Liu Xueyang was stunned by Chu Yu’s words, unable to react for a long time. Eventually, she gradually regained her composure.
The Wei family had weathered many storms. Although Liu Xueyang came from a scholarly background, she had married into the Wei family at a young age and had experienced their ups and downs.
Now, even though Wei Yun had only sent a brief letter, Liu Xueyang’s years of sensitivity to political situations made her realize that the Wei family was now walking on a knife’s edge. One misstep could lead to irreversible consequences.
Looking at Chu Yu, who appeared even calmer than herself, Liu Xueyang said earnestly, “To have such a daughter is truly the Wei family’s fortune. If the Wei family can safely overcome this crisis, we will not fail you.”
Chu Yu smiled upon hearing these words. Liu Xueyang’s expression turned cold, and she continued, “I will immediately take the young masters to Lanling. You must act cautiously in the capital. If necessary, I will bring the Old Madam back. For now, I entrust the entire Wei household to you. You can simply announce that I have taken the children on a trip.”
“Be careful on your journey, Mother-in-law,” Chu Yu nodded.
Liu Xueyang said no more. She immediately ordered soldiers to seal off the various courtyards, then went to the room where the five young masters were staying. She picked them up and hurriedly left in the night.
Chu Yu stood at the entrance to see Liu Xueyang off. To prevent tracking, they sent out three carriages in three different directions.
After Liu Xueyang’s departure, Chu Yu returned to the house and heard a commotion from the back courtyard. Wan Yue approached and calmly reported, “Madam Liang has heard about the Madam’s departure and is clamoring to see you. Several young madams have also woken up and are requesting to see you.”
“Don’t worry about the young madams. Chang Yue,” Chu Yu called to Chang Yue, who was waiting with a sword. She instructed, “Go to the Chu Manor immediately and borrow a hundred household troops overnight. Only my father should know about this; no one else is to be informed.”
Chang Yue acknowledged the order and quickly left the Wei Manor.
“Bring the account books. We’re going to see Madam Liang.”
Seeing Chang Yue leave, Chu Yu took Wan Yue and left the main hall.
Wei Xia, Wei Qiu, and the head guard Wei Yunlang followed behind them, along with two rows of soldiers, marching swiftly to Madam Liang’s residence.
Madam Liang was still making a fuss when Chu Yu entered. She angrily said, “Chu Yu, what is the meaning of this?! Where is the Madam? Where is she? I want to see her!”
“The Madam had to leave on business. I am now in full charge of the Wei household,” Chu Yu said directly, walking past her and taking the main seat.
Wan Yue stood behind her, holding the account books. Seeing those books, Madam Liang’s expression changed. Still trying to maintain her composure, she said, “How could the Madam entrust the Wei household to an inexperienced child like you? I have managed the household for twelve years. If the Madam had to leave on important business, she should have consulted with me first. I fear you might have imprisoned the Madam and are now ruling in her name!”
Hearing this, Chu Yu remained calm. She picked up a teacup and took a small sip. “You’re quite well-read, aren’t you?”
She then looked up, her gaze steady as she regarded Madam Liang. “You know very well why the Madam chose me and not you. So tell me, will you confess yourself, or shall I go through your accounts one by one?”
Chu Yu spoke without raising her voice, her tone calm and measured. Yet it was precisely this tranquil demeanor that made her words all the more powerful.
Madam Liang’s mind was in turmoil. Seeing the account books, she knew Chu Yu must have gone through the accounts.
But when had she done it? Madam Liang had been extremely cautious, and she hadn’t seen any sign of Chu Yu touching the account books…
She remained silent, pressing her lips together. Chu Yu glanced at her and said, “Very well, I won’t say much more. Over the years, you’ve misappropriated a total of 28,000 taels of silver from the Wei household. I will recover this amount from your brother. As for you,” Chu Yu looked at her for a long moment before calmly stating, “At dawn tomorrow, I will have you sent to the authorities for punishment according to the law.”
Hearing this, Madam Liang turned pale.
Having enjoyed preferential treatment in the Wei household for many years, she had almost forgotten her status as a concubine.
The Wei family didn’t place much emphasis on the distinction between primary and secondary wives, and her three children were treated almost the same as the legitimate sons. Liu Xueyang’s gentle nature and lack of involvement in household affairs had led everyone, including Madam Liang herself, to forget her concubine status.
Although her favored position had given her a certain status, the law differentiated between wives and concubines.
If a servant commits theft, they shall be beaten with fifty strokes and branded; if a concubine commits theft, they shall be beaten with thirty strokes and branded.
Thirty strokes.
For an ordinary woman, this was tantamount to a death sentence.
Madam Liang’s breathing became rapid. As Chu Yu stood up, she frantically called out, “No! Young Madam! You can’t do this!”
Chu Yu’s sleeve was grabbed by Madam Liang, and she met the latter’s desperate gaze. With tears in her eyes, Madam Liang’s voice trembled as she said, “Young Madam, I am the mother of three young masters. If you do this, it will break their hearts when they return!”
In the past, it was precisely for this reason that Liu Xueyang and Wei Zhong had always shown her extra respect.
