As Chu Yu listened to Wei Yun’s gradually deepening breaths behind her, her tense body finally relaxed. She stared blankly at the fire in front of her, her mind in a daze.
What had she been thinking earlier?
At fifteen, she might not have understood, but she was already married and had even given birth. She knew what she had just done – she had felt a desire for a young boy.
Sitting by the fire, she suddenly felt grateful that there was no one else around, and also grateful for the Wei family’s upright traditions. Although Wei Yun was fifteen, he didn’t understand anything.
If he had understood, how embarrassing it would have been.
She was his sister-in-law. She knew Wei Yun’s feelings for Wei Jun. If Wei Yun had noticed her desire just now, how disgusted he would have been with her.
Moreover, regardless of how Wei Yun might view her, she couldn’t get past her conscience.
No matter what, Wei Yun… was just a young boy.
Chu Yu slowly calmed down and raised her hand to slap herself hard on the face.
The pain made her more clear-headed, and she finally calmed down.
She thought that perhaps she really should find someone, even if it meant taking a few male companions like the Princess Royal. At least then she wouldn’t have sunk so low as to lust after a fifteen-year-old boy.
Chu Yu had always been open about these human norms. When she wanted Gu Chusheng back then, she went for it without any concealment. She didn’t think this was shameful. What was shameful was that the first time she had felt the desire to be close to someone since her rebirth was for a fifteen-year-old boy.
Even Gu Chusheng would have been easier for her to accept than Wei Yun.
Even though Gu Chusheng was only seventeen now, Gu Chusheng…
Chu Yu frowned, feeling something was strange. Why didn’t Gu Chusheng make her feel like he was a child?
She poked at the fire, thinking seriously. After a while, she understood somewhat.
Perhaps from the moment she met Wei Yun, she saw him as a younger brother. She cared for him because he was Wei Jun’s brother, so no matter how old Wei Yun was, to her, he was always a younger brother.
Understanding this point, Chu Yu composed herself. She turned her head to look at the young man sleeping on the grass pile.
He was truly too handsome, and charming yet not lacking in heroic spirit. He had both the elegance of a scholar and the determination unique to a military general. These two contradictory qualities naturally blended in him, not at all jarring.
Such a handsome person couldn’t be found elsewhere in Da Chu.
So, could she be blamed?
Chu Yu felt inexplicably proud. Wei Yun was so excellent, it was normal to be momentarily confused.
Chu Yu wrestled with her thoughts for half the night, finally sorting out her feelings. By then, Wei Yun woke up on time and said to her, “Sister-in-law, you should sleep for a while. I’ll keep watch.”
Chu Yu responded and went to sleep.
When she woke up the next day as the sun rose, Chu Yu went into the woods to hunt for some food and fetch water. The two of them hid in the woods, not daring to venture out rashly. After eating with Wei Yun, Chu Yu checked his wounds.
Wei Yun’s condition wasn’t good. Many of his wounds had started to fester, and the most serious was the injury on his leg. He could no longer walk at all.
Chu Yu didn’t dare touch him. She looked at Wei Yun’s leg, frowning, wanting to say something but holding back in the end.
She wanted to ask if it hurt but then felt that such a question would be futile. How could it not hurt?
She pressed her lips tightly together, took out some medicine, and applied it to him again, finally saying, “I’ll take you to Sand City to find a doctor. We’ll get your leg treated first, then make plans for what’s next.”
The large cities in the Northern Di were controlled by different tribes, mostly used for trade, gathering people from all over. Even in wartime, for tribes opposed to the war, the appearance of two Da Chu people in the city wouldn’t cause much trouble.
And Sand City was the nearest large city to them.
Chu Yu filled the water bag, packed many fruits, and secretly stole some dried food and clothes from the village. Then she carried Wei Yun on her back and set off towards Sand City.
At first, it was plains with lush green grass. As they went further, vegetation became sparser, and soon they were in the desert.
During the day, the desert temperature was high. Wei Yun spread his cloak over Chu Yu’s head.
Chu Yu was feeling dizzy from the sun when she suddenly felt something shading her. She turned her head and saw Wei Yun holding up his cloak.
He looked at her quietly, his gaze indescribably complex – guilt, worry, self-blame, and some emotions that couldn’t be clearly defined.
Chu Yu’s heart raced a bit under that gaze. She turned her head away awkwardly, saying softly, “Thank you.”
Wei Yun didn’t speak. He leaned on her shoulder and mimicked her tone, whispering, “Thank you.”
When night fell, they found a water source. Chu Yu gathered some dried plants, fetched water, and ate dried food with Wei Yun nearby.
