Everyone hesitated to approach, quickly going to report to Gu Chusheng.
After waiting for a while, Wei Yun saw Gu Chusheng walking over from the long corridor, leading a group of people. He wore crimson official robes, clearly having just left court not long ago. He approached Wei Yun, his expression calm and composed, bowing respectfully, “May I ask what brings Marquis Wei to the Gu residence?”
“Your mother came to the Wei residence to propose marriage. Are you aware of this?”
Wei Yun shifted his gaze from the plaque to Gu Chusheng. Gu Chusheng replied calmly, “I am aware.”
“I recall my sister-in-law refused you before.”
“She also agreed to me once.”
Gu Chusheng looked directly at Wei Yun, “When you were away, I protected her and the Wei family.”
“You protected?” Wei Yun scoffed, “You colluded with Zhao Yue to endanger the Wei family, then offered aid, expecting us to be grateful?”
“The Marquis thinks too highly of me,” Gu Chusheng waved his hand, dismissing everyone nearby. He walked to the table, sat down, and poured himself some tea. “The conflict between the Wei family and His Majesty wasn’t caused by me. The Wei family’s predicament was inevitable. How could I, a mere official, have the power to make His Majesty want to destroy your great Zhenguo Duke’s mansion?”
Gu Chusheng looked up and calmly said, “Marquis, why don’t you sit down? Let’s discuss this in detail.”
Wei Yun remained silent for a moment, knowing what Gu Chusheng intended. He sat at the table, allowing Gu Chusheng to pour him tea. Gu Chusheng spoke calmly, “Does the Marquis know why last night’s situation occurred?”
“Tell me.”
“A few days ago, I asked His Majesty for permission to marry Madam Wei. He agreed. You were about to return, yet last night he staged such a scene. Think about it, if this had succeeded, what would the outcome be?”
Wei Yun didn’t speak, staring at Gu Chusheng, “I would kill you.”
Gu Chusheng smiled, “Exactly. If last night’s plan had succeeded, with your temperament, how could you tolerate such humiliation? I’ve indeed been persistently pursuing Madam Wei, but if I were to use such despicable methods that ruin someone’s life, it would be utterly contemptible.”
As Gu Chusheng spoke, a cold glint appeared in his eyes. He brushed his sleeves, letting them fall, and calmly stirred the tea leaves in his cup. “Zhao Yue now wants to deal with you. He feared my opposition, so he resorted to such tactics. My desire to marry Madam Wei is sincere, Marquis. In this life, I have no other pursuits,” Gu Chusheng’s voice trembled slightly, “Only Madam Wei. I missed my chance with her years ago, and I’m willing to spend a lifetime making amends. Marquis, I know you favor her too, but between the empire and a beautiful woman, can’t you distinguish which is more important?”
Gu Chusheng looked up at Wei Yun, his expression serious, “I know why you’ve returned to the capital and that you have plans to take action. I’m now Zhao Yue’s confidant, and my entry into the cabinet is certain. If I offer Zhao Yue’s head in exchange for this marriage with the Marquis.”
Wei Yun remained silent, sipping his tea. Gu Chusheng lowered his voice, “Marquis, to achieve great things, one must be willing to sacrifice.”
“What about you?” Wei Yun asked directly.
Gu Chusheng frowned, “What about me?”
“I need to achieve great things, but you don’t?”
Hearing this, Gu Chusheng was taken aback. The scene from his previous life flashed before his eyes – standing at the altar with the young emperor, receiving the worship of ten thousand people. He chuckled softly and shook his head.
“I don’t need to.”
“In this life, I’ve reached my current position only for Madam Wei. Years ago, the Marquis deemed my status too low, so I’ve climbed to my current position in the cabinet. Now the Marquis wants Zhao Yue’s head, and I’m willing to obtain it for you. All I’ve done is for one person.”
Gu Chusheng took a step back, bowed deeply, and said, “I hope the Marquis will have mercy on my sincere feelings.”
