On the way out of the palace, Wei Rao asked Lu Zhuo with a smile, “Did His Highness scold you?”

Lu Zhuo also smiled, “His Highness is intelligent and perceptive, and deeply protective of his sister. Since I promised His Highness that I would treat the Princess well, if I were to break my promise in the future, His Highness would certainly not let me off lightly.”

Wei Rao raised her chin slightly, saying proudly, “Good that you know, heir apparent.”

Anyone who had such a good younger brother who knew how to cherish and protect his sister would be proud.

However, Lu Zhuo’s promise was only effective during the day. Once night fell, Wei Rao was bullied by him continuously for two rounds again, so much so that when she brought Lu Zhuo to the Princess Manor for the return visit, she was still staying at the Princess Manor. Shou’an Jun, who had been waiting specifically for today, saw Wei Rao’s barely concealed alluring charm and knew without even asking that Lu Zhuo was no longer a bean sprout.

“It wasn’t easy for you two to get back together. Live your lives well from now on. When you encounter any disagreements, think them through calmly first. Don’t just act on impulse and regret it afterward.”

With no outsiders present, Shou’an Jun looked at the two young people sitting on her left and right, speaking sincerely.

Wei Rao looked toward Lu Zhuo, and Lu Zhuo also looked at her.

When their gazes met, both felt ashamed in their ways. Wei Rao lowered her head without speaking, while Lu Zhuo stood up and said to Shou’an Jun, “This grandson-in-law respectfully accepts your teachings.”

They were both adults now, and Shou’an Jun felt there was nothing more she needed to nag about, so she prepared to set off back to the leisure estate.

Wei Rao took hold of the old lady’s arm and said, “Why are you in such a hurry? At least stay and have lunch with us.”

Shou’an Jun replied, “Huizhu is getting married next month, and there’s a pile of things to handle at home. You don’t expect me to only worry about you and not care about Huizhu, do you?”

Wei Rao pouted—she didn’t mean that.

Shou’an Jun laughed, “Alright, alright. This is Zhuo’er’s first time visiting your Princess Manor, so you should accompany him for a proper tour.”

The young couple were newlyweds, and they had such a lovely residence to admire. What business did an old woman have staying here to get in the way?

Shou’an Jun happily boarded her carriage.

After the carriage departed, Wei Rao and Lu Zhuo returned to the Princess Manor.

The Princess Manor occupied no less space than Duke Ying Mansion, and considering that only Wei Rao lived there, it clearly showed Emperor Yuanjia’s compensatory intentions toward Wei Rao, or perhaps his love for Xiao Zhou Shi extended to her daughter.

The spring sunshine was brilliant. When Wei Rao grew tired from walking, she led Lu Zhuo into a waterside pavilion, while Eunuch Wei stood at a distance with Bitao and two palace maids.

“Would you like some tea?” Lu Zhuo asked.

Wei Rao could take it or leave it, but she still waved at Eunuch Wei, making a gesture for tea to be served.

Eunuch Wei immediately instructed the palace maids to bring tea.

Eunuch Wei had the bearing of a head eunuch, yet he was only around twenty years old, with delicate features, fair skin, and red lips.

Lu Zhuo withdrew his gaze from Eunuch Wei and asked Wei Rao with a smile, “The palace consorts like to use eunuchs, and eunuchs are indeed skilled and dexterous. When the Princess resides at the Princess Manor, have you ever tried Eunuch Wei’s abilities in your daily care?”

Wei Rao sensed there was more to his words, her rippling eyes looking at him.

Lu Zhuo then spoke directly, “Has the Princess ever let Eunuch Wei serve you personally?”

Wei Rao understood and glared at him, “Of course not. Eunuch Wei only manages the Princess Manor. For matters in my chambers, I’m more accustomed to using Bitao and the others.”

Wei Rao was not a palace consort. In her eyes, Eunuch Wei was not much different from other men—how could she possibly let Eunuch Wei enter her bedchamber?

Thinking of this, Wei Rao glared at Lu Zhuo again. This man, who knew what went through his head all day.

Lu Zhuo smiled without speaking, his gaze turning to the scenery elsewhere. Thinking of this Princess Manor’s previous owner, who was a princess known to have kept male favorites, and that Emperor Yuanjia had arranged for such a handsome eunuch as Wei to assist Wei Rao in managing the Princess Manor, the smile at the corner of Lu Zhuo’s mouth gradually froze.

