The next day, people from the palace came to escort Chu Yu. She changed into an elegant purple outer robe embroidered with magnolias and styled her hair in a married woman’s bun before boarding the sedan chair sent from the palace. As the chair swayed gently, approaching the palace gates, Chu Yu spotted Gu Chusheng standing there, tall and imposing in his crimson official robes. When her sedan chair stopped, Gu Chusheng paused, waiting for Chu Yu to alight. He bowed slightly as she placed her hand in his outstretched palm.
In the past, Chu Yu had always maintained a respectful distance from Gu Chusheng. However, given the current situation, it was better for her to stay close to him. By extending her hand, she was sending a message to Zhao Yue and all those watching from the shadows. Even if they were wary of Gu Chusheng, they might exercise some restraint.
Sure enough, the moment she reached out her hand, everyone around cast strange glances at them. Chu Yu maintained her composure. Gu Chusheng lowered his gaze, not daring to look at the delicate, jade-like hand in his. Suppressing his emotions, he whispered, “I’ve taken care of everything in the palace. Don’t be alone. I’ll be watching over you at all times.”
Chu Yu nodded without saying much. Gu Chusheng gently closed his hand, enveloping her soft hand in his.
Chu Yu looked up at him, her expression cold. Gu Chusheng forced a smile, “After doing so much for you, can’t I collect a little interest?”
His words were bold, but when he met Chu Yu’s gaze, he was trembling inside. He was terrified of Chu Yu’s cold stare, feeling that one more word from her could make him crumble.
However, today Chu Yu didn’t want Gu Chusheng to retreat. She remained silent, giving a slight smile before turning her head away.
That smile carried a hint of mockery. Gu Chusheng tightened his grip on her hand and turned to enter the palace.
“Tomorrow, I’ll come to propose marriage. You don’t need to prepare much; I’ll take care of everything.”
Hearing this, Chu Yu finally spoke, “Who gave you permission to propose?”
Gu Chusheng turned to look at her, his eyes filled with bitterness, “A’Yu, now that you’ve bowed your head, why bother beating around the bush? With the Wei family in Huajing, I’m the only one who can help you here.”
Chu Yu fell silent. After a long while, her voice drifted softly, “Gu Chusheng, do you know that you don’t love me? You’re just obsessed because you haven’t obtained me.”
Just like in her previous life when he was obsessed with Chu Jin, after her rebirth and experiencing love, she slowly understood that Gu Chusheng didn’t love Chu Jin back then. It was just a youthful obsession he had clung to for too many years. So when he returned to Huajing, he immediately married Chu Jin.
In this life, he hadn’t obtained her, so he was fixated on her. If he had gotten her, perhaps there wouldn’t have been so many complications.
Chu Yu turned to look at Gu Chusheng. The man smiled gently at her, his expression carrying traces of desolation and weariness.
“A’Yu, I know better than anyone whether I love you or not.”
Chu Yu said no more. For a moment, she wondered if Gu Chusheng had also been reborn. But as soon as the thought occurred to her, she found it laughable. Gu Chusheng had despised her for a lifetime; even until her death, he never spoke a kind word to her. If Gu Chusheng had truly returned, he would probably have run as far away as possible, definitely not wanting any entanglement with her.
Being pursued by her in the previous life was indeed not a pleasant experience.
Hand in hand, they arrived at the great hall, ignoring the gazes of everyone around them. Gu Chusheng instructed someone to place their small tables side by side. Chu Yu maintained an indifferent expression as people around them whispered. Just as they sat down, a woman dressed in plain gauze with a veil approached their table. Chu Yu looked up to see Chu Jin’s furrowed brow.
Behind her stood a young man who appeared to be fourteen or fifteen years old. His hair was tied up separately, and he wore a fitted outfit that made him look neat and agile.
