Hearing Chu Yu's words, Wei Yun, with his back to her, couldn't help but smile. He turned around, resting his hands behind his head, and asked with a grin, "How much do you like me?"
"What do you mean, how much?"
"You like me now—how much do you like me?"
Listening to such childish words, Chu Yu pressed her lips together and laughed. "Are you a child, asking questions like this?"
"Then tell me," Wei Yun raised an eyebrow. Chu Yu chuckled but didn't answer him, instead saying, "Aren't you going to Shuntian Prefecture tomorrow to file a complaint? Zhao Yue isn't an easy opponent. At such a critical moment, you shouldn't be thinking about these things."
"A real man shouldn't be preoccupied with romantic affairs," she said, reaching up to stroke his hair. "Don't let this distract you."
"You're wrong about that," Wei Yun replied with a smile. "A person's life begins with being human. Even the sages said: cultivate oneself, regulate the family, then govern the state, and bring peace to the world. You are my family, my future wife. I should spend time with you properly." He pressed his forehead against hers. "Life is short. Don't waste time worrying about unnecessary things before they happen, only to regret it later. I've already made all the arrangements for tomorrow. Once everything is settled, I won't be afraid, and I won't overthink it."
Listening to his words and looking into his clear, transparent eyes, Chu Yu suddenly realized that whether it was her or Gu Chusheng, they were both people blinded by the dust of the world, unable to see what they truly wanted or where the path lay. So they stumbled along, bruised and battered, filled with regrets.
But Wei Yun was different. Even though he was so young, he knew exactly what he wanted and what he should do. Such simple clarity was something she hadn't achieved even after living a second life.
She sighed softly, embracing him and resting her head against his chest, listening to the steady, deep rhythm of his heartbeat.
Wei Yun patted her back gently and said, "Sleep now. I'll slip out quietly in the morning. Don't worry."
With her last concern eased, Chu Yu relaxed completely. Without responding, she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.
Feeling the person in his arms gradually relax and listening to her breathing, Wei Yun finally calmed down. He looked down at her delicate, fair face and, after a long while, let out a sigh.
He realized that the road ahead with this person was likely very, very long. The walls of caution in her heart stood tall, and he was doing his utmost to chip away at them, to melt the ice. But she was only twenty years old... Where did all these thoughts come from?
Wei Yun frowned, unable to stop himself from recalling the kiss earlier.
He had to admit, Chu Yu's kissing skills were far better than his. Perhaps it was because she had been longing for this for five years, and the sudden initiative was too stimulating. But the variety of techniques she employed was something he had never even imagined.
She...
A pang of bitterness struck Wei Yun's heart as he realized that when she had recklessly tried to elope with Gu Chusheng back then, it might not have been an impulsive decision before the wedding but rather the result of prior experiences.
Once this thought took hold, his mind began to spiral.
How far had they gone back then? Surely not all the way... After all, last night, there had been blood.
But they must have kissed...The more Wei Yun thought, the more vivid the scenes became in his mind. Late into the night, he felt a sour and painful ache in his heart until the person in his arms turned over, abruptly snapping him out of his thoughts.
Now that she was here, why was he overthinking things?
Back then, she had given so much, yet in the end, Gu Chusheng had still been afraid. Though everyone believed Gu Chusheng had merely acted to save his own life—understandable under the circumstances—to the young Chu Yu, it must have felt like betrayal.
Wei Yun’s mind conjured countless scenarios of how the fifteen-year-old Chu Yu had been abandoned by Gu Chusheng, filling him with both heartache and anger. He raised his hand to embrace her but hesitated, not wanting to disturb her sleep. After much deliberation, he too began to feel drowsy and drifted off while holding Chu Yu. As the hour of mao approached, he woke up, gathered his clothes, quietly opened the window, and after ensuring no one was around, slipped out of the room and returned to his own quarters.
Back in his own room, the bed he had always found comfortable suddenly felt too hard and cold, utterly unpleasant.
After a moment’s thought, he got up and summoned a servant, instructing, "Go to Gu Chusheng’s residence and put a crack in the wheel of his carriage."
"A crack?"
The guard was puzzled. Wei Yun nodded. "Yes, but make sure the damage isn’t obvious. Ideally, the wheel should shatter when he’s on his way to the morning court."
The guard was even more bewildered, but recalling Wei Yun’s usual inscrutable methods, he dared not ask further and obediently left. Once the order was given, Wei Yun felt somewhat relieved and lay back down, finally falling asleep.
Poisoning someone in the Gu residence would have been a difficult task, and assassinating someone there would have been equally challenging. But tampering with a carriage parked in the backyard? For the Wei family’s Covert Guards, that was a relatively simple mission.
Still, the Covert Guard followed Wei Yun’s instructions meticulously, using his Internal Force to strike the wheel with a single palm, shattering it from the inside while leaving the exterior intact. The wheel appeared completely unharmed.
When Gu Chusheng woke at mao hour and set off for court after his morning routine, he boarded the carriage as usual. Halfway through the journey, the wheel suddenly shattered into pieces. The horses kept running, causing the carriage to lurch forward abruptly. Gu Chusheng, who had been resting with his eyes closed inside, was flung out and sent tumbling. Fortunately, the Covert Guard acted swiftly, pulling him aside before the carriage could crush him.
Once safely on the side of the road, Gu Chusheng immediately ordered, "Investigate!"
The guards checked the horses and carriage thoroughly before reporting, "My lord, someone tampered with the wheel."
