The next morning when Chu Yu woke up, she reached out to touch the space beside her only to find it empty. Wei Yun had already quietly returned to his own room. Gazing at the vacant spot, she suddenly felt a pang of loneliness.
Suppressing this abrupt surge of emotion, she got up and freshened herself. Just then, Changyue entered and announced, "Madam, the Sixth Madam has brought the six young masters to the main hall and requests your presence."
Hearing this, Chu Yu was momentarily stunned before exclaiming in surprise, "She didn't go to Kunyang County?"
But she quickly realized Changyue wouldn't know about such matters. Hurrying to the main hall, she found it bustling with people—all six young masters had returned, filling the room with lively chatter.
As Chu Yu entered, she saw Jiang Chun holding Wei Lingchun's hand, carefully examining the calluses. At eleven years old, Wei Lingchun already bore traces of Wei Shu's dignified and handsome features, his square-jawed face exuding steadiness. Jiang Chun's voice was laced with concern as she asked, "How much hardship have you endured outside? Why are there so many new scars on your hands?"
Nearby, Wang Lan cradled Wei Lingdong, who was playing with a pinwheel, and chuckled softly, "We encountered bandits on our journey, but thanks to Lingdong's protection—his martial skills are excellent—Second Sister needn't worry."
Wei Lingdong blushed at the praise. Wei Lingshu, who was massaging Liu Xueyang's shoulders, quickly added, "Yes, Eldest Brother is amazing!"
Wei Lingmo, kneading Liu Xueyang's legs, teased lightly, "Second Brother, you're shameless, always flattering Eldest Brother."
Wei Lingshu turned to glare at Wei Lingmo, and the two brothers immediately began bickering. Meanwhile, Wei Linghan knelt respectfully beside Wei Yun, listening intently to his lecture. Hearing his brothers' quarrel, he glanced up curiously.
The room brimmed with warmth and liveliness, filling Chu Yu's heart with comfort. She stepped forward to greet Liu Xueyang, then turned to Wei Yun and addressed him formally, "Marquis."
The title caught Wei Yun off guard. He nodded hastily and replied, "Eldest Sister-in-law is here."
"A Yu is always so proper," Liu Xueyang laughed. "Look, you've startled our Xiao Qi."
"Circumstances are different now," Jiang Chun said gently. "The outside world watches us closely. A Yu's approach is correct—if we establish Xiao Qi's authority among ourselves first, outsiders won't dare slight him."
This aligned perfectly with Liu Xueyang's thoughts. She nodded approvingly. "Exactly my intention. Everyone should learn from A Yu's example."
Chu Yu lowered her head in acknowledgment without further comment. Wei Yun glanced at her subtly, pursed his lips, but ultimately remained silent.
With Wang Lan's return, Liu Xueyang was overjoyed and decided to take the family for an outing. Since the six young masters still had lessons—Wang Lan had never neglected their studies despite her travels—only five of them set out, led by Liu Xueyang through the courtyard.
The recent upheavals had taken a visible toll on Liu Xueyang's health, leaving her noticeably weaker. Wang Lan and Jiang Chun supported her at the front as Wang Lan softly recounted her experiences after leaving the city."After leaving the city, we originally planned to head to Kunyang County, but we were intercepted along the way. After barely escaping, we encountered bandits due to our dire situation. Fortunately, Lingchun was highly skilled in martial arts. Leading Lingshu and Lingmo, she escorted me all the way to Huaicheng. All three children were injured, and I was nearly at my wits' end. Thankfully, we were eventually rescued by Huaicheng soldiers. Upon learning that the Huaicheng magistrate was Xiao Qi's subordinate, we stayed in Huaicheng to let the children recover."
As she spoke, Wang Lan's eyes reddened. "It was my fault for not taking better care of them..."
Seeing Wang Lan blame herself, everyone quickly offered comfort. Chu Yu and Wei Yun walked behind them, listening quietly. Chu Yu felt rather emotional—she had never imagined Wang Lan would come this far, and it had been no easy feat.
Chu Yu seemed somewhat distracted when she suddenly felt someone grasp her hand.
She turned abruptly to see Wei Yun standing beside her, his expression calm as if nothing had happened.
