Where the Mask Ends - Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Deep in the snowy, wooded mountain, Wei Rao never expected to encounter a figure who looked like a celestial being.

The sky-blue brocade robe outlined a tall and slender physique, standing like a green cypress or a resilient bamboo rising from the snow. His temples were as dark as ink, his brows and eyes handsome and refined, and his fair skin glowed with the luster of fine jade under the bright spring sun.

Having lived in the capital for a long time, Wei Rao had seen no shortage of handsome young noblemen, yet in terms of looks and temperament, none could surpass the person before her. He was truly as gentle as jade.

After a brief moment of being stunned, Wei Rao suddenly noticed a shift in the man's attitude.

When she had first turned around, there had clearly been a gentle smile on his face. However, once his gaze passed over her, that smile vanished. His eyes deliberately avoided hers, and within his icy coldness, there seemed to be a hint of... disdain?

This was the first time in her life Wei Rao had encountered such a situation.

Self-righteous official wives and young ladies of noble families disdaining or criticizing her was a common occurrence. Younger noblemen, however, rarely looked at her with such disdain; the bold and frivolous would stare at her without blinking, while the timid and respectful would merely avert their gazes. They certainly wouldn't give her a cold face. This man opposite her was truly strange. She could understand him wanting to maintain propriety and avoid suspicion, but what was with the cold, judgmental look?

Was he dissatisfied that a woman had snatched his prey?

What a joke. She had been on the verge of leaving, and it was he who had been unobservant, eagerly addressing her as "Young Master."

Glancing at the wild boar on the ground, which had only a few breaths left, Wei Rao said indifferently: "I did not know this boar had an owner, hence I acted. I offer my apologies. Now that the item is returned to its rightful owner, you may take it, sir."

After explaining, Wei Rao wanted to leave again.

For Lu Zhuo, coming into the mountains to hunt was merely a whim. What was a single wild boar worth? But the woman’s tone—a gesture of condescension as if she couldn't be bothered to argue with him—felt as if she were mocking his narrow-mindedness.

"The beasts in these mountains are ownerless things; he who has the ability shall have them. You hunted this boar, so it naturally belongs to you. There is no need to speak of offense to me," Lu Zhuo said fairly. With that, he ignored Wei Rao, took a rope from his backpack, and went to bind his second wild boar.

Seeing this, Wei Rao did not continue to be polite and set about packing up the first one herself.

Bringing such a large boar back would certainly make her cousins concede defeat, and her grandmother would surely be grinning from ear to ear.

The boar Wei Rao had shot was estimated to be around two hundred pounds. Even with her internal energy training, she couldn't carry such a heavy object. Fortunately, she was well-prepared. Besides arrows, her quiver held two retractable iron rods; when fully extended, they reached three feet long, and each head could be fitted with a removable wheel.

Wei Rao took out these items one by one, squatted on the ground to assemble them, and was just about to maneuver the boar onto the makeshift cart when a familiar, booming voice came from above: "Fourth Miss?"

Wei Rao didn't need to look up to know it was Second Master Qi, Qi Zhongkai.

At the same time, Wei Rao remembered why she felt the man’s voice was familiar; he was the person who had been traveling with Qi Zhongkai that morning.

"So, it is the Second Master hunting here." Wei Rao clapped her hands, stood up, and exchanged pleasantries with Qi Zhongkai first.

Qi Zhongkai was the kind of person Wei Rao was familiar with—one who would be captivated by her beauty. However, while some men would harbor possessive thoughts, acting with the goal of obtaining the beauty while filling their minds with unsavory images, others simply enjoyed looking at beauty while wishing only to care for and cherish it, asking for nothing in return.

Qi Zhongkai was the latter.

As if he didn't see that Lu Zhuo was also there, Qi Zhongkai ran straight to Wei Rao, exclaiming in surprise: "It is fortunate that I have seen the Fourth Miss in men’s clothing before, otherwise I truly would not have recognized you just now."

Wei Rao smiled and took the initiative to explain: "The Idle Villa is nearby. My cousins and I came into the mountains to hunt, and I happened to encounter that gentleman chasing two boars. I recklessly shot one first. I wonder if the Second Master is willing to forgo his claim?"

Qi Zhongkai laughed aloud: "It’s just one wild boar. What talk of forgoing claims? If the Fourth Miss likes them, I shall give you both."

Wei Rao was polite: "One is sufficient."

Qi Zhongkai noticed the iron rods she had brought, curiously picked them up to look at them, and guessed they were specifically for hunting and carrying prey. He sighed in admiration: "The Fourth Miss is truly clever and dexterous. Qi is truly impressed."