Chu Yu recognized him as Han Min, the youth Chu Jin had saved in Fengling City years ago. Now that they were back in Huajing, Han Xiu had gone to work under her to continue developing weapons, while Han Min followed Chu Jin, becoming her attendant. She had heard that Han Xiu had come to the Chu family several times to ask for Han Min back, but Han Min insisted on staying by Chu Jin’s side as a guard rather than returning. Left with no choice, Han Xiu would spend every New Year with Han Min, Chu Jin, and the rest of the Chu family.
“Sister,” Chu Jin spoke, her eyes full of worry. Chu Yu was startled for a moment before smiling, “What are you doing here?”
After Chu Jin’s face was disfigured, she rarely left the house, let alone attend such a grand palace banquet. Chu Yu’s thoughts shifted, and she roughly knew why Chu Jin had come. Her eyes softened, “Go home and enjoy yourself. I’ll take care of myself.”
“Sister,” Chu Jin sighed softly, “Let me sit with you.”
Hearing this, Gu Chusheng finally looked up. He glanced coldly at Chu Jin, who was like an ant to him. In the previous life, when Chu Jin was fighting with Gu Yanqing’s wife for control of the household, her daughter-in-law collected evidence of everything she had done in this life and reported it to the officials. The court was in an uproar, which was unfavorable to his reputation, so he divorced her and sent her back to the Chu family. But by then, the Chu family no longer existed. After Chu Lingyang died in battle, the Chu family never recovered. Twenty years later, only the incompetent Chu Linxi was struggling to keep the family afloat. Soon after Chu Jin returned, she was driven out by Chu Linxi’s wife, Yao Tao, and ended up wandering among commoners.
When he saw her again, she was covered in filth, her appearance unbearable. He merely lifted the sedan curtain, took one look, and said nothing more.
Three years before his death, he heard news of her passing. It was said that she had used a golden hairpin from her youth, which she had kept until the end, to take her own life in the ruins of her old home.
At that time, he wondered if Chu Jin had any regrets if she had thought of her sister who had given her heart and soul before she died.
If he was so heartless in the previous life, how could he care now? But since Chu Yu was on good terms with Chu Jin in this life, Gu Chusheng gave her some face and said coolly, “Second Miss Chu, your seat is over there.”
“Lord Gu,” Chu Jin clenched her fists secretly, “My sister is still the First Madam of the Wei family, no matter what. You…”
“She will soon become the First Madam of the Gu family.”
Gu Chusheng didn’t like that title. He looked at her calmly and said, “You can continue to call her sister.”
“Go back,” Chu Yu didn’t want the two to argue and said to Han Min, “Take Second Miss back.”
Han Min hesitated but finally said, “Sister…”
However, before he could finish, Chu Jin stepped forward and sat directly next to Chu Yu, her expression composed, “I’ll stay with my sister.”
Chu Yu frowned, “Don’t be foolish. Do you not care about your reputation anymore?!”
Chu Jin lowered her eyes and spoke hoarsely, “With my current appearance, what use is reputation? I’ve heard about the Wei family’s situation. Today’s palace banquet is likely a trap. If I’m here…”
“If you know it’s a trap, what can you do by being here?” Chu Yu was somewhat exasperated, “Go back.”
“I’m worried,” Chu Jin shook her head, “If I’m here, at least one more person is looking out for you.”
Seeing that she couldn’t persuade her, Chu Yu turned to Gu Chusheng, “Let me sit with her.”
Gu Chusheng glanced at Chu Jin, who met his gaze coldly. Knowing how much Chu Yu cared for her sister, he said, “Alright, your brother-in-law will let you have your way this time.”
“You…” Chu Jin angrily stepped forward but was pulled back by Chu Yu. Chu Yu’s expression remained unchanged as she led Chu Jin to stand up and sit together at the place where she was supposed to sit originally. After they sat down, Chu Jin held Chu Yu’s hand, trembling slightly, and didn’t dare to let go.
Chu Yu patted her hand, her expression gentle.
“A’Jin,” she said calmly, “Don’t be afraid, sister is here.”
