Jiang Chun wailed for a long time before finally falling asleep in Chu Yu’s arms. Once she was asleep, Chu Yu could finally relax.
What she feared most wasn’t this kind of violent crying, but rather when someone kept all their sorrow and pain bottled up inside, unable to express or explain it, letting despair and anguish slowly kill them from within.
Now that Jiang Chun had cried it out, things would be better.
Chu Yu had someone attend to Jiang Chun as she slept, then stood up and walked out. Wan Yue approached and reported on the movements of the young madams from each young master’s household, as well as Third Madam Wang. She then told Chu Yu, “A letter has arrived from Seventh Young Master. They’ve reached Ping City now.”
Hearing this, Chu Yu hurriedly had someone bring Wei Yun’s letter.
This time, Wei Yun’s letter was notably calmer than the previous one. He didn’t say much, just briefly mentioning their arrival and the situation there.
Reading the letter, Chu Yu couldn’t help but recall how Wei Yun’s previous letters were always long and detailed, describing the scenery, local customs, and every little thing along the way.
If she had been told this letter was written by Wei Jun instead, she would have believed it.
She felt a heaviness in her heart. A person’s growth was always a bittersweet process, but to mature so rapidly at such a cruel cost was truly tragic.
She reported on the situation at the manor, then after some thought, added a line:
“I hear the landscapes outside Hua Capital are beautiful. If you encounter any interesting sights or stories on your journey home, please do share them.”
After finishing, she had someone send the letter out.
Although the Wei Manor was now surrounded, people were still unclear about the reason. The Wei family’s deeply rooted status in the military meant they weren’t being treated too harshly. Even the occasional pigeon carrying messages was overlooked.
After sending the letter, Chu Yu finally got some rest. Lying on her bed, she watched the moon’s flickering light for a long while before sighing and slowly closing her eyes.
The next morning, Chu Yu began preparing for the memorial hall. While purchases now required supervision by outside soldiers, they weren’t making things difficult. Materials weren’t an issue, but with the young madams of each household hiding in their rooms, seemingly afraid of being associated with the Wei family and ready to leave at any moment, Chu Yu was left to handle everything alone, leaving her somewhat short-handed.
There were many people to do the work, but some tasks required the oversight of the masters to be done properly.
Chu Yu had been busy all morning when she heard footsteps outside. She looked up to see Jiang Chun standing in the doorway.
Jiang Chun wore plain clothes, her hair tied back with a simple ribbon, and no makeup on her face, looking graceful and elegant. Chu Yu was surprised and said, “Second Young Madam is still unwell. Shouldn’t you be resting? Why have you come here?”
Jiang Chun smiled, no longer showing yesterday’s distress.
“I’m feeling much better. I heard you were busy, so I came to see if I could help. Didn’t you ask me before if I could assist with arranging the funerals for Father and the young masters?”
Chu Yu hadn’t expected Jiang Chun to recover so quickly. She hesitated before asking, “You’ve… come to terms with things?”
“I was foolish yesterday. Thanks to Young Madam’s guidance, I’ve realized that Ling Chun is still here. As a mother, I must be strong.”
Jiang Chun sighed and bowed to Chu Yu. “I haven’t yet thanked you for saving my life.”
“Second Young Madam, you’re too kind,” Chu Yu quickly helped her up. “We’re sisters of the same family. There’s no need for such formalities.”
Supported by Chu Yu, Jiang Chun hesitated for a moment before saying, “Then from now on, I’ll call you A’Yu. If you don’t mind, you can call me Second Sister.”
“We’re facing hardships together. How could I mind?” Chu Yu smiled. “It’s wonderful that Second Sister wants to help me.”
With that, the two women walked inside, and Chu Yu began explaining the household affairs to Jiang Chun in detail.
Wei Shu was Madam Liang’s eldest son. Before Chu Yu entered the family, Jiang Chun, as the second young madam, had helped Madam Liang manage internal affairs. As she took over, she proved even more efficient than Chu Yu.
Observing Jiang Chun at work, Chu Yu couldn’t help but say, “About my sending Madam Liang to the authorities…”
“It was the right thing to do,” Jiang Chun said calmly, looking at the account books. “For years, Madam Liang has been prepared to flee with the family’s wealth if the Wei family fell from grace. She has a lover outside. Young Madam’s preemptive action was for the best.”
Hearing this, Chu Yu was shocked.
No wonder in her previous life, Madam Liang, though only a concubine, had managed to take all of the Wei family’s wealth and disappear without a trace as if she had vanished from the world. It turned out she hadn’t been working alone.
“Second Sister, if you knew, why didn’t you tell the Madam?”
Chu Yu gathered her thoughts and asked. Jiang Chun smiled, “Some things are better left unsaid, even if known. She was my mother-in-law, after all.”
With just these words, Chu Yu understood completely.
Jiang Chun, being so intelligent, had likely discovered traces of Madam Liang’s plans long ago. However, since she was Wei Shu’s mother, Jiang Chun chose not to speak up, fearing the awkwardness that would ensue if everything was laid bare.
Now that Wei Shu was dead, she no longer needed to be so considerate. In the previous life, if Jiang Chun hadn’t taken her own life upon hearing the news, with her capabilities, the Wei family might have fared much better.
When a great building collapses, though it may be due to a tiny flaw, it also requires the failure of a hundred beams.
