Fight For Love

Chu Yu returned to Wei Manor during the fiercest part of the storm. Liu Xueyang had steadied her nerves and was waiting for her in the main hall.

Liu Xueyang hadn’t alerted anyone else—she didn’t dare make too much noise about this matter. After calming down, she finally decided she needed to have a proper talk with Chu Yu.

She had Gui Momo prepare tea and pastries, sipping the tea as she waited for Chu Yu. Her health had worsened over the years, and she rarely stayed up this late anymore.

She had never been particularly strong-willed in her life, always docile and sheltered behind others. When Wei Zhong was alive, he had protected her. After his death, Chu Yu had held up the household. Though she had weathered many storms in her lifetime, this was the first time the tempest had struck her directly in the face.

By the time Chu Yu entered, she had regained some composure. She lifted her head and quietly observed the woman walking toward her from the end of the corridor, holding an umbrella.

She was no longer the fifteen-year-old girl who had first married into the family. Tall and graceful, her features had blossomed—bright eyes, white teeth, radiant beauty—just at the peak of a woman’s loveliness.

Her expression was open and unguarded, devoid of any coquettishness. From a man’s perspective, she was truly a lady worthy of respect.

Liu Xueyang watched silently as Chu Yu closed her umbrella, stepped forward, and bowed respectfully. "Mother-in-law."

No one else was in the hall. Suppressing her emotions, Liu Xueyang lowered her gaze and said wearily, "Sit first."

Chu Yu acknowledged and took her seat with ease, as if she knew nothing. But Liu Xueyang understood—after all these years of Chu Yu being rooted in the Wei family, how could she not know about such a significant disturbance?

She knew, yet she remained composed. It could only mean she didn’t care.

Liu Xueyang looked up at her and smiled bitterly. "I searched your room. You knew about this, didn’t you?"

"I did."

"Then, facing me now, is there nothing you wish to say?"

Chu Yu didn’t answer immediately. She gazed at Liu Xueyang quietly before finally asking, "Shouldn’t that be my question? Is there nothing you wish to ask me?"

Liu Xueyang took a deep breath. She picked up a wooden box from beside her—a box containing Chu Yu’s treasured belongings. Her hands trembled slightly as she spoke with difficulty, "These things..." She lifted her eyes, tears glistening. "Shouldn’t you... explain them to me?"

Chu Yu was momentarily stunned. She hadn’t expected Liu Xueyang to search so thoroughly that even these old keepsakes had been uncovered.

Seeing Chu Yu remain silent, Liu Xueyang assumed she didn’t dare speak and cut straight to the point. "I’ll ask you just one thing—have you and Xiao Qi been involved?"

Chu Yu met Liu Xueyang’s gaze without flinching and answered calmly, "Yes."

Liu Xueyang’s breathing quickened. Clenching her fists, she asked in a shaking voice, "When did it start? Was it when A Jun... A Jun..."She didn't speak, but tears fell first. Chu Yu was momentarily stunned before realizing what she was thinking and said urgently, "I only learned about Wei Yun's feelings for me when he returned to Hua Jing last time! When I married Wei Jun, I was completely innocent and had no improper relationship with Wei Yun! Those letters were written by Wei Yun on behalf of his brother back then. The reason I treasured them was simply because they were among the few things Wei Jun left me. Madam Liu," Chu Yu's voice lowered, "It's true that Wei Yun and I have feelings for each other, but if Wei Jun were still alive, I would never have let this happen. Our relationship may be unacceptable to the world, but it is not as sordid and shameful as you think."

Her address had subtly changed to "Madam Liu," though Liu Xueyang didn't notice. Hearing this, Liu Xueyang secretly sighed in relief. She looked up at Chu Yu with concern in her eyes and said hoarsely, "If you know it's unacceptable to the world, why don't you stop it?"

Liu Xueyang looked weary as she lowered her gaze to the box. "A Yu, you've always been more sensible than Xiao Qi. He may seem clever, but he's still just a child. Though you're only a year older, I know you're far more mature than him."

She raised her eyes to look at Chu Yu, her gaze filled with genuine concern. "Some paths in life become clear only when you're older, when you've walked far and seen much—you'll realize which roads should never be taken. I entrusted the Wei family entirely to you because I valued your character. How could you act so recklessly with him?"

