Wei Yun left Hua Jing, leading Sucha's men through Heaven's Guard Pass, and headed straight for Shucheng, the capital of Kun Province. It was only three days' journey from Hua Jing if traveling day and night. Bai Province had always been the Wei family's territory, but after the Northern Di pushed all the way to Heaven's Guard Pass, large numbers of troops were stationed in Kun Province to repel the enemy. Four years later, Kun Province had become a melting pot, with members from the Chu, Song, Wei, Yao, Wang, and Xie families all present. Wei Yun traveled along the cities under his control until he reached Shucheng, where he ordered Sucha's men to be taken away for interrogation.
Having already been interrogated by Gu Chusheng, it was nearly impossible for Sucha's men to still possess any physical evidence. Now, they could only hope for verbal confessions. Wei Yun assigned Wei Qiu to personally handle the interrogation, then summoned all his trusted aides in Shucheng.
Before leaving the city, he had sent word to Bai Province. By now, Shen Wushuang, Qin Shiyue, Wei Qiu, Wei Xia, and others had all arrived in Shucheng. After resting, Wei Yun entered the council hall, and everyone present stood up as he walked in. He nodded calmly and said, "The original plan may need to be moved up."
"Why?" Qin Shiyue frowned. Wei Yun replied directly, "When I escaped from Hua Jing, Gu Chusheng discovered me. Zhao Yue will definitely be on guard. Our initial plan was to negotiate with Zhao Yue for troops and supplies by targeting the Wang family, but now that goal may be unattainable. Since we can't use this pretext to strengthen ourselves, upon reflection, isn't this actually a good opportunity?"
The others looked puzzled. Wei Yun walked to the sand table, gazed at the map of Great Chu, and slowly explained, "The Wang family has already rebelled but lacks the justification to openly raise their banner. We can provide them with that justification. Once they rebel, others with similar intentions will follow. We can stay behind them, and when the fire spreads, Zhao Yue will first focus on extinguishing the Wang family. We can hide behind them. Once the Wang family is crushed by Zhao Yue, we may never get such a good chance again."
"Then, my lord, what justification do you propose we give the Wang family?"
"The ruler is unworthy," Wei Yun sneered. "We act in Heaven's name to punish him."
"In the coming days, we must accomplish four tasks. First, Wei Xia will go to various places and create Strange Phenomena, hinting that Zhao Yue is of impure bloodline and a tyrannical ruler."
Wei Xia clasped his fists and responded, "Understood."
"Second, once Wei Qiu finishes interrogating Sucha's men, have the evidence copied and sent to the Wang family. Inform them that I will fully support them in secret. Have them pass the evidence to others. Wei Qiu will handle this once he arrives."
"Third, Wei Xia and Wei Qian, you two will separately visit Chu Linyang and Song Shilan to sound out their intentions. Tell them that if they don't wish to rebel, they should focus entirely on resisting the Northern Di and stay out of this matter. If they're willing to join our cause, let me know what they want."
"Fourth," Wei Yun hesitated for a moment but finally said, "I must go to Hua Jing."
"Why are you going to Hua Jing?" Qin Shiyue frowned. Wei Yun placed his hand on the sand table, his expression calm but his words deliberate and firm: "To seek justice."
Everyone looked astonished. Wei Yun going to Hua Jing to seek justice? What justice?
Wei Yun raised his eyes to Shen Wushuang. "You will come with me."Shen Wushuang nodded somewhat blankly, and Wei Yun turned to Qin Shiyue: "Dispatch five thousand troops from Bai Province and have them move along our city walls, quietly making their way to Cloud-Reaching Mountain outside Hua Jing. Wait for my signal flare. Once I send it, begin the siege. There's no need for a real attack—just make a grand show with the gunpowder. The bigger the commotion, the better. I'll take the opportunity to escape from Hua Jing, and you'll provide cover."
Qin Shiyue hesitated slightly, but under Wei Yun's steady gaze, he nodded without further comment. After addressing a few more details and answering everyone's questions, Wei Yun said to Shen Wushuang, "Come with me to take a look."
Shen Wushuang nodded and followed behind Wei Yun. As they stepped out of the room and walked along the corridor, Shen Wushuang hesitated before speaking. "Marquis, you insist on entering the capital... is it because you're worried about the Madam...?"
Before he could finish, Wei Yun already understood his meaning. He didn't turn around or respond. Shen Wushuang sighed, thinking Wei Yun wouldn't answer. But after a long pause, Wei Yun suddenly spoke.
"I'm bringing her back."
"Huh?"
