Shan He Zhen – Chapter 104

Jiang Chun supported Chu Yu as they entered. She looked up at Chu Yu, hesitating to speak. Chu Yu’s expression remained calm as she said, “If you have something to say, go ahead.”

“That person just now was Xiao Qi…”

Chu Yu nodded. Jiang Chun pressed her lips together, pondering for a moment before finally saying, “Did he say anything he shouldn’t have to you?”

Chu Yu remained silent. Jiang Chun sighed, her tone somewhat helpless, “He came back and said it!”

Chu Yu raised her eyes to look at Jiang Chun. As Jiang Chun supported her walking into the room, she slowly said, “I knew his thoughts four years ago. I tried to persuade him then… He was still quite young after all. Although you two are of similar age, A’Yu, I know you’re different from him.”

Jiang Chun continued, her eyes filled with resignation, “A woman’s fate is fragile, and you’re someone who values emotions deeply. If he doesn’t like you in the future, he can simply find someone else. But if you bear everything and end up with such a conclusion, I’m afraid you might not be able to cope.”

“That’s true,” Chu Yu replied hoarsely. Jiang Chun held her hand and softly said, “But, that was four years ago.”

Chu Yu quietly looked at Jiang Chun, who had a smile in her eyes. Fearing Chu Yu might not understand, Jiang Chun explained with a smile, “To wait for someone for four years without seeing, hearing, or knowing anything about them, and then come back to say such words – A’Yu, this kind of affection is surely not impulsive.”

“I know,” Chu Yu responded hoarsely. Someone like Wei Yun, if he wasn’t certain of his feelings, how could he have spoken those words to her?

But while Wei Yun knew her current thoughts, how would he feel if he were to meet the Princess of Qingping one day?

Chu Yu dared not think about that person. She took a deep breath and said in a hoarse voice, “Let’s not think about these things now. We need to make preparations quickly. Wei Yun has abducted Gu Chusheng’s men, and Gu Chusheng will make a move soon. I’ll give you a token. Take the young masters out of the city immediately.”

“What about you and Mother…”

“We can’t leave,” Chu Yu calmly stated. “Firstly, we won’t be able to. Secondly, if we leave, the Wei Mansion will be empty, and Zhao Yue will immediately pursue us. You won’t get far. I’ll take care of Mother, don’t worry.”

Chu Yu then instructed the housekeeper to prepare the carriage and bring out the six young masters. Wang Lan’s child was only three and a half years old, just learning to speak. Wang Lan led him to the long corridor, anxiously asking, “What’s happening?”

Chu Yu looked up at her. Four years had passed, and Wang Lan, who had said she would leave, ended up staying for the children. Everyone thought she stayed for the children, but every time Chu Yu saw Shen You standing at the gate, she felt that perhaps Wang Lan herself wasn’t clear about why she stayed.

“The Marquis Mansion might be in trouble,” Chu Yu said calmly. “Give the child to A’Chun, she’ll take them away.”

“But Lingxue is still young, and he’s been ill recently…”

“Then why don’t you take the children out, A’Lan,” Jiang Chun decisively suggested. “You appear gentle, so say you’re taking the children out for medical treatment. It’ll be easier to pass through. I’ll stay here with you. If something happens, at least you won’t be alone to bear it all.”

Chu Yu remained silent for a moment, somewhat hesitant, but finally nodded and said, “Alright, A’Lan,” Chu Yu looked up at her, her expression solemn, “Can you do it?”

Wang Lan was taken aback. She hesitated for a moment, looked down at Wei Lingxue in her arms, and nodded, “Okay, I’ll take them out.”

Chu Yu then had the children board the carriage. She had the four older children hide under the carriage floor, while the other two children pretended to be ill, protected by Wang Lan inside the carriage. Taking all the young masters of the Wei family out at once would be too conspicuous, so this was the only way.

Wang Lan didn’t hesitate. She quickly packed some things and then carried Wei Lingxue and led Wei Lingdong onto the carriage. Jiang Chun pulled over the eldest, Wei Lingchun, stroked his head, and said gently, “Lingchun, I’m entrusting your younger brothers to your care, do you understand?”

“I understand,” Wei Lingchun nodded seriously. “Mother, don’t worry. I will take good care of them.”

Jiang Chun pressed her lips together and pulled Wei Lingchun into her embrace.

Chu Yu watched them quietly, her heart-stirring. This kind of mother-son affection was something she had never experienced. As she watched, she felt a hint of envy.

The carriage departed with a clatter. After seeing off Wang Lan, Chu Yu and Jiang Chun stood at the doorway. Jiang Chun smiled, “It’s just the two of us again.”

Chu Yu looked at Jiang Chun, realizing that four years ago, it was also like this. She couldn’t help but laugh, “Indeed, our Marquis Mansion is truly plagued with misfortune.”

