Liu Xueyang was stunned by Chu Yu's words and took a long time to regain her composure. After a while, however, she gradually calmed down.
The Wei family had weathered many storms. Though she came from a scholarly family, she had married into the Wei family at a young age and had experienced its ups and downs alongside them.
Now, though Wei Yun had only sent a single letter, Liu Xueyang's years of sensitivity to the political climate made her realize that the Wei family was now walking on the edge of a blade. A single misstep could lead to utter ruin.
Looking at Chu Yu, who remained even calmer and more composed than herself, Liu Xueyang said earnestly, "To have a daughter-in-law like you is a blessing to Wei Manor. If we safely survive this ordeal, the Wei family will not let you down."
Chu Yu smiled at these words. Liu Xueyang's expression turned cold as she continued, "I will take the young masters to Lanling immediately. You must act cautiously in the capital. If necessary, I will bring the elderly madam back. For now, I entrust Wei Manor entirely to you. To the outside world, simply say I’ve taken the children on a trip."
"Be careful on your journey, Mother-in-law."
Chu Yu nodded. Without further ado, Liu Xueyang ordered soldiers to secure all courtyards, then went straight to the room where the five young masters were staying. She took them and departed under the cover of night.
Chu Yu stood at the gate to see Liu Xueyang off. To prevent pursuit, three carriages were sent out, each heading in a different direction.
After Liu Xueyang's departure, Chu Yu returned to the house, only to hear commotion from the rear courtyard. Wanyue approached and reported calmly, "Liang Shi has heard about Madam’s departure and is clamoring to see you. Several of the young madams have awakened and are also requesting an audience."
"Pay no mind to the young madams. Changyue," Chu Yu called to the sword-bearing woman waiting nearby, "Go to the Chu residence immediately and borrow a hundred household troops overnight. Only my father is to know of this—no one else."
Changyue acknowledged the order and swiftly left Wei Manor.
"Bring the account books. We’ll see Liang Shi now."
Once Changyue had gone, Chu Yu left the main hall with Wanyue.
Wei Xia, Wei Qiu, and the guard captain Wei Yunlang followed behind them, accompanied by two rows of soldiers, marching briskly to Liang Shi’s residence.
Liang Shi was still making a scene. When Chu Yu entered, she angrily demanded, "Chu Yu, what is the meaning of this?! Where is Madam? I demand to see her!"
"Madam has left on urgent business. For now, I am in full command of Wei Manor."
Chu Yu walked past her without pause and took a seat at the head of the room.
Wanyue stood behind her, holding the account books. At the sight of them, Liang Shi’s face paled. She forced herself to bluster, "How could Madam entrust Wei Manor to an inexperienced child like you? I’ve managed the household affairs for twelve years—if Madam had urgent matters to attend to, she should have consulted me first. Isn’t it more likely that you’ve imprisoned Madam and are now holding power in her name?!"
Chu Yu showed no anger at these words. She lifted her teacup and took a sip. "Quite the scholar, aren’t you?"
Then she raised her eyes, her gaze steady as she looked at Liang Shi. "Do you truly not understand why Madam chose me over you? Tell me—will you confess on your own, or shall I go through the accounts one by one?"
Chu Yu’s voice remained calm and unhurried, never rising in volume. Yet it was precisely this composed demeanor that carried undeniable weight.
Liang Shi’s heart was in turmoil. The sight of those account books told her that Chu Yu had likely already audited them.But when had she investigated? She had been so vigilant, never noticing Chu Yu touching any account books...
She pressed her lips together in silence. Chu Yu glanced up at her and said, "Enough, I won't waste words. The total amount you've embezzled from Wei Manor over the years comes to twenty-eight thousand taels of silver. I'll demand repayment from your brother. As for you," Chu Yu stared at her for a long moment before stating calmly, "at dawn tomorrow, I'll have you escorted to the authorities to be dealt with according to the law."
At these words, Liang Shi's face turned deathly pale.
Having enjoyed respect in Wei Manor for so many years, she had nearly forgotten her status as a concubine.
The Wei family didn't emphasize distinctions between legitimate and illegitimate children—her three sons had been treated almost identically to the legitimate heirs. With Liu Xueyang's gentle temperament and hands-off approach to household affairs, everyone in the household, including Liang Shi herself, had forgotten her true position as a concubine.
While her favor had granted her certain privileges, the law clearly delineated the differences between a wife and a concubine.
For a slave who stole: fifty lashes, branded face, and exile to the frontier. For a concubine: thirty lashes and branding.
Thirty lashes.
For an ordinary woman, this was no different from a death sentence.
Liang Shi began breathing rapidly. As Chu Yu stood to leave, she cried out desperately, "No! Young Madam! You can't do this!"
Grabbing Chu Yu's sleeve, Liang Shi met her gaze with tearful, imploring eyes, her voice trembling: "Young Madam, I'm the mother of three young masters! If you do this... when they return, their hearts will break!"
It was precisely for this reason that Liu Xueyang and Wei Zhong had always shown her extra respect.