Wei Rao explained: "I just wanted to be lazy and suggested an idea. Eunuch Li found a craftsman to figure this thing out."

Qi Zhongkai hadn't buttered her up correctly, but he didn't care. He placed the small iron cart on the ground, rolled up his sleeves, and took the initiative to help Wei Rao move the deceased boar onto it. There was a braking mechanism on the wheels, and despite the sudden load of such a massive animal, the small cart only wobbled and did not immediately roll away.

"This pig is too heavy. Shall I escort you down the mountain?" Qi Zhongkai asked enthusiastically.

Wei Rao laughed: "No need for the trouble. I can manage." Fearing that Qi Zhongkai might insist, Wei Rao glanced toward Lu Zhuo, signaling for Qi Zhongkai to help his friend. That man looked tall and robust, yet his build was like that of a scholarly gentleman; how could he possibly manage to lift and carry a wild boar?

Qi Zhongkai, having understood her meaning, suddenly burst into a fit of laughter, laughing so hard his face turned red. The snow on the branches nearby was almost shaken off by the sound.

Lu Zhuo, having finished tying up his boar, stood up and frowned as he looked over.

Qi Zhongkai held his stomach with one hand while pointing at Lu Zhuo with the other: "Shoucheng! The Fourth Miss is worried you can’t carry the boar, so she secretly prompted me to help you. Hahaha! Do you need help? If you do, just say the word. I can carry the pig in one hand and support you down the mountain with the other!"

Lu Zhuo was expressionless. He gave Wei Rao a faint, cool glance, picked up the rope on the back of his boar with one hand, and walked toward the path he had come from.

He looked so relaxed, as if the object in his hand was not a two-hundred-plus-pound boar, but a light, empty water bucket.

What left Wei Rao most dumbfounded was that even while carrying a boar, he still maintained the graceful, otherworldly bearing of a celestial being vanishing into the mountain forest.

Seeing her gaze following Lu Zhuo’s retreating figure, Qi Zhongkai introduced him with a smile: "Fourth Miss, this is the heir of the Duke of England’s mansion, Lu Zhuo, Lu Shoucheng. He just returned from the border, which is why you haven't met him. Also, don't let his appearance as a scholar fool you; once he hits the battlefield, he is a demon who kills without blinking. The only difference between him and a demon is that face of his."

Wei Rao was shocked once more.

This was the heir of the Duke of England’s mansion?

The Duke of England’s mansion... No matter how bad the reputation of the Zhou family’s women was, the men of the Duke of England’s mansion were held in the highest respect. As far as Wei Rao knew, very few men of the Lu family in the previous generations had died of old age; almost all had died on the battlefield. Not to mention the older ones, Lu Zhuo’s father, second uncle, and third uncle had all died in battle, and the only remaining fourth uncle had lost a leg and could only travel in a wheelchair.

In Lu Zhuo’s grandfather’s generation, several cousins had also perished, leaving only the old Duke alive today.

For such a loyal and patriotic military family, Wei Rao felt genuine respect in her heart.

Over the twenty-some years since the late Emperor’s later years and Emperor Yuanjia’s ascension, the peace and prosperity of the current dynasty relied entirely on that bitter victory earned by the men of the Lu family leading countless frontier soldiers, who had died one after another to thoroughly intimidate the powerful enemies on the grasslands.

However, respect aside, Lu Zhuo’s attitude toward her just now had been somewhat impolite.

A flurry of footsteps sounded from behind. It turned out that Qi Zhongkai’s laughter had been so loud that it attracted the Huo siblings and Zhou Huizhu.

Wei Rao introduced them to one another.

Since Huo Jue was there to help the "beauty" transport the boar, Qi Zhongkai took his leave to catch up with Lu Zhuo.

As soon as he caught up, Lu Zhuo tossed the boar to him.

Qi Zhongkai was unaware of the small, unpleasant incident between Lu Zhuo and Wei Rao. He just chatted with him while laughing: "That was the Fourth Miss of the Cheng’an Earl’s Mansion whom we encountered at the city gate this morning. What do you think? Beautiful enough? She is already so pretty in men’s clothes; if she changed into women’s clothing, she would be a heavenly fairy descending to earth."

Lu Zhuo had already guessed as much from their conversation.

Wei Rao was indeed striking in appearance, but for a young lady from an official family to not stay honestly at home, but instead sneak off to the mountain to hunt while dressed in men’s clothing—climbing and jumping from trees with such proficiency—it was clear she had long been ignoring the rules. The women of the Zhou family had a tarnished reputation; as someone who was half a Zhou woman, not only did she fail to show restraint, but she also acted even more willfully. It was clearly a lack of self-respect.

