Even while staying at home, Wei Rao had heard about the gossip circulating outside concerning her.

She truly hadn’t expected that three completely unrelated incidents would be strung together by those people, and that they would accidentally guess her thoughts at the time correctly—she had wanted to marry Qi Zhongkai.

The conclusion was right, but all the evidence leading to this conclusion was wrong. She had wagered on Qi Zhongkai simply because she didn’t want to wager on Lu Zhuo or Han Liao. Saving Qi Miaomiao had nothing to do with Qi Zhongkai at all.

Most crucially, what was then was then—now, Wei Rao had lost interest in Qi Zhongkai.

After the Dragon Boat Festival, the weather grew hotter each day. Earl Cheng’an Mansion had always been frugal and never bought ice in summer. Besides, Old Madam Wei had rheumatism in her legs and couldn’t use such things anyway.

Wei Rao did have silver, but she worried that if she bought ice for her use and Wei Chan saw it, she would again suspect grandmother’s favoritism. Mother and daughter would go together to bother grandmother, so she’d rather fan herself more vigorously than spend her own money for comfort.

This evening, cousin Huo Jue brought a basket of large watermelons to Earl Cheng’an Mansion.

Old Madam Wei had a maid wash one melon and cut it into pieces, serving them on several plates for everyone to eat with bamboo picks.

“Mmm, this melon is sweet with a sandy, soft texture—perfect for old bones like ours.” Old Madam Wei ate two consecutive pieces and praised with a smile.

Huo Jue sat in the seat below the old lady and smiled: “Maternal grandmother has a patch of sandy soil specifically for growing watermelons. This melon was picked by people maternal grandmother sent, and she had me bring it for you to taste.”

Old Madam Wei truly envied Shou’an Jun a little, with fields and estates, living carefree with peace of mind and a comfortable, leisurely life.

Huo Jue was very good at coaxing elders. From the moment he sat down, Old Madam Wei’s smile never left her lips.

Wei Rao knew her cousin’s purpose for coming and waited patiently. When grandmother instructed her to see her cousin out, the siblings stopped in the courtyard corridor. Bitao stood not far away—she was Wei Rao’s confidant, so there was no need to guard against her.

“There’s a tea house on Tianshun Street that wants to transfer ownership. The price is quite reasonable. Do you plan to buy it yourself, or should I find an intermediary?” Huo Jue lowered his head slightly, looking at his cousin whom he hadn’t seen for half a month.

Wei Rao slowly waved her round fan. The fan painted with landscapes alternately covered her peony-like face and swayed down again. Each movement of the fan brought a subtle, elusive feminine fragrance, like osmanthus but not as intense, sweetly scented, just right.

Was it the incense absorbed by his cousin’s dress, or the legendary natural feminine fragrance?

Facing a beauty like Wei Rao, few men could guard their hearts—at most, they could control their bodies and not dare to overstep boundaries.

“Cousin must have heard about the palace banquet incident, too?” Wei Rao said with some self-mockery. “Better to use an intermediary. I’ll privately transfer the contract with the intermediary afterward. Otherwise, if those noble families knew I owned the restaurant, they probably wouldn’t patronize my business.”

Huo Jue said, “That’s also good. I’ll choose a reliable manager for you later. You just need to collect money periodically.”

Wei Rao: “Those master chefs…”

Huo Jue: “They’ll arrive in the capital by month’s end at the latest. Converting the tea house to a restaurant also needs time. If all goes smoothly, the restaurant can open in mid-June.”

Wei Rao breathed a sigh of relief and smiled at Huo Jue: “Opening this restaurant, aside from money, I’ve done nothing. It’s all thanks to the cousin’s management. I don’t even know how to thank you.”

Huo Jue smiled heavily: “We’re siblings—why be formal with me? I only regret being useless and unable to help you with those major matters.”

Wei Rao didn’t think so: “What major matters? Making money is the most important thing. Can reputation be eaten as food?”

This was what she said and what she truly thought, so her smile was open-minded, her phoenix eyes clear and bright as spring water, showing no trace of reluctance.

Huo Jue couldn’t help asking: “You no longer want to marry into nobility?”

A hint of wildness appeared in Wei Rao’s charming eyes: “My uncle is Earl Cheng’an, my maternal grandmother is Shou’an Jun, my mother’s husband is the Emperor. I am a daughter of nobility. If there’s a suitable nobleman, I’ll marry him. If not, I’ll learn from my maternal grandmother and buy land outside to build a garden for enjoyment.”

Huo Jue lowered his voice: “The Empress Dowager…”

Wei Rao winked at her cousin and held up one hand—five years. She estimated that the Empress Dowager would live at most five more years.

Huo Jue was infected by her confidence, and a tender sprout called hope sprouted in his heart.