All seven of the Wei family's children were outstanding. Wei Zhong and Liu Xueyang didn't want them divided by legitimacy distinctions—on the battlefield, family was family. Thus they treated all the children's mothers with courtesy.
Under normal circumstances, Chu Yu might have tolerated Liang Shi for this reason. But knowing what Liang Shi would do in the future, she couldn't let it slide.
"Crimes you haven't committed, I'm not holding against you," Chu Yu said. "Every charge now is for what you've already done. Liang Shi, if you act, you must be prepared to face the consequences. Since you did these things, have the courage to accept what follows."
"As for the three young masters..."
Chu Yu pressed her lips together, feeling some reluctance, but continued: "I believe they'll understand."
With that, Chu Yu raised her hand and had Liang Shi dragged away.
Liang Shi's shrill screams echoed through the manor, startling the other young madams who heard them from nearby.
Having dealt with Liang Shi, Chu Yu turned and went to the chambers of Second Young Madam Jiang Chun.
This young madam came from a military family, though only as a secondary daughter. Perhaps because of her background, she remained remarkably composed even in this chaotic situation.
Dressed in plain robes, she sat upright at her desk with a long sword laid across her knees, watching calmly as Chu Yu entered.
Chu Yu paused at the doorway to observe her. Since marrying into the Wei family, she'd had little interaction with these young madams. Now, seeing Jiang Chun properly for the first time, she found herself unexpectedly impressed.
Jiang Chun wasn't conventionally beautiful—her features were delicate but carried an unusual martial bearing. Having just risen, her hair hung loose down her back, yet her seated posture projected an imposing presence.
Yet her slight trembling revealed this composure was forced. Chu Yu remained at the threshold without moving until Jiang Chun spoke first: "Whatever news you bring of life or death, Young Madam, you may speak plainly."
Chu Yu's gaze fell on the sword across Jiang Chun's knees.In her past life, Jiang Chun had died by slitting her own throat. Perhaps, having married Wei Shu, she had always been prepared to follow him in death.
Thus, Chu Yu smiled faintly and said, "There's no news yet. They're just trapped in White Emperor Valley for now, and I'm merely preparing for the worst. By tomorrow, we might hear something. Regardless of the outcome, I hope you can help me, sister."
Hearing this, Jiang Chun froze momentarily, murmuring, "No news yet..."
That was the best news possible.
Chu Yu nodded. She had come mainly to check on Jiang Chun and to prepare her gently, lest she do something drastic.
Seeing Jiang Chun in a stable state, she turned to leave, but before she could take a step, she heard footsteps behind her. Jiang Chun spoke up, "I'll wait with you."
Chu Yu was surprised but, seeing the determination in the other's eyes, eventually nodded in agreement.
At dawn the next day, Chu Yu received Wei Yun's second letter.
The handwriting on this letter was shaky, as if the writer could barely hold the brush.
"Father and brothers all perished. Only Wei Yun remains. They have been wrapped in shrouds and placed in coffins. I bring their spirits home."
It was expected.
Chu Yu stared at the letter for a long time without speaking. Jiang Chun, however, took one glance at those words and immediately fainted.
Chu Yu forced herself to suppress her chaotic thoughts. After instructing the servants to care for Jiang Chun, she returned to her study.
Though she had prepared herself, allowing her to remain outwardly calm, her heart was in turmoil. She picked up a brush, closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and began writing her reply.
"Do not worry, do not fear. I await your return."
This letter traversed mountains and rivers, reaching Wei Yun's hands by the second evening.
By then, he had gone nearly two days without sleep. Clad in mourning garments, carrying the spirit tablets of his father and brothers, and leading seven coffins, he trudged along the official road.
He didn’t know where he was, nor where he was going.
Home?
But with his father and brothers all dead, leaving only him, how could he face going home?
And once home, how would he endure the storm awaiting him?
Yao Yong and The Crown Prince’s accusations echoed in his mind—his father had recklessly pursued the enemy remnants into an ambush, leading to this crushing defeat. Too young to have been on the front lines, he didn’t know what had truly happened. He only knew his father and brothers weren’t the type to act so rashly, yet such defenses felt feeble and hollow.
For the first fourteen years of his life, he had known no hardship. Even on the battlefield, his father and brothers had shielded him from danger.
Now, suddenly thrust into this reality, his mind was blank, devoid of thought.
He had carried each body back from White Emperor Valley himself. The entire way, he had wondered—why couldn’t he have perished with them?
The weight of the spirit tablets was unbearable; he could carry them no longer.
Yet it was at this moment that the vanguard officer handed him the letter from home.
The woman’s handwriting was heavier than usual, yet resolute.
"Do not worry, do not fear. I await your return."
In an instant, it was as though someone stood before him, lifting the burden from his shoulders.
Wei Yun’s lips trembled as he clutched the paper. After a long silence, he slowly closed his eyes.
The setting sun bled across the sky like fire. Holding the letter, he felt its weight like gold.
He must return.
Even if his father and brothers were gone, there were still the young and old waiting for him at home.
OpenNovel