When Zhao Liuli and Liang Yu Rong received the news that Wei Luo would be immediately leaving, they hurriedly came over to ask why. She had only been here a day and had previously said she would stay here for a month to keep Zhao Liuli company. Why was she suddenly leaving?

Zhao Liuli naturally didn't want her to leave. Broken-hearted at the idea that she was leaving, she asked, "Do you have to go? Was it because you weren't used to living here? I'll have the servants change your room. You can stay with me at Yu Quan Courtyard."

The problem wasn't that she felt uncomfortable staying here. Wei Luo simply shook her head and said, "Something happened with my family and I have to go back. When my family matter is resolved, I'll come back here."

Wei Luo didn't elaborate further. It wasn't because she wanted to give consideration to Wei Zheng's reputation. She was doing this for herself. If other women found out about what Wei Zheng had done, it wouldn't be good for any of the unmarried women in Duke Ying's residence. It might even damage her reputation. She knew that Zhao Liuli and Liang Yu Rong wouldn't gossip, but before the matter was resolved, it would be better if she didn't tell them for now.

Zhao Liuli felt very lost. Originally, she had wanted Wei Luo to stay for a few more days, so that this summer wouldn't be boring. She hadn't expected that she would be leaving so early. In the end, she didn't succeed in persuading her, so she prepared a carriage and arranged a few guards for her so that she would be safe when descended the mountain.

When Wei Luo returned to Duke Ying's residence, it was dusk. She asked the servants about Wei Kun's location and found out that he was in the main courtyard talking with Duke Ying and Old Madam. So, she directly went to her maternal grandparent's main room instead of going back to Pine Courtyard.

When she arrived, she heard them discussing her marriage.

Yesterday, Song Bai Ye had come to Duke Ying's residence to cancel the engagement. He said that previous decision to engage their children before Wei Luo was born was too impulsive. Now that Jiang Miao Lan wasn't here, they should consider their children's opinions. Anyways, it was a bunch of words that didn't have any logic behind them. Duke Ying was so angry that he didn't even ask him to stay to drink tea before hurrying him out.

Wei Kun also felt this was rather unexpected. Their discussion had been fine a few days ago. They had settled the marriage and were about send the betrothal gifts. Wei Luo would be married after her hairpin ceremony. Why did they suddenly change their minds?

Right now, Duke Ying was still angry. He asserted that he would no longer have any dealings with Count Zhong Yi's family. The mama next to Old Madam tried to persuade, "Old Master Duke, calm down. It's better that Count Zhong Yi's family broke faith and canceled the marriage now. Otherwise, Fourth Miss might suffer after she's married... Fourth Miss is beautiful and clever. If she doesn't have an engagement, the people coming to the residence to propose will be as numerous as fishes in a river. Why is there any reason for you worry about finding her a good marriage?"

Listening to her words, Wei Kun nodded in agreement. Just as he was about to speak, a servant girl came inside to say, "Old Master Duke and Old Madam, Fourth Miss is here."

Then, they saw Wei Luo walk out from behind the servant girl. She passed through the doorway and saluted to the people inside, "Daddy, paternal grandfather, paternal grandmother."

Wei Kun was wearing a navy blue silk robe and sitting in an ironwood chair. Seeing that she had come back without any notice, he was rather startled, "Ah Luo? Why have you come back? Didn't you go Zi Yu Villa to accompany Princess Tianji?"

Duke Ying and Old Madam also had surprise expression on their faces.

Wei Luo lifted her skirt, kneeled in the center of the room, looked down, and said, "Ah Luo has something to say to daddy, paternal grandfather, and paternal grandmother."

She was rarely this solemn. Wei Kun vaguely felt that something meaningful must have happened.

As expected, Wei Luo had Jin Lu bring a small porcelain bottle over to him as she said, "This was found underneath fifth younger sister's pillow. Daddy, please look."

Wei Kun took the bottle, turned it over, and suddenly stiffened when he saw the word on the bottom of the bottle. Although he didn't go to the red-light district, he had heard of some officials using this type of thing to increase interest as their hobby after being immersed in the depravedness of officialdom for so many years. He knew that this was something that came from the red-light district. Utterly shocked, he looked at Wei Luo. "You said that you found this underneath Wei Zheng's pillow?"

