Seeing Wei Qingping's complicated expression, Chu Yu couldn't help but burst into laughter. Wei Qingping looked somewhat helpless, pursed her lips, and after a long pause finally asked, "How did you know his mother found out?"
"My mother-in-law isn't someone who can keep things to herself," Chu Yu said calmly. "She usually stays out of family affairs, yet today she specifically came to stop me from going to the front lines with Xiao Qi. If she hadn't heard something, where would such an idea come from?"
Hearing this, Wei Qingping cautiously asked, "Could there be some misunderstanding?"
"That's why I'm not in a hurry to leave," Chu Yu replied lightly. "I'll act as if nothing happened for now and wait to see."
"And if it's not a misunderstanding?" Wei Qingping frowned. "You're not seriously planning to leave with me, are you?"
Wei Qingping had stayed here partly for Qin Shiyue and partly because Chu Yu had mentioned needing her help with something later. Wei Qingping knew she would have to leave eventually, but what about Chu Yu?
As the eldest madam of Wei Manor, her departure would cause a major upheaval for the Wei family.
Yet Chu Yu spoke of such an important matter as if it were a joke: "If I don't leave, what's the point of staying? To endure grievances?"
"The day Gu Chusheng left, I understood clearly," Chu Yu said with a calm expression. "When I'm with him, there's no need to hesitate. Two people stay together to live better lives. If being with him makes me happy, then we'll move forward together. But if Liu Xueyang makes me suffer, then I'll leave."
Wei Qingping was taken aback, her eyes showing a trace of pity. "But Prince Wei... hasn't done anything wrong."
"That's why I'm only leaving the Wei family, not him," Chu Yu chuckled. "Every relationship requires effort and perseverance. I don't just want to enjoy happiness with him. If his mother disapproves and I don't want to endure her mistreatment, then I'll leave Wei Manor. A year or two—eventually, his mother will come around."
"What if... he marries someone else in the meantime?"
Chu Yu paused at this question, then after a moment, she laughed softly. "Then it means our fate has run its course. I'll just find someone else I like."
"No one's obligated to love someone forever," Chu Yu said evenly. "As long as the time spent together was beautiful, that's enough."
Hearing this, Wei Qingping didn't respond. She lowered her head in acknowledgment. Chu Yu then remembered something and said, "I've prepared all the medicinal herbs. Take another look at the list—is there anything else we need? If earthquakes and floods come, there will surely be plagues. Besides medicine, is there anything else we should prepare...?"
Wei Qingping snapped back to attention at the mention of serious matters and began discussing with Chu Yu.
The two talked late into the night until a servant announced Wei Yun's arrival. Chu Yu looked up and saw him standing at the door.
The young man wore moonlit robes, a golden crown atop his head, and a crane-feathered cloak lined with white fox fur draped over his shoulders. His hands were tucked into his sleeves as he stood at the doorway, smiling at her. Chu Yu turned and, seeing him bathed in lamplight, smiled. "You're back?"
"Yes," Wei Yun replied gently, as if raising his voice might disturb someone. "I came to take you home."
After exchanging a few final words with Wei Qingping, Chu Yu stood up and walked to Wei Yun's side, naturally slipping her arm through his. She looked up at him with a smile and said, "Let's go."Wei Yun acknowledged and walked out of the room with Chu Yu. Qin Shiyue followed behind Wei Yun, who suddenly remembered something and paused. "We set off for battle tomorrow. Spend some time with the princess," he said.
Hearing this, Qin Shiyue froze. Wei Yun looked at him, recalling Gu Chusheng’s words—that the Qin Shiyue of the past had died on the battlefield.
His heart tightened, and he sighed. "Shi Yue, life is short. Cherish every moment, treasure every person. Do you understand?"
Qin Shiyue pressed his lips together, unsure if he truly grasped the meaning. As always, he simply cupped his hands and replied, "Understood."
With that, Wei Yun left with Chu Yu. Qin Shiyue turned back to look at the woman standing coldly at the door. Without a word, he gripped his sword. After a long silence, he finally spoke. "I leave tomorrow. Is there anything you want?"
Wei Qingping said nothing. Instead, she suddenly rushed forward and clung to him tightly.
Her words were as straightforward as she was: "I want you."
Qin Shiyue was stunned. He lowered his gaze, and after a long pause, he finally raised his arms and embraced the woman in his arms.
Wei Yun led Chu Yu down the corridor, his eyes downcast. "I’ve had the area cleared. Don’t worry."
"Did you understand Mother’s meaning today?"
Seeing him so perceptive, Chu Yu couldn’t help but laugh. Wei Yun remained expressionless. "I don’t know what she’s thinking. If she truly knows, she wouldn’t say it outright today, nor would she openly confront us. After I leave for battle tomorrow, avoid her. If she asks anything, play dumb. Don’t provoke her."
"I know."
Chu Yu chuckled. "I won’t upset her."
"It’s not that I’m afraid you’ll upset her," Wei Yun stopped and looked at her, his tone calm. "I’m afraid she’ll wrong you."