The two chatted and laughed as they returned to the house. Meanwhile, Wang Lan was racing through the night. She led two carriages, with all six children on board. At the city gate, she presented the token of the Marquis Wei’s mansion. The guards outside hesitated, “Sixth Madam Wei, it’s past curfew now. Perhaps you should leave the city tomorrow…”

“Look at the state of my child,” Wang Lan lifted the curtain, scolding with tears in her eyes. “If you stop me tonight, and my child can’t be treated in time, will you bear this responsibility?!”

The guard, being scolded like this, was quite hesitant. Wang Lan stared at him intently, “You can stop me today if you want, but the child I’m holding is the Sixth Young Master of the Wei family. I know you look down on me, but even though my husband is gone, our young Marquis is still alive. He’s still fighting bloody battles for you at the border. Is this how you treat his family?! If anything happens to the Sixth Young Master Wei because of you, are you prepared to pay with your life?!”

Hearing Wei Yun’s name, the guard turned to look at his fellow guard, and finally said, “Alright, we’ll do a routine check. If there’s nothing suspicious, we’ll let Sixth Madam pass.”

As he spoke, soldiers came forward to search the carriage. Wang Lan nervously gripped the curtain, her heart racing. With four children hidden under the carriage, if the soldiers discovered that all of the Wei family’s children were trying to leave the city, it would be impossible to succeed.

Wang Lan desperately tried to think of reasons to stop them, but as a sheltered woman, she couldn’t come up with anything. As she saw the soldier probing under the carriage with his spear, Wang Lan’s heart was in her throat. Just as she was about to speak up to stop them, an urgent call rang out, “Sixth Madam Wei!”

Everyone looked up simultaneously towards the voice. Wang Lan saw him and was stunned. Shen You was on horseback at the gate. He dismounted quickly and rushed forward anxiously, “Sixth Madam, I heard the Sixth Young Master is unwell. How is he now?”

As soon as he arrived, the guards immediately saluted. Shen You was now a favorite of Zhao Yue, and everyone recognized him, not daring to offend him. Seeing Shen You, Wang Lan wanted to avoid him, but given the current situation, she could only force herself to say, “I’m afraid he’s not well. I’m going out of the city now to find Doctor Weng, who usually treats him…”

“Then why aren’t you letting her pass?!” Shen You looked up and roared angrily. “If something happens to him, can you afford to delay?!”

“Lord Shen, we still need to search…”

“Search what?!” Shen You kicked the man away, acting completely arrogant. “Open the gate immediately, or I’ll have you punished! I’ll take responsibility if anything happens. Open the gate!”

Hearing this, the guards no longer hindered them. After all, if anything went wrong, it would be Shen You’s responsibility. They looked at each other and finally opened the gate.

Shen You escorted Wang Lan out. Wang Lan held the child, sitting in the carriage as it sped away. She didn’t hear Shen You say a word; he just silently escorted her outside the carriage.

Once out of the city, the biggest crisis was resolved. All the children were settled in the carriage, tired and falling asleep in various positions. By dawn, Shen You finally stopped.

“Sixth Madam,” he respectfully said outside the carriage, “I can only escort you this far. Please be careful on the rest of your journey.”

Wang Lan listened to his words, holding the child, tears in her eyes. After a long while, she managed to respond with an “Mm.”

She knew he had been guarding outside the Wei Mansion all these years. It was precisely because she knew this that she couldn’t quite understand.

She couldn’t understand why someone as good as him had sent that letter back then.

She couldn’t understand why he pretended not to have entangled with her, only to reveal the answer in the end.

She held Wei Linghan, quietly waiting for a while. After a long time, she finally heard his voice from outside, “Sixth Madam, Shen You knows this request is abrupt, but Shen You still wants to ask once. After four years without seeing you, would the Sixth Madam allow this one to see you once more, to see with my own eyes if the Sixth Madam is well?”

Wang Lan didn’t speak. After a long while, she finally said, “If we meet, what then? Whether I’m well or not, is it something you can change just by looking? Meeting will only bring more heartache.”

Outside, Shen You was silent for a long time. Just as Wang Lan thought he had left, the curtain was suddenly lifted. The morning light flooded into the carriage, and his figure crashed into her eyes. The deep contours typical of the Northern Di, eyes like the starry sky, quietly gazing at her. Wang Lan was stunned. Shen You looked at her silently for a long time before he finally smiled gently.

“Seeing you, I can rest assured now.”

“Sixth Madam,” his eyes were full of reluctance, “Take good care of yourself.”

With that, Shen You lowered the curtain. This time, Wang Lan finally heard the sound of him riding away. After a long while, she came to her senses as the guard outside inquired, “Sixth Madam, shall we depart?”

Wang Lan looked up, her eyes full of determination, “Let’s go, to Kunyang!”

