On the twenty-sixth day of the first month, Duke Ying Mansion was celebrating the first birthday of little Sixth Young Master Lu Bin.

Though Lu Bin had just turned one, he was the eldest son of Fourth Master Lu Ze from the fourth branch of the Lu family, making him the same generation as the heir apparent, Lu Zhuo, from the first branch. If it weren’t for Lu Zhuo being so useless at twenty-three without any offspring, Lu Bin might even have had nephews or nieces older than himself.

Lu Zhuo’s generation had many male cousins, but Lu Bin’s significance was different—he was the eldest son Fourth Master had waited nine years of marriage to have. So Duke Ying Mansion decided to celebrate grandly with a feast for many guests.

Before dawn, the servants of the Duke’s mansion had risen early to begin what was destined to be a full day of bustling activity.

Lu Zhuo had already practiced swordplay for half an hour.

Lu Zhuo had begun martial arts training at age four, dabbling in various weapons. His greatest expertise was the Lu family’s ancestral spear techniques, and he usually practiced with spears. He only began using swords after Wei Rao left.

Counting it up, Wei Rao had been married to him for only a year, several months shorter than the time since their divorce until now.

When Lu Zhuo first discovered his blessed bride was Wei Rao, he was very resistant and believed he would never develop feelings for Wei Rao. During that brief year, he and Wei Rao had argued numerous times, almost always with him offending Wei Rao first. Strangely, after each argument, Lu Zhuo’s opinion of Wei Rao would improve somewhat.

When he accompanied Wei Rao to stand before the gates of Liubo Palace, when Wei Rao crouched before the Fourth Prince with tears streaming down her face, Lu Zhuo wanted to embrace her.

When he emerged from behind the tree where he’d hidden and saw Wei Rao’s swift form successfully shooting the assassin, Lu Zhuo smiled.

In that moment, he finally understood what kind of girl he liked.

He would still respect dignified and virtuous ladies and believe such ladies would make good wives for men. If he hadn’t seen the real Wei Rao, after Wei Rao left, Lu Zhuo might have listened to his elders’ arrangements again and married a gentle, virtuous girl who matched his family status. He would have treated her with courtesy after marriage, cared for her, and entrusted his family elders to her care when he went to battle.

But Lu Zhuo had seen Wei Rao—seen her alluring silhouette reclining on the daybed, seen her carefree galloping on horseback, seen her fragility in longing for her mother, seen her fearless heroic stance fighting the assassin, seen her sweat-soaked dishevelment as she dragged assassin corpses into pits to prevent frightening children in nearby villages, and seen her graceful beauty just after bathing.

After Wei Rao left, Lu Zhuo would think of her with open eyes and see only her with closed eyes.

During the past year, Lu Zhuo often recalled their arguments, because only then would Wei Rao show her most vivid side in front of him. How ridiculous—when they argued, she could anger him until his chest felt tight. Yet afterward, recalling those moments, why they argued became unimportant. All he thought about and remembered was how she looked then.

With such a person in his heart, how could he possibly marry someone else? He didn’t even need to think about it.

After bathing and dressing, Lu Zhuo first went to pay his respects to his mother.

“Cousin has arrived.”

He Shi was in the inner room. Cousin He Weiyu sat in the main hall, and seeing Lu Zhuo, she stood up with a radiant smile, her intimate address hiding three parts shyness.

Lu Zhuo noticed that his cousin wore a crabapple pink dress today—a beautiful color. He remembered Wei Rao had worn a similar color before.

Grandmother said she would come today, but he didn’t know when she’d arrive.

Lu Zhuo absent-mindedly nodded to He Weiyu. Shortly after, He Shi came out, and the family of three chatted briefly before going their separate ways.

Lu Zhuo’s task today was to accompany Duke Ying in the front courtyard, entertaining male guests. Second Young Master Lu Ya and Fifth Young Master Lu Che greeted guests at the entrance. As for Third Lu Cong and Fourth Lu Ze, the brothers were still at the frontier and wouldn’t return until winter this year.

The sun gradually rose higher, and as guests arrived successively, the alley where Duke Ying Mansion was located became increasingly lively with bustling voices.

“Shoucheng, today we’ve come to celebrate your family’s little sixth’s first birthday. When will we get to drink your son’s first birthday wine?”

Accompanied by a voice like a great bell, Qi Zhongkai appeared before Lu Zhuo with loud laughter.

Qi Zhongkai was a year older than Lu Zhuo, but while Lu Zhuo had already married and divorced once, Qi Zhongkai still hadn’t taken a wife. He seemed to have gone on blind dates these past two years, but either he looked down on the woman or she looked down on his crudeness—none had worked out. As far as Lu Zhuo knew, Qi Zhongkai’s mother, the Marquis Pingxi’s wife, seemed to have given up.

