The news of Chu Linyang's uprising arrived almost simultaneously with Song Shilan's message. When Chu Yu received the information, she was somewhat surprised.
She had assumed Chu Linyang would remain uninvolved in this matter, never expecting he would join the uprising this time. After reading the letter, she immediately went to find Wei Yun, who was studying the sand table with Qin Shiyue, discussing defensive arrangements.
Since Zhao Yue was coming to attack Wei Yun, he would inevitably approach from Huaicheng. Thus, Wei Yun had brought Chu Yu, Qin Shiyue, and others to Huaicheng early to prepare. When Chu Yu entered, Wei Yun and Qin Shiyue both looked up at the sound of her footsteps. Seeing the letter in her hand, Qin Shiyue bowed and said, "This general will take his leave first."
Wei Yun nodded and turned to Chu Yu. "What is it?"
"My brother has risen in rebellion."
"I know," Wei Yun replied.
"You knew already?"
"He hinted at his intentions before he left."
"But what about my sister-in-law and mother..." Chu Yu hesitated.
Wei Yun handed her a cup of tea. "Drink first to soothe your throat."
Chu Yu took a sip as Wei Yun continued, "The Xie Family has split into two factions. Grand Tutor Xie has taken some members and left, including your sister-in-law's and mother's clansmen, as well as Fifth Sister-in-law's relatives."
Xie Jiu had remarried after returning to the Xie Family but divorced a year later and went back. She then entered a Taoist temple, keeping her hair but living as a nun. That Wei Yun still referred to her as "Fifth Sister-in-law" showed he still cherished their past bond.
Chu Yu snapped out of her thoughts and frowned after a long pause. "The Xie Family... is so fixated on royal bloodlines?"
"Minister Xie has been loyal to the Zhao family his entire life. Even when Zhao Yue was in dire straits and the Li family showed him mercy, he never stopped supporting Zhao Yue. What do you think?"
Bloodline mattered too much to many in this world. Chu Yu sighed helplessly. "Must this battle really happen?"
"It's not that I want to fight," Wei Yun said calmly. "Zhao Yue's army is nearly upon us."
Though Wei Yun had anticipated Zhao Yue's movements and made all necessary preparations, everything still came abruptly.
Zhao Yue's vanguard attacked the city in the dead of night. Chu Yu awoke to the sounds of slaughter, her mind still foggy with sleep. Wei Yun pressed her back down, kissed her forehead, and whispered, "Go back to sleep. I'll handle it until dawn."
With that, she felt him rise, take his sword, and leave, deliberately softening his steps to avoid disturbing her.
Listening to the chaos outside, Chu Yu considered Wei Yun's demeanor—he must have been confident to reassure her like that. Still drowsy, she lay back down and slept soundly until morning. When she awoke at dawn, the noise outside had quieted.
Wanyue helped her dress while Changyue stood nearby with a basin of water. Chu Yu asked curiously, "Why is it so quiet outside? Is the battle over?"
"Not yet," Changyue replied with a smile. "They attacked all night without making progress. Now they're outside, taunting, trying to provoke His Highness to come out and fight."
"Oh?" Chu Yu chuckled. "What's the point of that?"
"Still, I heard from Wei Xia that the insults are getting worse. If they keep it up, His Highness might actually go out to face them."
"Hmm?"
This time, Chu Yu was genuinely surprised. Given Wei Yun's current temperament, what could possibly provoke him into battle?
She frowned. "What exactly are they saying?"
Wanyue shot Changyue a warning look, and Changyue's expression turned awkward. She averted her gaze and muttered, "Just... really vulgar things."Chu Yu remained silent. After having Wanyue fasten her belt, she picked up her sword and headed toward the city tower. As soon as she stepped outside, she spotted Wei Qingping holding a qin in her arms and a sword hanging at her waist. Surprised, Chu Yu greeted respectfully, "Why is Your Highness here?"
"They are on the battlefield now," Wei Qingping replied with slight embarrassment, yet her tone was frank. "I’m going to support them."
She said "them," but Chu Yu knew the most important one was Qin Shiyue alone. Without exposing Wei Qingping’s words, Chu Yu simply said, "Then I shall accompany Your Highness."
The two chatted as they made their way to the city tower. The moment Chu Yu appeared, the soldiers cast peculiar glances her way. Unfazed, she continued climbing the steps until Wei Xia hurried down and stopped her midway. "Madam, why have you come?"
"Am I not allowed to?"
Chu Yu smiled calmly, but Wei Xia tensed and struggled to reply, "The battle has already ceased. His Highness wishes for you to rest—there’s no need for you to—"
"Step aside."
Her voice was even. Wei Xia hesitated, and Chu Yu lifted her gaze. "I can guess what they’re shouting. Don’t make me repeat myself."
Hearing this, Wei Xia, knowing better, reluctantly moved aside with a stiff expression.
Chu Yu led Wei Qingping up the tower, lifting their skirts as they ascended. Just as they reached the top, the jeers from below reached them:
"Wei Yun, what a shame you don’t have all six sisters-in-law left—otherwise, you’d be living the high life! But even now, it’s not bad. The two remaining—that Chu Yu, I hear she’s still untouched. Your brother died on their wedding night—you’ve done him a great favor, haven’t you?"
"Indeed!"
A general at the front of the formation on horseback chimed in, "I saw Chu Yu back then—curvaceous and stunning. She must be keeping her brother-in-law entertained every night, keeping him well satisfied. Look at Marquis Wei staying silent—is that an admission?"
Laughter erupted from the crowd. Wei Qingping frowned and uttered coldly, "Filth."
The soldiers on the tower tightened their grips on their weapons. Wei Qiu could barely restrain himself. "Your Highness, this general requests to engage!"
