“Come back here!” Chu Yu urgently grabbed Wei Yun, who was about to walk away. She couldn’t help but laugh and cry at the same time as she said, “Where do you think you’re going? What does this have to do with Gu Chusheng?”
Wei Yun remained silent. He let her pull him back, seeming somewhat aggrieved as he said, “I know you can’t let go of him, and there’s nothing I can do about it. He liked you first, so I’ve lost. I’m willing to accept defeat. I can’t do anything to you, but can’t I even give him a hard time?”
“You…” Chu Yu felt helpless. “Where do you get all these ideas from?”
“Am I wrong?” Wei Yun turned to look at her. “You knew he was coming, but you didn’t tell me. You were upset by yourself. I thought you were unhappy because of me, so I went to great lengths to comfort you…”
As Wei Yun spoke, he felt increasingly distressed. Thinking about how Chu Yu had been tossing and turning at night these past few days, and how he had been groveling to comfort her, he suddenly felt he couldn’t tolerate it anymore. “I’m going to find him right now.”
“Xiao Qi!” Chu Yu held onto him, and for some reason, her recent anger suddenly dissipated. She tugged at him and hurriedly said, “I wasn’t upset because of him. I’ve been unhappy lately only because…” Chu Yu faltered. Wei Yun looked up at her with an expression that seemed to say ‘Let’s see how you explain this,’ and cooperatively asked, “Because of what?”
Chu Yu swallowed Wei Qingping’s name and said softly, “I just felt that with so many young ladies coming this time, and you being of marriageable age… I was just feeling upset about it.”
Wei Yun was taken aback for a moment, then furrowed his brow. “Then why didn’t you tell me about Gu Chusheng coming?”
“I didn’t know he was coming.” The name Gu Zicu was given by Gu Chusheng’s father, and he had never told her about it. If she said she knew, firstly, she was afraid Gu Chusheng might become suspicious in the future, and secondly, she was worried it might seem too intimate to Wei Yun.
“Then why did you arrange for Gu Zicu to stay in the guest quarters?”
“Who told you that?” Chu Yu was puzzled. “When I saw the name, I wondered if it might be Gu Chusheng, so I prepared two rooms. If it turned out to be Gu Chusheng, he would go directly to the guest room. If not, he would go to a regular room. How could I have specially prepared a guest room for him?”
Wei Yun finally felt somewhat better. He thought for a moment and then said with a beaming smile, “So you were afraid I was preparing to take a wife. Since you’re afraid, why don’t you marry me?”
“How have I not married you?” Chu Yu smiled, reaching up to adjust his clothes. “It’s not that I won’t marry you, I’m just waiting to marry you.”
“Waiting” to marry him meant waiting for their feelings to naturally develop, waiting for the right time.
Now that Wei Yun was about to proclaim himself king, he needed to recruit soldiers and gain support from all over the land. A good reputation was crucial for him. If he were just the Marquis of Zhenguo, marrying her would probably only result in ridicule throughout Huajing and, at worst a demotion and a fine. Their biggest obstacle would have been Liu Xueyang’s acceptance.
However, things were different now. The world was about to be divided, and Wei Yun desperately needed to win the hearts of people across the land. If his virtue were tarnished, and Zhao Yue used it to manipulate public opinion, discerning individuals might hesitate, putting Wei Yun at a disadvantage. With the lives of an entire clan and half the world at stake, Chu Yu would not allow any unnecessary risks to appear, especially risks related to such romantic matters.
Chu Yu’s heart settled. She looked up at him and said gently, “Don’t overthink it. Gu Chusheng and I are long past. I’m not someone who can’t let go.”
Hearing these words, Wei Yun felt much more at ease. He raised his hand to hold hers. “Then you shouldn’t overthink either. I won’t give those young ladies a second glance.”
Chu Yu smiled and lightly patted his face. “You always know how to say pretty words to comfort me.”
With that, she withdrew her hand and turned around. “Alright, let’s go back. My brother is probably about to arrive.”
“Mm.” Wei Yun responded, following closely behind her as they walked out.
After returning to the city gate, it wasn’t long before Chu Lingyang’s carriage appeared in view. As soon as Chu Yu saw the fluttering “Chu” character, she lifted her skirt and stepped forward.
