He said it as if it were the most natural thing, but Chu Yu was momentarily stunned. Wei Yun stood up to fetch her clothes, rummaging through them as he spoke, "Get up and have some food first. Gu Chusheng just briefed me on the situation in the city. He said you have a way to get others to contribute grain as well. What’s your plan?"
"Me?" Chu Yu lazily sat up. Wei Yun draped an outer robe over her shoulders, and she stretched out her arms, letting him dress her without the slightest hesitation. She answered bluntly, "I’m not as clever as you all. If they won’t give it, I’ll just take it."
"I thought you had some brilliant scheme," Wei Yun said, fastening her belt with a resigned chuckle. "But with so many people, how can you possibly seize from all of them?"
"We don’t need to take from everyone. You can collaborate with my brother and Song Shilan to issue a decree demanding grain contributions from all. Specify clearly how much each must send—not too much, just enough to make them feel it’s a small price to avoid disaster. Divide it into four rounds, attaching a list each time, naming who must send grain in that round. Then set a rule: any lord who fails to deliver by the deadline or doesn’t contribute at all will face punitive action for their 'unrighteous conduct.' Keep the first round’s list short. I’ll just raid those on the first list, and that should suffice."
It wasn’t a particularly clever plan.
Yet, after a moment’s thought, Wei Yun realized it was probably the most straightforward and effective approach.
Among the feudal lords, he, Chu Linyang, and Song Shilan now had the most troops and provisions. If they joined forces, it would spell doom for any single lord. They were like a sword hanging over everyone’s heads—if grain was delivered, the sword wouldn’t fall; if not, while the sword couldn’t eliminate them all, most wouldn’t dare take the risk. If the demanded grain was excessive, some might still gamble, but if it was just enough to be bearable, most would choose to pay the price for peace.
This was a game of strategy. In a one-on-one gamble, wins and losses might balance out, but in a group, each would choose the option most favorable to themselves, ultimately leading to the worst collective outcome.
As Wei Yun pondered Chu Yu’s words, she finished washing up and stepped in front of him, asking somewhat awkwardly, "Ahem, how long will we stay in Yuancheng?"
"Not too long," Wei Yun replied, reaching out to take her hand naturally. He turned and led her slowly outside, his voice calm. "Once Yuancheng is settled, we’ll prepare to attack Jiucheng next. We also need to plan ahead. If we secure the grain, Zhao Yue won’t take it lying down."
"But Gu Chusheng said—"
"He’s already here," Wei Yun shook his head. "From the moment he seized the provisions and came to Yuancheng, Zhao Yue marked him as expendable."
"Though Zhao Yue still needs him for now," Wei Yun added with a light laugh. "Hua Jing is swarming with Zhao Yue’s people. He wouldn’t dare let Gu Chusheng leave so easily. As long as there’s the slightest chance to win him back, Zhao Yue won’t give up."
"So how should we handle Gu Chusheng now?" Chu Yu frowned. "He made Yuancheng surrender. We can’t just let him return to the capital like this...""This morning during the siege, Gu Chusheng and I staged a performance. Gu Chusheng didn't actually surrender—he had a subordinate open the city gates instead. He himself made a grand show of vowing to live and die with Yuancheng, and is now being held as my prisoner. I'll write to Zhao Yue shortly, demanding provisions in exchange for this 'loyal minister.'"
"Would Zhao Yue really agree to that?" Chu Yu laughed. Wei Yun chuckled lightly: "Gu Chusheng even wrote a letter himself—a Blood Letter so moving it would bring tears to anyone's eyes. If Zhao Yue doesn't rescue him, it'll be another stain on his reputation. Even if we don't get the provisions, it's good to give him some grief."
"You two are really..." Chu Yu was both amused and exasperated. It struck her that people like Wei Yun and Gu Chusheng were truly the hardest to deal with. She might wield blades and spears, but their words were like knives—peeling off layers before running you through with a silver spear.
