After losing the first battle, everyone understood the situation – Wei Yun was a tough nut to crack, which emboldened other regions. Wei Yun, Chu Linyang, Song Shilan, and other areas adjusted their tax rates. Wei Yun purchased large tracts of land in Luo Prefecture and Chu Linyang. Luo Prefecture produced grain and horses, while Kun Prefecture was rich in minerals. The two regions engaged in trade, which solved the problem of military supplies and provisions.
As Gu Chusheng had suggested, Zhao Yueru held her troops back, allowing Li Zhao to retreat. For a time, peace settled across the realm.
It took half a month for Shen You’s injuries to heal. His first act after getting out of bed was to visit Wei Yun’s main hall. Wei Yun was reviewing documents when Shen You arrived. He looked up with a slight smile and said, “Come, have a seat.”
Shen You remained silent, kneeling and kowtowing deeply.
Though he didn’t speak, Wei Yun understood Shen You’s meaning. He sighed softly, “Rise.”
“I’ve let go of the past. I hope you can do the same.”
“Your Highness…” Shen You’s throat bobbed, but Wei Yun changed the subject: “How are your injuries?”
“They’ve mostly healed.”
“What are your plans for the future?”
Wei Yun took a sip of tea, his expression neutral, as if completely unconcerned. A hint of uncertainty flashed in Shen You’s eyes as he hesitantly said, “If I could remain in the Wei army…”
“You may.”
Wei Yun’s simple response put Shen You at ease. He remained silent, while Wei Yun traced the patterns on his sleeve, carefully saying, “About what happened on the battlefield that day between you and my Sixth Sister-in-law, I shouldn’t interfere, but…”
“Shen You understand.”
Shen You suddenly spoke up, startling Wei Yun. He looked up at Shen You, who forced a smile and said, “On the battlefield, Madam was only thinking of the soldiers and civilians. Though Shen You is a scoundrel, he wouldn’t go so far as to coerce someone like that. I didn’t take the Sixth Madam’s words to heart, and I hope Your Highness won’t either.”
Wei Yun tapped the table and nodded, “Actually, I just want Sixth Sister-in-law to follow her heart. Whatever you two decide is fine.”
“There’s no need to discuss it further,” Shen You sighed lightly. “My sins are not yet cleansed. How could I face her?”
“When I can meet her with a clean conscience,” Shen You said with a bitter smile, “then I’ll go see her.”
Hearing this, Wei Yun fell silent. This wasn’t something he should interfere with anymore.
After discussing the current situation for a while longer, Shen You took his leave.
That night, when Wei Yun returned to his chambers, Chu Yu and Wei Qingping were playing dice.
Wei Qingping had been forbidden from drinking by Qin Shiyue, so he stopped. Without a drinking companion, Chu Yu had also been persuaded to cut back.
It was now deep winter. As Wei Yun entered, the room was warm from the charcoal fire. Even before he reached the room, he could hear the laughter of the two women. Wei Yun’s lips curled into an involuntary smile as he turned the corner and entered, saying with amusement, “What game are you playing that’s so enjoyable?”
“Wei Yun, come over here,” Chu Yu, her head covered in paper strips, frowned. “I can’t seem to win against him no matter what.”
Wei Yun approached and saw Qin Shiyue sitting opposite Chu Yu with a cold expression. He took off his coat, sat down behind Chu Yu, and pulled her into his arms with a smile, reaching for the dice cup.
Qin Shiyue’s gaze flickered away. Wei Yun felt something was off as soon as he picked up the cup. After shaking it for a moment, he set it down, still holding Chu Yu, and looked at Qin Shiyue and Wei Qingping with a smile.
“Bullying an honest person like this,” Wei Yun looked at Qin Shiyue and chuckled, “Have you no shame?”
Qin Shiyue coughed lightly. Chu Yu looked confused. Wei Yun glanced at the paper strips covering her head and said with amusement, “You’ve lost so much and didn’t suspect there might be a problem with the dice?”
“A problem?” Chu Yu was stunned for a moment before quickly picking up the cup and weighing it in her hand.
Wei Yun sighed, took out the dice, and crushed one in his hand. When Chu Yu saw the black core inside the die, she finally realized what had happened. She slapped the table and exclaimed, “Why, you two…”
“I suddenly remembered I have patients to attend to,” Wei Qingping said calmly as he stood up, pulling Qin Shiyue along. “We’re leaving now.”
The two fled like they were escaping. Chu Yu was about to give chase, but Wei Yun leaned against the armrest, watching her with an indulgent smile.
His expression was full of tenderness and indulgence, making Chu Yu feel a bit embarrassed. She returned to Wei Yun’s side, rubbing her nose and asking, “What are you smiling at?”
Wei Yun pulled her to sit down, reached up to peel off the paper strips from her head, and said with a smile, “Shiyue is quite crafty. Don’t let his honest appearance fool you – he’s full of tricks. In the future, just bully Wei Qingping. Don’t try to compete with Qin Shiyue in anything.”
Hearing this, Chu Yu looked doubtful. “Is he that kind of person?”
“Mm,” Wei Yun removed the last paper strip. “Have I ever lied to you?”
It seemed true, but Chu Yu still felt something was off about Wei Yun’s words. It seemed that all the men she had encountered so far had some issues.
Seeing Chu Yu’s silence, Wei Yun noticed the charcoal fire burning brightly in the room. Chu Yu wasn’t wearing much, still dressed as if it were early autumn in just a light robe.
Wei Yun’s hand slipped into her wide sleeve, caressing her arm as he lowered his head to kiss her neck, murmuring, “Why aren’t you wearing more in this weather?”
