Hearing these words, Chu Yu sighed. She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but in the end only said, “Get up. Go wash up. Your mother-in-law is not one to remain calm for long. Don’t let her know you’ve returned.”
“Mm.” Wei Yun kept his head lowered, responding in a muffled voice but didn’t move. Chu Yu smiled, “Why are you still kneeling? I’m not holding it against you anymore. Go rest.”
Wei Yun still didn’t move. He clenched his fists, and Chu Yu, observing his actions, knew he had something to say. She slowly asked, “What do you want to say?”
“All these years… Sister-in-law and Gu Chusheng…”
“That’s my business.”
Chu Yu’s voice turned cold. She stared at Wei Yun, and in that instant, Wei Yun suddenly felt as if there was a long river, a high mountain between Chu Yu and him. She was coldly looking down at him from the mountaintop. He thought he had gotten close to her, but he never truly had.
He felt blood rushing to his head, filling his heart. He stood up, his whole body tense as if he was about to say something extremely important.
Chu Yu quietly looked at him, her expression calm with a hint of pity. She seemed to know everything, yet also seemed to know nothing.
Wei Yun spoke urgently, “Sister-in-law, I…”
“You must be tired too,” Chu Yu interrupted him, saying gently, “Go on, get some rest.”
“I…”
“You’ve been gone for four years,” she looked at him, smiling softly, “I don’t know if you’ve met someone you like. You’re at the age to marry now. Your brothers were already having children at your age.”
“Sister-in-law!” Wei Yun interrupted her. He didn’t understand why she kept talking, why she always cut off his words. He only felt that he must say these words now. If he didn’t say them tonight, at this moment, he might never have the courage to speak them again.
So he began, “I like…”
“Wei Yun,” Chu Yu spoke calmly, looking out the window where the moon hung high in the sky. Her voice was even and gentle, “In the four years you were gone, I thought about your appearance many times. I imagined you must have grown up, surely very handsome, perhaps with many girls liking you. As your sister-in-law, I should find a few girls you might like.”
Wei Yun stood stunned, staring blankly at Chu Yu.
Chu Yu’s expression was gentle yet solemn, like a statue of a deity in a temple, making one afraid to approach or desecrate. She sat far away, looking up at the bright moon, slowly saying, “I’ve also thought about your future. You should be a man who can hold up the sky, second only to one and above ten thousand others, loved by the people and respected by all. You are the backbone of the Northern Border, the pride of the Great Chu. You will marry a virtuous and gentle woman, and together, you will bring glory to the Wei family. You will not have any blemishes,”
She finally turned her head, her voice calm and certain, “and you cannot have any blemishes.”
As she spoke, she slowly smiled, “When I think of you like this, I feel that if your brother were alive to see it, he would surely be very happy. I also haven’t failed him, raising you well into adulthood, never bringing shame to the Wei family.”
Wei Yun didn’t speak. He quietly looked at her.
He had prepared for so many years, just to be able to speak his mind frankly and calmly when they met again.
These words might have been said too hastily at this moment, and shouldn’t have been said at this time.
He had waited four years, longed for four years. Even though he and Gu Chusheng had a gentlemen’s agreement, Gu Chusheng had broken it, so why couldn’t he?
He wasn’t willing to watch Gu Chusheng do as he pleased while he pined away in secret. He wanted to stand in the same position as Gu Chusheng, to speak the words in his heart. However, at this moment, he couldn’t say anything.
She was his sister-in-law.
Never had he been so clearly aware of this fact.
Whatever anyone else said or cursed, it hadn’t made him back down. But at this moment, facing her, hearing her say these things, he felt the pain of the words “sister-in-law” like a knife stabbing him.
He clenched his fists, his voice hoarse, “All these years, you’ve been so good to me, was it all for my brother?”
Chu Yu didn’t speak. She quietly looked at him. Wei Yun’s body trembled slightly, “If you weren’t my sister-in-law if you hadn’t married into the Wei family, would I, Wei Yun, be nothing to you, mean nothing to you?”
“That’s not it,” Chu Yu’s voice was calm. Wei Yun paused, a glimmer of hope flashing in his eyes. Then he heard her continue slowly, “Even if I hadn’t married into the Wei family, I would still respect the Wei family’s integrity, and I would still admire you.”
“Just admire?” Wei Yun’s voice was shaking. Chu Yu chuckled lightly, “What else could there be?”
Wei Yun didn’t speak. He looked at Chu Yu, listening as she began, “Little Seven, we should be grateful that I married into the Wei family, that I met you.”
“You became my family. I am your sister-in-law, you are my brother-in-law, my little brother. I accompany you, you protect me. We support the Wei family together, relying on each other, supporting each other, blessing each other.”
“If I hadn’t married here,” Chu Yu sighed, “What could there be between us, besides admiration?”
Couldn’t there be love?
Wei Yun stared at her, almost asking out loud.
