Upon hearing these words, the Princess Consort gave Chu Yu an appraising look.
The Princess Consort naturally knew why Chu Yu had come to her door. She had let her in because she had already made up her mind. As they strolled through the courtyard together, she spoke slowly: “It’s good that Lady Wei can think this through. After all, life is still long. Your scene at the Wei family gate has earned you a good reputation. You won’t have to worry about the future. With Lady Wei’s character and beauty, the path ahead won’t be too difficult.”
When mentioning a woman’s character and beauty, the “path” naturally referred to marriage and childbearing. Chu Yu understood that the Princess Consort’s words were not just meant to comfort her, but also to warn her. She had already meddled enough in the Wei family’s affairs and gained some benefits. It was time to stop.
Judging from Grand Tutor Xie’s attitude, His Majesty was still hesitating on this matter. For the Princess Consort, it wouldn’t be difficult to fan the flames and make a suggestion to a hesitating emperor. However, the reason for the Princess Consort’s hesitation was simply because this matter involved the Crown Prince.
Her only daughter was currently in marriage talks with the Crown Prince, so she couldn’t possibly go against him. However, the gift Chu Yu had sent was indeed too grand to ignore, making it hard for her to give up. After much deliberation, she could only meet with Chu Yu to see if she had any other requests. As long as it didn’t go against her future son-in-law, everything could be negotiated.
For example – finding a good husband.
As she tried to persuade Chu Yu, Chu Yu smiled and said: “I have A Jun, which is enough for me. I’m not thinking about much else. The Wei family still has a young brother-in-law Wei Yun and five children. Young brother-in-law is only fourteen, I can’t help but worry about them, so I can’t think too much about other things.”
Chu Yu sighed: “I won’t beat around the bush with Your Highness. Your Highness should understand my meaning. If Your Highness agrees, the things I promised will be sent to Your Highness’s mansion immediately. If not, that’s fine too. It must be the Wei family’s fate.”
The Princess Consort’s face showed difficulty. Just as she was about to speak, Chu Yu raised her hand to interrupt: “Your Highness doesn’t need to answer me now. Please think it over carefully,” she said, staring at her intently, “Think it through, think it clear, then have someone summon me again.”
The Princess Consort was stunned by Chu Yu’s solemn manner. Chu Yu took advantage of this moment to take her leave and return home.
Having accomplished most of what she set out to do, her mood naturally eased considerably. She was just having people prepare things to go see Wei Yun in the imperial prison again when she heard an announcement from outside – her mother had arrived with Chu Jin.
Chu Yu frowned slightly. According to her memory of her mother, a visit at this time would certainly not be a pleasant experience.
However, since they had already arrived, it wouldn’t be right to turn away her mother, so she could only have them invited in.
Xie Yun hurriedly entered with Chu Jin. Chu Yu stood up to greet them, smiling as she took Xie Yun’s hand and said: “Mother, why have you come?”
Xie Yun was taken aback. In her memory, this daughter had always been rash – laughing heartily like a boy when happy, and quick to anger and scold when unhappy. It wasn’t unheard of for her to even crack a whip when agitated. But now, Chu Yu was truly like a lady of a great family. Even though she wasn’t happy, she still rose with a smile, took her hand, and calmly asked – “Mother, why have you come?”
Noticing her daughter’s transformation, Xie Yun’s eyes immediately reddened. She held Chu Yu’s hand, wanting to say something but unable to speak. After a long while, she only managed to say hoarsely: “You’ve suffered…”
Chu Yu remained silent.
She had initially received Xie Yun with impatience, but the moment Xie Yun spoke those words, she suddenly realized –
This Xie Yun was not the Xie Yun from her previous life.
None of those things had happened yet. Xie Yun hadn’t harmed her for the sake of Chu Jin. She was still her mother.
Perhaps deep down, Xie Yun still preferred Chu Jin, but she still loved her more than most people, cared for her more, and would even be willing to go through fire and water for her if it didn’t mean sacrificing Chu Jin.
To punish someone for things that hadn’t happened yet seemed too cruel for the current Xie Yun.
Chu Yu looked at Xie Yun, and after a moment, she lowered her eyes and shook her head.
“It’s not suffering, it’s what I should do.”
“My child has such bad luck…” Xie Yun cried out, saying with heartache: “I wanted to come see you earlier, but your father stopped me, saying not to come and make trouble. What kind of reasoning is that? How could a mother come to see her child be making trouble? I just wanted to come see you, how is that making trouble?”
