“Then shall I go back now?”
“Absolutely not!” Wei Qingchen immediately responded upon hearing this. Then she saw the hidden mischief in Chu Mingxi’s eyes and realized she was being teased. So she set down the golden hairpin and leaned in closer instead. “But if my Lady insists on returning to her maiden home, then I’ll just…”
“You’ll what?”
She deliberately sighed, with a helpless tone. “Then I’ll just have to accompany you and become a son-in-law who’s moved into his wife’s family!”
Just then, the maids came in carrying various items. Hearing the Heir Apparent speak this way, they all laughed uncontrollably. The Young Mistress, however, raised an eyebrow and put on a playful expression. “It seems the Heir Apparent is very unwilling.”
Wei Qingchen took her hand, her brows and eyes curved, gazing directly into her eyes. “No. I’m very willing.”
When she said this, she was leaning against the dressing table, bending low, very close to her. Chu Mingxi, looking at the handsome face right before her eyes, suddenly strongly wanted to pinch her cheek.
But because the maids were still in the room, she had to settle for pinching her own fingertips under her sleeve, then quickly released them. Yet she maintained a composed facade. “Stop fooling around.”
Wei Qingchen insisted, “Let’s fool around a little longer.”
Who acts like this?!
Chu Mingxi couldn’t help but curve the corners of her mouth.
After being away for a time, the masters’ relationship had improved so noticeably. The servants in the room watched with deep surprise. The Heir Apparent, needless to say, looked as if she wanted to pluck the stars from the sky for her wife. As for the Young Mistress, although she seemed rather cold, the affection in her eyes would always be unconsciously revealed whenever she was with the Heir Apparent.
How can one truly hide the feeling of liking someone?
After much laughter and banter, the maids tacitly withdrew.
Only the young couple remained in the room. Chu Mingxi used a Rhinoceros Comb to smoothly untangle her long hair down to its ends. Wei Qingchen found the sight pleasing, reached out to hook a silken strand, and twined it around her fingers.
In the mirror, Chu Mingxi watched her movements and smiled silently. Then she added, “I actually have something serious to discuss with you.”
“Mm. Go ahead.” Wei Qingchen lifted her eyes and met her gaze in the mirror.
Chu Mingxi drew her long, dark hair back from Wei Qingchen’s fingers. Turning her head, she said, “Today at home, Mother told me that Mingyu has already reached her coming-of-age year.”
“Oh.” Wei Qingchen immediately understood. “It’s time to find a husband’s family for her.”
Chu Mingxi shot her a sideways look. She also realized her words were too blunt. She rubbed her own nose, looking somewhat sheepish.
Chu Mingxi said, “Over the past year or two, some families have approached us to propose a match. Um, but you know, we only… got married last year.” Her words came out haltingly, inexplicably embarrassing.
Watching her, Wei Qingchen felt both amused and protective. She took her hand and continued herself, “Yes. We’re already married. Now it’s time to find a good family for the Second Young Miss.”
Now that someone had handed her a way forward, continuing the conversation became much smoother. Chu Mingxi let her hold her hand and nodded. “After my own marriage was decided, the number of families inviting Mother to banquets increased. In the end, it’s simply because they want to leverage your family’s influence. So Mother doesn’t know which of those families’ sons would actually be a suitable match. She asked us to help her look into it.”
She fell silent after speaking, waiting for her reply. Wei Qingchen used her thumb to gently stroke the back of Chu Mingxi’s hand. After a long moment, she said seriously, “It’s not about leveraging my family’s influence. It’s simply that the daughters of the Chu family are originally outstanding. Mingxi, don’t sell yourself short.”
She rarely looked so serious in front of her wife. Unexpectedly, it was over a matter like this. Chu Mingxi sat at the dressing table and heard her continue, “You and I have long been married. Husband and wife are one entity. Even if such ‘influence’ truly exists, it is also your influence. There’s no need to speak of ‘borrowing’ anything anymore. From now on, what is mine, is also yours.”
Chu Mingxi watched her quietly for a moment. Suddenly, she relaxed herself and leaned close, resting her forehead against Wei Qingchen’s. Softly, she said just one word, “Okay.”
