Fei Mo was a war horse, a steed chosen from among ten thousand. When Lu Zhuo commanded it not to move, even if sharp arrows came flying at its face, Fei Mo would not dodge.
Under the green shade, the black steed stood like a sculpture, its four hooves firmly gripping the ground, its dark eyes calmly gazing ahead. It sensed no danger – its master had simply commanded it not to move.
On horseback, Wei Rao was nearly melting under Lu Zhuo’s sudden passionate kiss. She knew in her heart this shouldn’t happen, but sparks seemed buried within her body. Usually imperceptible, they were now all stirred up by Lu Zhuo, burning until her body went soft and her mind grew dizzy. Her remaining reason made her want to push Lu Zhuo away.
But her left hand was bound like a rope at her waist by his arm. Her right hand could be raised from under the arm, holding the back of her head, touching his sleeve. Beneath the sleeve was an iron arm as powerful as ancient vines. When her hand touched it, she couldn’t budge him at all.
The stirrups were under his feet, and Wei Rao’s feet had nowhere to gain purchase, so she couldn’t summon her full strength to resist.
She was forced to tilt her head back, one hand hanging down, grasping his leg, the other futilely gripping his arm.
Lu Zhuo’s kisses grew more forceful each time. She was like his prey, only able to let him have his way.
Breathing became difficult. Lu Zhuo released her lips. Just when Wei Rao thought it was finally over, Lu Zhuo’s lips fell to her ear, burning with prairie fire intensity to her neck. The hand holding the back of her head also grasped her shoulder, grabbing her collar and pulling it aside.
That excessive action brought Wei Rao back to her senses. She struggled to free one hand and slapped the handsome face before her with a sharp “crack.”
Lu Zhuo’s lips remained against her snow-white neck, but his hands stopped moving.
Wei Rao slapped him again.
Lu Zhuo looked up at her.
Wei Rao’s cheeks were flushed red, fire burning in her eyes. When Lu Zhuo looked over, she stared into his eyes and slapped him a third time.
Lu Zhuo suddenly smiled. As Wei Rao was stunned, he kissed her again, but this time more gently, more like probing, more like pleading. Like gentle rain falling on tender petals, that careful tenderness made Wei Rao’s raised hand unable to slap down again.
Lu Zhuo suddenly grasped her hand, his other hand reaching under her skirt. Just as Wei Rao was startled and misunderstood, preparing to explode in anger, Lu Zhuo suddenly lifted her from Fei Mo and pressed her against the trunk of a nearby white poplar. Before Wei Rao could steady herself, Lu Zhuo had already grasped both her wrists with one hand and raised them above her head, his tall, straight figure enveloping her.
First her lips, then her earlobes and neck – he was silent yet persistent, passionate as fire.
Wei Rao closed her eyes weakly, her slender neck arching back under his assault, murmurs escaping her lips.
At this moment, she was like a fragile vine, weakly being gnawed by a hungry beast.
Lu Zhuo knew she would no longer resist, but this made it more dangerous. She was seducing him with her allure, but if he acted improperly, she might slap him several more times.
Before losing control, Lu Zhuo released her hands and continued kissing her lips.
Fei Mo suddenly snorted loudly. Wei Rao’s body trembled as she placed both hands on his chest, pushing backward.
Lu Zhuo didn’t entangle further, pulling back the distance between their lips, breathing slightly as he gazed at her.
Wei Rao lowered her lashes, her heartbeat alarmingly fast, her breathing also in disarray, her crimson lips glistening.
Lu Zhuo was the first to regain composure. He took her hand and interlaced their fingers. When Wei Rao tried to shake free, he said in a low voice: “Wei Rao, before seeing you today, I had thought that if you truly didn’t want to marry me, I would respect your choice.”
Wei Rao’s hand paused.
But his voice continued in her ear: “But having seen you, I have only one thought left. You don’t have to marry me, but don’t think of marrying anyone else either. No matter who you and the Noble Consort take a liking to, I’ll make him voluntarily withdraw. You know I’ve never been a gentleman.”
Wei Rao instinctively mocked him: “What big words from the Young Master. Do you think the Lu family can walk sideways through the capital?”
Lu Zhuo laughed: “No need to alarm the Lu family. I alone am sufficient.”
