Lu Zhuo and Wei Rao departed from the capital at the end of the first month. After traveling for over a month, they finally arrived at Ganzhou City in early March.

Vice General Meng Kuo of the Ganzhou army led local officials to welcome them outside the city.

Wei Rao sat in the carriage and, through the curtains, saw that Vice General Meng Kuo was even more robust than Qi Zhongkai, with a face tanned reddish-black and a physique as sturdy as an iron tower. When Lu Zhuo rode his horse up to Meng Kuo, he looked even more like a powerless pretty boy. Though Meng Kuo’s expression was respectful, several military officers behind him already showed obvious doubt.

Wei Rao frowned slightly. On the road, Lu Zhuo had told her that upon first arriving in Ganzhou, completely winning over the Ganzhou army wouldn’t be easy. Local officials might also send their wives to probe her about Lu Zhuo’s situation, his character, and conduct, so Wei Rao should prepare in advance.

After the formal greetings, the other officials dispersed, and Meng Kuo rode beside Lu Zhuo, personally leading the way to the general’s mansion in the city.

The men rode ahead on horseback. Wei Rao couldn’t see or hear their conversation, so she observed the common people on the streets instead.

Ganzhou City was a frontier stronghold, with walls even higher and thicker than Jincheng that Wei Rao had visited before. As a junction of three nations, Ganzhou City’s prosperity was no less than the capital. However, while the capital was mostly populated by Central Plains people, in Ganzhou City, every short distance you could see several foreigners with hair and eye colors vastly different from Central Plains people.

Of course, Wei Rao also saw the Wuda people. Besides Wuda merchants, there were also Wuda slaves with their arms bound by ropes, waiting to be sold.

Among Central Plains people, burly men like Qi Zhongkai and Meng Kuo were one in a thousand, but almost all Wuda people were like this—physically strong with tremendous power. If you bought a few as household guards, one could defeat three or four ordinary people. Moreover, the Wuda slaves being sold were almost all orphans who wouldn’t think of escaping as long as someone fed them. Furthermore, these Wuda slaves all had slave marks burned on their faces. Even if they escaped back to Wuda out of homesickness, they would be considered shameful by their tribesmen and either killed or expelled. They were better off staying with their Central Plains masters.

Among various slaves, Wuda slaves were mostly men, while foreign slaves were mostly women. The female slaves Wei Rao saw along the way either had skin as white as milk with blonde hair and blue eyes full of exotic charm, or skin like honey dates with alluring figures and untamed wildness that made people want to subdue them.

As the convoy passed a slave-trading shop, Meng Kuo’s booming voice suddenly came from ahead: “General, I’ve seen countless Persian beauties, and this one would be considered stunning even among Persian beauties. Why don’t I buy her and present her to the General as a welcoming gift?”

Upon hearing this, both Bitao and Liu Ya’s eyes widened.

The princess’s carriage was right behind them, yet Meng Kuo dared to speak this way—did he not respect the princess at all?

Wei Rao smiled and gestured for the two maids not to mind.

In front of the carriage, Lu Zhuo glanced in the direction Meng Kuo pointed and smiled faintly: “I appreciate Vice General Meng’s kind intention, but the Lu family tradition forbids men from indulging in women. Taking one wife to bear children is sufficient. Our energy should be devoted to diligent martial practice and defending the country.”

Meng Kuo suddenly understood and cupped his hands: “No wonder the Shenwu Army has long held the top position among the four armies. Meng Kuo is ashamed—please forgive my impropriety, General.”

Lu Zhuo smiled: “No offense is taken for the unknowing. Vice General Meng is too courteous.”

Meng Kuo looked at Lu Zhuo, mulling things over in his mind.

He never dared to underestimate the Shenwu Army. If Duke Ying were here, Meng Kuo would be as respectful as if facing his father. But Lu Zhuo was only twenty-five, the same age as his eldest son, and with that pretty boy appearance. To become Ganzhou’s commanding general solely based on his status as the duke’s heir, placed above him, Meng Kuo truly wasn’t convinced.

After leading Lu Zhuo’s convoy to the general’s mansion, Meng Kuo took his leave, agreeing to host a welcoming banquet tomorrow evening.

After he left, Wei Rao finally got out of the carriage.

This general’s mansion was a five-courtyard residence with thick walls and some pine and cypress trees planted inside, with no other gardens or flowers, as rugged as this Ganzhou land itself.

