Having decided to find Gu Chusheng, Chu Yu immediately selected people and prepared silver notes, dry rations, weapons, and medicinal materials. She brought along a casual physician and the hidden guards Wei Yun had given her, leaving the mansion under the cover of night.
Traveling day and night, she first rushed to Kunyang to meet with Wei Qiu. Gu Chusheng was always the type to believe that “the most dangerous place is the safest place,” so he probably wouldn’t leave Kunyang immediately. He was likely to stay in Kunyang for a while, waiting for Yao Yong to lower his guard before setting out.
After arriving in Kunyang under an alias with her people, Wei Qiu led Chu Yu to the place where Gu Chusheng had disappeared. The water flow had slowed considerably compared to a few days ago. Wei Qiu pointed to where Gu Chusheng had jumped in, saying, “He jumped in from here.”
“And he wasn’t seen after jumping in?” Chu Yu looked at the river, surveying the surroundings.
Wei Qiu frowned, “He just suddenly vanished.”
Chu Yu remained silent. She was familiar with this moat, having spent many years in Kunyang with Gu Chusheng. The stone lion guarding the moat was hollow underneath. When the river flowed, it submerged the lower part but left about half a person’s space. The lion’s open mouth above served as an air passage, making it a perfect hiding spot.
If someone were struggling in the river to go somewhere, they would at least need to surface to breathe. It was impossible to just disappear. The only possibility was that Gu Chusheng hadn’t gone far and was hiding right there.
The path to enter the stone lion’s interior was a bit winding. Chu Yu couldn’t explain it clearly at the moment and was worried that those who went might not observe the environment enough, possibly missing any signs Gu Chusheng might have left.
So, looking at the stone lion, Chu Yu had someone tie a rope around her waist and personally climbed down. After falling into the river, she held her breath and made her way to the hollow space under the stone lion, then surfaced.
It was daytime, and light fell through the lion’s mouth, allowing Chu Yu to see the mottled bloodstains on the wall.
The bloodstains didn’t look too old. After examining the color and amount of blood, Chu Yu roughly determined that Gu Chusheng wasn’t poisoned or seriously injured. Just as she was about to leave, she suddenly noticed a symbol.
The symbol had been carved with something sharp and was extremely small, but Chu Yu still recognized its meaning—
East.
Chu Yu realized what it meant.
This was a kind of code she had created when playing with Gu Chusheng and Chu Jin. Later, she often used this method to communicate with Gu Chusheng in emergencies. But why would Gu Chusheng leave this mark here now?
Was it that he and his people were now using this as a code, or…
Did he know she was coming?!
Chu Yu was stunned, feeling a bit absurd for a moment. Was Gu Chusheng counting on her coming to find him?!
Of course, the fifteen-year-old Chu Yu had been infatuated with him, and he wasn’t a fool. He was well aware of her feelings. Now that he was in trouble and had already pledged allegiance to the Wei family, he would naturally guess that she would come looking for him.
Chu Yu couldn’t help but find it amusing. This man was overestimating himself. She was already married, yet he still thought he was so irresistible?
Chu Yu plunged back into the water and swam back to shore. Chang Yue and Wan Yue hurriedly came forward with a curtain, allowing Chu Yu to change her clothes. Then they heard Chu Yu say, holding her sword, “Search upstream.”
Gu Chusheng was injured, and it would have been easier to go downstream. Going upstream meant fighting against the current. Who knew where he got the strength to do such a thing?
But this choice was indeed safer. Chu Yu wasn’t surprised by Gu Chusheng’s decision; he had always been the type to burn his bridges, pushing himself to the extreme more than once or twice.
Chu Yu led her people to search upstream. Soon, someone shouted, “The tree branches here have been broken!”
Chu Yu hurried to the riverside, brushed aside the branches to examine for a moment, then pinched some soil, sniffing it carefully before standing up and saying, “Let’s go.”
The soil carried the scent of blood, indicating that Gu Chusheng had passed through here.