Fortunately, Wei Rao was a princess by adoption. If she had been born into the imperial family, she might have been capable of keeping male favorites.

After resting for a moment and drinking tea, the two continued touring the Princess Manor.

The former princess had been fond of pleasure, and several locations in the Princess Manor made Lu Zhuo think of scenes from those little booklets depicting suitable places for private meetings between men and women. If it were Wei Rao with those non-existent male favorites, Lu Zhuo would naturally be unhappy, but if it were him and Wei Rao, Lu Zhuo’s thoughts drifted further and further away.

Wei Rao truly couldn’t tell that the dignified Lord Lu was thinking about such things in broad daylight. After touring the Princess Manor for a round, they returned home in the afternoon.

Today was also Lu Zhuo’s last day of marriage leave—tomorrow morning, he would have to report to the Shenwu Army camp for duty.

After their passionate entanglement that night, Wei Rao lazily lay against Lu Zhuo’s chest. When her consciousness fully returned from the ninth heaven, thinking of these past few nights of indulgence, Wei Rao felt fortunate that Lu Zhuo was returning to duty. She poked at Lu Zhuo with a strand of hair, “Now that you’re resuming your duties, shall we go back to how it was before—except for holidays, you stay in the front courtyard and only come to the back residence once every three days?”

When they were a fake husband and wife, Wei Rao had thought it best if Lu Zhuo never came to the back residence. Now that they were truly married, Wei Rao found Lu Zhuo’s arrangement quite good—once every three days would maintain their marital affection while giving her sufficient rest. Otherwise, if they indulged every night, Wei Rao wouldn’t be able to get up in the morning to practice swordplay.

Lu Zhuo’s hand, which had just been placed on her back, suddenly stiffened.

Coming back to the residence once every three days was indeed what he had said, but circumstances had changed. Now, Lu Zhuo didn’t think that way anymore.

What business was it of others how he and Wei Rao conducted their intimate affairs? Moreover, would the servants of Songyue Hall gossip about how many nights he spent in the back residence each month?

“That was when we were a fake couple. Now that we’re real, naturally, we should sleep together every night,” Lu Zhuo said, holding Wei Rao.

Wei Rao, who had been in a relaxed and comfortable state, suddenly raised her head.

Lu Zhuo looked at her with a smile, “What, you don’t want me to accompany you every night?”

Wei Rao replied without thinking, “I don’t want that. You said it yourself—once every three days. Are you going back on your word? If you always break your promises, how can I trust those guarantees you make?”

Hearing her stretch the matter too far, Lu Zhuo had to say, “Fine, I’ll keep my word. Then let’s do as you say—I’ll come to the back residence once every two nights from now on.”

Only then was Wei Rao satisfied.

The next morning, after Lu Zhuo had breakfast with Wei Rao, he went to the main gate of the Duke’s mansion.

Lu Zhuo’s male cousins were all of marrying age. Except for Fifth Brother Lu Che, who was still studying, and Sixth Brother Lu Bin, who was still a baby, from Lu Zhuo to Second Brother Lu Ya, Third Brother Lu Cong, and Fourth Brother Lu Ze, all served in the Shenwu Army. So every morning, the four brothers would gather at the gate and set out together.

Duke Ying and Fourth Master also went to the Shenwu Army camp and sometimes stayed overnight there, so they didn’t travel with the younger generation.

“I haven’t walked with Big Brother for several days—I missed Big Brother,” Lu Cong said with a mischievous smile, hiding behind Lu Ya.

Lu Zhuo took it in stride, smiling lightly, “When you take marriage leave, we’ll miss you too.”

After Lu Ya’s marriage, Third Brother Lu Cong and Fourth Brother Lu Ze’s marriages had also been arranged, including Lu Changning’s betrothal. Lu Changning would marry in mid-May, and Lu Cong would marry in October, meaning Duke Ying Mansion would hold three wedding celebrations this year.

Lu Cong touched his nose and asked Lu Ya nearby, “Second Brother, tell us about your feelings after marriage. Originally, only Mother nagged at you, but suddenly, there’s Second Sister-in-law too. Does Second Brother get headaches?”

Lu Cong feared women’s continuous nagging, especially his mother, Second Madam, who constantly compared him to Big Brother and Second Brother. Lu Cong was getting tired of hearing it.