"Do not speak of impropriety," Lu Zhuo said, indicating his stance: he did not wish to discuss the beauty or ugliness of a Wei woman.

Qi Zhongkai scoffed: "Prude. I refuse to believe there is a man who truly doesn't love a beauty."

Lu Zhuo smiled without a word.

He loved beauty, too, but propriety came first.

At the foot of the mountain, the four of them began to tally their prey.

Wei Rao had hunted one wild boar and one fox, making her the undisputed first place.

Zhou Huizhu and Huo Lin had hunted several mountain sparrows; the quantity was quite impressive.

Huo Jue, having been distracted by his three cousins, had only hunted one rabbit, becoming the recognized last place.

"Sister Rao, what do you want Cousin to do?" Zhou Huizhu chimed in.

Wei Rao looked at Huo Jue.

Huo Jue laughed: "A bet is a bet. Cousin, feel free to command me."

Wei Rao had already learned from the elders’ conversations that Huo Jue and Huo Lin would be staying in the capital for about half a year. Coincidentally, she did indeed have a place where she could use Huo Jue’s help.

It was still early before evening, so the four of them rode their horses back slowly. Wei Rao chose to ride side-by-side with Huo Jue and said truthfully: "To be honest with you, Cousin, I have saved a sum of money over the years. Leaving it in a chest at home only collects dust, so I was thinking of taking it out to rent a storefront and do business, to make my money grow. But I have never done business and don't know what kind of shop would be suitable. I was embarrassed to ask my uncle about such a small sum, so I was hoping you could advise me, Cousin."

The Cheng’an Earl’s Mansion didn't have much of a family fortune, but Wei Rao had a grandmother who owned thousands of acres of fertile land, an aunt who had married the wealthiest merchant in the Jin region, and an imperial "second father" sitting on the dragon throne. Having received many red envelopes and New Year’s money, and never spending lavishly, Wei Rao had unexpectedly saved over two thousand taels.

Last winter, she had spent one thousand taels on land, and with the remaining one thousand, she wanted to start a business.

After all, one should never put all their eggs in one basket.

Huo Jue glanced at the two younger sisters ahead and whispered to Wei Rao: "How much capital do you have?"

Wei Rao smiled and held up a pretty finger to her cousin.

Huo Jue: "One thousand?"

Ten thousand was too much, and one hundred was too little.

Wei Rao nodded.

Huo Jue now had an idea. Looking ahead, he pondered for a moment before giving his advice: "The Huo family business is in tea and silk. Both require traveling north and south to find the most suitable sources. It is inconvenient for you, Cousin, to travel, and you may not know how to select or evaluate goods. Even if you hire someone, they might easily deceive you. It would be better to do a business you can control entirely."

"How about opening a restaurant?" Huo Jue tilted his head, analyzing the situation: "The capital is full of powerful officials and wealthy merchants, so you don't need to worry about a lack of customers. You only need to hire a few chefs with superb culinary skills and develop some dishes rarely seen in other restaurants. As long as the food is delicious, the business will naturally flourish over time."

Wei Rao recalled the few existing large restaurants in the capital, and her worries surfaced: "That’s easier said than done, Cousin. Where would I find chefs who could meet such requirements? Moreover, there are too many restaurants in the capital, and the competition is fierce. Even if I open one, it will be hard for it to stand out."

Huo Jue laughed: "I have been to many places with my father these past few years, and each place has its own specialty dishes. Once I have tasted the offerings of the capital’s restaurants, I will send people to scout for famous local chefs for you. I guarantee I will find you a few signature dishes rarely tasted by the high officials and nobles of the capital."

Wei Rao was delighted: "That would be wonderful! Call for me when you go to taste the food, Cousin; I will go with you."

Since she wanted to go into the restaurant business, Wei Rao also had plenty to learn. Those large restaurants were the perfect places for her to steal their techniques.

She might not be able to steal their cooking secrets, but she could study their management techniques and combine the strengths of them all.

Huo Jue paused and asked her: "Can you leave the Earl’s Mansion at will, Cousin?"

Wei Rao laughed. Of course she could! Her grandmother had long been persuaded; as long as she had a legitimate reason, her grandmother would not stop her.

Having an elder in the house is like having a treasure. With her grandmother backing her in the capital and her grandmother’s mother doting on her in the suburbs, Wei Rao was sitting on two treasures!