Jiang Chun helped Chu Yu inside, then looked up at her hesitantly. Chu Yu remained calm. "If you have something to say, just say it."
"That person earlier was Xiao Qi..."
Chu Yu nodded. Jiang Chun pursed her lips, thinking for a moment before finally speaking. "Did he say anything inappropriate to you?"
Chu Yu didn't respond. Jiang Chun sighed helplessly. "He actually came back to say it!"
Chu Yu glanced at her. As Jiang Chun supported her into the room, she continued slowly, "I knew his feelings four years ago. I advised him back then... He's still too young. Though you're of similar age, A Yu, I know you're different from him."
Jiang Chun's eyes filled with resignation. "A woman's fate is fragile, and you're deeply sentimental. If he stops loving you later, he can just find someone else. But if you bear all the burdens and face such an ending, I fear you might not be able to move on."
"That's true," Chu Yu said hoarsely. Jiang Chun held her hand and spoke softly, "But that was four years ago."
Chu Yu silently studied Jiang Chun, whose eyes held a knowing smile. Still worried Chu Yu might not understand, Jiang Chun added with a chuckle, "To wait for someone for four years without seeing, hearing, or knowing anything, then return to say those words—A Yu, this isn't mere impulse."
"I know."
Chu Yu's voice was rough. Someone like Wei Yun wouldn't have spoken those words unless he was certain of his feelings.
But even if Wei Yun understood his own heart now, who could say what he might feel if he ever met Princess Qingping again?
Chu Yu dared not dwell on that person. She took a deep breath and said hoarsely, "Let's not think about this now. We need to prepare quickly. Wei Yun has abducted Gu Chusheng's people, and Gu Chusheng will retaliate soon. I'll give you the token—take the young master and leave the city immediately."
"What about you and Mother..."
"We can't go," Chu Yu said calmly. "First, we can't escape. Second, if we leave, Wei Manor will be empty, and Zhao Yue will hunt us down immediately. You won't get far. I'll take care of Mother—don't worry."
She instructed the steward to prepare the carriage and brought out the six young masters. Wang Lan's child, now just three and a half years old and barely able to speak, was led by her onto the corridor. "What's happening?" she asked anxiously.
Chu Yu glanced at her. Four years had passed since Wang Lan had vowed to leave, yet she'd stayed for the child—remaining for four years, refusing to go back. Everyone assumed it was for the child's sake, but whenever Chu Yu saw Shen You waiting at the gate, she wondered if even Wang Lan knew her own reasons.
"The marquis's estate may be in danger," Chu Yu said calmly. "Give your child to A Chun. She'll take him away."
"But Ling Shuang is still so young, and he's been ill lately..."
"Then let A Lan take the child," Jiang Chun decided swiftly. "She appears gentle—if she says she's taking the child to seek treatment, they'll let her pass more easily. I'll stay here with you. If anything happens, you won't have to bear it alone."
Chu Yu hesitated briefly before nodding. "Very well. A Lan," she said solemnly, meeting Wang Lan's gaze, "can you do this?"Wang Lan was taken aback for a moment. Hesitating briefly, she looked down at Wei Lingshuang in her arms and nodded, saying, "Alright, I'll take them out."
With that, Chu Yu had the children climb up. She instructed the four older ones to hide beneath the carriage while the other two pretended to be ill, protected by Wang Lan inside the carriage. Taking all the young masters of Wei Manor out at once would be too conspicuous; this was the only way.
Wang Lan didn't hesitate either. She quickly gathered their belongings, then carried Wei Lingshuang and led Wei Lingdong into the carriage. Jiang Chun pulled the eldest, Wei Lingchun, over and gently patted his head, saying softly, "Lingchun, I'm entrusting your younger brothers to your care. Do you understand?"
"I understand."
Wei Lingchun nodded earnestly. "Mother, don't worry. I'll take good care of them."
Jiang Chun pressed her lips together and hugged Wei Lingchun tightly.
Chu Yu watched them quietly, her heart stirring. Such a bond between mother and child was something she had never experienced. As she gazed at them, she couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy.
The carriage clattered away, seeing Wang Lan off. Chu Yu and Jiang Chun stood at the gate, and Jiang Chun smiled faintly. "Now it's just the two of us again."
Chu Yu looked at Jiang Chun and realized that four years ago, it had been much the same. She couldn't help but laugh. "Indeed, our marquisate has faced no shortage of trials."
The two chatted and laughed as they headed back inside. Meanwhile, Wang Lan raced through the night with two carriages carrying all six children. When they reached the city gate, she presented the Marquis of Zhenguo's token. The guard hesitated and said, "Lady Wei the Sixth, the curfew is in effect. Perhaps you should wait until tomorrow to leave the city..."
