Feeling mortified and angry, Wei Luo questioned him, “Why did you go through my trunk?”


  Zhao Jie had one hand around her waist. It didn’t look like he was using much strength, but she wasn’t able to struggle free. He laughed and said, “Your servant girl forgot to close the trunk when she came inside to get your clothes, so this prince incidentally looked through it. I didn’t expect to see this booklet.”


  Wei Luo was speechless. She had forgotten to bring her clothes when she went to the cleansing room and had indeed told Bai Lan to bring her clothes. She didn’t expect that Bai Lan would thoughtlessly cause this careless mistake! She definitely had to properly settle the score with Bai Lan later. Just as she was about to stand up from Zhao Jie’s lap, he pressed her down again. She turned her head to look at Zhao Jie. He looked as if he was waiting for an explanation. She could only purse her lips and uneasily say, “Fourth aunt gave me this. I only looked at two pages.”


  Zhao Jie’s eyebrow was slightly raised, but he didn’t didn’t let her go. “Which two pages?”


  Wei Luo turned her head. She didn’t want to have an extensive conversation about this topic with him.

  Zhao Jie placed the booklet on the small vermillion-lacquered table decoratively carved with spirals that was in front of them. He pointed at one page and asked, “Is it this page?”


  Wei Luo didn’t even look at it. Without regard to his preceding words, she said, “The clothes that I’m going to wear tomorrow haven’t been infused with incense yet. I’m going to call Jin Lu inside.”


  Zhao Jie didn’t move. His arm was like an iron clamp. “That’s not urgent. You can have the clothes infused with incense tomorrow morning. Even if they aren’t infused with incense, your body already smells good.” He flipped to another page, pointed at the two people on the page, and said, “Ah Luo, look. Isn’t this what we did last night?”


  Wei Luo’s cheeks were burning red. She hurriedly covered the page with both of her hands.” You’re not allowed to look.”


  Zhao Jie’s laugher traveled to her ear. He asked, “Let’s try “an old tree is deep-rooted” tonight, okay?”


  Wei Luo didn’t clearly understand this position. But, it sounded very dirty just from the description. Her head shook like a rattle drum, “Don’t want to…”


  Zhao Jie gently bit her ear and coaxingly said, “How about looking at this book with me? I’ll spare you tonight if you do.”


  Wei Luo didn’t believe him. She doubtfully asked, “Really?”


  Zhao Jie nodded and seemed very sincere as he said, “Really.”


  Wei Luo skeptically looked at him. He didn’t seem as if he was lying. She weighed her options back and forth before hesitantly nodding, “Then… okay.” After all she hadn’t fully recovered yet. That area was slightly sore. If it meant that she could rest for one night, she could close her eyes and accompany him as he looked through this booklet.

  Unfortunately, Zhao Jie seemed to have seen through her thoughts. He held her chin with his thumb and forefinger and said, “You’re not allowed to close your eyes. If I find out that you closed your eyes, my earlier words won’t count.”


  Feeling aggravated, Wei Luo said, “You…”


  Zhao Jie smiled, “Ah Luo, this is a very fair exchange.”


  Wei Luo helplessly flattened her lips, “Fine.”


  Zhao Jie closed the book, flipped to the first page again, and looked at the picture with her. As he looked, he explained, “This is called “Cranes Intersecting.” This is what we did last night….”


  The more that Wei Luo listened, the more her ears turned red. She had originally thought they could quickly finish looking through this booklet. She hadn’t expected that he would explain everything in detail. Even if she closed her eyes, she could still hear his voice. In the end, Wei Luo really couldn’t continue listening. She raised her head, covered his mouth by nibbling on his lips, then she pleaded, “Don’t say anymore. Let’s turn to the next page.”


  Zhao Jie’s laughter spilled out. He seemed to really enjoy that she took the initiative.

  When they had looked through half of the book, it was nightfall. The sky was already completely black outside. There were a few wooden lanterns carved with dragons, phoenixes, and good fortune characters that were hanging in the verandah. Their faint light passed through the paper windows and fell onto the couch that was nearest to the southern window. A man was holding a delicate pretty girl. His large hand went inside her light, loose silk top. He sucked on her lip and asked, “Do you want to keep looking?”


  Wei Luo simply wanted to cry. She firmly shook her head, “No.”


  How could she have known that there would be many riding positions?! After almost an hour, they had only gone through half of the booklet. She was almost completely brainwashed by Zhao Jie. Her mind was full of dirty thoughts. Once Zhao Jie had fallen asleep, she would definitely take the opportunity to burn this book tonight!

  Zhao Jie paused and said, “We can stop looking. Let’s try “an old tree is deep-rooted” then.”


  Wei Luo asked in shock, “Didn’t you say that you would spare me…”


  Zhao Jie shamelessly said, “You haven’t finished looking through this booklet with me, so those words naturally don’t count.”