If they hadn’t met in this way, couldn’t they have fallen in love with each other?
However, without needing an answer, Wei Yun knew it couldn’t be.
This feeling wasn’t a sudden affection, wasn’t a case of love at first sight with a sudden rapid heartbeat.
This love was a seed buried deep in the heart, watered little by little, sprouting silently. He hadn’t liked her when they first met, he hadn’t been moved when she came chasing after him in her wedding dress, he hadn’t been touched when she helped him up with a smile after he carried the whole family home, nor had he fallen for her after a sword dance.
His feelings for her had accumulated slowly over time, fermented, and finally became uncontrollable.
So long, so entangled, that when spoken, it seemed frustratingly slow.
He stared at her. Under his gaze, Chu Yu chuckled lightly, “What’s wrong with you?”
She seemed to not understand anything, sighing, “Little Seven, I understand you less and less. What exactly are you trying to do?”
Wei Yun didn’t speak. His heart gradually cooled down.
He slowly calmed down, looking at the calm and composed Chu Yu, understanding that he probably couldn’t say those words now.
If he spoke to them, this person might not even be his sister-in-law anymore, and even that last bit of care would be gone.
He adjusted his emotions, took a deep breath, stepped back, and respectfully said, “I was too tired earlier. It was Little Seven who was disrespectful. I hope Sister-in-law will forgive me.”
Chu Yu’s eyes showed affection. She nodded and said, “If you’re tired, go rest quickly. You’ve come this time to capture the messenger. I’ll give orders tomorrow to have them urgently gather information about this matter.”
“Mm.” Wei Yun’s voice was flat, showing no emotion. Chu Yu looked up at him, wanting to say something. She bit her lip, but ultimately didn’t speak, just waving her hand, “Go on.”
Wei Yun bent down to pick up his mask, reattached it to his face, and then put on the white jade mask before walking out.
After Wei Yun left, Chang Yue and Wan Yue came in. Only then did Chu Yu let out a sigh of relief. She raised her hand to her forehead as if she had a headache.
Chang Yue ran to Chu Yu’s side, crouched down, and whispered, “Madam, was that Gong Sun the young Marquis?”
Chu Yu, supporting her forehead, nodded and instructed, “Everything as usual, don’t let it spread.”
“Madam…” Wan Yue frowned, seeming to want to say something. Chu Yu looked up at Chang Yue and said, “Go to the kitchen and bring me a bowl of white fungus soup.”
Chang Yue left without suspicion. Wan Yue came to Chu Yu’s side and hesitantly asked, “Did the young Marquis say anything to you just now?”
Chu Yu didn’t speak. She lowered her head. After a moment, she raised her head and stared at Wan Yue.
“What do you think he should have said to me?”
Wan Yue pressed her lips together. Chu Yu’s gaze was full of warning as she calmly said, “He won’t say anything to me, and he can’t say anything to me.”
“In this life, I will either find a suitable person to marry, or I will be the Wei family’s First Madam for the rest of my life. Wei Yun will never have even a hint of scandal in his entire life. Do you understand?!”
“This slave understands.”
Wan Yue immediately knelt, kowtowing and repeating, “This slave understands the First Madam’s meaning!”
Chu Yu closed her eyes, trembling, and said no more. Wan Yue knelt on the ground, her heart in turmoil. She wanted to ask something several times but didn’t dare. When Chang Yue returned with the white fungus soup, she stood up, composed herself, and stood silently by Chu Yu’s side, not speaking anymore.
Chang Yue looked at the two of them, sensing that the atmosphere was a bit off. She stood there holding the white fungus soup, stunned for a long time before finally saying, “The… soup is here.”
Chu Yu nodded, tapping the table calmly, “Bring it over.”
After drinking the white fungus soup, Chu Yu went to sleep. When she woke up the next morning, she sat in front of the mirror, looking at herself.
She was twenty now, which in her memory was the most beautiful age.
When she was younger, her face had some baby fat, which was cute enough, but if talking about true beauty, it was indeed more radiant now. She stared at the person in the mirror, pondering what exactly had attracted others.
She thought perhaps her lip rouge was a bit too bright, or maybe her hairpin was too pretty. As she pondered left and right, Wan Yue beside her watched her thinking and hesitantly asked, “Madam, shall we apply makeup?”
Chu Yu was silent for a moment, and finally said, “No need. Just tie up my hair casually, the plainer the better.”
Chang Yue found this a bit strange and was about to speak, but was pulled back by Wan Yue. Wan Yue styled Chu Yu’s hair according to her request. Then Chu Yu went out, had breakfast, and called Wei Yun into the study.
The study was already piled with intelligence reports collected yesterday. Chu Yu was going through them one by one when Wei Yun entered. She was just looking at a major incident.
Wei Yun stood at the door reporting, and Chu Yu raised her head, frowning as she looked at him.
