Chu Yu had visited the Princess Royal’s mansion once before, but that was during autumn when the Princess could still frolic in the garden with her male companions on pleasant days. This time, Chu Yu could only meet her in the main hall.
The Princess Royal’s mansion was vast, with winding paths and lush gardens that exuded a natural elegance. The steward, a man in his fifties, explained as they walked, “The Princess has been unwell recently and doesn’t usually receive guests. But when she heard it was Madam Chu visiting, she immediately agreed to see you. The Princess truly likes you very much.”
The steward’s tone carried a hint of reproach as he continued, “The Princess is often lonely, and there are few people she takes a liking to. We thought Madam Chu would visit frequently, but you haven’t come often since the last incident.”
Chu Yu, taking this as mere pleasantry, smiled and replied, “I’m deeply grateful for the Princess’s favor.”
“Please don’t take my words as mere courtesy,” the steward, understanding Chu Yu’s assumption, warned, “The Princess is straightforward and dislikes roundabout talk. What I’ve said is the truth, so please don’t dismiss it as politeness.”
Chu Yu was taken aback, then sincerely said, “It was A Yu who was being affected. Thank you for the reminder, Uncle.”
Reassured, the steward shared some of the Princess Royal’s habits with Chu Yu. As they entered the main hall, Chu Yu kept her eyes lowered respectfully, knelt, and performed a deep bow, saying, “Greetings to the Princess Royal.”
“Rise… rise… Achoo!” The Princess Royal sneezed, then finally managed to say smoothly, “You may rise.”
The Princess, looking weary, pointed to a nearby seat and said, “Please sit down first.”
Chu Yu obediently stood up and knelt on the cushion where the Princess had indicated.
The main hall was resplendent with gold, all furnishings gleaming in golden hues, almost blinding Chu Yu. The Princess Royal wore a gold-threaded inner garment beneath a large cotton coat. Well-preserved, she looked like a young woman in her early twenties despite being in her early thirties. Wrapped in the large cotton coat, she even had a somewhat adorable air about her.
Two handsome young men knelt behind her, both wearing light blue robes. Chu Yu stole a glance and noticed they were different from the ones she had seen last time.
Noticing Chu Yu’s glance, the Princess Royal said impatiently, “If you want to look, just raise your head. Why sneak peeks?”
Hearing this, Chu Yu didn’t make excuses. She simply raised her head, swept her gaze over the two young men, confirmed that one had indeed been replaced, and smiled, “It seems the Princess has changed one of her companions.”
“The beauty of beautiful people lies in their freshness,” the Princess Royal leaned against one of the young men, speaking lazily, “When they’re no longer fresh, even the most beautiful become tiresome.”
Chu Yu didn’t argue, respectfully agreeing, “The Princess speaks truly.”
Seeing Chu Yu’s lack of argument, the Princess Royal found it uninteresting. She examined Chu Yu and asked, “What brings you here today?”
“This humble one has come to ask a favor of the Princess Royal.”
It was common for unrelated visitors to come to the Princess Royal’s mansion with requests. The Princess Royal asked carelessly, “Go ahead, let me hear what it is.”
Given permission, Chu Yu explained Gu Chusheng’s situation. She didn’t hide much, speaking frankly. Wei Yun hadn’t told her the subsequent plans, and although she could guess most of it, she wouldn’t speak of her guesses. She only shared what Wei Yun had told her.
The Princess Royal reclined against one handsome man while another fed her snacks, looking quite content. After listening to Chu Yu, she nodded, “I see. You want me to create an opportunity for the Emperor to learn about this matter, correct?”
Chu Yu responded, “That’s right.”
The Princess Royal lowered her gaze to look at her red nail polish. After a moment, she slowly smiled, “You’re quite bold, speaking so frankly with me. Aren’t you afraid I might betray you?”
“What benefit would the Princess gain from betraying us?” Chu Yu’s expression remained calm. “Since we’ve come to ask for your help, we wouldn’t let the Princess assist us for nothing. I understand the rules. Whatever the Princess asks, as long as it’s within our means, we won’t refuse.”
Hearing Chu Yu’s words, the Princess Royal seemed quite satisfied. “You’re indeed sensible. This matter is quite simple.” The Princess thought for a moment and said, “I’ll find a day to take His Majesty on an incognito tour of the common areas. You arrange for someone to have Gu Chusheng walk in front of His Majesty. His Majesty will naturally investigate Gu Chusheng. As long as what you’ve said is true, His Majesty will know.”
