Gu Chusheng fell silent.
In fact, since his previous life, he had known that when it came to responsibility, he could never match Wei Yun. Both he and Wei Yun were desperate men, but the difference was that Gu Chusheng had always gambled with his life for his future, while Wei Yun had always traded his life for the future of others.
For a moment, he wanted to ask why.
Why go to such lengths for Chu Yu? She was only a sister-in-law. On this battlefield of life and death, was it worth trading Wei Yun’s life for Chu Yu’s?
But he dared not ask. He realized that the youth’s unwavering determination and recklessness were something that he, whose heart had long been tainted by worldliness, could no longer possess. He took a deep breath, stepped back, and bowed, saying, “I will obey the Marquis’s orders.”
After speaking, Gu Chusheng walked out.
Everyone had received their tasks and left for the battlefield. Wei Yun remained at home. After a moment of silence, he called for the steward.
The steward approached steadily. Wei Yun began writing a letter in silence, then slowly said, “If I should unfortunately pass away in the future, give this letter to my mother. From then on, the Wei family will be fully managed by the First Madam. If the First Madam remarries one day, half of the Wei family’s assets will serve as her dowry.”
“My Lord?!” The steward looked up, quite surprised.
Wei Yun continued writing and added, “Besides this, when the time comes, have the First Madam go to my mother to receive a key. She will know what to do with it. From then on, the Wei family’s secret operations will be handed over to the First Madam, as well as the Wei family’s leadership token.”
Wei Yun lifted the paper, blew it dry, and handed it to the steward along with the key. “If I return alive…” Wei Yun lowered his eyes and slowly said, “Burn this letter. No one needs to see it.”
The steward said nothing. He stepped forward with reddened eyes, took the sealed letter from Wei Yun, and said hoarsely, “Young Lord, we all understand your intentions.”
“What do you understand?” Wei Yun couldn’t help but smile.
The steward lowered his head. “Young Lord, it’s not easy to meet someone you like in this lifetime. The First Young Master and the First Madam have only met once, you can’t…”
“Withdraw,” Wei Yun interrupted the steward, speaking calmly. “Keep it to yourself. Don’t be too clever.”
With Wei Yun speaking to this extent, the steward could say no more. He could only kneel and kowtow before rising and leaving hastily, as if unable to contain his emotions any longer.
The room was empty, with only Wei Yun left. He remained kneeling for a long time before letting out a soft laugh.
It turned out everyone knew he liked her. It turned out he was the only one who didn’t know.
He was truly still young.
Fortunately, he was still young.
Wei Yun supported himself and stood up unsteadily.
After everyone had left, he could finally indulge in his emotions and savor this moment of vulnerability.
That night, two messages were sent from the Wei mansion, heading towards the front lines. The letters arrived almost one after another in the hands of Song Shilan and Chu Lingyang.
As Song Shilan was reading the letter, Jiang Chun rushed in from outside, anxiously asking, “General, I heard that a letter came from the Wei mansion. Is it…?”
Hearing Jiang Chun’s voice, Song Shilan looked up with a smile, meeting Jiang Chun’s worried gaze. “Second Madam, don’t worry. This is a letter from the Young Marquis discussing military matters. There’s no bad news.”
Hearing this, Jiang Chun let out a sigh of relief, then remembered, “What about the First Madam? Has she been rescued?”
“Well…” Song Shilan hesitated for a moment. Jiang Chun’s heart instantly tightened, her hopeful eyes looking at Song Shilan. Meeting that clear and worried gaze, Song Shilan’s tone softened, as if afraid of startling the person before him. He said gently, “The First Madam has stayed in Fengling to help us pin down the main force…”
Before he could finish, Jiang Chun’s body suddenly swayed. Song Shilan quickly reached out to support her, exclaiming, “Second Madam!”
Jiang Chun steadied herself with Song Shilan’s help. Her eyes reddened, her lips trembling. After a long while, she said, “How… how could you do this?”
“Second Madam…” Song Shilan sighed, “This was the Young Marquis’s decision.”
“How could he do this?!” Jiang Chun suddenly shook off Song Shilan’s hand, stepping back and shouting, “There are a hundred thousand troops in Fengling City. Leaving his sister-in-law there, isn’t that sending her to her death?! I’m going back,” she said, turning to leave in anger. “I’m going to find Wei Yun and ask him where his conscience is!”
“Second Madam.” Song Shilan’s calm yet unyielding voice came from behind. “It’s wartime now. If you want to go back, you should come with me. If anything happens to you, the Young Marquis and I won’t be able to explain ourselves.”