Seeing her solemn expression, Wei Yun couldn’t help but ask, “Has something big happened?”
“Wang He has declared himself king.”
Chu Yu spoke, her expression complex. Wei Yun was slightly stunned, and then heard Chu Yu frown and say, “Wang He has now fled to Lanzhou. Wang Zhi died on the way. He has now proclaimed himself as the King of An Lan in Lanzhou.”
“King of An Lan?” Wei Yun scoffed lightly, “What kind of title is that?”
“Lanzhou has always been the Wang family’s territory, with Wang family people up and down. The Wang family isn’t directly challenging Zhao Yue, just declaring themselves kings. It’s hard to say what their intentions are.”
Wei Yun didn’t speak. He clasped his hands inside his sleeves and calmly said, “They don’t dare to raise their flag at this moment.”
“That’s natural.”
Chu Yu stood up and walked to the sand table, frowning as she said, “Now Bai and Kun provinces are in your hands, Luo province is in my Chu family’s hands, Hua province is in Song Shilan’s hands. Besides these, Yao Yong’s Qing Province and the Xie family’s Rong Province all support Zhao Yue. Yan and Jing provinces are all Zhao Yue’s people. The remaining De, Hui, and Qiong provinces have always obeyed the emperor. No matter what, the Wang family doesn’t dare to directly rebel now.”
“Now that he has declared himself king…”
As she spoke, Chu Yu looked up at Wei Yun. Wei Yun calmly continued, “He’s waiting for our news.”
If Wang He didn’t take a stand now, he fled to Lanzhou, and Zhao Yue directly sent troops to take Lanzhou before others could react, his entire Wang family would be doomed. Rather than that, it’s better to declare himself king now. People like Wei Yun who want to rebel will naturally contact him. He serves as a target, with others lending him strength from behind.
Wei Yun pondered for a moment and made a decision, “I’ll send a message to Wang He. I’ll secretly help him hold Lanzhou.”
Chu Yu nodded and responded, “Go quickly! I’ll write a letter to my eldest brother. You write another letter to Song Shilan, and see what they think.”
Wei Yun nodded. He looked up at Chu Yu’s determined eyes, pressed his lips together, and said no more.
At the same time, the news also reached the palace. Zhao Yue was playing chess with Gu Chusheng. Gu Chusheng’s expression carried a hint of gloom. Zhao Yue chuckled lightly, “Chusheng, there are so many women in the world. Why fixate on the Wei family’s First Madam alone?”
Gu Chusheng glanced at Zhao Yue and said lightly, “Why doesn’t Your Majesty say this to yourself?”
Hearing these words, Zhao Yue wasn’t angered. He placed a chess piece on the board, nodded, and said, “You’re right. But Wei’s First Madam refuses so firmly. I wonder what Chusheng plans to do?”
Gu Chusheng didn’t speak. He quietly looked at the chessboard.
What to do?
He didn’t know what to do either. All of this had already exceeded his expectations. He thought that after a few years of pampering and coaxing, she should have changed her mind.
But how could someone be so stubborn, saying she wouldn’t turn back, and truly not turning back?
Gu Chusheng felt a soreness in his throat. At this moment, a palace servant hurriedly rushed in, anxiously saying, “Your Majesty, it’s not good, Lanzhou… Lanzhou…”
“What’s happened in Lanzhou?” Zhao Yue seemed to have already guessed something, his voice calm and unperturbed. The palace servant kowtowed on the ground, trembling as he said, “Wang He has declared himself the King of An Lan in Lanzhou!”
Zhao Yue’s movement of placing a chess piece paused for a moment. After a while, he chuckled, “Chusheng, let’s make a bet.”
Gu Chusheng looked up. Zhao Yue had just placed the chess piece on the board. Zhao Yue spoke calmly, “Let’s bet on how many days it will take for Wei Yun’s letter of alliance with Wang He to reach Wang He’s hands?”
Gu Chusheng didn’t speak. He calmly placed a chess piece and said flatly, “Your Majesty just wants to ask me what to do if Wei Yun allies with Wang He.”
Zhao Yue picked up his teacup, “From your tone, it seems you’ve already thought about it?”
“When Wang He fled from Huajing, I had already considered it. If Wang He wants to save his life, he must make a move. The reason he’s making a move is nothing more than wanting to ally with Wei Yun and others. This matter is easy to handle. Now Your Majesty’s sacred mandate is intact, you are the legitimate ruler of the country. They can’t come up with any reason to depose the emperor As long as His Majesty continues to move steadily forward, no one would dare to oppose him. Anyone who does would be branded a traitor, and with the people’s support for His Majesty, they pose no real threat.”
Zhao Yue nodded respectfully and asked, “Then does Mr. Gu think we can simply let the matter of Wang He slide?”
“Not at all,” Gu Chusheng replied, lifting his teacup with an indifferent expression. “We should send Wei Yun to deal with the rebels.”