Chapter 132

Counting the days, Wei Luo hadn’t seen Liang Yu Rong in a long time.

After Wei Luo married Zhao Jie, she could no longer be as free as when she was an unmarried girl. There were more things for her to worry about and she interacted less with the girls from other noble families. But, Wei Luo and Liang Yu Rong’s friendship hadn’t changed. Now that Liang Yu Rong was engaged to Wei Chang Yin, Wei Luo would have to call her cousin-in-law in the future. As soon as Wei Luo thought of Liang Yu Rong’s little smiling face, Wei Luo almost couldn’t say that word out loud. How happy was that girl feeling right now?

Wei Luo smiled. She was sitting at a vermillion-lacquered rectangle table inlayed with gold and carved with spirals and holding a brush to write a letter.

Her limpid almond-shaped eyes and soft, pink lips were curved into a smiling expression. She rarely felt this happy.

Zhao Jie glanced at her nearby figure and put down the “Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government ” that he was holding to support his chin. “Who are you so happy to write a letter to?”

(Note: “Comprehensive Mirror to Aid in Government ” is a compilation of a collective history of China that was created in the Song Dynasty.)

After Wei Luo finished writing the last word and sealed the letter with wax, she didn’t hide anything from him, “I’m writing to Yu Rong. The weather is pretty good recently so I want to go to Qian Temple that’s outside of the capital with her. We can stroll around and make a wish to Buddha while we’re there.”

Zhao Jie raised the tip of his eyebrow and slowly and deliberately said, “Oh. How come I didn’t know that there was something you’re wishing for? How about telling husband what the wish is? Buddha might not be able to help you, but husband will definitely be able to help you fulfill your wish.”

Wei Luo handed the letter to Jin Lu, walked to his side, and said, “Did big brother forget? When first aunt went to Qian Temple last time to make a wish that oldest cousin Chang Yin’s leg would be fixed, you gave us the bamboo stick. This was how first aunt was able to see Great Master Qing Wang.”

With this reminder, Zhao Jie remembered and proceeded to say with a smile, “Of course I remember. That was where this prince kissed you for the first time.”

Seeing that he wasn’t being serious, Wei Luo didn’t reply to his words. She only continued to chatter on, “Since Yu Rong is engaged to oldest cousin Chang Yin, there isn’t anything wrong with her burning incenses and paying respect to Buddha for House Wei. Besides, I haven’t seen her in a long time. I want to take this opportunity to have a long conversation with her…”

Zhao Jie wasn’t swayed by these words. He wasn’t interested in the activities of women and children. He pinched Wei Luo’s cheek and said, “We haven’t been married for a long period of time yet and you’re going to abandon your husband to hangout with another person? Aren’t you afraid that I won’t agree?”

Wei Luo wrapped her arms around his neck from behind and her soft, fair, and rosy face moved to his front. She blinked and looked at him with her limpid eyes, “Are you really going to say no?”

These words were very sly. If he didn’t agree, it would seem like he was committing an unpardonable crime. Zhao Jie held back his laughter and asked, “Is there a reason why I have to agree?”

Wei Luo knew what he wanted. He was saying these words because he wanted her to fawn over him. And so, she kissed his face with a smacking sound. In a sweet and crisp voice, she asked, “Is this okay?”

Zhao Jie chuckled, “Not sincere enough.”

Wei Luo could only go down until she reached his thin lips. After hesitating for a moment, she opened her mouth to hold his lips and copied his usual action of slowly sucking. In the end, his phoenix eyes calmly looked at her with a smiling expression as if he was asking, “Are you only capable of this?”

Wei Luo closed her eyes. At this time, she could only throw away her pride and wholeheartedly fawn over him. She imagined him as a piece of silk nest candy and drew him into her mouth to slowly eat. When she felt that Zhao Jie was breathing heavier and heavier, she released him with a blushing face. Her large eyes weren’t calm. They were full of spring seductiveness.

Wei Luo expectantly looked at Zhao Jie, ” Can I go out?” If he still said no, then she was really at her wit’s end.

