No matter how much Wei Rao missed her mother, she wouldn’t cry loudly in front of Lu Zhuo. After shedding two tears, she steadied her emotions.
“As an apology, can the young lady forgive my previous offense?” Seeing her looking at the handwriting on the imperial edict again, Lu Zhuo tentatively asked.
Wei Rao was a practical person. Though Lu Zhuo’s words had insulted her and made her angry, when she thought about it clearly, it really wasn’t much. She and Lu Zhuo weren’t a real married couple anyway – they would go their separate ways after making do for a few years. Why should she care about Lu Zhuo’s opinion of her? In her heart, Lu Zhuo was no different from those gossiping common people, except that Lu Zhuo was the boldest, daring to say those unpleasant words to her face.
Now, Lu Zhuo had allowed her to visit her mother. This was a real, substantial benefit, enough to compensate for Lu Zhuo’s offense against her.
Rolling up the imperial edict, Wei Rao looked directly at Lu Zhuo and asked: “Does my forgiveness matter to the heir?”
Lu Zhuo said, “It matters. You and I have no grievances or enmity. If I hurt you and you refuse to forgive me, I, Lu, will owe you for two lifetimes. If you forgive me, I can face heaven and earth without shame.”
Wei Rao understood. She tucked the imperial edict into her sleeve and said, “I will go with you to Jin City. As long as the heir can truly let me see my mother, our past grievances will be wiped clean, and we’ll continue acting as a loving couple until the agreement ends.”
Lu Zhuo smiled: “That would be good.”
Having settled this, Wei Rao and Lu Zhuo went together to bid farewell to Shou’an Jun.
Shou’an Jun smiled: “Why the rush? Eat lunch before leaving – there’s no hurry.”
It was indeed almost mealtime. Wei Rao looked at Lu Zhuo, who was naturally willing.
To entertain her granddaughter’s husband, Shou’an Jun still didn’t let Wang Shi appear. Dishes were brought out plate by plate, and after everything was prepared, Shou’an Jun dismissed all the serving maids.
“Raorao, are you going to Jin City with the heir?” Shou’an Jun asked with concern.
Wei Rao nodded and asked her grandmother: “Do you have any words for me to convey to Mother?”
Shou’an Jun smiled: “She’s grown up now and doesn’t need my concern. I’m worried about you playing around and causing trouble for the heir on the road. The heir is going to Jin City this time to recruit new soldiers for the Shenwu Army. Once you’re out there, you two must listen to the heir’s arrangements. Don’t urge the heir and delay the important matter of recruitment.”
Wei Rao glanced at Lu Zhuo and muttered quietly: “Am I the kind of person who doesn’t know priorities? You just take care of yourself and don’t worry about me.”
Shou’an Jun shook her head and turned to Lu Zhuo: “Raorao has quite a wild nature. With no one to restrain her outside, she might act even more recklessly. Heir, please keep a close eye on her for me so she doesn’t cause trouble.”
Hearing this, Wei Rao became annoyed, put down her chopsticks, and glared at her grandmother with resentment. What was wrong with Grandmother today? Knowing full well that she and Lu Zhuo were only a fake couple, why was she saying such things? She wasn’t a child – she knew propriety. This trip was just traveling together with Lu Zhuo; there was no need for Lu Zhuo to watch over her.
Lu Zhuo smiled and said to Shou’an Jun, “Old Madam, rest assured. Even if I can’t recruit any new soldiers, I will bring Raorao back without a hair out of place.”
Wei Rao’s annoyed gaze immediately fell on Lu Zhuo’s face. There were no uninformed people here – why was he randomly calling her Raorao? He should be addressing her as Fourth Lady.
However, Shou’an Jun and Lu Zhuo acted like a real grandmother and real grandson-in-law, ignoring Wei Rao’s resistance and chatting happily, taking turns speaking.
Wei Rao couldn’t help thinking that Grandmother must be afraid she was reluctant to leave the estate, so she was deliberately making her angry.
After lunch, Shou’an Jun didn’t keep the young couple for an afternoon rest and personally saw them out of the estate.
“Grandmother, please take care of yourself.” At parting, Wei Rao hugged the old lady, feeling reluctant after all.
