A swift horse rushed out just before the city gates closed.

Night had already fallen. While the capital city still had lights, outside the city was pitch black.

The late wind of early February still carried bone-piercing power, and the bitter cold blew head-on, scattering the confusion in Lu Zhuo’s mind.

Only now, after hearing that she had left, did Lu Zhuo truly calm down.

He had made a mistake, so he should apologize. If he couldn’t gain Wei Rao’s forgiveness once, then, as grandmother said, he would come multiple times. When Wei Rao’s anger subsided, she would naturally return to the mansion with him, allowing the family to restore its previous peaceful life.

The route to Shou’an Jun’s estate was the same as to Yunwu Mountain. Even at night, Lu Zhuo remembered the direction.

There was no one else on the road. The solitude of traveling alone made Lu Zhuo think of many things.

When he woke from his coma and discovered the bride for the wedding blessing ceremony was Wei Rao, Lu Zhuo was very dissatisfied. At that time, his impression of Wei Rao was that she liked to dress as a man to hunt in the mountains, liked to take her family sisters to play in the deep mountains’ streams, completely disregarding propriety and lacking dignity. Combined with Da Zhou Shi and Xiao Zhou Shi’s reputations, Lu Zhuo worried that if Wei Rao truly became his wife, she might continue her previous behavior and cause trouble for his family.

Lu Zhuo thought grandmother wouldn’t like Wei Rao, that his widowed mother, second aunt, and third aunt wouldn’t like Wei Rao.

Lu Zhuo worried that cousin Changning and cousin Weiyu would be led astray by Wei Rao, worried that his male cousins would be attracted by Wei Rao’s seductive beauty and ruin their brotherly bonds.

Because of these concerns, Lu Zhuo didn’t think Wei Rao would be a qualified wife, at least not suitable to be his wife.

But Wei Rao had only been married for two months, and grandmother liked her, mother liked her, second aunt and third aunt didn’t mind Wei Rao’s bad reputation outside, and took extra care of her. His cousin liked Wei Rao. Wei Rao taught her swordwork but only practiced within the Duke’s mansion grounds, never enticing her cousin to go out riding and hunting with her. Even Fourth Aunt didn’t mind Wei Rao’s impolite inquiries and instead got along harmoniously with Wei Rao, even urging Fourth Uncle to come discipline him.

What did this indicate?

It showed that Wei Rao wasn’t as inadequate as he had thought – otherwise, just based on the so-called gratitude from the wedding blessing ceremony, she wouldn’t have been genuinely accepted by the entire family.

Wei Rao indeed didn’t conform to his ideal image of a refined young lady in many ways, but she was a good young lady with an upright character.

He shouldn’t have treated her that way.

When common people were having dinner, Lu Zhuo rode alone on the road. When the common people had mostly extinguished their lights and gone to sleep, Lu Zhuo finally arrived near the estate.

Lu Zhuo slowed his pace. Looking around, the vast estate was pitch black inside – everyone had gone to sleep.

Lu Zhuo dismounted, leading his horse slowly. When he reached the estate’s main gate, Lu Zhuo released the reins, found a sheltered spot, and leaned against the wall to sleep.

The next morning, Lu Zhuo went to Yunwu Mountain to find a stream to wash his face. When coming down the mountain, he suddenly heard horse hooves approaching from far to near. Lu Zhuo instinctively hid behind the trees, taking advantage of the terrain. Through the gaps between trees, Lu Zhuo looked toward the small path down the mountain and saw a figure in red charging this way.

Morning light brought the crisp chill of dawn from the distance. The red-clothed youth on horseback galloped wildly toward the light, her jade-white face glowing with a lustrous radiance. Her brows and eyes were like a painting, her lips red and bright as dew-covered mountain fruit. White horse, red clothes – she came roaring past and in a flash continued along the path at the mountain’s foot.

Lu Zhuo remained motionless until the sound of hooves faded away, then he stepped out from behind the trees.

The mountain air was much fresher than in the capital, with broad views and numerous secluded, peaceful paths. Looking at Wei Rao’s expression, she was like a little deer freed from a hunter’s cage. Moving to live at the estate, she had indeed come to clear her head.

However, traveling alone like this again – wasn’t she afraid that the person in the palace would continue sending assassins after her?

