It was sensible of Wei Luo to choose to ignore Wan Qi Zhen. Although no one had lived in Bao Shu Hall for a while, there were eyes everywhere in the palace. Wu Rong had come to Da Liang with the intention of becoming allies through marriage. If a meddlesome person told Emperor Chong Zhen or Wu Rong’s emperor that he or she had seen something between her and Wan Qi Zhen, then Wei Luo and Zhao Jie’s marriage would most likely be affected.

  Wan Qi Zhen didn’t succeed this time. Wei Luo had completely ignored him. Even if someone wanted to make mischief, he or she wouldn’t have an opening.

  Zhao Jie looked at Wan Qi Zhen, who was at least ten feet away. Then, he looked the young girl behind himself.

  Wei Luo pulled his sleeve, lifted up her small, fair face, and complained, “Big brother, he threatened me.”


  It was really exaggerating to say that it was threatening. Wan Qi Zhen’s previous action wasn’t threatening at all. It was clearly flirting.

  He knew that she was Zhao Jie’s Princesses Consort Jing and still acted rude and careless toward her. It really made people feel uncomfortable. Wei Luo heard that he had countless concubines in his residence. He was probably a man full of lust and half-hearted feelings. Flirting had probably become second nature to him. He wasn’t a good person. So what if his appearance was attractive and he had outstanding talent? He was still scum.

  Zhao Jie raised his hand and stroked her cheek. His movement was gentle as if he was holding an easily breakable treasure. He didn’t say a word. When he turned to look at Wan Qi Zhen, his gaze change into a coldness that pierces the bones. He slowly asked, “Fourth prince, why did you appear here?”


  Wan Qi Zhen had already stood up and put down his dark green embroidered sleeve. He disapprovingly lifted his lips and said, “This prince was leisurely walking around. What? Does this bother Prince Jing?”


  His tone wasn’t good. There was a hint of provocation.

  It couldn’t be blamed that his tone was nasty. Zhao Jie had snatched the public’s favorable opinion from him and he had also suffered a blow from Wei Luo’s actions. So, right now, he didn’t have a pleasant expression when he saw Zhao Jie. Wu Rong’s people cared a great deal about not losing face and were rather conceited. There were many narrow-mind people like Wan Qi Zhen.

  Zhao Jie could easily guess why he was acting like this, but he didn’t want to bicker like him. The outcome in the training area had already determined everything. It wasn’t the style of a man and would be too petty for them to continue talking about it. He only said, “Ah Luo is this prince’s fiancée. Fourth prince, please conduct yourself with dignity and retrain your natural disposition.” As he said this, he tightened the cloak on Wei Luo’s shoulders and covered her flower-like face. The cloak had a pattern of scattered lotus flowers with green stems and auspicious clouds. “My imperial father and your esteemed father have probably already finished discussed fourth prince’s marriage. Fourth prince, are you not going to go over there to hear about the result?”


  The implication was that he should be concerned about his own marriage instead of coming here to bother Wei Luo because he had nothing to do.

  Although Wan Qi Zhen was angry, he hadn’t lost his senses. It wouldn’t be good for him to offend Zhao Jie while their two countries were currently working on alliance. He stood in place for a moment and his line of sight landed on the young and delicate girl behind Zhao Jie. Seeing that Zhao Jie’s expression was sinking, he grinned. He placed his right hand on his chest to salute and said, “Prince Jing disregard today’s matter.”


  Then, he turned around and left.

  He had lusted after his woman and he wanted him to disregard it? Zhao Jie’s dark eyes coldly looked at Wan Qi Zhen’s departing figure. A vicious light flashed through his eyes.

  ——-

  Behind Bao Shun Hall’s main entrance, both of Wei Luo’s hands were pressed against Zhao Jie’s fiery chest. He was holding her head with his hand and she had to lift her head up to accept his kisses. She wasn’t tall to begin with and only reached his chest. Even if she stood on her tiptoes, she could only reach his chin with great difficulty. Imagine how very difficult this scene would look. But, she couldn’t struggle free from him. Zhao Jie’s other arm was wrapped around her slender waist. He tightly fastened her against his chest as if he was swallowing water without caring for his life after accidentally encountering a clear spring after he had travel three days and nights in the desert with his thirst at its peak.

  All of the saliva in Wei Luo’s mouth was sucked away by him. Her tongue felt numb and painful, but she still couldn’t break free. She could only close her eyes and pitifully endure.

  She didn’t know why the situation had become like this. After Wan Wi Zhen left, Zhao Jie had Zhu Geng and Yang Hao stand outside to guard and he brought her here without saying a word. Then, his tall body covered her. Wei Luo vaguely knew that he was feeling jealous, but she absolutely hadn’t done anything with Wan Qi Zhen. She didn’t even say a single word to him. Why did he have to be angry?

