With Lu Zhuo not at the mansion, Wei Rao had breakfast and first went to Chunhe Hall to pay her respects to her mother-in-law, He Shi.

He Shi welcomed her with enthusiasm that exceeded Wei Rao’s expectations.

During these three days since their wedding, Wei Rao had been quite busy, occupied with social obligations to the Lu family and her natal family during the day, and intimately entwined with Lu Zhuo at night, so she hadn’t had the opportunity to have a proper private conversation with He Shi.

On the way to Chunhe Hall, Wei Rao had been somewhat worried that He Shi might harbor resentment toward her because of her attitude toward Lu Zhuo after their divorce. After all, parents protect their children. In her mother’s view, however, she tormented Lu Zhuo; it was what Lu Zhuo deserved, but He Shi might not think so.

Naturally, Wei Rao wouldn’t fear He Shi, but since she had been married off, Wei Rao still hoped to get along with He Shi as they had before.

“Mother, you don’t blame me?” After being pulled into the inner room by He Shi, with all the maids dismissed, Wei Rao asked first.

He Shi looked puzzled, “Blame you for what?”

Wei Rao lowered her head, her face slightly flushed, “Previously, when the heir apparent and I had our quarrel, I was quite impolite to him.”

He Shi immediately understood. The affairs between her son and daughter-in-law had been the talk of the capital, and He Shi had naturally heard about them. Every time she heard something, He Shi would call her son over to ask about it, so the version He Shi heard from Lu Zhuo’s mouth was quite different from what was circulating outside.

Last year, when the entire household was celebrating Little Sixth’s first birthday, her son went to escort Wei Rao but was hit by a teacup thrown by Wei Rao. Why? Because her son had urged Wei Rao to marry him quickly with overly frivolous words, Wei Rao was angry that he wasn’t dignified enough.

He Shi felt her daughter-in-law was right to throw it. When her daughter-in-law returned to Cheng’an Earl Mansion to observe mourning for the old lady, harsh people spoke outside. It wasn’t easy for the mourning period to end—Wei Rao could now be a glorious princess, living in such a grand residence. Anyone would be in no hurry to reconcile with their former husband.

He Shi understood her daughter-in-law and also understood her son’s urgency. Such a beautiful woman, and her son had been keeping an empty room for so long—he was surely frustrated, so he eagerly ran to Shou’an Jun’s leisure estate to help with farming to please his daughter-in-law, and jumping into the river to find medicinal herbs was also to quickly coax his daughter-in-law into agreeing to marry him.

Young couples, however they quarreled, had all romantic interest. Outsiders understood nothing, randomly guessing and gossiping. Look, didn’t her daughter-in-law still marry over in the end? Xiao Zhou Shi had become a Noble Consort, her status only slightly below the Empress. Wei Rao, noble because of her mother’s position, was still willing to marry her son—didn’t this prove their deep affection?

In any case, He Shi was completely satisfied with Wei Rao. An earl’s daughter willing to marry for good fortune to save her son’s life, a princess daughter-in-law who was kind to people and never looked down on her mother-in-law’s humble origins—looking throughout the capital, where could she find a better daughter-in-law than Wei Rao?

He Shi thus explained and comforted Wei Rao thoroughly in this manner.

Only then did Wei Rao realize that Lu Zhuo had been hiding things from He Shi all along. What was even more miraculous was that He Shi believed it all, truly thinking that she and Lu Zhuo had never really divorced.

Since Lu Zhuo had taken such pains to maintain his mother’s innocent simplicity, Wei Rao naturally wouldn’t expose him.

“It’s good that you don’t blame me,” Wei Rao said with a smile.

He Shi patted her princess daughter-in-law’s hand, smiling until her eyes curved, “I don’t blame you, I don’t blame you. I won’t hide it from you, Raorao—I’ve been hoping you’d marry over quickly. You know I treat Weiyu as my daughter. These past few years, I’ve been pondering what kind of husband to find for her. I can’t bear to let her go somewhere too far, but nearby… I’m not familiar with the families in the capital.”

He Shi awkwardly clutched her handkerchief.

Duke Ying Mansion had many relatives, but He Shi rarely went out visiting. The wives of her generation who came to the Lu family mostly got along well with Second Madam, Third Madam, and Fourth Madam. Occasionally, one or two wives from humble backgrounds would be willing to sit with her longer.