Jiang Chun stopped in her tracks, her back to Song Shilan. “What is there to explain? In his heart, we sisters-in-law are no different from chess pieces.”
“Second Madam,” Song Shilan sighed softly, “Why find reasons to be angry? Don’t you understand whether this is the Young Marquis’s choice or the First Madam’s choice? The First Madam has always been noble and pure. The Young Marquis has only ever indulged her.”
Jiang Chun said nothing, slowly clenching her fists. Song Shilan, observing her slightly trembling back, suddenly felt a surge of tenderness.
He walked forward, standing beside Jiang Chun, and said gently, “Second Madam, don’t clench your fists too tightly. You’ll hurt your hands.”
Jiang Chun remained silent. Outside, the sounds of the siege resumed. Song Shilan walked out, raising his voice, “Evacuate the civilians to Jun County first. Abandon the city before dawn!”
After speaking, Song Shilan turned back, looking at Jiang Chun with her lips tightly pressed together. After a long while, he sighed, “Second Madam, don’t worry. We’ll be home soon.”
Meanwhile, Wei Yun’s letter also reached Chu Lingyang’s hands.
Seeing the letter, Chu Jianzhang exploded in anger, “Didn’t that brat Wei Yun go to save A’Yu?! He didn’t rescue A’Yu, and he still has the face to write to you?!”
Chu Lingyang looked at the letter for a long time before slowly closing it.
His hand trembled slightly, but his face remained calm. Chu Jianzhang paced back and forth in the room, cursing Wei Yun, Yao Yong, and the Beidi.
Chu Lingyang listened, instructing his military advisor to prepare ink. He calmly said, “Send a letter to Yao Yong. Tell him that Tianshou Pass is our Great Chu’s last line of defense. I am willing to let bygones be bygones and fight the enemy together.”
The military advisor hesitated, “Will General Yao believe these words, Your Highness?”
“What do you think Yao Yong considers my father and me to be?” Chu Lingyang asked.
The military advisor thought carefully, “The Crown Prince is a loyal subject who serves the country and the people.”
“Then do you think I would abandon Tianshou Pass?”
“Of course not!” The military advisor spoke seriously, “Your Highness, we must not lose Tianshou Pass. If we lose it, it will be difficult to recapture!”
“If even you think I won’t abandon Tianshou Pass,” Chu Lingyang said calmly, “then Yao Yong will surely think the same.”
The military advisor was slightly taken aback, but Chu Jianzhang quickly understood, “Lingyang, are you giving up Tianshou Pass?”
Chu Lingyang smiled sarcastically, “If I were truly such a foolish ruler, what would be the point of holding Tianshou Pass? Even if I defend Tianshou Pass, can I protect all of Great Chu? Something rotten at its core will remain rotten unless thoroughly cleansed.”
Chu Lingyang closed his eyes, “I trust Wei Yun. Or rather, I trust A’Yu.”
Hearing Chu Yu’s name, Chu Jianzhang finally realized. He looked at Chu Lingyang in disbelief, “You’re in league with Wei Yun?! You agreed to let him leave A’Yu there?!”
Chu Lingyang said nothing. It wasn’t his place to say whether he agreed or not, but even if asked, he would have agreed.
Chu Jianzhang suddenly jumped up, shouting, “That’s your sister!”
Chu Lingyang silently began organizing his reports, calmly saying, “Father, if you have no other business, please return.”
“Chu Lingyang!” Chu Jianzhang roared, “Go save A’Yu!”
“Father,” Chu Lingyang looked up calmly at Chu Jianzhang, “If I were in Fengling City today, I would make the same choice. I believe if you were there, you would do the same. A’Yu has merely made the choice that any member of the Chu family would make.”
Chu Jianzhang said nothing. After a long while, this old man, whose hair had already started to turn white, let tears fall. He wiped his face fiercely and turned away.
After he left, Chu Lingyang calmly told the others, “You may all leave.”
The military advisor glanced at the guards standing nearby, and finally nodded, responding and withdrawing.
After everyone had left, Chu Lingyang sat alone in the room, looking at the candlelight for a long, long time before closing his eyes.
“A’Yu…”
At this moment, thousands of miles away, Chu Yu was sitting on the city wall, drinking wine while looking at the moon.
The Beidi army was not far away. Chu Jin stood behind her, asking curiously, “Sister, what are you looking at?”
“Hm?” Chu Yu turned to look at Chu Jin, somewhat puzzled, “Why are you here?”
