Wei Rao had a restless nature—having her fish by the lake would be more interesting than making her sit idle in the inner quarters for half a day.

Fortunately, Lu Changning shared her temperament, either running over to ask Wei Rao for swordplay guidance or inviting Wei Rao to accompany her to the Duke’s mansion garden to shoot sparrows and practice archery accuracy.

Lu Changning could do as she pleased in her own home, but Wei Rao was an outsider who had married in as the eldest sister-in-law. Even though Duchess Ying doted on her, Wei Rao had to be mindful of propriety, so she only provided guidance to Lu Changning without taking action herself. When Lu Changning shot sparrows, Wei Rao and He Weiyu stood aside, laughing and watching.

As sparrows flew about, the three brought their maids wandering through the Duke’s mansion garden, unknowingly approaching Zhaohui Hall where Fourth Master and Fourth Madam resided.

“I’m so thirsty—perfect timing to ask Fourth Aunt for a bowl of tea.”

Having missed again with her slingshot, Lu Changning wiped the fine sweat from her forehead and spoke toward Zhaohui Hall. Today’s sunshine was lovely, and Lu Changning had been bouncing around nonstop, naturally feeling hot.

He Weiyu grabbed Lu Changning’s arm, hesitating: “Fourth Uncle likes quiet—wouldn’t it be inappropriate for us to go over?”

He Weiyu had lived at Duke Ying Mansion for seven or eight years and understood the household situation better than Wei Rao. Fourth Master Lu rarely left Zhaohui Hall. Over these years, He Weiyu could count on her fingers the times she’d seen Fourth Master—she hadn’t even clearly seen his appearance.

Lu Changning was truly thirsty. Thinking of Fourth Uncle’s self-pitying ghostly appearance, Lu Changning said defiantly: “How long has he been secluding himself? Does one more day matter? Besides, I’m going to ask Fourth Aunt for tea—if he doesn’t want to see me, he just won’t come out.”

He Weiyu had no way to handle Lu Changning and looked to Wei Rao for help.

Wei Rao was quite curious about the relationship between Fourth Madam and Fourth Master and said nothing.

It was just drinking tea—if even this would disturb Fourth Master, then he was too fragile.

Lu Changning led the way as their group slowly approached Zhaohui Hall along the bluestone path.

The sunshine was good, so Fourth Madam had set up a chessboard in the courtyard, inviting Fourth Master out to play chess while getting some sun.

When Wei Rao and the others entered, they saw the couple sitting face to face in the courtyard. Both were seated, making it impossible to tell whether there was any leg ailment. If Fourth Master didn’t have such unkempt facial hair, this scene would have been very warm and loving.

“Fourth Uncle, Fourth Aunt, we were just shooting sparrows nearby and came to ask for some tea,” Lu Changning said with a smile.

Fourth Madam was enjoying her chess game with her husband and reluctant to rise, greeting them gently: “Come sit.” She then ordered the maids to bring tea.

Fourth Master nodded to the three young people and continued contemplating the chess position.

The three approached. Wei Rao stood beside Fourth Madam, looking down at the board, just for show, since she had only superficial knowledge of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, excelling in none.

Lu Changning was equally limited, while He Weiyu tilted her head, watching very seriously with bright eyes—probably quite skilled at chess.

Beside the square table sat the couple’s pastries and tea, suggesting they’d been playing for a while.

Lu Changning looked at the beautiful Fourth Aunt, then at the bearded Fourth Master, sitting intimately beside Fourth Master and teasing quietly: “Fourth Uncle, there’s something I’ve wanted to tell you for ages. Look at yourself—you’re only thirty-three, yet grandfather’s beard isn’t as thick as yours. You were originally such a handsome man—why must you make yourself uglier?”

Fourth Madam’s hand holding the chess piece trembled, worried her niece’s words would upset her husband.

Fourth Master smiled, his mouth corners moving as the thick beard on his face also trembled slightly: “I’m not a young girl—what’s the point of looking handsome?”

Lu Changning spoke without restraint, tugging at his beard: “Don’t men need to dress up? Look at my elder brother—everyone praises his divine appearance. When her sister-in-law married in, seeing her elder brother’s face daily keeps her in good spirits. Looking like this, Fourth Aunt probably won’t even kiss you!”

