The rain had come suddenly and fallen rapidly. A short period of time after Zhao Jie had returned, the rain stopped. However, Wei Luo wasn’t feeling well. Shortly after they finished dinner, Wei Luo’s cheeks became flushed and her mind became foggy. She said some muddled words while she was nestled against Zhao Jie’s chest.

  After a doctor was called over, the doctor said she was sick because she was fatigued from the past few days and today’s chilly temperature had invaded her body. The doctor wrote out a prescription and Zhao Jie ordered a pageboy to go with the doctor to bring the back the medicine. Zhao Jie took the towel that Jin Lu brought over and held it on Wei Luo’s forehead. He asked Jin Lu, “What did Her Highness do today?”


  Jin Lu narrated Wei Luo’s day fully, “After it started to rain, Her Highness had been standing at the window for a long time. This servant said a few words to try to persuade her. Later on, Her Highness finally left the window and sat down to embroider. And then… House Li’s young master came by and requested to see Her Highness. Her Highness went outside to see him.”


  Zhao Jie’s expression didn’t change. He lowered his eyes and looked at the young girl that was completely curled up in his arms. He suddenly asked, “What was she embroidering?”


  Jin Lu suddenly realized. She hastily went to a red sandalwood cabinet that was carved with a scroll pattern and took out an embroidery frame. She brought the item to Zhao Jie and said, “To respond to Your Highness, it’s this one.”


  Zhao Jie took the item and saw a decorate design of honeysuckle embroidered in golden and silver thread. From the pattern, it seemed like it would be used to make a pair of shoes. He suddenly thought about how he asked Wei Luo to make a pair of shoes for him. He originally thought that the little fellow had already forgotten about this. So much time had passed since he asked. Unexpectedly, she hadn’t forgotten. Zhao Jie lowered his gaze and chuckled. He gave the item back to Jin Lu and said, “Put this back.”


  Jin Lu felt slightly puzzled, but she did as he said.

  A short while later, a servant brought over the prepared medicine. Zhao Jie scooped up a spoonful, blew on it to cool it down, and brought it to Wei Luo’s lips, “Ah Luo, it’s time to drink your medicine.”


  Wei Luo actually wasn’t seriously sick. She had been napping in Zhao Jie’s arms until Zhao Jie woke her up. Her small eyebrows were twisted as she forced herself to drink the bowl of bitter medicine. She fluttered her fan-like eyelashes and said, “I want to eat sweet osmanthus flower and lotus root.”


  This wasn’t a difficult request. Zhao Jie put down the celadon bowl with a lotus flower pattern onto a teapoy that was by the bed and said to Jin Lu and Bai Lan, “Order the cook to immediately make sweet osmanthus flower and lotus root and bring it over here.”


  Wei Luo was sick right now and should be eating lighter foods, so he added, “Also prepare a bowl of snow ear fungus and pumpkin congee and a few side dishes.”


  Jin Lu and Bai Lan immediately withdrew from the room.

  Wei Luo leaned against Zhao Jie’s chest and snuggled closer. She stretched her hand out and wrapped it around his waist. She was somewhat unhappy. “Big brother, you’ve been leaving early and coming home late every day because of Prince Ru Yang’s matter. You haven’t kept me company for a while.”


  Zhao Jie smiled, pinched her little nose, and said, “How has the prince not kept you company? I’ve only been slightly busier during these past two days and you’re already holding a grievance.”


  Wei Luo didn’t reply immediately. Perhaps, her thoughts were disorderly because she was sick. She said things as soon as they popped into her mind, “I don’t want Li Song’s jade piece.”


  Zhao Jie tightly held her wrist and his chin was resting on the top of her head. “I’ll have someone bring it back to the elder princess tomorrow.”


  She nodded and didn’t say another word.

  Shortly after, the sweet osmanthus flower and lotus root, snow ear fungus and pumpkin congee, and other dishes were brought over. Wei Luo was feeling weak, so Zhao Jie hand-fed her the meal.

  Wei Luo felt tired after dinner. She curled up around a quilt and fell asleep. Zhao Jie went to his study.

