Wei Yun fumbled around clumsily for a while. Though inexperienced and rash, he somehow managed to stumble upon a certain sensation. Chu Yu remained expressionless, while Wei Yun seemed to thoroughly enjoy himself. After what felt like an eternity, Chu Yu’s tongue had gone somewhat numb, and she finally pushed him away.
Wei Yun opened his dazed eyes and saw Chu Yu frowning. Panicking slightly, he awkwardly withdrew, straightened his clothes, and cleared his throat. Neither spoke for a moment before Wei Yun finally said, “I’ll take my leave first.”
Chu Yu feigned composure. “Go ahead.”
Only then did Wei Yun turn and walk out. Shortly after he stepped outside, a guard alerted him, “Master, someone is following us.”
Wei Yun’s expression remained unchanged as he turned into an alley. The person tailing him waited outside for a moment before following. Just as they reached a secluded spot, a figure dropped from the wall and slit their throat in one swift motion. Wei Yun emerged from around the corner and said calmly, “Search them.”
The guard bent down, rummaged through the clothes, and retrieved a token. Wei Yun examined it briefly before stating, “This is Zhao Yue’s man.”
“Lord Marquis, does His Majesty know you’ve entered the capital?”
Wei Yun chuckled lightly. “Shouldn’t he have known last night?”
“But His Majesty hasn’t made a move yet…”
“He’s still thinking.”
Wei Yun spoke evenly. “Whether to kill me or keep me—Zhao Yue is likely still weighing his options.”
“Does His Majesty truly intend to kill you, Lord Marquis?”
The guard frowned. Wei Yun replied calmly, “If he didn’t have such thoughts, why would he defy pressure to arrange Gu Chusheng’s marriage? Bestowing the wife of a marquis’ household to an outsider from the Grand Secretariat—isn’t that absurd? The only benefit is that if I die, Gu Chusheng marries the lady, and given her prestige in the Guardian Army, the troops won’t revolt.”
Wei Yun smiled. “He only schemed this marriage between Gu Chusheng and the lady because he feared I might survive and ally with Gu Chusheng. Now that it hasn’t happened, he’s offended Gu Chusheng, and he’s probably at a loss himself. If Gu Chusheng is determined to join forces with me, the risk of killing me becomes too great. I imagine he’s still figuring out how to drive a wedge between us.”
As he spoke, he glanced toward the palace and murmured, “What a pity.”
Meanwhile, inside the palace, in the imperial study, Zhao Yue was indeed as Wei Yun had surmised. Stroking the Imperial Decree, he asked once more, “The guard who reported last night—was he stopped by the Eldest Princess’s people?”
“Yes.”
Zhang Hui answered without elaboration. On the topic of the Eldest Princess, Zhao Yue had never tolerated others speaking out of turn.
Zhao Yue chuckled softly. “I see.”
Then, lowering his gaze, he said calmly, “Summon Grand Tutor Xie to the palace. Uncle Zhang, dispatch men with my orders to urgently mobilize twenty thousand troops from Yanzhou—five thousand elite soldiers in the first wave, arriving as swiftly as possible, and the remaining fifteen thousand as quickly as they can.”
Hearing this, Zhang Hui hesitated. “The capital still has three thousand troops. Does Your Majesty think…”
“Not only are those three thousand a mixed bag, but do you truly believe Wei Yun came alone?”
Zhao Yue looked up at Zhang Hui. “Calculate how many days it took him to arrive here—that’s enough time for him to bring a small force of elite cavalry. Back then, he led five thousand elite soldiers in a surprise attack on the Northern Di Royal Court. He’s always been skilled in cavalry tactics. If he truly came alone, fine. But if not…”
Zhao Yue’s expression darkened. “I must prepare early.”"Your Majesty, if he brings his troops here, what does he intend to do?"
Zhang Hui was somewhat surprised: "Does he truly plan to rebel? With Your Majesty's current high prestige, such actions would surely lose him the people's support, wouldn't they?"
Hearing this, Zhao Yue remained calm: "Actually, I've always found it strange. Over all these years, given Wei Yun's temperament, why has he never accepted me as emperor? I am the rightful heir to the throne, and I've committed no major faults. He should know that his only goal was to avenge his father and brothers against the Northern Di, and I've always supported him in that. Now, I think I finally understand."
