Seeing Wei Qingping’s expression of having much to say but unable to express it, Chu Yu couldn’t help but burst into laughter. Wei Qingping looked somewhat helpless, pursing her lips before finally asking, “How did you know his mother knew?”
“My mother-in-law isn’t one to keep secrets,” Chu Yu said calmly. “She usually doesn’t interfere in family matters, but today she went out of her way to stop me from going to the frontlines with Xiao Qi. If she hadn’t heard something, where would such an idea come from?”
Hearing this, Wei Qingping cautiously asked, “Could there be some misunderstanding?”
“That’s why I’m not in a hurry to leave,” Chu Yu replied nonchalantly. “For now, I’ll act as if nothing has happened and see how things unfold.”
Wei Qingping furrowed her brow. “What if it’s not a misunderstanding? You surely don’t intend to leave with me?”
Wei Qingping had stayed here partly for Qin Shiyue, and partly because Chu Yu said she had a favor to ask of her when the time came. Wei Qingping knew she would have to leave sooner or later, but what about Chu Yu?
As the principal wife of the Wei family, if Chu Yu were to leave, it would cause a great upheaval for the Wei clan.
However, Chu Yu spoke of such an important matter as if it were a joke: “If I don’t leave, what am I staying for? To be mistreated?”
“I figured it out the day Gu Chusheng left,” Chu Yu said, her expression calm. “When I’m with him, there’s no need to worry about everything. Two people are together to have a better life. If I’m happy with him, then we’ll move forward together. If Liu Xueyang makes me suffer, then I’ll leave.”
Wei Qingping was taken aback, her eyes showing a hint of sympathy. “But Prince Wei… hasn’t done anything wrong.”
“That’s why I’m only leaving the Wei family, not him,” Chu Yu said with a light laugh. “Every relationship requires sacrifice and perseverance. I’m not just looking to enjoy the good times with him. If his mother doesn’t approve, and I don’t want to suffer in front of her, then I’ll leave the Wei mansion. In a year or two, there will come a day when his mother agrees.”
“What if… he marries someone else in the meantime?”
Hearing this, Chu Yu paused for a moment before chuckling softly. “Then our fate will have run its course, and I’ll find someone else I like.”
“No one dictates who should love whom for a lifetime,” Chu Yu said calmly. “If two people were beautiful together while they were together, that’s enough.”
Hearing this, Wei Qingping didn’t respond. She lowered her head and gave a slight nod. Chu Yu suddenly remembered something and said, “I’ve prepared all the herbs on this side. Take another look at the list and see if there’s anything you want to add. If there’s an earthquake or flood, there will certainly be epidemics. Besides medicinal herbs, is there anything else we should prepare?”
Hearing that they were discussing business, Wei Qingping immediately refocused and began chatting with Chu Yu.
The two discussed matters until nightfall when someone announced Wei Yun’s arrival. Chu Yu looked up to see Wei Yun standing at the doorway.
The young man wore a moon-colored brocade robe with a golden crown on his head and a crane-patterned cloak trimmed with white fox fur draped over his shoulders. His hands were tucked into his sleeves as he stood smiling at the entrance. Chu Yu turned her head to see him in the lamplight and smiled, “You’re back?”
“Mm,” Wei Yun’s voice was gentle, as if speaking any louder might disturb someone. He said softly, “I’ve come to fetch you.”
Chu Yu exchanged a few final words with Wei Qingping before standing up and walking to Wei Yun’s side. She naturally took his arm and looked up at him with a smile, saying, “Let’s go.”
Wei Yun nodded, and they walked out of the room together. Qin Shiyue followed behind Wei Yun. Suddenly remembering something, Wei Yun stopped and said, “We’re setting out for battle tomorrow. You should keep the princess company.”
Hearing this, Qin Shiyue was taken aback. Wei Yun looked at him, recalling what Gu Chusheng had said about Qin Shiyue dying on the battlefield in the past.
His heart tightened, and he sighed, “Shiyue, life is short. We must cherish every moment and every person. Do you understand?”
Qin Shiyue pursed his lips, and it was unclear whether he understood or not. He simply bowed as usual and said, “Yes.”
With that, Wei Yun left with Chu Yu. Qin Shiyue turned back to look at the cold-faced woman standing at the doorway. He said nothing for a long while, holding his sword, before finally asking, “I’m leaving tomorrow. Is there anything you want?”
Wei Qingping didn’t speak. She suddenly rushed towards him and hugged him tightly.
Her words were as straightforward as her person: “I want you.”
Qin Shiyue was stunned. He lowered his eyes, and after a long while, he finally raised his arms to embrace the person in his arms.
Wei Yun held Chu Yu’s hand as they walked along the corridor. He lowered his eyes and said, “I’ve had people clear the surroundings. Don’t worry.”
“Did you understand Mother-in-law’s meaning today?”
Seeing how perceptive he was, Chu Yu couldn’t help but smile. Wei Yun’s expression remained unchanged as he said, “I don’t know what she’s thinking. If she knows, she didn’t say anything today and won’t tear down appearances to speak of it. After I leave for battle tomorrow, you should avoid her. If she asks anything, just play dumb and brush it off. Don’t get into a conflict with her.”
“I know,” Chu Yu said with a light laugh. “I won’t upset her.”
“I’m not afraid of you upsetting her,” Wei Yun stopped and looked at her, his expression calm. “I’m afraid she might mistreat you.”