  Wei Luo felt that she was really pitiful like a piece of fat meat on a chopping block that was waiting to be slaughtered. She could only allow to Zhao Jie to rub and twist her as he wished. She never that there were so many different things that could be done between men and women to express intimacy. From top to bottom, she felt as if her entire body had become Zhao Jie’s. She softly whimpered. She couldn’t control her trembling body that was in his hands.

  She heard the sound of hurried footsteps outside of Bao Shu Hall’s entrance. The sound was light. It was probably the footsteps of women.

  As expected, she soon heard the sound of Zhao Liuli and Liang Yu Rong outside the entrance. Zhao Liuli asked Zhu Geng and Yang Hang, “Why are the two of you standing here? Have you seen Ah Luo?”


  Jin Lu had already been ordered away by Zhao Jie. She was currently waiting somewhere else. After all, anyone could tell what was happening if a servant girl was standing outside an entrance without her young lady.

  Wei Luo’s mind became alert and the strength she used to push Zhao Jie away increased. But, at this time, her body was completely weak from his kisses. Even if she increased her strength, it would still be insignificant to Zhao Jie. Zhao Jie didn’t let go of her, but his movements became significantly gentler and slower. He sucked on her cherry lips as if he was pledging that he wouldn’t give up until he sucked away the last drop of her sweetness.

  Zhu Geng’s voice was naturally leveled as he calmly said, “To respond to Your Highness, this subordinate hasn’t seen Miss Wei.”


  Zhao Liuli didn’t seem like she believed him. She looked towards the hall and asked, “Why are the two of you standing out here? Where’s my imperial brother?”


  Zhu Geng said, “The prince is working on something inside and ordered us to wait at the entrance.”


  Wei Luo, who was being “worked on”, felt bitter. Why was Zhao Jie not finished kissing her yet? Her tongue already felt painful and her lips were definitely swollen. What would she do when she saw other people? But, she didn’t dare to make a sound. If Zhao Liuli and Liang Yu Rong saw her like this, they would laugh at her for the rest of her life.

  Thinking of this, she retaliated by biting Zhao Jie’s lips.

  After hearing Zhu Geng’s words, even if Zhao Liuli felt suspicious, it wouldn’t be good for her to continue asking. She regretfully glanced towards the hall. As she turned around and left with Liang Yu Rong, she said, “She’s not here either. Where did Ah Luo go…”


  Zhao Jie pressed Wei Luo against the wall. One hand was pressed against the wall and the other hand was wrapped around her soft waist. He carefully bit her one more time before letting her go. Wei Luo was breathless from his kisses. Lacking strength, her body started to fall into his chest when he let her go. He agilely caught her. At this moment, she didn’t even have energy to be angry at him. Her tongue felt numb and she could still smell his cool and refreshing wormwood-like scent.

  Wei Luo pursed her lips and decided that she didn’t want to kiss him again for at least three months. This had been too tiring. It felt as if half a year had passed. She looked up. Her cheeks were red and her limpid eyes held lovely tears. The faint, swirling ripples in her watery eyes would strike a person’s heart and make him unable to resist wanting to fiercely kiss her.

  Zhao Jie scratched her nose. After stealing kisses from the beauty, his complexion had significantly improved. “In the future, you can’t go outside by yourself.”


  The corner of Wei Luo’s mouth curved down. She just knew that Zhao Jie would start trying to control everything.

  Sure enough, Zhao Jie continued to say, “You can’t go to remote places and you can’t approach unfamiliar men…” Actually, he wanted to say, all men. However, when he thought about it, that wouldn’t be possible. And, he was worried that Wei Luo would react badly if he said those words, so he forced himself to loosen the restriction.

  It was dangerous that the young girl was too attractive. People would even dare to have evil plans towards her in the palace. It would be even more dangerous in the public places where crooks mixed with honest people.

  There would bound to be perverts and kidnappers. Every time Wei Luo had left her home, Yang Hao and two other bodyguards would secretly follow her to guard her. But, even though Zhao Jie had her protected very carefully, he still couldn’t help nagging. He wanted her to be more careful.

  Wei Luo couldn’t help defending herself, “I haven’t approached unfamiliar men. Big brother, why would you say something like that? I’m going to be angry.”


  Zhao Jie also felt that his words were too harsh, but if he didn’t say it this way, would she listen? He poked her forehead with his forefinger and middle finger. “Big brother is doing this for your own good.”


  It would better if he married her sooner. Zhao Jie felt slightly regretful about scheduling their wedding to occur in next year in October. After she entered Prince Jing’s residence, he would reduce the number of times she would go outside. Even if she went outside, he would have to go with her. This was the only way he wouldn’t worry.

  Zhao Jie’s chin was pressed against Wei Luo’s forehead, as he considered speaking with Emperor Chong Zheng about moving up the wedding date.