Chu Jin closed her eyes, and after a long while, finally calmed down.
After waiting for a while, Zhao Yue arrived with the Princess. Everyone stood up to pay their respects. After Zhao Yue gave a toast from the high seat, everyone sat down in turn, and the banquet officially began.
Not long after it started, Zhao Yue left with the Princess, leaving the officials to converse freely. Chu Jin and Chu Yu sat in their seats, not touching a drop of water. Chu Yu appeared at ease, seemingly chatting about something with Chu Jin. At first, Chu Jin’s responses were stiff, but soon she became more natural.
After a while, Chu Yu saw a female official approaching her. This official was from the Princess’s side and often delivered messages. The official spoke in a hoarse voice, somewhat urgently, “First Madam, the Princess wants you to go over. There’s an urgent matter.”
Chu Yu frowned slightly. Her first reaction was that it was a trap. She didn’t move, and the female official looked anxious, “First Madam, something happened to the Princess!”
“What could have happened to the Princess?”
Chu Yu looked up at the female official, “Tell the Princess I’ll visit her tomorrow.”
“I’m afraid it might be too late,” the female official lowered her voice, “The Princess said she knows your current situation is dangerous, but she has obtained something that must be sent out of the palace today. This thing is very important, the Wei family’s White Emperor Valley…”
Hearing this, Chu Yu’s heart suddenly trembled.
She knew what the Princess had obtained. It must be evidence of Zhao Yue’s involvement in the Wei family’s White Emperor Valley incident.
She scrutinized the female official for a long time, seeing that she was indeed from the Princess’s side. After pondering for a moment, she said to the female official, “I’ll go to Qifeng Palace. Lead the way.”
With that, she stood up, leading Chu Jin and Han Min out. Walking on the way to Qifeng Palace, Chu Yu felt slightly relieved. The female official led the way in front, telling Chu Yu about how the Princess discovered the evidence.
“Just now, His Majesty got drunk and fell on the bed. A letter fell from his sleeve, and in that letter was…”
Before the female official could finish speaking, Chu Yu sensed something was amiss.
How could someone like Zhao Yue do such a thing? And for the Princess to discover it at this precise moment…
Chu Yu’s expression changed drastically. Without hesitation, she grabbed Chu Jin and turned to run, but it was already too late. Over a dozen assassins emerged from the sides, and a yellowish smoke began to fill the air. The female official suddenly collapsed.
Chu Jin, without hesitation, said to Han Min, “Retreat!”
The two held their breath as Han Min carried Chu Jin directly onto the roof. Chu Yu rushed in the opposite direction. These people were targeting Chu Yu, and they seemed to have strict orders, as not one of them pursued Chu Jin. Instead, they all chased after Chu Yu.
Chu Yu held her breath and took a pill before sprinting towards the great hall.
However, Zhao Yue knew her capabilities well. The dozen or so assassins he sent this time were his top operatives. Chu Yu could barely fend off one, but with over a dozen attacking in unison, she found herself surrounded, unable to move even half a step.
Unable to escape the poisonous smoke, the effects of her medicine gradually wore off. The hand holding her sword began to weaken, and her vision blurred. Someone viciously kicked her leg, causing her to stumble forward. Immediately, she was pinned down by over a dozen people. She couldn’t move at all. In her dazed state, she heard a eunuch’s voice, “Your Majesty, the First Madam can’t hold on anymore.”
Chu Yu’s breathing was rapid and heavy. She struggled to lift her head and saw Zhao Yue standing among the crowd, silently watching her.
“Drug her,” Zhao Yue said coldly, “Take her to the dungeon.”
Chu Yu gritted her teeth, trying to get up, but she had no strength left in her body. She closed her eyes, feeling someone force a pill into her mouth. Then she heard the sound of stone doors opening and closing around her. Finally, she was brought into a room. The room was brightly lit, and two maids shackled her hands and feet with iron chains before beginning to remove her clothes.