Chu Yu was slightly taken aback. Wei Yun lowered his eyes and held her hand, saying, “I understand your temperament. If she says something, you won’t hold it against her. You’re not afraid of the big storms in this world, but it’s people like my mother that you’re most helpless against. With me gone,” his tone carried worry, “I’m afraid you’ll be at a disadvantage.”
“I was worried about that too,” hearing Wei Yun’s words, Chu Yu smiled and said, “But hearing you say this, I’m not afraid anymore. If she makes me suffer, when you return, I’ll make sure to give you a hard time.”
“Alright,” Wei Yun chuckled lightly. “Then you must wait for my return.”
Chu Yu smiled without responding and led Wei Yun to her room. Chang Yue had already prepared water. Chu Yu quickly washed up first, and then Wei Yun went to wash. Chu Yu sat on the side, drying her hair while ladling water for him.
Wei Yun had an excellent physique, lean and fit. He wasn’t bulky like a warrior, but every muscle was taut, looking powerful yet with a fluid, coordinated beauty.
Chu Yu sat to the side, washing his hair with soap-pod, her voice calm: “Nowadays, when I see your mother, I feel somewhat guilty, as if I’ve stolen her son. I think your mother must dislike me. She probably feels that only a girl like Qingping is worthy of you. If things are brought into the open, I’ll have a lot to suffer.”
“Why are you bringing this up again?” Wei Yun couldn’t help but laugh. “I thought the princess had turned this page.”
“I just want you to know,” Chu Yu looked up, “how much effort I’ve put in just to sleep with you.”
Wei Yun: “…”
As she spoke, Chu Yu rinsed Wei Yun’s hair. The water blurred Wei Yun’s eyes, and Chu Yu handed him a towel. As Wei Yun wiped his eyes, Chu Yu cleaned her hands. Just as Wei Yun finished wiping his eyes, Chu Yu cupped his face and gently patted his cheeks, saying, “If it weren’t for your pretty face, would I bother with all this?”
Hearing this, Wei Yun couldn’t help but laugh even more heartily, but he still coughed lightly and held Chu Yu’s hand, saying, “Don’t always say such things. It’s frivolous.”
Chu Yu heard this and chuckled. She stood up and said, “Alright, alright, I’m frivolous.” She paused, turned back, and laughed out loud, “But you like it.”
Wei Yun was stunned for a moment, then found himself at a loss for words, not knowing how to respond.
He felt a warmth in his heart, looking at the person before him laughing without restraint or concealment. He sensed her change, feeling as if the person in front of him had gradually extended her claws from the darkness and gently placed them in his hands.
Thinking of this, he felt an urgent desire to embrace her, to become one with her, to let her bones and blood mingle with his, to prove his love and feel hers.
In this matter, Wei Yun showed a surprisingly persistent and forceful side. His desire for her seemed like a torrent bursting forth after being suppressed for too long.
He liked positions where he could be close to her, whether from the front or behind. He liked to be near her, to embrace her, to let their entire bodies be without gaps. Only when approaching climax would he separate, indulging himself and her.
Sometimes Wei Yun felt that emotions were the same way. Without reaching the point of absolute trust, one would try to bind and embrace through various external means, filled with anxiety. But when truly reaching the deepest step, everything external became unimportant.
Perhaps because it was the eve of setting out for battle, although the time away was not expected to be long, Wei Yun allowed himself to indulge thoroughly, and Chu Yu was equally uninhibited. It wasn’t until late into the night that they finally stopped, lying in bed breathless.
They lay face to face, their foreheads touching, hands clasped.
He was still inside her, unwilling to withdraw. Chu Yu looked up at him and said softly, “Qian Yong was originally in the left vanguard position, which you’re used to. Switching me in at the last minute isn’t a big deal. I should stay behind and prepare provisions. If we run short, it’ll be convenient for me to borrow more on short notice.”
“I don’t want to hear you talk about these things,” Wei Yun felt somewhat displeased hearing her speak of such matters at this moment. Like a child, he rolled over to press against her, resting his head on her chest to listen to her heartbeat.
Chu Yu couldn’t help but smile.
“Then what do you want to hear me say?”
Wei Yun didn’t speak.
Her heartbeat was very steady, sounding particularly quiet on this night.
Wei Yun thought of Liu Xueyang’s expression during the day, of that time when he was fifteen and bowed to his brother with a sword, saying “I’m sorry,” and of Gu Chusheng kneeling before Chu Yu, weeping bitterly.
He felt an inexplicable sense of apprehension in his heart.
Others often praised him for being perceptive and intelligent, but sometimes, what he despised most about himself was precisely this perceptiveness and intelligence.
He rested against her chest, closed his eyes, and spoke in a slightly hoarse voice.
“I want to hear you say, ‘Huai Yu, when you return, I’ll marry you.'”
Chu Yu was slightly taken aback. Then she saw Wei Yun raise his head, his expression a mix of pleading and determination, slowly saying, “A Yu, when I return victorious from Hui City as planned, I’ll tell Mother everything, then go to your family to propose. Is that alright?”
Chu Yu didn’t speak. She turned her head to look out the window, her fingers combing through Wei Yun’s hair. After a long while, she finally said, “Alright.”
“If,” her tone carried no emotion, “your mother agrees, then after you take Qing Province, go to my family to propose.”