Shen Wushuang looked up in surprise as Wei Yun continued, "I'm bringing her back to my side."
With that, Wei Yun lifted the curtain and stepped back inside.
Meanwhile, Chu Yu was at home, playing chess with Jiang Chun.
"Madam," the steward announced at the door, bowing. "Minister Gu has come again to request an audience."
"Denied," Chu Yu replied decisively. The steward, unfazed, continued, "There's news from the palace. His Majesty summons you."
"I'm bedridden and unable to attend court."
Chu Yu glanced up impatiently. "Haven't I said this before?"
The steward remained expressionless and pressed on, "The Eldest Princess has also sent someone to invite you."
"Same answer." Chu Yu placed a chess piece calmly. "I won't leave the manor. No need to say more."
The steward acknowledged and withdrew. Once he was gone, Jiang Chun looked up at Chu Yu. "Zhao Yue has had troops surrounding Wei Manor for so long now. Why does he keep summoning you to the palace day after day?"
"Nothing good, certainly."
Chu Yu spoke indifferently. "His methods are too underhanded and ruthless. Staying far away from him is the right choice."
Jiang Chun nodded. "I wonder when Xiao Qi will return."
Chu Yu paused, the chess piece in her hand hovering. After a moment, she sighed. "I’d rather he... not come back at all right now."
"Why do you say that?"
Jiang Chun looked at her questioningly. Chu Yu placed the piece down and said calmly, "Since Zhao Yue has already stationed troops around Wei Manor, he must be prepared to break ties with Xiao Qi. If I were Zhao Yue, once Xiao Qi enters Hua Jing, I wouldn’t let him leave. Letting the tiger return to the mountains..."
Chu Yu lifted her gaze and let out a cold laugh. "Who would be that foolish?"
"But if Xiao Qi doesn’t come..." Jiang Chun hesitated. "What should we do?"
"Wait." Chu Yu's voice was steady. "Until the day Xiao Qi truly returns."
Hearing this, Jiang Chun couldn’t help but smile. "And if that day never comes?"
"You will wait for it." Chu Yu met Jiang Chun's gaze, and the solemnity in her expression made warmth rise in Jiang Chun's heart. Chu Yu spoke earnestly, "Since I asked you to stay, I won’t let anything happen to you. If it comes to the worst..."
Chu Yu pressed her lips together. "I’ll play the role of the Eldest Princess once."Jiang Chun was startled by these words. She quickly grasped Chu Yu's hand and said, "A Yu, there's no need for this. It would be a good thing for me to go down and accompany A-Shu. You... you still have to live well with Xiao Qi."
"Don't jump to conclusions," Chu Yu chuckled lightly. "Why are you thinking so far ahead?"
With that, Chu Yu gathered the chess pieces and helped Jiang Chun up. "Let's not talk about this anymore. Let's go eat."
After idling in the house for another two days, Chu Yu calculated that Wei Yun should be arriving soon. She was practicing swordplay with Jiang Chun when the sound of clashing weapons came from outside. Frowning, Chu Yu saw the steward hurriedly enter, his usually composed tone tinged with urgency as he bowed his head. "Madam, His Majesty has personally brought the imperial physician."
Chu Yu's eyes turned cold.
After all, Zhao Yue was the emperor. She couldn't possibly bar him from entering. Bringing the imperial physician made his intentions clear. She nodded and turned to instruct someone nearby, "Go find Gu Chusheng."
Then, she led Jiang Chun out to greet him. At the gate, Zhao Yue was being held back by the Wei Manor guards. He wore a pleasant smile as Chu Yu hurried forward and knelt. "This humble wife begs forgiveness for failing to welcome Your Majesty in time!"
"I heard the Wei family's elderly madam has been unwell lately, so I came to visit. I also wanted to see if these guards have been disobeying my orders and mistreating the Wei family."
As he spoke, Zhao Yue stood and gestured for Chu Yu to rise. "Stand up."
Chu Yu declined the gesture and followed Zhao Yue inside. The moment he stepped into the manor, the two leading guards behind him suddenly drew their swords and beheaded the two nearest Wei Manor attendants!
Blood sprayed like fountains, and screams erupted all around. Even Jiang Chun was so shocked she took a step back. Only Chu Yu, standing behind her and steadying her with a hand, prevented her from losing composure.
"What is there to fear?"
Zhao Yue glanced at the terrified Wei family members and said gently, "These two traitors just pointed their swords at me. Don’t they deserve death?"
Then, he looked up and fixed his gaze on Chu Yu. "Madam, what do you think?"
