Gu Chusheng carefully examined the paper with dates and locations that Wei Yun handed to him, focusing intently on the times without further comment.

It didn’t surprise Gu Chusheng at all that Wei Yun, having successfully taken over all of the Wei family’s reserved forces after his release from prison, could obtain the Emperor’s itinerary. The reason he still relied on Wei Yun was because of the power held by these great aristocratic families, which he couldn’t afford to possess himself.

The enmity between the Emperor and Prince Qin years ago was a fight to the death. When Gu Chusheng’s father fell on the Emperor’s sword, the Emperor wouldn’t have left anything for the Gu family. If Gu Chusheng hadn’t gritted his teeth and voluntarily entered the palace to hand over all of the Gu family’s hidden forces, donate all their property, and surrender Prince Qin’s posthumous child, he might not have survived either.

Everyone thought his father had angered the Emperor by advising Prince Qin, but they didn’t know that what truly enraged the Emperor was his father hiding Prince Qin’s child.

Although Gu Chusheng had survived, he was no different from an ordinary official entering service. Without attaching himself to the great aristocratic families, he had no chance of advancing.

Wei Yun waited as Gu Chusheng scrutinized the times.

The timing was crucial for Gu Chusheng to submit a memorial to the Emperor.

The Emperor was still protecting Yao Yong, and no one knew how tolerant the Emperor would be towards him. If the Emperor deemed abandoning the city and its people as a minor issue, then Gu Chusheng submitting a memorial would be throwing away his life in vain.

This memorial needed to be submitted skillfully, in a way that would make it known to all under heaven, to protect Gu Chusheng’s life.

After a while, Gu Chusheng finally said, “Let’s do it on the first day of the first lunar month.”

On that day, the Emperor would ascend to the altar for sacrificial rites, and there would be many spectators. Gu Chusheng choosing this day was indeed the most lively time.

Wei Yun nodded but still felt uneasy. Gu Chusheng, noticing Wei Yun’s expression, understood his concern and asked, “Do you think that pressuring His Majesty like this might displease him?”

Wei Yun looked up at him, “We’ve already pressured His Majesty once.”

To secure his release from prison, Chu Yu had already knelt at the palace gates, half-forcing and half-begging the Emperor once. If Gu Chusheng were to publicly submit a memorial again, the Wei family absolutely could not intervene.

Gu Chusheng remained silent. Wei Yun stood up and said, “Let’s tentatively set this time. I’ll think about it some more.”

Gu Chusheng agreed and added, “I’m not very clear about the affairs in the capital. I’d appreciate it if the Marquis could leave someone to explain the details to me.”

Wei Yun responded with a “Mm” and looked at Wei Xia, “You stay behind.”

With that, Wei Yun was left alone, pondering what to do next.

The Emperor had favored Yao Yong for many years, not only because Yao Yong was a tool against the aristocratic families but also because the Emperor believed Yao Yong to be highly capable. Since Yao Yong was skilled in management and eager to claim credit and seize power, not being on the front lines meant he was unaware of the situation there. The Emperor could only see the results in battle reports, and even if he suspected some trickery, it was difficult to make a completely accurate assessment.

Out of Yao Yong’s ten parts of merit, the Emperor probably believed in seven, not knowing that in reality, this man might not even deserve three.

Now, they would first make the Emperor doubt Yao Yong’s competence and honesty. Then, he would have Song Shilan cooperate on the battlefield to cause Yao Yong to suffer consecutive defeats, allowing Song Shilan to push all the responsibility onto Yao Yong. This would inevitably raise doubts in the Emperor’s mind, and his planted people around Yao Yong would further sow discord, creating a rift between the Emperor and his subject.

When it came to Tianshou Pass, they would have Chu Linyang and Song Shilan join forces to set up Yao Yong. Once Tianshou Pass fell, with the Emperor already doubting Yao Yong’s abilities, he would surely rebuke Yao Yong harshly. Then, he would have his informants leak the Emperor’s intention to kill Yao Yong and bring Wei Yun out of retirement, which would surely cause Yao Yong to rebel.

With Tianshou Pass breached and Yao Yong in rebellion, Song Shilan and Chu Linyang would avoid trouble by not coming out. The only usable general left would be Wei Yun.

At that time, they would need grain to expand the army. The Wei family’s soldiers who had pretended to flee from the frontlines could be whitewashed into regular troops. Even if the Emperor knew the truth, he would have no choice but to accept it.

All of these later steps had already been arranged. Gu Chusheng’s move now became extremely crucial. If they couldn’t plant this seed of doubt in the Emperor’s heart, everything that followed might be in vain.

He could easily let Gu Chusheng submit the memorial. After all, he wasn’t counting on using this case to bring down Yao Yong. It was just a fuse, only needing to be planted in the Emperor’s heart to make him aware of Yao Yong’s deceptive behavior. In that case, whether Gu Chusheng lived or died wouldn’t matter much.

But he couldn’t do it.

He wasn’t yet one of those cold-blooded politicians with deep schemes. Gu Chusheng was now a good official who had saved the people of Bai City. Even if his intentions weren’t pure, he hadn’t done anything wrong. Wei Yun couldn’t bring himself to watch him go to his death.

