The first battle was lost, and everyone had a clear understanding in their hearts—Wei Yun was a tough nut to crack, emboldening other regions. Wei Yun, Chu Linyang, and Song Shilan adjusted their tax policies. Wei Yun and Chu Linyang purchased vast lands in Luozhou, which produced grain and horses, while Kun Province was rich in minerals. Trade between the two regions resolved the issues of military provisions and supplies.
As Gu Chusheng had predicted, Zhao Yue held his forces back and withdrew Li Zhao. For a time, the world seemed at peace.
Shen You's injuries took half a month to heal. The first thing he did upon leaving his sickbed was to visit Wei Yun's main hall. Wei Yun was reviewing documents when Shen You arrived. He looked up with a faint smile and said, "Come, take a seat."
Shen You did not speak. Instead, he knelt and kowtowed heavily.
Though he remained silent, Wei Yun understood his meaning and sighed softly. "Rise. What's past is past for me. I hope you can let it go too."
"Your Highness..." Shen You's throat tightened. Wei Yun changed the subject. "How are your injuries?"
"Almost healed."
"What are your plans now?"
Wei Yun took a sip of tea, his expression indifferent, as if it mattered little to him. Shen You's eyes flickered with uncertainty. "If I were to stay in the Wei army..."
"You may."
Wei Yun's simple response eased Shen You's mind. He remained silent, while Wei Yun traced the embroidery on his sleeve and cautiously added, "On the battlefield that day, the matter between you and my sister-in-law... I shouldn't interfere, but..."
"Shen You understands."
Shen You spoke abruptly, startling Wei Yun. He looked up to see the man forcing a bitter smile. "On the battlefield, Madam was only thinking of the soldiers and the people. Though I am a scoundrel, I would never stoop to coercion. I took no offense at Sixth Madam's words, and I beg Your Highness to do the same."
Wei Yun tapped the table and nodded. "I merely wish for my sister-in-law to follow her heart. If you both agree, then it's settled."
"No need to speak of it," Shen You sighed. "With my sins still unatoned, how could I face her? When the day comes that I can stand before her with a clear conscience... then I shall see her again."
Hearing this, Wei Yun fell silent. This was not his affair to meddle in.
After discussing the current situation a while longer, Shen You took his leave.
That night, when Wei Yun returned to his chambers, he found Chu Yu and Wei Qingping shaking dice.
Wei Qingping had been forbidden from drinking by Qin Shiyue, and without her drinking companion, Chu Yu had also been persuaded to cut back.
It was deep winter. As Wei Yun entered, the warmth of the charcoal fire enveloped him. Before he even reached the inner room, he heard the laughter of the two women. Unconsciously, his lips curved into a smile. Turning the corner, he asked warmly, "What are you playing that's so amusing?"
"Wei Yun, come here," Chu Yu called, her face covered in slips of paper, her brow furrowed. "I can't seem to win against him."
Wei Yun stepped inside and saw Qin Shiyue sitting opposite Chu Yu, his expression cold. Removing his coat, Wei Yun sat behind Chu Yu, wrapping his arms around her with a smile as he picked up the dice cup.
Qin Shiyue averted his gaze. The moment Wei Yun held the cup, he sensed something amiss. After shaking it briefly, he set it down and, still holding Chu Yu, grinned at Qin Shiyue and Wei Qingping.
"Bullying an honest person like this," Wei Yun scoffed, eyeing Qin Shiyue. "Have you no shame?"Qin Shiyue gave a light cough. Chu Yu looked utterly bewildered, while Wei Yun glanced up at the slips of paper covering her head and said with amusement, "After losing so many rounds, haven't you considered the dice cup might be rigged?"
"Rigged?"
Chu Yu blinked, then hastily picked up the dice cup to weigh it in her hand.
Wei Yun sighed, took out the dice, and crushed one with a flick of his wrist. When Chu Yu saw the black core inside, realization finally dawned. She slapped the table and exclaimed, "You two—!"
"I suddenly remember I have patients to attend to," Wei Qingping said calmly, standing up and pulling Qin Shiyue along. "Let's go."
The two fled as if escaping. Chu Yu made to chase after them, but Wei Yun leaned lazily against the armrest, watching her with a smile.
His expression was so indulgent and tender that Chu Yu felt a little embarrassed. She returned to his side, rubbing her nose. "What are you laughing at?"
Wei Yun pulled her down to sit beside him, plucking the slips of paper from her hair as he said, "Shi Yue is quite cunning. Don't let his honest appearance fool you—he's full of tricks. Just bully Wei Qingping from now on; don't compete with Qin Shiyue in anything."
Chu Yu eyed him suspiciously. "He's really that kind of person?"
"Mhm," Wei Yun removed the last slip of paper. "Have I ever lied to you?"
Well, that was true. But Chu Yu couldn't shake the feeling that something was off about Wei Yun's words. Every man she'd met so far seemed to have some flaw or another.
Noticing her silence, Wei Yun glanced around. The room was warm from the brazier, yet Chu Yu was dressed lightly as if it were early autumn, wearing only a single layer.
His hand slid up her arm through her wide sleeve as he pressed a kiss to her neck, murmuring, "Why aren't you wearing more in this weather?"