  ——–


  Three days after the equestrian archery competition, Wu Rong’s emperor and Wan Qi Zhen said their farewells and prepared to leave.

  The other person for the marriage alliance had been decided. It was Duke Zhen’s legal wife’s eldest daughter, Gao Dan Yang.

  Regarding this matter, Wu Rong’s emperor wasn’t satisfied. No matter what, they should be bringing back a princess to marry instead of only a noble’s daughter. Her identity was too poor compared to the imperial family. However, since it was already decided, there was nothing left to say. Wu Rong’s emperor had reluctantly nodded in agreement.

  Gao Dan Yang was feeling even more wronged and unwilling.

  Gao Dan Yang cried at home for a day and a night. She wasn’t willing to be married off to a faraway place like Wu Rong. In the end, she even prepared white silk to hang herself. Fortunately, Duke Zhen’s wife stopped her in time and she didn’t succeed. The alliance marriage wasn’t between two people or two families. If Gao Dan Yang really died, death would end all of her troubles, but the rest of Duke Zhen’s family would suffer a calamity. Duke Zhen and his wife took turns trying to persuade her, but she still wouldn’t agree. In the end, Empress Chen had to appear to repress her.

  Gao Dan Yang asked Empress Chen if this was her intention. Empress Chen naturally admitted it. Gao Dan Yang’s heart turned to ashes. For an entire night, she looked through her window as she cried. The next day, her only choice was to sit down in front of her mirror that had a pattern of four birds flying around the center with flowers to dress up in a wedding gown and put on makeup. She sat down on the Wu Rong’s marriage sedan that followed a grand procession as they set out on a journey back to Wu Rong.

  ——–


  When Wei Luo heard of this news, Gao Dan Yang had already followed Wu Rong’s army out of the capital.

  Wei Luo was currently in the verandah washing her hair. When she heard the news, the hand holding her hair loosened. Her abundant, jet-black hair fell onto her shoulders and made her palm-sized face seem even smaller. “Gao Dan Yang went to Wu Rong for the alliance marriage?”


  Bai Lan brought over a pot of warm water, placed it on cedar stand, and earnestly nodded, “They’re already several miles away.”


  Wei Luo had actually not known about this. This had happened too quickly and this hadn’t been mentioned among the young ladies yet. Most people had been trying to figure out if it would be sixth or seventh princess. No one would have guessed that Gao Dan Yang would have taken their place. Wei Luo returned to her senses. If she married to Wu Rong, she would never come back. Without any malicious intent, she thought this was good. This way there would be no one that was constantly thinking about Zhao Jie. Although she knew that Zhao Jie wasn’t interested in Gao Dan Yang, her heart was more or less uncomfortable when Gao Dan Yang looked at Zhao Jie with a burning gaze.

  Wei Luo felt very happy and swiftly finished washing her hair. The corner of her lips secretly curved up as she stood in the verandah and had Jin Lu dry her hair.

  Today’s weather was bright and sunny without clouds. It was a rarely seen weather in autumn.

  Wei Luo had abundantly, long hair that would take a while to dry, so she had servants bring a small vermillion-lacquered teapoy inlayed with gold and carved with spirals to the verandah. While she tasted tea by herself, she enjoyed the sunlight.

  An hour later, a servant girl wearing a green robe came into the courtyard, walked to Wei Luo’s side, and said, “Miss, the steward from Prince Jing’s residence is here. He’s requesting that you go to an inn next to Xiu Chun.

  Wei Luo paused in bring the teacup closer, tilted her head, and asked, “Why does he want me to go there?”


  The servant girl shook her head to indicate that she didn’t know.

  Wei Luo felt doubtful. She hadn’t married Zhao Jie yet. Why would Prince Jing’s residence’s steward be visiting her? Why did daddy let him into the residence?

  After thinking about it, since Wei Kun had tacitly agreed, she decided to go over there with a few female servants after changing her clothes. Wei Luo stepped into the carriage and she quickly arrived at the inn next to Xiu Chun. When she went inside a private room on the second floor, she saw that there were already people inside. One of the women wearing a brocaded red outer robe stepped forward, saluted, and said, “Miss Wei, since you’re here, let’s start your measurements.”


  Wei Luo doubtfully stood in place and saw servant girls that had originally been behind the woman surround her with measuring tape and a book. They lifted up her arms and started taking her measurements.

  When Wei Luo returned to her senses, the woman was already measuring her chest. The measuring tape went around her small peaches. The woman announced a number and had a servant girl record it. Wei Luo finally started resisting and asked, “What’s this for? Who asked you to come here?”


  The woman ambiguously smiled, looked at her, and said, “What do you think? It’s naturally to prepare Fourth Miss’s wedding dress.”