Chu Jin smiled. Now, a large scar ran across her face like a centipede, moving hideously when she smiled.
However, her smile was clear, her expression lucid. To Chu Yu, she seemed much better than when they were in Huajing.
“I heard you were on the city wall. You’ve always been fond of drinking, and I was worried you might fall asleep here and catch a cold.”
Chu Jin spoke gently, reminding her just like in their youth.
She had always been more cheerful than Chu Yu. In those years, whether genuine or feigned, she had always taken care of her.
Hearing this, Chu Yu moved aside a bit and patted the space next to her on the city wall, saying, “Dare to sit?”
Chu Jin pursed her lips, somewhat unwilling to back down. She carefully sat down, holding onto the stone.
Once seated, the wind gently caressed their faces. Looking out into the distance, they saw the vast plains, the bright moon in the sky, and countless tents with faint flickering lights. Fireflies danced in the moonlight, bringing a touch of vitality to the deathly stillness of the night.
“Tell me honestly,” Chu Yu smiled, “When you used to show concern for me before, was it sincere, or did it sicken you?”
Hearing this, Chu Jin thought seriously for a moment before replying, “It depended on my mood, I suppose.”
“Ha,” Chu Yu was not surprised by this answer. She took a sip of wine and offered the bottle to Chu Jin. “Do you drink?”
“No,” Chu Jin shook her head. Chu Yu leaned closer, “That’s good then. Come, drink three mouthfuls as punishment, to apologize to me.”
Chu Jin said nothing. Chu Yu thought for a moment, realizing that Chu Jin probably wouldn’t drink. Her temperament had always been proud, just hidden beneath that gentle exterior, rarely noticed by others. But thinking back now, which of the things Chu Jin didn’t want to do had she ever truly done?
So she reached out to take the wine bottle, but Chu Jin stopped her. Chu Jin took the bottle and looked at her seriously, “I won’t say much about apologizing to you. You understand. I’ll leave my apology here. From now on, let’s start anew as sisters.”
With that, Chu Jin tilted her head back and took a drink. The spiciness of the alcohol suddenly rushed into her mouth, and Chu Yu smiled as she watched her cough urgently, raising her hand to pat her back.
Chu Jin’s face turned bright red, and Chu Yu watched her quietly.
This was a completely different Chu Jin from the one in her memories of her previous life.
Perhaps this was the sister she had always hoped for and wanted to have.
“Alright,” she said, patting Chu Jin’s back and smiling, “If we survive this, we’ll be sisters again. If we don’t survive,”
“Then in the next life.”
Chu Jin raised her head, looking at her seriously. “In the next life, I’ll be your older sister.”
“What are you planning?” Chu Yu raised an eyebrow. “A rebellion?”
“No,” Chu Jin smiled. “As your older sister, I’ll take care of you.”
Chu Yu felt a slight stirring in her heart. Chu Jin turned her head, gazing into the distance.
“You’ve taken care of me a lot in this life. I’m grateful.”
Chu Yu remained silent. After a long while, she raised her hand and placed it on Chu Jin’s shoulder. “Alright, for the sake of this drink, I’ll tell you one more truth.”
Chu Jin turned to look at her, curious. Chu Yu leaned in close and whispered, “When I first saw you, I thought, ‘What a little brat…'”
Before she could finish, Chu Jin angrily swung her hand to swat at her. Chu Yu lightly tapped her toes and leaped down from the city wall, laughing as she landed far away.
Chu Jin watched her smiling face in the night, slightly stunned. After a long moment, she slowly began to smile.
“Fine,” she said with a hint of resignation. “I’m a little brat, but you’re not much better.”
Chu Yu thought for a moment, feeling that Chu Jin had a point. Just as she was about to say something, Han Min’s voice came from the stairs, “First Madam! Please come with me quickly, my father wants to see you!”
Hearing this, Chu Yu hurriedly followed Han Min down the stairs and to Han Xiu’s residence.
Just as they arrived at Han Xiu’s mansion, Chu Yu saw Liu Rong approaching with his men. Liu Rong had soldiers with him, which surprised Chu Yu. “What is Official Liu doing?” she asked, puzzled.
Liu Rong didn’t respond. He strode forward aggressively, kicking open the mansion gates. Then he ordered his men, shouting, “Arrest that traitor Han Xiu who has been colluding with the enemy and selling out our country!”