He had always been cautious, yet now he couldn’t even manage to clean up his traces thoroughly. It was clear that his situation was indeed not optimistic.
Gu Chusheng had left the “East” mark for her, so she continued searching eastward. After walking for a while, someone said, “Madam, there’s a piece of torn cloth here.”
Chu Yu glanced at the blood-stained cloth fragment. Chang Yue had already darted ahead, and after a moment, her voice came back: “Madam, there are broken branches here. He must have gone this way.”
Chu Yu didn’t say anything. An occasional slip-up by Gu Chusheng might be possible, but leaving torn cloth and broken branches as such obvious trail markers?
Impossible. It wasn’t his style.
Chu Yu pondered for a moment, then looked towards the east, which showed no signs of anyone passing through, and calmly said, “Continue searching eastward.”
Everyone was a bit surprised; the east indeed showed no trace of human presence.
But no one dared to say much, so they followed Chu Yu, searching eastward together. As they searched into the night, everyone was getting tired. Chang Yue discovered a cave and said to Chu Yu, “Madam, shall we rest in the cave for the night?”
Chu Yu was also somewhat fatigued. She agreed, and Wei Qiu lit a torch as they headed into the cave.
The Wei family’s hidden guards led the way, with Wan Yue, Chang Yue, and Chu Yu’s people following behind as guards. Chu Yu walked into the center, holding her sword, her steps a bit unsteady.
After searching for a whole day, Chu Yu was also tired. She wanted to retire early and rest well before continuing the search.
Wei Qiu led the way into the cave. The cave was rugged, and Wei Qiu respectfully said, “Madam, please watch your step.”
Just as Chu Yu stepped into the cave, in that instant, the torch in Wei Qiu’s hand suddenly went out. Before Chu Yu could react, she was pulled into someone’s embrace, with a blade pressed against her neck. In the darkness, she heard Gu Chusheng’s hoarse voice saying, “Don’t move.”
He smelled of a mixture of soil and blood, his breathing rapid and shallow, clearly very weak. His hand touching her was burning hot, in stark contrast to the cold blade, making it particularly noticeable. Chu Yu didn’t speak. Wei Qiu lit the torch and saw Chu Yu being held hostage by Gu Chusheng. Gu Chusheng, holding the blade, said coldly, “Nobody moves, or I can’t guarantee this lady’s safety…”
Before he could finish, Gu Chusheng’s gaze fell on Chang Yue’s angry face, and his voice suddenly stopped. A moment later, he realized who had come.
It was Chu Yu.
It was the Chu Yu he had been thinking of day and night, the one he had gone to great lengths to return to Huajing to see!
His heart was racing, and for a moment, he didn’t know what to say, until Chu Yu’s cold voice rang out: “Remove the knife.”
Hearing this, Gu Chusheng quickly withdrew the knife, hiding the sleeve dagger in his sleeve. Chu Yu immediately stepped away from him. Wei Qiu hurriedly came forward to stand between Gu Chusheng and Chu Yu, saying coldly, “What are you trying to do?”
Gu Chusheng’s gaze fell on Chu Yu, unable to move away even slightly.
The fifteen-year-old Chu Yu didn’t have that final lifelessness from her previous life. At this moment, she was still full of vitality, still vivid and moving. Even as he truly saw her now, he suddenly realized that the fifteen-year-old Chu Yu still carried a composure and calmness that she didn’t have later.
Why hadn’t he seen it back then?
Gu Chusheng scrutinized the Chu Yu before him, reflecting on his younger self.
He had spent twenty years entangled with Chu Yu, and then twenty years after her death remembering the time she was alive. In these memories, he gradually sank, and pursued, until he was hopelessly lost.
The young man had been too proud. At that time, even though he liked her, he would feel deeply powerless and embarrassed every time she saved him.
She wasn’t one to speak gently, her thoughts so direct that she never considered what she was saying. If it had been anyone else, it might have been fine, but he, having experienced family upheaval, was of such a sensitive nature.
