Zhao Jie had been gentle at the beginning of last night. Later on, he had probably remembered Wei Luo's words about getting a divorce and had been intent on punishing on her. Both of his hands had been pressed down on the sides of her head as he leaned over to bit her ear. Each bite was fiercer than the previous one. Wei Luo couldn't endure it and clung to his shoulders while crying for mercy. There were several long scratches on his shoulder and back because of her that still hadn't fade away by morning.

After being tossed around for half a night, Wei Luo woke up the next morning with a sore waist and wobbly legs. She didn't even have the strength to drink her medicine.

Zhao Jie held the blue and white porcelain medicine bowl and helped Wei Luo drink the medicine spoonful by spoonful. After she finished drinking the medicine, he used his thumb to wipe away the medicinal concoction from the corners of her lips.

He asked, "Do you want to skip going to palace to pay respects today?"

Wei Luo raised her large, bright, limpid eyes. She wanted to viciously glare at him, but her eyes showed the love that she felt for him and it wasn't imposing at all. Instead, she only looked cutely spoiled as she said, "Imperial mother would have definitely found out that we summoned a doctor here. If I don't go to the palace to talk with her, she'll have strange and wild thoughts."

In this aspect, Wei Luo was very clever and sensible.

His young girl had considered this matter so thoughtfully. Zhao Jie's heart wanted to pamper her, but he also felt regretful. He rubbed her earlobe, "Do you want me to go with you?"

Wei Luo pushed him away, shook her head, and said, "Don't you have to go to Shen Ji Barracks? I'll go by myself. The empress has always treated me very well, she won't make things difficult for me." These words were meant to comfort not only Zhao Jie, but herself as well.

Zhao Jie smiled and said, "Don't worry. Imperial mother is a reasonable person. She'll understand."

Hearing his words, Wei Luo felt slightly calmer.

Then, he lowered his head to nip at her lips.

She subconsciously inhaled. The place that Zhao Jie had kissed her felt swollen and achy. She took out a small copper mirror that was decorated with flowering peonies from underneath a large red pillow to look at her face. She saw that skin on the corner of her lip was torn. It was red and swollen and very conspicuous. Wei Luo put down the mirror. Flustered and exasperated, Wei Luo asked, "You... How can I go out like this?"

Zhao Jie chuckled, "You can use lipstick to cover it later."

This was her only option. Wei Luo called Yun Gua and Yu Suo inside to assist her in changing her clothes. The weather was cool today because it had rained yesterday. Wei Luo selected a pleated skirt with pearls sewn into an eight-treasure-style pattern and a soft red top. She also had a sachet embroidered with a scroll pattern and a turquoise squirrel waist accessory tied to her waist sash. All in all, she looked refreshing and beautiful.

She sat at the black dressing table that was outlined in gold and had Yu Suo arranged her hair into a ling yun hairstyle. She rarely applied powder to her face when she went out. Her skin was naturally good. Even without applying makeup, her skin was as eye-catching and as lustrous as gems. Most of the time, she would be done after applying eyebrow powder.

However, after she carefully applied a layer of white powder today, she picked up the rouge that been made from pomegranates and lightly dabbed her lips with it. When she was finished, the torn part of her lips wasn't as noticeable anymore.

After she was dressed and was done with her makeup, she unexpectedly saw that Zhao Jie had stopped by the entrance. His phoenix eyes stared at her with an unfathomable gaze.

Wei Luo asked, "What's wrong?"

Zhao Jie raised his hand, but he resisted the urge to wipe off her lipstick in the end. He only said, "Remember to wear your veil hat when going out. You're not allowed to let other men see your face." After their wedding, Zhao Jie's possessiveness of Wei Luo had only increased. Seeing Wei Luo wearing makeup and dressed up so beautifully, he felt worried.

Wei Luo rolled her eyes. "I'm going to the palace to see the empress. Why would I see other men?"

Zhao Jie ordered Jin Lu to bring a veil hat and he personally put it on her head. He looked at her at again before allowing her to leave the residence.

--------

Wei Luo found out that Empress Chen wasn't at Zhao Yang Hall after she arrived at Qing Xi Palace. Instead, the empress had gone to palace's training field to practice her equestrianism.

