After listening to the storyteller, Chu Yu and Jiang Chun walked home together, strolling.
The front lines had now advanced to Northern Di. With Wei Yun, Chu Linyang, and others at the forefront, and Gu Chusheng and Zhao Yue in the rear, the situation in Great Chu had largely stabilized. Huajing had almost returned to its pre-war state. In fact, due to many refugees settling down, it was even more prosperous than before, with bustling streets full of people coming and going.
“Little Seven has been on the front lines for four years now. Who knows when this war will end,” Jiang Chun sighed, watching the passersby. “Mother-in-law’s spirits have been declining lately, always worrying about Little Seven. Things have stabilized now. It seems there’s not much point in continuing this war.”
“You can’t say that,” Chu Yu said calmly, steadying a girl who had bumped into him. “If someone hits you and you just let it go, they’ll always think of hitting you again. If they hit you and you can scare them back, they’ll fear and respect you.”
Jiang Chun looked at the people on the street, thought for a moment, and sighed, “That’s true, but the common people suffer so much.”
Chu Yu also felt helpless, “Indeed.”
“I heard the land you bought in Xuzhou has had a good harvest?”
Mentioning the common people reminded Jiang Chun of when Chu Yu had taken in those refugees. Back then, Wei Yun and Chu Linyang had borrowed money to buy large tracts of land in Xuzhou and then sent many refugees there. Those refugees settled down and became long-term workers, and over these four years, the land was cultivated, producing large quantities of grain that was sold throughout the country.
Jiang Chun knew Chu Yu was busy with these matters. People came and went from the Wei mansion daily. Now Jiang Chun managed the household finances, responsible for reducing expenses, while Chu Yu handled all of the Wei family’s assets, responsible for increasing income.
Besides increasing income, Chu Yu had also begun training a large number of family retainers. After the Fengling incident, Han Min returned to Huajing with Chu Jin, and his father Han Xiu also went to the Chu mansion, living in seclusion. After Chu Yu had settled down, he brought over Han Xiu and his disciples, specifically tasking them with developing weapons.
However, these matters were done much more discreetly, and Jiang Chun was largely unaware of them. She only saw Chu Yu busy every day and thought he was worried about money matters.
So she brought up those refugees settled in Xuzhou, and after getting Chu Yu’s nod, she took the opportunity to say, “Actually, the Wei family doesn’t lack money now. You don’t need to worry so much. Money is just a thing, you should take it easy.”
Chu Yu smiled without saying anything.
He didn’t know where the future would lead, so he had to prepare early, waiting for that day to come.
Seeing Chu Yu not speaking, Jiang Chun was about to say something else when a voice sounded from behind them: “Madam Zhaohua.”
They turned around to see Gu Chusheng standing behind them in a blue robe.
He wore a headscarf and carried several books, looking just like a handsome scholar, without any trace of official authority.
Chu Yu and Jiang Chun smiled lightly and curtsied, saying, “Greetings, Lord Gu.”
Gu Chusheng looked them over, understanding somewhat, “Out shopping today?”
“It’s good weather,” Chu Yu answered casually, his gaze falling on the books Gu Chusheng was carrying. They were all strange tales. He remembered that Gu Chusheng had loved reading these before he was fourteen, but hadn’t read them since the family changes. Who would have thought that in this new life, he would see these books in the hands of a twenty-year-old Gu Chusheng?
Gu Chusheng noticed Chu Yu looking at the books in his hand. Following Chu Yu’s gaze, he understood, and seemed a bit embarrassed, as if feeling it was somewhat inappropriate for Chu Yu to see him in such an unproductive state. So he coughed lightly and explained, “I only read these in my leisure time. I don’t look at these during busy times at court.”
Hearing Gu Chusheng say this, Chu Yu couldn’t help but smile, saying slowly, “Actually, it’s nothing. Everyone needs time to rest. Knowing that Lord Gu has such interests, I find it quite endearing. I also love reading these stories. This book, ‘Records of Little Mountain’, I was fond of in my youth as well.”
“What a coincidence,” Gu Chusheng smiled. “Among the books I chose today, my favorite is this ‘Records of Little Mountain’.”
“That book is quite long, you might take a while to read it. You know…” Chu Yu was saying when he suddenly remembered, “Oh, I just recalled, I heard you were recently promoted to Minister of Rites. I forgot to congratulate you.”
In Great Chu, one must pass through the position of Minister of Rites to enter the cabinet. Becoming Minister of Rites meant the next step was the cabinet. Now Gu Chusheng, not yet twenty, was already in this position, showing Zhao Yue’s great favor.
Gu Chusheng didn’t feel there was anything worth praising, but when Chu Yu congratulated him, he felt somewhat embarrassed.
He coughed lightly, “It’s just an empty title, bringing more work.”
Then he turned and said, “A chance meeting is better than a planned one. The day is still young, why don’t I treat the two madams to a meal?”
Hearing this, Chu Yu hesitated for a moment, about to decline, when Jiang Chun said, “That sounds good, I was just feeling hungry.”
As she spoke, she pulled Chu Yu towards a nearby restaurant, smiling, “This place looks nice, let’s go.”
Chu Yu didn’t want to embarrass Jiang Chun in public and felt helpless. He could only follow Jiang Chun, bringing Gu Chusheng into the restaurant.
The three of them booked a private room and entered. Gu Chusheng ordered first, then turned to Chu Yu and said, “The two madams need not be too formal. There’s some news from the front lines at court, and I wanted to discuss it with you both. That’s why I invited you separately. Please forgive any impropriety.”