Chu Yu’s expression changed slightly. She clasped her hands behind her back, watching impassively as Liu Rong’s men rushed in. Soon, sounds of struggle and fighting could be heard. Before long, Han Xiu was dragged out, looking rather disheveled.
He still wore his mask, but his hair was in disarray as he was forced to kneel on the ground.
He was still struggling when Liu Rong rushed forward and slapped Han Xiu’s head, shouting angrily, “So you’ve learned to be a turncoat? You’ve got some nerve! I’ve always treated you well, and this is how you repay me?!”
Liu Rong continued to berate and strike Han Xiu. Han Xiu finally couldn’t take it anymore and shouted, “Enough!”
Liu Rong was startled and took a step back. Han Xiu looked up at him, his eyes filled with suppressed rage. “A man can be killed, but not humiliated. If you want to kill or torture me, so be it.”
“I won’t kill you,” Liu Rong quickly retorted. “I’ll just humiliate you!”
“You-!” Han Xiu lunged forward suddenly as if trying to attack Liu Rong. Liu Rong quickly jumped back behind Chu Yu, peeking out from behind her to shout, “What are you ‘you-ing’ about? Did I give you an inch and you took a mile? Just you wait! Guards!”
Liu Rong pointed at Han Xiu and ordered angrily, “Take him to the dungeon! I’ll personally interrogate him!”
Hearing this, Han Xiu let out a scornful laugh, which immediately made Liu Rong feel somewhat guilty.
However, the soldiers dutifully carried out Liu Rong’s orders, dragging Han Xiu away towards the prison. Chu Yu watched Han Xiu silently. As they passed each other, Chu Yu instantly understood the look in his eyes.
She relaxed, no longer saying anything. After everyone had left, Liu Rong, under the pretext of discussing official business, asked Chu Yu to stay behind. He then led her to the main hall. As soon as they entered, Liu Rong hurriedly closed the door. Just as he was about to speak, Chu Yu smiled and raised her hand, saying, “Official Liu, there’s no need to explain. I understand everything.”
“First Madam understands everything?”
“I suspect there are spies in the city looking for Official Han, aren’t there?”
Chu Yu sat down and poured herself some tea. “Official Han is playing along, pretending to agree to the spy’s conditions and escape together. Then you and I put on this show of arresting Han Xiu. This way, Su Cha will have hope. As long as he can take the city by force, Han Xiu will agree to his terms and give him the gunpowder.”
“First Madam truly understands everything.” Liu Rong breathed a sigh of relief. “Indeed, Official Han and I had planned it this way. Since we’ve decided to use Fengling City as bait, we need to make it convincing. Otherwise, if Su Cha thinks that taking the city would result in mutual destruction, he might turn back to attack Tianshou Pass instead.”
Chu Yu nodded and praised him, “Both of you have thought this through well. Let’s give Su Cha something to hope for first.”
After discussing for a while, they each returned to rest. Three days later, Chu Yu saw the smoke rising from the beacon tower at Tianshou Pass.
After Song Shilan abandoned Quanzhou, the Northern Di army headed straight for Tianshou Pass. By this time, Chu Lingyang had assembled his forces with Yao Yong and arrived at Tianshou Pass. Chu Lingyang bowed to Yao Yong and said earnestly, “Lingyang pays his respects to the Marshal.”
“General Chu is too polite,” Yao Yong quickly helped Chu Lingyang up, saying happily, “General Chu is a young talent. With General Chu fighting alongside me, this old man has nothing to worry about.”
“Marshal Yao is a senior, Lingyang wouldn’t dare to be presumptuous,” Chu Lingyang calmly exchanged pleasantries. “In this battle, I’m afraid we’ll need Marshal Yao’s guidance.”
Yao Yong was about to demur when an urgent report came from outside: “Report!! The Northern Di army is attacking!”
Chu Lingyang and Yao Yong quickly turned around. Chu Lingyang drew his sword and calmly ordered, “Pass down the orders to prepare for battle! Marshal Yao,” Chu Lingyang paused and turned his head, “Shall we?”
Yao Yong was stunned for a moment before quickly coming to his senses.
Chu Lingyang had always been known for fighting fiercely in battle. All he needed to do was follow behind Chu Lingyang. Chu Lingyang was just a twenty-something-year-old boy, but he was the commander-in-chief of this battle. If they won, who would get the credit would be just a matter of writing a letter.
If they lost… it wouldn’t be too late to push Chu Lingyang forward as a scapegoat.
But—Yao Yong furrowed his brow—if Tianshou Pass fell, Huajing might not be able to hold out. Emperor Chunde’s patience might have reached its limit by then. When it came time to discuss merits and faults, it might be too late.