If his cousin truly didn’t mind social status, and after waiting five more years, if she remained unmarried, would he have a chance?

Wei Rao agreed with her cousin to complete the restaurant deed transfer at her maternal grandmother’s estate.

She did this deliberately—she missed her maternal grandmother. With no hope of marrying into nobility, why should she still constrain herself?

The next day, Wei Rao took Bitao and Liu Ya and left the city by carriage.

Old Madam Wei felt sorry for her younger granddaughter’s grievances and thought going to the estate could help Wei Rao relax, so she encouraged it.

Shou’an Jun had heard about the capital’s affairs. She knew Wei Rao wasn’t that kind of person, but couldn’t prevent others from resenting her granddaughter and deliberately spreading rumors. After this incident, at least this year, her granddaughter would have difficulty marrying. Rather than suffer such frustration in the capital, better to come to the estate and play freely. That person in the palace must be gloating now—in a good mood, she probably wouldn’t send more assassins.

“Smiling like a flower—I’m beginning to suspect you did this deliberately.”

Seeing her granddaughter again, Shou’an Jun examined her carefully. Finding that Wei Rao had neither lost weight nor become melancholy, she couldn’t help teasing.

Wei Rao huffed: “Yes, I did it deliberately—deliberately tarnishing myself so you’d feel sorry for me.”

Shou’an Jun shook her head helplessly and took Wei Rao’s small hand: “Fine, we won’t force it anymore. This time you can stay at the estate as long as you want—grandmother won’t chase you away. Look how your little face is flushed from the heat. Yan’er, quickly bring a bowl of iced sour plum soup.”

The young maid smilingly went to the kitchen and soon returned with a pot of iced sour plum soup.

Wei Rao drank nearly half a bowl in one breath—sour, sweet, and cool, indescribably comfortable.

After seeing her maternal grandmother, Wei Rao took her cousins Zhou Huizhu and Huo Lin to her room for a private conversation. An ice tripod was already set up inside. Liu Ya vigorously fanned several times, spreading cool air throughout the room. Wei Rao comfortably removed her embroidered shoes and sat on the bed, inviting her two cousins up as well.

The canopy bed was large enough for the three sisters to lie side by side and chat.

“Sister Rao is so unlucky to encounter such things. Let me tell you, my sister still resents you, saying it’s all your fault for implicating her, or someone would have come proposing marriage by now.” Zhou Huizhu pouted as she tattled on her older sister Zhou Huizhen to Wei Rao. She always helped reason, not relatives. “Why doesn’t she think—if some noble young master truly liked her, why didn’t anyone come proposing throughout April?”

Wei Rao was long accustomed to Zhou Huizhen’s unreasonableness and didn’t mind.

“Sister Rao, how long do you plan to stay this time?” Huo Lin lay on Wei Rao’s inner side, looking at her sideways. “I’m returning to Taiyuan with my brother in September.”

Wei Rao smiled: “I’ll stay until July when the weather cools. If Linlin can’t bear to part with me, come back to the mansion with me then.”

The three sisters chatted about this and that, close as if born of the same mother.

In another courtyard, Wang Shi stopped her eldest daughter Zhou Huizhen from going to trouble Wei Rao.

“What are you looking for her for? You can’t out-argue her, and if Old Madam finds out, she’ll punish you again.” Wang Shi feared Zhou Huizhen would suffer.

Zhou Huizhen’s eyes were red-rimmed: “She embarrassed herself in the capital and prevented me from marrying. I can’t swallow this anger.”

Wang Shi sighed: “What’s done is done. What use is arguing? It’s all mother’s fault. Had I known it would turn out this way, back when Marquis Xiting…”

Halfway through, Wang Shi realized her mistake and stopped in time, trying to cover it up.

But Zhou Huizhen latched onto “Marquis Xiting” and demanded that her mother explain clearly.

Pestered by her daughter until her head ached, Wang Shi had no choice but to pull her daughter back to their room and quietly tell her about Marquis Xiting’s heir Han Liao wanting to marry Zhou Huizhen as his second wife: “Zhen’er, don’t blame mother and Old Madam. We were thinking of your welfare. That Han Liao has a harsh mother above and over ten children below—marrying him would be too difficult for you.”

Zhou Huizhen didn’t care. She only knew she had almost become the wife of Marquis Xiting’s heir. After enduring ten or twenty years, she would have been Marchioness Xiting!

Already desperate to marry, Zhou Huizhen now cried even harder, as if she’d missed a chance to ascend to heaven: “I don’t want to live anymore! Wuu wuu wuu, what’s the point of living? None of you can stand to see me happy!”

Wang Shi desperately held Zhou Huizhen down, so Wei Rao had no idea her dear cousin was crying so heartbrokenly over missing Han Liao.

The next morning, taking advantage of the cool weather, Wei Rao changed into men’s clothing, put on a veiled hat, and went horse riding alone.

