Hearing this, Chu Yu sighed. She opened her mouth as if to say something but ultimately only spoke softly, "Get up and freshen up. Mother-in-law isn’t the most patient person, so don’t let her know you’ve returned yet."
"Mm." Wei Yun responded in a muffled voice, his head still lowered, making no move to rise. Chu Yu smiled faintly. "Why are you still kneeling? I’m not holding it against you anymore. Go rest."
Wei Yun remained motionless, his fists clenched. Observing his posture, Chu Yu sensed he had something to say and spoke slowly, "What is it you want to say?"
"All these years… Sister-in-law and Gu Chusheng…"
"That is my business."
Chu Yu’s voice turned cold. She fixed her gaze on Wei Yun, and in that instant, he suddenly felt as though an impassable river and towering mountain stood between them. She looked down at him from the peak, cold and distant. He had thought he was close to her, but in truth, he had never been.
A surge of blood seemed to rush through his mind, filling his chest until it ached. He stood abruptly, his entire body tense, as if he were about to voice something of utmost importance.
Chu Yu watched him calmly, her expression tinged with a trace of pity. She seemed to know everything—and yet, nothing at all.
Wei Yun blurted out urgently, "Sister-in-law, I—"
"You must be tired," Chu Yu interrupted gently. "Go on, get some rest."
"I—"
"You’ve been gone for four years," she said, looking at him with a soft smile. "I wonder if you’ve met someone you like. You’re at the age to marry now. By this time, some of your brothers already had children."
"Sister-in-law!" Wei Yun cut her off. He didn’t understand why she kept speaking so much, why she kept preempting his words. He only knew that he had to say this now—if he didn’t speak tonight, if he didn’t say it at this very moment, he might never find the courage again.
And so he began, "I like—"
"Wei Yun," Chu Yu said softly, her gaze drifting to the window where the moon hung high in the sky. Her voice was serene, almost tender. "In the four years you were gone, I imagined many times what you might look like. I thought you must have grown up, surely very handsome, perhaps with many admirers. As your elder sister-in-law, I ought to help you find a suitable young lady."
Wei Yun froze, staring at her in stunned silence.
Chu Yu’s expression was gentle yet solemn, like a sacred statue in a temple—untouchable, unapproachable. She sat at a distance, her eyes lifting to the bright moon as she continued slowly, "I’ve also thought about your future. You should be a man of towering stature, second only to the emperor, revered by all. You are the backbone of the Northern Border, the pride of Great Chu. You will marry a virtuous and dignified woman, and together, you will bring honor to the Wei family. You will have no blemishes—"
Finally, she turned to him, her voice steady and resolute. "Nor can you afford any."
Then she smiled faintly. "When I think of you like this, I believe your brother would have been overjoyed to see it. And I… I haven’t failed him. I’ve raised you well, without bringing shame to the Wei family."
Wei Yun said nothing, his eyes fixed on her in silence.
He had spent years preparing for this moment, steeling himself so that when they met again, he could speak his heart openly and without hesitation.
But perhaps these words were too rushed now. Perhaps this was not the time to say them at all.He had waited for four years, longed for four years. Even though he had a gentleman's agreement with Gu Chusheng, Gu Chusheng had broken the rules—so why couldn't he?
He couldn’t bear to watch Gu Chusheng act as he pleased while he himself suffered in unrequited longing. He wanted to stand on equal ground with Gu Chusheng, to speak the words in his heart. Yet at this moment, he found himself unable to say anything.
She was his elder sister-in-law.
Never before had he been so acutely aware of this fact.
No matter what others said or how they scolded him, none of it had deterred him. Only now, facing her and listening to her words, did he feel the weight of those two words— elder sister-in-law —piercing his heart like a knife.
Clenching his fists, his voice hoarse, he asked, "All these years, the kindness you showed me… was it all for my brother?"
Chu Yu remained silent, quietly watching him. Wei Yun trembled slightly. "If you weren’t my sister-in-law, if you hadn’t married into the Wei family… would I, Wei Yun, mean nothing to you? Would I be nothing at all?"
"Not entirely," Chu Yu replied calmly. Wei Yun froze, a flicker of hope flashing in his eyes—only to hear her continue slowly, "Even if I hadn’t married into the Wei family, I would still respect the Wei family's integrity. And I would still admire you."
"Just… admiration?" Wei Yun’s voice shook.
Chu Yu chuckled softly. "What else could there be?"
Wei Yun said nothing, his gaze fixed on her as she spoke again. "Xiao Qi, we should be grateful. I married into the Wei family, and I met you."
"You became my family. I am your sister-in-law, and you are my brother-in-law, my younger brother. I accompany you, you protect me. Together, we uphold the Wei family, relying on each other, supporting each other, blessing each other."
