At dusk, Lu Zhuo and Fourth Master rode out of the Shenwu Army camp together. Halfway along the road, they encountered Qi Zhongkai head-on.
Fourth Master smiled and left first.
Qi Zhongkai immediately glared at Lu Zhuo and asked, “I heard that yesterday you escorted the Princess from your home back to the Princess’s mansion?”
Seeing that he was still wearing his Imperial Guard uniform, Lu Zhuo smiled and said, “You came rushing to find me right after finishing your duty shift, just for this matter?”
Qi Zhongkai had nothing to hide about it.
Lu Zhuo spurred his horse to a slow walk. “So what if I did?”
Qi Zhongkai followed closely behind him, “Didn’t you say she doesn’t like you? Why are you still pestering her relentlessly?”
According to the rumors Qi Zhongkai had heard, the Princess had even thrown a teacup at Lu Zhuo, yet Lu Zhuo still eagerly followed her around—wasn’t that exactly persistent pestering?
Lu Zhuo smiled with an air of complete confidence, “With sincere devotion, even metal and stone can be moved.”
Qi Zhongkai’s tiger-like eyes widened to perfect circles. He very much wanted to scoff at Lu Zhuo and tell him he was dreaming, but looking at Lu Zhuo’s handsome face bathed in the golden hue of the setting sun, appearing increasingly godlike, Qi Zhongkai couldn’t bring himself to scoff. Moreover, he felt increasingly lacking in confidence to compete with Lu Zhuo for anything. But Lu Zhuo had always been this handsome—why had the Princess still sought divorce then?
At this point, no one would believe that the Lu family had driven the Princess away. It was the Princess who was angry with Lu Zhuo and no longer wanted to marry him!
“Why did you two divorce in the first place?” Qi Zhongkai asked this old question he had posed countless times before. “Tell me the truth—if the Princess is just temporarily angry with you, and you truly have a chance to earn her forgiveness, then I won’t compete with you.”
Lu Zhuo’s smile faded as he glanced at Qi Zhongkai. He said self-mockingly, “Actually, I don’t know if I still have a chance either. It’s just that I can’t accept anyone but her. However, Brother Qi, if you truly like her, we can compete fairly. Regardless of who wins or loses, let’s not let it harm our brotherhood.”
Lu Zhuo didn’t care how many people wanted to compete with him for Wei Rao—he only cared about Wei Rao’s attitude.
Qi Zhongkai scratched his head, “You still haven’t told me what you did to anger her away? Did you secretly sleep with a maid, or did she catch you visiting brothels? But you’re not that kind of person.”
Lu Zhuo didn’t want to explain. Instead, he reminded Qi Zhongkai, “Think it through yourself, and also sound out the Marquis and Madam’s intentions. If they agree, go ahead and have a matchmaker propose marriage directly. I had my grandmother propose to her and was rejected, which is why I have no choice but to persistently pursue her. For proper courtship, one should still follow proper etiquette.”
A good woman attracts many suitors. As long as the men proposing to Wei Rao had suitable backgrounds, the more proposals she received, the more it demonstrated Wei Rao’s excellence, and it wouldn’t cause gossip. Just like his gesture of escorting her yesterday, it would never cause any negative impact on Wei Rao. Otherwise, how would Lu Zhuo dare to offend her again? Wei Rao’s teacup-throwing was merely her anger at him.
Qi Zhongkai hadn’t expected Lu Zhuo to be so magnanimous, wanting to reconcile with the Princess while also not minding fair competition with him.
Since that was the case, Qi Zhongkai didn’t want to miss this opportunity!
If Wei Rao married Lu Zhuo, Qi Zhongkai wouldn’t continue harboring feelings for her. But now that Lu Zhuo might not have a chance, should he not fight for his opportunity and instead make way for someone else?
After returning to the mansion, Qi Zhongkai went to discuss the matter with his parents.
Marquis Pingxi wanted to whip his son, “What kind of relationship do you have with Zhuo’er that you would try to court your own brother’s woman?”
Qi Zhongkai hurriedly explained, “Zhuo’er said he’s willing to compete fairly with me. Father, you’re underestimating Zhuo’er’s magnanimity. If I were in his position, I wouldn’t mind either. If the woman I like doesn’t like me, then having her marry a good brother I can accept is better than having her marry some worthless man.”