Wei Luo didn't find this strange. Empress Chen came from a general's family. In addition, horse riding and archery was part of her previous profession. No one would dare to stop her when she occasionally wanted to practice these skills.

When Wei Luo arrived at the training field, there were several dozens of guards by the entrance. A person with an elegant appearance and an unrestrained demeanor galloped past them. There was the loud sound of the horse's hooves striking the ground. Empress Chen was holding a bow decorated with animal horns. She placed an arrow into the bow and aimed the arrow at a target that was over a hundred steps away. Her movements were as natural and unforced as moving clouds and flowing water.

Wei Luo saw her hand releasing the arrow. The next second later, the arrow was firmly shot into the red spot on the target!

On the viewing platform, Zhao Liuli couldn't resist standing up and cheered, "Imperial mother's archery is so accurate!" Zhao Liuli's health wasn't good and the doctors had said she wasn't suitable for riding horses or shooting arrows. As a result, she could only sit here as a spectator.

Empress Chen went around the training field once before coming back. She stopped by Wei Luo and said with a smile, "Ah Luo, you know how to ride a horse, right? Do you want to have a match with this empress?"

Wei Luo knew her own abilities. She didn't dare to display her slight skill before an expert, so she tactfully declined, "I haven't brought riding clothes today. I'm afraid I can't compete with imperial mother."

Empress Chen didn't put her in a difficult spot. She said it was fine with a smile, rode the horse back to the archery range, and practiced shooting a few more arrows. One after another, her arrows struck the center of the targets.

Wei Luo caught a glimpse of Emperor Chong Zhen standing at the entrance from her peripheral vision. He was wearing a dragon robe. He had probably just returned from the imperial court and hadn't had time to change to another robe before coming here.

Emperor Chong's gaze was fixated on Empress Chen and his eyes followed Empress Chen's every moment. His hands were behind his back. He seemed as if he was recalling a distant memory from decades ago when he had look upon a powerful army. Unfortunately, that period of time was forever gone. It had long been grinded into fragments by time and imperial power. When he finally woke up to reality and saw the truth, there were many matters that couldn't be compensated.

Wei Luo looked away. She walked over to sit down by Zhao Liuli's side and asked, "Why made imperial mother want to practice equestrian archery?"

Zhao Liuli glanced at the emperor that was standing by the training area's entrance before picking up a bamboo ladle on the table to pour Wei Luo a bowl of sour plum soup. "Today is maternal grandfather's birthday. Maternal grandfather retired from his position and returned to the countryside a decade ago. Imperial mother hasn't seen him since then."

After hearing this, Wei Luo somewhat understood. Empress Chen's father had once been a famous, outstanding general. Because the general's meritorious serve was too great, Emperor Chong felt threatened and had suppressed House Chen. Empress Chen's father had probably been forced to retire.

No wonder Empress Chen didn't seem to be in a good mood today.

Wei Luo and Zhao Liuli continued talking. She eventually asked Liuli about her wedding with Yang Zhen. Zhao Liuli looked embarrassed, but there was a smile in her eyes. "Imperial mother doesn't want to be separated from me. She wants me to stay with her for a bit longer. So, my wedding will be May of next year."

Zhao Liuli would be eighteen years old next year. This age was slightly old to be getting married. However, she was a princess with a noble status, so it could be considered reasonable. It was only that Yang Zhen was quite pitiful. He had to wait another year before he could marry his fiancée.

A short while later, Empress Chen finished practicing equestrian archery and returned. She took a handkerchief that was embroidered with dogwood flowers from a place servant. As she wiped her sweat, she asked the two of them, "What are you two girls talking about? This empress sees that Liuli's face has turned red."

Zhao Liuli wouldn't allow Wei Luo to tell, so Wei Luo only faintly smiled and stayed silent.

It wasn't suitable for Zhao Liuli to stay outside for too long. Not much later, she was sent back to Chen Hua Hall by a mama.

After Zhao Liuli left, Empress Chen picked up Liuli's small, white and blue porcelain bowl and drank a few sips of sour plum soup. She looked at Wei Luo and said, "This empress already knows about Chang Sheng and your matter."

