Wei Yun was stunned by these words. After Chu Yu finished speaking, she finally realized that her current temperament truly resembled that of a fifteen-year-old.
The two fell silent. As Chu Yu adjusted her mood, Wei Yun, having digested her words, finally said, “I’ve taken note of my sister-in-law’s words. This time was my mistake. Next time, if I do anything, I’ll discuss it with my sister-in-law first.”
Chu Yu nodded, her anger finally subsiding. Her gaze fell on Wei Yun’s feet, and she frowned, “Your injury…”
“It’s nothing!” Wei Yun hurriedly said, “I’ve been beaten worse than this by my brothers in the military camp. It’s just a small wound! Sister-in-law, please don’t worry!”
Chu Yu sighed. She walked in front of Wei Yun, half-squatting down, and said somewhat helplessly, “Roll up your pants and let me take a look.”
“This…”
“An elder sister-in-law is like a mother,” Chu Yu glared at him, “In my heart, you’re just a child. Don’t think too much.”
Wei Yun didn’t speak, still feeling somewhat embarrassed. Chu Yu angrily said, “Hurry up, don’t waste my money!”
Seeing Chu Yu’s anger, Wei Yun finally gave up struggling and rolled up his pant leg, revealing the wound to Chu Yu.
Large patches of bruising along with grotesque wounds made one’s heart tremble. Chu Yu didn’t speak. She looked at the wound and calmly said, “I’ll have the physician prepare special medicine for the wound. Are there any other injuries?”
“Not much else…” Wei Yun said softly, “Just some whip wounds and other external injuries…”
Chu Yu nodded, “I understand.”
Speaking, Chu Yu stood up and said to him, “Take good care of your injuries. I’ll head back now.”
“Mm…”
Wei Yun nodded, watching Chu Yu walk out with a cold face. He called out to her again, “Sister-in-law…”
“Hmm?”
“Can… can you not be angry anymore? If my brother knew I made you this angry, he’d surely beat me to death!”
Wei Yun spoke nervously, that final “beat me to death” sounding as if Wei Jun could truly crawl out of his grave to do so.
Hearing his words, Chu Yu felt somewhat helpless, “I’m not angry with you.”
She was angry at those bastards who had beaten him.
Hearing Chu Yu’s words, Wei Yun felt much more relaxed and finally bid farewell to Chu Yu.
After Chu Yu left, she called Chang Yue over and instructed, “Tell that jailer to note down all those who beat Wei Yun. Use as much money as needed. We absolutely won’t reveal his identity; just have him record the names.”
“Alright.”
Chang Yue agreed and went to find the jailer guarding Wei Yun. After Chang Yue left, Wan Yue chuckled lightly, “Young Madam is as protective as ever.”
Chu Yu gave a cold laugh, “Those who do things must face the consequences. The Wei family hasn’t fallen yet.”
After Chang Yue inquired about the information and handed the list to Chu Yu, the three of them returned to the mansion together. Chu Yu had ordered people to keep an eye on Princess Yunlan, and as soon as they returned, the person on watch hurried back, saying urgently, “A visitor went to Princess Yunlan’s mansion today.”
“Who?”
Chu Yu quickly asked, and the servant reported a name: “Lu Minxing.”
Lu Minxing was a Zhanshi of the Crown Prince’s mansion and had always been very close to Princess Yunlan, to the extent that there were persistent rumors outside that he was Princess Yunlan’s lover.
However, understanding the Crown Prince’s involvement made it clear that Lu Minxing wasn’t the lover at all; it was the Crown Prince acting under Lu Minxing’s name!
But regardless, as long as the Crown Prince went, it was good. The Ten Days Fragrance would linger for ten days once applied, and the Princess was always a meticulous person. Now that the Princess’s mansion and the Crown Prince were discussing marriage, it was impossible for them not to meet for so long.
Even if they didn’t meet, she had to find a way to make the Princess seek out the Crown Prince.
Chu Yu pondered, then instructed the servant, “Keep watching, especially the Princess’s mansion and the Crown Prince’s mansion. Watch them closely.”
The afternoon of the day the Crown Prince went to Princess Yunlan’s mansion, he went to the Princess’s mansion. Logically, the Princess should have made a move, but there was no movement on this matter for a long time.