Chu Yu didn’t speak. She had already sent away all the servants, leaving only Chang Yue and Wan Yue in the room. They were familiar with Xie Yun’s temperament and were used to it, calmly serving tea and listening to Xie Yun lecture Chu Yu.
Chu Jin sat quietly to the side, steadily drinking tea. Though not hard to see a hint of joy in her brow, she maintained her composure well enough that it wasn’t obvious without close inspection.
Chu Yu listened to Xie Yun talk for a while about how Chu Jian Chang had stopped her, giving Chu Yu a headache. She was about to change the subject when she heard Xie Yun say: “I told your father to find a way into the imperial prison to ask for a divorce letter for you, but he refused. So I spent a lot of money to go to the prison myself and asked for you. I thought he wouldn’t agree, but who would have thought, as soon as I finished speaking, he asked for paper and brush and signed the divorce letter without a word. Look…”
As she spoke, Xie Yun took out a divorce letter from her sleeve, presenting it like a treasure: “Isn’t it your mother who cares for you most? Even the girls from other families like the Xie family and Yao family haven’t gotten this far. They’re all waiting for Wei Yun to come out before asking. I’ve already brought the divorce letter now, you can leave the Wei family anytime. Why not leave today?”
Xie Yun’s tone was noticeably lighter as she said this. Chu Yu didn’t speak. She took the divorce letter from Xie Yun’s hand and lowered her eyes to the writing on the first page.
The handwriting had become much steadier, already showing hints of Wei Yun’s future penmanship. Chu Yu held the divorce letter as she listened to Xie Yun say: “You married into the family but your husband died before you could consummate the marriage. This is something everyone in the capital knows. I was originally angry about your scene at the Wei family gate, but then I heard that Grand Tutor Xie publicly praised you as ‘loyal and righteous’. Many ladies have come to me openly and secretly asking about your whereabouts. Even if you leave the Wei family now, you won’t have to worry about remarrying. I’ve already resolved your sister’s marriage. Now if you quickly leave the Wei family, I can find you a good place to go, and I’ll be at ease.”
Hearing these words, Chu Yu raised her eyes to look at Xie Yun.
Her gaze was as cold as a sword, so sharp that even someone as obtuse as Xie Yun noticed it and involuntarily stopped speaking, asking hesitantly: “What’s wrong?”
Chu Yu didn’t argue with her. She knew Xie Yun’s personality well – arguing with her would be like a summer insect talking about ice, a waste of time, and nothing more.
She put away the divorce letter and smiled, saying: “Why did Mother suddenly think of getting this divorce letter?”
“This was thanks to A Jin’s reminder,” Xie Yun quickly looked at Chu Jin. Chu Jin’s expression stiffened slightly, and Chu Yu looked at her with an enigmatic smile as she heard Xie Yun say happily: “I was worried about you but didn’t know what to do. I wanted to call you back but was afraid it would seem too heartless. It was A Jin who told me that all the young ladies of the Wei family are secretly making plans now. The mother of that Yao girl has already started looking for new marriage prospects. Our family can be considered considerate.”
Chu Yu listened quietly, her gaze falling on Chu Jin. Chu Jin was a bit nervous and remained silent, while Xie Yun continued chattering: “Now that A Jin’s marriage to the Song family has been settled…”
“The Song family?” Chu Yu asked with some confusion, turning her head to look at Xie Yun. “Young Master Song Tao of the Duke Huguo’s family?”
“How do you know?” Xie Yun was surprised. “Did your father tell you about this?”
“Just a guess,” Chu Yu frowned. “Wasn’t she engaged to Gu Chusheng? How did it change to Song Tao?”
“That Gu Chusheng!” At the mention of Gu Chusheng, Xie Yun angrily burst out: “We were willing to marry into his family, that was already giving him face, but he rejected this marriage!”
“Mother…” Chu Jin spoke up with some embarrassment. “Let’s not talk about it anymore.”
“Why did he reject it?” Chu Yu absentmindedly stroked the divorce letter in her sleeve as she took a sip of tea. Xie Yun was about to say something, but after a moment’s thought, she waved her hand and said: “Forget it, forget it. Rejected is rejected. Anyway, Young Master Song is much better than him. Our A Jin has always been lucky, she doesn’t care about these minor details.”
Chu Yu laughed lightly and nodded. “Indeed, very lucky.”
For two lifetimes in a row, she couldn’t escape the fate of being widowed.
