Wei Yun stood silently, his sword held horizontally before him. Chu Yu stared at the blade, her gaze somewhat dazed. She didn’t know how things had escalated to this point. Eyes downcast, she clutched the blanket, her heart filled with trepidation.
Wei Yun waited patiently, his expression as calm as still water. After a long while, Chu Yu, still gripping the blanket, spoke hesitantly, “This was just an unintentional…”
“It was intentional,” Wei Yun interrupted, crouching down to meet her eyes. “Don’t you know how I feel about you?”
Chu Yu looked into his eyes, pure and determined, without a hint of hesitation. He placed his hand on her cheek, speaking gently, “A Yu, you like me. You told me so last night.”
Chu Yu’s heart trembled violently as if her deepest, most hidden feelings had been unearthed. She turned her head away, watching the falling maple leaves outside. Wei Yun straightened up, sat on the bed’s edge, and drew her into his embrace.
The early autumn air carried a slight chill, but his entire being radiated warmth bordering on heat. His hand caressed her smooth back as he said softly, “A Yu, don’t be afraid. As long as you like me, I’ll help you bear and shield you from everything. Don’t be afraid.”
Chu Yu remained silent, pinching the blanket, feeling a lump in her throat. This man was too good, like a dream. She feared that one day she’d wake up, and it would be better to have never dreamed at all.
Moreover, if they were together and one day parted, she’d sacrifice not only her reputation, Wei Yun’s reputation, and the Wei family’s name, but also this warm place that felt like home. The haven she had painstakingly cultivated would be lost to her forever.
However, things had progressed to this point, and she could no longer avoid Wei Yun. It was either to have once possessed or to have never possessed at all.
With this thought, her resolve wavered, and for a moment, she felt as impulsive as a youth. She raised her arms, gently embracing him, and said in a hoarse voice, “Then, promise me one thing.”
“Tell me,” Wei Yun’s voice trembled slightly.
Chu Yu closed her eyes. “Don’t tell anyone about our relationship. Let’s take it slow.”
Wei Yun was at a crucial juncture now, and any unexpected factors should be avoided.
Wei Yun paused, then realized, “So you’re agreeing to be with me?”
Chu Yu’s face flushed as she nodded.
Wei Yun burst into laughter, lifting Chu Yu and spinning around the room in joy. Frightened, Chu Yu clung to him, hurriedly saying, “Put me down!”
Wei Yun tossed her onto the bed, rolling on top of her, saying happily, “A Yu, I’ve waited so long for this day.”
Chu Yu turned her head away, urging, “Quickly get up, what will people think?”
“I’ll get up,” Wei Yun said, grinning, “but first tell me, when can I marry you?”
Chu Yu pursed her lips. “I don’t know.”
Wei Yun raised an eyebrow. Chu Yu spoke calmly, “Xiao Qi, I won’t lie to you. I like you, but this affection isn’t that deep yet. I have knots in my heart that I need to untie step by step. When we truly fall in love, when we naturally reach that point, then we’ll marry.”
Wei Yun said nothing, just gazing at her steadily. Chu Yu met his eyes. “I’m not deceiving you. My feelings only go this far for now. I fear seeing Mother angry, worry about my parent’s concerns, and I’m also afraid…”
“Alright, alright,” Wei Yun smiled. “I know you have many fears. Let’s not speak of them.”
He lowered his head, resting it on her chest, listening to her heartbeat. Slowly, he said, “Sometimes I think you’re like a lawless little cat. After being hurt, you hide under the bed and refuse to come out. I want to coax you out, to cherish and pamper you, but you’re unwilling. I want to spoil you until you’re like before, lashing out with your whip at anyone who displeases you. Why won’t you trust me and come out?”
Chu Yu was amused by this comparison, smiling silently. Wei Yun raised his head, looking at her face, almost pouting, “But since you’ve taken such advantage of me, you must promise me one thing.”
“How have I taken advantage of you?” Chu Yu asked, torn between laughter and exasperation.
Wei Yun glanced at her sideways, his phoenix eyes sparkling. “You’ve taken my body but won’t take responsibility. Isn’t that taking advantage?”
“You…” Chu Yu raised her hand to push him away, but he caught it, gazing at her intently.
“I’m serious,” he said, looking into her eyes. “Will you like me a little more each day?”
Chu Yu was taken aback, meeting his gentle gaze. After a long moment, she lowered her eyes and finally said, “Alright.”
Wei Yun said no more. He held her hand, kissed her palm, then stood up. “Shall I help you freshen up?”
Chu Yu nodded, blushing. Wei Yun carried her to the washbasin, helped her clean up, dressed her, and carried her back to bed. “Rest well today. I’ll handle the rest.”
“What do you plan to do?” Chu Yu frowned.
