Liu Xueyang covered her mouth, not letting out even the slightest sound. Wei Yun sensed that there might be someone next door, but he didn’t care. Those who could reach the top floor of Tingyu Tower were bound to be high-ranking officials and nobles who knew better than him what should and shouldn’t be said.
Wei Yun kept his gaze fixed on Yan Yunlang. After a moment of shock, Yan Yunlang slowly regained his composure. In truth, Wei Yun’s words had already given some hints, and Yan Yunlang had guessed a bit, but he hadn’t expected Wei Yun to admit it so openly. He couldn’t help but laugh, “Your Highness is indeed daring to say such things.”
“What do I have to fear?” Wei Yun chuckled lightly. Yan Yunlang took a cup from the side, took a sip, and said, “Doesn’t Your Highness fear that I might tell others?”
“A clever person like Prefect Yan surely wouldn’t do such a thing.” Wei Yun sat down, his voice calm. Yan Yunlang raised an eyebrow, “What if I did tell?”
“If you told others,” Wei Yun smiled faintly, “then I’d simply marry her sooner. Everyone will know about my feelings for her sooner or later.”
“I suspect you’re eager for the whole world to know, aren’t you?” Yan Yunlang laughed. Wei Yun didn’t deny it.
In his heart, of course, he wanted the whole world to know, but firstly, the timing wasn’t right, and secondly, Chu Yu might not want this to be revealed. So he had to be patient for now. However, faced with the provocation from someone like Yan Yunlang, he naturally wouldn’t back down.
Yan Yunlang felt more certain now. He sighed and asked, “Will you marry her in the future?”
“Certainly.”
“Then, the rumors and gossip…”
“I like her, I pursued her forcefully, what does that have to do with her?” Wei Yun looked up at Yan Yunlang. “My sister-in-law is an upright person. It’s all my selfish desire. People should sympathize with her for being taken advantage of by me. What else could they say?”
Hearing this, Yan Yunlang smiled bitterly, “Your Highness, in this world, all the dirty water is splashed onto women.”
Wei Yun fell silent, not knowing what to say for a moment. How could he not know what Yan Yunlang was saying? But should he and Chu Yu sneak around for a lifetime just because of what people might say?
After a long while, he finally said, “I can’t control what people say. If anyone dares to embarrass her to her face, I’ll kill them.”
“She’ll never hear these words from you in her lifetime.”
Yan Yunlang smiled without speaking. Wei Yun put away his knife and calmly said, “We’ve said enough. You probably understand how I feel now. Yan Yunlang, if you take her away,” Wei Yun looked at him coldly, “are you sure you want to bear the hatred of stealing another man’s wife?”
Seeing Wei Yun’s expression, Yan Yunlang hesitated for a moment but finally raised his hand in a salute, “Your Highness’s words are too heavy. I was merely joking. In the future, I won’t dare to disturb Madam again.”
Hearing this, Wei Yun smiled and said, “Prefect Yan is reasonable. This Wei thanks you.”
After exchanging a few more pleasantries with Yan Yunlang, Wei Yun left first, leaving Yan Yunlang sitting in the room watching the courtesans dance.
Yan Yunlang took a sip of wine and sighed audibly.
It was regrettable, indeed, but regarding Chu Yu, it was merely regret and nothing more. He wasn’t willing to truly go against Wei Yun for her sake.
As Wei Yun walked down the stairs, he glanced at another room on the top floor of Tingyu Tower. He lowered his voice and said to Wei Qiu, “Go and check who’s next door.”
Wei Qiu acknowledged and went upstairs.
Meanwhile, Liu Xueyang sat in the room, unable to recover for a long time, until Wei Ying beside her spoke up, “Old Madam, the Prince might have noticed. Wei Qiu is bringing people this way.”
Wei Ying was the most outstanding figure among the previous generation of secret guards in the Wei family. Wei Qiu and Wei Xia still had to call him “Master.” After the death of the previous Marquis Zhenguo, Wei Zhong, Wei Ying followed the Marquis’s instructions and stayed in the Wei family, specifically taking orders from Liu Xueyang. Hearing Wei Ying’s words, Liu Xueyang panicked a bit, then hurriedly said, “Cover this up! Don’t let Xiao Qi know I was here!”