When marriage feelings were mentioned, Lu Ya’s mind conjured his wife, Qiao Shi. Qiao Shi was a completely different type of refined lady from Big Sister-in-law Wei Rao—Big Sister-in-law was carefree and spirited, while Qiao Shi was gentle and reserved. Naturally, Qiao Shi’s looks couldn’t compare to Big Sister-in-law’s, but she was also a beauty. Qiao Shi treated him with gentle consideration and wasn’t chatty. Having such a wife, Lu Ya was very satisfied.

“It’s hard to explain. You’ll know when you get married,” Lu Ya smiled at his third brother.

Meanwhile, at Duke Ying Mansion.

Lu Ya’s wife, Qiao Shi, was accompanying her mother-in-law, Second Madam, in conversation: “Mother, Big Brother’s marriage leave is over and he’s gone to work. Big Sister-in-law is alone at home. Should I go sit with Big Sister-in-law?”

Second Madam looked at her daughter-in-law, “What, do you want to become close with her?”

Qiao Shi heard the undertone and quickly explained, “No, it’s just that she’s Big Sister-in-law, and I’m the younger sister-in-law. I’m afraid of being improper.”

Second Madam snorted and continued checking her daughter Changning’s dowry, saying quietly to her daughter-in-law, “People with different paths shouldn’t associate. Remember, just maintain surface politeness with her in the future. Don’t let Old Madam see any thoughts you might have, and for the rest, don’t interact too frequently.”

Regarding Wei Rao, the Second Madam and the Third Madam had never truly liked her.

It was just that Old Madam had taken a fancy to Wei Rao and insisted on proposing marriage back then. He Shi didn’t object either, so what was the point of them, as aunts-in-law, being long-winded? After all, Wei Rao was marrying Lu Zhuo, not their sons. When Wei Rao married over and truly awakened Lu Zhuo, Second Madam and Third Madam felt some gratitude toward Wei Rao, thinking that Wei Rao and the Lu family were indeed fated, so they were quite kind to Wei Rao.

But as Wei Rao became increasingly willful, enchanting Lu Zhuo to the point where he was completely bewitched—if she told him to go east, he wouldn’t dare go west—no longer having the dignity of the Lu family’s heir apparent, Second Madam and Third Madam grew increasingly displeased with Wei Rao. But as they said, Wei Rao was the first branch’s daughter-in-law, separated from the second and third branches by a layer. If Old Madam was willing to tolerate Wei Rao, Second Madam, and Third Madam would continue to be pleasant with her.

Later, when Wei Rao divorced, Second Madam and Third Madam both breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that Old Madam would surely choose a virtuous woman for Lu Zhuo and find a competent matriarch for Duke Ying Mansion.

Who would have thought that after all that turmoil, Lu Zhuo would still marry Wei Rao?

And it wasn’t Wei Rao who came running back herself—it was Lu Zhuo who used every means to win her back, personally escorting Wei Rao home, going to work in Shou’an Jun’s fields, and jumping into rivers to search for medicinal herbs. Wei Rao had gained glory, and Shou’an Jun the Noble Consort had gained face, but what about Lu Zhuo and the Lu family?

Second Madam would rather die than have such a daughter-in-law as Wei Rao.

As an aunt-in-law, Second Madam wouldn’t overstep to meddle in the first branch’s affairs. If He Shi liked Wei Rao, she wouldn’t stoop to gossiping in front of He Shi. But Second Madam couldn’t let her daughter-in-law become close to Wei Rao. Birds of a feather flock together—what if her daughter-in-law also learned Wei Rao’s methods, learned the Zhou family women’s techniques for bewitching men, and used them to torment her Ya’er?

The second Madam gave her daughter-in-law a warning glance.

Qiao Shi truly had no intention of becoming close to Wei Rao. These Capital City refined ladies respected women like Xie Hualou. As for Wei Rao, if not for her good fortune in having a birth mother who became a Noble Consort, and the Emperor’s love extending to Wei Rao, these refined ladies wouldn’t deign to associate with Wei Rao, at most maintaining nodding acquaintance.

“Mother, rest assured. I know what to do,” Qiao Shi softly promised.

Second Madam smiled.

Just then, a maid came to report that the young lady had gone to Songyue Hall.

Second Madam’s brow furrowed. She had known that Wei Rao would become increasingly unconventional—she shouldn’t have agreed to let Changning learn swordplay and martial arts from Wei Rao in the first place.

Fortunately, her daughter would marry soon. The prospective son-in-law was Third Madam’s nephew—they knew his background well. Once her daughter married, she would naturally grow distant from Wei Rao.