“What… are you doing…” Chu Yu spoke hoarsely, sensing something was wrong. The maids efficiently wiped her body and applied an unknown medicine. The medicine had a faint floral scent, and just smelling it made one’s heart flutter. She was left with only a thin gauze robe, her hair loose. Under the lamplight, the gauze robe shimmered like flowing water.
She felt a fire rising from her lower abdomen, her mouth dry. Having experienced such things before, she knew clearly what this was. She clenched her fists, trying to regulate her breathing. She began to understand what Zhao Yue intended to do, and the realization made her clench her teeth in humiliation.
She started to fear someone coming, hoping that at this moment, no one would arrive.
She couldn’t help but squeeze her thighs together, rubbing slightly. Just then, urgent footsteps sounded from outside. A moment later, the stone door burst open, and Gu Chusheng anxiously called out, “A’Yu…”
His words trailed off as he stood there, stunned, staring at Chu Yu chained to the stone wall.
The woman wore a plain white gauze robe, her long hair cascading like a waterfall. A white flower adorned her hair, swaying precariously with her movements. Beads of sweat traced from her forehead down her cheeks, dropping into her obvious curves. Her face was flushed, her gaze fluctuating between clarity and confusion, like dewdrops on a morning lotus, trembling and ready to shatter at the slightest touch.
Gu Chusheng’s mind exploded, countless memories flooding his brain in an instant.
He had possessed this person, many years ago. From his youth throughout his life, he had been addicted to her body, yet in his younger years, he never admitted it. Each time he was overcome with passion, he would grit his teeth and feign sobriety.
But that intoxicating experience had always remained in his mind. Now, as past events tumbled forth, combined with the sight of the person before him ripe for the taking, countless desires arose.
Seeing Gu Chusheng’s dazed expression, Chu Yu closed her eyes in embarrassment and called out hoarsely, “Gu Chusheng!”
Gu Chusheng suddenly snapped back to reality. He retreated a step in panic, and at that moment, the stone door slammed shut. Gu Chusheng whirled around, hearing Zhao Yue’s laughter from outside.
“Chusheng, it’s a beautiful night. Don’t disappoint the lady.”
“Zhao Yue!” Gu Chusheng shouted angrily, “Let me out!”
“Why come out?” A strange fragrance dispersed in the air, and Gu Chusheng felt the restlessness in his body. He turned his back to Chu Yu, not daring to look at her, as he heard Zhao Yue laugh, “Haven’t you always wanted the Wei family’s First Madam? Now you’ve got her, haven’t you?”
“Zhao Yue, I’m not you,” Gu Chusheng placed his hand on the cold wall, his breathing rapid. “Even if I’m despicable, I’m not as low as this. You got the Princess, are you happy?”
There was a long silence outside. After a while, Zhao Yue slowly said, “Then let me see how noble Lord Gu is, resisting temptation.”
Gu Chusheng closed his eyes in pain. He sat cross-legged, his back to Chu Yu, and spoke hoarsely, “My people will come looking for me when they realize I’m missing. I won’t touch you, don’t worry.”
Chu Yu didn’t speak. She looked up at him.
He was thinner than Wei Yunqing, with a strong scholarly air. Yet, whether in the past or now, he remained the best refuge for the common people.
If Wei Yunqing had built the northern border wall with his flesh and blood, then Gu Chusheng would have held up half the sky for the common people. Wei Yunqing gave the country peace and strength, while Gu Chusheng gave it clarity and prosperity.
She looked at the man with his back to her, her expression complex. After a long while, she finally spoke, “Why?”
Desire churned in Gu Chusheng’s mind. He leaned against the wall, breathing slightly heavily. Hearing the person behind him ask, he replied with jumbled thoughts, “A’Yu, I know in your heart, I’m despicable and vicious. But I have my limits… I want you to be well, I want you by my side. I’ve tried countless times to let go, but I can’t. I want to destroy everyone who takes you away from me, but I… don’t want to destroy you.”
