Upon hearing this, everyone present was stunned. Wei Yun frowned and said coldly, "What does Song Shilan take our Wei family for?!"
The thoughts of those present aligned with Wei Yun's. Although Song Shilan was born a concubine's son, his status had risen significantly over the years. With the world now fragmented, Song Shilan held military power, resided alone in Qiongzhou, and was known for his gentle temperament and striking appearance. Having remained unmarried due to his lowly origins, he had long been a coveted match among the nobility, as sought-after as Wei Yun himself. Though Jiang Chun was virtuous and graceful, she was already a mother to an eleven-year-old child, came from an unremarkable family background, and was a concubine-born daughter. By all accounts, it was impossible for Song Shilan to seek her hand in marriage.
Moreover, Jiang Chun was not an unmarried maiden but Wei Yun's second sister-in-law. For a marriage alliance to target her carried an unmistakable undertone of humiliation. Thus, the expressions of those present turned cold. Qin Shiyue pressed her lips together and said, "This is utterly insulting!"
Seeing the crowd's indignation and Wei Yun on the verge of outright refusal, Chu Yu couldn't help but subtly tug at his sleeve.
They were seated side by side, and her small gesture was hidden by the table. When Wei Yun turned to her, Chu Yu smiled and said, "Perhaps we should ask the Second Madam about this matter."
Hearing this, Wei Yun seemed to grasp something. He nodded and said, "Indeed, there may be many details we're unaware of."
With that, Wei Yun changed the subject and inquired about news from Hua Jing.
"Shortly after the Marquis left Hua Jing, Zhao Yue issued an Imperial Decree, accusing the Marquis of deceiving the Emperor and violating the law, rebelling against superiors and creating chaos, and spreading rumors to slander the current Emperor. He declared the Marquis punishable by everyone under Heaven."
Wei Qiu, who managed intelligence, summarized the most critical information. Wei Yun acknowledged with a sound, then asked, "How many people have sought refuge with us recently?"
"About three thousand, but the number increases daily," Wei Xia replied respectfully. "It seems the First Madam's arrangements have taken effect."
This drew everyone's gaze to Chu Yu, who flushed slightly and said, "Let Wei Xia explain."
"Over the years, the First Madam has managed numerous enterprises, especially in densely populated areas where information spreads quickly. On the night of the Marquis's incident, someone in Hua Jing posted a blood letter on public notice boards detailing Zhao Yue's various misdeeds over the years. It also claimed that the true Qin Prince Heir had died long ago, and Zhao Yue killed Imperial Physician Shen to cover up this secret—that Zhao Yue is not of the Imperial Bloodline."
"Afterward, the First Madam had this message spread through taverns, gambling dens, brothels, and inns across the capital. She also arranged for traveling theater troupes to perform plays about Zhao Yue. Additionally, she had prepared tens of thousands of storybooks detailing how Zhao Yue schemed to seize the throne and his actions afterward. These are now widely circulated among the people. In places like Yanzhou, they've been labeled as forbidden books, yet they continue to be read in secret."
Hearing this, Wei Yun couldn't help but laugh.
When it came to forbidden books, if Zhao Yue hadn't banned them, the people might not have been so eager to read them. But once banned, the books gained even more notoriety.
Rumors always spread faster than the truth, and it's far easier to tarnish a reputation than to cleanse it.
Suppressing his laughter, Wei Yun turned to Wei Qiu and asked, "Did you arrange for those strange phenomena as I instructed?"
"I've already heard about it," Tao Quan chimed in with a smile. "Recently, some commoners asked me if I knew about the 'Phoenix Descends on Jade Stone' incident. I guessed it must be Wei Qiu's doing.""What is the 'Phoenix Descends on Jade Stone'?"
Chu Yu found it rather odd. Tao Quan respectfully replied, "Reporting to the Madam, this is a peculiar stone currently being talked about among the people. It is said that a hunter went into the mountains to hunt and, exhausted, took a nap by a river. When he opened his eyes, he saw a phoenix standing atop a stone. The phoenix could speak human words and asked him, 'What year is it now?' The hunter answered, 'The fourth year of the Yuanhe Era.' The phoenix shook its head and said, 'No, it is the Year of National Destruction.' The phoenix then asked, 'Who is the ruler now?' The hunter replied, 'The fourth generation of the Zhao family.' Again, the phoenix shook its head and said, 'No, it is the person who brings disaster to the nation.' Then, with a long cry, the phoenix vanished before the hunter's eyes. The hunter went forward, took the stone, and had it carved by a jade artisan. Inside, they indeed found a beautiful piece of jade inscribed with sixteen small characters in ancient Zhou script: 'A rogue star brings disaster to the nation, divine punishment is imminent, the Vermilion Bird is in the North, protecting eternal prosperity.'"