Reaching the mountain’s foot, Lu Zhuo went directly to where he had tethered his horse. Just as he was untying the reins, his brow suddenly furrowed.

When tethering his horse, he hadn’t thought much about it. From this position, when Wei Rao had just passed by, had she noticed there was a horse here?

Lu Zhuo’s mount was naturally a superior steed chosen from thousands, completely black as ink without a trace of other colors. Before the New Year, Lu Zhuo had ridden this horse to accompany Wei Rao to the estate to visit Shou’an Jun. If Wei Rao hadn’t seen it just now, that was fine, but if she had seen it, she would recognize his horse.

Lu Zhuo didn’t untie the horse. He went to the small path several zhang away and tried looking back. If Wei Rao had been looking straight ahead with single-minded focus, she shouldn’t have been able to see it.

Untying and mounting his horse, Lu Zhuo deliberately made a half-circle detour, approaching the estate again from the direction of Yunwu Town.

Shou’an Jun had just awakened. This was because of her age – people like Wang Shi and the Zhou Huizhen and Zhou Huizhu sisters were still sound asleep in their beds.

Eunuch Li managed external mansion affairs. Seeing Lu Zhuo visiting, he immediately sent someone to inform Shou’an Jun.

Shou’an Jun hadn’t expected Lu Zhuo to come so early. She first had someone invite Lu Zhuo to the hall for tea while she unhurriedly got up and arranged her hair before coming to the hall with Nanny Liu.

Although Shou’an Jun didn’t go out, she paid great attention to her appearance. Her still thick, dark hair was neatly arranged, and she wore a deep red jacket with auspicious patterns. Though older than both Duchess Ying and Old Madam Wei, she looked much younger. She had been peerlessly beautiful in her youth, and now at sixty-one, she was still a beautiful, elegant old madam.

Lu Zhuo stood with his hands behind his back in the hall. Seeing Shou’an Jun, he immediately walked over to bow: “This guilty son-in-law pays respects to Old Madam.”

Lu Zhuo was universally acknowledged by Wang Shi and Nanny Liu as a handsome young master with immortal beauty. Whether male or female, being good-looking was always advantageous. Early in the morning, seeing Lu Zhuo’s pleasing appearance made Shou’an Jun’s eyes feel comfortable, and her mood was not too bad. She smiled: “It is the Young Master. Why did you come so early? Please sit.”

Shou’an Jun sat down in the main seat with a smile.

Lu Zhuo didn’t take a seat. He turned to stand before Shou’an Jun, lowering his head shamefully: “This guilty son-in-law arrived last night, but when I got here, Old Madam had already retired. I didn’t dare disturb you and stayed at an inn in town. Hearing that Raorao had left, this guilty son-in-law hurried over and forgot to bring gifts. Please forgive me, Old Madam.”

Mentioning this, Shou’an Jun asked strangely: “What exactly did you do? Raorao suddenly came yesterday, only saying you had provoked her, but she wouldn’t tell me the specific reason. Sigh, Raorao has been spoiled by our indulgence. If the Young Master only slightly offended her and she doesn’t understand propriety by returning without permission, Young Master needs only tell me and I’ll discipline her.”

Shou’an Jun truly didn’t know why her granddaughter was angry. However, the two young people had a fake marriage, and Lu Zhuo’s coming so sincerely to apologize also gave her granddaughter dignity.

Lu Zhuo only felt ashamed.

His words had not only offended Wei Rao’s father but also expressed dissatisfaction with Wei Rao’s mother, Xiao Zhou Shi’s return home, and her remarriage. Shou’an Jun was Xiao Zhou Shi’s mother. Wei Rao’s deliberate concealment from Shou’an Jun wasn’t to save his face – she was worried about Shou’an Jun also being angered by him. An elderly person’s health regimen required avoiding great emotional disturbances.

Lu Zhuo had done wrong and was willing to bear Shou’an Jun’s anger, but since Wei Rao had concealed it, he couldn’t violate Wei Rao’s filial heart.

“This guilty son-in-law’s impulsive words hurt Raorao. I’m too ashamed to repeat those words and pollute Old Madam’s ears. I only ask that Old Madam call Raorao out to give me the chance to apologize to her in person.”

Shou’an Jun glanced at Nanny Liu, who gently shook her head.