  Wei Luo straightened her body, angrily pushed him down onto the couch, and furiously said, “Zhao Jie, don’t go too far!”


  This was the first time she fumed with rage and called him by his name. Even a rabbit would bite people if it felt distressed. Besides, Wei Luo wasn’t an agreeable rabbit to begin with. She was a sly and devious little fox.

  Zhao Jie laughed loudly. He held her hand and said, “Ah Luo, didn’t you know that all’s fair in love and war?”


  Wei Luo honestly said, “I’ve heard of this phrase, but I’ve never seen someone act as devious as you.”


  That night, Zhao Jie guided Wei Luo to try “An old tree is deep-rooted”.

  When Wei Luo woke up the next morning, her waist felt sore and her back ached. Zhao Jie’s shoulders were covered in her bite marks.

  During the following day, Wei Luo was forced by Zhao Jie to try the various positions in that booklet. She wouldn’t quibble with him over doing this at nighttime, but he wouldn’t even let her off during the daytime. He wanted to be with her at all times.

  Wei Luo didn’t dare to directly look the servants in their eyes during this time. She was afraid of seeing hints of mocking and teasing in their eyes. She had complained about this matter to Zhao Jie several times. Every time, Zhao Jie would say he would show more restraint in the future. But once they were on the bed, none of his words were valid.

  Wei Luo was lying on a cotton-padded pillow that was embroidered with joyful magpies. It was third day after the wedding and she was on her way to Duke Ying’s residence. She said to Jin Lu and Bai Lan, who were currently massaging her, “Go down a bit. Ah, my waist…”


  Jin Lu and Bai Lan obediently moved down. One massaged her waist and the other one rubbed her legs with just the right amount of force.

  She wouldn’t have asked them to massage her waist and rub her legs if she didn’t have to go Duke Ying’s residence today. It was too humiliating. She felt as if her accumulated dignity from the past years had completely disappeared. It was totally Zhao Jie’s fault for not knowing restraint… Wei Luo turned her head and fiercely glared at Zhao Jie. Yet, Zhao Jie was thick-skinned. Not feeling bothered by her action, he stroked her head, “If you’re tired, we won’t stay at Duke Ying’s residence for long. We can go home earlier and leave before lunch time.”


  Actually, Zhao Jie was already controlling himself quite a bit. He had taken into consideration that Wei Luo would have to return to her father’s home today and didn’t want tire her out, so they had only done it once last night. However, Wei Luo was too delicate. She was too tired from the last two days and was very slow in returning to normal. It wasn’t strange that Zhao Jie couldn’t control himself. He was at the age where his sexual appetite was as fierce as tigers and wolves. Having obtained the girl that he liked, how could he act like Liu Xia Hui?

  (Note: Liu Xia Hui was ancient politician known for his eminent virtue.)

  When they arrived at Duke Ying’s residence, Zhao Jie helped Wei Luo out of the carriage. Duke Ying and old madame led their household to the entrance to welcome them, “Greetings Your Highnesses.”


  Wei Luo wouldn’t accept their salute. She hurriedly walked forward to help them stand, “Grandfather, grandmother, please rise.” Then, she turned around and greeted Wei Kun, “Daddy.”


  Zhao Jie was also very proper. He courteously addressed Wei Kun, “Father-in-law.”


  Wei Kun nodded. He moved to the side to welcome them into the residence.

  After they had arrived at the main room and talked with the other members of House Wei, Wei Luo went with the other madams to the reception pavilion.

  Fourth madam Qin-shi still couldn’t put down her worries. She held Wei Luo’s hand and asked, “Ah Luo, is His Highness Princess Jing treating you well?”


  Other than always bullying her on the bed, Zhao Jie treated her very well in every other aspect. So, she nodded and said, “Fourth aunt, don’t worry. He treats me very well.”


  Qin-shi always thought of Zhao Jie as a cruel and tyrannical person and worried that Wei Luo would be mistreated after she married him, so she said, “If Prince Jing mistreats you, tell fourth aunt. Although fourth aunt can’t help you with much, I won’t stand by and do nothing if you’re being mistreated.”


  Wei Luo felt very moved. She nodded and said, “Okay.”


  Then, first madam and second madam asked a few questions to show concern. Wei Luo answered them one by one. Wei Ya’s temperament had greatly changed after her mother was sent off to a temple. She was much more relaxed and easygoing. She also asked Wei Luo a few questions like how to take care of her skin and hair or ingenious methods for dressing up. Wei Luo’s wasn’t a petty person, so she gave Wei Ya some tips. Wei Ya was smiling as she thanked Wei Luo.