Chu Yu couldn’t help feeling uneasy, pondering where exactly things had gone wrong.
The Princess was domineering by nature. Having raised more than a dozen male favorites herself, she absolutely wouldn’t tolerate her daughter suffering the indignity of competing for attention. Now that she had met the Crown Prince carrying the Ten Days Fragrance and showed no reaction, what did it mean?
Chu Yu couldn’t figure it out. She had people keep watch for three consecutive days, growing more anxious as she waited. Just as she was about to try a different approach, on the morning of the third day, as Chu Yu had just opened her eyes, she heard Chang Yue rush in frantically, anxiously saying, “Young Madam, something big has happened!”
Chu Yu suddenly opened her eyes, flipped out of bed, and said coldly, “What is it?!”
“The Crown Prince… the Crown Prince…” Chang Yue panted, and Chu Yu tensed up, listening as Chang Yue continued, “The Princess caught the Crown Prince in Princess Yunlan’s bed and dragged him to the palace!”
Hearing this, Chu Yu drew in a sharp breath.
She had been wrong; she had underestimated the Princess. The Princess’s inaction over these three days wasn’t because she didn’t plan to act, but because she disdained small actions. When she made a move, it had to be a big one.
Dragging the Crown Prince of the dynasty from her own cousin’s bed and sending him to the palace—this Princess was truly too bold.
Chu Yu was stunned for a moment, then quickly said, “Quickly, tell me exactly what happened.”
“It was just before dawn this morning. Lu Minxing visited Princess Yunlan’s mansion in the night. As dawn was breaking, the Princess suddenly led two hundred secret guards and used sleeping gas to directly raid Princess Yunlan’s mansion. Our mansion’s side courtyard is right next to Princess Yunlan’s mansion, right? That drug was so strong that our guards still haven’t recovered.”
“That’s not the main point,” Chu Yu said while washing up, “What happened next?”
“Oh,” Chang Yue returned to the main topic, “The Princess personally led people to Princess Yunlan’s bedroom, saying she wanted to arrest Lu Minxing, the scoundrel who was ruining Princess Yunlan’s reputation. So the soldiers went forward and dragged the person directly out of bed. The Princess raised her whip and lashed out. After two lashes, the Princess realized something was wrong. She knelt on one knee, grabbed that man’s hair, and said in confusion, ‘Isn’t this my nephew, the Crown Prince? Your Highness, why are you kneeling here in such a disheveled state?'”
Chang Yue, holding a whip in one hand, imitated the Princess’s manner, showing a look of sudden realization: “Oh, so it wasn’t Lord Lu Minxing in Princess Yunlan’s bed tonight, but the Crown Prince? No, this is impossible. The Crown Prince is a loyal and righteous person. Just last month, he knelt before me and solemnly vowed that after marrying my daughter, he would never betray her in this life. My daughter would have only him, and he would grant my daughter his sole favor for life. Your Highness, do you remember this promise?”
Chang Yue’s imitation was vivid. Chu Yu sat cross-legged on the bed, supporting her chin with her hand, her elbow resting on her knees, smiling as she said, “Continue.”
“Then the Crown Prince cried, begging the Princess to let the matter drop. The Princess refused to let it go and said to the Crown Prince, ‘Your Highness, Princess Yunlan is your cousin. You are of the same surname. Your affair with her is a violation of ethics and a great offense against morality. You are the Crown Prince; this is no small matter. We must report this to His Majesty and see how he decides.’
“After saying this, the Princess called people to carry both the Crown Prince and Princess Yunlan into the palace. All along the way, everyone heard about this matter and came out to watch. It was so crowded!”
Chang Yue shook her head, “If I were the Crown Prince, I’d want to die of shame.”
“Watch your words,” Wan Yue glanced at Chang Yue, her eyes filled with disapproval.
Chu Yu listened with great interest. Seeing that Chang Yue had finished, she quickly asked, “Is there any news from the palace now?”
“No,” Chang Yue said excitedly, “The whole of Huajing is waiting for news from the palace. If there is any, we’ll be the first to know!”