"If I hadn’t married into the family," Chu Yu sighed, "what else could there be between us besides admiration?"
Couldn’t there be love?
Wei Yun stared at her, nearly blurting out the question.
If they hadn’t met under these circumstances, couldn’t they have fallen for each other?
But he didn’t need an answer—he already knew it was impossible.
This feeling wasn’t a sudden spark of attraction, nor was it love at first sight that set his heart racing.
This affection was a seed buried deep in his heart, nurtured little by little, sprouting silently. He hadn’t fallen for her at their first meeting, nor had his heart stirred when she chased after him in her wedding dress. It hadn’t quickened when she helped him up with a smile as he carried the weight of his family’s fate, nor had he been enchanted by her sword dance.
His feelings for her had grown slowly over time, fermenting until they became unstoppable.
So long, so lingering—just speaking of it felt unbearably slow.
He kept staring at her. Under his gaze, Chu Yu smiled faintly. "What’s wrong with you?"
She seemed oblivious to everything, sighing. "Xiao Qi, you’re making it harder and harder for me to understand what you really want."
Wei Yun stayed silent, his heart gradually cooling.
Slowly, he calmed down. Looking at Chu Yu’s composed demeanor, he realized those words could never be spoken.
If he uttered them, she might no longer even be his sister-in-law—she might withdraw even that last bit of care.
Steeling himself, he took a deep breath and took a step back, bowing respectfully. "I was just… too exhausted earlier. Xiao Qi was impolite. Please forgive me, sister-in-law."Chu Yu's eyes filled with tenderness as she nodded and said, "Since you're tired, go rest quickly. You came this time to capture the messenger. I'll give orders tomorrow to have them expedite the investigation for you."
"Mm." Wei Yun's voice was indifferent, revealing neither joy nor anger. Chu Yu glanced up at him, seeming to want to say something, but ultimately pursed her lips and waved her hand. "Go on."
Wei Yun bent down to pick up the mask, reattached it to his face, then put on the white jade mask before leaving.
Only after Wei Yun had gone did Changyue and Wanyue enter. Chu Yu finally let out a sigh of relief, raising a hand to her forehead as if she had a headache.
Changyue hurried to Chu Yu's side, crouching down and whispering, "Madam, is that Gongsun Mr. really the Young Marquis?"
Supporting her forehead, Chu Yu nodded and instructed, "Act as usual. Don't let this spread."
"Madam..." Wanyue frowned, seeming to want to say something, but Chu Yu looked up at Changyue and said, "Go to the kitchen and bring me a bowl of silver ear soup."
Changyue, suspecting nothing, rose and left. Wanyue approached Chu Yu hesitantly and asked, "Did the Young Marquis... say anything to you just now?"
Chu Yu remained silent, lowering her head. After a moment, she looked up and fixed her gaze on Wanyue.
"What do you think he should have said to me?"
Wanyue pressed her lips together. Chu Yu's eyes were full of warning as she calmly stated, "He wouldn't say anything to me, nor could he."
"In this lifetime, I will either marry a suitable man or remain the Wei family's First Madam forever. Wei Yun must never bear even a speck of disgrace. Do you understand?!"
"This servant understands."
Wanyue immediately knelt and kowtowed, repeating firmly, "This servant understands the First Madam's meaning!"
Chu Yu trembled as she closed her eyes, saying no more. Wanyue remained kneeling, her mind in turmoil. She wanted to ask several questions but didn't dare. When Changyue returned with the silver ear soup, she stood up, composed herself, and stood silently by Chu Yu's side.
Changyue glanced between them, sensing something amiss. Holding the soup, she hesitated before finally saying, "The... soup is here."
Chu Yu nodded, tapping the table calmly. "Set it here."
After drinking the soup, Chu Yu went to sleep. When she woke the next morning, she sat before the mirror studying herself.
She was now twenty—the most beautiful age in her memory.
In her younger years, her face had been rounder, more adorable, but in terms of true beauty, she was undoubtedly at her peak now. Staring at her reflection, she wondered what about her had drawn unwanted attention.
Perhaps her lipstick had been too vibrant, or her hairpin too exquisite. As she pondered, Wanyue, watching her hesitate, tentatively asked, "Madam, shall I apply your makeup?"
After a long silence, Chu Yu finally replied, "No. Just tie my hair simply—the plainer, the better."
Changyue looked puzzled and was about to speak when Wanyue stopped her. Following Chu Yu's instructions, Wanyue tied her hair into a simple bun. Then Chu Yu went out, had breakfast, and summoned Wei Yun to the study.
The study was already filled with intelligence gathered the previous day. As Chu Yu meticulously reviewed each report, Wei Yun entered just as she came across a significant piece of news.
