Fight For Love

"Come back!"

Chu Yu hastily grabbed Wei Yun, who was about to turn and leave, both amused and exasperated. "What nonsense are you talking about? What does Gu Chusheng have to do with this?"

Wei Yun remained silent, allowing her to hold onto him, his expression somewhat aggrieved. "I know you still care for him, and there's nothing I can do about it. I lost the moment I fell for you first, and I accept that. I can't do anything to you, but can't I at least give him trouble?"

"You..." Chu Yu sighed helplessly. "Where do you get all these ideas?"

"Isn't it true?"

Wei Yun turned to look at her. "You knew he was coming but didn't tell me, suffering in silence. I thought you were unhappy because of me and went out of my way to comfort you..."

The more he spoke, the more upset he became. Recalling how Chu Yu had tossed and turned at night these past few days while he humbled himself to console her, he felt even more unable to tolerate it. "I'm going to find him right now."

"Xiao Qi!"

Chu Yu held onto him, her recent anger inexplicably dissipating. She tugged at him urgently. "I wasn't upset because of him. My recent unhappiness was just because..." She hesitated, and Wei Yun raised his eyes to look at her, his expression clearly saying, "Let's see how you explain this," as he played along. "Because of what?"

Chu Yu swallowed Wei Qingping's name and whispered, "I just felt... with so many young ladies arriving this time, and you being of marriageable age... it made me uncomfortable."

Wei Yun was taken aback, then frowned. "Then why didn't you tell me about Gu Chusheng coming?"

"I didn't know he was coming."

The name Gu Zichu had been given by Gu Chusheng's father, and he had never mentioned it to her. If she claimed to know, she feared it might arouse Gu Chusheng's suspicion later and also worried it would seem too intimate in Wei Yun's eyes.

"Then why did you assign Gu Zichu to the VIP courtyard?"

"Who told you that?" Chu Yu was puzzled. "When I saw the name, I wondered if it might be Gu Chusheng, so I prepared two rooms. If it was him, he'd go straight to the VIP room; if not, he'd go to the ordinary one. It's not like I specifically prepared a VIP room just for him."

Wei Yun finally felt somewhat better. Then another thought occurred to him, and he brightened. "So you're afraid I might marry someone else? If you're so worried, why don't you marry me?"

"Who says I won't marry you?" Chu Yu laughed, reaching up to straighten his clothes. "It's not that I won't marry you—I'm just waiting to marry you."

"Waiting" to marry him—waiting for their feelings to naturally deepen, waiting for the right moment.

Now that Wei Yun was about to declare himself king and recruit troops across the land, a good reputation was crucial for him. If he were merely the Marquis of National Stability, marrying her would likely invite ridicule throughout Hua Jing, at most resulting in a demotion or reduced salary. The biggest obstacle between them would simply be Liu Xueyang's potential disapproval.

But now things were different. At this critical juncture, with the world on the brink of division, Wei Yun urgently needed to win over the hearts of the people. If his personal conduct were called into question and Zhao Yue exploited it, discerning individuals might hesitate to join him, putting Wei Yun at a disadvantage. With so many lives and half the world at stake, Chu Yu would never allow any unnecessary risks—especially not one as trivial as romantic affairs.Chu Yu steadied her emotions and looked up at him, speaking gently, "Don't overthink it. Gu Chusheng and I are long over. I'm not someone who dwells on the past."

Hearing this, Wei Yun felt much more at ease. He reached out and took her hand, saying, "Then don't you overthink either. I won't spare another glance at those girls."

Chu Yu laughed and lightly patted his cheek. "Always sweet-talking to coax me."

With that, she withdrew her hand and turned around. "Alright, let's go back. My brother is probably on his way."

"Mm," Wei Yun responded, following closely behind her.

When they returned to the city gates, it wasn't long before Chu Linyang's carriage came into view. The moment Chu Yu spotted the fluttering "Chu" banner, she lifted her skirts and eagerly stepped forward.

Wei Yun trailed behind her, watching as she joyfully approached the carriage and called out, "Brother!"

