On the evening of the Lantern Festival, several branches of Duke Ying Mansion gathered together to eat glutinous rice balls and solve lantern riddles.

Lu Cong and Lu Ze would depart tomorrow morning. The Second Madam and the Third Madam wore forced smiles on their faces.

“Are you going out to stroll again tonight?” Duchess Ying asked the younger generation.

Lu Cong smiled: “No, we won’t go. After seeing it all, it’s just like that. Later, we’ve arranged to meet with Big Brother and Second Brother in the pavilion to compose poetry while viewing the moon.”

Compose poetry?

Wei Rao was just finding this curious when Duchess Ying exposed Lu Cong: “How much ink do you have in your belly? I think you’re going to drink wine instead!”

Lu Cong flashed his white teeth in a grin.

Second Madam instructed her son with red-rimmed eyes: “At home you can drink as you please, but once you reach the frontier, you mustn’t touch alcohol.”

Lu Cong immediately felt his head ache—his mother had repeated these same words so much that his ears were practically growing calluses.

As soon as the family banquet ended, Lu Cong called his brothers to take their leave. Even the youngest, Fifth Young Master Lu Che, followed along, receiving a round of instructions from Third Madam.

After Duke Ying and Fourth Master left the table, Duchess Ying said to her two daughters-in-law: “Enough, you needn’t worry. General Li is an old family friend of our mansion. With Third and Fourth under General Li’s command, they’ll only have the privilege of bullying others—who would dare bully them? They’ll be back after three years.”

Second Madam and Third Madam rose and acknowledged her words.

Duchess Ying glanced at her youngest daughter-in-law, Fourth Madam.

Fourth Madam was particularly silent tonight. While her two sisters-in-law were heartbroken about their sons’ distant journey, she only felt envious. She, too, wanted to have children with Fourth Master—if she had a son, she’d have him follow his elder brothers’ example in diligently studying martial arts to protect home and country; if she had a daughter, she’d let her grow up carefree and healthy like Changning.

“Alright, with so many flower lanterns hung in the mansion, let’s go stroll around too.”

Duchess Ying stood up, leaning on her walking stick, and led the way toward the garden.

Lu Changning wasn’t interested in solving lantern riddles and pulled He Weiyu to watch her brothers drink. She wanted to call Wei Rao along too, but Wei Rao didn’t want to join the brothers-in-law’s revelry. Last night, Lu Ya and the others had stared at her in a daze, and Lu Zhuo had stepped forward to block their view—his meaning was quite obvious. The more this happened, the more Wei Rao needed to keep her distance from her brothers-in-law, lest Lu Zhuo again suspect her of having ulterior motives.

Duchess Ying had Wei Rao and Fourth Madam accompany her on either side. They hadn’t walked far when He Shi quietly pulled Wei Rao’s hand, and the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law pair fell back.

“Don’t be so formal, everyone. This garden is so large—let’s split up and stroll around,” Duchess Ying said with a smile, noticing He Shi’s furtive behavior.

He Shi couldn’t have asked for better. Without calling for maids to follow, she took Wei Rao alone to find a secluded spot.

“Mother, what’s this about?” Wei Rao was getting confused by He Shi’s behavior.

He Shi smiled and asked quietly: “Raorao, before New Year’s, Chengcheng was recuperating from his injuries, and the imperial physician said he couldn’t consummate the marriage. After New Year’s, Chengcheng has been serving with the Shenwu Army. Have you two…?”

For a younger person to initiate such topics with elders would be improper, but for a mother-in-law to inquire of her daughter-in-law was perfectly natural.

The night provided cover for Wei Rao. She lowered her head and shyly hummed in agreement.

He Shi was so delighted she rubbed her hands together: “Good that it’s consummated, good that it’s consummated. Our first branch only has Chengcheng—you should consummate early and have several children soon. A lively, bustling household would be wonderful.”

Wei Rao only bashfully twisted her handkerchief, thinking that He Shi’s beautiful dream was destined to be dashed—at least for the next few years, He Shi wouldn’t be holding any grandsons.

He Shi anticipated his grandsons greatly, secretly advising Wei Rao on many positions and dietary habits that supposedly aided conception and bearing sons.