Marquis Pingxi was, after all, a military general who didn’t care as much about etiquette. Hearing his son’s explanation, he became ambivalent and turned to look at his wife.
Madam Pingxi had long known that her second son had feelings for Wei Rao. Initially, she disapproved, but now that Wei Rao had been enfeoffed as Princess and Emperor Yuanjia’s favoritism was overly obvious, and her second son was getting on in years without agreeing to marry—if her second son truly liked Wei Rao that much, and the match came to fruition, she could both look forward to holding grandchildren and use Wei Rao to curry favor with Emperor Yuanjia. Calculating it this way, it wouldn’t be a bad marriage alliance after all.
Madam Pingxi first went to consult with her mother-in-law, Old Madam Qi.
After careful consideration, Old Madam Qi had other thoughts and decided to first speak with Duchess Ying. In her heart, maintaining harmony with the Lu family was most important.
“Zhongkai wants to marry Raorao?” Duchess Ying asked in surprise.
Old Madam Qi smiled as she recounted the conversation between Qi Zhongkai and Lu Zhuo, “A gentleman pursues a fair lady, after all.”
Duchess Ying pondered for a moment, then smiled, “I won’t hide it from you, elder sister—I also proposed marriage to Raorao, but she has a free-spirited nature. Having just become a Princess, she hasn’t had enough freedom yet and flatly refused me. If you propose now, she probably won’t agree either.”
Old Madam Qi said, “If she agrees, it’s Zhongkai’s good fortune. If she refuses, it’s also good for Zhongkai—it’ll save him from pining uselessly.”
Duchess Ying replied, “Then I’ll await your good news. Raorao is a good girl—whether she marries Zhuo’er or Zhongkai, for me it’s keeping the good fortune within the family.”
Having gauged her attitude, Old Madam Qi returned home reassured to make arrangements.
That evening, Duchess Ying called Lu Zhuo over and told her grandson that the Qi family would be proposing marriage at the Princess’s mansion.
Lu Zhuo speculated, “She won’t agree.”
Duchess Ying raised an eyebrow, “How can you be so certain? Apart from being a bit darker and slightly less handsome than you, Zhongkai’s family background and abilities are impeccable.”
Lu Zhuo chuckled softly, “Brother Qi is indeed excellent, but the Qi family elders’ treatment of her is far inferior to yours and Mother’s.”
Wei Rao was a proud person. Her rejection of him stemmed entirely from his past slights and humiliations. But back then, at the Dragon Boat Festival in the palace, when Wei Rao saved Qi Miaomiao, Madam Pingxi had only given her a bracelet as thanks—how could Wei Rao not care at all?
The Qi family’s marriage proposal—apart from Qi Zhongkai’s sincerity, everyone else was only interested because Wei Rao had become a Princess.
Duchess Ying thought the same as her grandson, which is why she wasn’t worried about Old Madam Qi competing with her for a daughter-in-law. Moreover, Duchess Ying had specifically mentioned Wei Rao’s stated reason for refusing the Lu family’s proposal, so when Wei Rao indeed refused the Qi family’s proposal, Old Madam Qi wouldn’t be too embarrassed and wouldn’t think Wei Rao was still holding grudges about their past humiliations.
In mid-February, the Qi family indeed sent a matchmaker to the Princess’s mansion to propose marriage.
Wei Rao would be lying if she said she wasn’t surprised—Qi Zhongkai still hadn’t given up on marrying her?
Among all the men Wei Rao had encountered, Qi Zhongkai was the most enthusiastic and respectful toward her. He didn’t mind that she, as a woman, enjoyed horseback riding and hunting, but rather greatly admired her temperament. He appreciated her beauty, yet his gaze was clean without any lewd intentions. He would rush over in great haste to confess his feelings to her before heading to battle, even though he was very clumsy with words.
Qi Zhongkai’s skin was rather dark, and his build was overly large and robust. His voice was too loud, and he was too casual about certain matters.
These were all Qi Zhongkai’s shortcomings, but his sincere passion toward Wei Rao could move her, which is why she had once considered Qi Zhongkai as a potential husband.
But Qi Zhongkai’s family didn’t like her. From Old Madam Qi and Madam Pingxi to Qi Zhongkai’s eldest sister-in-law, Deng Shi, they all considered her reputation scandalous, believing she was not only unworthy of marrying Qi Zhongkai but also undeserving of their most basic courtesy.