Even as he spoke, his fingers trailed further beneath her clothes. Too flustered to reply, Chu Yu sat in his lap as if nothing were happening, turning to gaze at the light rain outside. "I haven't gone out. It's warm in here."
Wei Yun chuckled lowly, and the servants discreetly withdrew. His breath against her neck sent shivers down her spine.
Now far in Huaicheng with the war situation stabilized, Wei Yun spent every free moment with her, as if trying to make up for all the time they'd lost.
A young man newly acquainted with desire, even one as composed and restrained as Wei Yun, couldn't always maintain his poise—though usually only at night. But now it was still afternoon. Sensing his intentions, Chu Yu said shyly, "It's still daylight..."
"Mother sent a letter," Wei Yun fanned the flames, his voice muffled. "We're returning to Bailing by the day after tomorrow at the latest."
Chu Yu's face flushed as she lowered her head with a soft, "Oh."
With those words, she understood his meaning without further explanation.
Wei Yun pressed her down onto the daybed, his movements matching his ragged breaths. "A Yu, when can I finally marry you? I can't hold back much longer."
Chu Yu clung to his neck, her thoughts scattering, yet the last shred of clarity reminded her: "Once the situation stabilizes."
Wei Yun kissed her fiercely, his lips and movements leaving her no room to breathe.
He held her so tightly it almost felt like he was venting his frustration, as if trying to meld her into his very bones.Chu Yu wasn’t sure if Wei Yun was venting his frustration, but from the afternoon until noon the next day, the two of them never left the room. Chu Yu would wake up in a daze, only to be dragged back by Wei Yun, then fall unconscious again. This cycle repeated until noon when everyone had already started their meal, yet neither Chu Yu nor Wei Yun had appeared. Wang Lan couldn’t help but feel curious. “What’s wrong with Xiao Qi and A Yu? Why aren’t they coming to eat?”
“Last night, the Madam and His Highness discussed matters very late,” Wei Xia quickly explained. “They’re probably catching up on sleep.”
Wang Lan nodded, though she still found it odd. “What kind of matter would take so long to discuss?”
“This humble servant wouldn’t know.”
Wei Xia forced a smile.
By the time everyone had finished eating, Chu Yu groggily woke up, feeling utterly famished. She kicked Wei Yun in annoyance, and he reached out to pull her back. Chu Yu hurriedly protested, “Enough already, don’t push it.”
Wei Yun leaned over, resting his head against her, waiting until he was fully awake before finally getting up and calling for someone to prepare water for washing.
After freshening up, Chu Yu dressed and noticed marks on her neck. Wei Yun, eating nearby, saw her glaring at him and walked over, bending down to ask, “What’s wrong?”
Then he spotted the marks on her neck. He froze for a moment before an indescribable feeling surged within him.
He suddenly realized that seeing his marks on Chu Yu—especially ones visible to others—filled him with an inexplicable thrill and delight.
Yet his expression remained unchanged as he reached out to touch the marks. “I don’t remember how these got here…”
Before he could finish, Chu Yu slapped his hand away, grumbling, “I’ll kill you one of these days.”
Wei Yun chuckled softly. Once Chu Yu stood up, he fetched a heavy coat and personally helped her into it. After fastening the ties, the fur collar concealed her neck.
“Better?” Wei Yun asked. Chu Yu still looked displeased. “No next time.”
Wei Yun sighed helplessly. “I’ll try my best.”
The marks Wei Yun left were deep and hadn’t fully faded by the time they set off for Bailing. Chu Yu shared a carriage with Wang Lan and Wei Qingping, keeping her coat wrapped tightly around her the entire journey, as if she were extremely cold. Wang Lan found it strange. “A Yu, your constitution may be weak, but not to this extent. Has the battlefield taken too much out of you?”
“Probably.”
Chu Yu turned to look out the window—she had never been good at lying. Wang Lan sighed and lifted the curtain, glancing outside.
In the distance, Shen You rode on horseback, just within her line of sight. She paused, then let the curtain fall without another word.
Wei Qingping, absorbed in her medical texts, didn’t notice Wang Lan’s reaction, but Chu Yu glanced up briefly before staying silent.
Shen You had refused to marry Wang Lan and had already told her as much. Wang Lan had been relieved but hadn’t said anything further.
Chu Yu could tell Wang Lan was now worried about Shen You’s injuries. After a moment, she spoke up. “When we stop to rest later, let Qingping take a look at Shen You.”
Wei Qingping looked up, glanced at Wang Lan, then nodded. “Mm.”
The carriage jolted along, and Chu Yu, bored, dozed off. When the convoy stopped to rest, Wei Qingping went to examine Shen You, leaving only Wang Lan and Chu Yu in the carriage.Wang Lan looked up and saw Chu Yu was asleep, with beads of sweat on her forehead from the heat. Wang Lan stepped forward to help remove her overcoat, but as soon as she loosened it, the marks on Chu Yu's neck abruptly caught her eye.
Chu Yu woke up just then. Wang Lan hastily let go of the coat as Chu Yu murmured drowsily, "A Lan?"
Wang Lan forced a smile.
"Your knot is too messy," she said, her heart racing wildly. She instinctively felt she had stumbled upon some shocking secret, yet she had to pretend she hadn't noticed anything. So she continued, "Let me tie it properly for you?"
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