Wei Rao let it go in one ear and out the other, occasionally feigning surprise and asking a question to show she was listening.

After the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law chatted privately for two or three quarters of an hour, He Shi had said enough and contentedly parted ways with Wei Rao, returning early to rest.

Refined people enjoyed solving lantern riddles, but He Shi lacked sufficient learning and thus didn’t enjoy it either.

Wei Rao prepared to find Duchess Ying walking alone along the quiet path. As she walked, she suddenly heard deliberately lowered whispers. Curiosity piqued, Wei Rao silently approached the trees ahead.

“What’s pitiful about Second Madam and Third Madam? Fourth Madam is the pitiful one—married into the family for eight years with no movement in her belly. Fourth Master is Old Madam’s only surviving son. Can Old Madam just watch Fourth Master’s line end? If you ask me, it won’t be long before Old Madam arranges for Fourth Master to take concubines.”

“Doesn’t Duke Mansion have rules against taking concubines?”

“It only says no taking concubines without cause. Fourth Master’s situation is different—taking concubines would be for heirs.”

Wei Rao frowned and was about to go scold these two bold maids for gossiping about their masters when she suddenly saw another figure hurriedly leaving from the shadows opposite. In the light of nearby hanging lanterns, it looked like Fourth Madam!

Fourth Madam seemed to have been made to cry by those words, covering her face as she departed toward an even more secluded direction.

Wei Rao worried about Fourth Madam and temporarily left those two maids behind, quickly pursuing Fourth Madam.

To avoid attracting others’ attention and embarrassing Fourth Madam, Wei Rao didn’t dare run too fast. She alternated between walking and chasing, and after a long while, finally found Fourth Madam’s figure in the bamboo grove on the north side of the garden. In the cold winter season, the bamboo grove was desolate and bleak. The fourth Madam was embracing a thick bamboo stalk, crying her heart out.

Wei Rao stepped back a few paces, thinking that since Fourth Madam was upset, it would be good to let her cry and vent.

When Fourth Madam’s sobs gradually subsided, Wei Rao softly called: “Fourth Aunt.”

Fourth Madam startled, released the bamboo, and turned around. Recognizing Wei Rao, Fourth Madam quickly wiped away her tears and said awkwardly while turning her head aside: “Raorao, how did you come here?”

Wei Rao had already thought of what to say during her quiet wait. Hearing this, she used her shoe tip to tap the ground, equally embarrassed: “I just parted from Mother and wanted to come here alone to clear my thoughts. I saw Fourth Aunt run over and was afraid you’d ask why I was here, so I hid. I didn’t expect… Fourth Aunt, what’s wrong? Why are you crying so sadly?”

She couldn’t mention the two little maids’ words—that would make Fourth Madam feel worse.

Seeing that Wei Rao seemed to have some unspeakable troubles, Fourth Madam became curious and wasn’t as embarrassed as before. Moreover, she had already been caught crying with red eyes by her nephew’s wife once, so adding one more time didn’t seem to matter much.

“This place is so secluded—do you have some troubles on your mind, Raorao?” Fourth Madam was also very concerned about Wei Rao. She walked over and took Wei Rao’s hand.

Wei Rao lowered her head, looking as if she didn’t know how to speak.

Fourth Madam said gently, “If it’s inconvenient to say, I won’t ask. Just don’t run out alone like this in the future. You’ve only been married here for a short time and aren’t familiar enough with this area—what if you got lost?”

Wei Rao said gratefully, “Fourth Aunt treats me so well.”

Fourth Madam smiled. Seeing that Wei Rao looked dejected again after speaking and seemed reluctant to leave, Fourth Madam couldn’t help but care once more.

Hearing this, Wei Rao gently freed herself from Fourth Madam’s hand, covered her face with both hands, and turned away, saying with difficulty: “Actually, it’s nothing much. It’s just Mother—she’s eager to hold grandchildren and just asked me whether the heir apparent and I have consummated our marriage.”

Fourth Madam first showed surprise, then smiled, saying gently, “Big Sister-in-law only has Chengcheng as her child, so being anxious is understandable. Don’t worry, Raorao—you’re both so young, you’ll conceive soon.”

Wei Rao smiled shyly and said with lowered head: “Mother said the same thing. Moreover, Mother also taught me a method that’s supposedly very effective—it can guarantee I’ll conceive within a year.”