Wei Ying acknowledged and calmly said, “Please, Madam, enter the inner room.”
Liu Xueyang stood up with Gui Mama and entered the inner room. Wei Ying, leading two other secret guards, took out the pre-prepared poison, and poured it into the wine, and when Wei Qiu knocked on the door, a secret guard disguised as a servant went to open it.
Wei Qiu looked up and saw two rich merchants sitting inside, who looked at him with some surprise. Wei Qiu quickly scanned the room and said, “Sorry, wrong room.”
With that, Wei Qiu went downstairs and sought out the owner of Tingyu Tower to check who had booked the room. It turned out to be a rich merchant surnamed Lu from the east of the city.
After verifying all the information and confirming it was correct, Wei Qiu went back to report to Wei Yun. Wei Yun nodded and didn’t pay much more attention to it.
If it was just ordinary rich merchants having tea, not only should Tingyu Tower’s soundproofing prevent them from hearing anything, but even if they did hear, it wouldn’t matter.
After Wei Yun had completely left, Wei Ying had someone check and then led Liu Xueyang back home. In the carriage, Liu Xueyang was completely wooden, desperately trying to digest what Wei Yun had said earlier. When they got home, as Gui Mama was combing her hair, she finally reacted and said with difficulty, “Xiao Qi… likes A Yu?”
Gui Mama’s hand trembled, then steadied.
Coming from the village, such things weren’t uncommon there. In poor families, several brothers sharing one wife wasn’t unheard of, let alone continuing to live with a sister-in-law after an elder brother’s death to save on betrothal gifts. Gui Mama was much calmer than Liu Xueyang. Unable to fathom Liu Xueyang’s thoughts, she could only say, “From what the Prince said, it seems so.”
“Then they… they…” Liu Xueyang became a bit anxious, but couldn’t get the rest of her words out.
Was it just liking, or had something already happened between them?
Liu Xueyang dared not be certain, but after a long while, she finally calmed down.
Wei Yun had said he liked her, so perhaps this matter hadn’t started yet. As long as it hadn’t begun, there was still a chance to turn things around.
Liking someone couldn’t be stopped, but if Wei Yun liked her and Chu Yu didn’t respond, a young man’s affection buried in his heart, known to no one, would be enough.
Understanding this point, Liu Xueyang looked out the window and slowly said, “Xiao Qi is going to war tomorrow, isn’t he?”
“Yes.” Gui Mama couldn’t guess Liu Xueyang’s current thoughts and hesitantly asked, “Does the Old Madam want to go see the Prince?”
Liu Xueyang nodded and went to find Wei Yun.
At this time, Wei Yun was in his study, discussing the specifics of tomorrow’s expedition with everyone. Chu Yu was listening on the side, counting the days.
As the era was too far in the past, she no longer remembered the exact time of the earthquake, only that it was approaching within a month. Chu Yu couldn’t help but feel tense inside.
But the war couldn’t be rushed. Although she was worried, she didn’t dare urge Wei Yun too much. She sat quietly on the side listening to Wei Yun discuss war matters with Qin Shiyue and others, occasionally adding a word.
As they were talking, someone came to report that Liu Xueyang had arrived. Chu Yu and Wei Yun exchanged a glance, not understanding why Liu Xueyang had come at this time, but still respectfully invited her in.
After Liu Xueyang entered, her gaze swept over Chu Yu. In the past, knowing that Chu Yu and Wei Yun often discussed matters together, she hadn’t thought much of it, but seeing it today, she couldn’t help but have some thoughts. Liu Xueyang wasn’t good at hiding things, and her expression changed. Chu Yu and Wei Yun immediately noticed. Wei Yun helped Liu Xueyang into the room, smiling and saying, “Why has Mother come?”
“You’re going to war tomorrow, so I came to see you.” Liu Xueyang’s gaze fell on Wei Yun, looking him up and down for a moment before saying, “Don’t be too aggressive on the battlefield. Victory and defeat are determined by heaven’s will, don’t force things too much.”
