Chu Yu was held tightly in Wei Yun’s embrace. For a fleeting moment, she felt as if Wei Yun was a flower blooming from within her body, his roots deeply intertwined with her being. They drew strength and nourishment from each other, inseparable.
However, this thought vanished as quickly as it had come. She heard Wei Yun say, “Sister-in-law, don’t be afraid.”
“I will protect you. No matter what, you will be safe.”
“What should I be afraid of?” Chu Chu Yuckled softly. “Little Seven, for me, there’s nothing in this world to fear.”
After all, she had already experienced death and separation. If her previous life was a journey of hardship, this life was an opportunity to pursue fulfillment without restraint.
Wei Yun held her quietly, feeling himself gradually calm down. He should have let go, but he couldn’t bear to. So he continued to hold her, feeling the warmth of her body, and slowly said, “But I am afraid.”
“What are you afraid of?”
Wei Yun didn’t speak for a long time. He slowly closed his eyes.
“I’m afraid you won’t have a good life.”
I’m afraid you’ll leave me.
He harbored so many fears for this one person, Chu Yu.
He once only wished for her to live well. He once thought that if he could just protect her well, accompany her for a lifetime, and then join her in the afterlife, it would be enough. But when she said, “I’ll accompany you,” countless vines seemed to sprout from within his heart, binding this person tightly to it.
So he dared not imagine the scene of her leaving. If this person were to turn away, he didn’t know how he would go on in the future.
Seeing his emotions slowly settle, Chu Yu couldn’t help but smile. She raised her hand to pat his back and said in a gentle voice, “Alright, if you’re done crying, stand up. There’s still a lot to deal with.”
Wei Yun stood up in response. Chu Yu went to the side and wrung out a cloth from a basin. She wiped Wei Yun’s face while asking, “What are your plans now?”
Since they had decided to rebel against Zhao Yue, they needed a strategy. When to rebel, how to rebel, everything had to be considered.
Wei Yun wiped his face, his thoughts gradually becoming clear. The cold water brought him back to his senses, and he calmly said, “We’re in the midst of a war now, so we shouldn’t act rashly. Brother Chu has a point; at least for now, Great Chu needs Zhao Yue to serve as a central figure to stabilize the situation.”
Chu Yu nodded. She had always known that Wei Yun would make all decisions with the people’s interests in mind. So she asked, “Do you plan to build up your strength first?”
“The war with the Northern Di isn’t over yet. At the very least, we need to defeat them decisively at this point. Even if we can’t conquer the Northern Di, we must ensure they can’t easily invade for at least ten years.”
Chu Yu took the cloth from Wei Yun’s hand and put it back in the water nearby. She listened as Wei Yun continued, “I will pretend to know nothing and negotiate with Zhao Yue. As for the specifics of the negotiation, we still have time to think it through.”
Chu Yu nodded, always trusting in Wei Yun’s abilities. In her previous life, Wei Yun didn’t have such a favorable situation, yet he still made it to the end while battling on the battlefield with a sickly body. That was the best proof of his capabilities.
After a brief discussion, Chu Yu returned to her room. They each went to sleep, and the next day, Wei Yun bid farewell to Chu Lingyang, deciding to return to Hua Jing to pay respects to Zhao Yue.
As Zhao Yue was now the emperor, it was natural for Wei Yun to see him first upon his return. Moreover, Wei Yun was worried about Liu Xueyang and Jiang Chun in Hua Jing, while Chu Yu was concerned about the Princess Consort in the palace. So they decided not to delay any further and set off directly for Hua Jing.
Chu Lingyang prepared provisions and guards for them. When Chu Yu and Wei Yun got into the carriage together and lifted the curtain, they saw Gu Chusheng sitting inside, looking up at them with a smile.
Gu Chusheng cupped his hands towards Wei Yun and said with a smile, “Young Marquis Wei.”
Wei Yun’s face darkened as he coldly said, “Get out!”
“This humble one also happens to be returning to Hua Jing to report for duty. The Young Master Chu instructed us to travel light, arranging only this one carriage. This Gu is weak in body and hopes the Young Marquis can accommodate me.”
Hearing this, Wei Yun laughed coldly and reached out to grab Gu Chusheng, but was stopped by Chu Yu, who smiled and said, “Lord Gu is right. We’re in a hurry to return, so we’ll ride horses back. I wonder if Lord Gu is willing to join us?”
“He’s weak,” Wei Yun immediately said. “It’s more suitable for him to sit in the carriage.”
