The place where Lu Zhuo and his brothers had been drinking was Pine Mountain, the highest point in Duke Mansion’s garden. Standing atop Pine Mountain, one could overlook the entire garden. At that time, Lu Zhuo’s position happened to face north, and he caught glimpses of Fourth Madam and Wei Rao passing successively along the bluestone path—one running hurriedly, the other looking around furtively.

Lu Zhuo became suspicious and found an excuse to leave Pine Mountain, pursuing them all the way.

Lu Zhuo could see that Fourth Madam was crying. Since Wei Rao had chased after her, regardless of her motives, she would surely comfort Fourth Madam. So Lu Zhuo only waited outside and didn’t follow them in, to avoid hearing things a man shouldn’t hear.

But Lu Zhuo hadn’t expected that after Wei Rao came out, she wouldn’t reveal even half a word.

Fourth Madam was his aunt. In the short span of half a month, they had encountered her crying twice—something major must have happened.

“Has Fourth Aunt encountered some trouble?” Lu Zhuo followed behind Wei Rao, asking in a low voice.

Wei Rao stopped and turned around.

The bright moonlight cast a cold radiance on Lu Zhuo’s handsome face. His brows were slightly furrowed, clearly very concerned about this matter.

Wei Rao thought for a moment and gave him a veiled jab: “Just now, while admiring lanterns in the garden, I heard two little maids gossiping about Fourth Uncle possibly taking concubines due to having no sons. I was about to scold them when I discovered that Fourth Aunt was also nearby and had been made to cry by those idle rumors.”

Upon hearing this, Lu Zhuo’s expression became even colder than the Lantern Festival night.

Fourth Uncle had a leg disability, yet Fourth Aunt was willing to marry into the family and care for Fourth Master without complaint. Lu Zhuo and the other nephews all respected Fourth Aunt. Today, she had been gossiped about by two loose-tongued maids. What angered Lu Zhuo even more was that the maids’ gossip indicated the Lu family’s lax management of servants, and this scene had unfortunately been witnessed by Wei Rao.

Looking at Wei Rao’s expression, she was clearly using this opportunity to mock him.

Lu Zhuo turned and walked away.

Wei Rao reminded him coolly: “Those two maids—one has very large, beautiful eyes and thick lips, the other has narrow eyes and a cherry mouth. They were both on night duty in the garden tonight. If the heir apparent investigates a bit, he can identify them. Just find some excuse to dismiss them, but don’t disturb Fourth Aunt again.”

Lu Zhuo, with his back to her, coldly said, “Thank you.”

The two then went their separate ways.

After the lantern viewing ended, Wei Rao returned to Song Yue Hall with Bitao first, and was told by Liu Ya that Lu Zhuo hadn’t returned yet.

Wei Rao: “Tomorrow, Third Young Master and Fourth Young Master leave the capital. The heir apparent went to drink with them. Prepare hangover tea in case the heir apparent needs it.”

On such a festival, if Lu Zhuo didn’t come to the rear courtyard for the night, it would be a slap in her face. That hypocrite would never forget this point.

Liu Ya went to make arrangements.

Wei Rao changed into practice clothes and went to the courtyard to practice swordplay. While soaking in the bathtub, she heard Lu Zhuo return.

“Does the heir apparent need hangover tea?”

“No need. Just prepare water.”

The next day, all branches of Duke Mansion rose early. When Wei Rao and Lu Zhuo arrived at Zhong Yi Hall, half the people were already there.

Lu Cong and Lu Ze had both changed into riding attire and stood side by side before Duke Ying, respectfully listening to their grandfather’s admonitions.

Second Madam and Third Madam watched their respective sons silently with red-rimmed eyes.

He Shi came with He Weiyu.

Fourth Master and Fourth Madam were the last to arrive.

Wei Rao looked toward Fourth Madam with curiosity. Their gazes met in midair, and Fourth Madam’s face reddened before she immediately lowered her head, her shyness mixed with an unusual sweetness.

Wei Rao was secretly startled. Could Fourth Madam have acted so quickly and already achieved success with Fourth Master?

Wei Rao stole another glance at Fourth Master, but unfortunately, he looked no different from usual, concealing everything perfectly.

Wei Rao couldn’t keep observing and returned her attention to this farewell scene.

Lu Zhuo stood right beside her. He didn’t deliberately look at Fourth Master and Fourth Madam, but he caught every subtle change in Wei Rao’s expression from curiosity to surprise.

This made Lu Zhuo even more curious about what Wei Rao had said to Fourth Madam, but he knew he couldn’t ask, and Wei Rao wouldn’t volunteer the information.