Chu Yu remained silent. Zhao Yue pressed further, "Madam, do you believe pointing swords at the Son of Heaven is justified?"
Chu Yu knew Zhao Yue was forcing her to take a stance.
If she said it was justified, the entire Wei family would be branded as rebels. If she said it wasn’t... from then on, no Wei soldier would dare raise a sword against Zhao Yue.
She couldn’t disillusion the Wei family, but she also couldn’t openly oppose Zhao Yue.
After a moment of contemplation, she knelt calmly and said, "Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven. Pointing a sword at you warrants death. However, these two were loyal servants protecting their master. Ultimately, though they committed a capital offense, they did so for my sake. Your Majesty’s two strikes just now were misplaced."
"Misplaced?" Zhao Yue’s eyes turned cold. Chu Yu kowtowed, exposing her slender neck. "Your Majesty’s sword should have struck Chu Yu instead."
"As their master, I failed to instruct them properly, leading to this grave mistake. Those two guards were merely loyal, though they erred in their methods. Your Majesty, your sword should strike here."
Zhao Yue said nothing. Jiang Chun stood to the side, her hands trembling slightly within her sleeves. She was terrified—if Zhao Yue truly beheaded Chu Yu here, she wouldn’t know what to do.However, Zhao Yue quietly gazed at Chu Yu for a moment before smiling. "Madam Wei jests. How could I, as the emperor, execute you over such a trivial matter? Yesterday, you claimed to be unwell, yet today you appear in perfect health."
"I have recovered."
"Since you're well, tomorrow marks the Beginning of Winter. I shall host a palace banquet. Surely you can attend?"
"Your Majesty need not worry," Chu Yu replied as the guard's blood spread to her feet. "Tomorrow, this humble wife will certainly enter the palace."
Zhao Yue chuckled softly, looking at Chu Yu with gentle amusement. "Madam Wei, your temperament is simply too fierce. Sometimes, it's better for a woman to be more gentle. What is too rigid breaks easily—and breaks painfully. I particularly dislike seeing dogs walk upright on two legs. When I do, I order men to shatter their spines with hammers, until they can no longer even crawl. Madam Wei," Zhao Yue crouched down, placing his hand lightly on Chu Yu's back, his fingers resting precisely over her spine. His touch was feather-light as he whispered tenderly, "Do you understand?"
Before his words faded, the neighing of a horse interrupted them, followed by Gu Chusheng's urgent voice: "Your Majesty!"
Hearing Gu Chusheng, Zhao Yue straightened, withdrawing his hand as he stood. "Minister Gu?"
Gu Chusheng dismounted swiftly and bowed. Zhao Yue gestured for him to rise. "I shall take my leave now. Minister Gu, do speak with Madam Wei properly." With a wave, Zhao Yue departed cheerfully. "I'm off."
Once Zhao Yue had left, Gu Chusheng approached Chu Yu, who remained kneeling in the spreading pool of blood. After a pause, he bent down, grasping her hand as he said hoarsely, "Get up. I'm here now. You needn't fear anymore."
Chu Yu said nothing. She lifted her eyes, studying him calmly. Her gaze was steady, almost scrutinizing. Gu Chusheng held her hand, sticky with blood.
A faint, mocking smile curled on Chu Yu's lips. "Satisfied?"
"I don't understand you," Gu Chusheng replied evenly. Chu Yu straightened slightly. "Beat me with a stick, then offer dates—do you think I'll grovel in gratitude?"
Realization struck Gu Chusheng. "You think I sent him here?!"
"Didn't you?" Chu Yu's voice was quiet. Gu Chusheng's chest heaved violently. "A Yu, I would never let anyone humiliate you like this."
Chu Yu scoffed, ignoring him as she stood and turned away. Gu Chusheng chased after her, desperation in his voice. "A Yu, I didn't, I swear—"
"Gu Chusheng," Chu Yu halted, turning back. "What will happen at tomorrow's banquet?"
Gu Chusheng hesitated, then answered firmly, "Nothing will happen."
"Oh?" Chu Yu's laugh was light. "Truly?"
Seeing the derision in her smile, Gu Chusheng slowly clenched his fists.
"Chu Yu," he said solemnly, "don't look at me like that."
"How else should I look at you?" Chu Yu's smile widened. "Was it not you who urged Wei Yun to attack the Wang Family? Was it not you who had Zhao Yue besiege Wei Manor? Was it not you who informed Zhao Yue?"
"It was me," Gu Chusheng admitted calmly. "But have any of my actions harmed you? Chu Yu," he closed his eyes wearily, "I only wanted to have you—not destroy you."