“Oh,” Gu Chusheng raised his hand and smiled, “This humble one thinks that occasional exercise is also a good thing.”
Chu Yu nodded and led Wei Yun off the carriage. She had someone bring horses over, and they each mounted, setting off toward Hua Jing.
Gu Chusheng’s physical strength was not comparable to that of Chu Yu and Wei Yun. They set out at dawn, and by noon, he was already feeling fatigued. Chu Yu glanced at Gu Chusheng, seeing sweat on his forehead. When they came across a teahouse, she had Wei Yun stop the group, allowing everyone to rest.
Summer had already arrived, and the weather was hot. Chu Yu, Gu Chusheng, and Wei Yun sat at one table. During the meal, Wei Yun picked some grass leaves from nearby and began weaving something.
His hands were quick and dexterous. While everyone was still eating, Chu Yu could already see the shape of a hat form. Gu Chusheng noticed Chu Yu’s gaze and smiled, “The Young Marquis is thoughtful.”
“Hmm?” Hearing Gu Chusheng mention Wei Yun, Chu Yu’s interest was immediately piqued. She smiled and said, “He’s always been considerate. Once, I saw a flower crown but thought it was too childish for me. When I returned, I found he had woven one for me.”
Listening to this, Gu Chusheng’s smile didn’t fade, but he said, “At your age, wearing a flower crown is most fitting.”
“Yes,” Chu Yu’s eyes held a hint of sentiment. Gu Chusheng chatted with her intermittently, with Chu Yu’s words mostly revolving around Wei Yun. Gu Chusheng kept smiling, but the joy in his eyes grew increasingly faint. Seeing Wei Yun approaching with the woven hat, he took a final sip of tea and said softly, “The First Madam is fortunate. In the future, the Young Marquis will surely soar to great heights. With his filial nature, the First Madam can rest assured.”
These words made Chu Yu pause.
The word “filial” used to describe the approaching young man suddenly made her feel a bit uncomfortable.
In the past, she had often used these two words to describe Wei Yun, but now, for some reason, she was reluctant to use them.
She watched as Wei Yun handed her the hat, smiling and saying, “Sister-in-law, I was worried about the sun being too harsh. It’s a bit ugly, but please make do with it.”
Chu Yu took the hat without saying much. Her hand brushed over the patterns on the hat, and after a long while, she finally looked up with a smile and said, “You’re very thoughtful.”
With that, she put the hat on her head and stood up, saying, “Let’s set off.”
The group rode hard for seven days before finally reaching Hua Jing. The night before entering the city, they found an inn to stay in. Wei Yun and Gu Chusheng slept in rooms adjacent to Chu Yu’s, one on each side.
Perhaps due to the impending entry into the capital, Chu Yu felt somewhat uneasy. That night, she tossed and turned in bed, unable to fall asleep. Around midnight, she suddenly heard a sound on the roof tiles outside her window. Her sword was by her side, and she quickly took it and hid beside the window. Sure enough, moments later, her window was gently pushed open.
In that instant, Chu Yu thrust her sword towards the intruder. The person bent down and spun, suddenly pressing close to her, covering her mouth with one hand and pressing her against the wall, whispering, “Sister-in-law, it’s me.”
Chu Yu’s eyes widened in surprise. Seeing that she had recognized him, Wei Yun stepped back and said, “I have something I want to discuss with you, Sister-in-law.”
Chu Yu nodded, pointing to the table nearby, and smiled, “Why come through the window instead of the front door?”
Wei Yun looked a bit embarrassed, “I was afraid of disturbing others by using the front door. It’s late now, and it wouldn’t look good if others saw me coming to your room.”
Hearing this, Chu Yu paused slightly. She suddenly realized.
That’s right, this wasn’t the Northern Di; this was Hua Jing.
In Hua Jing, there were public opinions to consider, rules to follow, and hierarchies to respect. They had to face Liu Xueyang, her parents, and others above them, as well as the common people and soldiers who looked up to Wei Yun.
Chu Yu slowly sat down and poured herself a cup of tea. The tea was cold, and it sent a chill to her stomach as she drank it. Wei Yun sat down and placed his hand over hers, stopping her from pouring more tea. He said softly, “The tea is cold. Don’t drink too much, it’s not good for your health.”
“Mm.” Chu Yu felt as if she couldn’t quite come to her senses. She instinctively felt that Wei Yun’s gesture was inappropriate, yet there was a small spark of joy and excitement.
