No one dared to approach, quickly going to report to Gu Chusheng.
Wei Yun waited for a while before seeing Gu Chusheng leading people over from outside the corridor. He was dressed in deep red official robes, clearly having just returned from court. Leading his people before Wei Yun, he appeared calm and composed, bowing slightly as he said, "May I ask what brings Lord Wei to my humble residence?"
"Your mother came to Wei Manor to propose a marriage alliance. Did you know that?"
Wei Yun shifted his gaze from the plaque to look at Gu Chusheng. Gu Chusheng remained unperturbed: "I know."
"I recall my sister-in-law refused you."
"She also promised me once."
Gu Chusheng met Wei Yun's gaze evenly: "When you were absent, it was I who protected her, who protected Wei Manor."
"You protected?" Wei Yun scoffed derisively: "You and Zhao Yue colluded to bring Wei Manor to ruin, then turned around to offer aid, expecting our gratitude?"
"The Marquis overestimates me." Gu Chusheng waved his hand, dismissing all attendants. He moved to the table, sitting gracefully as he poured himself tea: "The conflict between Wei Manor and His Majesty was not of my making. Wei Manor's peril was inevitable—I am but a mere official. How could I alone make His Majesty wish to destroy the vast estate of the Duke Who Pacifies the Nation?"
Raising his eyes calmly, he continued: "Perhaps the Marquis should sit first, and we can discuss this thoroughly."
Wei Yun remained silent for a moment, understanding Gu Chusheng's intent. He sat at the table, allowing Gu Chusheng to pour him tea. Gu Chusheng spoke evenly: "Does the Marquis know why last night's events unfolded as they did?"
"Enlighten me."
"Several days ago, I sought His Majesty's permission to marry Madam Wei, which he granted. Though your return was imminent, he orchestrated last night's scheme. Consider—had it succeeded, what would have been the outcome?"
Wei Yun didn't answer, staring at Gu Chusheng: "I would have killed you."
Gu Chusheng smiled: "Precisely. Had last night succeeded, with your temperament, how could you tolerate such humiliation? While my persistent courtship of Madam Wei is true, employing methods that would ruin her life would be utterly despicable."
As he spoke, coldness entered his eyes. Flicking his sleeves, he brushed them aside, lowering his gaze to stir the tea leaves in the cup before continuing calmly: "Zhao Yue now seeks to deal with you. Fearing my betrayal, he employed this tactic. My desire to wed Madam Wei is genuine, Marquis. In this life, I seek nothing else—" His voice carried a slight tremor, "Only Madam Wei. Having lost her once, I would spend a lifetime making amends. I know you favor her too, Marquis, but between empire and beauty—can you not distinguish which holds greater weight?"
Gu Chusheng looked at Wei Yun with solemnity: "I know what you intend upon returning to the capital, know of your plans for rebellion. As Zhao Yue's confidant, my entry into the inner court is certain. If I were to offer Zhao Yue's head in exchange for this marriage—"
Wei Yun remained silent, sipping tea indifferently. Gu Chusheng's voice grew heavy: "Marquis, those who achieve great deeds must be willing to sacrifice."
"And you?"
Wei Yun countered directly. Gu Chusheng frowned: "What of me?"
"If I must achieve great deeds, do you not?"
Hearing this, Gu Chusheng paused. Visions from his past life surfaced—standing at the pinnacle of power, leading the child emperor to the altar as thousands bowed. He chuckled softly, shaking his head with lowered eyes.
"I need not.""All my life, the position I've reached today was solely for the sake of the First Lady. Back then, the Marquis considered me of lowly status, so I climbed to my current position in the cabinet. Now that the Marquis wants Zhao Yue's head, I'm willing to fetch it for him. Everything I've done is for one person alone."
As he spoke, Gu Chusheng took a step back, bowed deeply, and performed a grand salute: "I only hope the Marquis will take pity on my sincere feelings."
Wei Yun remained silent for a moment before letting out a light chuckle.