With one hand, Zhao Jie brought the rest of her body in front of him. As he held her waist, he said, “Husband has an idea…” Seeing Wei Luo’s small red face, he lowered his head to touch her forehead and lifted his hand to gently caress her lips. His eyes were a deep black.

Wei Luo naturally had to ask, “What idea?”

And then, Zhao Jie pressed her down.

In the study, there was a vermillion-lacquered desk that was carved with birds of prey and clouds that was blocking the view. There was only the view of Zhao Jie properly siting behind the desk. His attire was neat and he looked like a noble character in all details. However, his expression showed that he was silently restraining his emotions.

Moreover, a delicate voice reprimanded, “It’s daytime. What if someone comes into the room?”

Zhao Jie’s eyes dimmed and he appeased her worries by saying, “No one would dare to enter without this prince’s order. If someone trespasses, this prince will kill him.”

Wei Luo didn’t say another word.

The study was quiet for a long time until Zhao Jie inhaled and hoarsely said, “Ah Luo, you’re killing me…”

Outside the door, Zhu Geng and Yang Hao was standing ramrod straight and attentively looking in front. The two of them looked calm, but their minds had lost calmness a long time ago. The prince and princess consort could really fool around. It was broad daylight and they were in the study. Did they not consider their feelings at all? Although they silently cursed them and there was sweat on their foreheads, they didn’t dare to go inside and bother them.

——–

The next day, Wei Luo fiercely glared at Zhao Jie when she was going out.

After she did that for him yesterday, her mouth was feeling sore until even now . It was entirely his fault for insisting on an unpleasant requirement. She was only going out for a trip, but he watched over her like a mother-in-law. However, Zhao Jie’s attitude this morning was indeed very good. Not only did he personally feed her breakfast, he also touched up her eyebrow makeup for her.

Of course, Zhao Jie’s attempt wasn’t presentable. Not only was his attempt meandering like an earthworm, he almost drew Wei Luo a unibrow. Wei Luo laughed as soon as she saw herself in the mirror. After she ordered Jin Lu to wipe away the makeup away and redraw, she said to Zhao Jie, “I used to think big brother was talented at everything. I finally found something that you can’t do.”

Zhao Jie raised two fingers and lightly tapped her head, “If I was good at applying makeup, you should find that more worrying.”

That was true. Wei Luo couldn’t resist bursting out in laugher at the idea.

“Ah Luo, you’ve been smiling since you entered the carriage. How about telling me why you’re feeling so happy?” Liang Yu Rong moved closer to her and asked with teasing expression.

Wei Luo looked at Liang Yu Rong. She didn’t blush from embarrassment after hearing her teasing tone. After all, she had already heard a plentiful amount of shameful words from being together with Zhao Jie. Her face had already thickened into an impenetrable defense.

She said, “What’s there for me to say? I haven’t even asked you about your matter with oldest cousin Chang Yin. I heard that oldest cousin Chang Yin personally paid a visit to Marquis Ping Yuan’s residence. What did he say to make your parents change their minds so quickly?”

As expected, Liang Yu Rong’s face turned red. She pinched Wei Luo’s waist and said, “How… How would I know? Daddy and mother never discuss my marriage with me.”

Wei Luo skeptically looked at her. In the end, Liang Yu Rong was so embarrassed that she pounced on Wei Luo. The two of them messily landed on top of a blanket that was embroidered with golden clouds and birds. Their laughter never stopped and the subject of their conversation was dropped.

When they arrived at Qian Temple’s entrance, the temple was strangely empty. It was especially quiet and peaceful without the normal worshippers that were as numerous as clouds.

There was a row of black-robed guards standing outside of the temple and the footsteps of the monks inside the temple were very quiet as if they were receiving an important guest. The young monk at the entrance originally wanted to stop them from going inside, but he hesitated after Wei Luo’s identity was told to him. It wouldn’t be good to offend either side. And so, he said, “Benefactors, please follow me.”