She was too tired to speak. After eating, she lay down by the fire and said to him, “You take the first half of the night. The firewood is beside you, add more if it’s not enough. Wake me for the second half, I’ll sleep for a while.”
Wei Yun made a sound of agreement, thought for a moment, then patted beside him and said, “Come sleep next to me.”
Chu Yu didn’t think much of it. Her head was too heavy. She brought her bundle over to Wei Yun’s side, used it as a pillow, curled up, and fell asleep.
Wei Yun leaned against a small mound, watching the person sleeping beside him. Soon, he heard her breathing. Seeing her curled up next to him, he took off his outer robe and gently covered her with it.
After covering her, Chu Yu unconsciously moved closer to him. He couldn’t help but smile softly. He raised his hand and placed it on Chu Yu’s head.
Chu Yu’s hair was very soft. Only when she was asleep could one ignore her usual steadiness and carefully observe the charm and beauty unique to a young woman.
Some people appear beautiful at first glance but gradually become ordinary. Others seem ordinary at first but become more beautiful the more you look at them.
Wei Yun gently ran his fingers through her hair, recalling the first time he saw Chu Yu. That girl wore wedding clothes, standing with her arms crossed, leaning against the door, looking at him.
He thought she was beautiful then, but the more he interacted with her, the more he felt that this person was breathtakingly beautiful.
He could never look enough, always wanting to be by her side.
He wanted to do something for her but always fell short. This person was like a big tree, a tall mountain. Everyone wanted to rely on her, but it was only this girl who, time and time again, became his support.
His hand paused on top of her head, looking at her slightly furrowed brows. He couldn’t help but sigh.
“A Yu…”
He softly called her name, not expecting a response, even fearing she might hear. After saying it, he felt a small surge of joy in his heart.
Just calling her name could bring such a bittersweet yet joyful feeling.
Chu Yu slept deeply through the night. It wasn’t until the sun rose the next day that she slowly opened her eyes.
As soon as she opened her eyes, she saw the person in front of her.
She was wrapped in his robe. He wore the sky-blue cloth clothes she had stolen, his hair scattered behind him, blocking the sunlight in front of her, protecting her behind him.
For a moment, Chu Yu didn’t move. She just quietly looked at the person shielding her. Though he wasn’t wearing grand clothes or sitting in a lofty hall, she felt that just this silhouette made this person so beautiful it stirred her heart.
She looked quietly for a long time before coming to her senses from the flutter she felt upon waking.
She shook her head, propped herself up, and hurriedly put the clothes back on Wei Yun, saying, “Why didn’t you wake me? You kept watch all night, can your body handle it?”
As she spoke, she draped the cloak over Wei Yun, tying it to his neck. Wei Yun looked at Chu Yu’s anxious appearance and smiled as if very happy.
“Sister-in-law was sleeping so soundly, I couldn’t bear to disturb you. I can sleep during the day.”
Chu Yu didn’t speak. She looked up at him and saw his face was a bit flushed. She raised her hand to touch his forehead, which was burning hot.
She bit her lip, resisting the urge to hit him, and said, “You just had to push yourself.”
Saying this, she carried him to the water’s edge, helped him wash up, and then washed herself. After eating and putting on the cloak, she carried Wei Yun on her back and set off again.
By now, they weren’t far from Sand City. Chu Yu angrily said, “We’re lucky. If we encountered a sandstorm and delayed any longer, I’d have watched you die here.”
Wei Yun leaned against Chu Yu, smiling without speaking.
Seeing him not respond, Chu Yu became a bit anxious, “Xiao Qi?”
“Sister-in-law, I’m awake,” Wei Yun knew what she was worried about and spoke calmly, “Don’t worry, I’m fine.”
“Then why didn’t you say anything?”
Chu Yu was unhappy and wanted to find fault with him. Wei Yun knew this but changed the subject, “Sister-in-law seems very familiar with the Northern Di terrain?”
Chu Yu was momentarily at a loss for words.
In her previous life, Northern Di and Da Chu had fought on and off for six years. She and Gu Chusheng had traveled between the two countries many times. How could she not know?
She didn’t speak. Wei Yun’s head was dizzy, and he smiled, saying, “Sister-in-law always seems to have many secrets. But don’t worry,” Wei Yun closed his eyes, feeling a bit sleepy, “No matter what, I will protect you.”
Hearing this, Chu Yu couldn’t help but smile, her mood improving considerably.
“Who’s protecting whom, that remains to be seen.”
