Chongfei Manual

Chapter 159

Zhao Jie had been gentle at the beginning of last night. Later on, he had probably remembered Wei Luo’s words about getting a divorce and had been intent on punishing on her. Both of his hands had been pressed down on the sides of her head as he leaned over to bit her ear. Each bite was fiercer than the previous one. Wei Luo couldn’t endure it and clung to his shoulders while crying for mercy. There were several long scratches on his shoulder and back because of her that still hadn’t fade away by morning.

After being tossed around for half a night, Wei Luo woke up the next morning with a sore waist and wobbly legs. She didn’t even have the strength to drink her medicine.

Zhao Jie held the blue and white porcelain medicine bowl and helped Wei Luo drink the medicine spoonful by spoonful. After she finished drinking the medicine, he used his thumb to wipe away the medicinal concoction from the corners of her lips.

He asked, “Do you want to skip going to palace to pay respects today?”

Wei Luo raised her large, bright, limpid eyes. She wanted to viciously glare at him, but her eyes showed the love that she felt for him and it wasn’t imposing at all. Instead, she only looked cutely spoiled as she said, “Imperial mother would have definitely found out that we summoned a doctor here. If I don’t go to the palace to talk with her, she’ll have strange and wild thoughts.”

In this aspect, Wei Luo was very clever and sensible.

His young girl had considered this matter so thoughtfully. Zhao Jie’s heart wanted to pamper her, but he also felt regretful. He rubbed her earlobe, “Do you want me to go with you?”

Wei Luo pushed him away, shook her head, and said, “Don’t you have to go to Shen Ji Barracks? I’ll go by myself. The empress has always treated me very well, she won’t make things difficult for me.” These words were meant to comfort not only Zhao Jie, but herself as well.

Zhao Jie smiled and said, “Don’t worry. Imperial mother is a reasonable person. She’ll understand.”

Hearing his words, Wei Luo felt slightly calmer.

Then, he lowered his head to nip at her lips.

She subconsciously inhaled. The place that Zhao Jie had kissed her felt swollen and achy. She took out a small copper mirror that was decorated with flowering peonies from underneath a large red pillow to look at her face. She saw that skin on the corner of her lip was torn. It was red and swollen and very conspicuous. Wei Luo put down the mirror. Flustered and exasperated, Wei Luo asked, “You… How can I go out like this?”

Zhao Jie chuckled, “You can use lipstick to cover it later.”

This was her only option. Wei Luo called Yun Gua and Yu Suo inside to assist her in changing her clothes. The weather was cool today because it had rained yesterday. Wei Luo selected a pleated skirt with pearls sewn into an eight-treasure-style pattern and a soft red top. She also had a sachet embroidered with a scroll pattern and a turquoise squirrel waist accessory tied to her waist sash. All in all, she looked refreshing and beautiful.

She sat at the black dressing table that was outlined in gold and had Yu Suo arranged her hair into a ling yun hairstyle. She rarely applied powder to her face when she went out. Her skin was naturally good. Even without applying makeup, her skin was as eye-catching and as lustrous as gems. Most of the time, she would be done after applying eyebrow powder.

However, after she carefully applied a layer of white powder today, she picked up the rouge that been made from pomegranates and lightly dabbed her lips with it. When she was finished, the torn part of her lips wasn’t as noticeable anymore.

After she was dressed and was done with her makeup, she unexpectedly saw that Zhao Jie had stopped by the entrance. His phoenix eyes stared at her with an unfathomable gaze.

Wei Luo asked, “What’s wrong?”

Zhao Jie raised his hand, but he resisted the urge to wipe off her lipstick in the end. He only said, “Remember to wear your veil hat when going out. You’re not allowed to let other men see your face.” After their wedding, Zhao Jie’s possessiveness of Wei Luo had only increased. Seeing Wei Luo wearing makeup and dressed up so beautifully, he felt worried.

Wei Luo rolled her eyes. “I’m going to the palace to see the empress. Why would I see other men?”

Zhao Jie ordered Jin Lu to bring a veil hat and he personally put it on her head. He looked at her at again before allowing her to leave the residence.

——–

Wei Luo found out that Empress Chen wasn’t at Zhao Yang Hall after she arrived at Qing Xi Palace. Instead, the empress had gone to palace’s training field to practice her equestrianism.