This Young Master Song had always had deep feelings for Chu Jin. In her previous life, he had pursued her persistently, wanting to marry her. After Chu Jin was widowed, she had originally planned to marry Song Tao, but after the Wei family’s incident, the Song family was sent to the frontlines. Song Tao had gone to earn some military merit, but without the Wei family, the frontlines were like scattered sand. The Song family was gone within half a month of arriving at the frontlines, and the frontlines completely collapsed. With the Northern Di’s swords pointing at the capital and no one in the court to use, only then did Wei Yun have the opportunity to request a mission.
Chu Yu didn’t say much more. Although she was curious about why Gu Chusheng had broken off the engagement, it didn’t have much to do with her anymore.
She had always been that kind of person. When she loved, she loved wholeheartedly.
When she let go, she let go cleanly.
The name Gu Chusheng, due to years of habit, only made her heartstrings tremble for a moment when she heard it, but that was all.
As they spoke, Chu Yu said: “Mother, I have other matters to attend to. Please go back first.”
“You’re not coming back with me?” Xie Yun asked nervously. Chu Yu smiled: “I’ve already taken this divorce letter. I can leave anytime, but leaving now would damage my reputation. Kicking someone when they’re down isn’t a good thing. I’ll stay a while longer before I leave. Mother, please go back first.”
Xie Yun hesitated for a moment, but thinking of the effect of Grand Tutor Xie’s praise for Chu Yu, she nodded.
Chu Yu saw Xie Yun out, with Xie Yun in front and Chu Yu and Chu Jin side by side behind her. Chu Jin sighed and said with apparent sincerity: “Is Sister unwilling to go back because she’s worried about remarrying?”
Chu Yu raised her eyes to look at Chu Jin once. Chu Jin smiled lightly: “Sister needn’t worry. Even if others don’t want Sister, there’s still that seventh-rank county magistrate Gu Chusheng waiting for Sister in Kunyang. Although he can’t compare to high-ranking families like the Wei family and the Song family, Gu Chusheng is handsome and talented. It wouldn’t be a disgrace for Sister. After a few years of hardship, perhaps your fortunes will turn around?”
Chu Jin emphasized the words ‘seventh-rank county magistrate’, and Chu Yu understood her meaning.
She smiled gently: “A Jin is still jealous of my marriage to a high-ranking family?”
“The entire Wei family is dead, what high-ranking family is there to speak of?!” Chu Jin’s expression changed. Chu Yu raised her hand to tuck her hair behind her ear, chuckling softly: “Even if the Wei family only has Wei Yun left, it’s still not something the Song family can compare to.”
As she spoke, the three had arrived at the door. Chu Yu raised her hand and said to Chu Jin: “The threshold is high, be careful not to trip, little sister.”
Chu Jin finally couldn’t hold back and laughed coldly: “Sister, just you wait.”
Chu Yu nodded: “Mm, I’ll wait.” As she spoke, she took Chu Jin’s hand and said with apparent sincerity: “Hurry and marry Young Master Song, otherwise once this opportunity passes, you might not get another. How unfortunate that would be.”
“I don’t need you to tell me!” Chu Jin said through gritted teeth. At this moment, Xie Yun had already gotten into the carriage. Seeing Chu Yu and Chu Jin still talking, she couldn’t help but say: “You sisters have such a good relationship, you’re still unwilling to let go?”
These words nearly made both of them vomit, but they still forced themselves to maintain the appearance of good sisters. To avoid forcing herself, Chu Yu quickly let go and raised her hand, saying: “Sister, please go.”
That expression of ‘hurry up and leave, I won’t see you off’ angered Chu Jin so much her liver hurt. She flung her sleeve and walked towards the carriage. Seeing this, Xie Yun frowned: “How can you treat your elder sister like this?”
Only then did Chu Jin realize she had lost her composure. She opened her mouth but couldn’t explain anything.
Chu Yu watched the Chu family’s carriage disappear into the distance before her face turned cold. She had a carriage prepared and went directly to the imperial prison.
The Chu family had considerable status in the military. Xie Yun’s ability to see Wei Yun was due to Chu Jian Chang’s influence. Similarly, Chu Yu’s ability to see Wei Yun was not only because of the large sums of money she had distributed but also because of Chu Jian Chang.
When Chu Yu entered the imperial prison, Wei Yun was lying down and resting. Thanks to Chu Yu’s efforts to take care of him, he didn’t suffer too much, but his body still bore marks of injury. He heard someone enter and suddenly opened his eyes. Seeing Chu Yu, he was slightly taken aback and hurriedly tried to pull his clothes to cover the marks on his body. However, as he raised his hand, he heard Chu Yu say coldly: “Don’t bother hiding it, you can’t cover it up.”