Hearing Chang Yue’s words, Chu Yu nodded with satisfaction. She smiled and instructed the housekeeper to prepare another generous gift, then carefully washed up, waiting to see the Princess.
By the time it was fully light, news finally came from the palace, saying that the Princess had mistaken someone while drunk and was punished with confinement for a month.
Hearing this, all of Huajing sighed. The Crown Prince was indeed still highly favored.
However, Chu Yu seemed to have anticipated this result. She took the prepared gifts and hurried to the Princess’s mansion.
As soon as she arrived at the Princess’s mansion, the mansion’s steward was waiting at the door. Seeing Chu Yu arrive, the steward bowed slightly and said with a smile, “Young Madam has finally arrived. Our Princess has been waiting for a long time.”
Chu Yu was somewhat surprised, “The Princess knew I was coming?”
The steward smiled meaningfully, “The Princess knows everything.”
Chu Yu didn’t dare to be careless. She quickly praised the Princess’s wisdom to the steward. The steward responded indifferently and led Chu Yu to the back garden.
In the back garden, the Princess wore a golden dress, her hair casually draped. Two handsome young men stood beside her, one fanning, one massaging her shoulders. Chu Yu didn’t dare to look too much. She went forward to pay her respects to the Princess, respectfully saying, “Greetings to the Princess.”
“Alright, don’t bother with these formalities.”
The Princess played with the golden fingernail in her hand, “Last time you asked me to think about it before replying, wasn’t it for today? I’ve agreed to your conditions,” she laughed coldly, “Your Wei family, I will save.”
Hearing this, Chu Yu was certain in her heart that this matter must be intricately connected with the Crown Prince. However, she didn’t reveal any such emotion on her face, instead showing a completely grateful appearance, kneeling and saying, “This humble one thanks the Princess for her grace!”
The Princess burst out laughing, “Chu Yu, I find you quite interesting. You planned this whole thing, making me and the Crown Prince jump into your trap, yet on the surface, you act as if you know nothing, showing overwhelming gratitude to me.”
Speaking, the Princess lightly flicked her golden fingernail, raising her hand to admire the flowing light on the nail in the sunlight, slowly saying, “Why don’t you tell me how you discovered the affair between the Crown Prince and Yunlan?”
With the Princess speaking so directly, Chu Yu felt it would be awkward to continue pretending. So she simply sat down frankly and calmly said, “There are no secrets under heaven. The Wei family has its ways, and I have my methods.”
“Princess,” she looked up at the Princess, smiling sincerely, “You won’t regret choosing the Wei family today.”
The Princess sneered, not minding Chu Yu’s confidence. She just cast her gaze on the delicate flowers not far away, sighing, “With your intelligence, it’s truly a pity you got married. Fortunately, you’re now a widow like me.”
Speaking, she took the wine from the handsome man beside her, took a small sip, and slowly said, “You had Minister Xie help you convey your request for an audience to His Majesty. Do you know why there’s still no news?”
“Because,” Chu Yu’s voice was calm, “His Majesty doesn’t dare to see me.”
“You certainly have a big mouth.” The Princess’s eyes carried a smile, but it wasn’t mocking. She slowly said, “However, what you say is indeed the truth. Right now, my brother can’t decide the Wei family’s matter. When he makes up his mind to give the Wei family a result, that’s when he’ll see you.”
Chu Yu nodded. The Princess played with the fan in her hand, leisurely saying, “You probably can guess why he’s hesitating. This matter is intricately connected with the Crown Prince. Although I don’t know exactly what happened, I understand that His Majesty is hesitating between protecting the Crown Prince and saving the Wei family. The loss of seventy thousand troops is too great a crime to place on the Crown Prince. However, if placed on Wei Zhong, the deceased has already passed, so no matter how he’s punished, how far can it go? Does he need to execute this entire loyal family?”
Hearing this, Chu Yu carefully said, “So His Majesty doesn’t want to kill my uncle now, and even wants to save him. But,” Chu Yu frowned, “Why doesn’t he save him?”
“If seventy thousand people truly died due to Wei Zhong’s strategic failure, how do you think the court would react if the Emperor, as a monarch, showed no anger or fury?”