"My child is in critical condition!" Wang Lan lifted the carriage curtain, tears in her eyes as she scolded sharply. "If you delay us tonight and my child doesn't survive, will you take responsibility?"
The guard faltered under her rebuke. Wang Lan glared at him fiercely. "You can stop me if you want, but the child I'm holding is the sixth young master of the Wei family. I know you look down on me, but even though my husband is gone, our young marquis still lives. He's fighting on the frontier, shedding blood for all of you—is this how you treat his family?! If anything happens to the sixth young master because of you, will you repay it with your life?!"
Hearing Wei Yun's name, the guard exchanged glances with his companion before finally relenting. "Very well. We'll conduct a routine inspection. If everything checks out, we'll let you pass."
As the soldiers approached to search the carriage, Wang Lan gripped the curtain tightly, her heart pounding. The four older children were hidden beneath the carriage—if the soldiers discovered that all the Wei children were trying to leave the city, their plan would fail.
Wang Lan desperately tried to think of a way to stop them, but as a woman who had spent her life in the inner chambers, she couldn't come up with anything. Just as the soldiers were about to probe beneath the carriage with their long spears, Wang Lan's heart leapt into her throat. She was about to speak when an urgent voice called out, "Lady Wei the Sixth!"
Everyone turned toward the voice. Wang Lan was stunned to see Shen You on horseback at the gate. Dismounting quickly, he rushed forward anxiously. "Lady Wei, I heard the sixth young master is unwell. How is he now?"As soon as he arrived, the guards immediately saluted. Shen You was now a favored confidant of Zhao Yue, and everyone recognized him, not daring to offend him. When Wang Lan saw Shen You, she had initially wanted to avoid him, but given the current circumstances, she could only force herself to say, "I'm afraid it's not good. I need to leave the city to find the physician he usually sees..."
"Then why aren't you letting her pass?!"
Shen You raised his head and roared, "Can you afford the delay if something happens to her?!"
"Sir Shen, we still need to search—"
"Search what?!" Shen You kicked the man aside, acting entirely arrogant as he snapped, "Open the gate now, or I'll hold you accountable! If anything happens, I'll take the blame. Open it!"
Hearing this, the guards no longer resisted. After all, if anything went wrong, it would be Shen You's responsibility. They exchanged glances and finally opened the gate.
Shen You escorted Wang Lan out. She held the child in her arms, sitting in the carriage as it sped away. Wang Lan didn’t hear Shen You say a word—he remained silently outside the carriage, quietly guarding her.
Once outside the city, the greatest danger was over. The children were all settled in the carriage, and everyone, exhausted, dozed off haphazardly. By dawn, Shen You finally stopped.
"Sixth Madam," he said respectfully outside the carriage, "I can only accompany you this far. Please be careful on the rest of your journey."
Wang Lan listened to his words, holding the child, tears welling in her eyes. After a long pause, she finally responded with a soft "Mm."
She knew he had been guarding outside Wei Manor all these years. Precisely because she knew, she couldn’t understand.
She couldn’t understand why such a good man like him had sent that letter back then.
She couldn’t understand why he had pretended nothing had happened between them, only to reveal the truth in the end.
Holding Wei Linghan, she waited quietly. After a long while, she finally heard his voice outside: "Sixth Madam, Shen You knows this request is presumptuous, but I must ask once more. It’s been four years. Might you allow me to see you one last time, to see with my own eyes that you are well?"
Wang Lan didn’t answer. After a long silence, she finally spoke: "What would it change if we met? Whether I’m well or not—can a single glance from you alter that? Meeting would only bring more sorrow."
Shen You remained silent for a long time. Just as Wang Lan thought he had left, the carriage curtain was abruptly pulled open. Morning light spilled inside, and his figure crashed into her vision. His features, with the deep contours unique to the Northern Di, and his star-like eyes gazed at her quietly. Wang Lan was stunned. Shen You watched her for a long moment before giving a faint smile.
"Seeing you, my heart is at ease."
"Sixth Madam," his eyes brimmed with reluctance, "take care."
With that, Shen You lowered the curtain. This time, Wang Lan finally heard the sound of him riding away. It took her a long moment to collect herself before the guard outside asked, "Sixth Madam, shall we depart?"
Wang Lan lifted her head, her eyes filled with determination. "Let’s go. To Kunyang County!"
By the time dawn broke, Chu Yu had finally arranged everything. If Wei Yun returned this time, it would likely mean an irreparable rift with Zhao Yue. She needed to ensure all preparations were in place.
