Wei Rao and Lu Zhuo first went to the nearest Chunhe Hall.

As evening approached, lamps were lit in the side room where He Shi and He Weiyu sat face to face, cutting paper window decorations.

He Shi’s hometown was particularly fond of pasting window paper-cuts, and the local girls took pride in their paper-cutting skills. Both He Shi and He Weiyu were experts in this craft, creating paper-cuts that were lifelike, spirited, and exquisite.

“With such heavy snow, how did you two come over?” He Shi sat cross-legged on the heated platform, smiling at her son and daughter-in-law who entered one after the other.

“Cousin brother, cousin sister-in-law, please sit,” he said. Weiyu came down from the platform, her almond-shaped eyes lingering on Lu Zhuo for a few extra glances.

Lu Zhuo didn’t sit, standing beside Wei Rao as he smiled at He Shi: “Mother, there’s a shop called Zhang’s in Cloud Mist Town that makes candied hawthorn that’s unparalleled in the area. Raorao specially bought several portions to bring back for everyone to try.”

Bitao approached carrying the food box. Wei Rao took out a portion of candied hawthorn, arranging five skewers one by one on a plate, then held it up with both hands before He Shi, saying sweetly and softly: “Actually, I was being greedy. Afraid the heir would laugh at me, I used my mother and the various elders and sisters as an excuse. But Zhang’s candied hawthorn is truly delicious—please try some, mother and cousin?”

Seeing her daughter-in-law’s thoughtfulness, He Shi was extremely pleased. She handed one skewer to He Weiyu and took one herself, taking a light bite. The sweet and sour sugar coating was thin, crispy, and didn’t stick to teeth, and the seeds had been removed—it was simply the best candied hawthorn she’d ever eaten.

“Mm, indeed better craftsmanship than other shops,” He Shi finished one piece and asked Wei Rao, “Have you two eaten some?”

Wei Rao smiled: “We ate one skewer on the way to the leisure estate. Any more and our teeth would ache.”

He Shi looked at her son.

Lu Zhuo: “I’ve also eaten some, mother. You and your cousin can take your time. We still need to pay respects to the grandfather and grandmother.”

He Shi smiled: “Go quickly, especially to your third aunt—she loves these snacks most.”

Lu Zhuo’s mind conjured the stern expression of Third Madam when scolding his cousins, making it impossible to imagine this aunt being as gluttonous as Wei Rao.

The couple took their leave. When exiting the room, Lu Zhuo took the initiative to lift the door curtain for Wei Rao to pass through.

He Shi didn’t move. As the younger cousin, He Weiyu escorted the cousin brother and sister-in-law out of the hall, watching the handsome man and beautiful woman nestled under one umbrella gradually disappear into the snowy landscape. He Weiyu’s heart felt like an unripe hawthorn—only sourness remained.

Wei Rao and Lu Zhuo’s second stop was Zhongyi Hall.

Duke Ying and Duchess Ying were playing chess. Since Lu Zhuo’s triumphant return to the capital, he had been recuperating, and Duke Ying only got time off for the New Year, so naturally, he had to spend quality time with his wife.

Entering the room and seeing grandfather and grandmother seated at opposite ends of the low table, Lu Zhuo and Wei Rao delivered almost identical explanations.

Duke Ying had no interest in eating candied hawthorn, but considering it was his grandson’s wife’s filial gesture, he smiled and continued studying the chessboard.

Duchess Ying picked up a skewer of candied hawthorn. She loved sweets but feared them sticking to her teeth. Unexpectedly, this candied hawthorn’s sugar coating didn’t stick at all. Duchess Ying immediately beamed, asking Wei Rao: “Is Zhang’s shop conspicuous? Next time I crave some, I’ll send someone to buy from Zhang’s.”

Wei Rao said, “Easy to find—it’s on Cloud Mist Town’s main street. Whenever grandmother wants some, just tell me and I’ll send someone.”

Seeing his wife eating so contentedly, Duke Ying snorted: “At your age, still craving such things.”

Lu Zhuo took Wei Rao to bid farewell. When they reached the courtyard, they heard Duchess Ying’s raised voice from inside: “Put it down! You’re even older—what business do you have eating candied hawthorn!”