"Gu Chusheng, you underestimate me too much." Gu Chusheng looked up in confusion at the white-robed, gold-crowned young man before him.
The current Wei Yun was vastly different from the one in his past life. At nineteen in that lifetime, Wei Yun had always worn black robes, carried a long sword at his waist, and maintained an icy demeanor that kept others at bay, exuding an aura of lethal intent as he moved through the imperial court.
But now, Wei Yun wore white robes with wide sleeves, a gold crown adorned with pearls, and carried himself with the noble dignity accumulated over centuries by a prestigious family. He lived openly under the sun, upright and unashamed, embodying the responsibilities of a true man.
"My grudge with Zhao Yue is my own to settle. His head is mine to take. Gu Chusheng, I never wanted this empire or the throne. It was only because the Li and Zhao families slaughtered my entire household and pushed me to the brink that I've come this far."
"What I seek isn't the imperial throne," Wei Yun set down his cup, his voice calm and steady. "What I want is peace under heaven."
"What difference does that make!" Gu Chusheng retorted coldly. "You'll end up in that position regardless—why not take the easiest path?"
"Fine," Wei Yun responded decisively, raising his eyes to meet Gu Chusheng's. "But that path is mine alone to walk. There's no reason for unrelated people to pay the price. Moreover, to cultivate oneself, regulate the family, govern the state, and bring peace to the world—if I can't even protect my own family, what peace could I possibly bring?"
With that, Wei Yun stood up and looked down at Gu Chusheng, his tone indifferent. "I came today to tell you this: Chu Yu entered the gates of my Wei family. In life, she is a member of the Wei family; in death, she is a ghost of the Wei family. Abandon your absurd notions. If you dare harass her again," Wei Yun's voice suddenly turned oppressive, "this matter will not end peacefully."
Having said this, Wei Yun turned to leave. Behind him, Gu Chusheng sat and let out a cold laugh.
"Your elder brother is dead—who does she belong to now? Does your Wei family truly intend to trap her for life?"
Wei Yun halted. After a pause, he slowly turned back, his expression composed as he spoke with firm clarity, word by word: "She belongs to Wei Yun."
"Wei Yun!" Gu Chusheng shot to his feet. "You—this heartless, deranged scoundrel who disregards all moral principles!"
At this, Wei Yun laughed carelessly. "So what?"
"I like her. I admire her. I yearn for her day and night, consumed by longing. Back then, you told me I was too young to understand my true desires. Now, four years have passed. I've traveled across the land, Gu Chusheng," Wei Yun declared resolutely. "She is the only one I want."
"She is your elder brother's widow!" Gu Chusheng's voice trembled. "If you care even the slightest bit about her reputation, I beg you—don't do this. There are countless beauties in this world. Why must you—"
"Why don't you ask yourself the same question?" Wei Yun's tone remained even. "Countless beauties exist in this world—why must you?"
Gu Chusheng was left speechless. Wei Yun waited briefly but, receiving no further response, said indifferently, "If there's nothing else, I shall take my leave. I hope Lord Gu will grace us with your presence on my wedding day."After speaking, Wei Yun turned and left. No one stopped him. He returned to the manor calmly, and upon reaching Wei Manor, he tossed the blade back to the guard. As soon as he entered the courtyard, he saw Chu Yu rushing toward him, asking anxiously, "I heard you went to the Gu family. What did you go there for?"
Wei Yun didn’t answer and walked straight into the house. Wanyue brought a basin of water for him to wash his hands, quietly dismissing the servants.
After washing his hands, Wei Yun walked to the table, picked up an apple, and reclined on the small couch, tossing the apple while looking at Chu Yu. "I went to see Gu Chusheng."
"What did you go to him for?" Chu Yu frowned. "You’re leaving for Shuntian Prefecture tomorrow. Don’t act recklessly now. What were you doing at his place today for no reason?"
"Come here," Wei Yun crooked his finger. Chu Yu leaned in, and Wei Yun brought his face closer. "Kiss me, and I’ll tell you."
