Fight For Love

That night was long.

In Chu Yu's memory, it seemed they indulged recklessly time and again. At the most intense moment, they would cling to each other desperately, overwhelmed by the sheer pleasure, gasping, kissing, feeling their breaths and bodies entwine as if trying to merge into one.

This was the most primal way humans expressed love. If you loved someone, you would yearn to intertwine with them, to accept and envelop them with abandon.

No techniques were needed. The simplest rhythm of youth could bring boundless joy.

Afterward, they lay with their foreheads touching, listening to the rain outside.

Chu Yu slowly recounted the events of her past life, every detail she could remember, describing each one meticulously.

"So in that life, you didn’t marry my brother."

"Mhm." Chu Yu held him close and whispered, "You must have hated me back then."

"When I saw you later," Chu Yu added, somewhat embarrassed, "you were always so fierce."

Wei Yun chuckled softly. Chu Yu frowned. "What are you laughing at?"

"Hearing that I bullied you," Wei Yun sighed, rolling onto his back to stare at the canopy, one arm behind his head. He smiled and said, "I feel like justice has been served. It’s somewhat comforting."

"What justice?"

Chu Yu propped herself up on one elbow, turning to look at him. Wei Yun met her gaze, his eyes twinkling as he replied, "In this life, you’re always bullying me, and I can’t retaliate. But knowing I already bullied you in the past life makes me feel much better."

Hearing this, Chu Yu pushed him playfully, pouting. "Hey, you’ve got some nerve."

"Not at all," Wei Yun quickly caught her hand, kissing it. "In front of the lady of the house, I’m quite timid."

"Wei Huaiyu," Chu Yu eyed him thoughtfully. "I never realized you were so adaptable."

Wei Yun grinned. "That’s all thanks to my wife’s teachings."

Chu Yu was momentarily speechless. She couldn’t quite figure it out—the Wei family was full of unyielding, iron-willed men, so how did someone as cunning as Wei Yun emerge from their ranks?

As she pondered, Wei Yun gently rested his head against her chest and murmured softly, "A Yu."

"Hmm?"

"I was just thinking earlier, how I’d endure tonight when I returned."

Chu Yu stayed silent, running her fingers through his hair as he continued, "But luckily, you kept me here."

Hearing his words, Chu Yu pressed her lips together before finally asking, "After hearing my conversation with Gu Chusheng, don’t you find it absurd?"

"Why would it be absurd?"

"That someone has already lived a whole lifetime—isn’t that absurd?"

Wei Yun fell quiet for a moment before responding, "Actually, there were signs all along, weren’t there?"

As he spoke, he wrapped his arms around her. "From the moment you married into the Wei family and foresaw its misfortunes, to later on—you’re only a year older than me, yet I always felt like a child in front of you. All these years, I’ve been chasing after you, hoping that one day I wouldn’t seem like a child in your eyes. I often wondered what you must have gone through to be the way you are now—a girl of just twenty-one, yet carrying so many scars in your heart."He raised his hand and placed it over her heart, gazing at her without a trace of desire in his expression. "Later on, in matters of intimacy, you were far more experienced than me, yet you had only ever been with me. I wondered why, but since you never spoke of it, I didn’t pry. So when I heard, it didn’t seem absurd—it only felt like the truth."

"Aren’t you bothered by it?"

"What should I be bothered by?"

Chu Yu smiled faintly, pressing her lips together. "I’m old. I’ve been married before."

Wei Yun leaned closer, his voice tender. "I’m not bothered. I only ache for you, adore you, and regret for you."

"I ache for the difficult path you’ve walked, I adore that you still retain that pure heart, and I regret that I couldn’t walk that path with you."

Chu Yu listened, then lowered her hand and nestled into his embrace without a word.

The rain lasted all night. When Chu Yu awoke, the sky was already bright. She lazily called for her maids. Wanyue and Changyue entered expressionlessly to tidy the room. As Changyue went to fetch water, Wanyue stepped forward and whispered, "Madam, last night… His Highness stayed over?"

"Yes," Chu Yu replied calmly. "What of it?"