Fourth Madam’s heart heated up. Although because of Fourth Master’s leg ailment, they had never succeeded in becoming true husband and wife, Fourth Master had been willing to shave his beard—perhaps someday he’d be willing to try again. If she learned in advance this method that Big Sister-in-law had taught Wei Rao, might she also successfully conceive?

Fourth Madam nervously clenched her hands. She wanted to ask, but couldn’t bring herself to speak.

Wei Rao looked at Fourth Madam’s intertwined fingers, her eyes turning as she suddenly asked with concern: “Fourth Aunt, why are you crying again?”

Fourth Madam instinctively wanted to avoid the topic, but on second thought, if she revealed her troubles, her clever and kind nephew’s wife would surely tell her the secret for conceiving.

Tonight’s chance encounter in the bamboo grove could be considered fate. Her nephew’s wife had already shared intimate words with her—if she continued hiding things, it would seem distant.

Therefore, Fourth Madam spoke of her envy toward Second Madam and Third Madam—at root, it was because she had no children.

With the topic opened, Wei Rao smoothly said: “Don’t worry, Fourth Aunt. Let me tell you the method Mother told me. You can try it when you go back—perhaps it will work.”

Fourth Madam suppressed her excitement: “Alright, alright. At my age, if I don’t try now, I may never have another chance.”

Wei Rao smiled: “Fourth Aunt, you’re talking nonsense. You’re only twenty-six—how is that old?”

Fourth Madam smiled modestly.

Wei Rao looked at her, then suddenly slapped her face with one hand, saying bashfully: “That method—I’m quite embarrassed to tell you about it.”

Fourth Madam also felt her face burning, but the two maids’ discussion had instead stirred up Fourth Madam’s competitive spirit. She pulled Wei Rao further inside, finally stopping and saying quietly: “It’s just the two of us here. Speak freely, Raorao—I promise not to tell anyone else.”

Wei Rao mumbled: “Then, if Fourth Uncle asks, just say Grandmother told you. Don’t bring me into it.”

Fourth Madam’s ears turned red: “I definitely won’t mention you.”

In the depths of the bamboo grove, dimly lit with only a bit of moonlight, Wei Rao leaned close to Fourth Madam’s ear and spoke of the intimate position she had seen in the little booklet.

Fourth Madam was mortified—how could a woman take the initiative in such matters?

Moreover, having been unable to conceive for so many years, her mother back home and Old Madam had both privately advised her, but she’d never heard it could be done that way.

However, Fourth Master was thin-skinned and had tried several times but gave up in frustration due to his leg. If Fourth Master didn’t need to move and she took charge instead, perhaps they could succeed.

It was embarrassing, but Fourth Madam wanted even more to consummate with Fourth Master, to have children with Fourth Master, to raise children together with Fourth Master until they grew up.

“Sigh, talking about this is so embarrassing. Fourth Aunt, let’s leave quickly,” Wei Rao tugged Fourth Madam’s sleeve, speaking sweetly.

Fourth Madam’s mood was brightening because she now had hope. She no longer cared about the little maids’ gossip and was full of gratitude toward Wei Rao.

“Raorao, if this method succeeds, you’ll be a great benefactor to Fourth Master and me.” Stopping Wei Rao, Fourth Madam said solemnly.

Wei Rao dared not claim credit—if this method truly worked, it would rely entirely on Fourth Madam’s courage.

Wei Rao could never hold such a position with any man.

The two walked hand in hand out of the bamboo grove. After traveling together briefly, they tactfully separated.

The fourth Madam seemed to return to Zhaohui Hall. Wei Rao was about to retrace her steps when a tall, upright figure suddenly emerged from behind an old tree.

Wei Rao looked at Lu Zhuo as if seeing a ghost: “You, didn’t you go drinking? How are you here?”

Lu Zhuo glanced toward the northern bamboo grove and asked in return: “Why was Fourth Aunt crying? What did you two discuss in there?”

What Wei Rao and Fourth Madam had discussed could never be told to any man.

“Private women’s talk. The heir apparent is most proper—it’s better not to inquire about such things.”

Lu Zhuo pressed his lips together.

Wei Rao smiled and walked away from his side.