Wei Luo and Liang Yu Rong walked into the main hall and saw a madam kneeling in front of the solemn and stately Buddha statue. She was wearing a deep red robe with wide sleeves and embroidered with a pattern of lotus flowers. Her hair was arranged in a qing hairstyle. There were two golden hairpins that had cat’s eye gemstones inserted at an angle into her hair. Just from looking at her back figure, they could tell that she was undoubtedly a noble and glamorous madam. After that madam paid her respect to the Buddha statue by kowtowing three times, a girl that was wearing a cherry blossom-colored outer robe that was embroidered with lotus flowers in Su style helped her up. Then, they turned around and headed towards the entrance to leave.

Under the comfortably warm sunlight outside of the hall, Wei Luo finally saw the madam’s face. It was Noble Consort Ning, who lived in Zhong Hua Palace.

Wei Luo blankly stared at her for a moment before she paid her respect to her senior by saluting and saying, “Your Highness, Noble Consort Ning.”

Liang Yu Rong followed her and also saluted.

Noble Consort Ning was one generation above them after all, so she had experienced more things and her conduct was more composed and mature than their’s. She didn’t show much surprise and only said with a faint smile, “I didn’t expect to meet you here. It seems that I have quite a bit of fate with Princess Consort Jing.”

Wei Luo closed her eyes slightly and pursed her lips into a smile. “Many thanks to your wondrous medicine from last time, Your Highness. My wound was only able to heal so quickly because of it.”

She paused before adding, “Prince Jing’s residence has been preoccupied with many trifling issues, so I haven’t been able to go to the palace and personally thank Your Highness. I’ll have to ask Your Highness to not blame me for this. I entrusted someone to deliver a paperweight and an ink-warming box. Has Your Highness received them?”

She wasn’t actually busy with Prince Jing’s residence’s matters. Wei Luo was purely using it as an excuse. Since Zhao Jie and Empress Chen didn’t like Noble Consort Ning, she naturally would avoid speaking to this person from an opposing faction.

Noble Consort Ning’s smile was dignified and perfect. “That’s not a big deal. It’s only a bottle of medicine. Princess Consort Jing is so beautiful. If a scar was left on your body that would truly be a shame. Unfortunately, there’s only one bottle of that medicine. I used almost half of it after His Majesty gave it to me. Was there enough left?”

Wei Luo nodded and her smile didn’t change. “It was enough. Thank you for your consideration, Your Highness.”

Noble Consort Ning nodded and the girl at her side finally had a chance to salute Wei Luo. Her soft voice was pleasing to hear, “Imperial sister-in-law.”

The girl raised her head. Her bright eyes were her most dazzling aspect. There were only a faintly ripples in them. They were like deep pools of limpid water. A beautiful nose and small cherry lips followed her exquisite eyes. Her potential beauty was something that was rarely seen. However, this wasn’t what caught Wei Luo’s attention. It was her address of, “imperial sister-in-law”. She was probably Zhao Zhang’s newly married princess consort. She was Duke Ding’s first branch’s youngest daughter, Gao Wan.

Wei Luo didn’t have much of an impression of this girl. Perhaps, it was because her family didn’t have many dealings with Duke Ding’s family. She only remembered that she was a well behaved and had a gentle and warm personality.

Wei Luo hadn’t been engaged to Zhao Jie for a long time before Zhao Zhang turned around and got engaged with Gao Wan. They had also married a month earlier than her. There was an unavoidable intention of competition behind his actions, but no one said these words out loud.

Wei Luo went with Noble Consort Ning to the rear courtyard’s guest room to talk for a while and found out that Noble Consort Ning wasn’t feeling well, so she left the palace to come here to pay her respects to Buddha. Wei Lou said a few sentences to show concern, but she didn’t say she would send Noble Consort Ning any medicine. After all, she had already paid back the favor from the bottle of medicine. Wei Luo also didn’t want to have further contact with her.

——–

It was noon when they left Qian Temple. The sun was high up in the sky and the temperature naturally increased from the beams of sunlight.

After Wei Luo bid farewell to Liang Yu Rong, returned to Prince Jing’s residence, asked a servant about Zhao Jie’s location, found out that he was currently in the study, she started walking towards the study.