Wei Luo subconsciously straightened her back. Sitting upright and still, she said, "Imperial mother, I also have words that I want to say with you about this matter."

Empress Chen could guess what she wanted to say and interrupted her. She indicated that she didn't need to worry by saying, "Since you need to improve your health, this empress will have people deliver nourishing medicinal herbs. The medicinal herbs available outside of the palace aren't as comprehensive as inside the palace. If you're lacking in anything, tell this empress. There's no need to be polite with this empress."

Seeing that Wei Luo was startled and seemed confused, she lightly laughed and said, "Previously, this empress was too insistent and put you in a difficult position. Now, that this empress knows it's because your health isn't good and the matter can't be rushed. It's more important to focus on improving your health first."

Wei Luo opened and closed her mouth before she finally said, "Imperial mother, aren't you anxious about having a grandson?"

Empress Chen honestly said, "Of course. But is there any use in this empress feeling anxious? There's nothing that can be done. This empress can't force Chang Sheng to accept concubines." The empress was an open-minded person that wouldn't stubbornly insist something like that.

"Besides, if this really happened, not only would Chang Sheng object to this empress's action, so would you. This empress has no desire to do such an arduous and thankless task."

Wei Luo hadn't expected that Empress Chen would be so open-minded. On the contrary, her initial worries had been unnecessary. She was very moved by Empress Chen's words. She went forward and knelt down to sit next to Empress Chen. She looked like a sweet, obedient child. This was the first time she acted so intimate. "Imperial mother, you treat me so well. Older brother Prince Jing and me will definitely be very filial towards you in the future."

Empress Chen very naturally hugged her and stroked her hair like a mother doting on her daughter. She said with a smile, "Hmm, if this empress didn't say these words, were you deciding to not be filial towards this empress in the future?"

Wei Luo shook her head and honestly said, "I'll still be filial, but I probably won't be whole-heartedly filial."

Empress Chen laughed without restraint. She like forthright girls like Wei Luo the most. She had long become annoyed with seeing the sham gestures of politeness in the imperial harem.

Wei Luo and Empress Chen talked for a while. An hour passed without them noticing.

Wei Luo looked towards the training area's entrance. Emperor Chong Zhen had already left.

Seeing that it wasn't early anymore, just as Wei Luo was about to stand up and bid farewell, a palace servant wearing a green round-neck robe rushed over here and said to the empress, "Your Majesty, seventh princess and the two female officials that teach etiquette have fallen into a dispute. Seventh princess is about to punish the female officials."

Empress Chen faintly furrowed her eyebrows and said, "What happened?"

The palace servant reported the matter to the empress in full detail. It wouldn't be good for Wei Luo to continue to listen, so she tactfully left the training area.

When she reached the entrance, the wind stirred up the dust and dust blew into Wei Luo's eye. She stopped walking and furrowed her eyebrows in discomfort.

Jin Lu asked, "Miss, what happened?"

Wei Luo said, "Dust blew into my eye. Jin Lu, help me blow it out."

Jin Lu carefully looked at her eyes, and gently blew at Wei Luo's left eye. "Miss, is that better?"

Wei Luo couldn't resist rubbing her eye. Her eyes were red and her eye didn't feel better until a while later. She finally said, "It's okay. Let's continue walking."

As soon as she looked up, she saw a handsome solder wearing scale armor that went past his waist at the entrance. His bright eyes were looking at her through his pointed iron helmet. However, his gaze was a bit too excessively frank and made her feel uncomfortable.

He didn't return to his senses until a nearby person called out, "Military Officer Chen". He smiled at Wei Luo before looking away.

Wei Luo didn't notice his smile, much less take it seriously. After leaving the training area, she departed from the palace.

--------

Recently, Wei Luo had eaten many nourishing herbal supplements and drank numerous tonics. In addition to the ginseng and angelica sent by Empress Chen, there had been the fleeceflower root and caterpillar fungus Zhao Jie had sent people to Suzhou find and bring back. The money spent on just one day's worth of Wei Luo's herbal supplements would be enough for a normal family to buy a lifetime of rice.