Shou’an Jun patted the young girl’s shoulder and whispered in her ear: “The journey is long – listen to the heir in everything and don’t run around wildly.”
Wei Rao said irritably, “How many times have you said this? Where could I run to?”
Shou’an Jun pushed her away: “Go quickly, go quickly. You find me nagging, and I find you troublesome too!”
Wei Rao didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She took one last look at her grandmother, turned around, and got into the carriage.
Lu Zhuo smiled and bowed to Shou’an Jun, mounted his horse, and took his little wife, who had been away from home for nearly half a month, back home.
When passing through Yunwu Town, the common people on both sides of the street who had seen the heir twice carrying gifts to apologize saw that there were now two carriages beside the heir and knew that the heir had finally succeeded this time. The townspeople all respected Shou’an Jun, so their words were more pleasant, just teasing the gentle and handsome heir on horseback: “The heir is smiling so beautifully – has the young madam finally forgiven you?”
Lu Zhuo smiled and nodded.
“Then the heir must treat the young madam better in the future and not make her angry again!”
“I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare.”
Wei Rao hid behind the window curtain, seeing Lu Zhuo’s hypocritical appearance of good temper, and admired his composure somewhat.
Two hours later, the carriages and horses entered the capital. The roadside discussions suddenly changed tone, mostly defending Lu Zhuo and criticizing Wei Rao for her arrogant temper and inability to bear even the slightest grievance.
No one discussed loudly, but the buzzing gossip reached the carriage.
Wei Rao just found it amusing. So what if she was arrogant? She was only troubling Lu Zhuo, her nominal husband. Lu Zhuo and even Duke Ying Mansion didn’t mind her behavior – why were these people who had nothing to do with her so indignant, as if she were their daughter-in-law, troubling their men?
Because of her bad reputation, they felt she didn’t deserve Lu Zhuo treating her so well.
Looking at those men and women on the street who were feeling sorry and indignant for Lu Zhuo, Wei Rao’s arrogant temper flared up. Her gaze swept across the row of shops on the street, and Wei Rao suddenly lifted a corner of the window curtain and coughed lightly twice toward Lu Zhuo on horseback.
Behind the curtain, she only revealed half of her fair face, but that skin as tender as flower petals immediately silenced the street-side people fortunate enough to glimpse this scene.
Lu Zhuo signaled the driver to stop the carriage, rode his horse close to the carriage window, and asked in a low voice: “Does Madam have something to say?”
Wei Rao used a voice that only the two of them could hear: “I’m troubling you – what are they angry about?”
Her delicate voice carried three parts irritation.
Lu Zhuo had actually heard those discussions too. He was supposed to act as a loving couple with Wei Rao, so if someone openly jumped out to criticize Wei Rao, Lu Zhuo would righteously scold them back. But the common people were only discussing quietly – Lu Zhuo couldn’t lecture each person.
He was just a listener, but as the main subject being discussed, Wei Rao naturally couldn’t stand it.
“Ultimately, it’s still my fault. They don’t know how deeply I hurt you, so they all misunderstand you as making a mountain out of a molehill.” Lu Zhuo apologized again.
Wei Rao wanted exactly this response and laughed lightly: “The more they think I’m not worth you treating me well, the more I want to make them uncomfortable. There’s a rouge shop over there – could the heir personally select a box of rouge for me?”
Upon hearing this, Lu Zhuo glanced at the nearby people who were craning their necks to look, completely able to imagine what the people’s reaction would be if he really went to buy rouge.
Wei Rao, who could think of such a scheme, really was like a spoiled new bride relying on her husband’s indulgence.
Lu Zhuo had no indulgence for her, but he felt guilt. If he hadn’t driven her away in anger, Wei Rao wouldn’t have attracted such gossip.
For the sake of this guilt, let alone buying rouge, even if Wei Rao ordered him to lead her horse, Lu Zhuo would do it.
He smiled: “What fragrance does Madam prefer for rouge?”
Wei Rao thought for a moment: “Osmanthus scented, but not too strong.”
Lu Zhuo took note, dismounted his horse, and under the curious gazes of the surrounding people, headed straight for the rouge shop diagonally ahead.