Yao Yong pondered desperately as he accompanied Chu Lingyang to the front of Tianshou Pass.
The sound of battle raged in front of Tianshou Pass. Chu Lingyang watched the men desperately trying to climb the city walls and shouted, “Light the beacon tower! Prepare for battle!”
As the beacon tower was lit, Wei Yun sat in his courtyard, quietly drinking tea.
The steward rushed into the courtyard, shouting, “Young Marquis, the beacon tower at Tianshou Pass has been lit!”
“Oh?” Wei Yun looked up, his expression calm. The steward hurriedly climbed the steps, urgently saying, “Marquis, we can’t lose Tianshou Pass. What should we do…”
“I told you to bring the troops left in Luozhou here some days ago. Have they all arrived?”
Wei Yun took a sip of tea, his composure in stark contrast to the steward’s anxiety.
The steward was taken aback for a moment before nodding, “They’re ready.”
“Then have Wei Qiu lead the men over,” Wei Yun said calmly. “Muster the troops and prepare.”
“Yes.” Having received his orders, the steward immediately responded and hurried away.
Once the steward had left, Wei Yun stood up. With the help of his attendants, he went inside to change into a plain white robe with cloud patterns, put on a jade crown, attached a jade pendant to his waist, and hung a sword at his side.
Just as he finished, an urgent voice came from outside: “Wei Yun! Where is Wei Yun?! Wei Yun, receive the imperial edict!”
Wei Yun turned around as the main doors slowly opened wide, revealing the young man in his plain white robe and jade crown. He stood in the room with sunlight falling before him. The guard holding the imperial edict was stunned for a moment. Wei Yun calmly looked at the man and said, “Wei Yun is here, ready to enter the palace. Please lead the way, sir.”
Hearing this, the man visibly relaxed, his movements becoming more composed. He stepped back and gestured, “Young Marquis, please.”
Wei Yun nodded and left with the man.
The man led Wei Yun to the palace and the main hall. Guards came forward to take Wei Yun’s sword, and after checking him, they allowed him to enter.
Wei Yun entered the great hall. The Emperor sat on the golden throne, wearing the twelve-pendant mianguan crown on his head and dressed in black imperial robes adorned with five-clawed dragon patterns. He coldly watched Wei Yun.
Usually, the great hall was only opened for morning court. During those times, with all the civil and military officials gathered, it didn’t feel so vast. Now, with only Wei Yun and the Emperor in the great hall, Wei Yun realized just how empty and cold it was.
The Emperor sat high on his throne, like a solitary dragon coiled up, scrutinizing Wei Yun.
Wei Yun entered, respectfully bowed, and then knelt on the ground, looking up at the Emperor on his throne.
Their gazes clashed, neither yielding an inch. The Emperor let out a cold laugh, “Now that the Northern Di have attacked Tianshou Pass, is this what you wanted?”
“I should be asking Your Majesty that,” Wei Yun calmly responded. “Favoring treacherous officials and allowing the country to fall into such turmoil, is this what Your Majesty wanted?”
“Preposterous!” The Emperor roared in anger. “Is this turmoil caused by me? You refuse to meet the enemy and instead blame me. What kind of logic is that?”
“When it’s time to die, you remember my Wei family. In times of peace and prosperity, you think of keeping us in check,” Wei Yun scoffed. “If my Wei family shows the slightest dissatisfaction, it’s considered deceiving the Emperor and a crime. Your calculations are indeed clever.”
“If I have been unfair to the Wei family, it is my fault,” Emperor Chunde said through gritted teeth. “But does that give you the right to do as you please? As a general, you refuse to go to the battlefield and instead scheme to rebel behind my back. Do you think you’re in the right?!”
“Scheme to rebel…” Wei Yun chewed on these words slowly, smiling. “Your Majesty must be joking. How could my Wei family possibly rebel?”
Wei Yun looked at Emperor Chunde, his gaze cold. “If the Wei family wanted to rebel, would you even have the chance to be Emperor?”
“How dare you!”
“Don’t you know how you became Emperor?” Wei Yun laughed out loud. “If your father hadn’t plotted treason and killed the previous Emperor, do you think you’d be sitting on that throne?!”
“Wei Yun!” The Emperor stood up, pointing at Wei Yun’s nose and shouting angrily, “You’re too insolent!”
Wei Yun chuckled, staring at the Emperor. “What’s wrong? Did I touch a nerve? Why so agitated?”