Moreover, if Gu Chusheng deliberately exposed this case, and if the Emperor was biased to the extreme, he might think from a different angle that it was a trap set by others to deliberately frame Yao Yong. After all, Yao Yong had offended many aristocratic families over the years while charging forward for the Emperor.

So this matter would be better if not done deliberately. It shouldn’t be them actively telling the Emperor; the Emperor should learn about it passively.

But how to make the Emperor aware?

Wei Yun thought hard and suddenly remembered someone.

It was just a vague idea, but he hurriedly went to Chu Yu’s room. Chu Yu was writing when Wei Yun rushed in, causing her some worry as she asked, “What’s wrong?”

“Sister-in-law,” Wei Yun said seriously, “How is your relationship with the Princess Royal?”

Hearing this, Chu Yu relaxed considerably. She returned her gaze to her paper and calmly said, “Just tell me what the matter is.”

Wei Yun briefly explained his idea to Chu Yu. After pondering for a moment, Chu Yu nodded and said, “I understand. I’ll go to the Princess Royal’s mansion right away.”

“You and the Princess Royal…”

“We’re not exactly close,” Chu Yu said honestly, “But if it’s something that would displease the Crown Prince, she’d probably be quite enthusiastic about it.”

In her previous life, the Princess Royal had always kept the Crown Prince down. Having only saved Wei Yun once this time, the Princess Royal probably hadn’t had her fill yet.

Wei Yun, roughly aware of what had happened while he was in prison, asked incredulously, “It was just some romantic affairs. Why would the Princess Royal go to such lengths?”

Hearing this, Chu Yu cast a meaningful glance at Wei Yun, who immediately felt tense and instinctively said, “But the Crown Prince’s actions were indeed improper! The Princess Royal is justified in doing all this!”

Wei Yun’s timely correction somewhat satisfied Chu Yu. She looked at Wei Yun’s face, still bearing traces of youth but already undeniably handsome, and after some thought, she still advised, “Little Seven, in the future, never casually betray a woman. Not for her sake, but for your own.”

Wei Yun was slightly taken aback. Chu Yu continued earnestly, “For most women, love is their entire life. Can you imagine how great a revenge someone might take when their whole life has been ruined?”

“What about you?” Wei Yun asked instinctively, while Gu Chusheng’s face inexplicably appeared in his mind. Chu Yu smiled lightly, “If I could treat fighting with someone as entertainment like the Princess Royal does, I’d certainly be willing to rub their face in the dirt. But if destroying that person would come at too great a cost,” Chu Yu’s eyes showed some disdain, “would they be worth it?”

Hearing this, Wei Yun felt inexplicably relieved. He took a breath and looked at Chu Yu seriously, “Sister-in-law, don’t worry. If I like someone, I will treat her exceptionally well, only her, and never betray her.”

Seeing Wei Yun’s earnest expression, Chu Yu was momentarily stunned and suddenly felt a bit envious of Wei Yun’s future wife.

Who did Wei Yun marry in her previous life?

Chu Yu pondered and slowly recalled a name – Princess Qingping.

This Princess Qingping was the eldest legitimate daughter of Duke De. She was said to be extremely beautiful, skilled in the four arts of zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and particularly adept at medicine. She was both a talented and beautiful woman. Not only was she beautiful, talented, and powerful, but she also had excellent virtue. In her previous life, when Wei Yun was campaigning east and west, she opened charitable halls and personally diagnosed patients, gaining quite a reputation.

Thinking of such a person meeting Wei Yun, Chu Yu felt quite reassured, yet also a bit reluctant. After some thought, she realized it was probably akin to the feeling of an old father marrying off his daughter.

When Wei Yun took a wife, it would mean she had watched him grow up. The Wei family suddenly having a new mistress did indeed bring some sense of loss.

However, Chu Yu understood that this day would come sooner or later, so she adjusted her mood and smiled, “When Little Seven finds someone he likes in the future, I’ll pass these words on to her.”

Listening to Chu Yu’s words, Wei Yun first froze and then became somewhat confused.

The person he liked?

These words put together suddenly felt distant and bitter to him.

He couldn’t clearly explain this emotion, and could only nod out of habit, murmuring, “Alright.”

Chu Yu didn’t dwell on this topic. After roughly discussing the approach to visiting the Princess Royal’s mansion, Chu Yu changed her clothes, ordered the preparation of a visiting card, and set off for the Princess Royal’s residence.

Just before leaving, Wei Yun caught up with her and anxiously said, “I forgot to tell sister-in-law, you must be careful when associating with the Princess Royal.”

Chu Yu was a bit puzzled. Wei Yun earnestly said, “If she sets up a banquet, you’d better not stay. It’s best to return early.”

Chu Yu nodded in confusion, then thought for a moment and said, “But I’m going to ask for a favor. If she sets up a banquet and I don’t stay, wouldn’t that be inappropriate?”

Wei Yun hesitated, then gritted his teeth and said, “Alright then, just this once. You can go.”

Chu Yu didn’t say anything. Sitting in the carriage, she pondered Wei Yun’s words, feeling that something was odd.

Why did a visit to the Princess Royal’s mansion seem like entering a dragon’s den?

Mini-scene:

Wei Yun: It was just a romantic affair, how could it lead to this?

Chu Yu gives him a slight glance.

Wei Yun: The Princess Royal is right! The Princess Royal did well!

Chu Yu: Mm, your survival instinct can be said to be quite strong.