However, it was difficult to avoid not getting tired of eating the herbal supplements. So, Zhao Jie had the cooks to figure out ways to incorporate the herbal supplements into their meals. In order to nourish her body faster, Wei Luo didn't complain much. She usually drank whatever was made for her to drink.

And so, three months passed like this. Wei Luo's little face become rosy and lustrous. She became even more beautiful than before. It could be seen that Doctor Sun's words were very reasonable. It was very important for a woman to enrich the blood and qi. She would be a huge disadvantage if her qi and blood were deficient.

Right now, it was late autumn. The ground was covered in a golden layer of ginko leaves in the outside courtyard. Outside, there was the sound of the chilly wind blowing by. Inside, Wei Luo was sitting in Zhao Jie's embrace. There was a slice of ginseng in her mouth and she was currently reading an invitation card in her hand to House Chen's Marquis Guang Xin's grandson one-month-old birthday celebration.

Marquis Guang Xin was a distant cousin of Empress Chen and they only had the slightest bit of familial connection. However, Emperor Chong Zhen had suppressed the House Chen greatly back then and this Marquis Guang Xin didn't have any true power. By the time the title of marquis had reached this current generation, it might be that family's last generation. They completely depended on their family's territory to support them. They probably wouldn't be able support themselves for much longer. For the sake of the next generation, their only choice was to seek connection and cling to a powerful person like Zhao Jie.

Wei Luo casually flipped over the invitation and asked for Zhao Jie's opinion, "Do you want to go?"

Zhao Jie increasingly liked to touch Wei Luo's little face. Her satiny face was fairer than a peeled hard-boiled egg. He unconcernedly said, "Didn't you say you were bored yesterday? It'll be good for you to go out and relieve your boredom."

Wei Luo considered for a moment, "Then, let's go. I'll have Jin Lu prepare a gift." After saying this, she wanted to jump down from Zhao Jie's lap, but Zhao Jie stopped her by holding onto her waist and pressed her back down to her original position. She tilted her head and asked, "Is there something else?"

Zhao Jie's hand slipped into her shirt. His palm caressed her satiny skin that felt like tasty, succulent, tender tofu. He lowered his head and buried his face between Wei Luo's shoulder and neck and sniffed the scent of her neck. "You've been eating herbal supplements for so long, let me see if you've grown bigger here."

Wei Luo hurriedly stopped his hand and scolded him for being indecent. "Its still daytime!" Besides, he knew why she was eating supplements. There was no reason for him to say nonsense.

But, Zhao Jie didn't care if it was daytime or nighttime. He placed Wei Luo onto a small, vermillion-lacquered table with curved edges, removed her clothes, and his hand went inside her pink undergarment embroidered with golden thread. He pushed the cloth away and sucked that spot.

Wei Luo didn't want to be heard by the servant girls that were standing outside at the doorway. She raised her hand and muffled her voice with the back of her hand. Her other hand tightly clutched the edge of the table. She quietly said, "Don't bite. It hurts..."

Zhao Jie seemed as if he deliberately wanted to tease her. Although he loosened his grip, his mouth started to slowly move downwards.

Wei Luo's entire body stretched taut and involuntarily lightly trembled. She had to suppress her voice. She couldn't make any sound that was too loud. She was as pitiful as a bullied kitten. A long time later, her body softened and she collapsed onto Zhao Jie's shoulder while quietly panting. Her eyes were covered in a thin layer of misty tears. She looked both pitiful and cute.

Zhao Jie held her head to kiss her and forced her to sample the taste of herself.

He kissed Wei Luo until her body softened even more and she felt light-headed. When she had slightly returned to her senses, Zhao Jie was carrying her into the study.

~

October 8th was Marquis Guang Xin's grandson's one month old birthday.

Wei Luo had sat in front of her mirror and vanity case for an hour to tidy up before changing her clothes. When she was leaving the residence with Zhao Jie, he stared at her for a long time before he slowly reached his hand out to hold her hand and said, "Let's go."

Once they were inside the carriage, Wei Luo curiously asked, "What were you looking at before?"

Zhao Jie was sitting across from her and leaning back against the carriage wall. He was smiling strangely as he looked at her. "I was looking at my beautiful Ah Luo. I was almost reluctant to bring her outside today."