Wei Yun responded softly, then said quietly, “I remember in my heart all the kindness Sister-in-law has shown me.”
“In the future, when the fires of war are extinguished and the world is peaceful, I will restore the Wei family’s prestige. Sister-in-law,” he promised softly, “I will make you the most noble woman in the world, the one and only Madam of the Wei household. No one will be able to bully you. Whatever you want, I will give you.”
Chu Yu was slightly stunned. She vaguely recalled a person.
The Madam of the Wei family in her previous life, the Princess of Qingping.
She felt a bit of bitterness in her heart, but she couldn’t bear to disappoint the young man’s goodwill, even though she knew that this person would grow up sooner or later.
One day he would marry and have children, he would welcome the true Madam of the Wei household.
And at that time…
It would also be time for her to leave.
Everyone should have their own life, everyone should have their own family. Birds grow up and leave the nest, and cats grow up and leave home. As an elder, no matter how much you want to keep this person by your side, carefree and accompanying you for life, you have to face the fact that one day they will leave.
One day they will grow up, and one day you will find that you want to give and care, but there’s no one to receive it.
At that time, Chu Yu thought so, but she forgot –
Wei Yun was never her junior.
Never.
She didn’t speak. Wei Yun leaned against her, seeming to sense the sudden drop in the mood of the person in front of him. He closed his eyes, listening to her heartbeat, “Why is Sister-in-law unhappy?”
“I’m not unhappy,” Chu Yu smiled and said, “I just feel that our Xiao Qi knows how to talk. But one day, you will grow up.”
“When the war is over and you’re of age to marry, your wife will enter the household. It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to be the Madam of the Wei family then.”
Wei Yun didn’t speak. He embraced Chu Yu and said hoarsely, “I won’t marry.”
“At your age now, it’s normal not to want to marry. But when you come of age, I’m afraid it won’t be up to you.”
Chu Chu Yuckled lightly, “Don’t be afraid of marrying a bad girl. Your sister-in-law will help you choose. I won’t let you marry a shrew.”
“I won’t marry.”
“Don’t be afraid,” Chu Yu saw Wei Yun’s reaction and couldn’t help but feel like teasing him, “Do you know the Princess of Qingping? I’ll help you…”
“I won’t marry, I don’t want to, I won’t marry anyone!”
Wei Yun shouted angrily, then immediately began coughing violently. Chu Yu was startled and hurriedly said, “Don’t be anxious, I was just joking. I won’t say anymore, it’s still early for this.”
Wei Yun didn’t speak. He held her tightly, pressing his lips together, his breathing rapid and heavy.
Chu Yu quickened her pace forward. A city wall built of earth and stone appeared before them. Chu Yu anxiously asked, “Xiao Qi, are you alright?”
“I’m fine,” Wei Yun spoke weakly, with a hint of grievance.
Chu Yu thought for a moment. Wei Yun was, after all, young. Perhaps the joke had gone too far. She sighed and said, “I apologize to you. I was talking nonsense earlier. At first, I felt a bit sad thinking about you getting married, but then I went too far with the joke. Don’t be anxious.”
Hearing this, Wei Yun was stunned for a moment. After a while, he slowly said, “I won’t marry.”
Chu Yu didn’t dare say more, she just responded. Then she heard Wei Yun’s hoarse voice, “So don’t worry, and don’t be sad.”
“As long as you don’t leave me, I won’t leave.”
Hearing these words, Chu Yu’s heart raced uncontrollably, her palms sweating a bit.
Then she heard Wei Yun say, “I have someone I like, but I can’t marry her. You just stay with me in the Wei household, and we’ll depend on each other.”
Chu Yu let out a sigh of relief and was about to say something when she heard Wei Yun change the subject, “We’ve reached Sand City.”
Chu Yu knew he didn’t want to talk about it anymore. She didn’t know why, but she didn’t dare to continue the conversation either. She smiled and said, “Mm, pretend to be my younger brother, I’ll take you into the city.”
“Husband,” Wei Yun spoke up. Chu Yu was taken aback.
Wei Yun clenched his fist and said with difficulty, “The further from our original identities, the better.”
Chu Yu understood and nodded.
But Wei Yun felt as if something was pressing on his chest, making it hard for him to breathe.
Yet he still wanted this once.
Just once.
Let him commit this offense, let him overstep, just this once.
Small Theater:
Wei Yun: Sister-in-law, I want to make you the most noble woman in the world, the eternal Madam of the Wei family!
Chu Yu: Alright, I feel your filial piety. (Motherly care)
Wei Yun: Damn it! We’ve even kissed and you still treat me like this?!