Seeing the Princess Royal’s agreement, Chu Yu quickly said, “We’re grateful for the Princess’s efforts.”
“I’m not helping you for free,” the Princess tapped her nails, seeming quite amused, and said lazily, “It’s a mutual exchange,” she looked up with a light smile, “as it should be.”
“However,” the Princess’s expression cooled slightly, “if His Majesty intends to shield Yao Yong, he might move against Gu Chusheng before the matter becomes public. Are you prepared for that?”
“The young Marquis and I have discussed this,” Chu Yu responded. “If Gu Chusheng is detained and His Majesty shows intent to kill him, we’ll have the people from Bai City come to beat the drum of grievance at the Shuntian Prefecture. Simultaneously, we’ll spread the news among the common people, directly pinning Gu Chusheng’s detention on Yao Yong. If Gu Chusheng dies, it will confirm this matter. Given His Majesty’s concern for his reputation, he likely won’t allow it. However, we hope the Princess Royal can mediate at that time.”
As she spoke, Chu Yu moved to bow again.
The Princess Royal raised her hand to stop Chu Yu’s gesture and said, “It’s a small matter, no need for such formality. You’ve come to me for help several times now, so we can be considered acquaintances. Let’s be friends.”
“I’m honored by the Princess’s favor. A Yu wouldn’t dare refuse.”
With the steward’s earlier reminder, Chu Yu didn’t decline. Seeing her compliance, the Princess Royal smiled and said, “You’re quite easygoing. Why don’t you stay for a meal today? I’ll set up a banquet for you, to broaden your horizons!”
Hearing “broaden your horizons,” Chu Yu’s heart skipped a beat. She remembered Wei Yun’s words and felt that this person might not be very reliable, possibly about to do something shocking.
However, she didn’t dare refuse and could only smile and say, “The guest follows the host. Please arrange as you see fit, Princess.”
“Very well.”
The Princess Royal raised her head and waved to the steward, “Tell the young men to prepare. Say, I’m hosting a banquet for a guest tonight.”
Hearing “young men,” Chu Yu’s eyelid twitched, but she maintained a calm exterior.
The Princess Royal returned to her seat and chatted casually with Chu Yu, who knelt in her place, answering whatever the Princess asked.
Before long, servants brought in the meal and placed it on the table in front of Chu Yu. The Princess’s chefs were renowned; the dishes were exquisitely prepared, more like works of art than mere food.
Chu Yu calmly picked up her chopsticks. The Princess Royal glanced at her, saw her begin to eat, and smiled, “With wine and food, how can we lack beautiful people?”
Saying this, the Princess Royal clapped her hands, “Come in.”
As soon as she spoke, the musicians who had been standing by suddenly began to play. Servants slowly opened the doors, and several dozen handsome young men of various styles, all dressed in light blue wide-sleeved robes, stood at the entrance. They entered gracefully, stepping in time with the music.
Chu Yu choked on her wine and began coughing urgently.
The Princess Royal looked at her with a smile, “Have your horizons been broadened?”
Chu Yu nodded vigorously, looking at the woman before her, suddenly feeling that her first thirty years of life had been wasted.
The Princess Royal seemed to have anticipated her reaction and watched with great amusement as she drank her wine.
Chu Yu regained her composure and quickly lowered her head to eat. The Princess Royal didn’t pressure her further. Watching the beautiful men dance, she tapped a small fan in her palm and said to Chu Yu, “You’re still young, so you might not understand the pleasures of this. When you reach my age, you’ll understand the joy of being with beautiful people.”
Chu Yu felt that she probably wouldn’t understand this kind of pleasure.
She didn’t respond, and the Princess Royal glanced at her, slowly saying, “Still thinking about Wei Jun?”
Surprised that the Princess Royal would bring this up, Chu Yu mumbled an affirmative. The Princess Royal leaned against the man behind her, watching the singing and dancing, her voice tinged with nostalgia, “The year Mei Xue passed away, I was just like you, always wanting to stay by his side.”
Chu Yu slowly raised her eyes to see the Princess Royal gazing at the people at the banquet, her eyes seemingly unable to look away. She spoke calmly, “Until one day I came out and realized that everyone was waiting to see how miserable I’d become. So I decided I couldn’t lose. Everyone was waiting to see how sad I’d be, how a proud and domineering girl like me would fare, raising a daughter alone after losing her husband. I had to live well.”