“I understand, Mother.”
Wei Yun knelt opposite Liu Xueyang. Chu Yu came forward to pour tea, and the others exchanged glances before leaving the room.
Liu Xueyang looked at Chu Yu, somewhat stiffly asking, “This time, is A Yu going too?”
Chu Yu was taken aback, a trace of worry flashing through her heart. Liu Xueyang usually didn’t interfere in such matters, why was she asking about these things today?
However, her face remained unchanged as she smiled and said, “I am the Prince’s left vanguard.”
“I see…” Liu Xueyang responded. She seemed to hesitate, and Wei Yun, noticing she had something to say, asked, “Does Mother have any thoughts?”
“I… I just feel that, having just come to Bailing, with A Yu not here, the household will be in chaos, and I’m worried…”
This was a request for Chu Yu to stay behind.
Chu Yu understood, and so did Wei Yun. He asked with some confusion, “Isn’t Second Sister-in-law managing the household affairs?”
“Your Second Sister-in-law is just handling some miscellaneous matters, the important affairs of the family still need A Yu to handle…” Liu Xueyang spoke haltingly, somewhat guiltily saying, “I haven’t been feeling well lately, and A Chun still needs to attend to me, so she might not have that much time…”
At this point, Wei Yun fell silent, seeming somewhat displeased. Chu Yu smiled and looked at Wei Yun, saying, “Since Mother is unwell, I’ll stay to attend to her. Your Highness, why don’t we reassign Qian Yong here?”
If Liu Xueyang hadn’t intentionally tried to keep her here, hearing this, she would have realized she was disrupting Wei Yun’s arrangements and would have relented.
However, Liu Xueyang didn’t relent, and Chu Yu’s heart sank a little.
Wei Yun didn’t speak, seeming to be seriously considering. Chu Yu knew he didn’t want to leave her behind, especially given Liu Xueyang’s unusual behavior.
However, if Wei Yun defied Liu Xueyang, there might be another argument. Chu Yu thought for a moment and smiled, saying, “Your Highness, I also feel that the battlefield is arduous, and I didn’t want to go. Now that Mother has given this excuse, it’s quite convenient. Let’s do it this way, I’ll stay to attend to Mother, and we’ll reassign Qian Yong to take my place. I’ll inventory the provisions, and after you go to the front lines, I’ll have Qian Yong escort them over.”
Wei Yun pursed his lips. With Chu Yu having said this, it would be strange if he still insisted. Liu Xueyang secretly glanced at Chu Yu’s expression, and seeing no anger on her face, her heart relaxed a little.
“I have no other business, so I’ll take my leave now.”
After a moment of silence, Liu Xueyang also felt awkward. She stood up, and couldn’t help but look at Chu Yu again. Chu Yu understood Liu Xueyang’s meaning and took the initiative to stand up, supporting Liu Xueyang and gently saying, “Mother, let me see you back.”
Liu Xueyang patted Chu Yu’s hand, seeming grateful. Chu Yu supported Liu Xueyang as they left. It was now the depths of winter, and even the raindrops seemed to have turned to ice pellets, hitting the umbrella with a pitter-patter sound as they fell.
Liu Xueyang walked with Chu Yu along the long corridor. Chu Yu kept her eyes lowered. After a long while, she finally heard Liu Xueyang say, “A Yu, in my heart, you have always been a very good child.”
“I’ve always regretted that such a good girl like you married into our family, but A Jun didn’t have the fortune… All these years, I’ve always treated you like my own daughter,” Liu Xueyang held her hand, her voice seeming to carry a sob. Chu Yu looked up at her, and Liu Xueyang, with reddened eyes, said in a low, choked voice, “These years, you’ve helped Xiao Qi, helped the Wei family, if Xiao Qi had an elder sister, she would probably be just like you.”
Elder sister.
