Where the Mask Ends - Chapter 3

Chapter 3

March is usually a prime time for outings. Now that a heavy snow has fallen, turning the spring scenery into a winter wonderland, there is nothing fresher than this. The princes, young nobles, and ladies of the capital all swarmed toward the city outskirts in a rush, fearing that if they arrived too late, the mountain snow would be marred by footprints, ruining the mood with a chaotic mess.

Wei Rao was also heading out of the city, though her purpose was to offer birthday greetings to her grandmother, Lady Shou’an.

When her grandmother was a wet nurse in the palace, sparking all sorts of rumors and gossip, Wei Rao’s mother, the younger Madam Zhou, was still just a little girl, and Wei Rao was not even a thought. By the time she grew up and heard those whispers, her curiosity led her to ask her grandmother about them. Her grandmother avoided the topic, citing that it was "improper to discuss palace affairs," and only spoke of how she came to receive her noble title.

Years ago, before her grandmother left the palace, Emperor Yuanjia had asked what reward she desired. Deeply moved, she reminisced about her childhood life in the countryside and expressed a wish to return to her hometown to buy two acres of land, raise pigs and chickens, and enjoy her twilight years.

Emperor Yuanjia did not let her return to her ancestral home, where no relatives remained alive. Instead, he bestowed upon her a mountain villa and a thousand acres of fertile land in the suburbs of the capital, personally inscribing the plaque for the villa as "Xianzhuang" (Idle Villa). Furthermore, Emperor Yuanjia granted her the title of "Lady Shou’an," exempting her from kneeling to princes and nobles alike.

Her grandmother owned a residence within the city, but ever since she left the palace, the old lady had resided exclusively at Xianzhuang.

The construction of Xianzhuang had been overseen by the Imperial Household Department. It covered a massive area, looking grand from the outside; only upon entering could one glimpse the elegance found in every corner. Aside from its remote location, it was in no way inferior to the residences of the powerful and wealthy in the capital, and it even possessed the refined beauty of a Jiangnan garden. In comparison, her grandmother’s small house in the city was practically a servant’s quarters; if it were Wei Rao, she would also choose to live at Xianzhuang.

With this snowfall, Xianzhuang would surely be even more beautiful.

Wei Rao was somewhat impatient.

When she left, she had only thought of the beautiful snow, failing to account for the fact that other young masters and ladies would also be leaving the city. Carriages from various Duke’s mansions, Marquis’s estates, Earl’s manors, and the homes of officials of all ranks, along with the cargo wagons of merchants, were all piled up together. They had blocked the area before the city gate into a long dragon, and the Cheng’an Earl’s Mansion’s carriage was pitifully stuck at the tail end.

Wei Rao suppressed her impatience, leaned against the seat back, and closed her eyes to rest her mind.

"Good heavens, so many people! How long are we going to have to wait? Shouceng, go to the front and have a word with the city guards so we can get out first."

A voice as loud and resonant as a bell suddenly came from the side of the carriage, numbing the roots of Wei Rao’s ears.

Judging by his words, he intended to use his connections with the city guards to cut the line and pass through ahead of time.

To be so brazen about cutting the line and to have such a booming voice—how could there be such a thick-skinned person?

Wei Rao opened her eyes and looked toward the carriage curtain, ready to hear how the person called "Shouceng" would respond.

"Let’s wait in line. There’s no rush."

The five words were clear, moist, and low—melodious and pleasant to the ear.

Wei Rao was captivated by this pleasing voice. She quietly leaned toward the carriage window, signaling Bitao and Liya, who were sitting in the carriage with her, to remain silent. She carefully rolled up the edge of the window curtain, and as soon as a gap the width of a bamboo chopstick appeared between the fabric and the frame, she stopped and tilted her head to look out.

About ten paces behind their carriage stood two fine horses. Sitting on the horse closer to them was a robust man wearing a treasure-blue round-collared silk robe, with thick eyebrows, tiger-like eyes, and bronze-colored skin. Wei Rao recognized him: this was Second Master Qi of the Marquis of Pingxi’s mansion. He had passed the military examinations and was currently an imperial guard in the palace. Because of his upright temperament, he had offended many spoiled young nobles, but he was highly regarded by Emperor Yuanjia.

The other man’s horse was positioned slightly further back. His upper body was perfectly obscured by the Cheng’an Earl’s mansion’s carriage. Wei Rao could only see a pair of hands gripping the reins—hands as white as fine jade, with long, slender fingers that were very handsome.

"You, you’re just too much of a stickler for rules."