“Guards!” The Emperor raised his voice. “Take him away and bring me his head!”
Hearing this, everyone hesitated for a moment. Wei Yun took a sip of tea and said leisurely, “It takes about a day for an army to march from Tianshou Pass to here. But do you know how long it takes if one rides at full speed?”
The Emperor frowned, and Wei Yun smiled, “Two hours.”
“What are you getting at?”
“Didn’t Your Majesty ask me where those deserters from the battlefield went?”
Wei Yun changed the subject again. The Emperor’s frown deepened as Wei Yun poured himself more tea, slowly saying, “Today, I’ll tell you. They’re right outside the imperial city.”
Hearing this, the Emperor’s face suddenly turned pale. Wei Yun blew on his tea leaves and said calmly, “Didn’t Your Majesty want to take my head?”
He looked up, smiling, “Wei Yun is here. Your Majesty, come and take it.”
But what would happen after that, the Emperor understood without Wei Yun having to say it.
Once Wei Yun was dead, before the Northern Di could reach the imperial city, Wei Yun’s troops would attack first. His reign as Emperor would be over.
Emperor Chunde’s expression was extremely unpleasant. Wei Yun looked up, smiling, “Your Majesty doesn’t want to kill this humble servant anymore?”
“Wei Yun,” Emperor Chunde softened his tone, “If I’ve done something wrong, tell me. Why must you joke about the fate of the empire?”
“When Your Majesty protected the Crown Prince, why didn’t you say you were joking with the fate of the empire?” Wei Yun smiled at Emperor Chunde, “When Your Majesty employed Yao Yong, why didn’t you say you were joking with the fate of the empire?”
Emperor Chunde wanted to refute Wei Yun, but considering the current situation, he could only swallow his anger. With a lump in his chest, he said, “Then let’s say all of this was my fault. Now, with a great enemy at our doorstep, since the Marquis Who Pacifies the Nation has troops at his disposal, I hope the Marquis will live up to his title and pacify the nation.”
Emperor Chunde emphasized the four characters “stabilize the country and pacify the people” with great intensity. Wei Yun, hearing this, let out a light chuckle. “Your Majesty speaks amusingly. You admit to making a mistake, yet treat it as merely a trivial error?”
“Then what do you want?” Emperor Chunde gritted his teeth, already at the limits of his patience. Wei Yun raised his head and calmly said, “The incident at White Emperor Valley, it was the Crown Prince who gave the orders, wasn’t it?”
Emperor Chunde remained silent, but Wei Yun’s eyes were full of understanding. “Given my father and brothers’ personalities, they would never have undertaken such a risky plan. Knowing there was an ambush, they simply wouldn’t have gone. If the Crown Prince hadn’t forced them, how could my father and brothers have risked going to White Emperor Valley?”
“Even if that’s true,” Emperor Chunde said through clenched teeth, “I’m not letting the Crown Prince off the hook. I’m just looking for another reason.”
“Why seek another reason?” Wei Yun looked up at Emperor Chunde, his eyes filled with mockery. “Is it to protect the imperial family’s reputation, or because the Crown Prince can’t bear the guilt of seven thousand lives, and you ultimately want to give your son a way out?”
“What more do you want?!” Emperor Chunde roared. “I can depose the Crown Prince, but surely you don’t want to kill him?!”
“Why not?!” Wei Yun raised his voice. “He made a mistake and should face the consequences. Even if it costs him his life, what’s wrong with that?!”
“Wei Yun, don’t go too far,” Emperor Chunde said through gritted teeth. “Be lenient where you can. The Crown Prince indeed made a poor decision, but if every poor decision were paid for with one’s life, who would dare to make any decisions? The White Emperor Valley incident was not something anyone wanted to see. Don’t dwell on it anymore.”
“Then summon him here,” Wei Yun said coldly. “I have questions for him.”
Emperor Chunde, suppressing his anger, wanted to say more to Wei Yun but didn’t dare utter a word. He held back his frustration and waved his hand, ordering the Crown Prince to be summoned.
Soon, the Crown Prince hurried in, hastily bowing before looking up at Emperor Chunde anxiously. “Father, they’ve reached Tianshou Pass. What should we do?”
“Come here and apologize to Lord Wei first,” the Emperor said wearily, without looking at him. The Crown Prince looked bewildered. “Apologize?”
“Shouldn’t you apologize?” Wei Yun spoke up. The Crown Prince turned abruptly, only now noticing Wei Yun kneeling in the shadows.