Wei Luo didn’t find this strange. Empress Chen came from a general’s family. In addition, horse riding and archery was part of her previous profession. No one would dare to stop her when she occasionally wanted to practice these skills.

When Wei Luo arrived at the training field, there were several dozens of guards by the entrance. A person with an elegant appearance and an unrestrained demeanor galloped past them. There was the loud sound of the horse’s hooves striking the ground. Empress Chen was holding a bow decorated with animal horns. She placed an arrow into the bow and aimed the arrow at a target that was over a hundred steps away. Her movements were as natural and unforced as moving clouds and flowing water.

Wei Luo saw her hand releasing the arrow. The next second later, the arrow was firmly shot into the red spot on the target!

On the viewing platform, Zhao Liuli couldn’t resist standing up and cheered, “Imperial mother’s archery is so accurate!” Zhao Liuli’s health wasn’t good and the doctors had said she wasn’t suitable for riding horses or shooting arrows. As a result, she could only sit here as a spectator.

Empress Chen went around the training field once before coming back. She stopped by Wei Luo and said with a smile, “Ah Luo, you know how to ride a horse, right? Do you want to have a match with this empress?”

Wei Luo knew her own abilities. She didn’t dare to display her slight skill before an expert, so she tactfully declined, “I haven’t brought riding clothes today. I’m afraid I can’t compete with imperial mother.”

Empress Chen didn’t put her in a difficult spot. She said it was fine with a smile, rode the horse back to the archery range, and practiced shooting a few more arrows. One after another, her arrows struck the center of the targets.

Wei Luo caught a glimpse of Emperor Chong Zhen standing at the entrance from her peripheral vision. He was wearing a dragon robe. He had probably just returned from the imperial court and hadn’t had time to change to another robe before coming here.

Emperor Chong’s gaze was fixated on Empress Chen and his eyes followed Empress Chen’s every moment. His hands were behind his back. He seemed as if he was recalling a distant memory from decades ago when he had look upon a powerful army. Unfortunately, that period of time was forever gone. It had long been grinded into fragments by time and imperial power. When he finally woke up to reality and saw the truth, there were many matters that couldn’t be compensated.

Wei Luo looked away. She walked over to sit down by Zhao Liuli’s side and asked, “Why made imperial mother want to practice equestrian archery?”

Zhao Liuli glanced at the emperor that was standing by the training area’s entrance before picking up a bamboo ladle on the table to pour Wei Luo a bowl of sour plum soup. “Today is maternal grandfather’s birthday. Maternal grandfather retired from his position and returned to the countryside a decade ago. Imperial mother hasn’t seen him since then.”

After hearing this, Wei Luo somewhat understood. Empress Chen’s father had once been a famous, outstanding general. Because the general’s meritorious serve was too great, Emperor Chong felt threatened and had suppressed House Chen. Empress Chen’s father had probably been forced to retire.

No wonder Empress Chen didn’t seem to be in a good mood today.

Wei Luo and Zhao Liuli continued talking. She eventually asked Liuli about her wedding with Yang Zhen. Zhao Liuli looked embarrassed, but there was a smile in her eyes. “Imperial mother doesn’t want to be separated from me. She wants me to stay with her for a bit longer. So, my wedding will be May of next year.”

Zhao Liuli would be eighteen years old next year. This age was slightly old to be getting married. However, she was a princess with a noble status, so it could be considered reasonable. It was only that Yang Zhen was quite pitiful. He had to wait another year before he could marry his fiancée.

A short while later, Empress Chen finished practicing equestrian archery and returned. She took a handkerchief that was embroidered with dogwood flowers from a place servant. As she wiped her sweat, she asked the two of them, “What are you two girls talking about? This empress sees that Liuli’s face has turned red.”

Zhao Liuli wouldn’t allow Wei Luo to tell, so Wei Luo only faintly smiled and stayed silent.

It wasn’t suitable for Zhao Liuli to stay outside for too long. Not much later, she was sent back to Chen Hua Hall by a mama.

After Zhao Liuli left, Empress Chen picked up Liuli’s small, white and blue porcelain bowl and drank a few sips of sour plum soup. She looked at Wei Luo and said, “This empress already knows about Chang Sheng and your matter.”