Fortunately, whether he knew or not didn’t matter. As long as Wei Rao had no malicious intent, it was fine for Fourth Aunt and Fourth Uncle to continue treating each other with mutual respect.

Accompanied by the light hoofbeats of the young men riding away, this farewell at Duke Ying Mansion came to an end.

After the Lantern Festival, Wei Rao’s cousin Huo Jue sent someone to deliver a visiting card.

Wei Rao had already spoken with Duchess Ying about this. Since Huo Jue was Wei Rao’s maternal relative and Duchess Ying was so fond of Wei Rao, she was naturally happy to meet him.

Huo Jue was dignified in appearance and maintained composure even when visiting the capital’s top noble family. This visit served not only to deliver additional dowry gifts from his parents to Wei Rao, but he had also brought presents for Duke Ying and his wife, He Shi, and the second, third, and fourth branches—all elegant gifts like calligraphy, paintings, tea, and wine suitable for the elders of each branch.

Wei Rao sat beside Duchess Ying, feeling proud that her cousin was so outstanding.

Duchess Ying praised Huo Jue effusively and even wanted to keep him at the Duke Mansion for a few days.

Huo Jue smiled: “This junior appreciates Old Madam’s kind intention, but my younger sister’s wedding is imminent. Today I’ve paid my respects to Old Madam, tomorrow I’ll spend time talking with my maternal grandmother, then this junior must return.”

Thus, Duchess Ying didn’t insist on keeping him longer.

Wei Rao invited her cousin to sit briefly at Song Yue Hall. She had prepared additional dowry gifts for her cousin Huo Lin and asked her cousin to take them back.

Huo Jue had his servant collect the items and was about to take his leave.

Wei Rao said urgently, “Cousin hasn’t even had tea. Why not sit longer?”

Huo Jue looked at her with gentle eyes: “Cousin is now the young madam of Duke Mansion and must be even more cautious in your actions. Don’t give others cause for gossip.”

After saying this, Huo Jue asked his cousin to stay put and left with his servant.

Only then did Wei Rao realize that her cousin’s brief visit was to avoid outsiders gossiping about the cousins.

Wei Rao felt sour inside. Truth be told, she hadn’t spent much time with her cousin—they met every two or three years. Last year, when the maternal grandmother celebrated her birthday, the cousin was managing business in the capital, so the siblings had seen each other a few more times. But her cousin treated her so well, always responsive to her requests and constantly thinking of her. Even a full brother couldn’t have done better.

It was just that such a good elder brother would soon be far away again.

After leaving Duke Ying Mansion, Huo Jue went to check on his family’s shops. He stayed until late afternoon, then rode out of the city toward his maternal grandmother’s estate.

Usually when he came, his maternal grandmother would be beaming with joy, his aunt Wang Shi would be happy to see him, eldest cousin Zhou Huizhen would be more reserved, and youngest cousin Zhou Huizhu would circle him like a real sister.

However, today, as soon as Huo Jue stepped into the main hall, he sensed something was wrong. His maternal grandmother wore a stern expression, his aunt hung her head, eldest cousin Zhou Huizhen wasn’t present, and youngest cousin Zhou Huizhu seemed caught between his maternal grandmother and her mother, not knowing which side to support, looking at him pitifully.

“Maternal grandmother, what has happened?” Huo Jue went directly before Shou’an Jun.

Shou’an Jun glared at Wang Shi and first sent Zhou Huizhu away.

Zhou Huizhu obediently left, considerately closing the door from outside.

Huo Jue looked at Shou’an Jun again.

Shou’an Jun snorted: “That Marquis Xiting heir Han Liao—the one who came to propose to Huizhen before and whom I rejected—came to propose again this morning. Your aunt and cousin both want the marriage. Tell me, Jue, would Han Liao be a good match for Huizhen?”

The usually calm and reserved Huo Jue frowned deeply upon hearing this.

Marquis Xiting Mansion was indeed honored and wealthy, but Han Liao had countless concubines and children. He would pounce on practically any beauty to “cultivate” them, completely treating women as playthings and baby-making tools. Moreover, Han Liao had an unkind mother above him. If cousin Huizhen married into that family, they would probably devour her completely.

“Marquis Xiting’s heir is notorious for his lust. Young ladies in the capital avoid him like the plague. I hope Aunt will reconsider,” Huo Jue advised directly.

Wang Shi kept her head down, nearly twisting her handkerchief to pieces.

She knew the reasoning, but after New Year’s, Huizhen would be seventeen. After losing so much face at Yunwu Mountain last spring, no suitable young masters from noble families had shown interest. Watching Wei Rao marry into Duke Ying Mansion to the envy of countless young ladies, if her Huizhen followed her mother-in-law’s advice and found some worthless live-in son-in-law, wouldn’t she be mocked by all of the capital?