Wanyue pursed her lips, hesitating for a long moment before finally saying, "His Highness didn’t leave until dawn."

"Hmm." Chu Yu nodded, unsurprised. Wanyue stepped closer, anxious. "Madam, if the old madam finds out—"

"And what then?" Chu Yu lifted her gaze. Wanyue froze. Chu Yu said evenly, "If she knows, then she knows. What do I have to fear?"

Wanyue fell silent for a moment before finally saying, "Since Madam has already made her decision, this servant won’t say more."

Chu Yu detected the frustration in Wanyue’s voice and couldn’t help but laugh. She turned to look at her. "What, are you angry?"

"Madam is gambling with her own reputation."

"Reputation?" Chu Yu chuckled lightly. "Do you think I care about reputation?"

If she had cared about reputation, how could she have eloped back then?

Wanyue was stunned. After a pause, she bowed deeply. "Wanyue will follow Madam no matter what."

"Why so formal?" Chu Yu reached out and patted her head. "Rise."

After freshening up, Chu Yu left her room and headed to the main hall to join everyone for breakfast.

As soon as she entered, she saw Wei Yun seated at the head table, speaking with Liu Xueyang beside him. When he noticed Chu Yu, he looked up, his eyes brimming with unconcealed warmth and joy.

Chu Yu smiled, greeting Liu Xueyang with a bow before exchanging pleasantries with Wang Lan and Jiang Chun, then taking her seat. Jiang Chun studied Chu Yu and served her some food, saying, "A Yu, you seem different today—radiant, as if something wonderful has happened."

"Nothing particularly wonderful," Chu Yu replied gently. "I just saw how lovely the weather is today, so my spirits are high."

Jiang Chun smiled without responding. She glanced at Wei Yun, shook her head, and sighed faintly in resignation.

After the meal, Wei Yun looked at Chu Yu and asked, "Are you seeing off the guests today, sister-in-law?"

"Most of them will be leaving today." Chu Yu turned to Jiang Chun, who was kneeling beside her, a teasing glint in her eyes. "Will A Chun be joining us?"

"You two go ahead," Jiang Chun said flatly. "What does it have to do with me?"

Chu Yu laughed and clapped her hands, looking up at Wei Yun. "Alright, Your Highness, let’s go. Song Shizi is leaving today too—we should see him off."Jiang Chun's expression remained unchanged. Wei Yun smiled helplessly, stood up to bid farewell to Liu Xueyang, then followed Chu Yu out of the room.

Chu Yu walked briskly, clearly in good spirits. Wei Yun reached out to gently pull her back, speaking softly, "Don't be so hasty, be careful not to trip."

"I'm a grown woman," Chu Yu glanced at him, "how could I possibly trip?"

Wei Yun looked at her with amusement, "What if I just wanted an excuse to hold your hand? Would that work?"

"I suppose it would."

Chu Yu nodded, allowing him to keep holding her hand without pulling away.

Wei Yun pressed his lips together in silence as he led her onto the carriage before suddenly remembering, "Do you think Second Sister-in-law will come to see us off?"

"Do you know why she isn't coming?" Chu Yu propped her chin on her hand. "Because she knows Song Shilan will come looking for her."

Wei Yun was momentarily stunned before sighing, "You women—your thoughts are truly hard to fathom."

As they conversed, Jiang Chun stayed with Liu Xueyang for a while before leaving the room with Wang Lan. Just as they reached the corridor, she heard a soft call, "Second Madam."

Jiang Chun turned to see a young man in blue robes standing at the end of the corridor. He wore a fox-fur-lined cloak, a hair crown atop his head, his smile as gentle and warm as autumn sunlight—bright but not ostentatious.

Jiang Chun stared at him for a long moment before finally lowering her head slightly and responding with polite courtesy, "Song Shizi."

Song Shilan walked up to Jiang Chun and studied her quietly for a while before finally saying, "I'm leaving."

"Mhm." Jiang Chun acknowledged without further words. Song Shilan looked at her and slowly smiled.

"Back then, when I told Second Madam I was leaving, she bowed and wished me a safe journey. Now, when I say I'm leaving, Second Madam only replies with 'mhm.' Could it be... you're reluctant to see me go?"

