Shou’an Jun knew all about the gossip in the capital’s marketplaces, but she didn’t care.

She had been the subject of discussion for over thirty years. When she was young and headstrong, she hadn’t cared, and now that she was old, she cared even less about such things. The only thing she was somewhat worried about was whether Duke Ying Mansion would blame her granddaughter Wei Rao because the emperor had scolded Lu Zhuo.

Shou’an Jun called for Wei Rao and told her about the gossip.

Wei Rao lowered her head in self-reproach: “It’s all my fault. By running to the estate, I’ve caused you to be criticized along with me.”

Shou’an Jun flicked her forehead: “Who wants to hear you say that? I’m telling you so you’ll be aware, and when you go back, you can gauge Duchess Ying’s attitude.” As long as Duke Ying Mansion didn’t mind, no matter how harshly others spoke, it would be like passing clouds to their grandmother and granddaughter, worth less than nothing, at least flatulence could still disgust them.

Wei Rao made an acknowledgment sound, then became puzzled: “Why is the emperor meddling in our affairs? He doesn’t seem like someone who still remembers my mother.”

Only love for the house extending to the crow would make him care about her, but Emperor Yuanjia had left her mother and younger brother at Xisan Palace for so long. During the Lantern Festival, he even had the leisure to leave the palace for romantic pursuits – he might have even forgotten about her mother. How could he care about her?

Wei Rao couldn’t understand.

Shou’an Jun had her speculation: “You and your mother combined can’t compare to the Shenwu Army’s position in the emperor’s heart. How could the emperor scold the heir over such a trivial matter? In other words, even if the emperor did scold the heir, he wouldn’t spread it around. The news should have been released by someone else, deliberately trying to sow discord between you and Duke Ying Mansion.”

With this explanation, Wei Rao immediately understood. The only one who would dare spread rumors about the emperor was the Empress Dowager.

“How can that person be so idle?” Wei Rao muttered under her breath.

Shou’an Jun laughed: “Put you in that position, and you’d be just as bored.”

Wei Rao was only grateful she didn’t have to be a woman in the palace.

On the rest day, Wei Rao had Bitao and Liu Ya pack their luggage early, just waiting for Lu Zhuo’s third visit.

She had an agreement with Lu Zhuo and knew he would come today. Wang Shi and her daughter didn’t know this, so early in the morning, Zhou Huizhen was speculating with Wang Shi about whether Lu Zhuo would come.

“It would be better if he didn’t come. Let her be willful and see how she handles the situation.” Zhou Huizhen spoke with some jealousy. What kind of person was Lu Zhuo? A gentleman like an immortal. Wei Rao had incredible luck marrying him, yet still didn’t know how to treasure it, making a fuss over trivial matters and returning to her maiden home. How infuriating.

Wang Shi glared at her daughter: “Don’t speak like that. Before marriage, you sisters could act childishly and compete with each other, but after marriage, you must help each other. If Raorao lives well in Duke Ying Mansion, you’ll also have dignity in Marquis Xiting Mansion.”

Zhou Huizhen snorted: “That’s only if she lives well. Otherwise, she’ll just drag me down.”

Wang Shi looked out the window and reminded her daughter: “You must remember Raorao’s lesson this time. After you marry, endure what you can endure, and don’t throw tantrums casually. Young Master Han has been married once before and has several beautiful concubines in his back courtyard. If you run home, Young Master Han can simply go to sleep in a concubine’s room. It’s not like Heir Lu, whose family doesn’t allow concubines, so naturally he’s anxious to bring Raorao back.”

Zhou Huizhen was unconcerned. With her beauty, how could those vulgar, common women compare?

The sun gradually rose higher, and finally, the maid Wang Shi had sent out came running back, joyfully saying that the heir had come again to fetch the young lady!

Wang Shi patted her chest in relief. This was the third time – Wei Rao would go back this time, right?

Zhou Huizhen recalled Lu Zhuo’s handsome face, envying Wei Rao beyond measure.

In the reception hall of the estate, Shou’an Jun invited Lu Zhuo to sit and asked with concern: “I heard that because Raorao was being unreasonable, the emperor blamed the heir?”

Lu Zhuo smiled: “No such thing. I don’t know who spread such rumors and gossip. Old Madam need not take it to heart.”