The Wei family had seven children, each one exceptional. Wei Zhong and Liu Xueyang didn’t want them to be estranged due to their birth status. After all, on the battlefield, family was family. Therefore, they had always treated the mothers of these children with great courtesy.
Under normal circumstances, Chu Yu would have been willing to tolerate Madam Liang for this reason. However, knowing what Madam Liang would do in the future, she couldn’t let it slide.
So she said, “I haven’t taken into account the crimes you haven’t committed yet. All the charges now are for what you’ve done in the past. Madam Liang, when people do things, they must be prepared to face the consequences. Since you’ve done it, you must have the courage to bear the responsibility.”
“As for the three young masters…”
Chu Yu pressed her lips together, feeling a bit of reluctance, but still said, “I’m sure they will understand.”
With that, Chu Yu raised her hand, signaling for people to take Madam Liang away.
Madam Liang let out a shrill cry, and the young madams nearby who heard this sound were all startled.
After dealing with Madam Liang, Chu Yu turned and went to the room of the Second Young Madam, Jiang Chun.
This young madam came from a military family, but she was only a concubine’s daughter. However, due to her background, even in such a chaotic environment, she remained exceptionally calm.
Dressed in plain clothes, she sat upright at her desk, a long sword lying across her knees, her expression serene as she watched Chu Yu enter.
Chu Yu stood quietly at the door, observing her. She had rarely interacted with these young madams since marrying into the Wei family, and now, seeing Jiang Chun formally for the first time, she was somewhat impressed.
Jiang Chun wasn’t particularly beautiful, but her features were delicate, with an extra air of heroism about her.
She had just woken up, her hair falling loosely behind her. Sitting there so still, she exuded a unique presence.
But her body trembled slightly, clearly showing that her composure was forced. Chu Yu remained at the door, motionless. After a moment, Jiang Chun spoke first: “Whatever news you have, life or death, Young Madam, please tell me.”
Chu Yu’s gaze fell on the sword across Jiang Chun’s knees.
In her previous life, Jiang Chun had died by her hand. Perhaps from the moment she married Wei Shu, she had always been prepared to follow him in life and death.
So Chu Yu smiled gently and said, “There’s no news yet. They’re currently trapped in the White Emperor Gorge. I’m just preparing for the worst. By tomorrow, we might have news. Regardless of life or death, I hope you can help me, Sister.”
Hearing this, Jiang Chun was slightly taken aback. She murmured, “No news yet…”
That was the best news possible.
Chu Yu nodded. She had come just to check on Jiang Chun, to give her some reassurance and prevent her from doing anything rash.
Seeing that Jiang Chun was in a stable state, she turned to leave. But before she could take a step, she heard footsteps behind her. It was Jiang Chun, who said, “I’ll wait with you.”
Chu Yu was a bit surprised, but seeing the determination in Jiang Chun’s expression, she finally nodded.
The next morning, Chu Yu received Wei Yun’s second letter.
The handwriting on this letter was shaky as if the writer could barely hold the brush.
“Father and brothers all perished, only Wei Yun remains. The bodies have been wrapped and coffined, returning with the spirits.”
As expected.
Chu Yu looked at the letter for a long time without speaking, while Jiang Chun, after reading just that one sentence, suddenly fainted.
Chu Yu restrained her chaotic thoughts. After instructing the servants to take good care of Jiang Chun, she returned to the study.
Because she had been prepared, she could remain calm, but her heart was in turmoil. She picked up a brush, closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and began to write a reply.
“Do not worry, do not fear. I await your return.”
This letter traveled over mountains and rivers, reaching Wei Yun’s hands at the second sunset.
By then, he had been awake for nearly two days, dressed in mourning clothes, carrying the spirit tablets of his father and brothers on his back, leading seven coffins along the official road.
He didn’t know where he was or where he was going.
Home?
But with his father and brothers all dead, leaving only him, how could he face going home?
And after returning home, how could he face the storm that was sure to come?
The accusations from Yao Yong and the Crown Prince were still fresh in his mind, blaming his father for rashly pursuing the remnants of the enemy forces and falling into an ambush, leading to this great defeat. Due to his young age, he hadn’t been on the front lines. He didn’t know what had happened, he only knew that his father and brothers weren’t that kind of people, but such a defense seemed particularly weak and powerless.
For his first fourteen years, he had lived without facing any hardships. Even on the battlefield, his father and brothers had shielded him from the swords and spears.
Now, suddenly having to face all of this, his mind was blank.
He had carried the bodies back from the White Emperor Gorge one by one. All the way, he had been thinking, why couldn’t he have just died with them?
The spirit tablets were too heavy; he couldn’t carry them anymore.
But it was at this moment that the vanguard officer handed him the letter from home.
The handwriting of that woman was heavier than usual, yet particularly firm.
“Do not worry, do not fear. I await your return.”
In an instant, it was as if someone stood before him, shouldering that thousand-jin burden.
Wei Yun’s lips trembled as he clutched the paper. After a long while, he slowly closed his eyes.
The setting sun was like blood, and he held the letter from home as if it were worth a thousand gold pieces.
He had to go back.
Even though his father and brothers were gone, there were still the elderly and the young waiting for his return.