Wei Yun said nothing. His fists clenched inside his sleeves as he fixed his gaze on the battlefield, replying calmly, "Denied."
The vulgar taunts continued. Chu Yu and Wei Qingping stepped forward to stand before Wei Yun. The surrounding soldiers saluted respectfully. Wei Yun looked up at the two women, suppressing his anger as he said, "You should return first."
"Why should I?"
Chu Yu chuckled lightly. Wei Yun’s temper was barely contained, his fists clenched. "Once Shen You arrives, I’ll slaughter every last one of them."
"There’s no need for Your Highness to be enraged." Chu Yu knelt on one knee, clasping her hands in salute, her expression composed. "This general requests to engage."
Wei Yun remained silent as the insults grew cruder. Chu Yu continued calmly, "It will only be a few exchanges with that general. Your Highness need not worry."
Wei Yun studied her quietly. Her demeanor was unshaken, the words below seemingly having no effect on her. Gradually, his own emotions settled. After a long pause, he finally said, "Wait another quarter-hour."
Then he looked ahead. "In another quarter-hour, Shen You should arrive."Chu Yu nodded and stood beside Wei Yun. The moment he appeared, the jeering from below grew even louder. A quarter of an hour passed swiftly, and Wei Yun suddenly rose to his feet, striding downward. Chu Yu was momentarily stunned before hurriedly following after him, calling out, "Your Highness!"
"I'll slaughter them with my own hands."
Wei Yun rushed down the stairs, but Chu Yu grabbed his arm, amused. "With your current status, why stoop to their level? You still need to command the army—watch from the tower. I'll go."
"But—"
"I'll go!"
Chu Yu raised her voice, settling the matter decisively. Wei Qingping calmly added, "I'll go too."
Wei Yun pressed his lips together before finally relenting. "Shi Yue, follow them." With that, he turned and ascended the tower, returning to his original position.
Before long, the city gates slowly creaked open, and Wei Yun watched as two women in white rode out side by side on horseback. The scene erupted instantly—the Zhao army burst into laughter. "Two women? Has the Guardian Army run out of men?"
"If you can't even defeat women," Wei Qingping said coldly, "then you're the ones who should be ashamed."
"What arrogance!" the leader roared. "State your names!"
"Chu Yu of the Wei family."
"Wei Qingping of the Wei clan."
"Engage!"
As they spoke, the two women spurred their horses into a charge, drawing their swords and encircling the three generals who had been taunting them from the center.
The three generals—one wielding a broadsword, another a hammer, and the last a long spear—stood imposingly. Seeing the two women charging from both sides, they bellowed and rushed forward.
Two of them attacked Chu Yu, while the third thrust toward Wei Qingping. Qin Shiyue watched quietly from the side, ready to intervene at any moment.
Yet the two women, outnumbered three to two, did not falter in the slightest. Wei Qingping and Chu Yu both fought with agility, and after two exchanges, their opponents hadn't even managed to graze their sleeves.
Wei Yun observed silently from above. Wei Xia grew anxious and grumbled, "What's General Qin doing just standing there? Why isn't he helping?"
"No need," Wei Yun replied calmly. Wei Xia turned to him with a reproachful look. "Your Highness, the lady is of noble stature. If those brutes injure her, won't you be the one regretting it?"
Hearing this, Wei Yun shot him a sidelong glance. "You underestimate her too much."
Just then, everyone heard Chu Yu let out a fierce cry as she suddenly switched from defense to offense, slashing horizontally at the man with the broadsword!
Her strike carried immense force, like a collapsing mountain, sending a numbing shock through the burly man's sword arm.
But Chu Yu didn't stop. Her blade moved like lightning—swift and ruthless. Wei Qingping joined in simultaneously. While Chu Yu's strikes were brutal, Wei Qingping's were quick and precise. The enemy, wielding heavy weapons, had already exhausted their stamina in the initial exchanges. How could they withstand such relentless pressure?
In less than thirty moves, a thunderous roar erupted on the battlefield—Chu Yu had beheaded the broadsword-wielding general with a single stroke, flicking the head onto her horse with ease.
Blood splattered across Chu Yu's face. On the battlefield, the woman in white robes fluttered like a butterfly, soared like a crane—graceful yet stained with crimson, stirring the hearts of all who watched.
Wei Yun unconsciously rose to his feet, gripping the city wall as he gazed at the woman whose expression was fierce, her eyes gleaming like stars. Every tilt of her head, every arch of her brow exuded a mesmerizing allure.
As the last burly man fell, Chu Yu lightly tapped her toes and, alongside Wei Qingping, returned to their horses."Who among you heroes," Chu Yu stood on her horse, sword in hand, wiping the blood from her face as she raised her voice, "dares to face Chu Yu in battle!"
No sooner had her words fallen than the soldiers of the Wei army surged with fervor, raising their weapons in unison and shouting behind her, "Fight! Fight! Fight!"
Under the scorching sun, Chu Yu gazed at the thousands of troops before her, feeling the wind carry the scent of blood, mingling with the heat of the afternoon sun to create a sweet yet metallic tang in the air.
She turned her head to look at Wei Qingping, whose expression remained calm, and couldn't help but smile.
"You know," she said softly, though Wei Qingping heard her clearly, "five years ago when I was guarding Phoenix Mausoleum, I always carried a jar of strong wine with me. It was perfect for cleaning my sword."
Wei Qingping considered this for a moment before replying earnestly, "No wine today. What a pity."
Chu Yu burst into laughter, but then a voice came from ahead—calm and cold.
"Left Vanguard Shen You seeks to learn from the esteemed Madam Chu."
Chu Yu's laughter stopped abruptly. She turned to see a face that bore the features of both the Northern Di and the Great Chu.
After a pause, she smiled faintly. "General Shen, I've been waiting for you for quite some time."
OpenNovel