, I won’t favor anyone. Starting today, you’re both confined for a month—don’t go anywhere and reflect on your mistakes at home!”

Guo Shi was greatly alarmed and looked up: “Mother, that’s not possible. April 15th is the Princess’s birthday, and I’ve already promised to take Chan’er.”

Emperor Yuanjia’s eldest son, Prince Duan, had married Guo Shi’s eldest daughter, Wei Shu.

Mentioning Princess Duan, Old Madam Wei looked at Guo Shi with even more pained eyes: “Back then, Raorao’s father devoted himself to helping His Majesty investigate corrupt officials but was murdered by villains and died young. His Majesty, remembering Raorao’s father’s integrity and loyalty, specially arranged the marriage between Shu’er and Prince Duan. That Shu’er could become a princess and you could form kinship with His Majesty—all of this was thanks to Raorao’s father. Now you’re trying to step on Raorao everywhere. Are you worthy of your brother-in-law?”

By the end, Old Madam Wei’s eyes were already brimming with tears.

Having raised such a daughter-in-law and granddaughter, what kind of good household management was this? Her virtuous reputation was bought with her second son’s death—it was something Emperor Yuanjia deliberately praised and promoted in court to comfort the families of loyal ministers and upright officials! Her second son was so good; what was wrong with favoring Raorao a little? Her Raorao was so unfortunate—her father dead, her mother had run away, and was targeted for murder by the Empress Dowager because her mother had obstructed the Empress Dowager’s plans. At such a young age, she nearly died before her very eyes. Why couldn’t she show favoritism?

“You may withdraw.”

Old Madam Wei lowered her head and waved her hand.

Guo Shi and Wei Chan saw the Old Madam’s distress and wanted to soften their stance with some kind words to make amends, but they were unceremoniously ushered out by the loyally protective Fei Cui.

Old Madam Wei, missing her deceased son, had no appetite and barely ate her midday meal.

Wei Rao sensed something was wrong and secretly asked Fei Cui, learning that her grandmother had been angered by Guo Shi and her daughter.

Wei Rao felt heartache.

Her aunt and eldest cousin at the villa often acted foolishly too, but her maternal grandmother, Shou’an Jun, was broad-minded—if she couldn’t manage them, she simply didn’t bother, out of sight and out of mind. Her grandmother’s temperament was different; the more she cherished reputation, the more she had to worry, never having a moment’s peace.

Having Fei Cui and Bitao guard outside, Wei Rao went in herself to comfort her grandmother.

Old Madam Wei lay on the bed with low spirits, recognizing who had come by the footsteps.

“Did Fei Cui tell you again?” Old Madam Wei said helplessly.

Wei Rao smiled and sat beside the bed, taking the Old Madam’s hand and gently massaging it: “Grandmother ate so little—wasn’t it just to make me feel sorry for you? Now that I’m here to care for you, why pretend to blame Fei Cui?”

Her delicate, sweet voice was like raindrops pattering on a jade plate—melodious and carrying a refreshing sweetness that lowered blood pressure and calmed irritation.

Old Madam Wei shook her head, sat up, and leaned against the headboard to talk with her little granddaughter: “I’m fine. I’m used to it.”

Wei Rao looked at the white strands in her grandmother’s temples, her eyes reddening: “Grandmother, I want to get married. Tell me, if starting today I behave properly and learn to be a dignified, gentle young lady, never wandering around except when accompanying you out with my conditions, could I still marry into a prestigious family?”

Old Madam Wei said joyfully: “You’ve truly come to your senses?”

She had long explained the reasoning to her little granddaughter—to marry well, one must become a young lady praised by everyone. Though her granddaughter was burdened by the Zhou family’s side, she also had advantages other young ladies lacked: a father praised by Emperor Yuanjia as an upright, loyal minister; an uncle with a title; beauty that crowned the capital. Which ordinary official’s daughter could compare to Raorao?

If her second son hadn’t died when Raorao was still young, the position of Princess Duan should have been Raorao’s.

Wei Rao was skilled at coaxing elders and said listlessly: “I have come to my senses, but I’m afraid it’s too late to change now.”

Old Madam Wei immediately said: “Not too late, not too late. First, prepare at home for a month. Several mansions in the capital will be hosting banquets soon—when the time comes, Grandmother will take you along and guarantee finding you a good marriage.”

Wei Rao blushed: “Then Grandmother must take good care of your health. If you’re strong and healthy, you’ll have the energy to make plans for me.”

Old Madam Wei naturally cooperated.

However, she had to keep up appearances. The next day, Old Madam Wei claimed her legs were uncomfortable and she couldn’t move while bedridden, requiring her daughters-in-law and granddaughters to attend to her morning and evening. Guo Shi had to be filial to her “sick” mother-in-law, and on April 15th, Princess Duan’s birthday, she also had a reason for not being able to attend.

Unable to show off at Prince Duan’s mansion, Guo Shi was quite depressed and complained to her husband, Earl Cheng’an, that evening: “Mother is doing this on purpose. She blames me for not speaking up for Raorao and is punishing me this way.”

Earl Cheng’an was soaking his feet and glanced at his wife: “Mother is still too soft-hearted—the punishment isn’t enough.”