  When he had gone to the palace today, Emperor Chong Zhen had handed over Zhao Zhang’s work to him. He wanted him to leave for Tong Zhou in a few days to supervise the repairing of the river channel. Normally, this wouldn’t be something that Zhao Jie should have to do at this time. Zhao Jie had only been married for half a month. They only had time to be affectionate with each other for a short period of time. It wasn’t very considerate of Emperor Chong Zhen to throw this work at Zhao Jie and separate him for his newly wedded wife. However, repairing the river channel couldn’t be delayed. Emperor Chong Zhen had waved his hand and told him to leave for Tong Zhou in a few days.

  Zhao Jie leaned back in a chair that was decoratively carved with roses. His heart felt sour. Tong Zhou wasn’t far from the capital. It would only take a carriage seven to eight days to get there. By waterway, it would only take three to four days. He could bring Wei Luo with him. Moreover, Tian Chan Mountain was also in Tong Zhou. If Wei Luo was bored, he could bring her to his villa to soak in the hot springs.

  He just didn’t know if Wei Luo would be agreeable to this.

  ——–


  The following day, Wei Luo had mostly recovered and she wanted to eat pickled white radish for breakfast. After she brushed her teeth and rinsed her mouth, she felt refreshed as she sat down at the table.

  Zhao Jie asked her, “I have to take a trip to Tong Zhou in a few days. Ah Luo, would you want to go there with me?”


  As Wei Luo bit into the pickled white radish, it tasted crisp and sweet. Without even thinking, she replied, “Sure.”


  Zhao Jie smiled. He wanted to hold her in his arms. “You’re not going to ask me why I’m going there?”


  Wei Luo ate another bite of picked radish and drank a bowl of congee. She open-mindedly said, “Isn’t it something that His Majesty has assigned you to do? What’s there to ask about?”


  She suddenly thought of something, turned her head, and anxiously asked, “How long will we be going? Will we be able to come back before New Year?”


  Liang Yu Rong would be getting married in February. She wanted to see Liang Yu Rong one more time before she got married and have a private discussion. In addition, she would have to visit Duke Ying’s residence on New Year’s. Chang Hong’s marriage should be settled soon. She couldn’t let this matter slip.

  Fortunately, Zhao Jie nodded and said, “Definitely.”


  Wei Luo let go of her worries.

  ——–


  Very quickly, the day to leave arrived. Knowing that Tian Chan Mountain was also in Tong Zhou, Wei Luo became more interested. While Zhao Jie was in Tong Zhou working, she could stay in Tian Chan Mountain and enjoy the hot springs by herself. It would be wonderful. Because there was a long distance to travel, Wei Luo didn’t bring many servants. She only brought Jin Lu, Bai Lan, Yun Gua, Yu Suo, and two older female servants.

  Because winter had started, the temperate became colder and colder on the way there. The carriage wasn’t comparable to a prince’s residence. There wasn’t a floor heating system. Wei Luo still felt cold even though she was holding a hand stove and was wearing a cloak lined with fox fur. Wei Luo wasn’t willing to go outside, so Zhao Jie stayed inside the carriage to accompany her the entire time. It would definitely be warmer with two people sitting inside the carriage instead of one person.

  ——–


  Today, Zhao Jie had sent Jin Lu and Bai Lan out of the carriage. He hugged Wei Luo while she sat in his lap, “Are you still cold?”


  Wei Luo nodded. For some unknown reason, she had been feeling very cold the past few days. She hadn’t felt this cold in previous winters.

  Zhao Jie said into her ear, “How about we do something to warm up your body?”


  Wei Luo didn’t understanding his meaning at first and even innocently asked, “Do what?” She didn’t understand until Zhao Jie took of her cloak.

  She had spent the past few days in the carriage and Jin Lu and Bai Lan had always been at her side to serve her, so it wasn’t convenient for Zhao Jie to do that thing. He had probably been feeling very stifled. Not caring that they were in a carriage, he stripped the rest of her clothing. Wei Luo wasn’t against doing this type of thing, but she was worried that the driver outside would here them. With a blushing face, she covered her chest and said, “We’ll arrive in Tong Zhou soon…”


  Zhao Jie held her waist, nipped at her ear, and said, “I can’t wait.”


