Chu Yu woke up early the next morning. Everyone was already prepared, and the group headed straight for Huajing, each returning to their residences.

After Zhao Yue ascended the throne, he appointed Gu Chusheng as the Director of the Ministry of Revenue and returned the Gu family’s former mansion to him. So after bidding farewell to Chu Yu, Gu Chusheng returned to his own home.

Wei Yun and Chu Yu arrived at the Wei residence. As soon as they got out of the carriage, they saw Liu Xueyang and Jiang Chun waiting at the entrance with some servants. Wei Yun and Chu Yu were slightly taken aback. Liu Xueyang stepped forward and embraced Wei Yun, saying tearfully, “You’ve finally returned. You don’t know how worried your mother has been during your absence.”

Wei Yun’s gaze softened. He raised his hand to pat Liu Xueyang’s back and said gently, “Mother, please don’t worry. I’m back now.”

As Wei Yun comforted Liu Xueyang, Jiang Chun approached Chu Yu with a smile, “You’re back?”

Noticing Jiang Chun’s radiant expression, Chu Yu teased, “You look like you’re in the spring of love. Seems like you’ve been doing well?”

Hearing this, Jiang Chun was momentarily stunned, then replied somewhat embarrassedly, “You’ve heard about it?”

Chu Yu was surprised but tried to maintain her composure, “Yes, I’ve heard.”

“I didn’t expect it to spread so quickly,” Jiang Chun said with a hint of resignation, but continued, “However, that person is quite flighty. It’s all just idle talk, don’t take it seriously. I intend to stay in the Wei residence until I’m old.”

Chu Yu nodded and said seriously, “Indeed, one can’t easily trust a man’s words. It’s best to test him first.”

Jiang Chun pursed her lips and shook her head, “I won’t betray Second Young Master.”

“Ah Chun…”

Chu Yu sighed, about to say something more, when Liu Xueyang, having recovered from her joy, called out, “Come, come, step over the fire basin first. Bring the artemisia water…”

Thus, the rest of Chu Yu’s words were left unspoken, but Jiang Chun’s eyes were full of understanding as if she already knew what Chu Yu wanted to say.

Chu Yu followed Wei Yun, stepping over the fire basin. Liu Xueyang dipped artemisia in water and lightly patted their bodies to wash away any ill fortune. They then went to the ancestral hall to report their return to the ancestors. Only after this did everyone return to their respective rooms to freshen up.

Chang Yue and Wan Yue had already prepared water. As soon as Chu Yu entered, they attended to her bath. Chang Yue massaged Chu Yu’s hands while Wan Yue scrubbed her back. Chang Yue’s mouth never stopped, “Why did you go to the North without us? Since when do masters leave their maids behind?”

“I was worried about you,” Chu Yu sighed, “I was reckless. Only after going did I realize how dangerous it was. You see, I took so many people with me, and yet…”

At this point, Chu Yu felt a twinge of sadness. She waved her hand and said, “Never mind, tell me about what’s been happening in Huajing.”

“What could have happened?” Chang Yue rolled her eyes, “Huajing has been peaceful.”

Knowing Chang Yue was upset with her, Chu Yu turned to Wan Yue and said, “Wan Yue, you tell me.”

“After Zhao Yue ascended the throne, he pacified various families, demoting some and promoting others. He’s quite skillful, balancing all sides. So after he took control of Huajing, there wasn’t much chaos. The common people are stable, and we weren’t much affected either.”

Chu Yu nodded, she knew this much, “What else?”

“He promoted Gu Chusheng and Song Shilan, and also appointed Shen You as the Deputy Chief of the Court of Judicature. Every time Shen You returns, he comes to see the Sixth Madam at the residence. Sixth Madam refuses to see him, so he just stands at the gate. Everyone outside knows about this, and it’s been the talk of Huajing for a long time.”

Chu Yu was stunned. She hadn’t expected such behavior from Shen You. She frowned, not understanding where Shen You got the nerve. If his passing of wrong information was unintentional, then his deliberate concealment of changing the person who saved him from Zhao Yue to Yao Yong was intentional. Since he had hidden it so deliberately, why bother with this pretense now?

As Chu Yu pondered, Chang Yue, seeing her silence, quickly added, “Oh, and there’s another big news!”

“Hm?”

“That Song Shilan, the Song heir, the one who became heir despite being born to a concubine, you remember him, right?”