He Shi knew her position was awkward and didn’t blame others for ignoring her, nor did she think there was anything improper about it. As long as she lived comfortably in the Duke’s mansion, that was enough. Her son’s marriage had Old Madam’s help in arranging it. These past two years, Old Madam had been busy with the marriages of several nephews and nieces. When it came to Weiyu’s turn, relying on He Shi alone suddenly gave her headaches and anxiety.

Wei Rao could understand He Shi’s awkwardness. However, she remembered that three years ago, He Weiyu seemed to have harbored some feelings for Lu Zhuo. If He Weiyu still thought about Lu Zhuo, then helping He Weiyu by matchmaking her with other suitors might earn He Weiyu’s resentment. If she deliberately found fault with the men, it might also affect her relationship with He Shi.

“What kind of temperament does cousin prefer in young men? Does Mother know?” Wei Rao asked first.

He Shi sighed, “She follows me around the back residence every day—what opinions could she have? We’ll have to decide for her.” Speaking of this, He Shi’s eyes lit up, and she told her daughter-in-law about Qi Zhongkai’s boastful declaration about marrying a beauty that she had heard on Wei Rao and Lu Zhuo’s wedding day. “Raorao knows Weiyu’s beauty. If we arrange for her to meet Second Master Qi, there should be potential.”

Wei Rao was surprised by He Shi’s “ambition.” Of course, He Shi wasn’t like aunt Wang Shi, harboring thoughts of clinging to the powerful and wealthy. She thought Qi Zhongkai was reliable in character and handsome in appearance—she valued Qi Zhongkai as a person.

Wei Rao had dealt with Qi Zhongkai before. He was indeed very easy to get along with, without the common arrogance of aristocratic sons. The question was, would Qi Zhongkai’s mother, Marquis Pingxi’s wife, and the Qi family’s old lady accept He Weiyu? If He Weiyu were Old Madam’s natal family’s cousin, even with a humble family background, there might be some possibility. But He Weiyu was He Shi’s natal family’s niece.

“Mother, I can help matchmake anyone else, but Second Master Qi—he, he proposed to the Princess Manor before. If I now matchmake him with a cousin, both the cousin and Second Master Qi might feel awkward about it,” Wei Rao said tactfully.

He Shi understood and said, “It’s not appropriate for you to step forward, but it would be convenient if Zhuo’er did. I want Zhuo’er to invite Second Master Qi to Songyue Hall as a guest, and take the opportunity to let Weiyu show her face in front of Second Master Qi to see his reaction. If he doesn’t fancy Weiyu, the matter ends there. If he takes a liking to her, he’ll naturally discuss proposing marriage with his parents.”

Wei Rao nodded—this was indeed a viable approach.

He Shi quietly complained to her daughter-in-law about her son, “Zhuo’er went to the frontier when he was twelve and became distant from me after returning. When I mentioned this matter to him, he didn’t seem very supportive. When he puts on a stern face, I’m also intimidated by him, so I wanted you to help persuade him. He likes you so much, he’ll listen to you.”

At this moment, He Shi finally showed a trace of grievance. The son she had labored to give birth to was no longer close to her at all. Even discussing matters, he had concerns about this and that.

Wei Rao quickly said, “Mother, you misunderstand. The heir apparent isn’t distant from you—sons and daughters just show filial piety to parents differently. Isn’t that why they say daughters are parents’ intimate little cotton-padded jackets? The heir apparent learned from childhood to be a gentleman who observes propriety and commands troops in battle. If you asked him to chat casually with you like I do, you might not be used to it either.”

He Shi understood. When she was younger, her husband was also cold and dignified in front of his mother, but showed a different face in front of her.

“In any case, this matter depends on you!”

Wei Rao smiled and agreed.

Leaving Chunhe Hall, Wei Rao went to Zhongyi Hall to pay respects to Duchess Ying.

Fourth Madam was also there, with two-year-old Lu Bin. Children of this age were at their most adorable. He sat concentrating on the couch, playing with a set of wood carvings. When Wei Rao approached, she recognized them as over twenty small wooden soldiers, each equipped with small wooden spears, small wooden swords, small wooden horses, small wooden carts, and other battlefield equipment.

Lu Bin was placing slightly larger “generals” onto black-lacquered wooden horses.

Fourth Madam asked him, “An’er, who is this general?”

Lu Bin replied without lifting his head, “Big Brother.” Then pointing to the black horse, “Fei Mo.”

Wei Rao was stunned.

Fourth Madam explained with a smile, “This set was made by Master Hu based on drawings that Zhuo’er made. According to Zhuo’er, he was inspired by you.”

Wei Rao’s face reddened.