The carriage curtain was lifted, revealing Chu Linyang's composed and upright face. He shifted slightly to the side, and Chu Yu heard Xie Yun's tearful voice rush out from inside, "A Yu!"

At this, Chu Yu saw Xie Yun descend from the carriage, skirts in hand, urgently grasping her. "Are you alright?"

Chu Yu froze for a moment, then looked up to see Chu Jianchang and Chu Jin also stepping out of the carriage.

"You... how..."

Her thoughts were momentarily tangled. Chu Jin and Xie Yun should have been in Hua Jing—or at the very least, in Luozhou. How had they come with Chu Linyang?

Chu Jin seemed to know what she wanted to ask and smiled gently. "Didn't you notify me to take Mother and leave the night before you went to Shuntian Prefecture to file your complaint? I left immediately and went straight to find Eldest Brother. When we heard he was coming to Bailing, Father, Mother, and I came along."

Away from the extravagance of Hua Jing, Chu Jin no longer wore a veil. The scar on her face had faded considerably, softening the delicate beauty of her past and replacing it with a bold, unrestrained charm that gave her an open and refreshing aura, pleasing to the eye.

Xie Yun held Chu Yu's hands, looking at her anxiously. "I heard about the terrible things that happened to you. I was so worried. You child, why haven't you given me a moment's peace all these years? Between you and A Jin, I feel like I've spent my whole life fretting over you two..."

Hearing this, Chu Jin and Chu Yu exchanged an identical smile. As they spoke, Chu Linyang helped a woman step down from the carriage. She wore a light blue wide-sleeved shirt, her demeanor poised and graceful, exuding the refined nobility unique to a centuries-old aristocratic family as she approached Chu Yu.

Chu Yu was even more surprised to see her. "Eldest Sister-in-law, you came too?"

She knew Xie Chun had always been the type to avoid involvement, preferring to stay indoors every day. For her to come out, Chu Linyang must have put in considerable effort.

Xie Chun smiled faintly at this. "Since the whole family is here, naturally I came too."

"Consider it a leisurely outing," Chu Linyang said flatly, subtly resting a hand on Xie Chun's shoulder. Chu Yu's expression darkened at the sight.

Xie Chun was a true aristocratic daughter, entirely different from someone like her who had grown up in military camps. When Xie Chun first married into the family, Chu Yu had enjoyed playing with her—until she accidentally slapped Xie Chun hard enough to make her cough up blood. After that, Chu Linyang had essentially forbidden her from coming within ten feet of Xie Chun, on pain of a beating.After all these years, Chu Linyang's care for Xie Chun remained as steadfast as ever. And his ruthlessness toward his younger sister was just as unrelenting.

Chu Yu watched Chu Linyang's actions with some helplessness. Wei Yun stepped forward and said with a smile, "It's good that the whole family has come. Sister-in-law hasn't been home for a long time and has missed you all dearly. Elder Brother, please take Uncle and Aunt into the city first. We can catch up properly once we return."

Hearing this, Chu Linyang nodded. Xie Yun asked Chu Yu a few more questions before the group returned to their carriages. As everyone boarded, Chu Linyang suddenly turned back before entering his carriage and fixed his gaze on Wei Yun. "I have something to discuss with the Marquis tonight—alone," he said, emphasizing each word of "discuss" through gritted teeth.

Wei Yun instinctively sensed trouble. His face stiffened as he forced a smile and replied, "Of course. Once matters are settled, I’ll come find you, Elder Brother."

Chu Linyang nodded and entered the carriage. After his group had departed, Wei Yun let out a sigh of relief and turned to Chu Yu. "A Yu, does your brother hit people?"

"Hmm?" Chu Yu looked puzzled. "What are you afraid of?"

"If he beats me half to death, can I fight back?"

Chu Yu: "..."

"Don’t worry," she said calmly. "He won’t kill you." She then clasped her hands in her sleeves and gazed into the distance. "If he really starts, just kneel down, hug his leg, and cry."

As if recalling some particularly unpleasant memory, she added flatly, "The louder, the better."