A cold glint appeared in Zhao Yue's eyes: "Sucha sent people to deliver a letter to me, and the Wei family pursued relentlessly. Why did they chase it? Do they know what was inside? Tell me, back in the Northern Di, did the Sucha brothers reveal something to him?"
At these words, Zhang Hui froze momentarily before his expression suddenly turned to one of horror: "Your Majesty means... Wei Yun knows about what happened back then?!"
"Better safe than sorry. If he truly knows..." Zhao Yue sneered. "Then his acting has been impeccable. I really should have spared no effort to kill him four years ago. I just never imagined that someone of his temperament could endure until now."
"So what does Your Majesty plan to do now?" Zhang Hui was genuinely anxious this time. "If Wei Yun truly knows, he won't let this go. If he really brings his men here, Hua Jing may not hold."
"Don't worry," Zhao Yue's voice was indifferent. "He wouldn't dare rebel outright. If he revolts without cause today, tomorrow anyone in the realm could denounce him as a traitor. He'll try to provoke me, force me to persecute him, make the world see me as a tyrant, and then he'll come to 'deliver justice from heaven.'"
"During this time, we only need to endure," Zhao Yue raised his hand, resting his chin on it. "I have committed no misdeeds. Let's see if he's truly willing to gamble the lives of his entire Wei family, branding them as rebels, just to seek this revenge."
Listening to Zhao Yue's words, Zhang Hui gradually calmed down. Zhao Yue then looked outside and added, "Ah, and The Eldest Princess."
Zhang Hui looked up as Zhao Yue continued, "Since she refuses to obey, lock her up. From now on, no one in her Phoenix Perch Palace is to meet outsiders or step beyond the palace gates."
Zhang Hui acknowledged the order and left to carry out Zhao Yue's instructions.
Once Zhang Hui had departed, Zhao Yue stood up abruptly and swept his sleeve across the table, sending everything crashing to the floor.
Wei Yun made arrangements for the subsequent matters and met with his contacts one by one before returning home late at night. Upon arriving, he first inquired about Chu Yu's condition. Learning that she had already gone to bed, he hesitated for a moment but decided not to disturb her. He lay down on his own bed, intending to sleep.
Yet, for some reason, the moment he closed his eyes, his thoughts drifted back to the morning—to the sight of Chu Yu nodding with flushed cheeks. Turning onto his side, he couldn't help but smile.
Once the memories began, they were hard to stop. He found himself recalling their kiss that morning. At the time, he had been overwhelmed with emotion, but Chu Yu hadn't seemed particularly affected. Was she too reserved, or was he... lacking in skill?
The deeper he delved into these thoughts, the more they circled back to the intoxicating sensations of their intimacy the night before. Wei Yun grew increasingly restless, tossing and turning in bed for a long while, unable to fall asleep. Finally, he rose and quietly slipped into Chu Yu's room.Chu Yu couldn't sleep either. After such a day, her mind remained unsettled. She lay awake staring at the bed canopy, unable to drift off. Before long, she heard the faint sound of someone gently prying open the window. Frowning, she then saw Wei Yun leap in through the window and carefully close it behind him.
For a moment, Chu Yu didn't know what to do, so she simply closed her eyes, pretending to be fast asleep, and remained silent.
With her eyes shut, she began to wonder: Why had Wei Yun come here?
Yet as soon as the question arose, she roughly understood. A young man experiencing love for the first time would naturally be preoccupied with thoughts of it. Even someone as self-restrained as Gu Chusheng back then couldn't avoid such matters. Moreover, Wei Yun didn't seem... particularly restrained either.
She felt somewhat nervous, unsure whether she should refuse or not. Refusing felt somewhat affected, yet not refusing left her with a sense of being coerced, which was unpleasant.
The young man approached her bed, drew back the curtain, and quietly sat down. Chu Yu adjusted her breathing, feigning deep sleep as she waited for his next move.
But Wei Yun simply watched her quietly, not moving at all. After a long while with no further action from him, Chu Yu finally began to feel drowsy. As her consciousness started to blur, Wei Yun finally stirred. He didn't touch her, but instead lay down beside her on his side, whispering softly, "A Yu, can I sleep with you?"
Chu Yu slowly opened her eyes—so he had known she was awake all along.
Unsure how to respond, she heard Wei Yun continue, "I won't touch you. I just want to lie beside you."
After a moment's hesitation, Chu Yu finally turned over, shifting to the side to make room for Wei Yun.