She had commissioned a wood carving master in Jin City to make two sets of shepherd boy and cattle figures—one set for her brother, one she kept for herself, still displayed on her treasure shelf. Lu Zhuo was indeed inspired by her, but the set of soldier wood carvings Lu Zhuo designed, whether in ingenuity or the craftsman’s skill, far surpassed hers.

“I thought of shepherd boys and cattle, far inferior to the heir apparent’s clever ideas,” Wei Rao said sincerely.

Duchess Ying smiled, “But without your shepherd boys, how would Zhuo’er have thought of soldiers? We hope our Little Sixth will live up to expectations and not disappoint his big brother’s high hopes.”

Wei Rao had her eyes opened at Zhongyi Hall. Returning to Songyue Hall, the more she thought about it, the better Lu Zhuo’s set of soldier wood carvings seemed. Even adults like her enjoyed them—how much would children love them?

Wei Rao saw a business opportunity.

In the wood carving shops she had visited, the truly thoughtful carved pieces were all for adults to give as gifts, but they were all purely decorative. Those carved for children to play with were mostly singular, rigid things like the twelve zodiac animals. If someone could make complete sets of toys that children would love, and adults could also arrange and play with…

They could be wood carvings or cloth dolls. Simple craftsmanship would suit low prices and high volume sales, while elaborate craftsmanship could be sold to wealthy households and noble families at naturally higher prices.

Wei Rao went to the study in the back courtyard and spent the entire afternoon there writing and drawing.

At dusk, Lu Zhuo returned.

Remembering Wei Rao’s demand last night that he follow the original rule of staying in the back residence once every three days, Lu Zhuo smiled and said to A’Gui, “I’ll go to the study to read. Go inform the Princess that when dinner is ready, come call me.”

A’Gui went to carry out the order.

Wei Rao had just emerged from the study when she heard Bitao’s words and suddenly remembered He Shi’s request.

Two quarters of an hour later, when dinner was nearly ready, Wei Rao sent Bitao to invite Lu Zhuo over for the meal.

Lu Zhuo had already changed into casual clothes and came to the back courtyard with a relaxed expression.

One look showed he had no troublesome duties to worry about. Wei Rao chatted casually with him for a few sentences. After the maids withdrew, while eating, she brought up He Shi’s matchmaking plan: “This is Mother’s idea. What do you think?”

Lu Zhuo said, “I’m afraid Marquis’s wife won’t be willing.”

Wei Rao pondered, “If Second Master Qi were seventeen or eighteen, Marquis’s wife would definitely not agree, but this year Second Master Qi is already twenty-five…”

“How do you know his age?” Lu Zhuo suddenly interrupted.

Wei Rao glared at him.

Lu Zhuo smiled and continued the previous topic, “It seems you agree with Mother’s plan?”

Wei Rao said, “It’s not a matter of agreeing or disagreeing—it’s Mother’s good intentions. As her children, if we can help, we should. If this matter could succeed, the Qi family would have a simple household structure. If cousin is willing to be Second Master Qi’s capable wife, considering the relationship between the Lu and Qi families, if Marquis’s wife agrees to the marriage, she won’t mistreat cousin after the wedding.”

Qi Zhongkai was already twenty-five—his age was truly not young. Yet he stubbornly insisted on marrying a beauty. Marquis Pingxi’s wife was anxious to hold a grandson and might very well comply with Qi Zhongkai’s wishes. If He Weiyu could be like He Shi and bear the Qi family an excellent son, Marquis’s wife would give her proper respect, just as He Shi had in the Lu family.

Though ironic, the only quality He Weiyu currently possessed that might catch Marquis Pingxi’s wife’s eye was that He Weiyu’s appearance might quickly help her hold a grandson from her second son’s household, provided Qi Zhongkai and He Weiyu both took a liking to each other.

“Of course, I’m just acting as Mother’s advocate. Whether or not to invite Second Master Qi over is still your decision,” Wei Rao said calmly, continuing to eat.

Lu Zhuo pondered slightly, then said, “Meeting at Songyue Hall wouldn’t be appropriate. If Qi Zhongkai really takes a fancy to his cousin and goes home to arrange things, the Marquis’s wife would guess our scheme. Better to have me accompany you, Mother, and your cousin to the temple for incense at the end of the month. I’ll find a way to lure Qi Zhongkai there too—that way, it would be a chance encounter.”

Wei Rao was impressed: “If Mother had half your scheming ability, she would have found cousin a good marriage long ago.”

Lu Zhuo looked at her with a smile, “Scheming can create opportunities, but whether a marriage succeeds still depends on fate.”