Chu Yu stared at Jiang Chun, lost in thought. Jiang Chun, moving the abacus beads, thought for a moment before looking up and asking, “Ling Chun has gone to Lanling with the Madam. He should be safe, right?”
Wei Ling Chun was Jiang Chun’s child, the eldest among the five young masters.
Knowing her concern, Chu Yu said, “Don’t worry about that. They left in three separate groups, traveling discreetly. I’ve given them all of the manor’s elite guards. Besides, the Wei family is only under surveillance now, not been convicted of any crime. They should be safe outside.”
Jiang Chun already knew this, but Chu Yu’s words still reassured her somewhat.
With Jiang Chun’s help, Chu Yu was able to handle matters much more quickly. Wei Yun continued to write to Chu Yu along the way, clearly trying his best to describe the journey to her. However, his preoccupied mind left the letters lacking the charm of his past writings, feeling dry as if he were merely fulfilling a duty.
Chu Yu would read these letters, then carefully fold them and place them in her bedside drawer. She then found some colored clay and, imagining the appearances of Wei Jun and Wei Yun, molded figures of them.
Of the seven young masters of the Wei family, Chu Yu only remembered the faces of these two. She had barely met the others, only hearing their voices on her wedding day.
By the time she finished the clay figures, it was time for Wei Yun’s return to the capital.
The night before Wei Yun’s return, additional guards were posted at the Wei Manor’s gate, creating a noticeably tense atmosphere. Jiang Chun came in from outside, looking rather agitated, and said, “A’Yu, with all this security, surely they won’t arrest Little Seven right at the gate? What on earth happened on the battlefield…”
Jiang Chun rambled on, her worry evident on her face.
Chu Yu calmly instructed the household to hang white silk banners and informed everyone that tomorrow morning, all the young madams should gather in the front courtyard to await Wei Yun’s return. After arranging everything, she turned to Jiang Chun and said, “No matter what happens, we must receive Father and the brothers with dignity tomorrow.”
Chu Yu’s calm demeanor helped Jiang Chun regain her composure.
She nodded seriously, “If they dare to humiliate Little Seven in front of my husband’s spirit, I won’t let them off easily!”
Chu Yu found this somewhat amusing but smiled and nodded, “Alright, we won’t let them off.”
That night, Chu Yu tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
Wei Yun had already reached the outskirts of the city but needed to make some preparations before entering. Just as Chu Yu wanted Wei Yun to see the Wei Manor at its best, Wei Yun probably hoped his family wouldn’t see him in too miserable a state.
The next day, Chu Yu rose as soon as it was light.
She had her hair styled into a married woman’s bun, adorned with white flowers. She then put on a pure white long dress and a white cloud brocade wide-sleeved outer garment, looking solemn and elegant.
She applied light makeup, which made her look much more spirited. After putting on pearl earrings, it was clear that although she was in plain clothes with flowers, she didn’t appear haggard or worn out.
After preparing herself, she went to the courtyard to count the people present.
However, there were only a few scattered groups in the courtyard, with only people from Jiang Chun’s and Sixth Young Madam Wang Lan’s households.
Chu Yu stood with her hands folded in her sleeves, her expression cold. “Where are the others?”
“The other young madams all claim to be unwell,” the steward came forward and reported mechanically. “This servant went to invite them, but they were unwilling to come.”
The steward’s words made the situation quite clear. They “claimed” to be unwell, “unwilling” to come.
Chu Yu understood what these people were planning. They were trying to show those outside that they didn’t want to be too closely associated with the Wei family.
Chu Yu’s gaze fell on the steward who had gone to invite the others. “Are they now unable to get out of bed?”
The steward didn’t understand what Chu Yu meant and still looked confused. Suddenly, Chu Yu raised her voice: “Wan Yue, Wan Yue, go to each household and inform the young madams who haven’t come. Unless they’re unable to get out of bed, tell them to get over here immediately! If they don’t come, break their legs so they don’t need to come!”
The steward’s face showed shock, and everyone present looked extremely uncomfortable.
Break their legs…
However, Wan Yue and Wan Yue didn’t seem to find any problem with this and immediately left with some people.
Jiang Chun also felt a bit awkward and stepped forward, saying, “A’Yu, this…”
“Today, I’m fighting for the face of the Wei family,” Chu Yu said coldly. Though she was answering Jiang Chun, her gaze swept over everyone present. “Whoever doesn’t give me face today, don’t blame me for not giving them face!”
Everyone waited for a moment, and then Yao Jue’s voice rang out from afar.
She angrily shouted, “Chu Yu, who gave you the courage to threaten to break my legs?!”
Chu Yu turned to see Yao Jue and the other three young madams hurrying over.
Yao Jue was holding a whip, seemingly about to lash out, when Chu Yu said, “What, you don’t want the divorce papers anymore?”
Hearing this, Yao Jue’s hand froze.
Chu Yu stood smiling, her gaze sweeping over the three young madams. “Let me be clear today. If you behave yourselves today, I’ll ask Wei Yun for your divorce papers later. Then you’ll have no more connection to the Wei family. But if you want to make trouble today,” Chu Yu roared, “Then make trouble! I’m putting my life on the line here. I’ll use my life to fight with you. Let’s see if you dare!”
With these words, everyone fell silent.
Just then, a guard’s voice came from outside.
“Young Madam, the Seventh Young Master has returned!”