Wei Luo nodded and immediately said, "It's Ah Luo's fault for being useless. I didn't teach younger sister well, so she learned this type of filthy method..."

Then, she narrated what had happened this morning. She didn't add any details to make the story more interesting. She only said what she had seen, but this was already enough for the people to clearly understand what had happened. By the time she finished speaking, one after another, Duke Ying and Old Madam had gasped in surprise.

Although she had put the blame on herself, no one here would blame her. Instead, they would compare her to Wei Zheng. This would only clearly and obviously show her sensibility.

Wei Kun's face was ashen. He didn't seem able to say a single word.

Duke Ying's face turned white for a period of time. He was a stubborn old man that followed the rules inflexibly and couldn't stand a disregard for authority and social decency. He loudly slapped the Eight Immortal style table and raged, "Where's Wei Zheng? Bring Wei Zheng here to see me!"

Wei Luo said, "Fifth Younger Sister is still at Zi Yu Villa."

Duke Ying didn't care where she was. He immediately ordered people to go Zi Yu Villa and bring her back. There couldn't be even a moment of delay!

He had already been in a bad mood over Song Bai Ye breaking the engagement and now Wei Zheng had caused this type of scandal. It really was pouring oil into a fire. He was so angry that there was almost steam coming out from his head.

On the same day, very late at night, Wei Zheng returned from Zi Yu Villa

Just as she came down from the carriage, Duke Ying called her to the ancestral hall that was in the back of the residence.

Duke Ying had her kneeling in the ancestral hall to receive her punishment. Faced with the long table that was lined with the ancestral tablets, she was disciplined according to family law. Wei Zheng knew that Duke Ying was truly angry and couldn't avoid being beaten today. She didn't beg for mercy and only lowered her head without saying a word. She knew it would hurt, but when then cane struck her body, she still couldn't help crying out in pain.

When Duke Ying saw the light green and purple bruises on her neck, he angrily struck her again instead of becoming more lenient. "Where did you learn this from? Did Du-shi teach you this? How could such a shameless girl come from my residence? I... I have to beat you to death!"

Wei Zheng had been scared of the Duke Ying since she was a child. He was too solemn and stern. She didn't dare to resist even though her body was covered in injuries. Crying, she collapsed on the ground and begged Wei Kun, who was on the side, "Daddy, I know I was wrong... Please save me..."

Wei Kun was also angry that she had done something so immoral. He waved his sleeve and walked out of the ancestral hall.

In total, Duke Ying had hit her twenty times. Just as he was about to continue, her painful body twitched, her eyes rolled back, and she fainted.

~

By early next morning, everyone in Duke Ying's residence knew about this matter.

Wei Zheng no longer had her virginity. She couldn't marry anyone else, other than Li Song.

However, the problem was... Would Prince Ru Yang's family accept her?

Although she had to be disciplined, Wei Zheng was still his daughter. Even if Wei Kun was angry, he still had to be responsible for her. He found time in the midst of pressing affairs to go to Prince Ru Yang's residence to discuss Wei Zheng and Li Song's marriage.

But, Prince Ru Yang's family didn't intend to recognize her as a future daughter-in-law!

When Elder Princess Gao Yang heard the entire story, she was extremely angry about this matter. She felt that it was Wei Zheng who had defiled her son. Originally, she had intended to properly scold Wei Zheng. However, because she was speaking to Wei Kun, she lightened her tone even though she was angry. "It's not that I'm unreasonable, but her behavior was too despicable. Is this something that a daughter from a noble family should do? No matter what, I won't agree to Song-er marrying her."

Wei Kun had a stomach full of words. After mulling over his thoughts, he finally said, "It's not completely my daughter's fault. If your esteemed son didn't enter a girl's bedroom in the middle of the night, how would this have happened? Logically, your esteemed son is also at fault. "

Sitting at a seat below, with her head lowered, Li Xiang fiddled with her newly painted nail polish and quietly muttered, "How could my older brother like her? She must have seduced my older brother..."

Wei Kun's face stiffened.

Not only did Elder Princess Gao Yang not scold her, she approved of her words. Prince Ru Yang's family and Duke Ying's didn't have good relationship to begin with. The plan for Wei Chang Hong and Li Xiang's marriage had come to nothing. Later, the two sides became even more deadlock as they had more disputes. Whenever both sides met, neither side would have a pleasant face. And, now something like this had happened. 