In the exquisitely polished bronze mirror, their figures were reflected: hands held, leaning close. Just like the pair of mandarin ducks embroidered on the brocade quilt spread out not far away, lifelong lovebirds nestled together in bliss.
The two chatted privately in the room for a while longer. After resting for less than half a shichen, a maid came to report: the Grand General had returned to the mansion and was hosting a family banquet tonight at the Nurtured Beauty Building.
Wei Huaishu had pacified a rebellion of the Liao people in Huazhou and then stayed on to garrison the area for several months. He had returned to the capital only a few days earlier than the two of them. Recently, social engagements filled his days. Finally finding a free day, and hearing upon arriving home that Wei Qingchen and her wife had also returned, he decided to simply set out a table for the family to enjoy themselves.
The young couple changed their clothes before stepping out. In the courtyard, summer flowers were in full bloom, sending a faint fragrance everywhere. Fortunately, the sun had already dipped somewhat, so it wasn’t as unbearably hot as high noon.
To get to the Nurtured Beauty Building, one had to pass the Green Lotus Pond. A wooden Zigzag Bridge spanned the pond. Wei Qingchen, leading Chu Mingxi by the hand, walked slowly across it.
The maids kept their distance, so as not to disturb the masters’ pleasant mood.
“What do you think of the Kang brothers, Kang Ze and Kang Xun?” Wei Qingchen asked.
“Hm?” The occasional breeze carried the extremely faint scent of lotus blossoms. Chu Mingxi raised her head and looked at her with slight confusion.
“When you mentioned Mingyu’s marriage, I suddenly thought of the Kang brothers,” Wei Qingchen said. “They both have military merits to their name. Although it’s just a minor Sixth Rank, if they follow Father onto the battlefield in the future, they’ll certainly achieve great things. In our household, we know their background and character well. You probably also have a fair idea of their moral character.”
“The Kang brothers seem a little older than you?” Chu Mingxi asked after consideration. “And they still haven’t been betrothed?”
“Not yet. Kang Ze is two years older than me, and Kang Xun is the same age as me.” Wei Qingchen sighed. “This actually involves me. Years ago, when I was ambushed by enemy troops in the Northern Region, Vice General Kang died on the battlefield saving my life. Father, feeling gratitude for his sacrifice, has practically raised the Kang brothers as foster sons. But their marriages… Father probably hasn’t had the time to think of it all at once. And so, things have dragged on to this day.”
Chu Mingxi nodded. With one hand lifting her skirt hem and the other resting in Wei Qingchen’s palm, she slowly walked down the steps off the Zigzag Bridge.
“I’ll discuss this matter with Mother when I get back, and also subtly probe Mingyu’s own feelings. When it comes to her own marriage, it must ultimately be someone she herself likes.”
Her hand was slender and soft. Holding it, Wei Qingchen just felt it was so exquisitely fine and moving. Only after she was standing steadily on the stone path did Wei Qingchen raise her eyes, her gentle smile full of affection.
“What is it?” Her smile contained unspoken words; Chu Mingxi could tell.
Wei Qingchen walked a couple of steps with her before softening her voice and asking, “What about you then? Your marriage—do you like it?”
Chu Mingxi’s hand tightened slightly, and a blush quickly spread across her face.
Wei Qingchen sensed it, and the smile on her face grew more exuberant. “My Lady~~~”
Chu Mingxi’s cheeks were still flushed, but the tip of her eyebrow gently lifted. She deflected the question with effortless grace. “I’m not telling you~”
Wei Qingchen was about to ask again when Chu Mingxi pointed ahead. “We’re almost at the Nurtured Beauty Building. Heir Apparent, please watch the path.”
Holding her hand, Wei Qingchen smiled gently and let the matter rest for the moment.
Inside the Nurtured Beauty Building, Eldest Brother and Third Brother had already arrived. The brothers, having not seen each other for a long time, each exchanged news and pleasantries. The two sisters-in-law, Qin Nuannuan and Chu Mingxi, also smiled and politely conversed. Little Sister Bao was also there; her little short legs could now already run all around the hall.
After waiting a little longer, the Grand General and the Grand Princess both arrived. The three brothers together went to the South Courtyard to invite the Old Titled Lady. Only then did this family banquet truly begin.