His expression froze for a moment, but he still managed to say stubbornly, “I don’t understand what the Marquis Zhenguo is talking about.”
“You don’t understand? Shall I remind you?” Wei Yun chuckled lightly as he suddenly smashed the teacup in his hand. The sound of shattering porcelain echoed through the hall. Wei Yun picked up a shard and smiled at the Crown Prince. “Does Your Highness need a reminder?”
The Crown Prince remained silent, his gaze fixed on Wei Yun’s hand, realizing that Wei Yun had come to demand justice.
He quickly ran through all the possible scenarios in his mind. Emperor Chunde looked up at the Crown Prince, frowning.
Wei Yun smiled as he watched him. ” I didn’t invite Your Highness here for anything else. I just wanted to ask a few questions.”
The Crown Prince glanced at Emperor Chunde, who wearily nodded at him. Only then did the Crown Prince steady himself. “Given my father and brothers’ habits, they would never have moved the entire family to White Emperor Valley, yet they all died there. What does Your Highness think is the reason for this?”
“How would I know?” the Crown Prince said stiffly. Wei Yun took a sip of tea and said calmly, “It’s alright if you don’t know.”
Wei Yun looked up at Emperor Chunde. “Then, Your Majesty, I’ll lay all the blame on the Crown Prince. Please allow me to take one thing from him.”
“What do you want?” Emperor Chunde frowned. Wei Yun smiled slightly. “The head on his shoulders.”
The moment these words were spoken, Wei Yun lunged forward, forcefully pressing the Crown Prince’s face against the ground. The Crown Prince’s face slammed into the floor, creating a dent in the black marble.
Blood flowed from the Crown Prince’s head as he struggled desperately. Nearby guards rushed out with weapons drawn, firmly protecting Emperor Chunde.
Emperor Chunde, terrified by Wei Yun’s sudden action, shouted from behind the guards, “Wei Yun, do you truly intend to rebel?!”
“Your Majesty,” Wei Yun raised his head, “I just want to know what happened back then. Is that wrong too?”
“That’s the Crown Prince!” Emperor Chunde roared. The Crown Prince struggled desperately on the ground, but Wei Yun held his head down, half-crouching in front of him, saying calmly, “Your Majesty can depose him, and then he won’t be, right?”
Emperor Chunde’s eyes turned blood-red at these words. Wei Yun turned his head, his voice softening, “Your Highness, please explain clearly why my father and brothers died there, why they went into White Emperor Valley together. If you don’t explain clearly, I’ll assume you killed them. How many lives is that? One, two, three…”
“It wasn’t me…” the Crown Prince struggled to speak, repeating, “It wasn’t me…”
“Five, six…”
“It was Yao Yong!” the Crown Prince shouted, his voice choked with tears. “It wasn’t me!”
Wei Yun’s eyes darkened, but his face remained smiling. “How did Yao Yong lure my father and brothers into White Emperor Valley? If Your Highness can’t explain clearly, I’ll assume you’re lying…”
“He tricked them in,” the Crown Prince slowly lost his strength, feeling blood flowing from his body. He trembled slightly, speaking with difficulty. “General Wei split his forces. He took two of his sons in first, leaving the other unit to guard the rear nearby. When Yao Yong saw the enemy forces had increased, he was afraid to advance, but if he retreated, Wei Jun would know and wouldn’t spare him…”
“So?” Wei Yun’s hand trembled slightly. The Crown Prince mumbled, “So Yao Yong sent someone to tell Wei Jun that Wei Zhong had asked for support. Wei Jun sent Wei Rong back to report and seek reinforcements, but Yao Yong sent people to intercept and kill Wei Rong…”
“And so my entire Wei family was buried there,” Wei Yun said calmly.
It wasn’t really surprising. This outcome was, for Wei Yun, within expectations, not at all strange.
Yet he still felt something surging in his heart, roaring, making him want to crush the person beneath his hand.
“And you?” Wei Yun’s voice grew colder, while Emperor Chunde sat on his golden throne, looking at his son in shock.
He had thought that the battle was just a result of the Crown Prince’s poor decision-making, never imagining that Yao Yong had deserted at the crucial moment!
If he had just deserted, that would have been one thing, but after deserting, Yao Yong, fearing his actions would be discovered, lured the remaining Wei family troops into White Emperor Valley, and even personally killed Wei Rong who had gone to seek reinforcements!
To go to such lengths for personal gain!