Three years had passed, and Wei Rao remained unchanged from her fifteen-year-old self—she was still unrestrained and still not a dignified, virtuous lady. The only thing that could change Old Madam Qi and the others’ opinion of her was her Princess title and Emperor Yuanjia’s favoritism toward her. So if she truly married Qi Zhongkai, would Old Madam Qi and the others put on airs as mothers-in-law and demand that she behave as a proper daughter-in-law? She could live in the Princess’s mansion, but once she had children, would the Qi family women come over to interfere and dictate?
Most importantly, Wei Rao didn’t like Qi Zhongkai.
When she had to choose someone to marry, Qi Zhongkai’s sincerity was very precious. But when she wasn’t in a hurry to marry, Wei Rao only knew that Qi Zhongkai truly liked her, but she felt nothing for Qi Zhongkai—none of that face-flushing, heart-racing, secretly yearning feeling from storybooks when not seeing him for a day.
Wei Rao had already married once for the sake of interests. If there were to be a second time, Wei Rao hoped to marry a man who made her desperately desire him—someone who would pursue her passionately, and she would be filled with joy and excitement in return.
Wei Rao politely dismissed the matchmaker, using reasons similar to those she had given when refusing Duchess Ying.
This result surprised Old Madam Qi and Madam Pingxi. After all, Qi Zhongkai’s conditions were quite good—for a divorced Princess to bear to refuse?
However, their willingness to propose marriage was purely due to Qi Zhongkai’s persistent pleading, not because they were truly satisfied with Wei Rao. So when the match didn’t work out, both elders didn’t think much of it and only advised Qi Zhongkai to give up sooner rather than later.
Qi Zhongkai’s heart was nearly broken.
Lu Zhuo had angered Wei Rao, so her rejection of Lu Zhuo was understandable, but he had never offended Wei Rao!
Qi Zhongkai was unwilling to accept this. He rode to the Princess’s mansion gate and requested to see the Princess.
The Princess’s mansion had only Wei Rao as its female master. Wei Rao didn’t let Qi Zhongkai enter, but came out wearing a veil to meet him.
The guards and maids all stayed far away.
Qi Zhongkai stood at the bottom of the steps in front of the Princess’s mansion. He had to look up to see Wei Rao’s eyes, and to his surprise, those beautiful eyes showed no disgust but were smiling.
Qi Zhongkai was confused and stammered, “Princess, your refusal of my marriage proposal wasn’t because you dislike me, was it?”
Wei Rao smiled, “How could I dislike you? I said long ago that I consider the Second Master a friend. Second Master and I have compatible temperaments, and given the opportunity, I’d be happy to ride horses and hunt with Second Master. But friendship is friendship—I have no romantic feelings for Second Master, so I can only disappoint Second Master’s kind intentions. Please don’t blame me, Second Master.”
Qi Zhongkai seemed to understand, “So no matter how many gifts I give you or how I try to please you, you would never consider marrying me?”
Wei Rao nodded, “That’s right, exactly. But if Second Master encounters any difficulties, as long as it’s within my power, I will also do everything I can to help.”
Wasn’t this just friendship, brotherly affection?
Qi Zhongkai didn’t know whether to cry or laugh.
Having the beauty he admired, only regarding him as a brother would still be somewhat embarrassing if word got out. Qi Zhongkai was indeed dejected for several days, but fortunately, the Imperial Guards didn’t dare provoke their commander.
On this day, after finishing his duty, Qi Zhongkai had just exited the palace gates when he saw Lu Zhuo waiting on horseback outside, his handsome face wearing a slight smile that became more irritating the longer he looked at it.
“You knew from the start that the Princess wouldn’t agree to my proposal, didn’t you?” Qi Zhongkai rushed over and swung his fist at Lu Zhuo.
Lu Zhuo dodged to the side, pressed down his iron arm, and asked curiously, “What did she say to you?”
Qi Zhongkai could accept defeat gracefully and said frankly, “The Princess said she only considers me a friend and brother.”
Hearing this, Lu Zhuo’s expression darkened slightly.
She was at least willing to be friends with Qi Zhongkai. Toward him, she probably didn’t even deign to look.
Author’s Note: Raorao: My ideal man can accept all my flaws and will give me passionate love like fire. Young Master: …Passionate?