Chu Yu scoffed and, without hesitation, lightly slapped his face, pushing it aside. "Where did you learn such rogue behavior? Speak if you will, or I’ll find out myself." With that, she stood up to leave.
Seeing Chu Yu was genuinely annoyed, Wei Yun quickly grabbed her. "Alright, my dear wife, I was wrong. I’ll tell you now."
"Change that address!" Chu Yu frowned. "Who are you calling 'wife'?"
"You are the First Lady of Wei Manor. Did I call it wrong?" Wei Yun widened his eyes, feigning innocence. Chu Yu raised her hand to slap him again, but this time Wei Yun was quicker, catching her wrist and gently placing it against his cheek as he looked up at her.
"My wife is always dignified and proper. Why is it that only with me do you act so lawless?" His voice was soft. "Tell me, have you ever hit anyone else like this?"
"Who else but you is so shameless and unrestrained?" Chu Yu met his smiling eyes, her heartbeat quickening, though she forced herself to remain composed. Wei Yun nodded solemnly. "Then I’m relieved."
"What kind of logic is that?" Chu Yu couldn’t help but laugh. "You’re the one getting hit, yet you’re proud of it?"
"Indeed," Wei Yun rested his head against her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "It proves I’m truly unique in my sister-in-law’s heart."
His childish manner reminded her of his younger self. Chu Yu’s heart softened, and she didn’t push him away. "So what did you go there for?"
"Gu Chusheng’s mother came to propose a marriage."
"I know."
"She spoke rudely, so I scolded her out. She said you were unmarriageable and that marrying Gu Chusheng would be a blessing for you."
Chu Yu was slightly taken aback. Recalling Gu Mu’s habit of treating her son as the best in the world, she wasn’t too surprised. "All mothers are like that. There’s no need to lose your composure over it."
"Scolding her wasn’t enough to vent my anger. Thinking about how Gu Chusheng has been pestering you all these years, I went to warn him—if he dares to harass you again, I’ll kill him."
Chu Yu chuckled softly, imagining this was likely the first time Gu Chusheng had ever been confronted like this by Wei Yun.
She gently stroked Wei Yun’s hair and said warmly, "You’re still too childish."
Wei Yun fell silent. After a moment, as if remembering something, he looked up at her and asked, "Last night… did it still hurt?"
Chu Yu also felt somewhat awkward and turned her face away. "It’s fine now."
"I didn’t do well…" Wei Yun said uncomfortably. "I made you suffer."Chu Yu remained silent for a moment before finally saying, "Actually, it's not that bad..."
Though she couldn't recall the specifics, her body's sensations didn't lie. Feeling the room growing uncomfortably warm, she pulled away and turned to pour some tea, saying to Wei Yun, "You should go back and attend to your duties. I need to prepare for tomorrow's tasks."
Wei Yun lowered his head in acknowledgment but remained seated without moving.
Chu Yu turned back, puzzled. "Is there something else?"
Wei Yun kept his head down, staring at his toes, and murmured softly, "Can... can you kiss me?"
Chu Yu froze. Sipping her tea, she glanced at him sideways, noticing his stubborn expression that clearly said he wouldn't leave without a kiss. Stiffly, she walked over, planted a quick peck on his cheek, and said, "Now go."
No sooner had she spoken than he grabbed her hand.
"Not like that," Wei Yun said, somewhat embarrassed. "I mean... the kind with tongues."
Chu Yu was stunned. Moments later, she watched as he stood up, cupped her face, and asked sheepishly, "Do you not know how?"
Then he leaned in, pressing his lips lightly against hers, his voice husky as he murmured, "I can teach you if you don't."
A short while later, Chu Yu thought numbly:
With kissing skills like yours, who exactly are you planning to teach?!
Author's Note: On Thursday, I'll be dropping five consecutive updates—hope you'll all come to enjoy them. Don't say my date markers are pointless; I just haven't reached my explosive moment yet.
Also, people do become more sentimental and foolish when they're in love.
Xiao Qi and A Yu only act like idiots around each other—they switch modes when dealing with others.
OpenNovel