She yawned, then heard the steward announce, "First Madam, Gu Chusheng is here."
Chu Yu nodded wearily. "Let him in."
With that, she walked to the main hall, kneeling on the raised seat as she poured herself tea.
Before long, she saw Gu Chusheng leading his men inside.She looked up at him with a faint smile. "Good morning, Lord Gu. Not attending the morning court today?"
The wounds on Gu Chusheng's face had already scabbed over. He sat down with a smile as someone served him tea beside him.
"I'm not going to court today. Don't you know why, Madam?"
Chu Yu watched as the maids brought in the morning meal, speaking leisurely, "I don't understand what you mean, Lord Gu. Whether you attend court or not has nothing to do with our Wei Manor."
"Wei Yun is truly formidable," Gu Chusheng took a sip of tea and sighed in admiration. "I really thought he wanted to kill me, but it was just a diversion. Madam, did I give you enough time to prepare last night?"
Chu Yu remained silent, lowering her head to sip her tea. Gu Chusheng's sharp gaze bore into her as he said coldly, "Madam, I've come today to propose marriage. I wonder if it's appropriate?"
"Gu Chusheng," Chu Yu spoke calmly, "this marriage... I'm afraid it won't work."
Gu Chusheng suddenly clenched his fists. Chu Yu looked up at him: "I've realized something—I might have feelings for someone else."
"Feelings for someone?" Gu Chusheng laughed mockingly. "Everyone has liked someone in their life. At your position, can you really talk about love in marriage?"
Chu Yu didn't respond, quietly drinking her tea. Seeing her silence, Gu Chusheng gradually calmed down.
"How much do you like him?"
"Not that much, perhaps," Chu Yu sighed. "Actually, I'm not entirely sure myself. But Gu Chusheng, now that I know I have feelings for him, I won't allow myself to hurt him before I figure things out."
Gu Chusheng was silent for a moment before letting out a light laugh. "After all these years of waiting, I end up with nothing."
"It's not exactly nothing," Chu Yu met his gaze. "You're only twenty-one, already the Minister of Rites and the designated Grand Secretary. Gu Chusheng, you've gained more than enough."
"Enough of what?!"
Gu Chusheng erupted in fury.
Minister of Rites? Grand Secretary? Hadn't he achieved all that before?
He had advised three emperors, held the highest positions of power, enjoyed wealth and prestige—he had experienced and seen through all these in his past life. If he still cared about such things, would he have been killed by Wei Yun back then?
Breathing heavily, he glared at Chu Yu.
"Chu Yu, don't push me."
His voice trembled. "In this life, I only have you. Don't push me."
Chu Yu looked up at him, slightly frowning.
"Gu Chusheng," she said, puzzled, "since when have you become so... obsessed?"
Gu Chusheng didn't answer, his gaze fixed fiercely on her.
Since when?
Ten years? Twenty? Thirty?
He couldn't even remember anymore.
But he couldn't tell her that. If he did, there would truly be no chance left between them.
Gasping, he struggled to regain his composure.
"So you'll never agree, is that it?"
"Gu Chusheng—"
"Answer me! Yes or no!"
Chu Yu was silent for a long time before finally speaking softly, "Yes."
As she said this, her heart trembled, yet she didn't know where she found the strength to hold firm.
She felt as if she had someone to rely on now—because there was someone standing behind her, she had the luxury to be willful. So she raised her head and repeated, "Yes."
Gu Chusheng laughed, nodding as he stepped back.
"Fine. Fine. I understand."
With that, he turned around. He took a few quick steps forward, then suddenly stopped."Madam Wei," he said calmly, "you should be happier these days and prepare well for the wedding."
Hearing this, Chu Yu laughed.
"Alright," she said leisurely. "That is, if our Marquis allows me to marry."
Gu Chusheng felt his blood boil at these words.
He should have realized it earlier—that Gongsun Lan was Wei Yun. He had thought that, given Chu Yu's temperament, if Gongsun Lan were Wei Yun, she would never have used him to provoke him. It wasn't until last night, when Wei Yun made his move and the Wei family disregarded Chu Yu's orders to mobilize entirely, that he realized—what if Chu Yu didn’t know?
Or... what if Chu Yu liked him too?
There were countless possibilities, and he had considered many of them. He didn’t dare come to see her. He didn’t even know how to face a Chu Yu who had fallen for someone else.
He had thought all night, unable to make sense of it, but he knew one thing for certain.
He had to stop her.
In this life, reborn, he wanted nothing else—only her.
Author's Note: Friends in the mountains, are you still there?
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