Chu Yu remained silent. She understood Liu Xueyang's words.

At first, she had resisted these feelings precisely because of what Liu Xueyang said—that with time, one would recognize the hardest paths to walk.

But now that she had stepped onto this path, she had no intention of turning back. She smiled faintly and said, "Madam Liu, I've thought about all these things before. When Wei Yun first confessed to me, I didn't agree immediately because of these very concerns."

"But," Chu Yu chuckled softly, "feelings can't be stopped. I've seen everything Wei Yun has done for me. He loves me, and I love him—so what's wrong with us being together?"

"Do you mean," Liu Xueyang gasped sharply, "that he's the one pestering you?"

A coldness flickered in Chu Yu's eyes as she picked up her teacup and said calmly, "I allowed him to pester me."

"Absurd!" Liu Xueyang could no longer restrain herself. She stood abruptly, raising her voice. "Do you not realize what status Wei Yun holds now, and what status you hold? You're in the midst of a great undertaking—what do talented people in this world value most? Reputation! You condemn Zhao Yue for his shamelessness, but if word of this spreads, what will people say? An affair between a widow and her brother-in-law... Even if I believe your feelings only developed years after A Jun's death, what about others? Gossip spreads faster than anything in this world," Liu Xueyang's voice trembled. "Chu Yu, do you still care about your reputation?"

Hearing this, Chu Yu laughed softly. "Madam Liu," she poured tea into her cup and said calmly, "I would give my life for him—why would I care about reputation?"

"And what about him?"Liu Xueyang clenched her fists: "My son Wei Yun has never had a single stain on his life. Our Wei family has always been a noble and prestigious household. Do you want to make him, to make our Wei family, bear shame because of you alone?!"

"You don't care, so you assume he doesn't care, that our Wei family doesn't care either?!"

Chu Yu didn't respond. Her grip on the teacup tightened slightly. After a long pause, she drained the tea in one gulp, lifted her head, and said calmly, "That's why I haven't said anything, haven't I?"

Liu Xueyang was taken aback. She watched as Chu Yu stood up and continued evenly, "I know we're at a critical juncture now. I know Wei Yun needs his reputation. I also know the Wei family can't tolerate this matter. So from beginning to end, I haven't asked for anything, haven't said anything, isn't that right?"

Chu Yu's words blended into the sound of rain outside. There wasn't a trace of complaint in her expression as she said gently, "Madam Liu, you're right about one thing—Xiao Qi and I are different. When he wants love, he'll fight the whole world without hesitation. But if I want love, how could I bear to make him face public condemnation? So whatever he wants, I give. If he wants my response, I respond. If he wants us to love like an ordinary couple, I try my best to love him that way. But I've never asked for anything—not the Six Rites, not a lifetime commitment, not even to make our relationship public."

"What worries you also worries me. My feelings for Xiao Qi may not compare to a mother's deep love, but I always wish him well."

"A Yu..." Liu Xueyang's voice choked with emotion as tears fell. She grasped Chu Yu's hands and said hoarsely, "If a relationship makes you suffer like this, why continue? Can't you choose another path, another person?"

Chu Yu didn't answer immediately. She smiled wordlessly before saying, "Madam, which person's path would be completely smooth? Every relationship has its trials. Since Wei Yun has never given up, how could I abandon it so easily?"

"Then you..." Liu Xueyang looked up in confusion, "What will you do?"

Chu Yu remained silent, gazing down at the older woman. Suddenly understanding, Liu Xueyang took a step back in alarm: "I will never consent to your marriage with Xiao Qi!"

Chu Yu gave a quiet laugh and sighed gently, "If you don't consent, then so be it."

Glancing at the sky, she returned to her seat and poured herself more tea.

Liu Xueyang watched numbly as Chu Yu raised her cup and said softly, "Mother-in-law, let me offer you this final cup of tea."

"What... what do you mean by this?" Liu Xueyang's hands trembled slightly.

Chu Yu smiled faintly: "Five years ago, when Wei Yun wrote the Divorce Letter on behalf of his brother, I ceased being the young madam of Wei Manor."