Wei Luo subconsciously straightened her back. Sitting upright and still, she said, “Imperial mother, I also have words that I want to say with you about this matter.”

Empress Chen could guess what she wanted to say and interrupted her. She indicated that she didn’t need to worry by saying, “Since you need to improve your health, this empress will have people deliver nourishing medicinal herbs. The medicinal herbs available outside of the palace aren’t as comprehensive as inside the palace. If you’re lacking in anything, tell this empress. There’s no need to be polite with this empress.”

Seeing that Wei Luo was startled and seemed confused, she lightly laughed and said, “Previously, this empress was too insistent and put you in a difficult position. Now, that this empress knows it’s because your health isn’t good and the matter can’t be rushed. It’s more important to focus on improving your health first.”

Wei Luo opened and closed her mouth before she finally said, “Imperial mother, aren’t you anxious about having a grandson?”

Empress Chen honestly said, “Of course. But is there any use in this empress feeling anxious? There’s nothing that can be done. This empress can’t force Chang Sheng to accept concubines.” The empress was an open-minded person that wouldn’t stubbornly insist something like that.

“Besides, if this really happened, not only would Chang Sheng object to this empress’s action, so would you. This empress has no desire to do such an arduous and thankless task.”

Wei Luo hadn’t expected that Empress Chen would be so open-minded. On the contrary, her initial worries had been unnecessary. She was very moved by Empress Chen’s words. She went forward and knelt down to sit next to Empress Chen. She looked like a sweet, obedient child. This was the first time she acted so intimate. “Imperial mother, you treat me so well. Older brother Prince Jing and me will definitely be very filial towards you in the future.”

Empress Chen very naturally hugged her and stroked her hair like a mother doting on her daughter. She said with a smile, “Hmm, if this empress didn’t say these words, were you deciding to not be filial towards this empress in the future?”

Wei Luo shook her head and honestly said, “I’ll still be filial, but I probably won’t be whole-heartedly filial.”

Empress Chen laughed without restraint. She like forthright girls like Wei Luo the most. She had long become annoyed with seeing the sham gestures of politeness in the imperial harem.

Wei Luo and Empress Chen talked for a while. An hour passed without them noticing.

Wei Luo looked towards the training area’s entrance. Emperor Chong Zhen had already left.

Seeing that it wasn’t early anymore, just as Wei Luo was about to stand up and bid farewell, a palace servant wearing a green round-neck robe rushed over here and said to the empress, “Your Majesty, seventh princess and the two female officials that teach etiquette have fallen into a dispute. Seventh princess is about to punish the female officials.”

Empress Chen faintly furrowed her eyebrows and said, “What happened?”

The palace servant reported the matter to the empress in full detail. It wouldn’t be good for Wei Luo to continue to listen, so she tactfully left the training area.

When she reached the entrance, the wind stirred up the dust and dust blew into Wei Luo’s eye. She stopped walking and furrowed her eyebrows in discomfort.

Jin Lu asked, “Miss, what happened?”

Wei Luo said, “Dust blew into my eye. Jin Lu, help me blow it out.”

Jin Lu carefully looked at her eyes, and gently blew at Wei Luo’s left eye. “Miss, is that better?”

Wei Luo couldn’t resist rubbing her eye. Her eyes were red and her eye didn’t feel better until a while later. She finally said, “It’s okay. Let’s continue walking.”

As soon as she looked up, she saw a handsome solder wearing scale armor that went past his waist at the entrance. His bright eyes were looking at her through his pointed iron helmet. However, his gaze was a bit too excessively frank and made her feel uncomfortable.

He didn’t return to his senses until a nearby person called out, “Military Officer Chen”. He smiled at Wei Luo before looking away.

Wei Luo didn’t notice his smile, much less take it seriously. After leaving the training area, she departed from the palace.

——–

Recently, Wei Luo had eaten many nourishing herbal supplements and drank numerous tonics. In addition to the ginseng and angelica sent by Empress Chen, there had been the fleeceflower root and caterpillar fungus Zhao Jie had sent people to Suzhou find and bring back. The money spent on just one day’s worth of Wei Luo’s herbal supplements would be enough for a normal family to buy a lifetime of rice.