As daybreak arrived, Chu Yu had finally arranged everything. If Wei Yun were to return this time, it would likely mean a complete falling out with Zhao Yue. She needed to prepare everything well.

She yawned, then heard the housekeeper announce, “First Madam, Gu Chusheng has arrived.”

Chu Yu nodded, somewhat tired, “Let him in.”

She walked to the main hall and knelt on the high seat, pouring herself some tea.

Soon, she saw Gu Chusheng enter with his men.

She looked up at him and smiled, “Good morning, Lord Gu. Not attending the morning court today?”

The wounds on Gu Chusheng’s face had already scabbed over. He smiled as he sat down, and someone served him tea.

“Don’t you know why I’m not attending the morning court today, First Madam?”

Chu Yu watched as the maid brought in breakfast. She spoke leisurely, “I don’t understand what Lord Gu means. Whether you attend the morning court or not, what does it have to do with our Wei Mansion?”

“Wei Yun is indeed formidable,” Gu Chusheng took a sip of tea and praised, “I thought he wanted to kill me, but it turns out he was luring the tiger away from the mountain. First Madam, was the time I left you last night to prepare sufficient?”

Chu Yu didn’t speak. She lowered her head to sip her tea. Gu Chusheng’s gaze was sharp as he looked at her and said coldly, “First Madam, I’ve come to propose marriage today. Is it appropriate?”

“Gu Chusheng,” Chu Yu spoke calmly, “I’m afraid this marriage isn’t possible anymore.”

Gu Chusheng suddenly clenched his fist. Chu Yu looked up at him, “I’ve realized that I might have someone I like now.”

“Someone you like?” Gu Chusheng laughed mockingly, “Who doesn’t like a few people in their lifetime? In your position, can you still talk about liking someone when it comes to marriage?”

Chu Yu didn’t respond, just continued drinking her tea. Seeing her lack of response, Gu Chusheng gradually calmed down.

“How much do you like him?”

“Not that much, I suppose,” Chu Yu sighed, “Actually, I’m not sure myself. But Gu Chusheng, now that I know I like him, I won’t allow myself to hurt him before I figure things out.”

Gu Chusheng was silent. After a moment, he chuckled lightly, “Guarded for so many years, and in the end, I’m left with nothing.”

“It’s nothing,” Chu Yu looked up at him, “You’re twenty-one now, already the Minister of Rites and the designated Grand Secretary. Gu Chusheng, you’ve already gained quite a lot.”

“Enough of what!” Gu Chusheng erupted in anger.

What Minister of Rites, what Grand Secretary? Hadn’t he obtained these before?

He had served as the Imperial Tutor to three emperors, wielded immense power in the court, and enjoyed high positions and generous salaries. He had seen through and had enough of this fame and fortune in his previous life. If he still cared about these things, would he have been killed by Wei Yun back then?

He was breathing heavily, staring at Chu Yu.

“Chu Yu, don’t push me,” he said, his voice trembling, “You’re all I have in this life. Don’t push me.”

Chu Yu looked up at him, frowning slightly.

“Gu Chusheng,” she said, somewhat puzzled, “When did you become so obsessed?”

Gu Chusheng didn’t speak, just stared at her fiercely.

When?

Ten years, twenty years, thirty years…

He had long forgotten.

But he couldn’t tell her these things. If he did, then any possibility between them would truly be gone.

He breathed deeply, trying to regain his composure.

“You absolutely won’t agree to marry me, will you?”

“Gu Chusheng…”

“Yes or no!”

Chu Yu was silent. After a long while, she slowly spoke, “Yes.”

As she said this, her heart was trembling. Yet she didn’t know where the strength came from to support her.

She felt as if she had found something to rely on, as if someone was standing behind her, giving her the luxury to be willful. So she raised her head and repeated once more, “Yes.”

Gu Chusheng laughed, nodding as he stepped back.

“Good, good, I understand.”

He said, turning around. He walked forward quickly, then stopped in his tracks.

“Madam Wei,” he spoke calmly, “Be happier in the coming days. Prepare well for your wedding.”

Hearing this, Chu Yu laughed.

“Sure,” she said leisurely, “If our Marquis allows me to marry.”

Hearing these words, Gu Chusheng’s blood surged.

He should have realized earlier that Gong Sun Lan was Wei Yun… He had thought that given Chu Yu’s personality if Gong Sun Lan was Wei Yun, she would never use Gong Sun Lan to provoke him. It wasn’t until Wei Yun made his move last night, with the entire Wei family mobilizing against Chu Yu’s orders, that he realized – what if Chu Yu didn’t know?

Or perhaps… Chu Yu liked him too?

There were countless possibilities, and he had considered many. He dared not come to see her; he didn’t even know how to face a Chu Yu who had fallen for someone else.

He pondered through the night, struggling to understand it all, yet one thing was clear to him: he had to stop her.

In this life, having been reborn, he desired nothing but her.