Chu Yu’s eyelashes trembled slightly, understanding the meaning behind Liu Xueyang’s words. She didn’t speak, and Liu Xueyang, thinking she didn’t understand, continued, “I’ve always wanted to find you a good family, to find a marriage that you like and that would secure your future. I’m old now, and in this life, I have nothing left but Xiao Qi, my only son. I have no other wishes, I just hope to see you and Xiao Qi each find your lifelong happiness, to see you marry and him take a wife, to live steadily for a lifetime, not to go astray. A Yu, old people have walked many paths and seen many things, some paths can’t be taken, once taken it’s a thousand-foot cliff, do you understand?”
Chu Yu’s lips parted slightly.
For a moment, she almost wanted to ask, what is a thousand-foot cliff?
Is it the gossip of others, or the estrangement of people?
But she couldn’t ask. She could only pretend to know nothing, smile, and escort Liu Xueyang into the room, gently saying, “Why is Mother thinking of so many things today?”
“Don’t think too much.” Chu Yu patted her hand, smiling and comforting her, “Your body is weak, it’s just that you’re thinking too much. Rest well.”
With that, Chu Yu bid farewell to Liu Xueyang and went alone to Wei Qingping’s courtyard.
Wei Qingping was reading a book. She had raised a parrot in her courtyard, which started calling as soon as Chu Yu entered, “Beauty is here, beauty is here.”
Hearing this, Chu Yu laughed. She strode into the room, spun around, and sat directly on the ground, picked up a teapot from the side, and poured herself some tea.
Wei Qingping frowned, looked up from her book, and said coldly, “What do you want to do?”
Having been hanging out together for so long, she understood Chu Yu’s temperament. Chu Yu’s posture indicated she was up to something.
Chu Yu grabbed a handful of melon seeds, leaned against the table, and while cracking the seeds, said, “Qingping, are we sisters?”
Wei Qingping was taken aback, but then honestly nodded.
Chu Yu sighed, raised her head, and said rather worriedly, “I’ve done something wrong, when the time comes to run away, you have to help me.”
“What have you done wrong?”
Wei Qingping was a bit puzzled. Chu Yu had a serious look on her face as if she had committed some terrible crime. Wei Qingping couldn’t help but feel a bit scared and frowned, saying, “I can’t allow you to do anything that goes against heaven and earth.”
“I… slept with a man.”
Chu Yu opened her mouth, and Wei Qingping was a bit dazed. She knew about Chu Yu and Wei Yun’s relationship. Given Wei Yun’s temperament, to sleep with another man right under his nose…
Wei Qingping’s heart sank; she sensed trouble. However, she reminded herself that as a friend, she couldn’t back down at such a critical moment. “I’ll help you with Wei Yun…”
“He’s my uncle.”
Wei Qingping: “…”
Isn’t that Wei Yun?
She breathed a sigh of relief, thinking Chu Yu was just joking. “This isn’t such a big deal…”
Chu Yu sighed, looking up at Wei Qingping with a mournful expression. “His mother found out.”
Wei Qingping: “…”
After a moment, she stood up and said calmly, “I’ll pack my things now. Hurry up, we’ll leave the city tonight. We can figure out the rest later.”
Chu Yu clapped her hands, dusting off the sunflower seeds. “Don’t run off so fast.”
She said leisurely, “I’m just guessing. It won’t be too late to run when my mother-in-law comes knocking.”
Wei Qingping: “…”
Short Scene:
Chu Yu: “I slept with Wei Yun, and his mother found out.”
Wei Qingping: “Listen to me, brother; let’s run first.”
Chu Yu: “Why should I run?”
Wei Qingping: “What do you think his mother will think when she finds out her beautiful son has been sleeping around?”
Chu Yu: “Her prized jade cabbage… has been pushed by a pig?”
Wei Qingping: “Got it? Are we running?”
Chu Yu: “I just want to sleep one more night…”
Wei Qingping: “If you end up dead, it’ll be because you asked for it.”
Chu Yu: “Dying under a peony flower, I’ll be a ghost with style.”
Wei Yun: “Sister-in-law praises me as a peony >_<”
Gu Chusheng: “Haha, she’s also praised my looks.”
Chu Yu: “…I was young and didn’t know better; let’s not talk about it.”