These words went too far. The youngest, He Weiyu, blushed bright red, while the Fourth Madam’s cheeks turned completely crimson.

Wei Rao also felt her face grow slightly warm. Looking toward Fourth Master opposite, he kept his head down studying the chess board, seemingly unaffected—or if affected, mostly hidden by his beard.

“If your mother heard such talk, she’d scold you again,” Fourth Master placed his piece and looked helplessly at his niece.

The young maids brought tea. Fourth Madam gave Lu Changning a meaningful look, hoping the tea would stop Lu Changning’s mouth.

Lu Changning drank tea and continued scrutinizing the Fourth Master.

Since Lu Changning’s memory began, she’d had no father, no eldest uncle or third uncle, only a lame fourth uncle.

Lu Changning was very fond of Fourth Uncle, the only male elder who stayed home long-term. As a child, she loved running to Zhaohui Hall to find Fourth Uncle. Though gloomy with others, he was completely different when alone with her. Fourth Uncle would smile at her, worry if she’d been hurt falling, gently console her when she complained about mother being too strict, and repeatedly indulge her mischief.

Later, Fourth Uncle married, and she gradually grew up, unable to frequently disturb Fourth Uncle and Fourth Aunt. But somehow, the married Fourth Uncle smiled less and less, his beard growing thicker, making himself look like a shabby old man.

If Fourth Aunt weren’t so wonderful, Lu Changning would suspect Fourth Uncle was deliberately making himself ugly to spite Fourth Aunt out of dissatisfaction with the marriage.

Rarely catching Fourth Uncle in such good spirits today, Lu Changning had a flash of inspiration, jumping behind Fourth Master and massaging his shoulders while laughing: “Fourth Uncle, look how nice the sun is—why not shave your beard and let your peerlessly handsome face get some sun too?”

He Weiyu smiled with pursed lips. Fourth Madam still blushed but felt a trace of anticipation stirred by Lu Changning’s words.

She loved Fourth Master, however he looked, but Fourth Madam preferred Fourth Master without his beard.

The exposed part of Fourth Master’s face above his beard also reddened slightly from his niece’s flattery. Frowning with a stern expression: “Stop being ridiculous.”

Lu Changning wheedled: “How is this ridiculous? I miss Fourth Uncle—please let me see you! Grandmother said she’ll arrange my engagement this year. Would Fourth Uncle have the heart to let me leave home without even remembering what my dear uncle looks like?”

Fourth Master remained serious, saying coldly: “Finish your tea and…”

But the moment Fourth Master began speaking, Wei Rao gently called “Fourth Uncle,” though immediately interrupted by Fourth Master’s voice.

Fourth Master could scold his niece, but for Wei Rao—newly married in, the nephew’s wife who had willingly participated in the wedding blessing at a crucial moment—Fourth Master couldn’t help pausing. Looking puzzledly at the nephew’s wife standing beside his wife, he used his gaze to signal Wei Rao to continue.

Wei Rao was at ease before female elders, but facing this Fourth Master, who rarely appeared and had an inscrutable temperament, Wei Rao felt nervous. Otherwise, after building courage for so long, she wouldn’t have quickly shut up the moment Fourth Master spoke.

Now that Fourth Master invited her to speak, Wei Rao had to steel herself: “Fourth Uncle, two days ago I heard grandmother complaining about you too, saying she hadn’t seen your true appearance in ages. Why not listen to younger sister and go shave?”

Wei Rao wasn’t just supporting Lu Changning’s troublemaking—she’d discerned Fourth Madam’s feelings. Fourth Madam was so kind, not even getting angry when Wei Rao impulsively showed concern. So Wei Rao stood on Fourth Madam’s side.

“Fourth Uncle, see? Even my sister-in-law can’t stand it. Tell me, should you shave or not?” Lu Changning vigorously squeezed the Fourth Master’s shoulder.

Fourth Master held his chess piece, silent for a moment, then looked toward Fourth Madam.

Fourth Madam lowered her lashes, lips lightly pursed, then added her persuasion: “Then shave it?”

Her gaze was gentle as water, all her carefulness contained in her eyes, fearing her husband would be angry with her.