"You jest," Jiang Chun replied flatly. "If you have nothing else, I must return to care for Lingchun."

"Second Madam," Song Shilan suddenly called out to stop her. Jiang Chun frowned and looked up, meeting the young man's smiling face. "I am twenty-seven years old now."

"Why are you telling me this, Shizi?"

"If I don't marry soon, I fear the world will laugh at me."

"That has nothing to do with me."

"Second Madam," he reached out and gently grasped Jiang Chun's hand. She trembled slightly, trying to pull away, but Song Shilan tightened his grip abruptly.

"I'll wait for you one more year," he said, lifting his gaze. Though his face bore a smile, his eyes were filled with bitterness. "Every man's patience has its limits. If I still can't wait any longer..." His voice turned hoarse, "I may not be able to keep waiting."

Jiang Chun let him hold her hand for a long while before finally speaking, her voice equally rough, "If you can't wait... then don't."

"Shizi," she smiled bitterly. "A-Shu treated me well."

"I would treat you even better."

"You don't understand," Jiang Chun shook her head. "He never wronged me—I cannot betray him."

"But he's already dead."

Song Shilan tightened his grip on her hand. "It's not you betraying him—it's this world that betrayed him! No one should be buried alive for another's death! Even if you remain a widow for the rest of your life, he won't come back to life—do you understand that?!"Jiang Chun remained silent, her face pale. Song Shilan stepped closer to her, his voice cold. "Jiang Chun, if I were him and I cared for you, seeing you live like this would leave me restless even in death. We warriors fight half our lives just so you can live well and safely. Is this how you repay our sacrifices—by throwing your life away?"

"Young Master..." Jiang Chun's voice trembled. "Let go of me!"

Song Shilan didn't respond. He stared at her for a long moment before finally letting out a soft chuckle. Releasing her, he said calmly, "One year."

His tone was icy. "One year. If you don’t marry me by then, I’ll propose to Wei Qingping."

With that, he turned and walked away. Jiang Chun trembled, clutching her hands together. She bit her lip hard and closed her eyes.

Meanwhile, Chu Yu and Wei Yun had been playing chess in their carriage when they arrived at the city gates.

Like hosts welcoming guests, they bid farewell to each departing visitor one by one.

By evening, Chu Yu spotted Gu Chusheng’s carriage approaching in the distance. It stopped before her, and he lifted the curtain, gazing quietly at Chu Yu and Wei Yun.

The two stood side by side, smiling at him. Wei Yun retrieved a farewell gift from beside him and handed it to Gu Chusheng, saying warmly, "Safe travels, Lord Gu."

His smile mirrored Chu Yu’s—serene, composed, and tinged with warmth. Over time, the two had grown increasingly alike. Standing together now, both dressed in pale blue robes, they seemed to blend into one.

Gu Chusheng watched them silently for a long while before finally speaking, his voice hoarse. "A Yu, say something to me."

"Lord Gu," she took the farewell gift from Wei Yun and held it out to him. "Safe travels."

Hearing her words and seeing the smiling woman before him, Gu Chusheng’s eyes reddened. "But I don’t know how to walk this path ahead of me," he admitted. "I can’t walk it well. I can’t move forward properly. What should I do?"

Tears fell as he looked at her. "After all these years of holding on, what am I supposed to do now?"

Chu Yu didn’t answer immediately. She studied him quietly before finally speaking. "Chusheng, there’s still so much in this world waiting for you. Remember the future—natural disasters, floods, earthquakes, endless wars. If you truly care for me," she smiled faintly, "you did well in your past life. Do even better in this one. That’s enough."

"What’s the point?" he whispered. "What’s the point if you’re not by my side?"

"Gu Chusheng," Wei Yun chuckled. "Just start by doing. If you can’t become someone she loves, at least don’t become someone she dislikes."

Gu Chusheng fell silent, lowering his gaze. Wei Yun continued, "Lord Gu, life is long. Wait a few more years. Who knows? The road may twist, and light may shine through the willows."