Hearing this, Wei Yun felt an odd sense of déjà vu. He looked at Chu Yu thoughtfully and remarked, "So your brother used to hit you often too."

Chu Yu turned to him in surprise. "Did Wei Jun hit you too?"

"I had six older brothers," Wei Yun gestured, then added, "The eldest hit the hardest."

Chu Yu found it hard to believe Wei Jun was that kind of person.

As he spoke, a hint of nostalgia flickered in Wei Yun’s eyes. "I really miss them."

Chu Yu said nothing for a moment before replying quietly, "I’ll be here with you from now on."

Hearing this, Wei Yun smiled faintly, lowering his eyes to the ground as he murmured, "Yes, and I’ll be here with you too."

As they spoke, Song Shilan arrived. He exchanged polite formalities without much conversation before entering the city. After a while, Wei Wang’s carriage also arrived.

Wei Wang’s procession was prepared according to royal standards, with banners fluttering in the distance. Chu Yu and Wei Yun waited at the gate as the carriages approached slowly. There were two golden carriages—one in front, noticeably larger, with its eaves carved with coiling dragons and phoenixes, a pearl held in the dragon’s mouth, exuding extraordinary grandeur.

When the carriages reached the gate, everyone except Wei Yun and Chu Yu knelt, awaiting Wei Wang’s appearance. Moments later, attendants lifted the curtain, and a middle-aged man in purple robes and a golden crown stepped out.

He appeared to be in his forties, in the prime of life, with an elegant and gentle demeanor that made him seem approachable. Descending the carriage steps, he exchanged greetings with Wei Yun. While the two conversed, Chu Yu turned her head and saw someone stepping down from the second carriage.

The woman wore a white gauze dress, her hair adorned with a pair of Golden Pheasant hairpins, the birds holding pearls in their beaks. Behind them, a pair of hairpins with dangling ornaments were symmetrically placed on either side, swaying gently with her movements.The moment she appeared, all eyes were inevitably drawn to her. She was extraordinarily beautiful, yet her demeanor was equally cold. Her gaze was indifferent, as if no one could find a place in her eyes. Because of this, she seemed entirely detached from the mortal world. Even the opulent golden ornaments atop her head couldn’t overshadow her ethereal aura.

There were many beauties in this world, but few possessed a beauty so transcendent it exuded an immortal air.

Everyone held their breath. Wei Yun couldn’t help but remark to the King of Wei with a smile, “Every time the Lady Qingping appears, silence falls around her. To have such a daughter, Your Highness must be secretly delighted, no?”

The King of Wei waved his hand lightly and chuckled. “More like deeply concerned.”

As they spoke, Wei Qingping approached Wei Yun. She gave a slight nod, and Wei Yun promptly cupped his hands in greeting. “My respects to the Lady.”

“Has your injury healed?”

Wei Qingping’s familiar tone made it clear they were well acquainted. Chu Yu couldn’t help but glance at Wei Yun, who smiled and replied, “It has. After all these years, it’s about time.”

Wei Qingping nodded without further inquiry and simply said, “Bone-deep Entanglement is not an easy poison to cure. It’s good that you’ve recovered.”

Beside them, the King of Wei laughed. “So the person Qingping insisted on saving back then was the young Marquis Wei? At the time, she was determined to retrieve medicine from the Heavenly Mountains, and I forbade it. Had I known it was for a hero like the young Marquis, I would have given my full support!”

“Your Highness flatters me. The Lady’s noble status warranted your concern—it was only right. Still, I will never forget the Lady’s life-saving grace.”

With that, Wei Yun bowed deeply. Wei Qingping accepted the gesture without a change in expression. After the pleasantries, Chu Yu and Wei Yun personally escorted them into the city.

Once the King of Wei and Wei Qingping had settled in to rest, Wei Yun, too, felt weary. Yet, the moment he and Chu Yu returned, a guard came to report: “Gu Zichu requests an audience.”

Wei Yun and Chu Yu exchanged glances. After a moment’s thought, Chu Yu said, “He must be here regarding the matter of Hua Jing.”

Wei Yun nodded. “Let him in.”