Gu Chusheng’s expression remained unchanged as he pondered who would resort to such a childish act of revenge.
Moments later, his face darkened.
"That little brat!" he cursed before storming off, arranging for a sedan chair to be brought so he could continue his journey to the palace.
The incident was later recounted to Wei Yun as an amusing anecdote by the guards. As he washed up and listened, the morning sunlight seemed to brighten even more.
After finishing his morning routine, Wei Yun headed to the main hall for breakfast, where the entire family had already gathered. Jiang Chun and Liu Xueyang chatted and laughed, while Chu Yu quietly sipped her porridge. The moment Wei Yun saw Chu Yu, he couldn’t help but smile. The grin was so sudden that Jiang Chun couldn’t resist teasing, "Seems our Xiao Qi has encountered some happy news.""You jest, Second Sister-in-law," Wei Yun stepped forward and sat down openly. A maid served breakfast at his table as he looked up at Liu Xueyang. "I'm merely happy to see the family in harmony."
"Xiao Qi speaks truly," Liu Xueyang sighed. "Family harmony is what matters most."
Then she turned to Wei Yun and asked, "How many days will you stay this time?"
"I'm afraid I must leave soon," Wei Yun replied calmly. "There may be unexpected events now. Today I must go to Shuntian Prefecture. The household will follow Eldest Sister-in-law's arrangements."
Chu Yu and Jiang Chun showed no surprise at this, as they were both privy to Wei Yun's plans. But Liu Xueyang was taken aback. After a moment, anxiety flashed across her face. "Has something happened? What business takes you to Shuntian Prefecture?"
"I go to Shuntian Prefecture to seek justice for my father and brother."
The words left Liu Xueyang bewildered. Yet thoughts of her husband and son made her eyes grow hot, her voice hoarse. "Wasn't this matter settled four years ago..."
"With Zhao Yue and Yao Yong still alive, how can it be settled?"
Wei Yun's expression remained composed.
Chu Yu couldn't help but glance at him. In the past, speaking of these matters would make Wei Yun struggle to hold back tears.
But now the young man could discuss this life-changing event with perfect equanimity.
Liu Xueyang's face paled in shock. "What are you saying?! You mean His Majesty now—"
"Mother," Chu Yu interjected, "let us accompany Xiao Qi."
Wei Yun looked at Chu Yu, whose gaze met his with quiet determination. "Xiao Qi will reveal the truth to the world today. This isn't his burden alone—it concerns Wei Manor. He seeks justice for his father and brother; I for my husband. Whatever happens, I must stand with Xiao Qi to reclaim what is due to the heir."
Tearfully, Liu Xueyang nodded. "Then wait for me while I change my clothes..."
As Jiang Chun helped Liu Xueyang out, Chu Yu sipped her tea and said evenly, "I should change as well."
Wei Yun acknowledged. With only their closest attendants remaining in the room, Chu Yu paused after a few steps.
"Does mentioning your brother trouble you?"
Wei Yun looked up as Chu Yu continued calmly, "But this is what I owe him. You signed the Divorce Letter to me four years ago—I ceased being his wife then. Yet there were wifely duties left undone that I wish to fulfill for him today."
At this, Wei Yun smiled slowly. "That you would do so much for my elder brother—it's I who should be grateful."
Rising gradually, he added, "A Yu, we'll have a new beginning. Don't carry too much weight in your heart."
Chu Yu nodded and turned to her chambers.
She styled her hair with Double Sideburns, adorning it with the Nine-Tree Floral Hairpin Golden Crown and nine Floral Tikas at the temples—a majestic, imposing look. Then she donned the Plain Gauze Undergarment and over it the Cyan-blue Pheasant Robe embroidered with nine pairs of Pheasant Birds. Vermilion Silk Gauze edged the sleeves and collar, interwoven with Axe Patterns at the neckline. Before her hung the red-and-blue Bixi (Knee Covering), embroidered with two pairs of facing Pheasant Birds, wings spread as if ready to take flight.This was her First-Ranked Lady's Coronet and Robes, which she had hardly worn all these years. Now that she put them on, she felt an invisible weight pressing down on her, unbearably heavy.
Dressed in the Imperial Mandate Robes, she walked out to the main hall where she saw Liu Xueyang already waiting, clad in similar attire.
Jiang Chun stood beside Liu Xueyang, wearing a Vermilion Wide-Sleeved Shirt.
When Liu Xueyang saw Chu Yu, the two women exchanged smiles and bowed to each other.
Wearing these garments emphasized their official ranks more than their familial ties within the household.
Wei Yun, dressed in court robes, watched them and suddenly remembered the year he turned fifteen, when he had walked out of the imperial palace.
That day, torrential rain poured down as Chu Yu knelt alone before the Palace Gates, with the 132 memorial tablets of the Wei family standing proudly behind her in the storm.
Looking at the women in their ceremonial robes, emotions surged in his throat. He forced a smile.
"Mother, sister-in-law," he said almost playfully, "I wasn't there back then. But this time, I'm finally here."
The three women were momentarily stunned, but Chu Yu was the first to understand what he meant.
She smiled gently.
"Good," she said softly. "This time, you'll lead us to demand justice."
The young boy of yesteryear had now grown strong enough to hold up heaven and earth.
Author's Note: After writing 112 chapters, I suddenly remembered that initial rainstorm - the wounded boy walking out of the palace. Even though there's no physical or emotional suffering now, and we're about to tear the enemies apart, I actually cried???
Getting old, I guess.
Next update at 1 PM. Five updates today with each chapter around 3,000 words.
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