Wei Yun remained silent, then after a moment, he chuckled lightly.
“Gu Chusheng, you underestimate me too much.” Gu Chusheng looked up, confused, at the young man in white robes and golden crown before him.
The current Wei Yun was vastly different from the one in his previous life. In his previous life, at nineteen, Wei Yun always wore black, a long sword at his waist, his expression cold and unapproachable, exuding a murderous aura as he walked through the palace.
But now, Wei Yun wore white robes with wide sleeves, a golden crown adorned with pearls, carrying himself with the noble and solemn air of a centuries-old prestigious family. He lived in the sunlight, open and straightforward, embodying the bearing of a true man.
“My vendetta with Zhao Yue, I’ll settle it myself. His head, I’ll take it myself. Gu Chusheng, I never intended to claim the throne or the nine tripod cauldrons of the empire. It’s only because the Li and Zhao families killed my entire clan and relentlessly persecuted me that I’ve come to this point today.”
“What I want isn’t to ascend the throne,” Wei Yun set down his cup, his voice calm and unwavering, “What I want is peace for the world.”
“What’s the difference?” Gu Chusheng coldly retorted, “You’ll end up in that position anyway. Isn’t it better to take the easiest path?”
“It is,” Wei Yun promptly agreed, looking at him, “But that path is for me alone to walk. There’s no reason for uninvolved parties to make exchanges. Moreover, to cultivate oneself, regulate the family, govern the state, and bring peace to the world – if I can’t even protect my family, how can I bring peace to the world?”
Wei Yun stood up, looking down at Gu Chusheng, and spoke calmly, “I came here today to tell you that since Chu Yu entered the Wei family, she has been a member of the Wei family in life and death. Abandon your misguided thoughts. If you come to pester her again,” Wei Yun’s voice suddenly filled with pressure, “This matter will not end well.”
With that, Wei Yun turned to leave. Gu Chusheng sat behind him, laughing coldly.
“Your brother is dead. Whose person is she now? Does your Wei family truly intend to confine her for life?”
Wei Yun stopped in his tracks. After a moment, he slowly turned his head, his expression composed, and spoke firmly, word by word: “She is Wei Yun’s person.”
“Wei Yun!” Gu Chusheng stood up abruptly, “You immoral, depraved wretch!”
Hearing this, Wei Yun smiled nonchalantly, “So what?”
“I like her, I admire her, I think of her day and night, obsessively. Years ago, you told me I was too young to understand my true desires. Now, four years have passed. I’ve seen the vast lands north and south of the Yangtze, Gu Chusheng,” Wei Yun spoke firmly, “And I like her alone.”
“She’s your elder brother’s wife!” Gu Chusheng’s voice trembled, “If you have any regard for her reputation, I beg you, don’t do this. There are countless beautiful women in the world, why must you…”
“Why don’t you ask yourself that question?” Wei Yun’s voice was calm, “There are countless beautiful women in the world, so why must you?”
Gu Chusheng was left speechless. Wei Yun waited for a moment, and when Gu Chusheng didn’t respond, he said calmly, “If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave. I hope to see you on my wedding day, Lord Gu.”
With that, Wei Yun turned and left. No one stopped him. He calmly returned to his residence. At the gates of the Wei mansion, he threw his sword back to the guard. Just as he entered the courtyard, he saw Chu Yu hurrying towards him, anxiously asking, “I heard you went to the Gu residence. What did you go there for?”
Wei Yun didn’t answer, heading straight for the room. Wan Yue brought a basin of water for Wei Yun to wash his hands, quietly dismissing all the servants.
After washing his hands, Wei Yun walked to the table, grabbed an apple, and reclined on a small couch, tossing the apple as he looked at Chu Yu, “I went to see Gu Chusheng.”
“What did you see him for?” Chu Yu frowned, “You’re going to the Prefect’s office tomorrow. Don’t stir up trouble now. Why did you suddenly go to his residence today?”