  This time, it was forceful and urgent.

  Zhao Jie’s chest was hotter than Wei Luo’s. Wei Luo felt as if a burning furnace was embracing her and that she would soon melt. Wei Luo did her best to not make a sound. They hadn’t done this for too long. Zhao Jie came very quickly the first time. As she gasped for breath, Zhao Jie quickly regained his energy before she had time to rest. He placed her on a large pillow with a ripple pattern and started moving again.

  This time, it lasted a long time.

  Wei Luo opened her mouth and bit down on Zhao Jie’s shoulder. She pitifully moaned, “Gentler.”


  However, Zhao Jie was shameless. Instead of listening to her words, he became more forceful.

  An hour later, Wei Luo’s entire body felt weak and sweaty. She collapsed onto a large pillow. There was crimson cloak that was embroidered with peony flowers covering her. This cloak made her exposed feet look even more white and lustrous in comparison.

  At this time, Zhao Jie was feeling satisfied from gorging. He held her small feet and separated her legs.

  Wei Luo immediately became alert, moved closer to a corner, and said, “Don’t.” Her hoarse and soft voice really made a person feel fondly towards her.

  Zhao Jie smiled and very gently said, “I’m just drying you off. Otherwise, how will you put on your clothes?”


  Wei Luo paused for a moment. She stopped resisting and closed her eyes.

  She thought that the driver outside had definitely heard them. She hadn’t been able to resist calling out. As soon as she thought of this, she didn’t have the face to go outside. But, no matter how reluctant she was, the carriage still arrived in Tong Zhou and eventually to the foot of Tian Chan Mountain.

  When they ascended the mountain, the villa’s steward led the servants to wait at the villa’s entrance to welcome them.

  Zhao Jie left the carriage to speak with the steward and Wei Luo called Jin Lu and Bai Lan inside to help her put on her clothes.

  Jin Lu and Bai Lan knew what had happened. They had the discernment to not ask any questions and obediently did their work.

  After they entered the villa, Wei Luo stayed in the same room as before. The only difference was that she would now be staying here with Zhao Jie.

  Because Zhao Jie had work, he only stayed for the night. Early next morning, he hurriedly left the mountain to go into the city to supervise the river transportation work.

  Wei Luo slept until dawn. She comfortably soaked in the hot spring for an hour before she looked for things to do. The mountain was covered in snow for most of the year. When they came yesterday, she saw that the mountain was covered in a layer of brilliantly white snow. No wonder it was so cold. She was dressed in a crimson cloak lined with fox fur and holding a hand stove as she walked around the villa. Last time, she had lived here for three months with Liang Yu Rong, so she knew the best places in the villa. But, it was bound to be slightly boring with only one person. She only walked around for a bit before returning to her room.

  Just as she walked to a verandah, she saw a little gray squirrel under a pine tree in the courtyard. It was holding a pine nut between its two paws and looking at her.

  Wei Luo became interested. Her eyes brightened and she asked, “Jin Lu, do we have any pine nuts left?”


  Jin Lu said, “This servant will go inside to look.”


  Unfortunately, by the time that Jin Lu came back, the squirrel had already climbed up the tree, jumped out of the courtyard, and fled.

  Wei Luo was slightly regretful. When Zhao Jie came back that night, she casually mentioned this to him.

  After listening, Zhao Jie smiled and said, “If you want, I’ll catch one for you tomorrow.”


  Wei Luo quickly refused. It was nice to see a squirrel occasionally. If she had to keep one as pet, she wasn’t sure if she could keep it alive. She suddenly thought of the turquoise squirrel waist accessory that Zhao Jie had given her. Wei Luo took it out of a trunk, went back to Zhao Jie’s side, and asked, “I forgot to ask at the time. Why did you give me this?”


  This time, Zhao Jie didn’t avoid answering this question. His hands pinched her cheeks and chuckled, “Back then, you looked like a rustling squirrel when you ate pine nuts in my carriage.”