No matter how lustful Han Liao was, if her daughter married him, she would be the dignified heir’s wife of a marquis’ mansion. After enduring ten-odd years until the evil mother-in-law died, her daughter would become the head matron of the marquis’ mansion. Who would dare gossip then?

Besides, Han Liao was lustful, but her daughter was beautiful and would surely not fall from favor. After bearing sons, her footing would be even more secure.

For her daughter’s sake, Wang Shi withstood the pressure from her mother-in-law and nephew, saying with lowered head: “That’s still the Marquis Xiting heir. With them proposing a second time, if we refuse again, we might damage relations.”

Upon hearing this, Shou’an Jun closed her eyes and leaned back in her chair, taking a deep breath.

If she didn’t exhale, she feared Wang Shi and her daughter would anger her to death.

Although only Wang Shi sat here, Shou’an Jun knew that granddaughter Zhou Huizhen was even more eager than Wang Shi to marry into Marquis Xiting Mansion for a life of luxury. Unfortunately, the foolish girl didn’t understand—living luxuriously was easy, but earning respect in a marquis’ mansion was not. You had to be good enough yourself and have family support. In that Marquis Xiting Mansion, who could protect her? Who would be willing to protect her?

“Mother, please agree. Huizhen is so beautiful—can you bear to let her be ruined by some mediocre live-in son-in-law?”

Wang Shi knelt before Shou’an Jun, crying as she fought for her daughter.

Her daughter’s beauty was no less than Da Zhou Shi’s or Xiao Zhou Shi’s, and not much inferior to Wei Rao’s. Why should those three marry better and better while her Huizhen could only be buried in this superficially impressive estate far from the capital? Just thinking about Shou’an Jun selecting some honest, ordinary man to marry in made Wang Shi herself unable to bear it, let alone her daughter who was set on marrying up.

“Mother, I beg you. Marquis Xiting’s heir has distinguished military achievements—no matter what, he’s still a hero who stands tall.”

What man wasn’t lustful? A lustful hero was better than a lustful good-for-nothing.

Excluding the miscellaneous people in Marquis Xiting Mansion, Wang Shi truly felt Han Liao himself was quite good—handsome and capable, only slightly inferior to that Lu Zhuo.

Shou’an Jun still kept her eyes closed.

Just then, the tightly closed door was suddenly pushed open, and Zhou Huizhen rushed in holding scissors.

“What is your cousin doing?” Huo Jue rose angrily and walked over to snatch the scissors from Zhou Huizhen.

“Don’t come over!” Zhou Huizhen stopped him, crying as she looked toward Shou’an Jun in the main seat. “Grandmother, Young Master Han likes me, and I like him too. I’ve already decided—I’ll marry no one but him in this lifetime. If Grandmother doesn’t agree, I’ll cut my hair right now and become a nun!”

Seeing her shrewish behavior, Shou’an Jun laughed: “Go ahead and cut it. I think you’d live more comfortably as a nun than marrying him.”

Zhou Huizhen’s eyes widened. With no one stopping her, she couldn’t bring her scissors down.

Huo Jue seized the opportunity to snatch the scissors away.

With her threat unsuccessful, Zhou Huizhen covered her face and knelt on the ground, sobbing: “Grandmother is biased! Raorao married so well—why won’t you let me marry up? You say you love all grandchildren equally, but why do you only favor her?”

Shou’an Jun looked at her coldly: “What does your marriage have to do with Raorao? Do you think that marrying Han Liao will let you live like Raorao?”

Zhou Huizhen raised her head, her beautiful face covered with tears but full of stubbornness: “If I marry Han Liao, I’ll only live better than her.”

Shou’an Jun sighed several more times and rubbed her forehead repeatedly before finally agreeing: “Fine, if you want to marry him, marry him. I won’t stop you. But there’s one thing—if you’re going to marry over there, your mother can prepare whatever dowry she wants for you, but don’t covet any of my things. If I’m not mistaken, sooner or later you’ll be begging to remarry. When you do remarry, whatever should be yours, Grandmother won’t shortchange you.”

Wang Shi panicked: “Mother, you can’t do this! You…”

Shou’an Jun silenced her with one glare, then asked Zhou Huizhen again: “Well? Are you still getting married or not?”

At this moment, Zhou Huizhen was so happy she could fly. As long as she married Han Liao, all of Han Liao’s wealth would be hers. What did it matter whether Grandmother gave a dowry or not?

She wiped away her tears, beaming with joy: “I’m marrying him!”