"What difference does that make?!"Chu Yu suddenly raised her voice: "Taking away everything I love, destroying all I cherish, shattering my spine inch by inch until I crawl before you—how is that any different from destroying me?!"
"I didn't!"
Gu Chusheng burst out. Chu Yu gazed at him calmly as waves of bitterness surged within him. Closing his eyes, he spoke hoarsely: "Nothing will happen tomorrow, I swear on my life. A Yu," he slowly opened his eyes, "trust me just this once."
Chu Yu watched him silently before finally letting out a soft laugh. "Fine."
With that, she turned and entered the residence. Jiang Chun hurried forward to support her, anxiety in her voice: "What do we do? Tomorrow you—"
"It's fine." A cold glint flashed in Chu Yu's eyes. "I've already provoked Gu Chusheng. Tomorrow, he won't let Zhao Yue act."
Tears welled in Jiang Chun's eyes. "When will Xiao Qi return...?"
Chu Yu froze slightly. Leaning on Jiang Chun, her hands trembled faintly.
Suddenly, she realized—she missed Wei Yun terribly.
When dependence on someone becomes a habit, you abruptly awaken to your own helplessness.
Meanwhile, Shen Wushuang trailed behind Wei Yun, calling out anxiously: "Young Marquis, slow down! A little sooner or later won't make a difference!"
Wei Yun paid no heed. Glancing at the sun overhead, he cracked his whip fiercely and urged: "Faster!"
While storms gathered over Hua Jing, a thousand miles away in Luozhou's Chu Manor, Chu Linyang held a letter in hand and regarded Wei Xia calmly. "Your lord has made his decision?"
"He has."
Wei Xia bowed respectfully. "Regardless of Young Master Chu's stance, it won't alter the Marquis' resolve. Asking now is merely to ascertain your position."
"And what of my sister?"
Chu Linyang lifted his gaze. "If you rebel, must my sister become a traitor too? If Wei Yun insists on rebellion, then return her to me!"
Hearing this, Wei Xia hesitated before answering awkwardly: "The First Madam... may need to remain at the Marquis' residence... as the First Madam?"
"Preposterous!" Chu Linyang roared. "My sister has done more than enough for your family! Must she really guard a memorial tablet her entire life?!"
"Not a tablet, not a tablet!" Wei Xia waved hurriedly. "As the actual First Madam—the new First Madam."
This left Chu Linyang bewildered. "What do you mean, 'new First Madam'?"
"Well, with the Young Master gone," Wei Xia stammered, "our Young Marquis still lacks a First Madam, doesn't he?"
Understanding dawned on Chu Linyang, who immediately kicked out: "Will your Wei family never stop?!"
As Wei Xia fled from Chu Linyang's blows, he cried: "Young Master Chu, calm down! Our Young Marquis is completely sincere—"
While Wei Xia suffered his beating, Wei Qian fared much better.
In Rongcheng, the capital of Huazhou, Song Shilan sat upon a high seat, reading the letter delivered by Wei Qian. After a moment, he looked up with a slow smile. "The Young Marquis' ambitions are truly vast."
Wei Qian fidgeted nervously. Facing a cunning fox like Song Shilan always made him uneasy.
Hesitantly, he said: "The Marquis doesn't demand your support, only hopes you'll remain neutral—"
"Neutral?"
Song Shilan chuckled. "The Marquis once aided this humble one. How could I forget such kindness? With his extraordinary talent, Shilan would be honored to follow him."Hearing this, Wei Qian was momentarily stunned, completely unprepared for Song Shilan's attitude. However, Song Shilan then shifted the topic: "But an alliance with the Marquis requires more than empty words—written proof would be best."
"Wha... what kind of proof?"
"Since ancient times, alliances between two states or families have been sealed by marriage. Unfortunately, the Marquis has no daughters. However, I’ve observed that the Wei family’s Second Madam Jiang is well-educated, virtuous, and graceful. I am willing to marry her as my principal wife. What does the Young Marquis think?"
"What?!"
Wei Qian jerked his head up, only to see Song Shilan smiling warmly. "Would the young general be so kind as to relay these words to Second Madam as well?"
"Relay... what...?"
Wei Qian was utterly bewildered, his words stumbling.
Song Shilan set down the letter in his hand and spoke gently, "Tell Second Madam that if she is willing to marry me, I will brave any danger for the Wei family. If she refuses..."
"What if she refuses?"
Song Shilan pondered for a moment before laughing. "What a pity—to pass up such a fine man as myself."
Author's Note: Adjusting my schedule to post in the mornings.
Song Shilan is so handsome— covers face .
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