However, it was difficult to avoid not getting tired of eating the herbal supplements. So, Zhao Jie had the cooks to figure out ways to incorporate the herbal supplements into their meals. In order to nourish her body faster, Wei Luo didn’t complain much. She usually drank whatever was made for her to drink.

And so, three months passed like this. Wei Luo’s little face become rosy and lustrous. She became even more beautiful than before. It could be seen that Doctor Sun’s words were very reasonable. It was very important for a woman to enrich the blood and qi. She would be a huge disadvantage if her qi and blood were deficient.

Right now, it was late autumn. The ground was covered in a golden layer of ginko leaves in the outside courtyard. Outside, there was the sound of the chilly wind blowing by. Inside, Wei Luo was sitting in Zhao Jie’s embrace. There was a slice of ginseng in her mouth and she was currently reading an invitation card in her hand to House Chen’s Marquis Guang Xin’s grandson one-month-old birthday celebration.

Marquis Guang Xin was a distant cousin of Empress Chen and they only had the slightest bit of familial connection. However, Emperor Chong Zhen had suppressed the House Chen greatly back then and this Marquis Guang Xin didn’t have any true power. By the time the title of marquis had reached this current generation, it might be that family’s last generation. They completely depended on their family’s territory to support them. They probably wouldn’t be able support themselves for much longer. For the sake of the next generation, their only choice was to seek connection and cling to a powerful person like Zhao Jie.

Wei Luo casually flipped over the invitation and asked for Zhao Jie’s opinion, “Do you want to go?”

Zhao Jie increasingly liked to touch Wei Luo’s little face. Her satiny face was fairer than a peeled hard-boiled egg. He unconcernedly said, “Didn’t you say you were bored yesterday? It’ll be good for you to go out and relieve your boredom.”

Wei Luo considered for a moment, “Then, let’s go. I’ll have Jin Lu prepare a gift.” After saying this, she wanted to jump down from Zhao Jie’s lap, but Zhao Jie stopped her by holding onto her waist and pressed her back down to her original position. She tilted her head and asked, “Is there something else?”

Zhao Jie’s hand slipped into her shirt. His palm caressed her satiny skin that felt like tasty, succulent, tender tofu. He lowered his head and buried his face between Wei Luo’s shoulder and neck and sniffed the scent of her neck. “You’ve been eating herbal supplements for so long, let me see if you’ve grown bigger here.”

Wei Luo hurriedly stopped his hand and scolded him for being indecent. “Its still daytime!” Besides, he knew why she was eating supplements. There was no reason for him to say nonsense.

But, Zhao Jie didn’t care if it was daytime or nighttime. He placed Wei Luo onto a small, vermillion-lacquered table with curved edges, removed her clothes, and his hand went inside her pink undergarment embroidered with golden thread. He pushed the cloth away and sucked that spot.

Wei Luo didn’t want to be heard by the servant girls that were standing outside at the doorway. She raised her hand and muffled her voice with the back of her hand. Her other hand tightly clutched the edge of the table. She quietly said, “Don’t bite. It hurts…”

Zhao Jie seemed as if he deliberately wanted to tease her. Although he loosened his grip, his mouth started to slowly move downwards.

Wei Luo’s entire body stretched taut and involuntarily lightly trembled. She had to suppress her voice. She couldn’t make any sound that was too loud. She was as pitiful as a bullied kitten. A long time later, her body softened and she collapsed onto Zhao Jie’s shoulder while quietly panting. Her eyes were covered in a thin layer of misty tears. She looked both pitiful and cute.

Zhao Jie held her head to kiss her and forced her to sample the taste of herself.

He kissed Wei Luo until her body softened even more and she felt light-headed. When she had slightly returned to her senses, Zhao Jie was carrying her into the study.

October 8th was Marquis Guang Xin’s grandson’s one month old birthday.

Wei Luo had sat in front of her mirror and vanity case for an hour to tidy up before changing her clothes. When she was leaving the residence with Zhao Jie, he stared at her for a long time before he slowly reached his hand out to hold her hand and said, “Let’s go.”

Once they were inside the carriage, Wei Luo curiously asked, “What were you looking at before?”