Chang Yue was making meaningful expressions. Chu Yu found it a bit strange. Although Song Shilan appeared somewhat frivolous, he was very steady. Rising to his position as the son of a concubine showed he was both ruthless and stable enough. What could have happened to him?

“He came to propose marriage to Second Madam!” Chang Yue exclaimed excitedly. “With the Young Marquis away, he approached the Old Madam, but she couldn’t make a decision. In the end, the Second Madam herself rejected the proposal. We all saw it! This Song heir has such a good temper. Even after being rejected, he didn’t say much, just advised Second Madam to eat more, saying she was too thin…”

As Chang Yue chattered on, Chu Yu’s eyes gradually widened. It took her a while to react – this was indeed big news!

She couldn’t help but smile. After the bath, even at the dining table, Chu Yu kept glancing at Jiang Chun. Feeling uncomfortable under her gaze, Jiang Chun put down her chopsticks and sighed, “Ah Yu, if you have something to say, just say it.”

“Ahem, Xiao Qi,” Chu Yu turned her head and tugged at Wei Yun’s sleeve. Wei Yun looked up at her, his eyes filled with confusion. Chu Yu smiled and said, “Let me tell you something interesting.”

Wei Yun glanced at Jiang Chun, then at Chu Yu, and nodded in confusion. Chu Yu opened her mouth, “That Song heir came to propose to Ah Chun…”

“Oh, stop it!” Jiang Chun stood up to cover Chu Yu’s mouth. Despite being much more skilled, Chu Yu allowed her to do so, looking at Wei Yun with a pleading expression. Wei Yun was stunned for a moment, slowly realizing what was happening, and turned to look at Liu Xueyang.

Liu Xueyang coughed lightly, “Yes, that did happen, but Ah Chun didn’t want it, so I refused on her behalf.”

” Young Master Song is quite good,” Wang Lan said, holding her child and smiling at Jiang Chun, who was still playfully wrestling with Chu Yu. “He still sends gifts every day.”

Hearing this, Chu Yu raised an eyebrow and blinked rapidly at Jiang Chun, her eyes full of “Really? Really?”

With all her secrets exposed, Jiang Chun sighed and released Chu Yu, “Alright, alright, just use me as your entertainment.”

“How dare we?” Chu Yu quickly slumped against Jiang Chun, acting coy, “I was wrong, dear sister. I won’t talk about you and Young Master Song anymore. Don’t be angry, okay?”

“A trip to the Northern Di,” Jiang Chun couldn’t help but smile, “How did you learn to be so mischievous and unruly?”

Wei Yun watched from the side, his eyes filled with amusement. He very much liked seeing Chu Yu in this completely unguarded state. It made him feel that he had truly entered her world.

“She didn’t learn this in the Northern Di,” Wei Yun tapped the table next to Chu Yu’s bowl, signaling her to eat, and said, “I think she was like this before she came. She just used to put on airs, but now, facing our big family, she doesn’t even bother to pretend anymore.”

“Xiao Qi is right,” Liu Xueyang laughed, “How did I not see before that you were such a little mischief-maker?”

The family continued to tease Chu Yu, laughing and chatting. Just as they finished the meal, someone from the palace arrived, waiting formally at the door.

When Wei Yun saw the person holding an imperial edict, his expression immediately cooled. Chu Yu also noticed and put away her smile, saying to Wei Yun, “Quickly go receive the edict.”

Wei Yun knew this was Chu Yu’s reminder. He took a deep breath, stood up, and walked towards the eunuch, quickly stepping forward and saying, “Sir, you’ve come with an imperial edict. Why didn’t you let us come out to receive it properly?”

“His Majesty instructed this servant,” the eunuch smiled kindly, “that if the Young Marquis has just returned from the North and is still dining, tired from the journey, I should wait here until the Young Marquis has finished eating before informing you about going to the palace.”

“His Majesty is truly considerate of us,” Wei Yun’s face showed gratitude. “How can I dare to be presumptuous in the face of His Majesty’s grace? Please, sir, read the edict.”

Saying this, Wei Yun stepped back and knelt respectfully. The eunuch read out the edict and handed it to Wei Yun. Then, he turned to Chu Yu, who was kneeling behind Wei Yun and said, “His Majesty also said that Consort Mei in the palace is an old friend of Wei Madam, and has been thinking of you. If you’re not otherwise engaged, why not go to the palace to see Consort Mei and renew your sisterly bond?”

“I’m grateful for Her Highness’s concern,” Chu Yu said respectfully, “This humble one also misses Her Highness very much and wishes to enter the palace with the Young Marquis.”