  So, that was the reason! Wei Luo immediately felt that this squirrel wasn’t that cute anymore. She slowly put the waist accessory back and said, “Oh.”


  The young girl’s mood changed too quickly. Zhao Jie loudly laughed, “What did you do today other than looking at squirrels?”


  Wei Luo honestly described her day, then she finally pushed towards the bed, “Big brother, you should go to sleep soon.”


  In fact, it took a while to get from Tian Chang Mountain to Tong Zhou’s city. It took an hour by carriage and Zhao Jie had to leave before the sun came up. Even so, he wasn’t willing to live in the city. He insisted on going back and forth each day. Tong Zhou’s prefectural magistrate had invited him several times to say at his residence, but he refused each time. The reason? He wanted to come back and accompany his little wife.

  After a few days like this, Zhao Jie finally had half a day off. He simply stayed by Wei Luo’s side and refused to leave. He hugged her while sitting on the bed with his eyes closed.

  Wei Luo saw that he had thin black circles under his eyes. She guessed that he probably hadn’t been sleeping well during the past few days, so she scolded him, “Go to sleep. You haven’t had a good rest in a while. I’ll sit here and read a book. After I finish eating, I’ll wake you up.”


  Zhao Jie didn’t move. He lazily said, “I’ll just stay here and keep you company.”


  Wei Luo didn’t know what to do with him and could only go along with what he wanted.

  Wei Luo was reading a book that contained many interesting folk stories. Feeling bored during the past few days, she had been entertaining herself by reading this book. Wei Luo had read up to a story called “The Emerald Locket”. This first half of the story was about a girl from a noble family, who fell in love with a scholar. She ignored her servant girl when she tried to dissuade her from privately meeting with him. They made a pledge to marry without their parents’ approval. Later on, she gave her body’s innocence to the scholar.

  The rest of the story should been about the couple’s mutually harmonious and affectionate feelings and their happy ending. However, after that scholar finished his schooling and scored third place in Han Lin Academy’s examination, his heart became fickle and he failed to be loyal to his lover. He married the prime minister’s daughter. The girl from the noble family couldn’t accept his change in heart.

  Before she died, she asked him why he had changed and that scholar actually said, “You easily gave me your body. After I thought about it later, I felt that you weren’t the noble and respectable girl that I thought you were. If a woman had self-respect and cherished her good name, how could she easily give her body to someone before marriage?”


  The girl couldn’t handle the scholar’s derision. She left behind an emerald locket and threw herself into a lake to commit suicide. This locket had been the love token he had given to her when they had pledged to get married.

  After reading this, Wei Luo was so furious that she almost couldn’t resist ripping the book. She blurted out, “If I was the girl in the book, I would drag the scholar with me as I jumped into the lake.”


  Zhao Jie wasn’t asleep and had finished reading this story with her. He casually said, “I think the scholar’s words were right.”


  Startled, Wei Luo turned her head and started at Zhao Jie as she asked, “What did you say?”


  Zhao Jie realized that Wei Luo was angry, so he leaned against the window and smiled as he looked at her.

  However, Zhao Jie’s earlier words were like a thorn that pierced Wei Luo’s heart. She had to get a clear answer. “Do you really think that the scholar wasn’t wrong?”


  Zhao Jie stayed silent. Seeing that Wei Luo’s little face was getting uglier, he finally said, “Why are you being so persistent about this question?”


  However, Wei Luo felt that he was tacitly agreeing from his attitude. Wei Luo pushed him away and left his embrace. With a tense expression, she questioned him, “Does big brother also think of me like that? Before we were married, we also privately saw each other and had a love affair. Do you think of me in the same way as the girl in the book? A person who doesn’t have self-respect?”


  It was only now that Zhao Jie understood why she was angry. His heart skipped a beat. He reached his hand out to bring her back into his embrace. “What are you saying…”


  But, Wei Luo was quicker than him. She jumped down from the couch like a rabbit, glowered at him, and said, “I don’t want to talk to you.” Then, she ran out of the room without even properly putting on her shoes.