It took Emperor Chunde a long time to react, and then, overcome with fury, he spat out a mouthful of blood and shouted, “Unfilial son!”
“Where were you?” Wei Yun applied pressure with his hand, and the Crown Prince immediately howled, “I was watching from the mountain! Watching!”
Then the Crown Prince burst into tears. “I didn’t do anything…”
Hearing this, Wei Yun couldn’t help but laugh.
“Your Highness,” he looked at him calmly, “If I were to have someone stab you now, and then watch you bleed to death, would you say I did nothing?”
Then, imitating the Crown Prince’s tone, Wei Yun mockingly said, “I didn’t do anything.”
The Crown Prince didn’t speak, but Emperor Chunde came down from his golden throne, kicking and punching the Crown Prince, shouting, “Bastard! Scoundrel! Such a waste, how can you be worthy of being Crown Prince?! You’ve ruined my empire, you’ve destroyed the Wei family! Wei Zhong’s life…”
Emperor Chunde crouched down and grabbed the Crown Prince’s collar, roaring, “Do you have any conscience left?!”
The Crown Prince was pulled up by Emperor Chunde, his face covered in blood, looking somewhat dazed. But after a moment, he slowly regained focus. He looked at the Emperor, and after a while, burst into laughter.
“Conscience? Father, I have no conscience!” he said, staring at Emperor Chunde as if venting his frustration, “I’m your son. How could I have something you don’t?”
“Bastard!” Emperor Chunde kicked the Crown Prince, who rolled on the ground from the impact, hitting a pillar hard. He then curled up in pain, breathing heavily.
The Crown Prince fell silent. Emperor Chunde hesitated, turned around, and looked at Wei Yun, who was still kneeling on the ground.
Wei Yun lowered his head without speaking. Emperor Chunde hesitated for a moment, then slowly said, “This matter… I have wronged your Wei family. I thought they had just made a wrong decision, I didn’t think…”
The war had reached this point entirely because of these people.
Emperor Chunde stammered, “This matter… I will compensate…”
“Kill him,” Wei Yun raised his head, his expression cold.
Emperor Chunde’s face changed dramatically as he saw Wei Yun stand up. “Depose the Empress and Crown Prince, kill him, kill Yao Yong, strip the Yao clan of their fiefdom, and demote them to commoners. Give me the commander’s seal, appoint me as commander, and let all of Da Chu’s soldiers obey my orders.”
Hearing this, the Crown Prince moved slightly, as if wanting to say something, but had no strength left.
Emperor Chunde clenched his fists, saying nothing.
Wei Yun smiled and spoke, “What’s wrong? Is it because he’s your son, so you feel heartache?”
“What about me?!” Wei Yun shouted angrily, “That was my father, my brothers, my entire Wei household! Your imperial family is supremely noble, but are our lives as worthless as grass?!”
“Wei Yun, a life cannot be exchanged for a life…” Emperor Chunde began.
“Then I’ll exchange it for justice!” Wei Yun raised his voice. “Are the lives of seven thousand people not worth the lives of the Crown Prince and Yao Yong?!”
Emperor Chunde said nothing, and Wei Yun’s face showed mockery.
“Your Majesty can continue to protect them, but I don’t know if General Yao deserves Your Majesty’s trust.”
“What do you mean?” Emperor Chunde frowned. Wei Yun slowly sat back in his place, calmly saying, “What I just said, Your Majesty still has time to think about it before Yao Yong abandons Tianshou Pass.”
“Impossible!” Emperor Chunde exclaimed in shock. “Yao Yong would never abandon Tianshou Pass.”
Tianshou Pass was the Emperor’s bottom line. Beyond Tianshou Pass lay Huajing. If Yao Yong abandoned Tianshou Pass, he wouldn’t just be abandoning a fortification, but Huajing itself – Emperor Chunde himself!
Seeing the Emperor’s expression, Wei Yun picked up his tea and took a light sip.
“If Your Majesty doesn’t believe me, then just wait and see—”
“Watch Tianshou Pass, and see if Yao Yong abandons it or not.”
Short Play
Wei Yun: Another day of rapid growth drinking AD Calcium Milk.
Gu Chusheng: I don’t think what you’re drinking is AD Calcium Milk.
Wei Yun: What is it then?
Gu Chusheng: It’s hormones.
Chu Yu: Even hormones don’t make you grow that fast.
Wei Yun: No, I’m still just a little milk dog.
Emperor Chunde: Wails
Crown Prince: Wails
Su Cha: Wails
Su Can: Cry, cry, cry!!!!