Though the young miss seemed playful, she was very sensible. For the Young Master to anger the young miss into returning home and then come with such a humble attitude to ask forgiveness, the reason for their dispute definitely wasn’t simple. If they easily forgave the Young Master and the young miss obediently returned as soon as he came, when word spread, it would make the young miss seem even more unreasonable.

Since they were already outside the city, the later the young miss returned, the more it would show how angry she was and how hurtful the Young Master had been.

Shou’an Jun naturally understood this principle. She smiled bitterly at Lu Zhuo: “Every time Raorao encounters troubles, she likes to go hunting in Yunwu Mountain. That girl relies on her martial arts skills and fears nothing. She ran out again early this morning and won’t return until she catches something. Young Master has duties to attend to – don’t wait for her. Have breakfast and go to the barracks.”

Lu Zhuo had seen Wei Rao – she wasn’t wearing hunting gear and was probably just out riding.

But Lu Zhuo knew Wei Rao didn’t want to see him right now.

Coming today was only to show sincerity. Lu Zhuo didn’t expect to immediately gain forgiveness from Wei Rao and Shou’an Jun.

After having breakfast with Shou’an Jun, Lu Zhuo waited another two quarters of an hour but had to depart. He reluctantly took his leave.

“Mother, the Young Master has come to apologize. Please persuade Raorao to return early.” Wang Shi said kindly.

How long had Wei Rao been married into Duke Ying’s mansion? Even if she suffered great grievances, she shouldn’t run back to her maternal home in anger, especially to her grandmother’s side. Once this became a big issue, even if Wei Rao was in the right, she would become wrong. Duke Ying’s heir was such a noble figure – hurrying over to placate her was already rare. If Wei Rao continued being stubborn and thoroughly offended Duke Ying’s mansion, they might simply let her live outside, and in the end, Wei Rao would look bad.

Wang Shi had previously been jealous that Wei Rao was better than her daughter in everything. Now that her eldest daughter Zhou Huizhen also had a good marriage, Wang Shi hoped Wei Rao would properly fulfill her role as Duke Ying’s heir’s wife, helping each other with her well-married eldest daughter, both sisters establishing firm footing in the capital’s aristocratic circles.

“Meddle less in Raorao’s affairs. Have you finished preparing Huizhen’s dowry?” Shou’an Jun’s single sentence shut down her daughter-in-law.

Wang Shi felt snubbed and slunk away.

“Mother, did Duke Lu’s heir come to coax cousin?” Zhou Huizhen heard from a little maid and came to confirm with Wang Shi.

Wang Shi nodded: “He came. They say he arrived last night but didn’t want to knock on doors at night, so he stayed at an inn overnight. Truly worthy of being a noble family’s young master – gentle and well-mannered. If Han heir treats you with half the consideration Lu heir shows Raorao, Mother would be content.”

Mentioning Han Liao, Zhou Huizhen felt both shy and annoyed. Lu Zhuo liked Wei Rao certainly because of Wei Rao’s beauty. Her beauty wasn’t much inferior to Wei Rao’s, and Han Liao had proposed to her twice. Once she married, Han Liao would only treat her better than Lu Zhuo treated Wei Rao. What was Mother worrying about?

Outside the estate, Wei Rao estimated that Lu Zhuo had already left before leisurely riding back.

During her early morning ride to Yunwu Mountain, Wei Rao had noticed that black horse. Lu Zhuo’s horse, like his person, left a deep impression and was unforgettable once seen.

But Wei Rao didn’t want to see him, didn’t want to see his hypocritical face. He looked down on her and her mother in his heart. Coming to apologize was also because he was forced by Duchess Ying. Wei Rao didn’t care for it.

“Why are you back so late?” Seeing her granddaughter, Shou’an Jun asked with great concern. She knew Wei Rao had only gone riding this morning – usually, she returned early for meals.

Wei Rao touched her stomach and acted coquettishly toward Nanny Liu: “Nanny, quickly have the kitchen prepare breakfast. I’m so hungry my eyes are going blurry.”

Nanny Liu went to give instructions with a smile.

Shou’an Jun looked at her granddaughter: “Just now Lu…”

Wei Rao quickly said: “Don’t mention him – it ruins my appetite.”

Shou’an Jun said helplessly but indulgently: “Alright, alright. Eat first, then we’ll talk after you’re done.”