“Don’t be afraid,” he swallowed, not knowing who he was reassuring. His mind was almost foggy, “Don’t be afraid.”
Listening to his words, Chu Yu found it extremely difficult to think clearly.
The pain in her palm could no longer keep her lucid. She felt as if Gu Chusheng’s scent permeated the air. She was almost weak enough to think:
Let it be.
It’s not like it hasn’t happened before, what does she care?
But as this thought crossed her mind, she suddenly remembered Wei Yunqing’s eyes.
Those eyes, from his youth until now, had always maintained their clarity and determination as if looking at her through time.
She remembered when he left for the last time, standing in the moonlight calling her: “Sister-in-law!”
He spoke gently, “Wait for me to return.”
Chu Yu closed her eyes, her body slightly curled. She would wait for him to return… she had to wait for him to return.
At some point, Gu Chusheng had moved in front of her. He reached out trembling hands and embraced her.
“I’m just holding you,” he said hoarsely, “I won’t do anything. I just feel too awful. I’ll just hold you. Soon… someone will come soon…”
Chu Yu breathed softly. Gu Chusheng’s hands caused a wave of tremors through her body. She couldn’t help but remember the time in Sha City when she wiped Wei Yunqing’s body. The youth’s long legs, his calloused hands. His hands were beautiful, with distinct knuckles.
It was as if he was right here, caressing her body. Her mind hazy, she called out hoarsely, “Wei Yunqing…”
Gu Chusheng’s hand paused slightly. This call brought back some of his reasons. He suddenly looked up, his voice trembling, “What did you say?”
Chu Yu called out that person’s name again, “Wei Yunqing…”
Again and again, as if it was some force supporting her. Tears fell from her eyes as she closed them, repeatedly calling out, “Wei Yunqing…”
Gu Chusheng’s entire body trembled.
How could it be him… how could it be him?
Desire and pain intertwined, pouring down like a torrent. He hurriedly held her tight, his voice hoarse, “Don’t call anymore…”
“Wei Yunqing…”
“Stop calling!”
“Wei Yunqing…”
Gu Chusheng finally broke down, crying out in anguish, “Stop calling! Look at me! Look at me!”
He gripped her chin, forcing her to look up at him. Using his last shred of reason, he spoke with difficulty, “Look at me, Chu Yu… I’m here. I’ve finally fallen for you, I’ve finally fallen for you. Please, look at me, will you?”
Chu Yu’s expression was distant. She vaguely saw the courtyard from years ago, Wei Yunqing sitting in the long corridor as she danced with a spear. Then she knelt on one knee before him, looking up at him.
The young Wei Yunqing, in white robes and a jade crown, looked down at her. After a long while, with a hint of shyness, he smiled gently.
She couldn’t help but smile too.
“Wei Yunqing.”
In the end, she didn’t change her words. Once on this path, there was no turning back.
Meanwhile, Chu Jin was racing towards the Wei mansion. Han Min followed behind her, anxiously saying, “Sister, even if we go to the Wei mansion, what can we do? There’s no one left there now!”
“We’ll figure it out when we get there!” Chu Jin gritted her teeth.
As soon as she finished speaking, she saw a group of people rushing towards the Wei mansion. Chu Jin looked from afar. The leader wore white robes with a jade crown and a long sword at his waist. His features were handsome and refined, yet with a firmness and tenacity rarely seen in Huajing.
The young man dismounted, just as Chu Jin arrived on horseback at the Wei mansion’s gate. She felt the person before her looked somewhat familiar, extremely similar to the Wei Yunqing she had seen in Fengling City years ago. She frowned slightly and tentatively asked, “Who might you be?”
Wei Yunqing glanced at her, immediately recognizing her as Chu Jin. He said calmly, “Wei Yunqing.”
Chu Jin was overjoyed and hurriedly said, “Quick, come with me to the palace. My sister is in trouble!”