This elder uncle of Wei Rao lacked Second Master Wei’s talents but was upright, honest, and filial, rarely listening to gossip.

Guo Shi glared at him angrily: “Isn’t it all for Chan’er’s sake? Both granddaughters are the same age and should be discussing marriage. Look at our mother—her mind is entirely on Raorao. I suppose our Chan’er was picked up from somewhere?”

Earl Cheng’an said, “Chan’er has you and me. Who does Raorao have? You woman, the older you get, the more unreasonable you become.”

Guo Shi’s face instantly grew long: “Who are you calling old? Concubine Qiu is young—go find her!”

Earl Cheng’an’s brows furrowed into a川 character: “Qiu’er was your maid. You were the one who told me to take her as a concubine twenty years ago. Why are you jealous now?”

Guo Shi cried: “Who told you to say I’m old?”

Earl Cheng’an had a headache: “Alright, alright. You’re young, and I’m the old man. Is that okay?”

For family peace, that night, Earl Cheng’an inevitably had to hold Guo Shi and say some improper words he would have said in their youth.

Though she knew it was false, Guo Shi loved hearing it. With her husband treating her well, when she went to attend to Old Madam Wei again, Guo Shi didn’t feel as uncomfortable.

During this month, Wei Rao was supervised by Old Madam Wei—if she wasn’t reading and practicing calligraphy, she was practicing needlework.

Wei Rao indeed couldn’t present these skills that well-bred young ladies excelled at, but it wasn’t entirely her fault. At eleven, she had a serious illness and nearly died, spending every day taking medicine after medicine with no strength to learn such things. Later, when Emperor Yuanjia sent a master over, Wei Rao developed a strong interest in martial arts. After completely recovering her health, horseback riding and hunting became her new hobbies, and she had no intention of making up for the poetry and needlework she’d missed.

“Cramming at the last minute—will it be useful?” Wei Rao muttered quietly.

Old Madam Wei: “Learning more is never wrong, especially calligraphy and needlework—you’ll use these frequently after marriage.”

Wei Rao pouted, lifted her sleeve with one hand, and continued practicing calligraphy.

“Young lady’s handwriting looks quite good to me,” Bitao said while grinding ink and flattering her mistress. “It’s like Yunwu Mountain—uniquely beautiful without losing elegance, with mountains’ uprightness and water’s gentleness.”

Old Madam Wei: “I didn’t realize you understand appreciation better than your young lady.”

Bitao’s face reddened, and she focused on her work without making a sound.

“Old Madam, a eunuch from the palace has come,” a little maid ran over, her cheeks flushed from running in the heat.

Old Madam Wei hurriedly brought Wei Rao, Guo Shi, and Wei Chan to the front courtyard to receive the imperial decree.

Earl Cheng’an was working at the Ministry of Revenue, and Heir Wei Zizhan was studying at the Imperial Academy—neither was home.

The visitor was a young eunuch from beside the Empress Dowager. With the Dragon Boat Festival approaching, the Empress Dowager had issued an oral decree inviting Old Madam Wei to watch the dragon boat races in the palace and could bring two relatives along.

The Dragon Boat Festival races were one of the year’s grand events.

Among the people, there were dragon boat teams sponsored by merchants and noble families competing. In the palace dragon boat races, all participants were elite soldiers selected from the Imperial Guards. Though it appeared to be just a competition, it was an opportunity for the emperor to inspect the various Imperial Guard units. The excitement far exceeded civilian events, and usually only imperial relatives and ministers of fifth rank and above, with their families, were invited into the palace.

Earl Cheng’an was only a sixth-rank capital official. The Wei family’s qualification to enter the palace was a face given by Emperor Yuanjia to Old Madam Wei.

Though invited by the Empress Dowager, it was Emperor Yuanjia’s intention.

After the message-bearing eunuch left, Guo Shi and Wei Chan were overjoyed, and both looked toward Old Madam Wei.

Old Madam Wei called Wei Chan and Wei Rao to her side and asked with a smile: “Would you two be willing to accompany me into the palace?”

Wei Rao didn’t want to see the Empress Dowager, but this year’s Dragon Boat Festival celebration was a good opportunity to show her face. To marry into a prestigious family, she needed to make an effort.

“I’m willing. I’ve never seen the palace’s dragon boat races,” Wei Rao said.

Three years ago, the Wei family had also received an invitation, but she was still weak then and stayed home.

After hearing this, Wei Chan looked awkwardly at her mother, Guo Shi.

Guo Shi maintained her smile with difficulty. She blamed herself for being careless—the last time her mother-in-law brought her into the palace, because Wei Rao was ill. Now that Wei Rao was well, how could her mother-in-law wrong her precious darling?

“Quickly, thank the Old Madam. Our whole family benefits from the Old Madam’s grace,” Guo Shi said, forcing happiness.

Wei Chan smiled and thanked her, then, when Old Madam Wei wasn’t paying attention, quickly glared at Wei Rao.

In Wei Chan’s opinion, Wei Rao was completely unnecessary. Without Wei Rao, their family wouldn’t be gossiped about, and her mother wouldn’t have to give up her place to Wei Rao.

In the entire second branch, only Second Uncle was a good person, but good people don’t live long—it only benefited those two disasters, Xiao Zhou Shi and Wei Rao.