As he spoke, his hand had already explored its way into her body through her sleeve. Chu Yu was too embarrassed to speak, sitting in his embrace as if nothing was happening, turning her head to look at the light rain falling outside the window. “I haven’t been out. It’s warm in the room.”
Wei Yun chuckled softly as the servants around them tactfully withdrew. His breath on her neck caused an inexplicable tingling sensation.
Now far away in Huai City, with the war situation stabilized, Wei Yun spent every spare moment with her, as if trying to make up for all the time they had missed in the past.
A young man’s first taste of love, even one as mature and restrained as Wei Yun, couldn’t help but lose composure. However, this usually happens at night. Now it was still afternoon, and Chu Yu, sensing his intentions, felt somewhat embarrassed and said, “It’s still daylight…”
“Mother sent a letter,” Wei Yun said vaguely, fanning the flames. “We’ll return to Bai Ling the day after tomorrow at the latest.”
Chu Yu’s face flushed red, and she lowered her head, responding with a soft “Oh.”
With these words, there was no need for Wei Yun to say more. Chu Yu understood his meaning.
Wei Yun pressed her onto the small couch, his actions and breathing quickening as he said, “Yu’er, when will I finally be able to marry you? I can hardly hold back anymore.”
Chu Yu wrapped her arms around his neck, her reason somewhat scattered, but a last bit of clarity still told her, “Let’s wait until the situation settles down.”
Wei Yun lowered his head to kiss her, his kiss fierce and deep, matching the rhythm of his movements, not giving Chu Yu a moment to catch her breath.
He held her tightly, giving Chu Yu a strange feeling that he seemed to be venting his frustrations as if trying to fuse her into his very bones.
Chu Yu didn’t know if Wei Yun was angry or not, but from afternoon until noon the next day, they didn’t leave the room. Chu Yu felt like she had been drifting in and out of consciousness, only to be pulled back by Wei Yun each time she woke, before falling asleep again. This continued until noon when everyone else had started eating. When neither Chu Yu nor Wei Yun appeared, Wang Lan couldn’t help but wonder, “What’s happened to Xiao Qi and Yu’er? Why haven’t they come to eat?”
“The Madam and His Highness were discussing matters too late last night,” Wei Xia quickly explained. “They might be catching up on sleep.”
Wang Lan nodded but still found it strange. “What kind of matter takes so long to discuss?”
“This humble servant wouldn’t know.”
Wei Xia maintained a forced smile.
After everyone had finished eating, Chu Yu groggily woke up, feeling hungry. She first kicked Wei Yun in frustration, and he reached out to pull her close. Chu Yu hurriedly said, “Alright, don’t go too far.”
Wei Yun moved closer, resting his head on her body. After fully waking from his long sleep, Wei Yun finally got up and called for someone outside to prepare for washing up.
After they had washed and dressed, Chu Yu discovered marks on her neck. Wei Yun was eating nearby, and seeing her unfriendly look, he walked behind her and lowered his head, asking, “What’s wrong?”
Then he saw the marks he had left on Chu Yu’s neck. He was stunned for a moment before an indescribable feeling welled up inside him.
He suddenly realized that seeing his marks on Chu Yu, especially those visible to others, gave him an inexplicable excitement and joy.
However, he kept his expression neutral and raised his hand to touch the marks, saying, “I don’t remember how that happened…”
Before he could finish, Chu Yu slapped his hand away, somewhat annoyed, “I’ll slaughter you one of these days.”
Wei Yun chuckled softly. After Chu Yu stood up, he went to get a coat and personally helped her put it on. After fastening the belt, the fur collar covered Chu Yu’s neck.
“Is that better?” Wei Yun asked. Chu Yu’s expression was still unhappy as she said, “Don’t let it happen again.”
Wei Yun felt a bit helpless and could only say, “I’ll try my best.”
The marks Wei Yun had left were quite deep and hadn’t fully faded by the time they set out for Bai Ling. Chu Yu shared a carriage with Wang Lan and Wei Qingping, keeping her coat on the entire journey, appearing very sensitive to the cold. Wang Lan found it strange, “Although Yu’er’s constitution is weak, it shouldn’t be this bad. Is it because she’s been overexerted on the battlefield?”
“Perhaps,” Chu Yu turned to look out the window. She was never good at lying. Wang Lan sighed and rolled up the curtain to glance outside.
In the distance, Shen You was riding on horseback, falling into her line of sight. She was startled for a moment before lowering the curtain and falling silent.
Wei Qingping was looking down at a medical book and didn’t notice Wang Lan’s actions. Chu Yu looked up briefly but didn’t say anything either.
Shen You was unwilling to marry Wang Lan and had told her as much. Wang Lan felt relieved but didn’t say much about it.
Chu Yu could see that Wang Lan was currently worried about Shen You’s injuries. After a moment, she spoke up, “When we stop to rest later, have Qingping take a look at Shen You.”
Wei Qingping looked up, glanced at Wang Lan, then lowered his head and responded with a soft, “Mm.”
The carriage continued to sway as it traveled. Feeling bored, Chu Yu lay down to sleep. When the convoy stopped to rest and reorganize, Wei Qingping went to check on Shen You, leaving only Wang Lan and Chu Yu in the carriage.
Wang Lan looked up and saw that Chu Yu was sleeping. There was some sweat on her forehead, likely from the heat. Wang Lan moved forward, intending to loosen Chu Yu’s coat. However, as soon as she opened the coat, the marks on Chu Yu’s neck caught her eye.
Chu Yu woke up at that moment, and Wang Lan hurriedly let go of the coat. Chu Yu mumbled groggily, “Lan’er?”
Wang Lan forced a smile.
“Your knot looks messy,” her heart was racing, instinctively feeling she had discovered some incredible secret, but she had to pretend she knew nothing. So she continued, “Let me tie it again for you, alright?”