Zhao Jie was sitting across from her and leaning back against the carriage wall. He was smiling strangely as he looked at her. “I was looking at my beautiful Ah Luo. I was almost reluctant to bring her outside today.”

Wei Luo was wearing a captivating, short red top that was embroidered with a pattern of branching plum blossoms in Sustyle. The top was paired with a flowing, green skirt. Normally, pairing green and red together was very tacky. However, these colors were complementary when worn by Wei Luo. Not only was it not tacky, it showed lively delicateness. In addition, she had recently been eating herbal supplements every day to improve her health. She didn’t look like a married woman. If she said she was fourteen or fifteen*, people would believe her. When Zhao Jie stood next to her, it would make people suspect that he was a cradle robber.

* (Note: Wei Luo is currently sixteen years old, so I’m not sure why this is noteworthy.)

When they arrived at the marquis’s residence’s receiving room and met the marquis and his wife, everyone’s gazes repeatedly moved back and forth between Wei Luo and Zhao Jie as expected. After the group of people greeted the prince, there was a delay before they finally greeted Wei Luo as the princess consort. They were afraid of addressing her by the wrong title.

After Wei Luo presented their congratulatory gift, she followed Marchioness Guang Xin to the inner court.

Marchioness Guang Xin was sixty years old this year. She was humble and respectful when she spoke to Wei Luo, “Princess consort, please follow me.”

As Wei Luo followed behind her, their conversation consisted of perfunctory words.

After they went through a corner of the corridor and passed through a small flowerbed, Chun Hui Hall was in front of them. The female guests were being received here today. When they arrived in the main room, there were already many people sitting down. There were unfamiliar faces and also familiar faces. One after another, they came forward to salute Wei Luo. Wei Luo greeted them with a smile. Unexpectedly, someone behind her suddenly said, “Greetings Your Highness.”

Wei Luo turned around and slightly froze when she saw Wei Bao Shan.

Wei Bao Shan’s hair was currently combed into a madam’s hairstyle. Her figure was also somewhat more full-bodied than when she had been an unmarried girl.

Wei Luo hadn’t seen her in long time and didn’t know that she was already married. She looked at Wei Bao Shan in surprise for a few extra moments. Wei Luo couldn’t be blamed for not knowing this information. No one in Duke Ying’s household had told her this news and there hadn’t been any rumors. She had been busy improving her health during the past few months and hadn’t left Prince Jing’s residence in a while. There was also no reason for her to deliberately ask about Duke Ying’s household’s state of affairs. It was normal for her to not know. She quickly returned to normal and said with her lips curved, “You?”

Wei Bao Shan politely half rose of out of her chair and explained, “Wei Bao Shan has become Second Young Master Chen’s person.”

Wei Luo had just recently greeted second young master Chen’s wife, Lin-shi. So, it seemed that Wei Bao Shan had become second young master Chen’s concubine. Wei Luo’s almond-shaped eyes were smiling. Her words had a deeper meaning as she said, “So, it’s Honored Concubine Wei.”

They both had the same last name of Wei, but one was Princess Consort Wei and the other was Honored Concubine Wei.

With her hand hidden inside her sleeve, Wei Bao Shan tightened her grip around her handkerchief. She pursed her lips and was able to force herself to smile as she said, “Bao Shan heard that the princess consort had come and specially came out to see you. Your Highness, you haven’t changed at all. You’re still so brilliant and captivating.” As she spoke, she imperceptibility glanced at Wei Luo’s abdomen. Seeing that it was still flat, a smile flashed through her eyes.

Wei Luo was scornful of Wei Bao Shan, who had jumped here and there as she tried her best to climb to a higher social status. In the end, she had still settled at household with an empty title of marquis and was falling apart. Moreover, in accordance to family hierarchy, second young master Chen had to call Zhao Jie maternal uncle and Wei Luo maternal aunt. Wei Bao Shan’s status would naturally follow second young master Chen’s status and be lower than Wei Luo’s.

Wei Luo lightly laughed, “Oh, really? I married shortly after Honored Concubine Wei entered Duke Ying’s household. There shouldn’t be much of a connection between us. I’m surprised that you would specially come here to see me.”

Wei Bao Shan’s expression changed. She hadn’t expected that Wei Luo would speak so frankly.