“They thought I should cry, but I insisted on laughing. They thought I should wear mourning clothes every day, so I dressed in bright colors.”
“They all thought I should marry any man and compromise, but I gathered all the handsome men in the world around me. Now, I’m richer and more powerful than them. They still have to worry every day about their husbands abandoning them, while I can freely choose which man to favor.”
The Princess Royal took a sip of wine and turned her gaze to Chu Yu, “There are many ways to live in this world. When people die, they’re gone. Do you understand?”
Listening to this speech, Chu Yu roughly understood the Princess Royal’s meaning.
Perhaps for the Princess Royal, her care for Chu Yu wasn’t just because she was sensible, gave money, and fought against the Crown Prince, but also because Chu Yu’s situation was quite similar to the Princess Royal’s in her younger years.
This time, Chu Yu didn’t just placate the Princess Royal. She said seriously, “The Princess speaks wisely. A Yu understands.”
Seeing that Chu Yu showed no signs of sorrow, the Princess Royal nodded, somewhat satisfied. She smiled, “Since you understand, why don’t I gift you a few male companions?”
Hearing this, Chu Yu’s smile froze on her face.
She remembered Wei Yun’s conflicted expression before she left and understood what he had been worried about. If she brought someone back, wouldn’t she be beaten to death?
So she quickly said, “Thank you for the Princess’s generous offer, but this humble one’s interests do not lie there. I must decline.”
The Princess Royal nodded somewhat disappointedly. After thinking for a moment, she asked, “Is Gu Chusheng currently staying at your mansion?”
Chu Yu was puzzled by her sudden inquiry about Gu Chusheng but replied, “Indeed, he is at the Marquis’s mansion. Does the Princess have any instructions?”
Hearing this, the Princess Royal’s eyes lit up. She straightened up, leaned forward towards Chu Yu, and asked, “I’ve heard that Lord Gu is exceptionally handsome and unparalleled in his beauty. Is that true?”
Seeing that look in her eyes, Chu Yu understood the situation. She didn’t lie and nodded, “Indeed, it is.”
“Then could I trouble Madam Chu to pass on a message?”
“Please speak, Princess.” Chu Yu pretended not to understand the Princess Royal’s intentions and raised her hand slightly. The Princess Royal narrowed her eyes and tapped her small golden fan against her palm, saying, “This Princess is hosting a banquet tomorrow and wishes to invite Young Master Gu and Madam Chu. Could Madam Chu please inform Young Master Gu when you return?”
“This humble one will certainly convey the message to Lord Gu.” Chu Yu shifted all responsibility to Gu Chusheng, positioning herself as merely a messenger. Whether to attend or not would be entirely Gu Chusheng’s decision.
The Princess Royal nodded, seeming quite pleased. She drank a few more cups with Chu Yu, chatting until she began to feel drowsy. Chu Yu, sensing this, tactfully took her leave.
Upon returning to the mansion, she instructed Wan Yue, “Find someone to inform Gu Chusheng that the Princess Royal wishes to host a banquet for him. Ask if he’s willing to accompany me tomorrow.”
For Chu Yu, the message had been delivered. Whether to go or not was no longer her concern.
However, not long after the messenger left, Wan Yue returned to report, “Lord Gu said that since the Princess has extended an invitation, it would be impolite to refuse.”
Chu Yu nodded and responded casually, then went about her own business.
The Princess Royal’s reputation preceded her, and Gu Chusheng surely understood the implications of her invitation.
He had agreed to it, so he would have to take responsibility for his decision.
Mini-scene:
Mo Shubai: How does it feel to host a banquet for Chu Yu?
Princess Royal: Bullying an honest person is quite enjoyable.
Someone asked about the relationship between Princess Qingping and Wei Yun in their previous life.
Princess Qingping was a political marriage. She married while pregnant, her lover had died, and she and Wei Yun lived respectfully as husband and wife for a lifetime. Wei Yun accepted that child as his own.
Don’t dwell too much on the previous life. Wei Yun held a high position and great power and had no special obsessions. It’s unrealistic for him not to have had a wife.
Think about it: if a normal, excellent man reached fifty without a wife, girlfriend, or any contact with the opposite sex, he should have had a boyfriend, right?