She lowered her eyes, and Wei Yun withdrew his hand, continuing, “We’ll enter the city tomorrow.”
“Yes.”
“I won’t reveal that I know about the White Emperor Valley incident. I’ll pledge allegiance to Zhao Yue in exchange for some benefits. The key is, what should I ask for?”
Chu Yu didn’t speak. She pondered seriously, then carefully said, “You can’t stay in Hua Jing.”
“I know,” Wei Yun replied, looking at her intently. “I’ll ask Zhao Yue for troops and provisions to fight the Northern Di. Afterward, I’ll have Tu Suo harass the border and station troops in the north.”
Hearing this, Chu Yu frowned. “The White and Kun provinces are already Wei family strongholds. If you station troops there, it might seem too powerful. Zhao Yue won’t allow it.”
“That’s what I’m worried about,” Wei Yun said earnestly. “If I’m fighting wars outside, there are plenty of reasons not to return, and Zhao Yue won’t be able to do anything about it. So he’ll likely settle for the next best thing and keep my family members in Hua Jing. I can’t take Mother with me, so I wanted to ask you…” He pursed his lips before finally saying, “Would you be willing… to come with me to the northern border?”
Hearing this, Chu Yu looked at him silently.
The young man lowered his gaze, his emotions hidden. He slowly continued, “I can give you a divorce letter. You’ll leave the Wei family, then secretly follow me to the northern border.”
Chu Yu didn’t speak. She felt something trembling inside her. Watching the young man speak, he seemed very nervous. She felt as if she were a snail, with a great force trying to pull her out of her shell.
Not daring to think too deeply, she numbly asked, “If I leave the Wei family and go to the northern border, what would my status be?”
Wei Yun was slightly taken aback. Chu Yu continued, “If I’m not even your sister-in-law anymore, what am I to the Wei family? Your brother is gone, and you’ve given me a divorce letter. How could I return to the Wei family? Is your brother going to climb out of his grave and marry me again?!”
These words left Wei Yun speechless. Having asked the question, Chu Yu herself felt somewhat flustered.
She secretly clenched her fist. Wei Yun lowered his eyes, and after a long while, he slowly said, “I didn’t think it through. I was only focused on ensuring the safety of my sisters-in-law and didn’t consider your reputation.”
Wei Yun’s voice was steady, tinged with apology, but his hand under his sleeve gripped his cuff tightly. He tried to calm himself and said, “Then I’ll request Zhao Yue to grant you a military rank. The more prestigious your status, the harder it will be for Zhao Yue to make a move against you. After we return, I’ll find a way for you to connect with the Princess Consort. Now that the Wang and Xie clans are demanding that Zhao Yue kill the Princess Consort, yet Zhao Yue still keeps her as a Noble Consort, it shows his favor. If you can establish a connection with the Princess Consort, you’ll be much safer.”
Hearing Wei Yun’s words, Chu Yu’s suspended heart finally settled. The hands that were desperately trying to pull her out finally retreated. She let out a sigh of relief and nodded, “Actually, I’m not at ease with just leaving Mother and Ah Chun in Hua Jing. If I stay in Hua Jing, at least I can look after the family. You don’t need to worry about us while you’re away. If anything unusual happens, I’ll find a way to protect the family and get them out.”
“Mm,” Wei Yun responded, then continued, “There’s one more thing. Zhao Yue won’t kill Yao Yong now. If I submit too easily, Zhao Yue might become suspicious. I need a stepping stone.”
Chu Yu tapped the table as she listened to Wei Yun continue, “If Gu Chusheng is Zhao Yue’s—”
Before he could finish, there was a knock at the door. Chu Yu and Wei Yun exchanged a glance, then heard Gu Chusheng’s cold voice from outside, “First Madam, may this one come in for a word?”
Wei Yun frowned and shook his head at Chu Yu. Chu Yu coughed lightly and said, “Lord Gu, I’ve already retired for the night. If there’s something—”
“I’m looking for the Young Marquis,” Gu Chusheng interrupted.
Hearing this, they fell silent. After a moment, Wei Yun couldn’t help but laugh. He stood up decisively, opened the door, and pulled Gu Chusheng inside, closing the door behind him. Turning to face Gu Chusheng, he said, “Lord Gu is indeed formidable.”
Gu Chusheng straightened his clothes and looked up at Wei Yun, saying coldly, “Young Marquis Wei, it’s inappropriate for you to be here at this hour, isn’t it?”