Second young master Chen’s main wife was a shrewish person. Unfortunately for her and her husband, second young master Chen was a playboy. Every time he saw a beautiful girl, he would want to bring back home. He was a man that couldn’t control his lower body.

A few days after Wei Bao Shan had bumped into second young master Chen in Duke Ying’s residence and caught his eye, he had sent gifts to Duke Ying and said he wanted her as a concubine. After Second Madam Song-shi sent people to investigate about Marquis Guang Xin’s household’s situation, she agreed the next day. At the time, Wei Bao Shan was impatient to break away from Duke Ying’s household, so she didn’t disagree either. Moreover, Wei Bao Shan believed that she was beautiful woman and that she was special in Second Young Master Chen’s heart.

However, after she came to Marquis Guang Xian’s residence, she found out that her belief was completely wrong. Not only did the main wife make things deliberately difficult for her, second young master Chen would bring more women back to the residences at irregular intervals. The rear court was a complete mess. Her life back at Duke Ying’s household was more comfortable in comparison.

Wei Bao Shan had heard that Wei Luo had come here as a guest today, so she came here to see her. After all, at the very least, they had come from the same household. In the future, second young madam wouldn’t dare to make things difficult for her in order to give Prince Jing’s household face. However, Wei Bao Shan hadn’t expected that Wei Luo wouldn’t give her the slightest face and had spoken so unwaveringly.

Wei Bao Shan should have remembered that she had once called Wei Luo a hen that couldn’t lay eggs. Did she really think that Wei Luo would have good words to say to her?

Second young madam Lin-shi‘s eyes showed her disdain. She covered her lips with a handkerchief and said, “Hurry and go back. Didn’t the doctor say you were pregnant? If something happens to the baby, don’t blame it on me.”

Wei Bao Shan lowered her eyes, “Yes.” At the mention of a child, her eyes showed a small degree of pride. No matter how noble Wei Luo’s status was, she was still someone that couldn’t get pregnant, while she was someone that became pregnant shortly after entering this household. If she had son, she could depend on him to raise her status.

After Wei Bao Shan left, Wei Luo didn’t think any further about this brief interlude.

Wei Luo sat in the highest position on a rosewood chair as she talked with the other madams. Marquis Guang Xin’s family’s first young madam brought her son over to show everyone. Wei Luo only held the child for a moment before giving him back to first young madam. It wasn’t that she disliked him, but she couldn’t help feeling bad as soon as she saw a child and thought about herself.

After lunch was over, second young madam Lin-shi suggested they go to the rear garden to enjoy the beauty of chrysanthemums. Marchioness Guang Xin loved chrysanthemums and fully blooming chrysanthemums were undoubtedly autumn’s most bright and beautiful sight. Everyone agreed one after another and the group of women meandered towards the garden.

There were several types of chrysanthemums in Marquis Guang Xin’s residence. There were pure white yao tai yu feng. There were also dazzling red zhu sha hong shuang, purple long wo xue, golden yellow ni jin xiang, and so on. Wei Luo was slightly surprised. She hadn’t expected to see so many expensive varieties of chrysanthemums at Marquis Guang Xin’s residence. She was able to recognize and say the names of each type. As a result, first young madam Huang-shirepeatedly cast sidelong glances at her in surprise and genuinely praised her, “Your Highness, you’re very knowledge about these flowers.”

Wei Luo smiled, “I just happen to have seen them in books.” She had a small, personal greenhouse with many varieties of flowers. Not only was gardening her hobby, the flowers were also used to make rouge and lipstick.

——–

Wei Luo had only stood outside for a little bit before her head felt woozy. Perhaps, it was because the weather was too windy today. She stumbled for a moment and Jin Lu hurriedly came forward and supported her. “Your Highness, what’s wrong?”

Marchioness Guang Xin and the two young madams also looked over here with concern.

Wei Luo rubbed the temples on the sides of her head. When she stopped feeling dizzy, she opened her eyes and said, “My head feels dizzy. It’s probably because I didn’t sleep well last night. I’ll go sit down at the pavilion and rest for a bit.”

First young madam Huang-shi was a clever person and quickly said, “It’s windy here. It’ll be easy to catch a cold if you sit here for too long. There are guest rooms not far from here. How about I bring the princess consort to rest there for a bit?”