So every careless word from her became humiliation and mockery in his heart.
When they were being chased, she carried him on her back as they ran, laughing and saying, “Gu Chusheng, your body is too weak, like a young lady’s. In the future, you’ll have to rely on me to make a living.”
Thinking back now, such words were quite endearing, but back then, he only felt humiliation and anger. So he went back, picked up a sword, and practiced in the courtyard every afternoon without fail until she could no longer beat him.
They had missed too many years, until her death.
He habitually pretended to be calm, but in the day-to-day emptiness, he slowly recalled the past. It wasn’t until he died under Wei Yun’s sword, vaguely thinking “If A’Yu were here, she certainly wouldn’t bear to see him like this,” that he suddenly realized: if there hadn’t been any fondness at all back then, how could he have practiced so hard in the courtyard every day for years because of a single sentence?
As he watched Chu Yu talking to Chang Yue, raising her hand to touch the knife mark on her neck, he couldn’t help but redden his eyes, his lips trembling.
Seeing that Gu Chusheng kept silent, staring at Chu Yu and even slowly starting to cry, Wei Qiu felt an inexplicable panic in his heart. He stepped forward, blocking Gu Chusheng’s line of sight, and shouted sternly, “What are you looking at?! Do you think you’re worthy of looking at the First Madam of our Wei family?!”
At the noble residences in Hua Jing, only one woman could be called the Grand Madam – the one who managed the inner courtyard of the household. Now that Liu Xueyang had stepped back from managing affairs, and Wei Yun, though becoming the Marquis of Zhenbei, was still unmarried, the title of Grand Madam of the Wei Mansion fell to the former Crown Prince’s wife.
Hearing this title, Gu Chusheng suddenly came to his senses. Noticing Chu Yu looking at him, he quickly lowered his head, composing himself to avoid revealing his thoughts. He took a step back and said, “I apologize. Encountering an old acquaintance unexpectedly led to a momentary lapse in decorum.”
He forced back the heat in his eyes, closed them to calm his emotions, and then raised his head again. With a gentle smile towards everyone, he cupped his hands and said, “This humble one is Gu Chusheng. I pay my respects to the Grand Madam.”
Chu Yu remained silent, observing Gu Chusheng before her. She found something peculiar about the man in front of her.
As she scrutinized him, she realized he had never been fond of smiling at her before. Gu Chusheng was known for his sociable nature outside, with everyone praising his good temperament. Yet, uniquely towards her, he had never shown a pleasant expression, always either sarcastic or coldly silent.
But at this moment, he gazed at her quietly, his eyes still holding a hint of moisture, with an almost perfect smile on his lips. However, that smile didn’t seem fake; instead, it made Chu Yu feel as if he…
As if he wanted to present his best self to her.
The moment this thought crossed her mind, Chu Yu found it absurd.
She dismissed her far-fetched ideas and stepped out from behind Wei Qiu. She bowed to Gu Chusheng and respectfully said, “Greetings, Lord Gu. This humble one has been sent by the Marquis of Zhenguo to escort Lord Gu to the capital. May I inquire about Lord Gu’s current condition? Are you able to depart immediately?”
Chu Yu’s cold demeanor momentarily stunned Gu Chusheng, but he quickly understood. Chu Yu was a person with a strong sense of responsibility. Having married Wei Jun, even though Wei Jun had passed away, as long as she remained the Grand Madam of the Wei family, she would protect the family’s reputation. She would never do anything to tarnish the Wei family’s name, let alone betray Wei Jun’s memory.
Back when she was Mrs. Gu, she had been equally demanding of herself. Even when the household was in turmoil, she never caused him any embarrassment in public. He was the man she had once agreed to elope with, so naturally, she had to maintain her distance now.
Gu Chusheng felt bitterness in his heart but played along with Chu Yu’s demeanor. He simply replied, “Very well.”
Then, looking up at Chu Yu, he added gently, “Whatever you say is fine.”