The inner quarters did have some potted flowers and plants, probably left by the previous general’s wife.

“Let’s settle in today. We can slowly add anything you don’t like here later.” Lu Zhuo accompanied Wei Rao on a tour of the residence, finally stopping before the northern-style heated brick bed in the inner chamber, speaking while quietly observing Wei Rao’s expression.

Wei Rao touched the thigh-high heated bed, looked around the inner room, and smiled: “Fine, you just focus on winning over your Ganzhou army. I’ll manage the household.” She naturally wouldn’t let herself suffer. Whatever needed to be added or replaced, Wei Rao wouldn’t neglect anything. Barring accidents, she would live here with Lu Zhuo for three years—the general’s mansion would be their home.

“If you face any grievances, tell me immediately.” Lu Zhuo held her hand.

Wei Rao glanced at him sideways and snorted softly: “No grievances for now, but from what I’ve seen along the way, there are quite a few exotic beauties in the city. Today, Vice General Meng wanted to honor the heir, and tomorrow, other officials will surely follow suit. Don’t fall into gentle traps and forget the real purpose of coming to Ganzhou.”

Lu Zhuo laughed, pulled her into his arms, and lowered his head to kiss her earlobe: “In this world, there’s only one gentle trap that could ensnare me—yours, Raorao.”

His breathing had quickened, and Wei Rao’s heartbeat also became slightly irregular. She and Lu Zhuo had many arguments, but in matters of marital pleasure, they were remarkably compatible. Lu Zhuo enjoyed it, and Wei Rao was deeply enchanted too.

“Bathe first. There’s much dust here—even wearing a veil, my face seems covered with a layer of grime.” Wei Rao pushed him gently.

Lu Zhuo was also particular about cleanliness and immediately ordered servants to prepare water.

The bath was naturally not merely bathing. When the couple emerged from the bathhouse, night had already fallen.

After dinner, Lu Zhuo went to his study while Wei Rao met with the mansion’s servants. They each busied themselves for a while before retiring to bed.

Newly arrived, some bustling about was inevitable.

The next day, after breakfast, Lu Zhuo departed while Wei Rao brought Bitao and eight guards to tour Ganzhou City.

March in Ganzhou City showed no signs of spring yet. Men and women on the streets all wore thick padded jackets. Most people didn’t wear veils—only particular wealthy young ladies or officials’ daughters would carefully protect their delicate skin.

Wei Rao mainly browsed shops for appealing tea bowls and utensils, rare flowers and plants, and silk and satin fabrics. She chose only fine items, spending silver like snowflakes. She had the shop owners deliver purchases directly to the general’s mansion. After half a circuit, wealthy merchants throughout Ganzhou City knew the new general’s wife was very rich and very willing to spend.

At noon, Wei Rao enjoyed a local famous banquet at a restaurant, then continued browsing several more shops before returning to the general’s mansion.

Lu Zhuo wasn’t at the mansion. Before leaving, he’d said he would return after drinking the welcoming wine at the Meng residence tonight.

Wei Rao had Bitao and Liu Ya organize the pile of things she’d bought while she went to take a nap.

When Wei Rao awoke, the two maids had redecorated the rear quarters, finally giving them the dignity of a noble family’s lady’s residence.

As evening approached and the red sun sank beyond the horizon, night fell quickly.

Wei Rao sat on the heated couch in the side room, reading by candlelight while listening for sounds from the front courtyard.

Tonight, Bitao would keep watch while Liu Ya had already gone to sleep.

“Princess, that Vice General Meng is no good person. Even a powerful dragon struggles against local snakes—will he cause trouble for our lord?” Bitao served her mistress warm tea, speaking worriedly.

Wei Rao closed her book and explained: “Our lord told me about Vice General Meng’s character. He’s a fierce general in the Ganzhou army with loyalty—he would never dare use underhanded tactics against the Shenwu Army people. It’s just that our lord is young with shallow qualifications. To test our lord’s capabilities, Vice General Meng will surely create some small obstacles.”

Lu Zhuo, going to feast at the Meng residence, faced no mortal danger, but he inevitably would be plied with alcohol by Vice General Meng’s subordinate officers.

At Meng Residence.

Lu Zhuo sat in the place of honor alongside Meng Kuo, with over twenty senior Ganzhou army officers seated on both sides—all fierce generals who had fought on battlefields. Even the youngest was older than Lu Zhuo, with over ten men in their forties. With so many people, each took turns toasting Lu Zhuo at the meal’s start, then toasting again when conversation reached high spirits. Zhao Song stood guard beside Lu Zhuo, and just pouring wine for Lu Zhuo alone had emptied five jars.