Hand in hand, they arrived at the main hall where Gu Chusheng was handling official business while waiting for them. When he looked up and saw their intertwined hands, he froze. His lips pressed tightly together, and it took him a long moment before he lowered his head again, returning to his documents.
The pages listed scarce medicinal supplies. He had already visited Wei Qingping earlier that morning, where the air was thick with weeping and wails. These words on paper became living, breathing lives before his eyes. In that instant, his jealousy and resentment were subdued. He quickly regained his composure and began discussing tasks with his subordinates.
Wei Yun led Chu Yu to sit down and greeted respectfully, "Minister Gu."
Gu Chusheng gave his subordinates a final instruction, set aside the documents, and nodded slightly at Wei Yun. "Prince Wei."
"Just now, Miss Chu and I discussed borrowing provisions. There are some matters where we might need your assistance." Wei Yun swiftly outlined Chu Yu's ideas before adding, "I’d like to consult with you on this. Since each region’s grain production varies, how should we decide whom to borrow from and how much?"
Having served as Minister of Revenue for years and managed civilian affairs, Gu Chusheng was intimately familiar with the tax and grain capacities of every region. He nodded. "I’ll compile the details as soon as possible. But who will lead the troops?"
To have both Song Shilan and Chu Linyang lend their forces while maintaining flexibility for mobility...
As everyone pondered, the soft clink of a cup being set down broke the silence. Chu Yu smiled. "Me."
The two men fell silent. After a pause, Gu Chusheng hesitated. "But it’s arduous work..."
"Minister Gu, that’s not very encouraging," Chu Yu laughed. "In this life, the greater the authority, the greater the responsibility. How can one sit idle and reap rewards without labor? To demand freedom, power, and respect without being willing to pay the price—since when does such good fortune exist?"
"I’m happy to do what I can." Her voice was gentle as her hand unconsciously brushed the dagger at her waist. "Only then does it feel like this life hasn’t been wasted."
Gu Chusheng said nothing. He simply watched her quietly.He observed the scattered light on Chu Yu, sensing something intangible surrounding him. Wei Yun took a quiet sip of tea and spoke slowly, "I'll write to Brother Chu and Shilan today. I'll draft the Grain Requisition Order by tonight. May I ask when Lord Gu can finalize the figures?"
Gu Chusheng narrowed his eyes slightly. "By noon tomorrow."
Wei Yun nodded and cupped his hands in respect. "Huaiyu will await your word."
Hearing this name, Gu Chusheng paused for a moment. He opened his mouth but remained silent for a long while before lowering his head and saying, "If there's nothing else, Your Highness should attend to your duties. With Yuan City still in chaos, you must have much to handle."
Wei Yun acknowledged and stood up after bidding farewell to Gu Chusheng. Turning to Chu Yu, he asked, "What are your plans for today, Miss?"
"I'll stay and assist Lord Gu," Chu Yu hesitated briefly. Wei Yun lowered his gaze but said nothing more, nodding as he replied, "Then I'll take my leave first."
With that, he turned and walked out. Chu Yu approached Gu Chusheng and patted his shoulder. "I'm staying to help you—how loyal is that?"
Gu Chusheng looked up at her. After a long silence, he finally said, "Fine. Hand me the dossier in the third row, fourth column..."
They worked on calculating the grain requisitions until late into the night. When Chu Yu returned to her room, the lights were on, and Wei Yun sat inside, engrossed in writing something. She walked up behind him and saw the bold, elegant strokes of his calligraphy.
He was drafting the Grain Requisition Order, beginning with a grand proclamation of righteousness that stirred the blood. It was unclear whether this fervor flowed naturally from his spirit or if he had truly mastered the art of rhetoric.
Chu Yu stood quietly for a while until Wei Yun dipped his brush in ink and noticed the shadow cast on the paper. His brush hovered above the inkstone for a moment before he looked up with a smile. "You're back."
