After dinner, the wet nurse put Xiao Heng to bed. Xiao Heng loved the grassland, relishing the time spent running around with Sanlang and others. He also enjoyed catching grasshoppers with his little bottom in the air.
Yin Hui rinsed her mouth and noticed Wei Luo reading a book on the nearby couch. She decided to take a bath first, uncertain if Wei Luo would check Cui Yu’s “body” for her.
Wei Luo was known for being serious and rigid, but when it came to this matter, he would go out of his way. Yin Hui, a close friend with Wei Ying, knew of Wei Ying’s deep-rooted love for Cui Yu and the rumors about him being a eunuch in her previous life.
If Wei Luo confirmed that Cui Yu was indeed a eunuch, Yin Hui planned to inform Wei Ying so that she could move on. If Cui Yu turned out to be a normal man, it was Wei Ying’s freedom to persist in liking him, and Yin Hui wouldn’t interfere.
She dared not meddle further; Wei Ying might not listen if she advised her to give up. If Yin Hui supported Wei Ying’s liking for Cui Yu, King Yan would be displeased with his daughter-in-law. Moreover, Yin Hui was unwilling to support Wei Ying in a matter that could violate norms and end badly.
Putting on her inner clothes and leaving the bathroom, Yin Hui saw Wei Luo preparing to go there with a change of clothes. The couple bumped into each other, but Wei Luo didn’t look at her, likely still upset. Yin Hui discreetly moved aside, allowing Wei Luo to pass, and then went to bed alone.
About fifteen minutes later, Wei Luo returned and asked Jinzhan and Yinzhan to turn off the lights and leave. Before the lights went out, Wei Luo glanced at the head of the bed. Yin Hui lay facing that side, her long eyelashes closed, and her brows furrowed as if she had fallen asleep.
The maid gently closed the door, and Wei Luo lifted the quilt to lie down. After a while, he turned to Yin Hui and asked, “Do you really want to waste time because of a rumor?”
Yin Hui finally made a slight movement to indicate she was still awake, then spoke calmly, “Actually, whether it’s true or not doesn’t matter to me. But have you ever experienced that feeling when you hear a secret from someone you know—a very outrageous secret, and no one can confirm its truth? It makes you feel particularly uncomfortable, doesn’t it?”
Wei Luo had never encountered such a situation, but he understood what she meant. “I will arrange for Chang Feng to find an opportunity to investigate,” Wei Luo agreed, opting for a more subtle approach. What he promised, he would undoubtedly fulfill.
Yin Hui was taken aback. She wouldn’t have found it strange if he had refused, but Wei Luo’s agreement left her feeling flattered and moved.
After she lifted his quilt, Yin Hui hugged him. She placed her face on his chest and said, “You are so kind.” The man seemed to snort. Yin Hui didn’t hear the sound but felt the wind blowing through her hair.
“I don’t want to listen to such gossip in the future,” Wei Luo said coldly.
Yin Hui playfully rubbed against him with a smile, teasing, “So, what kind of gossip do you want to hear? When we just arrived, I heard that the eldest brother had to walk with his legs crossed after riding a horse for the first time.”
Wei Luo fell silent for a moment, then touched the corner of her mouth, gently tugging and saying, “That’s the elder brother; you should respect him.”
Seizing the opportunity, Yin Hui deliberately flattered him, saying, “I only respect you, who excels in both civil and military affairs. You took the first place, and others envy me.”
Wei Luo was visibly upset by her words and pushed her away.
The next morning, Wei Luo approached the desk by the window, spread out the rice paper and inscribed a line of small characters on one side. Once the ink dried, he tore off a thin strip of paper and folded it up.
Before setting off to accompany his father, Wei Luo handed the note to Chang Feng and whispered, “Do it as soon as possible.”
Chang Feng accepted the order solemnly. After his master left, he found a secluded corner with a serious expression to unfold the paper. Upon reading it, his expression became extremely complicated. What kind of errand was this? He’d rather be beaten by Liao Shisan again than do it.
On August thirteenth, King Yan hunted during the day, instructing the cooks to skin the prey at dusk and set up a bonfire for a barbecue. He also summoned his three sons and civil servants who couldn’t participate in the hunt, and everyone enjoyed the feast.
Amidst the wine and meat, there were singers and dancers. Considering that Concubine Xu and other female relatives were absent, the dresses worn by the singers that night were cooler, and their dancing postures were more enchanting and moving.
The military officers had been in the limelight on the hunting grounds. That night, King Yan sought to engage with civilian officials and asked them to compose poems on the autumn hunting theme.
The elder son, Wei Yang, and the second elder, Wei Yan, finally had a chance to perform and took the lead in reciting their own poems. King Yan nodded approvingly and then turned his gaze to Wei Luo.
Wei Luo stated, “This son is not adept at poetry, so I won’t embarrass myself.” King Yan didn’t press the matter. The fourth brother, Wei Xuan, expressed the same sentiment. Though the fifth brother, Wei Jing, was only thirteen years old, he also created a commendable poem.
King Yan was pleased. The youngest child deserved to have inherited half of the Cui family’s blood.
Next when it was Cui Yu’s turn to compose a poem, Wei Luo observed in silence. Despite their familiarity due to Cui Yu’s past residence in the palace and shared studies, they rarely engaged in conversations.