Wei Yun followed behind her, watching as she happily approached the carriage and exclaimed, “Brother!”
The curtain rolled up, first revealing Chu Lingyang’s gentle and upright face. He moved to the side, and Chu Yu heard Xie Yun’s tearful voice from inside, “A’Yu!”
Hearing this, Chu Yu saw Xie Yun lift her skirt and get out of the carriage, urgently grabbing her hand. “Are you alright?”
Chu Yu was stunned for a moment, looking up to see Chu Jianzhang and Chu Jin also stepping out of the carriage.
“You… how…” Chu Yu’s thoughts were a bit confused. Chu Jin and Xie Yun should have been in Huajing, or if not there, they should have been in Luozhou. How did they end up coming with Chu Lingyang?
Chu Jin knew what she was about to say. She smiled gently and said, “Didn’t you notify me to leave with Mother the night before you went to Shuntian Prefecture to file a complaint? I rushed out overnight and went directly to find Big Brother. When I heard that Big Brother was coming to Bailing, Father, Mother, and I decided to come along.”
Away from the glamour of Huajing, Chu Jin wasn’t wearing a veil. The scars on her face had faded considerably, destroying her past delicate beauty but adding a sense of unrestrained spirit. It made her entire demeanor open and clear, very pleasant to look at.
Xie Yun held Chu Yu’s hand, looking at her anxiously. “I heard about the big incident you all went through, and I was very worried about you. Child, how is it that you’ve never let me stop worrying about you all these years? You and A’Jin, I’ve spent my whole life worrying about you two…”
Hearing this, Chu Jin and Chu Yu smiled similarly. As they were speaking, Chu Lingyang helped a woman down from the carriage. The woman was wearing a light blue wide-sleeved robe, her demeanor composed, carrying the unique nobility of a centuries-old family. She walked up to Chu Yu.
Chu Yu was even more surprised to see this person. “Sister-in-law came too?”
She knew that Xie Chun had always been of a disposition that didn’t involve herself in affairs, preferring to stay at home. For her to come out, Chu Lingyang must have put in quite some effort.
Hearing this, Xie Chun smiled lightly. “The whole family has come, of course I came too.”
“Consider it a vacation,” Chu Lingyang said calmly, imperceptibly placing his hand on Xie Chun’s shoulder. Seeing this gesture, Chu Yu’s face darkened a bit.
Xie Chun was a pure-blooded daughter of a noble family, completely different from someone like her who grew up in military camps. When she first married into the family, Chu Yu liked to play with Xie Chun, but one slap could make Xie Chun cough up blood. Since then, Chu Lingyang prohibited her from approaching within ten feet of Xie Chun, and if she did, she would be beaten.
After so many years, Chu Lingyang’s love and protection for Xie Chun remained as steadfast as ever. And for his little sister, he remained as harsh as ever.
Chu Yu looked helplessly at Chu Lingyang’s gesture. Wei Yun stepped forward, smiling as he said, “It’s good that the whole family has come. My Sister-in-law hasn’t been home for a long time and has been missing you all. Brother, why don’t you take Uncle and Aunt into the city first? We can catch up properly when we get back.”
Hearing this, Chu Lingyang nodded. Xie Yun asked Chu Yu a few more questions before everyone returned to the carriage. As everyone was boarding, Chu Lingyang suddenly turned back before entering the carriage, staring at Wei Yun and saying, “I have something to discuss with the Marquis tonight. I’d like to have a good talk.”
The way he said “have a good talk” was through gritted teeth. Wei Yun instinctively felt something wasn’t right. He stiffly forced a smile and said, “Very well. After I finish my affairs, I’ll come find you, Brother.”
Chu Lingyang nodded and entered the carriage. After Chu Lingyang and his group left, Wei Yun breathed a sigh of relief and turned to Chu Yu, saying, “A’Yu, does your brother hit people?”
“Hm?” Chu Yu was a bit puzzled. “What are you afraid of?”
“If he beats me half to death, can I fight back?”
Chu Yu: “…”
“Don’t worry,” she said calmly. “He won’t beat you to death.” Chu Yu clasped her hands in her sleeves, looking into the distance. “If he does raise his hand, just kneel and hug his legs while crying.”
Chu Yu seemed to recall some unsavory memory and said flatly, “The louder you cry, the better.”