If it weren't because they were friends when they were younger, Elder Princess Gao Yang would have already driven Wei Kun out of the residence. After thinking for a moment, Elder Princess Gao Yang said, "It's not impossible for Wei Zheng to enter our family, but she can't be his wife. The position of House Li's wife isn't reserved for this type of girl. If she's willing, she can enter our family as a concubine."

This was a bit too much.

At any rate, Wei Zheng was Duke Ying's granddaughter. Her mother was the official wife. For her to be Prince Ru Yang's heir's concubine, it wouldn't be acceptable whether it was sentimentally or logically!

Wei Kun clenched his hand around the armrest. He had to mention old debts. "When Chang Hong was injured by your esteem son, House Wei didn't pursue this matter. If my daughter is married into Prince Ru Yang's family, I'll let bygones be bygones..."

In this matter, Elder Princess Gao Yang was very much in the wrong.

Back then, the two families had agreed about this marriage and both sides were satisfied. She hadn't expected that her son would injure someone else's son and caused them to part on bad terms! Later, House Wei had suffered silently without demanding an explanation from them. The matter was left unsettled. If this matter was brought up, their family really did owe House Wei a favor.

Elder Princess Gao Yang's face slightly softened, but she was still very reluctant. As a daughter of House Wei, Wei Zheng's status was more than enough to be her son's wife. But, her heart still felt disgusted that she would enter her family after using such a method. In light of Li Song's qualifications, he could marry any type of girl, whether it was dignified and moral, or proper and magnanimous. For him to hang himself onto a crooked tree like Wei Zheng, how could she not feel it was unfortunate?

Elder Princess Gao Yang didn't say anything and Wei Kun wouldn't concede. The current scene was very awkward.

Standing at the doorway, Li Song was wearing an ink-colored robe embroidered with golden thread. With his eyes looking down, he thought for a long time before finally entering the room.

He saluted Prince Ru Yang and Elder Princess Gao Yang and said, "Mother, I'll marry her."

Elder Princess Gao Yang was started. She incredulously exclaimed, "Song-er?" She thought that Li Song had said this so that she wouldn't be put into a difficult position and hurriedly said, "Don't worry. Mother will handle this for you..."

He curved his lips. He was clearly smiling, but there wasn't the slightest trace of a smile in his eyes. Instead, there was an obstinate struggle. "Anyways, I reached a marriageable age. I have to marry someone. It might as well be Wei Zheng."

He had his own selfish motives. Previously, he had thought a lot while standing outside. He wouldn't be able to marry Wei Luo in this lifetime. It wouldn't be bad to be her brother-in-law. At least, in this lifetime, they would always have a connection. She wouldn't be able to get rid of him.

Elder Princess wasn't the only one that was startled. On the side, Li Xiang was also extremely shocked. She stood up and said, "Older brother, did you become stupid? How could that type of woman be suitable to enter out family? Don't you find her dirty?"

Hearing these words, Wei Kun's face became very ugly.

Li Song didn't reply. He looked at Wei Kun and indifferently said, "But, I have a condition."

"Say it." Wei Kun said.

"After we're married, she can't meddle with anything I do. My mother will continue to manage Prince Ru Yang's residence's household affairs."

This meant that Wei Zheng would be marrying into an empty position. There wouldn't be any benefit to marrying him.

This was already pretty good. At least, she would still be married. It was better than losing her innocence and staying at home until she became an old spinster. Wei Kun hesitated for a moment. In the end, he still nodded and agreed.

Even if Elder Princess Gao Yang didn't want to agree, her son had already spoken. She didn't have another option and could only accept this. Wei Kun didn't leave Prince Ru Yang's residence until the two families spent an hour discussing the details of the marriage.

Three days later, people from Prince Ru Yang's residence sent over betrothal gifts. The gifts were for fifth branch's Fifth Miss.

The betrothal gifts were carried over by only thirty-six people. It was a pitiful amount. It showed how indifferent the groom's family was about this marriage. Wei Kun was displeased about this in his heart, but he didn't say anything. It was Wei Zheng's fault for being a disappointment. She had pre-marital sex. Why wouldn't they think lowly of her?