Seeing this, Fourth Master smiled bitterly: “Fine.”

Lu Changning jumped up joyfully, urging the stunned Fourth Madam: “Fourth Aunt, quickly get the things—I want to watch from the side.”

Hearing this, Wei Rao smiled at He Weiyu: “Fourth Uncle and Fourth Aunt are busy—why don’t you play a game with me, younger sister?”

When Fourth Master shaved his beard, Lu Changning could watch, but as a nephew’s wife, it wouldn’t be appropriate for her to observe.

Lu Changning cooperatively pushed Fourth Master to the other side of the courtyard.

Wei Rao sat in the chair facing away from the Fourth Master.

The sunshine was warm. Wei Rao played absent-mindedly while He Weiyu blatantly glanced toward Fourth Master, though unfortunately Fourth Madam personally wielded the razor, blocking Fourth Master’s face.

Lu Changning sat on the steps with her chin propped up, watching Fourth Madam’s blushing face as she shaved Fourth Master’s beard.

“Fourth Aunt, can you do this? Your hands seem to be shaking,” Lu Changning asked worriedly.

Fourth Madam’s face was nearly cooked, her palms indeed sweaty.

“Let A’Shi do it,” the Fourth Master said with closed eyes.

A’Shi was the servant attending Fourth Master’s daily needs. Called by a young maid, A’Shi washed his hands, felt the Fourth Master’s years-old beard, and asked: “Master, shave it all? Or leave some?”

“Leave what? Shave it all,” Lu Changning decided.

Fourth Master smiled bitterly again while Fourth Madam stood nearby, her mouth corners showing delighted secret smiles.

A’Shi’s movements were much more practiced. Using two razors alternately, going back and forth, up and down with clicking sounds, he worked busily for two quarters of an hour, finally removing all of Fourth Master’s facial hair. This revealed half a face long unseen by daylight, appearing pale, the upper face white as beautiful jade while the lower half looked waterlogged, pallid, and wan.

Though the colors differed above and below, without his beard, Fourth Master looked at least ten years younger in those two quarters of an hour—the slovenly uncle transformed back into a handsome and distinguished young man.

Fourth Madam both wanted to look and dared not, as if despite eight years together, she’d returned to her newlywed days.

“Fourth Aunt, why is your face so red?” Lu Changning asked strangely—even her sister-in-law wasn’t this shy before her elder brother.

Having been teased by Lu Changning multiple times with her heart also stirring, Fourth Madam’s embarrassment sent her hurrying to Zhaohui Hall’s rear courtyard.

Lu Changning was dumbfounded.

Fourth Master coughed and told his niece, “Enough—with such nice weather, continue touring the garden.”

Wei Rao and He Weiyu heard this, left their seats, and respectfully bid farewell to Fourth Master.

Wei Rao took the opportunity to steal glances at Fourth Master, discovering he resembled Duke Ying greatly—sword-like brows and starry eyes, heroic bearing. Even after more than ten years in a wheelchair, he retained a general’s dignity, unlike Lu Zhuo, who was overly handsome and liked playing the gentleman, full of scholarly refinement.

“How about it? Isn’t Fourth Uncle very handsome?”

Leaving Zhaohui Hall, Lu Changning asked Wei Rao with some pride.

Wei Rao nodded, smiling: “With so much beard before, I really couldn’t tell.”

He Weiyu sighed: “I’d almost forgotten Fourth Uncle’s appearance too.”

Lu Changning touched her chin, examining Wei Rao curiously: “Why do I feel today’s Fourth Aunt acted more like a shy little wife than sister-in-law, blushing several times? It’s not like she’d never seen Fourth Uncle’s face before.”

Wei Rao had noticed this too, especially Fourth Madam’s escape—hardly like someone married for years.

She wasn’t shy because she didn’t love Lu Zhuo—they were fake spouses. But Fourth Madam and Fourth Master…

An inappropriate and improper absurd thought suddenly intruded into Wei Rao’s mind.

Could the lame Fourth Master consummate a marriage with Fourth Madam?

If not, Fourth Madam’s various behaviors became easier to understand—loving Fourth Master but having little physical intimacy would naturally make her still seem newly wed.