Hearing this, Wei Yun felt a sense of déjà vu. He looked up at Chu Yu and said slowly, “So your brother often beat you too.”
Chu Yu turned back to look at him strangely. “Wei Jun would beat you too?”
“I have six older brothers,” Wei Yun gestured, then said, “My eldest brother hits the hardest.”
Chu Yu felt that she really couldn’t tell that Wei Jun was that kind of person.
As Wei Yun spoke, his eyes filled with nostalgia. “I miss them.”
Chu Yu didn’t say anything. After a moment, she said softly, “In the future, you’ll have me to keep you company.”
Hearing this, Wei Yun smiled, pressing his lips together. He lowered his gaze to look at the ground, saying quietly, “Mm, I’ll keep you company too.”
As they were talking, Song Shilan arrived. He didn’t say much, just exchanged polite greetings respectfully before entering the city. After waiting a while longer, the Prince of Wei’s carriage also arrived.
The Prince of Wei had prepared an honor guard befitting his princely rank. The fluttering banners could be seen from afar. Chu Yu and Wei Yun waited at the gate, watching as the carriages slowly approached. There were two golden carriages, one in front and one behind, with the front one larger. The carriage eaves were carved with dragons and phoenixes, with a pearl in the dragon’s mouth, looking grand and magnificent.
When the carriages reached the gate, everyone except Wei Yun and Chu Yu knelt, waiting for the Prince of Wei to emerge. After a moment, an attendant lifted the curtain, and a middle-aged man in purple robes and a golden crown stepped out.
He looked to be in his forties, in his prime, with a dignified and gentle demeanor, quite approachable. He came down the steps of the carriage, exchanged greetings with Wei Yun, and as they were making small talk, Chu Yu turned her head to see someone alighting from the carriage behind.
The person was wearing a white gauze dress, with her hair done up and a pair of golden pheasant hairpins. The pheasant’s mouth held a pearl, and behind it were a pair of step-sways, symmetrically placed on both sides, gently swaying as she walked.
As soon as she appeared, everyone’s gaze was drawn to her. She was extremely beautiful, but her aura was also extremely cold. Her gaze was indifferent as if nothing in the world could be contained in her eyes. Because of this, her entire being seemed not to belong to this mortal realm. Even with the magnificent golden ornaments on her head, they couldn’t hide that ethereal air about her.
There are many beauties in this world, but those who can exude such an otherworldly aura are few and far between.
Everyone held their breath. Wei Yun couldn’t help but smile at the Prince of Wei, “Every time Princess Qingping appears, all around falls silent. To have such a daughter must bring you great joy, Your Highness?”
The Prince of Wei waved his hand and chuckled lightly, “It’s more cause for worry, I’d say.”
As they spoke, Wei Qingping walked up to Wei Yun. She nodded slightly, and Wei Yun hurriedly cupped his hands in greeting, “Greetings, Princess.”
“Has your wound healed?” Wei Qingping’s first question was familiar, clearly indicating they were acquainted. Chu Yu involuntarily looked up at Wei Yun, only to see him smiling and saying, “It has healed. After so many years, it should have.”
Wei Qingping nodded, not asking further, only saying, “The bone-deep poison is not easy to cure. It’s good that it’s healed.”
Beside them, the Prince of Wei smiled, “So the person Qingping said she saved back then was young Marquis Wei? Back then, she insisted on going to Tianshan to fetch medicine, and I wouldn’t allow it. If I had known earlier that the person she was saving was a hero of our time like young Marquis Wei, I would have given my full support!”
“Your Highness is joking. The Princess is worth her weight in gold, your concern was right. However, the Princess’s life-saving grace is something Wei Yun will never forget.” With that, Wei Yun bowed deeply, which Wei Qingping accepted without changing her expression.
After exchanging pleasantries, Chu Yu and Wei Yun personally escorted them into the city. After seeing the Prince of Wei and Wei Qingping settle, Wei Yun was also a bit tired. However, just as he and Chu Yu returned, they heard a guard report, “Gu Zicu requests an audience.”
Wei Yun and Chu Yu exchanged a glance. Chu Yu thought for a moment and said, “He must be here about the matters in Huajing.”
Wei Yun nodded and said, “Let him in.”