While Wei Rao was secretly observing, Second Master Qi urged his horse to retreat, clearly indicating he would not go to the front to cut in line.

Since that was the case, his companion would certainly not go forward either.

Wei Rao lowered the curtain, sat back in the middle of the seat, and whispered to Bitao and Liya: "Among the noble families in the capital, is there anyone named Shouceng?"

Having been born and raised in the capital, Wei Rao had heard of countless noble scions, either directly or indirectly. The man just now, with a single simple sentence, had made the headstrong Second Master Qi obediently listen. Either his status was extraordinary, or his capabilities were exceptional; he was definitely not a nobody.

Bitao and Liya shook their heads one after another; they had never heard of such a figure either.

"Shouceng is likely his courtesy name. If we knew his given name, we might recognize him," Liya guessed.

A man’s courtesy name was like a girl’s childhood name; they were used privately among close relatives and friends.

"Forget it. Regardless of who he is, it has nothing to do with us."

As Wei Rao’s voice trailed off, the carriage finally moved, shifting forward by the length of half a carriage.

Wei Rao was patient, but behind the carriage, Second Master Qi Zhongkai stretched his neck. After waiting for only a short while, he grew restless and turned his head to Lu Zhuo: "Are you leaving or not? If you aren't leaving, I’m going out of the city first!"

Lu Zhuo smiled faintly: "Brother Qi, please, go ahead."

Dressed in a white silk robe, he sat on his horse with an easy, composed demeanor; he truly was not in the slightest rush.

How could Qi Zhongkai really leave his friend behind? They had known each other since they were children and later trained together in the border army for five years. Three years ago, he returned to the capital to take the military examinations and then became an imperial guard. That fellow Lu Zhuo had been kept in the military camp by his father. If it hadn't been for reaching the age to discuss marriage, with the Duchess repeatedly urging, the old master of the Lu family would still not have agreed to transfer Lu Zhuo back to the capital.

"Eight years... your old man really is ruthless." Unable to move, Qi Zhongkai looked Lu Zhuo up and down, his sympathy suddenly turning into teasing: "That’s not right. I stayed out there for five years and got tanned, but you stayed for three years longer than me; how are you still so pale? Could it be you’ve been hiding in the camp tent slacking off?"

Lu Zhuo swept his gaze over Qi Zhongkai’s bronze, rugged face and said, "I remember that before you went to the border to train, you were this color too."

Some people’s dark complexions were from sun exposure; others were just born that way. You couldn't blame the sun for that.

Upon hearing this, Qi Zhongkai suddenly burst into a loud laugh.

The men of the Qi family all had loud voices. Even for Lu Zhuo, being struck by Qi Zhongkai’s laughter at close range made him frown slightly.

The Cheng’an Earl’s mansion carriage was right in front. When Qi Zhongkai suddenly erupted in laughter, Wei Rao and her servants in the carriage were startled. Even the large black horse pulling the carriage moved its hooves restlessly, causing the carriage body to sway twice.

Wei Rao said nothing, but her face had already darkened. One hand pressed against her chest, where her heart was beating rapidly—thump, thump.

Their young lady was such a delicate person; how could she endure such a scare?

Bitao poked her head out of the carriage window and glared at the rear: "Second Master Qi, is it? Could you please lower your voice? Our horse is about to be frightened by you."

Wei Rao did not stop her maid. She had seen Emperor Yuanjia and Qi Zhongkai at her grandmother’s villa; though they weren't exactly acquaintances or friends, if she made a reasonable, small request, Qi Zhongkai should give them some face.

Qi Zhongkai recognized Wei Rao, but he did not recognize Bitao. Looking from behind the carriage, he couldn't tell who owned it. He had been laughing perfectly well, only to be chided by a little maid. Qi Zhongkai was displeased. He rode his horse to the window, stared at Bitao, and asked: "You dare to lecture even me? Who is your master?"

Bitao whispered snappishly: "Second Master Qi has a very poor memory. Last year, when the Emperor came to Xianzhuang for a short visit, you were so dizzy from the sun out there that you begged me to pour you a bowl of cold tea. Have you forgotten that?"

The moment she mentioned Xianzhuang, Qi Zhongkai immediately remembered. In his mind, there instantly appeared a delicate and gorgeous face like a peony flower, along with a pair of bright, shimmering phoenix eyes that seemed to hold droplets of water. She was so beautiful that one couldn't help but want to hold her in the palm of one’s hand, wishing to gaze upon her devoutly every day—he’d even be willing to let her step on his face with her shoes.