Wei Rao said angrily, “Where is the Young Master’s propriety and shame?”
Lu Zhuo looked at her: “If you marry me, I’ll strictly observe conventional propriety.”
Wei Rao turned her head away, her red lips tightly pressed.
Lu Zhuo wanted to touch the corner of her lips, but was slapped away by her hand. Lu Zhuo chuckled and leaned against the tree beside her, only his left hand tightly clasping her right hand. He asked gently: “The honey date rice dumplings for Dragon Boat Festival – were they to your taste?”
Wei Rao said coldly, “No.”
Lu Zhuo: “Is that so? Then I’ll make them several more times until I satisfy you someday.”
Wei Rao was shocked – those rice dumplings were made by him?
Lu Zhuo brought her small hand to his chest, turning his head to look at her: “Do you believe that no man in this world understands you better than I do, and besides me, no man is willing to let you do as you please?”
Wei Rao only found it laughable. The first statement might be true, but he had the nerve to say the second?
“When have you ever let me do as I please?”
“Never before, but in the future, whatever you want to do, I’ll go along with you. I’ll never control you again, not even half a sentence.”
Wei Rao didn’t believe it: “You wouldn’t mind if I went in and out of restaurants with other men?”
Lu Zhuo: “As long as you marry me, I wouldn’t care if you went in and out of brothels with them.”
Wei Rao’s face reddened, and she was angry: “Who wants to go to brothels? Are you insulting people in a roundabout way?”
Lu Zhuo explained: “Merchants often conduct business in pleasure quarters. You’re just making a fuss over nothing.”
Wei Rao admitted her knowledge wasn’t as broad as his. Grinding her teeth as she thought, she asked again: “What if I change clothes in the wilderness? Could you accept that, too?”
Lu Zhuo smiled: “As long as you’re certain no one is around.”
Wei Rao vigorously shook his hand. Of course, she would make sure no one was around – who would undress in front of anyone?
No matter how hard she tried, Lu Zhuo held on and wouldn’t let go: “Marry me. Promise to marry me, and I’ll send you out immediately.”
Wei Rao simply wouldn’t agree.
Lu Zhuo wasn’t in a hurry either. Leaning against the tree trunk, he gazed at the azure sky with calm detachment, the small hand in his palm filling the emptiness in his heart.
From the distant lake surface, several quacking sounds from wild ducks suddenly came.
Wei Rao smiled, looking ahead: “No bow, no arrows, no external objects allowed. If you can catch a wild duck, I’ll marry you.”
The corners of Lu Zhuo’s lips curved up. As long as she was willing to marry, what were wild ducks?
“One has bad symbolism. I’m willing to present the Princess with two, hoping to be paired with the Princess and grow old together.”
Wei Rao scoffed: “Catch them first, then talk.”
Lu Zhuo glanced at her and whistled twice.
Fei Mo, who had been grazing nearby, walked over. After a while, Wei Rao’s white horse that they had abandoned earlier also found its way to them.
The two mounted their horses respectively and rode toward the lake one after the other. Lu Zhuo was going to catch wild ducks, and Wei Rao was going to supervise him.
Halfway there, they encountered Lu Changning, who looked sheepish and didn’t dare look at Wei Rao.
Lu Zhuo comforted her: “The fault is mine. The Princess doesn’t blame you.”
Lu Changning looked toward Wei Rao anxiously.
Wei Rao smiled.
Lu Changning immediately smiled too, spurring her horse to Wei Rao’s side. Looking at her elder brother riding at the front, she asked curiously: “Princess, have you made up with Big Brother?”
Wei Rao snorted: “Not yet. I’m just giving him a chance. If he can catch two wild ducks barehanded, I’ll forgive him.”
Lu Changning was stunned for a moment, then suddenly understood. The Princess had already forgiven Big Brother – catching wild ducks was just the Princess wanting to tease Big Brother!
Lu Changning didn’t know what her brother’s mood was now, but she was very happy, laughingly urging Lu Zhuo to hurry up and catch wild ducks.
Three fine horses ran out from the forest, facing a sparkling lake where about twenty wild ducks swam leisurely in groups of three to five, all without exception, in the central area of the lake.
“You can’t use any external objects at all? How are you supposed to catch them?” Lu Changning asked in amazement.