How could Shou’an Jun believe him just because he smiled nicely?

Lu Zhuo came before Shou’an Jun and whispered something in her ear.

Shou’an Jun’s eyes lit up, looking at Lu Zhuo in disbelief.

Lu Zhuo said shamefully, “This guilty son-in-law thought hard for many days. Only this method might slightly reduce Raorao’s anger, and fortunately, the emperor was willing to grant it.”

Shou’an Jun was deeply moved: “The heir has put thought into this. Raorao is in Yan Garden. Go find her yourself and tell her this good news.”

Lu Zhuo bowed and took his leave, led by a young maid to Yan Garden, where Wei Rao was staying.

After he left, Nanny Liu asked Shou’an Jun curiously: “Old Madam, what did the heir tell you?”

Shou’an Jun smiled: “It’s not convenient to tell you, but it’s good news anyway.”

Based on Lu Zhuo’s words, she immediately confirmed two things.

First, the emperor had not blamed Lu Zhuo, and neither Lu Zhuo nor Duke Ying Mansion blamed her granddaughter.

Second, the emperor had not forgotten her daughter and little grandson.

There was another piece of good news beginning to emerge, but Shou’an Jun needed to continue observing before reaching a definite conclusion.

The estate was very large with many courtyards, but unfortunately, the Zhou family wasn’t prosperous, so most courtyards remained empty.

After Wei Rao grew old enough to live alone in a courtyard, when she came to the estate for short stays, Shou’an Jun let her choose freely – she could live wherever she liked. Wei Rao chose the courtyard next to Spring Garden, where her mother Xiao Zhou Shi had lived before entering the palace – Yan Garden.

Yan Garden contained a small, exquisite lotus pond with a tiny pavilion in the center. In early spring, there were no lotus leaves yet, just a ring of clear flowing water about six feet wide circling the pavilion with over a dozen palm-sized small red carp playing in the water. When Wei Rao threw some fish food in, the little fish rushed over eagerly, full of life and interest.

Wei Rao loved the estate, loved her Yan Garden, loved this little lotus pond. Give her such an estate, and she wouldn’t feel bored even if she never married in her lifetime.

The lotus pond was located behind the main building. When Lu Zhuo arrived, Bitao immediately ran over to inform her mistress.

Wei Rao had questions for Lu Zhuo and wasn’t in a hurry to leave, so she had Bitao invite Lu Zhuo to sit here.

Shortly after, Lu Zhuo appeared in the corridor leading to the back courtyard.

Wei Rao looked up. Today, Lu Zhuo wore a brocade robe with a tea-white base and bamboo-crane pattern. Such an elegant color, set against his jade-like handsome features, made him appear like the bright moon hanging high in the mid-autumn night sky when he first appeared, making the stars pale in comparison, or like a crane soaring alone in the sky far from worldly dust, lofty and refined.

Such an heir would earn praise from anyone who saw him. They were probably all criticizing her now for being spoiled and unreasonable, frequently troubling the noble heir to travel back and forth between the capital and the estate.

Withdrawing her gaze, Wei Rao lazily leaned against the beauty’s rest and threw some more fish food into the pond.

The small red carp swarmed up.

Wei Rao thought to herself that Lu Zhuo was like this fish food – if you threw him among noble ladies, they would all rush to throw themselves into his arms. She didn’t rush, yet people questioned whether she knew what was good for her.

On the corridor above, as soon as Lu Zhuo came over, his gaze fell on Wei Rao in the pavilion. Early spring was gray and dreary everywhere, but she wore a sea-foam pink jacket, languidly leaning against the beauty’s rest like she had no bones. One hand scattered fish food while the other rested on the backrest, her fair chin propped on the back of her hand, head turned toward the pond water, revealing a stretch of slender, snow-white neck.

The silky satin jacket clung to her slender back, outlining an amazing waistline. A crimson long dress fell like a waterfall from her waist to the ground, revealing only the tip of a pink satin embroidered shoe.

Such a Wei Rao was like a brilliant, alluring peony, waiting for someone to smell her fragrance, waiting for someone to pluck her delicate flower stem.

Lu Zhuo lowered his gaze, instinctively feeling this was improper – too seductive.

But then he thought, this was her garden. Apart from the maids, there were no outsiders. Why should she restrain herself?