Wei Yun smiled. “I’ve arranged everything else, but we need a reason to rebel. Now that I’m back, Zhao Yue will surely try to harm me. I’m waiting for him to make his move.”
“You want him to force your hand?”
“Yes,” Wei Yun nodded. “Being forced to rebel and rebelling on my own are two different things in the eyes of the world.”
“What if Zhao Yue gets desperate and tries to seal the city and kill you?”
“I have five thousand troops outside. They’ll pretend to attack the city, and we’ll coordinate from within. We’ll evacuate everyone we need to.”
Since the Wei family couldn’t leave the city now, this was the only way to empty the entire Wei mansion.
Chu Yu nodded, then asked, “So what’s your immediate plan?”
“Today, I’ll contact my people in the court and make arrangements to take them out later. Tomorrow,” Wei Yun’s voice turned cold, “I’ll go to the Shun Tian Prefecture to beat the drum and file a complaint.”
Chu Yu understood Wei Yun’s intention. He planned to file a complaint, starting with the White Emperor Valley incident, accusing Zhao Yue of his evil deeds. The Shun Tian Prefecture wouldn’t dare to accept the case, and when Zhao Yue sent people to arrest Wei Yun, his men would attack the city under the pretext of rescuing their master. After saving Wei Yun and crowning him, his subsequent rebellion would be free of blemish.
He would be seen as forced to rebel, forced to commit treason, forced to become the ruler.
Understanding Wei Yun’s plan, Chu Yu nodded. “Then go quickly to find your people. I’ll arrange for a theater troupe to perform near the Shun Tian Prefecture tomorrow.”
“A theater troupe?” Wei Yun was surprised.
Chu Yu hesitated for a moment, then cautiously suggested, “Or should I arrange a courtesan showcase? It might draw an even larger crowd.”
Hearing this, Wei Yun burst into laughter. “I didn’t realize your business ventures had expanded so far in these years.”
“My Lord,” Chu Yu sighed, “life in the marquis’s mansion is hard. Making money isn’t easy.”
“Indeed,” Wei Yun nodded, flopping into Chu Yu’s arms and blinking. “From now on, this marquis will rely on his face to be supported by his wife.”
“Quickly go and attend to important matters!” Chu Yu pushed him away.
Wei Yun whined and cuddled for a while before finally leaving.
After Wei Yun left, Chu Yu rested for a bit, then painfully got out of bed and called for Chang Yue and Wan Yue.
As soon as they entered, Chang Yue and Wan Yue knelt. Chang Yue said tearfully, “We failed in our duties and let Madam suffer humiliation.”
“Don’t talk nonsense,” Chu Yu gave her a cold look.
Wan Yue, more composed, bowed and asked, “Madam, do you need contraceptive medicine?”
Chu Yu hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded. “Go fetch it.”
Chang Yue rose to get the medicine, while Wan Yue looked up at Chu Yu and asked, “Madam, what should we do now?”
“Don’t speak of this to anyone,” Chu Yu said calmly. “As for what’s between the Marquis and me, it’s not your concern.”
Wan Yue understood and quietly agreed.
Meanwhile, Wei Yun walked out of the room, his steps light and his spirit refreshed. He wore a smile on his face and even cheerfully greeted the guards with a “Good morning.”
Wei Yun usually maintained a neutral expression, so this display of joy frightened the guards, who dared not say much. As he turned the corner, Wei Yun saw Shen Wushuang waiting at the door, holding a dog. Seeing Wei Yun, Shen Wushuang said sourly, “The Marquis looks flushed with the glow of love, it seems last night’s ‘Spring’s End’ medicine was quite effective.”
Hearing this, Wei Yun coughed lightly and walked towards Shen Wushuang, saying, “Brother Shen, don’t be upset. I’ll help you pursue your sweetheart when I get back.”
“Shut up!” Shen Wushuang glared at Wei Yun. “Mind your own business!”
Then, as if remembering something, Shen Wushuang smiled and said, “Speaking of trouble, while I was out walking the dog and buying some tofu pudding, I saw people carrying betrothal gifts toward the Wei mansion. The procession was quite long, showing great sincerity. You think…”
Before Shen Wushuang could finish, the steward hurried in, anxiously saying, “My Lord, people from the Gu family have come with betrothal gifts. The Old Madam is rushing over now and asks for your presence as well.”
Hearing this, Shen Wushuang’s expression changed slightly. He observed Wei Yun’s face, but Wei Yun remained calm, nodding steadily, “I’ll go right away.”
With that, Wei Yun strode towards the main hall.