Tao Quan recounted the tale with a smile, and Wei Yun clapped his hands in praise. "Well done!"
"The Vermilion Bird is in the North, protecting eternal prosperity." The Vermilion Bird was the crest of the Wei family—the implication was clear.
Chu Yu listened as Wei Yun made his arrangements, and then they began discussing the matter of establishing a capital.
Kun Province was too chaotic, with various factions staking their claims and setting up their own territories. It was ultimately unsuitable. After deliberating with the others, Wei Yun and Chu Yu decided to hold the Bestowal of Kingship Ceremony at Bailing in Bai Province and move the entire family there.
Bailing was located in Bai Province, which was firmly under the Wei family's control. It wasn’t too far from Kun Province, offering both offensive and defensive advantages. Moreover, as the provincial capital of Bai Province, it was relatively prosperous.
By the time everything was settled, it was already late at night. Everyone dispersed, leaving only Chu Yu and Wei Yun in the room. Wei Yun dismissed the servants and stood up, walking to the door.
Gazing at the starry sky outside, his back turned to Chu Yu, he said calmly, "A Yu, if I lose this battle, what will you do?"
"You won’t lose."
"But if I do?"
Chu Yu remained silent for a long time before slowly answering, "Then I will continue fighting this battle for you."
Hearing this, Wei Yun burst into laughter. He turned around and quietly observed the woman sitting composedly by the candlelight.
Her posture was dignified and serene. Despite her seemingly delicate frame, she appeared capable of upholding the vast mountains and rivers of Great Chu.
Wei Yun looked at her and couldn’t help but ask again, "And if we win this battle, what will you do then?"
"There are still five cats at home," Chu Yu replied flatly. Wei Yun was momentarily taken aback, not expecting her to mention this. She continued, "I’ll raise them until they die of old age."
In times of peace, what else was there to do but raise cats and tease birds?
Receiving this answer, Wei Yun stepped forward and pulled her into his embrace.
"What kind of fortune must I have to have met you?" he said gently.
Chu Yu’s face warmed, but she didn’t respond, staying silent.
After holding her for a while, Wei Yun escorted her back to her room. On the way, he suddenly remembered something. "What’s going on between Second Sister-in-law and Song Shilan?"
"Second Sister-in-law told me about this. Four years ago, I asked her to deliver a letter to Song Shilan. At the time, she went to visit a friend first, but unexpectedly, the city was seized by the Northern Di. Song Shilan learned she was in the city and, out of respect for you, forcibly retook it. During the siege, A Chun took an arrow for him and recuperated at his place for over half a month."Wei Yun nodded. The situation four years ago had been too chaotic, and there were many things he simply couldn’t attend to. Chu Yu continued, “Later, Song Shilan kept pestering her, and now it’s been almost five years. His words are just old wine in a new bottle—listen to them, but don’t take them seriously. How could someone as shrewd as Song Shilan make such a significant decision just for a woman?”
Chu Yu narrowed her eyes. “Just wait and see. In a few days, he’ll surely declare himself king too.”
With the world in such chaos now, it would be just like Song Shilan to seize the opportunity for his own gain.
Wei Yun nodded again and asked, “And what does Second Sister-in-Law think?”
“Well,” Chu Yu pondered, suddenly recalling how Jiang Chun had been trying to play matchmaker for her earlier. She cleared her throat and looked up at Wei Yun. “When we return to White City and you hold the Bestowal of Kingship Ceremony, invite Song Shilan over. Feelings develop over time—let A Chun spend some time with him.”
Hearing this, Wei Yun frowned, seemingly displeased.
Chu Yu was puzzled. “What’s wrong? You don’t seem willing?”
“I just find it a bit odd,” Wei Yun said, his hands tucked into his sleeves as he glanced at Chu Yu coolly. “One after another, why are they all so fixated on the Wei family’s ladies?”
At this, Chu Yu burst into laughter.
“If none of them had taken a liking to us,” she mused, “that would mean your brothers’ tastes were truly terrible.”
This remark pleased Wei Yun greatly. He nodded. “The Wei family’s judgment is naturally impeccable.”
Then he turned to look at her, a faint smile playing on his lips. “For example, my A Yu is absolutely perfect.”
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