Such a delicate beauty was easily frightened by his loud voice!

"So it is the Fourth Miss." Qi Zhongkai directly ignored Bitao. Guessing Wei Rao’s position, he cupped his hands in apology: "I didn't know the Fourth Miss was here. That was my rudeness just now. Please rest assured, Fourth Miss; I shall speak softly and promise not to startle you again."

Behind the curtain, Wei Rao could feel Qi Zhongkai’s sincerity. Since he gave her face, she had to return the courtesy, so she whispered: "My little maid made a fuss; I hope the Second Master will not mind."

Qi Zhongkai laughed: "Not at all, not at all. Is the Fourth Miss going out of the city this time to enjoy the snow as well?"

Wei Rao smiled: "I suppose so."

Although Qi Zhongkai was a rough man, by now he could tell that the Fourth Miss did not wish to continue chatting with him. It was understandable—people were coming and going near the city gate; if it were seen that he kept lingering by the Cheng’an Earl’s mansion carriage, it would surely lead to idle gossip unfavorable to the Fourth Miss.

"Fourth Miss, travel safely. I shall take my leave now."

"Mm."

The beauty’s soft nasal sound was also extremely pleasant to hear.

Qi Zhongkai returned to Lu Zhuo’s side with great reluctance.

Lu Zhuo was not curious about who was in the carriage, but Qi Zhongkai adjusted the position of his mount, sat side-by-side with Lu Zhuo, turned his head, and whispered to explain: "That is the Fourth Miss of the Cheng’an Earl’s mansion, the most beautiful girl in our capital. You just returned from the border, so you might not have heard of her yet."

Lu Zhuo indeed had not heard of the Fourth Miss of the Wei family, but he had heard of Lady Shou’an and Consort Li.

Consort Li was the younger Madam Zhou, the mother of this Fourth Miss.

The rumors Lu Zhuo had heard claimed that Madam Zhou could not endure the loneliness of widowhood, abandoned her young daughter, and returned to her maternal home, living with Lady Shou’an at Xianzhuang. Emperor Yuanjia, mindful of Lady Shou’an’s kindness in raising him, often visited Xianzhuang. To consolidate the Emperor’s favor, Lady Shou’an ordered Madam Zhou to dress elaborately to seduce the Emperor. Emperor Yuanjia was indeed captivated by Madam Zhou’s beauty, took her in, and bestowed upon her the title of Consort Li.

After entering the palace, Consort Li was deeply favored by Emperor Yuanjia, but due to her wanton behavior, she repeatedly broke palace rules and was disliked by the Empress Dowager. Later, Consort Li became pregnant and gave birth to a prince. This should have been a joyous occasion, but on that same day, the Empress Dowager fell gravely ill. An enlightened master was invited to divine the cause, and it was said that the prince born to Consort Li and the Empress Dowager were astrologically incompatible; if he were raised in the palace, the Empress Dowager’s life would likely be in danger.

Emperor Yuanjia was a filial son. For the sake of the Empress Dowager, he sent Consort Li and her son to the Western Hill Palace, where they had remained for two years.

These reports passed through Lu Zhuo’s mind like a breeze carrying the scent of fresh snow; they did not affect him in the slightest. What Lu Zhuo did not know, however, was that among the young scions of the capital, whenever Wei Rao was mentioned, they would comment on her with great excitement. Lu Zhuo’s indifference immediately made him an outlier.

Talking about amorous matters with a serious person like him was especially boring.

Qi Zhongkai found a reason for Lu Zhuo’s lack of interest: "Almost forgot, you’re already betrothed."

Once betrothed, the next steps were marriage, having children, and becoming a father. The Lu family did not have a tradition of taking concubines, so no matter how beautiful others were, it had nothing to do with Lu Zhuo—no wonder he had no interest in discussing it.

Qi Zhongkai patted Lu Zhuo’s shoulder in sympathy.

Lu Zhuo did not need sympathy.

The fiancée his grandmother had selected for him was the granddaughter of the Imperial Tutor, the late Grand Tutor Xie. At three, she could paint; at five, she could recite poetry. She was proficient in all the arts—zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting—and held the reputation of being the capital’s greatest talent. Lu Zhuo had never met his fiancée, but his grandmother, mother, and other elders and female cousins of the family had all seen her, and they all praised her beauty and virtuous demeanor without exception.

This was the kind of wife Lu Zhuo admired. As for women who possessed nothing but beauty and a scandalous reputation, Lu Zhuo disdained to look at them, and he disdained to discuss them.