Hearing this, everyone present felt a strange sensation. Chu Yu pretended not to hear and gestured, “This way, my lord.”
Gu Chusheng nodded and struggled to walk out.
He was injured, with blood soaking through his clothes, yet he didn’t utter a word of complaint. Chu Yu told him to walk, so he walked.
Chang Yue and Wan Yue, knowing the history between the two, found it strange but could guess some of the reasons, so they remained silent.
The Wei family’s secret guards, however, couldn’t contain themselves. A group followed behind Chu Yu, and one of them couldn’t help but approach Wei Qiu, saying, “That scoundrel’s gaze towards the Grand Madam seems inappropriate.”
“You think I’m blind?” Wei Qiu glanced over coldly. Gu Chusheng’s gaze was beyond what could be described as fervent. Wei Qiu, holding his sword, said in a cold voice, “But he hasn’t done anything yet. Let’s keep an eye on him for now. Once we reach Hua Jing, the Young Marquis will deal with him.”
“What if he does something before we reach Hua Jing?”
Wei Qiu fell silent for a moment, then slowly said, “Then it will depend on the Grand Madam’s wishes.”
While the guards were whispering behind them, Gu Chusheng followed Chu Yu to fetch the horses.
Chu Yu walked quickly, showing no consideration for him. His following her so closely even caused her some irritation.
She didn’t want to be entangled with Gu Chusheng anymore. One lifetime of entanglement was enough; why should it continue in this life?
Not a chance!
Chu Yu couldn’t help but quicken her pace, but Gu Chusheng followed unhurriedly. His wound reopened due to his movements, but he didn’t seem to feel the pain. Following Chu Yu, seeing her alive beside him, he felt a hint of sweetness rising within him.
Chu Yu reached the horses and turned back, only then noticing that Gu Chusheng’s wound had started bleeding again. She frowned and asked, “Are you sure you can endure this?”
If he died halfway, her trip would have been in vain.
Hearing Chu Yu’s question, he was momentarily stunned, then felt an overwhelming joy surge through him.
No matter how she tried to hide it, she still cared for him!
He pressed his lips together, lowering his head to hide his smile. Chu Yu was frightened by this gesture, feeling that the person before her seemed to have lost his mind and couldn’t be judged by normal standards.
“I can manage,” Gu Chusheng said softly. “Don’t worry, as long as you’re by my side, I’ll be fine.”
Hearing this, Chu Yu suddenly felt the urge to curse loudly. She had learned many swear words in the military camp, but after becoming Mrs. Gu, she had been corrected by him over the years and changed her ways. Now, seeing him again, the fact that he could make her want to revisit those skills in such a short time was quite an achievement.
She turned away with a stern face and mounted her horse, saying, “I see you’re in good spirits. Get on your horse then.”
Gu Chusheng smiled gently and tilted his head, saying, “Alright.”
With that, he attempted to mount the horse. However, due to his weakened state, he failed several times. Everyone else had already mounted and was waiting, while he struggled to climb up.
He didn’t ask for help from others, just persisting in his efforts. Chu Yu couldn’t understand why Gu Chusheng was behaving this way. Her mind was in turmoil as she coldly said, “Wei Qiu, give him a hand.”
Wei Qiu was taken aback and then showed a look of disgust as he reached out to help Gu Chusheng. As soon as Gu Chusheng sat on the horse, Chu Yu spurred her horse forward.
Gu Chusheng hurriedly urged his horse to follow, the jolting ride filling his mouth with the taste of blood. Wan Yue glanced at him, quite concerned. Always attentive, she rode up beside Chu Yu and whispered, “Lord Gu doesn’t look well. If we continue at this pace, my lady, whatever anger you have, perhaps it’s best to wait until we’ve completed the Young Marquis’s task before expressing it.”
Hearing this, Chu Yu was slightly startled.
Indeed, what did she have to be upset or angry about?
The seventeen-year-old Gu Chusheng hadn’t wronged her in any way. When she had stubbornly pursued him, he had firmly rejected her. Apart from that, before the age of seventeen, they hadn’t had much interaction.