Wei Rao just smiled without speaking, her gaze falling on Lu Zhuo’s back.
Lu Zhuo rode his horse around the lake once. The ducks probably thought he was far away and continued swimming slowly.
Lu Zhuo was skilled in water, but he couldn’t swim faster than wild ducks. The commotion in the water would be great, and as soon as he approached, the ducks would notice.
He looked toward Wei Rao.
Wei Rao waited under the tree’s shade, her beautiful face wearing a leisurely smile.
Lu Zhuo rode his horse again, slowly moving along the lakeside. Just then, a red-headed wild duck emerged from the forest leading a group of waddling ducklings.
Wei Rao’s expression changed dramatically.
Lu Zhuo smiled and rode toward that group of ducks. The red-headed duck sensed danger and quacked as it led the ducklings toward the water. But Fei Mo also understood its master’s intention. Its hooves flew as it galloped over before the last three ducklings could enter the water. Lu Zhuo stood on one stirrup, gripping the reins with one hand, most of his body off the horse’s back as he bent down and scooped up two red-headed ducklings.
Seeing Lu Zhuo turn his horse and ride toward them, Lu Changning laughed: “Princess, this is called heaven’s blessing. You’re destined to be my sister-in-law!”
Wei Rao was unwilling to let Lu Zhuo off so easily and turned to run.
Lu Zhuo chased after her all the way, but this time he didn’t go all out, always maintaining some distance.
One white and one black, the two fine horses reached the open field and quickly attracted a wave of attention.
The young ladies resting under trees gazed enviously at Wei Rao being chased by Lu Zhuo.
Emperor Yuanjia and Xiao Zhou Shi, who were leisurely searching for prey, also saw the two.
Emperor Yuanjia glanced at Xiao Zhou Shi and actively led his group to intercept Wei Rao and Lu Zhuo from the front. Xiao Zhou Shi paused for a moment, then followed.
With the imperial entourage ahead, Wei Rao slowed her horse, her face completely red.
She remained seated on horseback while Lu Zhuo, seeing Emperor Yuanjia, dismounted while holding two quacking ducklings and knelt on one knee.
At this moment, Xiao Zhou Shi also caught up, and Wei Rao came to her mother’s side with a red face.
Emperor Yuanjia questioned Lu Zhuo: “Why were you chasing the Princess?”
Lu Zhuo declared loudly: “This subject has admired the Princess for a long time. Just now, encountering the Princess by chance, this subject once again begged the Princess to marry me. The Princess said that as long as this subject could hunt a wild duck without relying on external objects, she would marry this subject. Now this subject has caught two wild ducks, but the Princess refuses to accept them graciously. Please, Your Majesty, uphold justice for this subject.”
Emperor Yuanjia asked Wei Rao, “Is what Lu Zhuo said true?”
Wei Rao said irritably, “I wanted him to catch wild ducks from the lake, but he took shortcuts and caught two young ducks from the ground. What skill is that?”
Though she was irritated, a young lady’s shyness couldn’t be deceived.
Emperor Yuanjia looked toward Xiao Zhou Shi. Xiao Zhou Shi snorted lightly but scolded Wei Rao: “Marriage is a major life event. How can it be treated as child’s play?”
Wei Rao huffily ran away.
Emperor Yuanjia understood her meaning, coughed, and said to Xiao Zhou Shi with a smile: “Noble Consort, although Lu Zhuo took shortcuts, he did indeed complete the Princess’s requirements. Considering that Lu Zhuo is handsome, accomplished in both literature and martial arts, and sincerely seeks to marry the Princess, why don’t I decide for him and the Princess, bestowing marriage upon them both?”
Xiao Zhou Shi said with a cold face: “My daughter is willing to honor her bet. She must marry, but when Your Majesty bestows the marriage, you must add a clause: if Lu Zhuo dares to mistreat the Princess, even though it’s an imperial marriage decree, the Princess may still divorce her husband.”
Lu Zhuo immediately said, “This subject wouldn’t dare. This subject will certainly treasure the Princess like his own life.”
Xiao Zhou Shi remained unmoved: “I don’t believe your words. I only believe the imperial edict.”
Emperor Yuanjia laughed: “Good, good, good. Just as Noble Consort says, I’ll add an extra clause to the marriage decree.”