She didn’t inform her two cousins, fearing they’d follow. If they encountered assassins and she couldn’t protect them properly, involving her cousins would be terrible.

With just Wei Rao alone, she feared nothing.

Wei Rao didn’t take the road to Yunwu Mountain, only galloping along country paths. Running and running, she arrived at the edge of her maternal grandmother’s melon field. Large green-skinned watermelons lay on the sandy soil like well-fed little Maitreya Buddhas, looking truly delightful. Wei Rao glanced at the melon shed in the middle of the field, pondering whether to call someone to buy melons or “steal” one to tease the melon guard, when the sound of hoofbeats suddenly came from behind.

Wei Rao turned back to see a tall, robust military officer riding toward her. She squinted suspiciously and turned her horse around.

Qi Zhongkai had ridden urgently, and large drops of sweat continuously rolled down his bronze-colored face.

Since he was an acquaintance, Wei Rao lifted the edge of her veiled hat, revealing half her face to speak with Qi Zhongkai: “Has Second Master come looking for me? Why this attire?”

Qi Zhongkai panted heavily, his tiger eyes staring fixedly at Wei Rao’s charming face.

War had suddenly broken out at the frontier. Yesterday, he had received orders to march to battle.

Qi Zhongkai wanted to go to the battlefield, wanted to protect his country, and wanted to achieve merit and fame. The only thing he couldn’t let go of was Fourth Miss’s heart.

Yesterday evening, upon leaving the palace, he had impulsively gone to Earl Cheng’an Mansion, demanding to see Fourth Miss. Old Madam Wei first refused to let him see her until Qi Zhongkai said he might not return and didn’t want to leave with doubts. Only then did Old Madam Wei tell him Fourth Miss had come to the estate.

The city gates were already closed then, so Qi Zhongkai could only wait until this morning. Just now, when approaching the estate, Qi Zhongkai saw a familiar figure running out from far away. Guessing it might be Fourth Miss, he had pursued all the way.

“I’m going to war. Fourth Miss, I’m a crude man and speak directly—everyone outside says you want to marry me. Is it true?” Qi Zhongkai gripped his reins tightly, trying to steady his breathing as he asked. His face was flushed, his tiger eyes burning hotter than the fiercest summer sun.

At this moment, Wei Rao thought that if she truly married Qi Zhongkai, he would cherish her in his palm like the two old ladies did.

Unfortunately, the two were destined to have no fate.

Smiling, Wei Rao said with some hurt: “Second Master is an upright person—do you also believe rumors and take me for that kind of frivolous woman?”

The passion in Qi Zhongkai’s eyes cooled in her aggrieved gaze.

Wei Rao’s heart softened. Her gaze swept over a watermelon in the field. Wei Rao dismounted, drew her precious sword to cut open the watermelon, took a large piece, and brought it over to the man on horseback: “I have no romantic feelings for Second Master, but I appreciate that you’ve never looked down on me. In my heart, I regard Second Master as a friend. Today, as Second Master departs for war, Wei Rao has nothing else to give. Let me offer this watermelon slice to quench your thirst and wish Second Master victory and swift triumphant return.”

Qi Zhongkai was stunned. Looking at the watermelon, then at the girl with her bright, sweet smile, he suddenly didn’t feel so miserable.

If she didn’t like him, so be it. Being friends with Fourth Miss was enough!

“Good, then I’ll…”

“Who’s stealing our family’s watermelons?”

An angry, anxious voice suddenly came from the melon shed. Wei Rao looked back to see the melon guard putting on his shoes while running toward them!

Wei Rao’s mind turned. She stood on tiptoe to stuff the watermelon into Qi Zhongkai’s hands, mounted her horse, and fled.

Qi Zhongkai had never seen Fourth Miss like this. A sweet and sour feeling welled up in his heart. Just as he was about to take out silver to throw to the melon guard, he heard the guard say indignantly, “Think being an official makes you great? These are Shou’an Jun’s melons! If you want to buy melons, that’s different; otherwise, we’ll report you to the Emperor!”

Hearing this, Qi Zhongkai’s eyes rolled. Holding the melon in one hand and his reins in the other, he rode away laughing heartily.

Two quarters of an hour later, Qi Zhongkai rejoined his unit.

Lu Zhuo glanced at him, frowning with disgust as he pointed at Qi Zhongkai’s chest armor.

Qi Zhongkai looked down to find it splattered with watermelon juice.

Qi Zhongkai wiped it with his finger. Thinking this was melon Fourth Miss had given him, he put his finger in his mouth and sucked it, making slurping sounds.

Lu Zhuo: …

Qi Zhongkai noticed his disgust and grinned, extending a finger toward him: “Want to taste? Especially sweet!”

Lu Zhuo spurred his horse far away from him.