Even if there was any, it was merely Gu Chusheng saving her on the battlefield when she was twelve.
After that, during festivals and holidays, Gu Chusheng would visit the Chu family, bringing a gift for Chu Jin and one for her. Then he would play with Chu Jin while she accompanied them.
Their last interaction was nothing more than her unilaterally giving him gifts and writing him love letters, asking him to elope with her after he had fallen from grace.
The gifts she sent, he had returned without keeping a single coin. And the letter asking him to elope, he had sent back as well.
At seventeen, Gu Chusheng was merely someone who didn’t like her.
Any more resentment shouldn’t be taken out on someone who hadn’t done anything.
To vent anger on an innocent person, even if that anger was caused by that person’s future self, was a form of evil.
A person might not always do good, but they shouldn’t do evil.
Chu Yu gradually calmed her emotions. She glanced at Gu Chusheng, who was following closely behind and slowed her horse. She spoke calmly to those behind her, “Let’s slow down a bit. There’s no rush.”
Hearing Chu Yu’s order, everyone reduced their speed. Chu Yu tossed a bottle of medicine to Gu Chusheng and said evenly, “Take this first to replenish your strength. We’ll reach an inn soon, and I’ll have someone examine you.”
Hearing her words, Gu Chusheng’s eyes curved in a smile as he gently replied, “Mm.”
Chu Yu didn’t look at him again and moved to the front. Gu Chusheng held the bottle, carefully opened the lid, ate one pill, and then preciously placed it against his chest.
The group traveled for about half an hour before finding a roadside inn. Since Gu Chusheng’s injuries could easily draw attention, Chu Yu had someone drape an outer robe over him. She then had Wei Qiu support him, disguising them as a frail young master traveling with his sister, and they checked into the inn.
Gu Chusheng coughed as he entered the guest room, while others in the inn were still chatting.
“Yao Yong is searching for Gu Chusheng throughout the entire prefecture. The reward is twenty thousand taels of gold. If I could get that, I’d be set for life!”
Chu Yu glanced at the two men speaking but said nothing. Gu Chusheng, in his disguise, passed right in front of them with a calm expression, unrecognized.
As soon as Gu Chusheng entered the room, he collapsed. Wei Qiu quickly called for a physician. After examining Gu Chusheng, the physician hurriedly wrote several prescriptions and sent them down.
Some of the medicines were quite rare and impossible to obtain in this remote area. Fortunately, Chu Yu had come well-prepared, with all these commonly used precious herbs readily available.
The group busied themselves throughout the night, and Gu Chusheng finally stabilized. The physician wiped away cold sweat, marveling, “This man is truly tough. An ordinary person with injuries like his would have succumbed long ago.”
Chu Yu remained silent. Looking at Gu Chusheng’s furrowed brow in his sleep, she couldn’t help but feel a measure of respect.
“Alright,” she said, glancing at the sky outside. She addressed those nearby, “Wei Qiu, make arrangements. Those who need rest should rest. We still have to travel tomorrow, so don’t exhaust yourselves.”
“Yes, my lady.”
Wei Qiu accepted the order, and Chu Yu left with Ming Yue and Chang Yue. Just before exiting, she heard Gu Chusheng’s hoarse whisper, “A’Yu…”
Chu Yu paused, then rubbed her ears.
She thought she must be hearing things.
Beside her, Chang Yue was puzzled by her action and asked curiously, “What are you doing, my lady?”
“Quick, give me a sugar pill,” Chu Yu hurriedly extended her hand, her face filled with horror as she said, “I need to calm myself down.”
Mini Scene:
Mo Shubai: “When did you realize you weren’t the male lead?”
Gu Chusheng: “When A’Yu saw me struggling to mount the horse and told Wei Qiu to help me instead. Shouldn’t the normal plot be her helping me onto the horse out of sympathy, then us riding off together to share in the splendors of the world?!”