“The court officials would suspect the truth of the matter. Since His Majesty wants to protect the Crown Prince, he naturally can’t let the court have such thoughts. So he needs to show a strong attitude. He can’t actively release the Wei family; there must be a sufficient reason.”
Chu Yu hesitantly spoke, “So the Princess means… I need to give His Majesty a way out?”
“Of course.” The Princess turned the fan in her hand, lowering her eyes, her expression carrying a hint of coldness, “If this crime can’t be escaped, your Wei family might as well take the blame.”
Chu Yu remained silent, furrowing her brow in deep thought.
Taking the blame and overturning an already settled case would be extremely difficult. If the Imperial Princess was genuinely offering advice, this could be considered a risky move. However, if the Imperial Princess intended to harm the Wei family…
Chu Yu carefully analyzed the Imperial Princess’s entire stance on this matter. Noticing her hesitation, the Imperial Princess understood what she was thinking. She raised her round fan, gently tapping Chu Yu’s forehead, and said with a light laugh, “Or, you could take the blame.”
Chu Yu looked up, staring at the Imperial Princess.
This time, she understood the Imperial Princess’s meaning. Chu Yu taking the blame and Wei Yun taking the blame were entirely different concepts.
Chu Yu, being in Huajing, was like the Emperor and the people of Huajing, unaware of the battlefield situation. Her admission wouldn’t represent anything. In the future, a casual “I didn’t know anything” could easily retract her confession.
But Wei Yun’s admission would be different. He was currently the only male of the Wei family and the only Wei family member who survived the battlefield. Every word he said carried significant weight.
Chu Yu finally understood the Imperial Princess’s intention. Currently, the Emperor couldn’t directly release Wei Yun because he needed the Wei family to admit to this crime. He couldn’t let the world see his inner turmoil; he had made up his mind to protect the Crown Prince. However, the Emperor didn’t truly want to sacrifice Wei Yun. Sacrificing the reputation of the dead was nothing, but to send Wei Yun to his death, Emperor couldn’t bring himself to do it. After all, the Wei family died for Great Chu, shielding the royal family. Emotionally and rationally, the Emperor dared not let Wei Yun die.
The Wei family were loyal ministers and great generals. Whether for Wei Yun’s talent or his ancestors’ loyalty, the Emperor couldn’t truly watch Wei Yun die.
Moreover, Wei Yun was young. If he were allowed to live and control the Wei family’s influence in the North, it would be easier for the Emperor to manipulate. If Wei Yun died and the Wei family suffered an unjust accusation, the remaining northern Wei family forces might launch a desperate counterattack, which was certainly not what the Emperor wanted.
So if Chu Yu wanted to save Wei Yun, she needed to give the Emperor a way out, a reason to release Wei Yun that bypassed the law.
“I understand.”
Chu Yu nodded, bowed with her sleeves, touching her head to the ground, and respectfully said to the Imperial Princess, “I will return immediately, taking the Wei family’s ancestral tablets to the palace gates, requesting an audience with His Majesty.”
Previously, she had worried that not seeking the Emperor’s audience first might seem coercive in his eyes. Now it seemed that coercion was exactly what the Emperor needed.
Chu Yu looked up at the Imperial Princess and sincerely said, “When the time comes, I hope the Imperial Princess can mediate.”
“Don’t worry,” the Imperial Princess’s eyes carried a cold glint. “I’ll handle the Crown Prince’s people for you. Just remember what the Crown Prince has done now. Remember it well!”
“Rest assured, Princess,” Chu Yu hurriedly replied. “The Wei family will never forget how the Crown Prince has acted.”
The Imperial Princess nodded, saying no more. She seemed tired and closed her eyes slightly. Seeing that she didn’t wish to speak further, Chu Yu took her leave.
Returning to the Wei mansion, she summoned Jiang Chun. Jiang Chun was in the middle of replying to a letter from Liu Xueyang, who had now settled in Lanling and was inquiring about Jiang Chun’s situation. Just as Jiang Chun finished writing the letter, she heard that Chu Yu was looking for her. Jiang Chun quickly rushed over, seeing Chu Yu changing clothes, and asked, “Where are you planning to go?”
“Give orders for the entire household, old and young, to follow me to the ancestral hall to carry the spirit tablets and kneel at the palace gates.”