Chu Mingxi stood beside the Grand Princess, serving her mother-in-law a few dishes. The Grand Princess said, “Go sit next to Qingchen. Look at him staring over here with eager eyes. I can’t even eat properly.”
Everyone laughed merrily and looked over to that side. Even the thick-skinned Wei Qingchen just pursed her lips in a smile. It was Chu Mingxi whose face blushed a faint shade of red.
With so many descendants filling the hall, Old Madam Wei was very happy. She pointed at Qin Nuannuan, who was attending her, and said to Qin Nuannuan, “You should also go sit next to Eldest Brother. Otherwise, Eldest Brother will be staring at me the whole time, too.”
Ha ha ha ha! The entire room laughed even more heartily.
Grand General Wei Huaishu laughed uproariously and had someone add small tables. Even the two Secondary Wives, who usually didn’t sit at the main table, were granted seats.
Qin Nuannuan and Chu Mingxi exchanged a smile and each returned to their husband’s side. Wei Qingchen’s eyes indeed never left her wife for a moment, not until she was safely settled beside her. Eldest Brother Wei Chengxian, meanwhile, raised his cup of wine and toasted Father Marshal for the great victory at Huazhou.
Qin Nuannuan watched coldly from the side, and joined the toast as well, raising her wine cup. Using her long sleeve as a screen, she masked the chill in the depths of her eyes.
Wei Chengxian was extremely self-satisfied tonight. During the Battle of Huazhou, he had fought fiercely against the Liao soldiers, courageously charging ahead all the way. He had accumulated considerable military merit. He only had to wait for the imperial court to discuss and distribute rewards; his rank might well become comparable to Wei Qingchen’s.
Thinking this, his unconcealed excitement and pride were hard to contain. He held back the provocation in his eyes with difficulty, and across half the hall, raised his wine cup toward Wei Qingchen.
A dinner party carried along on wind and waves.
That night was very enjoyable. When the banquet ended, the younger generation all stood together before the hall, seeing off the Old Titled Lady and their Father and Mother who departed first. Only then did the brothers each return to their own courtyards.
Third Brother Wei Jiewu had long since passed the age of fifteen and lived alone in the Bamboo Wind Courtyard, which was not far from Wei Qingchen’s residence, Yearning Hall. Thus, he walked part of the way with Second Brother and Second Sister-in-law.
Lights were lit throughout the mansion. The courtyards were naturally somewhat dim, so maids led the way back and forth, all carrying lanterns. Wei Jiewu walked beside his elder brother, talking with her about this Battle of Huazhou. The three young masters of the Grand General’s Mansion had all followed their father onto the battlefield at age twelve. But this was his first time serving in the Vanguard Army. When he spoke of the decisive final battle, he was truly animated and exultant.
“It’s a pity you and the Kang brothers weren’t there. Otherwise, the five of us brothers could have withstood the Liao millions!”
“Ha ha ha ha!” Wei Qingchen laughed heartily, clapping her hands. “How would you withstand the Liao millions—each of you fighting two hundred thousand alone?”
Wei Jiewu also chuckled, rubbing his own head. “I just meant that we’re very formidable.”
“I believe Third Brother means that a thousand armies are easily raised, but a single capable general is hard to find,” Chu Mingxi added from the side.
“Yes, yes, yes! Second Sister-in-law is right.” Wei Jiewu nodded vigorously. “That’s exactly the principle.”
Wei Qingchen’s eyes curved as she smiled slightly at her wife. Since the Kang brothers had come up, she said to Chu Mingxi, “When do you plan to tell Mother-in-law? Shall I go with you? By rights, Kang Ze, being the elder brother, should be considered first. But I keep feeling Kang Xun’s temperament might be a more suitable match.”
Chu Mingxi concentrated and thought for a moment without speaking. Wei Jiewu spoke first, “What are you two talking about? What’s more suitable? The Kang brothers and who?”
Wei Qingchen laughed. “About marriage, of course. When men come of age, they should marry; when women grow up, they should wed.”
By this time, they had gradually reached a fork in the path. Wei Jiewu suddenly stopped beneath the tall lamp at the road’s end, his brow furrowed. “You and Sister-in-law aren’t talking about the Second Miss Chu’s marriage, are you?”