“If you have something to say, say it,” Wei Yun returned to his seat and knelt, speaking coldly. “I have important matters to discuss with my sister-in-law.”
Gu Chusheng looked at them, his lips moving, but in the end, he held back his words. He knelt at the table, pressing down on his hands, and said coldly, “I went to the room next door looking for the Young Marquis but didn’t find him. I guessed he might be here, and it seems I guessed correctly.”
Chu Yu calmly took a sip of tea and said indifferently, “I’ve always conducted myself this way, without much regard for the separation of men and women. Doesn’t Lord Gu know this?”
These words struck a nerve with Gu Chusheng.
How could he not know?
Even before they met, he knew about her affairs and had always looked down on her. Later, during countless arguments, he would berate her about these things.
“Shameless,” he had called her back then.
But he also knew that although Chu Yu was carefree, she had never truly crossed the line. Meeting alone with a man late at night in a room was something she had never done before, except in special circumstances.
But he couldn’t say this now. He suppressed his emotions and turned to Wei Yun, calmly saying, “I came tonight to advise the Young Marquis.”
Wei Yun raised his hand, gesturing for Gu Chusheng to continue.
“I know the Young Marquis harbors resentment towards Yao Yong for what happened at White Emperor Valley, but His Majesty is a ruler who distinguishes clearly between right and wrong, not a muddleheaded one. He will surely investigate this case thoroughly and clear the Wei family’s name. But now is the time for everyone to unite against the enemy. I hope the Young Marquis will consider the common people and set aside personal grudges for now.”
Wei Yun took a sip of tea and laughed coldly, “I’m meeting him tomorrow. Why doesn’t he tell me this himself?”
“These aren’t His Majesty’s words.”
“Then whose are they?”
“Mine.”
“Gu Chusheng,” Wei Yun looked at him coldly, “You think too highly of yourself!”
“Whether what I say is right or wrong, doesn’t the Young Marquis understand?”
Gu Chusheng’s gaze was intense. “When the Young Marquis killed Yao Yong and imprisoned Emperor Chunde, was it merely for personal reasons? A gentleman’s revenge can wait ten years. If the Young Marquis wants to avenge his family, it’s not too late to do so after this war.”
“After this war, when His Majesty’s position is secure, if the Young Marquis pledges loyalty to His Majesty, then with the Young Master Chu, Young Master Song, myself, the Wang and Xie families, and the Young Marquis, we’ll form an opposing force in the court. At that time, Yao Yong’s fate will be inconsequential. If I join forces with the Young Marquis and the Chu and Song families to demand Yao Yong’s death, how could he survive?”
“But if the Young Marquis opposes His Majesty now, with Yao Yong still having some troops left, what are you doing? You’re inciting internal strife! And what does this mean to His Majesty? It means you don’t trust him. If you don’t trust him if you force his hand, can you expect His Majesty to tolerate the Wei family in the future? Are you planning to rebel again? Emperor Chunde was incompetent, and deposing him was the general trend. But now His Majesty is a wise ruler. If you want to depose him, have you thought this through?”
Wei Yun remained silent, rubbing his teacup. Chu Yu glanced at him, trying to gauge his thoughts.
For Wei Yun, Gu Chusheng was like timely rain from heaven, rushing in to provide him with a stepping stone. But he couldn’t give in too easily; he had to maintain his stance.
Wei Yun lowered his eyes, and after a long while, he slowly smiled, “Gu Chusheng, I always knew you had a silver tongue, and now I see it’s indeed true.”
Gu Chusheng let out a sigh of relief, but then heard Wei Yun say, “However, whether the world is in chaos or not, what benefit does it bring to my Wei family?”
“Zhao Yue appeased Yao Yong by promising him the position of Imperial Uncle. He expects me to set aside my family’s grudge and serve him without offering me anything. Does he take me for a fool to be manipulated?”
Gu Chusheng frowned, “What do you want?”
“The seal of the Grand Marshal is still with me,” Wei Yun took a sip of tea. “The Kun and White provinces have always been Wei family territory.”
Gu Chusheng didn’t speak.
Wei Yun chuckled, “What’s the matter, Lord Gu? Can’t speak now?”
“His Majesty won’t agree directly,” Gu Chusheng pondered, then slowly said, “But I have another idea.”
He looked up and said, “After entering Hua Jing, please make sure to meet with the Princess Consort.”
Mini Scene
Wei Yun: Sister-in-law, I made you a hat.
Gu Chusheng: Wow, this green hat is so beautiful and innovative.
Wei Yun: Get out!!!