Bitao couldn’t help giggling.

Having her thoughtful gesture accepted by the elders, Wei Rao felt particularly satisfied.

The third stop was the second household.

The second household had the most people among the four Lu family branches. Second Madam and Third Madam jointly managed the household and were currently sitting together discussing post-New Year banquets and gifts to bring when visiting relatives and friends. Lu Changning was required by the Second Madam to sit nearby and learn, looking quite unhappy. When Wei Rao and the others arrived, Lu Changning was the happiest.

“So much candied hawthorn! Second brother and the others went to the garden to drink—I’ll take some to them.”

Lu Changning grabbed a package of candied hawthorn, just enough to share, and ran off with a grin.

Second Madam worried about her daughter’s retreating figure: “She’ll be fifteen right after New Year. With this temperament, how will she marry?”

Lu Zhuo smiled: “Our family only has Changning as a sister—it’s better to keep her a few more years. Second aunt needn’t worry.”

Third Madam agreed—a Duke Ying Mansion daughter wouldn’t lack for marriage prospects even if she stayed until eighteen.

The two madams were busy, so Lu Zhuo didn’t disturb them further, taking Wei Rao to continue to the fourth household.

The first, second, and third households all lived relatively close together, but the fourth household was located in the northwest corner of Duke Ying Mansion’s residential complex, the most secluded spot.

Lu Zhuo quietly reminded Wei Rao, “Fourth uncle has a solitary personality. Let’s deliver the gifts and leave—don’t linger too long.”

Since marrying in, Wei Rao had only glimpsed Fourth Master two or three times. Logically, Fourth Master was the same age as Marquis Xiting’s heir Han Liao, but while Han Liao was spirited like a young man in his twenties, the Lu family’s Fourth Master had grown a full beard and eyes as lonely as still water, appearing a generation older than Han Liao.

According to Wei Rao’s knowledge, the Fourth Master began military campaigns as a youth. At eighteen, an enemy general severed one of his legs. After returning to the capital, he never left the Duke’s mansion again. Duchess Ying coaxed Fourth Master for years, finally convincing him to marry at the advanced age of twenty-four, wedding the current Fourth Madam.

But after eight years of marriage, the Fourth Master couple had no children, making them the most desolate household in Duke Ying Mansion.

On Wei Rao’s wedding day, Fourth Madam had been the one to receive her. Among the three aunts-in-law, Wei Rao felt closest to Fourth Madam—perhaps because Fourth Madam was the youngest, more like an elder sister.

“Raorao is so thoughtful, personally making this trip in such heavy snow. Are your feet cold?”

After the maids announced them, though Fourth Madam arrived somewhat late, she received the young couple very warmly.

The Fourth Master didn’t appear.

Wei Rao noticed Fourth Madam had applied a very thick layer of powder to her face and had bloodshot eyes, looking as if she’d just been crying.

Wei Rao looked toward Lu Zhuo.

Lu Zhuo lowered his eyes to drink tea, either truly not noticing or feigning ignorance.

Their relationship was still shallow, so Wei Rao couldn’t ask too much. After a brief conversation, Wei Rao used the darkening sky as an excuse to take leave.

Leaving the fourth household, snowflakes continued falling softly.

Stepping on accumulated snow that made regular creaking sounds, remembering Bitao’s earlier reminder, Wei Rao stayed close to Lu Zhuo. With both hands hidden in her fox fur hand warmer, Wei Rao lowered her lashes to look at the footprints the three had left coming this way, asking Lu Zhuo quietly: “Fourth Madam had been crying—did you notice?”

Lu Zhuo’s expression didn’t change, but his voice was cold: “Don’t meddle in things that aren’t your concern.”

Wei Rao nearly choked with anger: “That’s your aunt-in-law. If she cried, there must be a reason. As her nephew, you just pretend not to see? Ask nothing, act like nothing happened?”

Lu Zhuo frowned.

If Fourth Madam encountered trouble, she could discuss it with Fourth Uncle or grandmother—it would never be his place as a nephew to interfere. He was only five years older than Fourth Madam—with such a close age gap, if he presumed to meddle in Fourth Madam’s affairs, it could easily invite criticism. If Wei Rao were his real wife, he could have Wei Rao reach out with concern, but his marriage to Wei Rao was just an agreement.