In the center of the main hall, a woman was speaking with Liu Xueyang. The woman looked kind and gentle, sighing as she said to Liu Xueyang, “You know our Chu Sheng, his fondness for the Wei family’s First Madam isn’t new, it’s known throughout the capital. He’s nearly twenty-two now, yet he doesn’t even have a concubine. For the First Madam’s sake, you could say he’s remained as pure as jade…”
As she spoke, Wei Yun entered. Everyone stood up and bowed to him. Wei Yun bowed to Liu Xueyang and Madam Gu, introduced himself, and sat down beside Liu Xueyang.
Seeing Wei Yun, Madam Gu was somewhat surprised, then said, “So the young Marquis is here too, that’s perfect. I was just discussing the First Madam’s marriage with your mother. What does the young Marquis think?”
Hearing this, Wei Yun smiled lightly and turned to Liu Xueyang, “What does Sister-in-law think?”
“I asked your sister-in-law before, and she said she wasn’t willing. But…”
“But the First Madam is already nearly twenty-one years old,” Madam Gu quickly interjected. “Old Madam, I’ve been honest. The Wei family’s First Madam, though holding a first-rank title and possessing admirable virtues, is after all remarrying and a bit older. Our Chu Sheng, young as he is, already holds the position of Minister of Rites and is internally designated for the position of Grand Secretary of the Cabinet. He’s likely to be promoted next month. If we miss this opportunity…”
“Get out,” Wei Yun calmly interrupted before she could finish.
Everyone was stunned. Madam Gu looked at Wei Yun in disbelief, about to speak, when Wei Yun raised his head, glancing at the people around him, and said flatly, “What, can’t you understand simple words?”
The people looked at each other, bewildered. Wei Yun glanced at the guards beside him, who simultaneously drew their swords. The flash of cold steel startled even Liu Xueyang, who couldn’t help but exclaim, “My son, what are you doing?”
“My Wei family’s First Madam doesn’t need to marry,” Wei Yun stood up, his voice calm and solemn. “She holds a first-rank title and is the First Madam of our Wei family. How dare a gossiping woman like you speak ill of her? She simply doesn’t wish to marry. If she did, your Gu family, descendants of criminals, commoners who have just returned to court, and former servants of our Wei family – even if Gu Chu Sheng were not just a mere Minister of Rites but the Chief Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, he was once our slave!”
These words caused Madam Gu’s face to change drastically. She stood up, unable to control her trembling. She wanted to curse but, faced with the chilling blades, could only force a smile and say, “Isn’t the Marquis being unreasonable? Our Gu family was also once noble, just fallen on hard times…”
“But fallen nonetheless,” Wei Yun said calmly. “Moreover, our Wei family’s status is far beyond what Gu Chu Sheng can aspire to.”
These words made Madam Gu laugh in anger, repeatedly saying, “Very well, very well. It’s our Gu family that’s overreaching. I wonder how long your Wei family’s glory will last!”
With that, Madam Gu stood up angrily, saying, “We’re leaving!”
“Stop,” Wei Yun called out to Madam Gu, pointing at the things on the ground. “Quickly take these things back with you.”
Madam Gu raised her hand, gritting her teeth, “Take them away!”
After they left, Liu Xueyang stood up anxiously, “Xiao Qi, what are you saying? Humiliating Gu Chu Sheng like this, who will dare to propose in the future? You… you’re harming A Yu!”
Wei Yun said nothing. He patted Liu Xueyang’s shoulder and said calmly, “Mother, don’t worry. I will find a better man than Gu Chu Sheng for Sister-in-law.”
Liu Xueyang was puzzled. “In the capital now, besides you, who is better than Gu Chu Sheng?”
Wei Yun smiled without saying more. He turned to look at a nearby attendant and said, “Lend me your sword.”
The guard was confused but still unsheathed his sword and handed it to Wei Yun.
“Mother,” Wei Yun said calmly, holding the sword, “I have some matters to attend to. I’ll be going out for a while.”
Liu Xueyang stared blankly as Wei Yun walked out with the sword. After a long moment, she asked those around her, “What is he going to do?”
Everyone shook their heads, indicating they didn’t know. Only Shen Wushuang rushed in, anxiously asking, “I heard the Marquis left with a sword?”
Everyone nodded, and Shen Wushuang slapped his thigh, exclaiming anxiously, “I have to go!”
With that, Shen Wushuang also left.
By this time, Wei Yun had already mounted his horse with the sword and was racing towards the Gu mansion. He moved so quickly that he arrived before the betrothal gifts from the Gu family had even been returned.
Arriving at the Gu mansion’s gate, he knocked. As soon as the door opened a crack, Wei Yun kicked it open and rushed in, heading straight for the main hall.
The Gu family guards were alarmed and swarmed towards him, but dared not approach. Wei Yun walked into the main hall, sword in hand, looking at the plaque above that read “Supreme Good is Like Water,” and calmly said, “Go tell your master that Wei Yun, the Marquis of Zhenguo, has come to pay a visit.”