Hearing it was news about Wei Yun, the awkwardness in Chu Yu’s heart finally dissipated somewhat. She sighed and said, “How are things at the front?”
“His Majesty has been discussing with me recently,” Gu Chusheng looked at Chu Yu, speaking slowly, “He wants to negotiate peace with Northern Di.”
Chu Yu frowned, and Gu Chusheng continued, “The interior of Great Chu has stabilized now, and the battle lines have been pushed to the north. His Majesty feels that continuing to fight now would just be a waste of manpower. You know, Wei Yun has now assisted Tu Suo in annexing most of the Northern Di tribes. Tu Suo is likely to oppose the Su family and declare himself king. Actually, for the current Northern Di, we just need to let them fight among themselves, without interfering too much.”
Chu Yu didn’t speak, listening quietly. Jiang Chun stood up, smiling, “You two talk, I’ll go use the facilities.”
Chu Yu pondered Gu Chusheng’s words, nodding slightly, not asking more.
After Jiang Chun left, Gu Chusheng also relaxed, becoming bolder in his content: “Actually, although Tu Suo has annexed some tribes now, he can’t contend with Su Cha at all. After Su Cha killed Su Can two years ago, he annexed the Chatu tribe. Northern Di is now united, with high morale. Once Great Chu withdraws its troops, Tu Suo will inevitably be defeated. However, Northern Di has fought to this point. Either we put Tu Suo in power and sign an alliance, or we have to completely crush them.”
“You didn’t tell His Majesty these things?”
“Don’t you know what His Majesty’s intentions are?”
A cold light flashed in Gu Chusheng’s eyes: “He wants Wei Yun to return now, completely because he feels he can’t control Wei Yun anymore and can’t let Wei Yun continue to stay outside.”
“Wasn’t he quite willing to let people go before?” Chu Yu sneered. Gu Chusheng calmly replied, “It’s because he thinks that at this moment, he can bring them back.”
Chu Yu didn’t speak. No matter how incompetent Zhao Yue was, he was still the monarch now. With twelve military orders issued, unless Wei Yun openly rebelled on the spot, he would still have to return.
She pursed her lips, thinking about how to proceed. Gu Chusheng watched her contemplative appearance quietly.
He rarely had such quiet moments to observe her. Now, seeing her in the sunlight, quietly and gently thinking about matters, he felt a warmth in his heart.
He felt like a traveler who had walked a very long road, wanting stability from the core of his being. And for him, this stability could only be given by this person. Even if this person just sat quietly beside him, he could feel this sensation he had sought for two lifetimes.
Chu Yu thought for a while, having a general idea in mind. She raised her head and said sincerely, “Although I don’t know what your purpose is, thank you anyway.”
Gu Chusheng shook his head, not saying more.
On one hand, he had promised Wei Yun not to do too much before his return. On the other hand, he knew that the current Chu Yu was like a cautious cat in matters of emotion. You couldn’t startle her; you had to watch over her until she walked out of that dark den on her own.
Chu Yu asked Gu Chusheng a few more detailed questions about Zhao Yue’s situation. By then, the desserts had been served. Chu Yu invited Gu Chusheng to eat, and only then realized that Jiang Chun had not returned.
Chu Yu found it strange: “Did your wife say where she was going?”
“Madam said she bought too many things and was a bit tired, and asked Lord Gu to send Madam Chu home.”
Hearing this, Chu Yu understood what Jiang Chun was trying to do. She felt somewhat helpless, but then heard Gu Chusheng say, “Let’s eat first, then I’ll send you home.”
“There’s no need…”
“Ah Yu,” Gu Chusheng sighed, looking at her quietly, “Actually, we don’t need to be so formal. Just treat me as an old friend, a childhood companion. Is that so difficult?”
These words left Chu Yu feeling somewhat at a loss. She looked at Gu Chusheng’s somewhat sentimental expression, and after a long while, sighed and said, “I’ll try.”
After saying this, the two ate while chatting.
When they went out, they found that the previously clear weather had turned to a light rain. Chu Yu had no umbrella, and Jiang Chun had taken the carriage back, so she could only ride in Gu Chusheng’s carriage to return home.
Gu Chusheng helped her into the carriage but didn’t get in himself. Chu Yu thought he was returning first and felt relieved, leaning back in the carriage, quietly digesting Gu Chusheng’s words.
Wei Yun had made Zhao Yue feel threatened, and Zhao Yue wanted to recall him. Now she needed to create some trouble for Zhao Yue, to make him too preoccupied to do this.
For such matters, she needed to make a trip to the palace to discuss with the Princess Royal.
Thinking of the Princess Royal, she immediately got up, and rolled up the carriage curtain, intending to order the carriage to turn towards the imperial palace.
However, as soon as she rolled up the curtain and called out, “Someone,” she saw the young man in blue robes step forward on horseback, bending down and saying, “What is it?”
He hadn’t used an umbrella, and the fine rain had already soaked through his clothes. His hair was wet, clinging to his face. Yet despite being in such a bedraggled state, he already carried a kind of jade-like serenity. He looked at her quietly, waiting for her orders.
Chu Yu stared at him blankly for a long time before reacting.
“Why are you here?”
“I was worried,” Gu Chusheng smiled, seeing her gaze on his face, full of surprise. He raised his hand to wipe his face, asking curiously, “Is there something on it?”
Chu Yu didn’t speak. She shook her head, finally saying, “You should go back.”
Gu Chusheng smiled and stubbornly said, “It’s fine.”
He said, “I’ll leave after I see you to the end of this road.”