"You jest, Your Highness," Gu Chusheng replied with a bitter smile. He lifted his head, looking at Chu Yu, and finally reached out to take the farewell gift from her hands.

"A Yu," he murmured, calling her name. But the words that followed stuck in his throat. He gazed into her clear eyes for a long moment before closing his own with a soft sigh. "This world... may it be as you wish."

With that, he let the curtain fall and leaned back into the carriage.He held the small box Chu Yu had given him, which contained some local delicacies from Bailing. He opened it, gazed at the contents for a long while, then tucked it into his sleeve.

After the carriage had moved a short distance, Wei Yun suddenly remembered something and urgently called out to Gu Chusheng, "Lord Gu!"

With that, Wei Yun chased after the carriage, leaped onto it, and lifted the curtain, lowering his voice as he spoke. "There's something I wish to ask you."

Gu Chusheng looked weary but still replied, "Go ahead."

"Do you know who I married in my past life?"

"Wei Qingping."

Hearing this, Wei Yun finally understood why Chu Yu had been so sensitive about Wei Qingping earlier. Frowning, he pressed further, "Why did I marry her?"

"She was pregnant with Qin Shiyue's child. Qin Shiyue died saving you on the battlefield. To protect her reputation, you claimed the child as your own and married her."

Wei Yun's brows furrowed. "How did Shi Yue die?"

"It was during a battle against the Northern Di. It shouldn’t happen again in this lifetime."

Somewhat relieved, Wei Yun nodded. "Is there anything else I should be aware of?"

"A month from now, a massive earthquake will strike Yuancheng in Qing Province, with aftershocks spreading all the way to Luozhou. Millions will be affected by the disaster."

Wei Yun's expression darkened at this news. Gu Chusheng calmly added, "I’ll handle this matter. Just keep it in mind."

"Thank you." Wei Yun clasped his hands in salute. Gu Chusheng nodded silently. As Wei Yun turned to leave, Gu Chusheng called out to him again.

"Wei Yun." Wei Yun turned back. Gu Chusheng spoke with difficulty, "Be good to her."

"I know."

"She has a temper. Be patient with her—don’t take her words to heart. She speaks without thinking."

"I know."

"She loves sweets but holds back, afraid people will think her spoiled. Buy more for her."

"Alright."

"She has a cold constitution and struggles with fertility. Take care of her health and don’t let her get hurt."

"She’s been under treatment for years."

At this point, Gu Chusheng suddenly realized that Wei Yun might have been doing far better than he had imagined.

His advice now seemed unnecessary, even intrusive. Pressing his lips together, he felt as though he had no place to interfere. After a long pause, he rasped, "Good... then... I’m at ease."

With that, he waved a tired hand. "Go on."

Wei Yun nodded and turned away. When he returned to Chu Yu, she watched the distant carriage and chuckled. "What did he say to you?"

"He said," Wei Yun smiled, "you have a sweet tooth."

Chu Yu blushed and muttered, "Nonsense."

Chu Linyang and Song Shilan had left in the morning. The King of Wei departed in the afternoon but left Wei Qingping in the city. Since Wei Qingping often wandered the land, no one found it unusual. After Gu Chusheng’s departure, the grand ceremony finally came to an end.

Life in Bailing returned to normal. Zhao Yue organized troops, preparing for an imminent march into the palace. Wei Yun busied himself with military deployments, while Chu Yu looked after Wei Qingping. The two women spent their days offering free medical aid, dining at taverns by noon, and wandering alleyways at night. Whenever they found good wine, they would drink late into the evening at the tavern before staggering home together.

Chu Yu always drank in moderation and rarely got drunk. Wei Qingping, however, was another story.With a low tolerance for alcohol but a great fondness for it, Chu Yu often ended up carrying Wei Qingping home after their drinking sessions. Sometimes when they drank late into the night, Wei Yun would come looking with Qin Shiyue, who would then carry Wei Qingping back.