Today, Qi Zhongkai wore a sapphire blue brocade robe. He had pretentiously grown a beard the past two years but had now shaved it clean again.

Lu Zhuo pressed his lips slightly, remembering how shortly after his divorce from Wei Rao, Qi Zhongkai had rushed over eagerly to ask what had happened. He didn’t know if Qi Zhongkai truly cared about him or had other thoughts in mind.

“You’re not anxious, so why should I be?” Lu Zhuo said coolly.

Qi Zhongkai laughed: “How are we the same? I’m the second son—the title should go to my elder brother, who already has both sons and daughters. You’re the heir apparent in your family, the legitimate eldest grandson, the eldest among six brothers. You need to marry quickly and have sons quickly.”

While speaking, Qi Zhongkai straightened Lu Zhuo’s neat robes like a close brother, lowering his voice to tease: “Besides, ever since you became single again, how many young ladies in the capital aren’t rushing into marriage arrangements, all waiting to marry you? If you pick one early, it’ll give us bachelors a chance too, right?”

Lu Zhuo smiled and pushed Qi Zhongkai to an empty seat, then went to entertain other guests.

The male guests were in Zhongyi Hall, while the women’s banquet was set in the fourth branch’s Chaohui Hall, convenient for the female guests to watch the child’s first birthday ceremony at the auspicious time.

A’Gui guarded the front gate of the Duke’s mansion, seemingly busy with various tasks but just watching the line of carriages outside. Hoping and waiting, he saw a familiar maid’s face, and his eyes lit up. Like a monkey, he slipped inside to report to the heir apparent: “Master, in another quarter hour, please come out.”

Lu Zhuo continued entertaining guests without showing any reaction.

Qi Zhongkai held his wine bowl, watching A’Gui run off, and squinted his eyes.

Soon after, Lu Zhuo found an excuse to leave the hall.

Guests streamed endlessly through the front gate of Duke Ying Mansion. After alighting from carriages, guests would exchange pleasantries first, then separate into male and female groups upon entering.

“What fine bearing the heir apparent has.”

A lady who had just entered the gate felt her heart flutter upon seeing Lu Zhuo and deliberately revealed the two young ladies following behind her. Duke Ying Mansion’s most desirable match was naturally Lu Zhuo, but his four younger cousins were all of marriageable age too. Second Young Master Lu Ya was already engaged, but Third, Fourth, and Fifth Young Masters, plus the divorced heir apparent, Lu Zhuo—securing any of them would be an excellent match.

Lu Zhuo smiled and bowed. Just then, his gaze turned forward, and he immediately excused himself to the lady and hurried past.

The lady and the two girls beside her couldn’t help turning to look back.

Not far from the Duke’s mansion gate, a woman in an azure jacket and true red brocade skirt was approaching with her maid. Her face was blocked by Second Young Master Lu Ya, who went up to greet her, revealing only her gorgeous skirt hem. The brocade skirt was magnificent and brilliant, while the matching azure jacket displayed complete dignity, very eye-catching among the crowd of young ladies.

Who could it be, making heir apparent Lu Zhuo so eager to personally greet her?

“Lu Zhuo pays his respects to the Princess.”

Seeing Wei Rao, Lu Zhuo said respectfully. Under everyone’s gaze, he didn’t reveal any other intentions.

The moment he appeared, the chattering voices of guests inside and outside the gate suddenly died down in unison. Everyone has curiosity, not just common people on the streets, but high officials and nobles equally enjoy watching excitement.

When Wei Rao alighted from her carriage, she hadn’t yet seen Lu Zhuo. She didn’t expect that in just a few steps, Lu Zhuo would appear.

Fortunately, Wei Rao was already accustomed to acting and didn’t give others a chance for excessive speculation. Wei Rao smiled lightly and returned Lu Zhuo’s bow: “Heir apparent, please rise.”

Today’s banquet is set in Chaohui Hall. I’ll guide the Princess there.” Lu Zhuo extended his hand in a gesture of invitation.

Wei Rao couldn’t very well make a scene halfway, so she said gently, “Thank you.”

This former couple then departed side by side.

After they walked some distance, whispers began again among the guests who witnessed this scene.

“It seems heir apparent Lu greatly honors the Princess, even personally coming to greet her. Could it be that they truly divorced to fulfill the Princess’s filial duty, and heir apparent Lu still wants to renew their relationship?”

“It does seem like that somewhat.”

“Not necessarily. If he truly liked her, he wouldn’t have divorced. Marriage is such a significant matter, not child’s play. Just the request for the heir apparent’s wife’s official title would require submitting a new memorial. Would Duke Ying and the Duchess allow such nonsense? In my opinion, Duke Ying Mansion is being magnanimous, unable to bear seeing the Princess criticized too much, so they deliberately invited her to preserve her dignity.”