But he had come – wasn’t she afraid of him seeing her in such a charming state?

Or perhaps she simply didn’t know what she looked like right now.

Or perhaps she detested him so much that she didn’t care how he viewed her.

Lost in thought, Lu Zhuo came to the stone steps outside the pavilion. From this angle, Wei Rao’s slender waistline was even more pronounced.

Avoiding impropriety, Lu Zhuo lowered his eyes and stepped into the pavilion. Seeing that Wei Rao had no intention of acknowledging him, Lu Zhuo chose a stone chair that faced her sideways.

Wei Rao finished scattering the last bit of fish food, turned around holding the empty dish, glanced at Lu Zhuo, and asked: “Did our matter alarm the emperor?”

Lu Zhuo spoke to the stone table: “It alarmed the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager wanted to issue an imperial edict to blame me, but the emperor stopped her and summoned me over, reminding me to resolve this matter quickly.”

The Empress Dowager had wanted to issue an imperial edict.

Wei Rao laughed angrily: “Those who don’t know might think the Empress Dowager cares so much about me.”

Lu Zhuo glanced at her gorgeous dress hem and said apologetically: “This matter all arose because of me. I’ve already explained to my mother and grandmother. They don’t care how outsiders talk – they only hope I can earn your forgiveness.”

The kind face of Duchess Ying floated through her mind, along with He Shi’s eyes, hoping she and Lu Zhuo would quickly have children. Wei Rao sighed and stood up: “Forget it. I called the heir here precisely about the emperor blaming you. Since it was just a rumor, I have nothing more to ask. Let’s go back now.”

Lu Zhuo stopped her: “I have one more matter to discuss with you.”

Wei Rao looked over in confusion.

Lu Zhuo asked her to sit.

Wei Rao sat across from him.

Lu Zhuo asked her: “Do you know Jin City?”

Wei Rao naturally knew. The current dynasty had twenty states, and Jin City was the prefecture capital of the Qing State in the north. These things were learned and memorized by all noble children and ladies during their elementary education.

That Lu Zhuo would question whether she even understood this made Wei Rao glare at him.

Lu Zhuo avoided her gaze and explained: “The Shenwu Army needs to recruit new soldiers. I’m responsible for the Jin City area and will depart for Jin City in a couple of days. Coming and going, I might be away from the capital for three months.”

Wei Rao felt joy in her heart – finally, she wouldn’t have to live with Lu Zhuo anymore. However, she didn’t show it and said indifferently: “You’re going to Jin City – what does that have to do with me?” They weren’t a real married couple anyway. She didn’t care about Lu Zhuo’s travels.

Lu Zhuo looked at her: “From Jin City to Xisan Palace, riding hard, takes half a day.”

Wei Rao suddenly looked at him, her eyes bright as stars.

Lu Zhuo was momentarily disturbed by such bright eyes and said seriously, “I spoke harsh words that hurt the young lady’s heart. The young lady and your mother haven’t seen each other for many years, so I thought, if I brought you to Jin City with me and found an opportunity to visit Consort Li at the palace, perhaps the young lady could forgive my previous offense.”

Wei Rao gripped the dress at her knees tightly, deeply moved yet suspecting Lu Zhuo was just coaxing her: “That’s a palace. Outsiders cannot trespass. What gives you the right to take me in?”

Lu Zhuo had come prepared. He took something from his chest and placed it before Wei Rao.

It was a scroll of bright yellow imperial edict. Wei Rao unrolled it, and inside was indeed an edict allowing her and Lu Zhuo to visit her mother at the palace. She didn’t know whose handwriting it was, but in the corner of the edict, the imperial seal was stamped.

Wei Rao’s hands holding the edict trembled slightly as she looked at Lu Zhuo: “This – you asked the emperor for this?”

Lu Zhuo said: “Yes, and I must thank the emperor for granting it.”

Wei Rao looked at the edict again, wanting to laugh, but tears fell instead.

In the twelfth month of her eleventh year, she had fallen into water and been ill, bedridden for over a year. Later, she moved to the estate to practice martial arts with her master to strengthen her body. By the time she fully recovered, her mother had given birth to a prince and been sent to Xisan Palace by Emperor Yuanjia’s edict after the Empress Dowager found fault with her. Counting the time, she hadn’t seen her mother for four years and two months.