There were four or five female customers in the shop – mothers and daughters, sisters – who had originally been standing at the shop entrance watching the heir’s excitement. Now seeing the heir coming their way, they panicked and quickly hid inside the shop.
Lu Zhuo acted as if he didn’t see them. After entering, he directly asked the female shopkeeper: “Do you have osmanthus rouge with a light fragrance?”
The female shopkeeper was extremely excited. The heir on horseback was incomparably handsome, and now standing in her shop, his noble bearing was truly like an immortal descending from heaven.
“Yes, yes, yes! What kind does the heir want?” The female shopkeeper was so focused on staring at Lu Zhuo’s face that she spoke in panic.
Lu Zhuo smiled: “The most expensive kind. My wife is not accustomed to common items.”
Upon hearing this, the female shopkeeper immediately went to the cabinet to get the shop’s treasure. She brought out a beautifully patterned rosewood box containing four painted rouge boxes. Lu Zhuo looked down at them as the female shopkeeper skillfully introduced: “These four boxes of rouge are a set called ‘Flower Longing for Beauty,’ consisting of crabapple fragrance, peony fragrance, osmanthus fragrance, and plum blossom fragrance. What does the heir think?”
Lu Zhuo had never bought rouge before. This purchase was only to give Wei Rao face. Seeing that the four rouge boxes were exquisite and delicate, with such beautiful containers, the rouge inside should also be good.
“I’ll take this set.” Lu Zhuo seemed to seriously examine them before saying.
The female shopkeeper said joyfully: “That’s fifty taels total.”
Lu Zhuo smiled and took out a hundred-tael banknote from his chest: “No need for change. Give me another set.”
Fortune falling from heaven – the female shopkeeper said happily: “Yes, yes, yes! The heir and young madam are a loving couple in pairs, so naturally this ‘Flower Longing for Beauty’ set should also come in pairs.”
The female shopkeeper nimbly packed two sets of rouge and presented them to Lu Zhuo with a beaming smile.
Lu Zhuo took the rouge and walked out of the shop with a spring-like smile, coming to the carriage.
“Madam, I’ve bought the rouge.”
Wei Rao lifted the carriage curtain and was surprised to see him hand over two long boxes directly: “So much?”
Lu Zhuo looked at her with smiling eyes: “This rouge set is called ‘Flower Longing for Beauty’ – very fitting for Madam.”
Wei Rao seemed to have heard some sister mention “Flower Longing for Beauty” before. Under everyone’s watchful eyes, she sweetly thanked Lu Zhuo and extended a pair of slender jade hands to receive the boxes and bring them into the carriage.
Lu Zhuo mounted his horse, and the group continued on their way.
Wei Rao opened the rouge boxes and smelled all four flower fragrances. The scents were indeed light, and when she tried them on the back of her hand, the rouge was fine and light, very comfortable.
The people outside were probably all shocked by Lu Zhuo’s indulgence of her, temporarily forgetting to continue their gossip.
Returning to Duke Ying Mansion, Wei Rao first went to apologize to Duchess Ying for alarming the palace nobles.
Duchess Ying held Wei Rao’s small hands and said, “It’s good that you’re back. Those other things don’t matter.” Then she scolded Lu Zhuo, making him promise never to make Wei Rao angry again.
Lu Zhuo respectfully agreed.
Leaving Zhongyi Hall, Wei Rao quietly asked Lu Zhuo: “Those two boxes of rouge – how much did they cost?”
Lu Zhuo said, “Not much. Consider it an apology gift from me.”
Wei Rao: “You’ve already given an apology gift. Count the rouge as my purchase – I can’t let the heir spend money.”
Lu Zhuo looked ahead and said, “The Jin City trip is an apology for hurting your heart. The rouge is an apology for causing you to be gossiped about.”
Wei Rao continued to refuse: “For the gossip matter, the heir personally buying rouge was sufficient compensation.”
Lu Zhuo had to say: “In that case, the two boxes of rouge cost fifty taels total.”
Wei Rao estimated this was about right. During dinner, she returned a banknote to Lu Zhuo.
Lu Zhuo silently put it away.