Wei Yun lay beside her, perfectly content. Gazing at her, he asked again, "Can I hold you while we sleep?"
Chu Yu felt puzzled but nodded, turning to face away from him as she lay down. Wei Yun wrapped his arms around her, fitting her snugly against his chest.
The autumn air carried a slight chill. Chu Yu lay with her eyes open, enveloped in warmth. The steady, calm heartbeat of the man behind her was palpable, and though she could feel his arousal pressing against her, he remained completely still. Feeling awkward, Chu Yu finally spoke, "You... why are you doing this?"
"Hmm?" Wei Yun made a questioning sound.
Chu Yu said uncertainly, "We've already... done it before. You don't have to hold back."
In such matters, she always felt passive, as though once things had started, refusing would be hypocritical. But Wei Yun held her quietly before replying, "A Yu, I know you weren't willing last night."
"Everything between people happens step by step. Love is the same—it goes through stages of fondness, attraction, ambiguity, affection, and deep love. Everything related to love follows the same pattern. When the time comes and you're naturally willing, that's when it's best. Just because we've taken that step before doesn't mean it should always be expected."
Wei Yun's voice was calm. "You tense up when I hold you. I want to wait until you're used to my embrace, my kisses, before taking the next step. If your feelings for me haven't reached that point, anything I do would feel forced. I like you, and I want every step between us to feel steady, secure, and joyful for you."
Chu Yu didn't respond. For some reason, she felt her nose sting with emotion.She was held by this person and suddenly felt that this embrace was only natural. Wei Yun chuckled behind her, "I liked you earlier than you thought. The first time I kissed you, I was so nervous my whole body was trembling."
"The first time you kissed me?"
"Yes," Wei Yun's voice was tender, "I was fifteen then, in Shacheng. On the night of the Sky Lantern Festival, you were drunk, and we were on the rooftop."
Chu Yu fell silent. For the first time, she truly realized how long and deep this affection had been.
Listening to the calm words from behind, her muscles relaxed inch by inch. She grew accustomed to his scent, his warmth, as he recounted how this love had begun, deepened, and endured through time to reach this day.
With her back to him, she listened until the end when he nibbled her ear and asked, "Tell me honestly, did you feel anything when I kissed you this morning?"
Hearing this, Chu Yu burst into laughter.
Wei Yun understood the implication and secretly pinched her waist. "Let's try again. I'll know for sure with more attempts."
Chu Yu resisted, but he flipped her over and pinned her down. Wei Yun held her hands, frowning, "Try again?"
Chu Yu gazed at him with a radiant smile and finally said, "Then close your eyes."
Wei Yun, somewhat embarrassed, closed his eyes and released her hands. "We're both inexperienced. It's normal if it doesn't feel right at first."
As he spoke, Wei Yun felt Chu Yu's hands, soft and boneless like waterweed, winding around him. Her legs entwined his waist. Blushing but feigning composure, he said, "Let's practice more..."
Before he could finish, he felt cool, soft lips press against his.
Unlike the numb acceptance of the morning, this tongue was warm and supple, tangling with his, teasing and retreating in turns.
Intense pleasure surged through him again and again, sending shivers down his spine. He had never experienced such joy before—his heart raced, his breath quickened. For the first time, he realized that mutual affection truly was the sweetest.
Guided into her fragrant embrace, he mimicked her movements, entwining with her. He felt her body soften beneath him, and soon, a delicate moan escaped her lips. Wei Yun's mind buzzed, but he snapped back to awareness just as his hands reached the hem of her clothes. He abruptly turned away, curling up with his back to her, and muttered, "No more kissing. Let's sleep."
Chu Yu laughed and snuggled closer. "Why not? Didn't you want to practice?"
"No more."
Wei Yun's voice was muffled. "Let's sleep."
Chu Yu hugged him from behind. "Really, no more?"
"No, no more." Wei Yun shook his head. Chu Yu traced her fingers along his back. "My lord, won't you try again? Did I not please you?"
Wei Yun stayed silent for a moment before grumbling, "A Yu, you're bullying me."
Chu Yu paused, warmth flooding her heart.
She stopped teasing him. Wrapping her arms around this man from behind, she pressed her cheek against his back and whispered tenderly, "I'm not bullying you."
Closing her eyes, she added, "I like you."
Truly, more and more.
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