Jiang Chun was stunned for a moment, asking with confusion, “What’s this about?”
“I’ve spoken with the Imperial Princess,” Chu Yu lowered her voice. “His Majesty doesn’t want to kill Seventh Brother, but he can’t back down. We’re going to give His Majesty a way out.”
Hearing this, Jiang Chun quickly understood, nodding coldly, “I’ll go right away.”
With that, she turned and hurried to the back courtyard, notifying the entire household to change into clean mourning clothes before gathering in the courtyard.
When Chu Yu arrived in the courtyard, she saw Jiang Chun, Xie Jiu, Yao Jue, Zhang Han, and Wang Lan were all there.
Chu Yu hadn’t expected them to come and was somewhat surprised. But a moment later, she smiled, “I didn’t expect you all to accompany me on this journey.”
“We’ve been with you through the hardest times,” Xie Jiu said calmly. “What’s one more step at the end?”
“Let’s just call it our bad luck,” Yao Jue sneered. “What else can we do, stuck with this dead man?”
“We’ve stayed until now,” Zhang Han sighed. “So let’s stay a bit longer. If there’s anything we can do, Young Madam, just let us know.”
“Young Madam…” Wang Lan spoke timidly, about to say something when Chu Yu interrupted, “Sixth Sister-in-law, you shouldn’t come. You’re pregnant; you need to think of the child.”
“I should still go,” Wang Lan smiled bitterly. “When he was alive, wherever his brothers and sisters-in-law went, he would drag me along. If he knew I stayed home alone at a time like this, he’d probably be angry. I’ll just stand to the side and won’t cause any trouble.”
Chu Yu pursed her lips, and Jiang Chun stepped forward, saying, “If she doesn’t go, she might have a harder time finding peace of mind.”
Chu Yu thought for a moment, and finally nodded, “Then the butler should take good care of Sixth Young Madam.”
After saying this, Chu Yu addressed everyone, “In a moment, after burning incense and praying, we’ll carry the spirit tablets to the palace gates, begging His Majesty to release Seventh Brother. If Seventh Brother remains in prison, I fear he won’t survive. As his elders, we should protect him in place of his family. Everyone,” she raised her hand, “let’s go.”
After speaking, she led everyone to the ancestral hall. After purifying their hands with incense, she led them to kneel in the hall. She was in the front row, with the five young madams in the second row. After offering incense and bowing, Chu Yu stepped forward and lifted Wei Zhong’s spirit tablet, then had the butler carry Wei Jun’s spirit tablet behind her. The others each took their husbands’ tablets, and those following took the tablets of their respective ranks.
The Wei family had one hundred and thirty-two members over four generations. Chu Yu led the procession carrying the spirit tablets out of the Wei mansion gates, with the others following in two lines behind her. They were dressed in white as snow, with only the spirit tablets in their hands a stark black.
They marched solemnly towards the palace gates, drawing the eyes of all who saw them.
When they arrived at the palace gates, the guards saw the sea of white and felt uneasy. As Chu Yu approached the gates, the guards suddenly drew their swords and called out loudly, “Who goes there?!”
“Chu Yu, the daughter-in-law of the Marquis of Zhenguo, accompanied by the spirits of four generations of the Wei family, seeking an audience with His Majesty!”
Hearing this, the guards looked at each other in confusion. The captain stepped forward and respectfully asked, “Young Madam, do you have an imperial edict to enter the palace?”
“No.”
“Then,” the captain hesitated, “why doesn’t Young Madam send someone to announce your arrival and wait for His Majesty’s summons before coming?”
“If His Majesty were willing to see me, why would I need to do this?” Chu Yu looked up at the honest-looking man and smiled slightly. “I know this puts you in a difficult position, sir. I’m not trying to make things hard for you. I just ask that you inform His Majesty,” saying this, Chu Yu knelt with the spirit tablet in her arms. “The entire Wei family will not leave until we see His Majesty. Even if we turn to stone in the wind, we will not return.”
As Chu Yu knelt, those behind her followed suit. The vast crowd, dressed in white with black spirit tablets, looked neat and orderly. As they knelt like a wave, it shook the hearts of all who saw.
The captain hesitated for a moment, but finally said, “Then… allow me to report to His Majesty.”