Hearing this, the eunuch beamed with joy and led the two out. The eunuch boarded a separate carriage, while Chu Yu and Wei Yun got into the one behind.

As the carriage began to sway, Chu Yu spoke softly, “You know clearly what to discuss when you go in today, right?”

“Mm.” Wei Yun lowered his eyes. Chu Yu continued, “Zhao Yue will surely want to keep my mother and me in Huajing as hostages. Agree to it.”

Wei Yun remained silent. Chu Yu frowned slightly, “Didn’t we agree on this?”

“I understand,” Wei Yun replied in a low voice. Chu Yu looked at him with his eyes downcast, like a little dog that had lost its spirit. She couldn’t help but raise her hand to ruffle his hair.

“Trust me,” she said steadily. “You focus on developing your connections in the North. I won’t cause you any trouble in Huajing.”

“If you could cause me trouble,” Wei Yun mumbled, “I might even be happier.”

“Childish talk,” Chu Yu patted his head. Wei Yun said nothing more.

Soon, the carriage arrived at the palace gates. Chu Yu and Wei Yun entered the inner court directly. Wei Yun was led to the Imperial Study, while Chu Yu was guided towards the back palace.

Emperor Chunde was not considered a licentious emperor, and the number of concubines in his harem was not large. After Zhao Yue ascended the throne, the entire back palace, apart from the Yao family’s daughter who was still in marriage negotiations, only had one Consort Mei, residing in Qifeng Palace.

Qifeng Palace was the empress’s palace, and Consort Mei living there made Zhao Yue’s intentions clear to everyone. One wondered if the Yao family knew about this.

Lost in thought, Chu Yu arrived at the entrance of Qifeng Palace. She knelt respectfully, lowering her head to her crossed hands on the ground. The door slowly opened with a creaking sound, and a strong scent of plum blossoms wafted out. A moment later, she heard a languid voice, “Come in.”

Chu Yu stood up and entered the room with her head lowered. A woman in golden royal attire was reclining on a couch, her hair spread out on the floor. Her exposed neck was covered in mottled red marks as if she was deliberately making a statement.

She wore no makeup, her face bare, her demeanor casual and languid, as if the turmoil of the past half year had nothing to do with her.

Chu Yu stood before her and respectfully said, “Your Highness.”

The Imperial Princess’s action of examining her nails paused briefly. After a moment, she chuckled softly.

“People returning from the Northern border are indeed different. It’s been a long time since I heard that title,” she said, a cold smile playing on her lips. “Do you know what they call me now?”

Chu Yu answered honestly, “Your Ladyship.”

The Imperial Princess lowered her eyes and said flatly, “My daughter has been imprisoned.”

Chu Yu remained silent, listening as she continued, “My brother is also dead.”

“Sometimes I wonder if this is retribution for my sins?”

The Imperial Princess’s laughter was tinged with mockery as she stood up, her dress trailing on the floor.

Her long dress was intricate and magnificent, a style rarely seen among women in Huajing, as it couldn’t be worn outside. From this garment, Chu Yu deduced, “Does Your Ladyship not leave your chambers often?”

“Do you think I need to, or that I can?” The Imperial Princess raised an eyebrow. “Your words are truly disheartening.”

Chu Yu was puzzled, “Princess… why are you able to see me?”

If Zhao Yue was keeping such strict control, why would he let her meet with the Princess? The Imperial Princess smiled lightly, “He wanted something from me, so I gave it to him.”

Chu Yu didn’t quite understand. The Imperial Princess moved closer to her, gently pulling down her shoulder to reveal the marks there. “This is all he wants from me now, all I can give him.”

Chu Yu’s eyes widened in shock.

The Imperial Princess pulled her clothes back up and sat back in her chair, resting her head on her hand. “I’ve had so many lovers I can’t even remember them all. Does he think this can humiliate me?” She laughed coldly, “What a joke!”

Chu Yu remained silent for a long time before slowly saying, “Then what is the Princess upset about now?”

The Imperial Princess didn’t respond. Chu Yu stepped forward, half kneeling to hold the Princess’s hand.

“Your Highness,” she sighed, “It’s not shameful to feel hurt and upset.”

The Imperial Princess’s hand trembled slightly. She stared silently at Chu Yu, then managed a strained smile.

“This Princess is not upset,” she said slowly. “This Princess has never lost in her entire life, and this time will be no exception.”