The wine was a strong northern liquor treasured by the Meng household, undiluted.

Zhao Song maintained an expressionless face while worrying about his master. When the young master married the princess, he had gotten eight parts drunk on diluted wine at the wedding feast. With five jars of strong liquor in his belly, he could still maintain appearances while seated, but when the banquet ended, would the young master be able to stand?

Zhao Song lowered his eyes toward his master.

Lu Zhuo sat upright to Meng Kuo’s left, his handsome face flushed rouge-red. Truly blessed with heaven-granted good looks—when other men got drunk, their necks and faces turned completely red, quite embarrassing, but when Lu Zhuo was drunk, he remained handsome. Only his refined, noble bearing had transformed into alluring masculine beauty.

The more this was so, the more the crude generals in the hall scorned him.

A Deputy General named Zhang Tao, about thirty, usually favored male companions. He’d been observing Lu Zhuo since taking his seat. Seeing that Lu Zhuo just smiled tolerantly at his colleagues’ occasional improprieties—either broad-minded or cowardly—Zhang Tao’s lustful thoughts began stirring. With yellow wine flowing freely and spirits high, Zhang Tao stared at Lu Zhuo’s handsome, exquisite face and suddenly joked with a neighboring Deputy General Cao: “No wonder the young master looks down on our foreign beauties here. Look at the young master’s bearing—his face is more gorgeous than peach blossoms. What beauty could compare?”

Deputy General Cao was steadier. Though he’d drunk much wine, he didn’t respond to this comment.

However, Deputy General Song to Zhang Tao’s spat out a mouthful of wine upon hearing this.

Meng Kuo looked over: “What are you discussing?”

Deputy General Song busily wiped away wine without speaking.

Deputy General Cao looked directly at Zhang Tao.

Having spoken the words, if Zhang Tao avoided the topic now, wouldn’t he lose face?

So Zhang Tao jokingly repeated those words.

Meng Kuo looked probingly at Lu Zhuo.

Lu Zhuo held his wine bowl, gently swirling the liquid inside, and calmly ordered Zhao Song: “As a Deputy General, Zhang Tao has publicly humiliated his commanding officer—insubordination. According to military law, he should be executed. Drag him out and bind him. Execute him before the troops tomorrow.”

Zhao Song had been holding back anger all evening. Hearing this order, he shouted: “This subordinate obeys!”

Then Zhao Song strode to Zhang Tao’s seat, grabbed the stunned Zhang Tao, and marched him outside.

After a few steps, Zhang Tao finally reacted, struggling to break free from Zhao Song while turning back to beg Meng Kuo to intervene for him.

Even at this point, he still appealed to Meng Kuo rather than the new Ganzhou army commander.

The hall had fallen silent. Lu Zhuo set down his wine bowl and looked sideways at Meng Kuo: “Does Vice General Meng have any objections to my handling just now?”

His handsome face was crimson, and those drunken, hazy eyes were also bloodshot—yet that blood-red color emanated stern killing intent.

Meng Kuo’s heart shook violently.

The Lu family had commanded the Shenwu Army for over three hundred years, relying not on the first generation commander’s legacy but on generations of Lu ancestors willing to shed blood for the court, including Lu Zhuo’s father and two uncles—all heroes who swept battlefields and died wrapped in horse leather. As a son of the Lu family and the next Lu family head, how could Lu Zhuo be merely a pretty scholar?

Thinking this, Meng Kuo said seriously: “Zhang Tao’s insubordination deserves death. Tomorrow, this subordinate will personally carry out the execution.”

Lu Zhuo smiled and raised his wine bowl toward him: “Much obliged.”

As Meng Kuo raised his wine bowl with both hands to drink, Lu Zhuo had already tilted back his head and swallowed the full bowl of wine.

Shortly after Zhang Tao was dragged away, Meng Kuo called an end to the banquet.

Zhao Song wanted to support his master, but Lu Zhuo pushed away his hand and stood up as if nothing had happened.

From the hall to the Meng residence gates, Lu Zhuo smiled and bid farewell to the military officers. Only after entering the carriage and lowering the curtain did Lu Zhuo suddenly lift his robes to cover his face and begin vomiting violently.