Wei Yun’s hand froze for a moment, but he still tidied his clothes, trying to make himself look as composed as possible. He sat up and smiled, saying: “Why has Sister-in-law come?”
“Explain to me clearly what this is,” Chu Yu took out the divorce letter, her eyes filled with anger. “Who told you to sign this, and you just signed it? Who told you to write this, and you just wrote it?!”
Wei Yun saw the letter and was slightly taken aback.
He placed both hands on his knees, clutching his clothes tightly, and said with difficulty: “Sister-in-law’s mother came to ask…”
“But I didn’t come to ask!” Chu Yu was so angry her chest heaved up and down. Holding the divorce letter, she pointed at Wei Yun and angrily said: “If I hadn’t kept this divorce letter with me, I would have no relation to the Wei family anymore, do you know that?!”
Hearing this, Wei Yun’s heart trembled. He clenched his fists and turned his head away with difficulty, saying hoarsely: “Having no relation to the Wei family now… is also a good thing.”
“Wei Yun!” Chu Yu raised her voice. “I’ve been working tirelessly day and night outside. Are you blind?! If I wanted to leave the Wei mansion, I would have left long ago. Why would I wait until now?!”
Wei Yun remained silent. Chu Yu stepped forward, her voice urgent and angry, “You rashly signed this document, but did you consider my feelings? I don’t want to leave. With this document, what if my family forces me to leave? What if they force me to marry someone else? When you signed this, did you not consider me at all?!”
“I signed it precisely because I considered you,” Wei Yun said, struggling to control his emotions. “I know you’re a good girl. You always act tough and mature, but in the end, you’re only fifteen. I’m a man of the Wei family. I can’t leave or run away. I have to shoulder these responsibilities, but you don’t have to. You’re still in your prime, and you’ve only met my elder brother once. You don’t need to waste your life with the Wei family. You should go back now. If something happens to the Wei family, you can still live a good life. If nothing happens, I’ll always remember your kindness and take care of you. Although I gave you this divorce paper on behalf of my elder brother, you will always be my sister-in-law.”
As he spoke, Wei Yun gradually calmed down. He turned his head, his gaze falling on Chu Yu, and said earnestly, “In the future, if I don’t die, I will surely restore the Wei family to its former glory. For the rest of my life, I will respect you as my elder sister-in-law. If you remarry, the Wei family will be your maternal family and your support. If you have nowhere to go, I will respectfully welcome you back. You will always be the Young Madam of the Wei family, and also the First Madam.”
Wei Yun spoke these words seriously, and Chu Yu was slightly stunned under his gaze.
Although his face was still youthful, Chu Yu could tell from his expression that he wasn’t joking.
The temperament of Wei Yun, the Northern Garrison Commander, who was known throughout the world for his clear distinction between gratitude and grudges and his tendency to retaliate for the slightest offense, was evident.
He was now thinking clearly, planning her entire life for her.
Chu Yu found it both amusing and helpless. Her gaze fell on Wei Yun, meeting his determined and clear eyes, and she slowly realized that the reason she was still standing here was probably… for those eyes.
She had seen that look in Wei Jun’s eyes when she had chased after the Wei family’s army on horseback in her wedding dress and the eyes of all the Wei family members.
Even though Wei Yun was the only one left of the Wei family, the unique devotion of the Wei family was still being passed down like a torch.
Chu Yu pressed her lips tightly. Seeing the young woman suppressing her anger, Wei Yun couldn’t help but smile, feeling that he had finally seen some youthful spirit in this person.
He softly said, “Don’t be angry. If I’ve done something wrong, just tell me.”
“I just want to do what’s best for you,” he said with a sigh in his voice. “But I don’t know what I should do or what I can do. I don’t know how to do it. Can you teach me?”
With Wei Yun speaking like this, how could Chu Yu stay angry? But she was indeed annoyed at Wei Yun for signing this divorce paper without even asking her. She could only keep a stern face and say, “I’ll keep this divorce paper you signed. In the future, if I want to leave, I’ll take it out myself. Before that, if I don’t say so, no one can drive me away.”
“Marrying your brother and into the Wei family was my own decision. I don’t regret it. I’m somewhat grateful for it. By marrying into the family, I prevented this family of integrity from being trampled into the mud.” Chu Yu looked at him seriously. Wei Yun’s heart trembled slightly as he heard her say firmly, “I came here by my own choice, and I’ll leave by my own choice too. Listen well, Wei Yun. In this lifetime, unless I speak up, it’s not your place to sign this divorce paper.”
“You can’t do it, and neither can anyone else, except for me!”