  First madam and second madam left the reception pavilion first around lunchtime. Wei Luo stopped fourth madam as she was about leave. Wei Luo stammered out, “Fourth aunt, I have something I want to ask you.”


  Qin-shi sat down on the couch again, “What’s the matter? Go ahead and say it.”


  Wei Luo hesitated for a long time before she slowly told Qin-shi about the bedroom matter and asked her if there was a way to reduce the number of times.

  She didn’t expect that Qin-shi would let out a sigh in relief and smile after hearing her words. Qin-shi said, “You look so solemn before. I though Zhao Jie was maltreating you. Silly child, that man wants to do those things with you because he likes you and cares about you…” Then, she paused before adding, “But, since you’re feeling troubled over this, fourth aunt does have a method.”


  Then, she leaned over and whispered into Wei Luo’s ear.

  As Wei Luo listened, she lowered her small face as her cheeks gradually became red.

  Wei Luo’s face was still red when they walked out of the reception pavilion.

  The meals in Duke Ying’s household weren’t formal. Although the men and women sat separately, the room wasn’t partitioned in the center by a divider. The women could see the men enjoying themselves with drinking on one side and the men could seen the women cheerfully talking and joking around on the other side.

  Zhao Jie glanced towards Wei Luo. Her head was hanging down and she seemed completely focused with eating the food in front of her. She would occasionally say a few words with fourth madam and Wei Ya, but she didn’t raise her head to look at him.

  Zhao Jie looked away. As he held a wine cup, he wondered what her aunts had told her to make her face unspeakably red.

  Duke Ying and Wei Kun were in a very good mood. Duke Ying ordered the servants to bring out shao xing wine that been aged for many years. He unsealed the jar and poured Zhao Jie the first cup. Zhao Jie couldn’t refuse, so he toasted Duke Ying and Wei Kun. Once this began, it wouldn’t be easy to conclude this lunch. In a short amount of time, Zhao Jie drank a lot of wine. He fortunately had a good alcohol tolerance. Other than his head feeling slightly heavy, he was still clear-headed.

  After lunch, Zhao Jie and Wei Luo decided to not stay for long and prepared to leave.

  The group of people walked with them to the entrance to send them off.

  Wei Chang Hong heard that Wei Luo and Zhao Jie weren’t returning to Prince Jing’s residence right away. They were going to West Street’s Xiang Man to buy spices. While holding a horse’s reins, he said, “I want to go to West Street too. Let’s go there together.”


  Hearing his words, Zhao Jie silently glanced at him before turning around and entering the carriage.

  Wei Luo naturally didn’t disagree, “Great, it’ll be nice to have another person come along.”


  Chang Hong nodded and mounted the horse.

  Wei Luo also turned around and went inside the carriage.

  The carriage slowly moved forward and left Duke Ying’s residence.

  Zhao Jie didn’t like to speak much after drinking. He held Wei Luo and closed his eyes. Just when Wei Luo thought he had fallen asleep, he suddenly asked, “What did Fourth Madam say to you today?”


  Wei Luo didn’t have enough time to coherently respond, “What?”


  Zhao Jie held her hand and gently rubbed her fingernails, “What did she tell you in the reception pavilion before lunch?”


  Wei Luo recalled the method that fourth madam had taught her and immediately stiffened. She flatly denied, “Nothing much. Fourth aunt asked me if I was living well and whether or not I was being mistreated. Fourth aunt is very worried because of you…”


  Zhao Jie chuckled, “What was your response?”


  Wei Luo deliberated the word she would say. “I said…”


  Before she could finish speaking, the carriage suddenly shook before abruptly stopping.

  Zhao Jie raised his eyes and asked, “What happened?”


  The carriage driver’s voice traveled inside, “To respond to Your Highness, our carriage collided with another carriage because there’s a group of people blocking the road. They’re waiting for the congee that Great Yin Temple is currently giving out.”


  Great Yin Temple gave out congee at the front of their temple every month. At this time of the month, there would be many hungry refugees stepping forward to beg for congee, which caused this road to be congested.

  They wouldn’t need to take this path if they were returning to Prince Jing’s residence. But since Wei Luo wanted to buy spices at Xiang Man, they had to pass through here. They hadn’t expected that today would be the day that Great Yin Temple was giving out congee. A moment of carelessness by the driver had led to their carriage colliding into another carriage.

  Hearing his words, Wei Luo wiggled out from Zhao Jie’s arms and lifted up the curtain to look outside. There was a long, messy line of people in the street across from them. The scene was very disorderly.

  Just as Wei Luo was going to say to Zhao Jie that they could buy the spices on another day, her line of sight changed and she saw the people on the other carriage. The smile on her mouth froze.

  It was Jiang Miao Lan and Fu Xing Yun.

  Chang Hong caught up to their carriage at this moment and asked, “Ah Luo, what happened?”