“Come here,” Wei Yun beckoned with his finger. Chu Yu leaned in, and Wei Yun moved his face closer, “Kiss me and I’ll tell you.”
Chu Yu scoffed, unhesitatingly pushing Wei Yun’s face away, “Where did you learn such rakish behavior? If you want to tell me, tell me. If not, I’ll find out myself.”
As she turned to leave, Wei Yun, seeing that Chu Yu was genuinely annoyed, quickly grabbed her hand, “Alright, my dear, I was wrong. I’ll tell you now.”
“Change your form of address!” Chu Yu frowned, “Who are you calling ‘dear’?”
“You’re the Madam of our Wei family. Is it wrong for me to call you that?” Wei Yun looked at her innocently. Chu Yu raised her hand to strike him again, but this time Wei Yun was quicker. He caught her hand and gently placed it on his face, looking up at her.
“Madam has always been dignified and proper. How come you’re so unrestrained with me?” His voice was soft, “I wonder, besides me, has Madam ever hit anyone else like this?”
“Besides you, who else is so licentious and shameless?” Chu Yu looked at his smiling eyes, her heart beating faster, though she maintained a strong front. Wei Yun nodded seriously, “Then I’m relieved.”
“What kind of logic is that?” Chu Yu couldn’t help but laugh, “You’re happy about being hit?”
“Yes,” Wei Yun rested his head against her, hugging her waist, “It proves that I’m truly unique in my sister-in-law’s heart.”
His childlike behavior reminded her of his younger days. Chu Yu’s heart softened, and she didn’t push him away, “What did you go there for?”
“Gu Chusheng’s mother came to propose marriage.”
“I know.”
“She spoke rudely, so I scolded her and sent her away. She said you couldn’t marry out, and marrying Gu Chusheng wouldn’t be bad.”
Chu Yu was slightly taken aback, but remembering Madam Gu’s attitude that her son was the best in the world, she wasn’t surprised. She just said, “All mothers are like that. You shouldn’t have lost your composure over it.”
“After scolding her, I still wasn’t satisfied. Thinking about how Gu Chusheng has been pestering you for so many years, I went to warn him that if he continues to bother you, I’ll end him.”
Chu Yu chuckled softly, thinking that this must be the first time in Gu Chusheng’s life that he had been confronted like this.
She stroked Wei Yun’s hair gently, speaking softly, “You’re still so childish.”
Wei Yun didn’t respond. After a moment, as if remembering something, he looked up at her and asked, “Last night… does it still hurt?”
Chu Yu felt a bit uncomfortable and turned her head away, “It’s fine now.”
“I didn’t do well…” Wei Yun said awkwardly, “I made you suffer.”
Chu Yu remained silent for a moment before saying, “Actually, it wasn’t that bad…”
Though she couldn’t remember the details, her body’s sensations didn’t lie. Chu Yu felt the room growing warmer. She pulled away, turning to pour some tea, and said to Wei Yun, “You should go back and do what you need to do. I’ll prepare for tomorrow’s matters.”
Wei Yun lowered his head and agreed, but sat there for a long time without moving.
Chu Yu turned back, a bit puzzled, “Is there anything else?”
Wei Yun looked down at his toes, speaking softly, “Can… can you kiss me?”
Chu Yu froze. She drank her tea, glancing at him sideways. Seeing that he wouldn’t leave without a kiss, Chu Yu stiffly walked over, bent down, and gave him a quick peck on the cheek, then said, “Now, go.”
As soon as she finished speaking, she felt her hand being grasped.
“Not like that,” Wei Yun said, a bit embarrassed, “The kind… with the tongue.”
Chu Yu was stunned for a moment. Then she saw him stand up, cupping her face, saying nervously, “Do you not know how?”
As he spoke, Wei Yun lowered his head and gently kissed her, his voice hoarse, “If you don’t know, I’ll teach you.”
A moment later, Chu Yu thought numbly:
With your kissing skills, who are you trying to teach?!