The path was narrow, and Wei Yun, being tall, ended up pressed close to Chu Yu as they walked side by side. Their sleeves brushed against each other, concealing their intertwined hands beneath.
Chu Yu frowned and tried to pull away gently, but Wei Yun found ways to hold on. The two engaged in a silent battle of wits beneath their sleeves—one trying to escape, the other refusing to let go—while maintaining composed smiles on their faces.
Their maids, Changyue and Wanyue, followed behind, so Chu Yu wasn’t overly concerned. However, Liu Xueyang was walking ahead, and with Wei Yun tugging at her like this, Chu Yu’s heart raced, fearing someone might turn around.
After half the journey spent in this struggle, Chu Yu finally lost patience and forcefully slapped Wei Yun’s hand with a loud "smack!" The three women ahead turned around to see Wei Yun clutching his hand while Chu Yu stood stiffly beside him. Meeting Liu Xueyang’s concerned gaze, Wei Yun forced a smile. "A mosquito."
Wang Lan looked puzzled. "It’s already autumn—are there still mosquitoes?"
"Yes," Wei Yun replied earnestly. "A particularly big one."
"Then perhaps we should head back," Liu Xueyang sighed. "I’m feeling a bit tired too."
With Liu Xueyang’s suggestion, the group decided to end their outing. Wang Lan and Jiang Chun helped Liu Xueyang back to her quarters, while Wei Yun glanced at Chu Yu and said with a smile, "I’ll escort Sister-in-law back."
Chu Yu nodded without a word. As they walked along the corridor, Wei Yun, seeing no one around, turned to her with a grin. "Sister-in-law, today’s mosquito bite was especially painful."
Chu Yu chuckled lightly but said nothing. When they reached her courtyard, Wei Yun tried to follow her inside, but Chu Yu slammed the door shut with a loud "bang!" Wei Yun stood frozen for a moment, then, under the amused gazes of Changyue and Wanyue, coughed awkwardly and walked away.
That night, Chu Yu secured her windows with two heavy locks and went to bed peacefully.
In the middle of the night, she heard faint rustling outside. Opening her eyes, she saw someone fiddling with a wire at her window.
After a while, the person seemed to realize the window was locked. Pausing briefly, they finally left.
Chu Yu turned over, her emotions mixed—relieved yet inexplicably sad. But before long, she heard rustling above her.
Curious, she peeked up and saw Wei Yun’s eyes peering through a gap in the roof tiles.
Chu Yu: "......"The moment the other person saw her, he quickly moved a few more tiles aside, revealing his ingratiating smile.
Chu Yu understood—if she didn’t let him in tonight, the roof probably wouldn’t survive. With a stern face, she got up, unlocked the door, and stood where Wei Yun could see her. She pointed at the window and gestured for him to replace the tiles. Wei Yun caught on immediately, obediently covering the tiles back up. Soon after, he slipped in through the window.
Once inside, before Chu Yu could even scold him, he immediately pulled her into an embrace and blurted out, “I was wrong.”
His ability to bend and yield effortlessly defused her anger before she could even speak.
“What were you wrong about?”
“Next time, I won’t tease you in front of Mother.”
Wei Yun mumbled, “I’ll listen to you and be a secret lover who has to hide in the shadows.”
Hearing this, Chu Yu couldn’t help but laugh.
She looked up at him and asked gently, “Weren’t you supposed to wait for me?”
Wei Yun froze for a moment. After pondering her words, he finally admitted, “I was too impatient.”
Chu Yu sighed but didn’t say more. The two returned to the bed, lying together and exchanging sweet nothings for a while. Noticing Wei Yun was growing drowsy, his mind hazy, she couldn’t resist asking, “Xiao Qi.”
“Hmm?”
“In the four years you were away, did you ever meet any pretty girls?”
“Yeah.”
Wei Yun answered casually, but Chu Yu’s heart tightened. She leaned closer, wrapping her arms around him, and whispered, “Who was the prettiest?”
“You.” Without hesitation, Wei Yun frowned and mumbled, “A Yu, let’s sleep… I’m so tired…”
“Besides me?”
Chu Yu pressed patiently. Wei Yun felt too exhausted to think clearly, struggling to parse her question before finally answering, “Wei Qingping?”
At this, Chu Yu stiffened in shock.
Wei Qingping was none other than Princess Qingping herself.