Chu Yu was momentarily taken aback. Wei Yun lowered his gaze and squeezed her hand. "I know your temper. If she says anything, you won’t hold it against her. You’re fearless against storms, but it’s people like my mother you can’t handle. If I’m not here—" His voice carried concern. "I’m afraid you’ll suffer."
"Honestly, I was worried too," Chu Yu smiled at his words. "But hearing you say this, I’m not afraid anymore. If she upsets me, I’ll just take it out on you when you return."
"Fine." Wei Yun laughed softly. "Then you’ll have to wait for me to come back."
Chu Yu smiled without responding and led Wei Yun to her room. Changyue had already prepared water. Chu Yu washed up quickly, then Wei Yun took his turn while she sat nearby, drying her hair and ladling water for him.
Wei Yun had an excellent physique—lean and toned. His muscles weren’t the bulky kind typical of warriors, but every inch was firm and powerful, exuding a sense of strength while maintaining a sleek, harmonious beauty.
Chu Yu sat beside him, rubbing soap into his hair, her voice gentle. "Every time I see your mother now, I feel guilty, as if I’ve stolen her son. I’m sure she dislikes me. She probably thinks someone like Qingping would be more suited for you. If this ever comes to light, I’ll have a hard time."
"Why bring this up again?" Wei Yun couldn’t help but laugh. "I thought we were done with the princess.""I just wanted you to know," Chu Yu raised her eyes, "how much effort I've put in just to sleep with you."
Wei Yun: "..."
As she spoke, Chu Yu rinsed Wei Yun's hair with water. The water blurred his vision, and she handed him a towel. While Wei Yun wiped his eyes, Chu Yu washed her hands. The moment he finished drying his face, she cupped his cheeks and lightly patted them, saying, "If it weren't for this delicate little face of yours, would I even bother?"
Hearing this, Wei Yun couldn't help but laugh even more, though he still coughed lightly and grasped her hand. "Stop saying things like that—it's frivolous."
Chu Yu chuckled and stood up. "Fine, fine, I'm frivolous," she said, pausing mid-step before turning back with a bright laugh. "But you like it."
Wei Yun was momentarily stunned, then found himself torn between amusement and speechlessness.
A warm feeling spread through his chest as he watched her laugh so openly and unrestrainedly. He could sense her gradual transformation—as if she were slowly extending a claw from the darkness, gently placing it in his hand.
The thought stirred an urgent desire in him—to embrace her, to merge with her, to let their bones and blood intertwine, as if to prove his love and feel hers in return.
In this regard, Wei Yun possessed a surprising intensity and dominance. His longing for her was like a torrential flood, unleashed after being suppressed for too long.
He adored every posture that brought them closer, whether from the front or behind. He loved pressing against her, embracing her until there was no space left between them. Only as they neared climax would he finally pull away, surrendering to the moment—and to her.
Sometimes, Wei Yun felt that love was the same. Before reaching absolute trust, people would anxiously cling to each other through external means. But once they crossed that deepest threshold, nothing else mattered anymore.
On the eve of their departure—though the campaign wouldn’t last long—Wei Yun indulged himself thoroughly, and Chu Yu held nothing back. It wasn’t until deep into the night that they finally collapsed onto the bed, breathless.
Foreheads touching and hands clasped, they lay facing each other.
He was still inside her, unwilling to withdraw. Chu Yu lifted her gaze and murmured, "Qian Yong was always the Left Vanguard—you're used to him. Temporarily replacing him with me isn’t a big deal. Besides, I can stay behind to manage supplies. If we run short, I can easily borrow more."
"I don’t want to hear about this right now," Wei Yun interrupted, his voice tinged with displeasure. Like a petulant child, he rolled over and pressed against her chest, listening to her heartbeat.
Chu Yu couldn’t help but laugh. "Then what do you want to hear?"
Wei Yun stayed silent.
Her heartbeat was steady, a quiet rhythm in the night.
His thoughts drifted to Liu Xueyang’s expression earlier that day, to the memory of his fifteen-year-old self bowing with a sword in hand as he apologized to his brother, to the image of Gu Chusheng kneeling before Chu Yu in tears.
An inexplicable unease crept into his heart.
People often praised his sharp intellect, but sometimes, what he despised most about himself was precisely that keen perception.He leaned against her chest, closed his eyes, and spoke in a low, hoarse voice.
"I want to hear you say it, Huaiyu. When you return, I'll marry you."
Chu Yu was momentarily stunned. Then she saw Wei Yun lift his head, his expression a mix of pleading and resolve, as he slowly said, "A Yu, when I take Huicheng and return as promised, I’ll tell my mother everything and then come to your family to propose. Alright?"
Chu Yu didn’t answer. She turned her head away, gazing out the window, her fingers combing through Wei Yun’s hair. After a long silence, she finally said, "Alright."
"But," her tone was indifferent, "if your mother agrees, then after you take Qing Province, come to my family to propose."
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