After saying this, the captain turned and entered the inner palace. The Wei family members remained kneeling on the ground. Wang Lan sat in a carriage, holding Wei Rong, watching worriedly from behind the curtain.
It was a bright, sunny day, which could be considered good weather. The over a hundred members of the Wei family knelt there without making a sound. The autumn sun shone on them, reflecting a dazzling light.
The captain who said he would inquire with the Emperor never returned. But Chu Yu didn’t mind. Today’s grand gesture was meant to build a higher stepping stone for the Emperor. If so, the grander the spectacle, the better.
As soon as Chu Yu knelt at the palace gates, the news spread throughout Huajing. However, everyone had their calculations and waited for word from the palace, saying nothing.
By the next morning, as officials began to arrive for court, Chu Yu was still blocking the palace gates. The first to arrive, Prime Minister Shu Lei, saw the situation and immediately lowered his carriage curtain, telling his attendant, “Use another gate, we won’t enter here.”
The attendant was confused and turned to look at Shu Lei, “Sir, why is that?”
“The spirits of heroes are here. How can we push past them?”
Shu Lei glared at the attendant, “I’ll use the side gate.”
With Shu Lei setting this precedent, everyone who arrived at the palace gates took a detour, until Grand Tutor Xie arrived. He stopped and approached Chu Yu.
“Young Madam Wei…” Grand Tutor Xie sighed, “Why do you insist on this?”
“The only blood of the Wei family is still in prison. As his elder sister-in-law, how can I sit comfortably at home?”
Chu Yu looked up at Grand Tutor Xie. She had been kneeling for a day and a night, and her face looked haggard. Grand Tutor Xie opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but in the end only said, “Sincerity can pierce stone.”
Saying this, he shook his head and entered the palace with his hands behind his back.
Chu Yu raised her head, watching Grand Tutor Xie’s retreating figure, understanding his meaning.
The time spent kneeling was still too short to merit the phrase “sincerity can pierce stone.”
She closed her eyes, saying nothing more.
No one in the court mentioned this matter until finally, a young official named Chen from the Censorate couldn’t hold back and spoke up, “Your Majesty, the entire Wei family, old and young, are kneeling outside. The Wei family has been loyal for four generations, producing three Dukes. Even if Wei Zhong committed a heinous crime, we can’t treat such a loyal family like this!”
Hearing this, Cao Xiong stood up angrily, “Lord Chen’s words are mistaken. Seventy thousand troops are no trifling matter. In this old man’s opinion, the crime Wei Zhong committed today is enough to warrant the execution of nine generations of his family!”
“Lord Cao is being too harsh,” the young Censor Chen’s face reddened. “Even in civilian law, there are provisions for leniency. Wei Yun is now the only blood of the Wei family. Let alone that Wei Yun hasn’t admitted guilt, even if he had, he should be allowed to care for his mother until her passing before facing punishment. This is human morality. Lord Cao’s thoughts are truly too cruel!”
Cao Xiong was furious upon hearing this and began arguing with Censor Chen in court. However, as neither of them held much real power, after arguing all morning, the matter was dropped.
Chu Yu heard of this and knew that the more fiercely and urgently this matter was debated in court, the closer they were to the Emperor’s “satisfaction.”
Chu Yu wasn’t in a hurry and continued kneeling steadily.
The first day was bright and sunny, but the second day brought continuous drizzle. Those with poor physical condition began to collapse and were carried back, leaving only their spirit tablets to continue accompanying the others.
By the third morning, the sun was scorching hot, and more and more people collapsed. In the court, more and more people were arguing for the Wei family.
On the fourth day, it poured rain, and only half of the people remained kneeling. On this day, the Imperial Princess also came. She stepped down from her magnificent phoenix carriage, glanced briefly at Chu Yu, then patted Chu Yu’s shoulder lightly.
Chu Yu felt the torrential rain falling on her body, feeling as if she had been pummeled by a thousand catties.
She struggled to look up at the Imperial Princess, who smiled and said, “Don’t worry, Wei Yun will be back soon.”
Saying this, she raised her hand to adjust her clothes and tucked her hair behind her ear.
“The battles I choose to fight, I have never lost!”