As she mentioned this distant past, Liu Xueyang's mind buzzed. Hazily, she remembered—Chu Yu had indeed received the Divorce Letter written by Wei Yun's own hand all those years ago.Chu Yu sighed: "I stayed with the Wei family back then because they were weathering storms. A heroic household like theirs—I couldn't bear to see them humiliated. Even then, I thought that once the Wei family was restored, it would be time for Chu Yu to leave. As for Wei Yun and me, it shouldn't be seen as an improper relationship between sister-in-law and brother-in-law, but rather as a union without formalities. Though it may seem scandalous in your eyes, we haven't disturbed anyone. I love him and wish to be with him. I don't believe this love has wronged anyone. Let me say something that might vex you," Chu Yu looked up at her, eyes brimming with amusement. "In my heart, there has never been rigid propriety, only reason. I act based on whether it harms others. If this love hasn't hurt anyone, then what have I done wrong?"

Her gaze was clear and bright, stirring a flicker of hesitation in Liu Xueyang's heart. Then she heard Chu Yu continue, "I have no regrets about the path I've taken, but now, it's time to leave."

"A-Yu, you mustn't!" Liu Xueyang reacted instinctively, but after uttering those words, she found herself at a loss—mustn't what? She had simply grown so accustomed to Chu Yu's presence in Wei Manor that she couldn't imagine what it would be like without her.

Chu Yu, however, seemed to understand Liu Xueyang's thoughts. She smiled faintly and said, "Nowadays, the household affairs are mostly managed by the second madam. I've already arranged most of the external dealings and settled the accounts. My departure won't affect Wei Manor, so you needn't worry, Mother."

"That's not what I meant..." Liu Xueyang burst into tears. "Do you truly think that's what concerns me now?"

Chu Yu watched the weeping woman quietly, sighing softly. She knew well that Liu Xueyang did care for her, but that affection paled in comparison to her love for Wei Yun. No matter how much Liu Xueyang valued Chu Yu, she would always remain an outsider—one who might harm her own child. Unless Liu Xueyang abandoned Wei Yun entirely, the rift between them could never be mended.

Chu Yu did love Wei Yun, but beyond love, she had other considerations. She loved Wei Yun as a person, but not Wei Manor. Back then, she had stubbornly stayed by Gu Chusheng's side because she believed he couldn't do without her. But now, she didn't feel that Wei Yun needed her in the same way.

So she said nothing. Instead, she raised her cup, drained the tea in one gulp, and said, "Madam Liu, take care."

With that, she stood, gathered the wooden box from the table, and turned to leave. Liu Xueyang watched as the woman picked up her umbrella and stepped out, then suddenly called out, "A-Yu!"

Chu Yu paused and turned back to see Liu Xueyang trembling inside the room, kneeling formally. With her hands pressed together, she bowed deeply, her voice hoarse as she said, "All these years... the Wei family thanks you."

Chu Yu was taken aback, then after a moment, she chuckled softly. "When I gave, I never expected anything in return. If I had, perhaps I wouldn't have given at all."

Then, as if remembering something, she added with a smile, "Oh, and Madam Liu—next time, don't ever touch another's belongings without permission."

Liu Xueyang hadn't expected such words. Without further explanation, Chu Yu turned and walked to her own quarters.

Meanwhile, Wei Yun was on his way back to Wei Manor.The night was pouring with heavy rain. Wei Xia said anxiously, "Your Highness, you're still injured. You should rest!"

"No need," he replied loudly. "We'll be there soon."

"Your Highness," Wei Xia followed closely beside him, the wind driving the rain into his face, stinging his skin. He couldn't understand. "Why are you in such a hurry? Doctor Shen said your injury requires rest and recuperation."

"It's fine," Wei Yun's voice was calm. "I'll be better once I'm home."

"Your Highness," Wei Xia sighed. "What exactly are you after?"

Wei Yun didn't answer, pressing his lips together.

After a moment, he could no longer hold back. Raising his head, his eyes filled with laughter, the unrestrained emotions spilling from his beautiful gaze. His smile carried warmth even in the storm as he answered Wei Xia loudly.

"I miss her!"

Wei Xia was momentarily stunned, watching the youthful man before him as he laughed and repeated, "I want to see her—I can't wait any longer!"

The words were straightforward and simple, just like his feelings.

Always direct, always sincere.