After the wedding date was settled, every few days, the women from noble families talked about how House Wei's Fifth Miss was going to marry before her hairpin adulthood ceremony. The marriage had been decided so quickly and the groom's family didn't even give decent betrothal gifts. People who used their heads tried to guessed what had happened. There was a lot of gossip and none of it was good for Wei Zheng's reputation.

Wei Zheng and Li Song's wedding was scheduled at the end of the next month. The timing was too short. Everyone in Duke Ying's residence was busy with preparing for Wei Zheng's wedding.

On the surface, no one said anything. But, they couldn't resist secretly gossiping about her with disapproving words. For her own family to be like this, it wasn't necessary to say how outsiders viewed her.

~

Today, Wei Luo was visiting fourth branch's Plum Courtyard. Fourth Madam Qin-shi was helping Wei Zheng by embroidering her wedding veil.

Wei Zheng's mother was in Gingko Courtyard and couldn't help her, so Qin-shi was helping Wei Zheng with these things. Seeing Wei Luo enter the room, Qin-shi gestured for her to come to her side. "Ah Luo, come look. How does the embroidery for this pair of mandarin duck look?"

Qin-shi's embroidery skills were very good. She was the best in her family before she married. Her skills hadn't diminished over the years. The pair of mandarin ducks in her hands was very vivid and realistic as if there really was a pair of birds right in front of them.

Wei Luo moved closer to look and praised, "It's really good. If I didn't look carefully, I might mistakenly believe they're real. Fourth Aunt, will you teach me how to make this later?"

Wei Luo's embroidery skills weren't very good because she hadn't seriously spent time learning it. Every time she tried, she would prick her fingers. Later, she became disinclined to continue practicing because of her dislike of pain.

Qin-shi smiled after hearing her words. The gloomy mood she had during the past few days also improved.

Qin-shi's eyes felt strained from embroidering, so she stood up and put the needlework to the side on a flat basket-tray. She sincerely said to Wei Luo, "If you want to learn, I'll teach you whenever you come over here. As a girl, it's better if you know how to embroider. When you marry into your husband's family, they'll have a better opinion of you." Then she paused and thought of the matter in the residence. She couldn't help sighing, "Definitely don't be like Wei Zheng... Even if she's getting married, her husband's family will look down upon her."

Wei Luo pursed her lips and didn't say anything. Wei Zheng's ending was her own fault. It couldn't be blamed on someone else.

Qin-shi sat down next to her and took her hand to say, "Ah Luo, you're a clever and understanding child. Fourth Aunt has never had to worry about you... But, this type of thing has happened to Wei Zheng and your engagement with House Song has been canceled. I've been feeling uneasy during the past few days."

Wei Luo faintly smiled and asked a rhetorical question, "What is Fourth Aunt worrying about? What could happen to me?"

Qin-shi paused and finally said, "You're so good. House Song is blind. You'll definitely marry someone even better... Fourth Aunt only hopes that you'll know your place and not be as foolish as Wei Zheng. She gave herself before marriage and her husband's family won't treat her well after she's married.

Wei Luo froze for a moment. She thought of something and her expression immediately became uneasy.

Although she and Zhao Jie hadn't taken anything too far, he always couldn't resist holding and hugging her every time they met. She didn't know if Fourth Aunt was referring to this... It was totally Zhao Jie's fault. It was one thing for him to kiss her. Last time, when they were at the countryside, he said he would help her by rubbing... She blushed, coughed, and pretended to be calm when she said, "Fourth Aunt, don't worry. I definitely won't follow in her footsteps."

Hearing her promise, Qin-shi patted her hand and let go of her concerns.

Wei Luo had dinner with Qin-shi, then Wei Chang Mi, that little calf bothered her for an hour. When she left Plum Courtyard, the sky was already completely dark. She went back to her room to take a bath, then she changed into a magnolia-colored thin robe. After her hair dried, she lied down in bed and quickly fell asleep.

--------

The moon was suspended in the sky. The night was silent.

Most of the people in Pine Courtyard were resting in their rooms, only the occasional servant girl responsible for night vigil would be walking in the verandah.

There was the sound of lonely insects chirping in the courtyard. Occasionally, the wind would pass through and leave behind the sound of rustling leaves.