So they had already met. Where? How?
Countless thoughts tangled in her mind, and Chu Yu grew flustered. She suddenly regretted asking—what was the point?
There were endless questions she wanted to ask, but she feared the answers would only wound her. Taking a deep breath, she turned away, her back to Wei Yun.
Staring at the window, she repeatedly told herself, Enough, enough. It was just one meeting—what does it matter?
Yet, tossing and turning, she finally couldn’t resist flipping Wei Yun back toward her.
Wei Yun was on the verge of despair, pleading softly, “Good A Yu, what are you doing?”
“You’re not allowed to think she’s pretty.”
Chu Yu gazed at him seriously. Wei Yun blinked groggily, as if finally grasping the situation.
In the dim light, he studied the woman’s earnest, almost childlike expression as she continued, “Wei Yun, listen to me. It’s fine if you like someone else in the future, or if you don’t want to be with me anymore. But remember this—you absolutely cannot lie to me. If you like me, say so. If you like someone else, say so. The moment you do, you have to tell me immediately. Understand?”
“And if I tell you,” Wei Yun couldn’t help but smile, “what will you do?”
“Nothing,” Chu Yu feigned calm. “If you stop liking me, I’ll stop liking you too.”
Hearing this, Wei Yun’s drowsiness vanished. He looked at her with amusement. “So does that mean you like me now?”Chu Yu was slightly taken aback, feeling as if she had been dragged into some strange loop. Wei Yun burst into laughter, reaching out to pull her into his embrace. "My silly girl, you're jealous."
"I am not!"
Chu Yu pushed against him, but Wei Yun, still smiling, didn’t let go, holding her firmly in his arms as he coaxed her. "Alright, alright, I won’t tease you anymore. Don’t worry—I don’t like Wei Qingping, and I don’t like anyone else either."
"I only like you. You alone."
Hearing this, Chu Yu felt somewhat mollified, though she still kept a cold expression and refused to speak. Wei Yun found her utterly adorable like this. After a moment’s thought, he added earnestly, "Actually, I think The Eldest Princess is quite beautiful too."
Chu Yu: "..."
Wei Yun tilted his head in confusion. "Why aren’t you jealous now?"
Chu Yu let out a cold laugh, pulled up the covers, and closed her eyes. "Sleep!"
The next morning, Chu Yu woke up early. Changyue entered and said, "Madam, the Marquis asks that you go to the council hall."
Chu Yu maintained a neutral expression and nodded, though inwardly she wondered when he had left that morning.
Lost in thought, she arrived at the council hall and saw it filled with people. It turned out Wei Qiu, Wei Xia, and Wei Qian had all returned. Aside from them, Qin Shiyue, and Shen Wushuang, there were also a few unfamiliar faces at the table. As soon as she entered, everyone stood and bowed to her. "Madam."
Chu Yu nodded in acknowledgment. Wei Yun rose and said, "Sister-in-law, please sit here."
Following his instruction, Chu Yu took the seat to his left. Wei Yun then introduced the others to her.
"This is my mentor, the renowned scholar Tao Quan."
The man he introduced was an elderly gentleman around fifty years old, with an immortal-like demeanor and extraordinary presence. Chu Yu hurriedly bowed. She had heard of this man—Emperor Chunde had once ventured into the mountains three times to invite him to serve in court, but the old scholar had refused each time.
"This is General Chen Ze of the Left Army..."
After introducing them one by one, Wei Yun turned to Wei Qiu, Wei Xia, and Wei Qian. "You went to inquire—what responses did the families give? Report."
With that, he looked at Wei Qiu. Wei Qiu replied calmly, "The Wang Family said they are willing to stand with the Marquis through thick and thin."
Wei Yun nodded, then turned to Wei Xia. Wei Xia forced a smile. "The Chu heir didn’t say much, only that he would consider it further. However, he did mention... um... Madam, perhaps you should return..."
"Wei Qian," Wei Yun cut Wei Xia off abruptly and shifted his gaze to Wei Qian. Wei Qian swallowed hard, not daring to speak. Wei Yun frowned. "Have you gone mute?"
Steeling himself, Wei Qian shut his eyes and blurted out, "The Song heir said he wants to arrange a marriage with our Second Madam! If we agree to let her marry him, he’ll do anything we ask!"
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