Wei Yun stood at the door to announce himself. Chu Yu looked up, frowning at him.Wei Yun noticed her grave expression and couldn't help but ask, "Has something major happened?"
"Wang He has declared himself king."
Chu Yu spoke with complex emotions. Wei Yun was momentarily stunned before hearing her continue with a frown, "Wang He has fled to Lanzhou. Wang Zhi died on the way. He's now proclaimed himself the King of Anlan in Lanzhou."
"King of Anlan?" Wei Yun scoffed lightly. "What kind of title is that?"
"Lanzhou has always been the Wang Family's territory, with all its officials being their people. The Wangs aren't directly challenging Zhao Yue—they've just declared their own kingdom. It's hard to say what their true intentions are."
Wei Yun remained silent, his hands tucked into his sleeves as he calmly remarked, "They wouldn't dare raise their banner now."
"Naturally."
Chu Yu stood and walked to the sand table, frowning. "Right now, Bai and Kun Provinces are under your control, Luo Province is held by my Chu Family, Hua Province is in Song Shilan's hands. Beyond that, Yao Yong's Qing Province and the Xie Family's Rong Province support Zhao Yue. Yan and Jing Provinces are entirely under Zhao Yue's command. The remaining De, Hui, and Qiong Provinces have always obeyed the emperor. No matter what, the Wang Family wouldn't dare rebel outright at this point."
"By declaring himself king now..."
As she spoke, Chu Yu looked up at Wei Yun, who calmly finished her thought, "He's waiting for our response."
If Wang He didn't make a stance now and merely fled to Lanzhou, Zhao Yue would swiftly send troops to seize Lanzhou before anyone could react, dooming the entire Wang Family. It was better to declare himself king now—those like Wei Yun, who intended to rebel, would naturally reach out to him. He would serve as the target, while others lent him their strength from behind.
After a moment of contemplation, Wei Yun made his decision. "I'll send word to Wang He. I'll secretly help him defend Lanzhou."
Chu Yu nodded in agreement. "Go quickly! I'll write to my elder brother. You should also send a letter to Song Shilan to see where they stand."
Wei Yun nodded. His gaze lingered on Chu Yu's resolute eyes, and he pressed his lips together without saying more.
Meanwhile, the news had also reached the palace. Zhao Yue was playing chess with Gu Chusheng, who wore a shadowed expression. Zhao Yue chuckled lightly. "Chusheng, there are countless women in the world. Why fixate on Madam Wei alone?"
Gu Chusheng glanced up at him coolly. "Your Majesty, why not say the same to yourself?"
Zhao Yue wasn't angered by the retort. He placed a piece on the board and nodded. "You're right. But Madam Wei has rejected you so firmly—what do you plan to do?"
Gu Chusheng didn't answer, his eyes fixed on the chessboard.
What did he plan to do?
He didn't know. Everything had already gone beyond his expectations. He thought that after all these years of pampering and coaxing, she should have relented by now.
But how could someone be so stubborn—once she said she wouldn't turn back, she truly never did.
Gu Chusheng felt a bitter ache in his throat. Just then, a palace attendant rushed in anxiously. "Your Majesty, it's terrible—Lanzhou... Lanzhou..."
"What about Lanzhou?" Zhao Yue's voice was calm, as if he had already guessed. The attendant kowtowed, trembling. "Wang He has declared himself the King of Anlan in Lanzhou!"
Zhao Yue paused mid-move. After a moment, he chuckled. "Chusheng, let's make a bet."
Gu Chusheng looked up. Zhao Yue placed his piece on the board and said flatly, "Let's wager on how many days it will take for Wei Yun's alliance letter to reach Wang He."Gu Chusheng didn't speak. He calmly placed a chess piece and said lightly, "Your Majesty must be wanting to ask me what to do if Wei Yun and Wang He form an alliance."
Zhao Yue picked up his teacup. "From your tone, it seems you've already considered this?"
"I've thought about it ever since Wang He fled Hua Jing. If Wang He wants to save his life, he'll inevitably rebel. His reason for rebellion is simply to form an alliance with Wei Yun and others. Actually, this matter is easy to handle. Your Majesty's sacred decree remains intact, and you are the rightful ruler of the nation. They can't produce any legitimate reason to depose you. As long as Your Majesty proceeds steadily, no one would dare rebel. Whoever rebels would be a traitor, lacking popular support and thus posing no real threat."
Zhao Yue nodded and asked respectfully, "So Chusheng thinks we should just leave Wang He's matter as it is?"
"Not leave it," Gu Chusheng picked up his teacup, his expression calm. "Let Wei Yun go suppress the rebels."
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