One day, Chu Yu and Wei Qingping drank a particularly sweet wine that turned out to be deceptively strong. Even Chu Yu couldn’t handle it, and the two of them ended up curled up in a small tavern until midnight. When Wei Yun returned and found Chu Yu missing, he took Qin Shiyue straight to the tavern. Qin Shiyue carried Wei Qingping back, while Wei Yun went to coax Chu Yu, who was sitting by the window.

"A Yu, let’s go home," he said.

Chu Yu looked up at him, silent for a moment, then took a sip of wine and offered it to him. "You drink too."

Wei Yun sighed helplessly, took a swig from the jar, and said, "Alright, I drank. Now let’s go home?"

Chu Yu stretched out her arms. "Carry me on your back."

Wei Yun chuckled and crouched down. "Fine, I’ll carry you back."

Chu Yu jumped onto his back, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Am I heavy?"

"Not at all," Wei Yun shook his head. "Lighter than my sword."

As he carried her downstairs, the moonlight was bright, illuminating the cobblestone path. Chu Yu rested her head against his shoulder and mumbled, "I have a little white horse. It runs really fast, really strong!"

"I know," Wei Yun replied patiently.

Suddenly, as if struck by inspiration, Chu Yu straightened up, grabbed his collar, squeezed her legs, and shouted, "Giddy up, little white horse!"

Wei Yun: "..."

So after all that, he was the little white horse.

"Wei Yun," Chu Yu leaned down and hugged him. "Are you mad?"

"Childish."

Suppressing a smile, Wei Yun turned his head slightly—only for Chu Yu to plant a firm kiss on his lips. "There, now you can’t be mad!"

"Not enough," Wei Yun said seriously. "One more."

After a moment’s thought, Chu Yu kissed him again, blinking. "Now you can’t be mad."

Wei Yun tilted his head, gazing at her sparkling eyes, then lifted his chin and pressed his lips to hers, his tongue slipping past to entwine with hers.

Chu Yu leaned into the kiss, her own tongue tracing the outline of his lips, until the man carrying her began breathing heavily. They kissed again and again on the way home, and by the time they reached the bed, Wei Yun’s voice was hoarse as he murmured, "One more kiss, and I won’t be mad at all."

The next morning, Chu Yu woke with a pounding headache and an aching body.

She realized last night’s wine had been stronger than expected.

Rubbing her temples, she washed up and sipped tea while reviewing the latest intelligence reports from her informants.

"Song Shilan has declared himself king too…" She frowned, then saw more reports of warlords proclaiming independence. Holding her tea, her thoughts grew turbulent.

Meanwhile, in Hua Jing, Zhao Yue slammed a memorial onto the floor. "Are they all rebelling now?!"

The Eldest Princess sat nearby, calmly drinking her prenatal tonic. "Your Majesty, there’s no need for anger. Crush one, and the others will lose their nerve."

"Don’t trouble yourself with this," Zhao Yue waved her off. "I’ll handle it. Just focus on the child."

The Eldest Princess said nothing, silently finishing her tonic with a faint smile. Zhao Yue turned to Zhang Hui and asked coldly, "Have all the imperial consorts been sent away?"

"Yes," Zhang Hui replied softly. "Consort Yao wept and refused to leave, but she was still sent out."

"There must not be a repeat of Consort Wang’s incident."Zhao Yue spoke coldly, and Zhang Hui lowered his eyes, bowing in acknowledgment. Zhao Yue paced over to The Eldest Princess, kneeling halfway before her. He raised his hand to rest on her belly, his voice filled with tenderness as he said, "I hope this one will be The Crown Prince."

"He will," The Eldest Princess replied gently. "He will surely be The Crown Prince."

In the late autumn of the fifth year of the Yuanhe Era, due to oppressive taxes, incessant warfare, and the suffering of the people, Wei Yun, the Marquis of National Stability, was forced to rise in rebellion, declaring himself the Prince of Peace. He presented the "Ten Counts of Accusation" to the emperor, shaking the realm and drawing responses from the feudal lords.

In no time, the Song Clan of Qiongzhou, the Chu Clan of Luozhou, and the Wang Clan of Huazhou all declared independence, with nearly a hundred rebels rising up. Thus began the chaos in the realm.

Author's Note: Time to conquer the world!