While some people prioritized interests over blood relations, others valued affection deeply. Even if they hadn’t met their relatives many times since childhood, they still cherished them dearly.
Wei Luo deeply appreciated his uncle’s kindness and did not want to abandon his cousin in the County Lord’s mansion. Despite his reluctance to entertain her further, he couldn’t bear to leave her alone.
Two days later, Wei Luo took the opportunity of entering the palace to report to his father and then visited Xianfu Hall again.
Concubine Shun harbored a certain fear of her son. Although he had been sullen in his youth, as he approached thirty, he grew increasingly imposing. Concubine Shun’s reverence for her son even exceeded that for Emperor Yongping.
If Wei Luo’s wife had been present, Concubine Shun would have felt more at ease, but with her son visiting alone, she felt restless.
Upon Wei Luo’s request, the palace attendants withdrew, leaving the mother and son alone. He pulled up a chair beside her, sat down, and brought up the topic of his cousin’s marriage.
Clasping her hands, Concubine Shun assured, “You speak, my son. Mother will listen.”
In a voice audible only to Concubine Shun, Wei Luo discussed the court situation, explaining why he had ceased private interactions with the Feng family.
Residing deep within the palace, Concubine Shun was unaware of the situation outside and the discussions among common people. However, after her son’s explanation, she immediately grasped the situation.
Emperor Yongping’s initiation of war was solely aimed at securing the throne. Therefore, the people were talking about the possibility that his sons could take the same route later on.
Concubine Shun’s complexion turned pale.
Wei Luo gently held his mother’s hand and reassured her, saying, “Mother, don’t worry. Eldest Brother is the eldest son and has been prudent and virtuous. He is likely to be the Crown Prince. I’ve always been cautious, but I just don’t want to arouse unnecessary suspicion. This matter is significant. Please don’t disclose it to anyone, including the palace attendants around you, and especially not to my cousin.”
Concubine Shun nodded repeatedly, affirming that as a mother, she would never do anything to harm her son.
Wei Luo continued, “My cousin wishes to marry a lord. If I were to arrange for her to have real power, it would certainly raise suspicions. I will only arrange for her to marry a lord who has fallen from grace, someone elderly and with no accomplishments. Anything else would harm her.”
Concubine Shun’s tears flowed freely as she choked up and expressed her agreement, saying, “Yes, Mother hopes she will marry an honest man, someone who will treat her well, and whose family background can provide for her needs. But when she cries, I can’t help but feel worried.”
Wei Luo handed a handkerchief to his mother and comforted her, saying, “You don’t need to worry, Mother. I have everything under control.”
Concubine Shun trusted her son wholeheartedly. Despite his cold demeanor, she knew he had his own plans.
As Wei Luo left the palace, he took along a nanny from the Xianfu Hall, stating that Concubine Shun had rewarded her to Wen Ruyue. From that day on, this nanny, Huang, would obey Wei Luo’s orders.
Wei Luo personally escorted Huang to Wen Ruyue’s mansion.
Nanny Huang greeted Wen Ruyue and then withdrew from the hall. Wei Luo instructed Wen Ruyue’s two servant girls to leave as well.
Wen Ruyue had long anticipated the chance to speak with her cousin alone. Now that it had arrived, she couldn’t help but feel nervous, especially as she observed his increasingly cold expression.
“I heard from my mother that you wish to marry a lord, why is that?” Wei Luo inquired, his gaze fixed on the floor in front of Wen Ruyue.
Wen Ruyue bit her lip. She had already explained her reasons to her aunt, and she believed her cousin was aware of them too. Yet, his questioning suggested he was unwilling to assist her.
However, knowing her cousin was a Prince, she couldn’t understand why he would find it difficult to help his only cousin find a suitable husband. She had heard of instances where Yin Hui’s grandfather had an official title and Yin Hui’s cousin-in-law became a fifth-rank official, all thanks to Wei Luo’s assistance.
She had no desire to marry a young nobleman; wouldn’t it be acceptable to marry a widower in his forties?
She couldn’t compare herself to Yin Hui, but she was his cousin, and she was a decent official lady. She couldn’t end up with a worse marriage than Yin Hui’s cousin!
If she wanted dignity, she would have no future. If she wanted a future, she had to speak.
Wen Ruyue had risked everything before, and now she would not let go of this last chance to marry into a noble family. Otherwise, as time went on, the guilt of her cousin and aunt would fade away.
Lowering her head, Wen Ruyue said pitifully, “I don’t want to lose face in front of my cousin and aunt, and privately, I want to marry an honorable husband so that no one will dare to bully and ridicule me anymore.”
Wei Luo’s face remained expressionless. “A truly respectable son of a noble family will only marry a young lady even if he loses his wife. If I were to arrange a match for you, even my mother would be ridiculed.”
Hearing this, Wen Ruyue picked up the handkerchief and cried out loudly, “I was wrong! I shouldn’t make things difficult for my cousin. Don’t worry, Cousin, I would rather not marry than cause trouble for you and my aunt.”
Wei Luo replied coolly, “Well, it doesn’t matter if you don’t marry. As the County Lord, you have all the glory and wealth. Why bother going to your husband’s house to serve your in-laws?”
“It doesn’t matter if I don’t marry?” Wen Ruyue was so shocked that she stopped crying abruptly and looked at Wei Luo in disbelief.
Wei Luo simply glanced outside the door. “As the County Lord, you should conduct yourself accordingly. Learn from Madam Huang first. After three months, I will come to visit you again.”
With that, Wei Luo left indifferently.
Wen Ruyue was stunned for a long time before she realized she wanted to chase after him, but Madam Huang stopped her, took Wen Ruyue’s arm, and said, “Don’t chase after him, County Lord. This was all the Empress’s intention. The Empress told the Emperor to grant you the county seat. As a lord, you are half a member of the royal family, and your manners and rules should naturally be on par with those of the royal family. When you have learned proper etiquette, the Prince and Princess will take you out to socialize. Won’t that be wonderful?” Wen Ruyue looked into Madam Huang’s eyes. But her mind was filled with her cousin’s words, “It doesn’t matter if you don’t marry.”