Wei Luo considered for a moment before nodding her head.

Huang-shi walked in front and respectfully led Wei Luo towards the guest rooms.

There was a small footpath behind the back garden. Wei Luo saw the guest rooms after they passed through a moon gate that was at the end of the small footpath and walked to the end of a verandah. Wei Luo was walking slowly. Seeing that Wei Luo’s face didn’t look good, Jin Lu anxiously asked, “Your Highness, are you okay? Should this servant go to the prince and tell him about this matter?”

Wei Luo assumed that Zhao Jie was probably talking with the other guests in the receiving room right now and didn’t want to make a big fuss over a minor issue. “It’s okay. I’ll be fine after resting for a bit.”

However, they hadn’t walked far when they saw two people at the rock garden in front of them. It was a man and a woman. The man was wearing a sapphire brocade robe and the woman was Wei Bao Shan. Right in front of them, the two of them were being intimate in broad daylight. It was an utter eyesore to see the man’s hand going inside Wei Bao Shan’s top. Wei Luo saw first young madam suddenly stop walking. Her expression was embarrassed as she called out, “Second brother-in-law!”

The man turned his head to look at them. Wei Luo finally had a clear view of his face.

His face was slightly familiar. Wei Luo carefully thought it over and finally remembered that this was “Military Office Chen”. She had seen him at the training area.

Chen Teng’s gaze fell on Wei Luo’s body. He was startled for a moment before, but he quickly smiled. He straightened his clothes, walked to Huang-shi, and said, “Older sister-in-law. Then, he looked at Wei Luo with slightly provoking bedroom eyes, “Is this Princess Consort Jing?”

Wei Luo wasn’t talkative. First young madam Huang-shi was a tactful person. She only replied, “Yes.” Then, she looked at Wei Bao Shan, who was behind him, and said, “There are many important guests here today. Second brother-in-law should be careful with his words and actions. Don’t do anything that will make people laugh at you.”

Chen Teng looked very obedient as he saluted Wei Luo. “Older sister-in-law is right for admonishing me. I was too rash.” Then, he said to Wei Luo, “I acted foolishly in front of the princess consort.”

Wei Luo faintly furrowed her eyebrows. She didn’t want to stand here and waste her time. She just wanted to find a quiet place to sit down for a while.

Huang-shi could probably see her impatience, so she said to Chen Teng, “Okay, if there’s nothing else, you should go back.”

Chen Teng finally looked away from Wei Luo, turned around, gestured at Wei Bao Shan, and said, “Bao Shan, come here. Return with me.”

Wei Luo had interrupted Wei Bao Shan’s happy moment and she was currently feeling very unhappy. This second young master hadn’t returned home for many days. Even if he returned home, he wouldn’t necessarily go see her. She had specially worn a cherry-blossom-colored gauzy skirt with Su style embroidery, applied makeup, and waited for second young master here. She had finally succeeded in waiting here until he came by. They had only been intimate for a little bit before Wei Luo’s appearance had caused all of her efforts to go to waste. Moreover, Chen Teng’s eyes seemed as if they were glued to Wei Luo’s body. Wei Bao Shan’s heart was full of envious hatred. She walked to Wei Luo’s side with her head lowered. Pretending that she had tripped, her body started to fall towards Wei Luo.

Wei Luo hurriedly stumbled back to avoid her. Jin Lu swiftly supported Wei Luo and glared at Wei Bao Shan. “What’s wrong with you? Why didn’t you use your eyes when you were walking?”

Cheng Teng had caught Wei Bao Shan and was holding her. With her head lowered, she looked very anxious as she said, “This concubine deserves death. This concubine didn’t mean to…”

Chen Teng glanced at Wei Luo. Wei Luo’s face was deathly pale and she seemed very uncomfortable. Although he felt doubtful, he still said, “Your Highness, please calm down. After Bao Shan became pregnant, her head would often become dizzy. Please forgive her. If the princess consort is offended, I’ll bring her over to Prince Jing’s residence to apologize…”

Wei Luo didn’t want to listen to him. She felt that these two people were very annoying. Their words resembled the endless droning of bugs. Her mind felt scattered. Just as she was about to speak, the sight in front of her turned black and she fell down without any warning.