“It’s also possible they see the emperor favoring the Princess and want to give the emperor face.”

“That makes sense…”

Wei Rao couldn’t hear those idle comments. When there were no people nearby, Wei Rao looked questioningly at the man beside her: “Did the heir apparent specifically go to greet me just now?”

Lu Zhuo didn’t need to turn his head—from the corner of his eye, he could glimpse her luminously fair, charming face. Today’s appearance was magnificent and dignified, increasingly befitting a princess.

“Indeed.” Lu Zhuo didn’t deny it.

Wei Rao smiled: “To clarify rumors of discord between us, the heir apparent has truly taken great pains.”

Hearing this, Lu Zhuo smiled bitterly: “Why must it be to clarify rumors? Can’t I want to see the Princess, want to reconcile with the Princess?”

Wei Rao looked at him like she’d heard a joke, glancing at Lu Zhuo as if he were a stranger: “The heir apparent prides himself on being a gentleman. If he truly favored some young lady, he should abide by propriety. How could he use the convenience of greeting guests to be presumptuous toward her? You and I know each other well—if you have something to say, speak freely. No need to put on an act with me.”

Bitao followed right behind them.

Originally, seeing the heir apparent again after over a year, Bitao felt some strangeness. But after walking a while and watching the two masters begin trading barbs after just a few sentences, that strangeness immediately disappeared. Yes, the young lady was still that young lady, the heir apparent that heir apparent. Though they looked like a perfect match, they were incompatible as fire and water.

While Bitao was thinking these thoughts, Lu Zhuo remained silent throughout.

Facing Wei Rao’s suspicion and sarcasm, Lu Zhuo had no words to defend himself.

He was the one who had disdained her for not being ladylike enough while posturing as a gentleman. He was also the one who had used benefits to coax her not to divorce.

So what right did he have to think she would believe him if he spoke his true feelings?

She had grown protective thorns all over her body, and he had touched nearly every one. When he was wounded by the thorns, didn’t she hurt just as much?

“Chaohui Hall is just ahead. Please proceed on your own, Princess. I’ll take my leave first.”

Lu Zhuo stopped walking, pointed toward Chaohui Hall, and said politely.

Wei Rao looked at him strangely, noticing female guests following at a distance behind them. She nodded and walked away with Bitao.

Lu Zhuo stood still for a moment before turning around and taking a path that wouldn’t encounter female guests back to Zhongyi Hall.

Just as he turned the corner, a familiar figure suddenly blocked his path.

Lu Zhuo looked at the person expressionlessly.

Qi Zhongkai grinned: “Deliberately sending A’Gui to watch for the Princess, then eagerly going to guide her when she arrived—what, you still want to marry her again?”

Lu Zhuo looked back: “So what if I do?”

Qi Zhongkai choked, then became agitated, grabbing his hair: “If you like her, why did you let her go and let her become the laughingstock of the entire capital?”

Lu Zhuo: “None of your business.”

His face was indifferent. Qi Zhongkai suddenly felt indignant and said through gritted teeth: “How is it none of my business? If you truly like her and she likes you too, then I’ll think nothing more and continue being a good brother with you. But if you don’t like her, or she doesn’t like you, then I still have the right to pursue her!”

Lu Zhuo sneered and was about to walk away when he suddenly looked back at Qi Zhongkai: “She doesn’t like me, but that doesn’t mean she likes you. How do you plan to pursue her?”

Hearing the first half of his sentence confirming that Fourth Lady didn’t like Lu Zhuo, Qi Zhongkai was happier than when he’d won the military examination. In his excitement, Qi Zhongkai paced while punching his fist and muttering incoherently: “How to pursue, how to pursue—of course, pursue with all my might! If she doesn’t like you despite your looks, it shows she’s not that shallow and doesn’t value appearance most. She doesn’t care about the man’s family background either. Excluding appearance and family background, she must care whether a man is sincere toward her! This is good, this is good—then I’ll cater to her preferences, finding all sorts of ways to send her gifts and please her. All women have soft hearts. As long as I persevere, I’ll eventually win her heart!”

By the end, Qi Zhongkai seemed to already possess the beauty, his tiger eyes bright as he looked at Lu Zhuo.

At that moment, Qi Zhongkai forgot that Lu Zhuo didn’t seem to have given up on Wei Rao, forgot that Lu Zhuo was also his competitor. He purely treated Lu Zhuo as a good brother, hoping his good brother would approve of his method and encourage him.

But Lu Zhuo only gave a light snort and walked away without looking back.

Only then did Qi Zhongkai react, shaking his fist at his bastard brother’s retreating figure before continuing to perfect his beauty-pursuit plan!