Since it was an agreement, Lu Zhuo didn’t want Wei Rao probing into the private affairs of the Lu family’s various households.

“Fourth aunt applied powder to hide it, showing she doesn’t want us to know. Why must you inquire?” Lu Zhuo replied flatly, stopping in his tracks while keeping the umbrella over Wei Rao’s head.

Wei Rao only felt heartache for Fourth Madam. When Lu Zhuo was half-dead, how many tears had Fourth Madam shed along with Second Madam and Third Madam? When Lu Zhuo awakened, all three aunts were as happy as if their son had recovered. And Lu Zhuo? He knew Fourth Madam had been crying, yet could remain so rational, unwilling to give even the slightest extra concern.

“Some people are thin-skinned—though longing to be cared for, they don’t dare show it.” Wei Rao looked up, meeting Lu Zhuo’s eyes directly. “Fourth Madam might be just such a case. I’m a fake heir’s wife with no standing to care for her. If you have any conscience, even if it’s inconvenient for you to act directly, you should tell mother and remind her to find an opportunity to ask.”

Lu Zhuo countered: “What if Fourth Aunt doesn’t need such concern? If mother presumptuously asks and embarrasses Fourth Aunt, what then?”

Wei Rao said angrily: “Then blame me—just say I was loose-tongued with mother. It would have nothing to do with you.”

Fourth Madam was a beauty as elegant as a magnolia, always gentle with Wei Rao without prejudice. Since Wei Rao witnessed Fourth Madam crying, she had to interfere this once. If Fourth Madam indeed needed family concern, Wei Rao would be glad to have helped. If Fourth Madam found her meddlesome as Lu Zhuo worried, then Wei Rao would learn her lesson and not interfere again.

Lu Zhuo looked at her bright eyes blazing with anger, paused, then said: “If you want to manage it, you go tell mother.”

Having spent eight years at the border, Lu Zhuo had grown distant even from his mother. He would care about his mother’s health and try to do what she asked of him, but regarding Fourth Madam’s situation, Lu Zhuo didn’t know how to broach it with his mother. Even when he encountered troubles, large or small, Lu Zhuo didn’t want to tell his mother.

Wei Rao looked incredulously at this heir reputed to be gentle as jade.

“Let’s go. It’s getting dark,” Lu Zhuo glanced around, saying as if nothing had happened, even hanging that hypocritical smile on his lips again.

Wei Rao suddenly realized that Lu Zhuo wasn’t just discourteous to her—he was also very cold toward his own family.

Knowing what kind of person he was, Wei Rao was no longer shocked. After following Lu Zhuo for a while, Wei Rao said: “Rather than having Mother ask, I find an opportunity to talk privately with Fourth Madam. If Fourth Madam truly minds being probed, with one fewer person knowing, Fourth Madam would save more face. But this is your family’s business—if you mind my interference, I’ll ask Mother to handle it.”

Lu Zhuo didn’t immediately reply.

This matter might involve Fourth Aunt’s secrets. If Fourth Aunt completely regarded Wei Rao as a nephew’s wife and confided in her, could Wei Rao keep the secret?

A snowflake flew in from the side, landing on Lu Zhuo’s face.

He suddenly remembered the day hunting at Cloud Mist Mountain—after Wei Rao discovered both wild boars were ones he’d driven out, she unhesitatingly gave up the one she’d killed. And at the palace’s Dragon Boat Festival banquet, if Wei Rao hadn’t acted quickly to save Qi Zhongkai’s niece Qi Miaomiao, the little girl might not have survived until the imperial physician’s treatment.

This Wei Rao seemed merely wild in temperament, but her character was quite upright.

Including this matter with Fourth Aunt—she could have ignored it, yet she’d rather argue with him than let Fourth Aunt’s tears go unaddressed.

“You handle it then. If Fourth Aunt is unwilling to say more, don’t persist,” Lu Zhuo glanced at Wei Rao with an implicit warning.

Wei Rao laughed coldly: “I have that much perception. No need for you to lecture me.”