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
Chu Yu sat down and began grinding ink for Wei Yun, admiring his handwriting. "Our Huaiyu's calligraphy is truly exceptional."
Wei Yun chuckled softly. "I can't afford to present scribbles like a child's anymore."
Chu Yu looked up at him. The young man's features, softened by the lamplight, seemed to blend into the glow—gentle and radiant. Sensing her gaze, he met her eyes but said, "Go to sleep. If you keep looking at me like this, I won't be able to focus."
"Then I won't look," Chu Yu quickly averted her eyes and stood up, picking up a small book from the side. Leaning against Wei Yun's thigh, she held up the book and said, "I'll read while I wait for you."
Wei Yun hesitated briefly, pressing his lips together to suppress a smile. "Alright."
Chu Yu was exhausted. After flipping through a few pages, the book fell onto her face with a soft thud, and she closed her eyes, drifting into sleep.
Wei Yun sighed in amusement, lifting the book from her face. The lamplight fell on Chu Yu's features, and she frowned slightly in discomfort. Wei Yun raised his hand to shield her eyes.
The warmth and darkness soothed her, and Wei Yun continued writing the Grain Requisition Order, maintaining the posture of shielding her from the light. By the time he finished, it was already late. Looking down at the girl asleep in his arms, he couldn't resist leaning in to kiss her forehead. Then he carefully carried her to the bed and tucked her in.He pulled the blanket over her and was about to leave after drawing the bed curtains when Chu Yu suddenly grabbed his sleeve, murmuring drowsily, "Stay."
Wei Yun hesitated for a moment before finally returning and climbing into bed properly. As he lay flat beside her, Chu Yu snuggled closer, draping herself over him and mumbling, "Why aren’t you holding me?"
Wei Yun chuckled helplessly, turning onto his side to pull her into his arms and whispering, "Sleep now."
In her half-awake state, Chu Yu rested her head against Wei Yun’s chest in the darkness, listening to his heartbeat before speaking slowly, "Huaiyu, what are you thinking about?"
Why had he suddenly become so distant?
Why had he suddenly grown so reserved?
Chu Yu couldn’t quite understand. The abrupt shift startled her into greater wakefulness, and she lifted her eyes to look at him in the dark, searching for an answer.
Wei Yun combed his fingers through her hair, gazing down at her gently. "The night you left, I lay in your room thinking a lot. A Yu, I realized you must have suffered greatly."
Chu Yu froze. Wei Yun’s expression carried a trace of bitterness. "I always said I’d give you the best in this world, yet I kept forgetting—you and I are different. You’re a woman, after all. Many things were my recklessness, my ignorance, my thoughtlessness."
"Back then, I was so afraid you’d leave," he buried his face in the crook of her neck, his voice strained. "I wanted to hold onto you too desperately, too impatiently. I longed to be bound to you forever, eager to do anything that would tie us together. I thought there was nothing in this life I couldn’t handle—until you left, and I realized how many storms you’d weathered for me."
"I…"
"I should have married you properly."
His voice trembled slightly. "I should have let you leave Wei Manor with dignity, then followed the Six Rites, arranged a grand procession, and brought you back as my rightful bride. I should never have compromised your reputation, nor taken advantage of your indulgence out of ignorance."
"I kept telling myself the timing wasn’t right, terrified that once you left Wei Manor, you wouldn’t return. But now I see—there’s no such thing as perfect timing." He lifted his head, forcing a smile. "It only depends on whether you truly want it. Now that you’ve left the Wei family, and the whole world knows—what does it matter?"
Chu Yu remained silent. After a pause, she sighed and pulled him into her arms, soothing him gently. "This path was my own choice. Xiao Qi, truthfully, I walked it gladly. I thought it would be much harder, but I never expected you to be this good. In life, we gain and we lose. I don’t regret loving you, and being with you makes me happy. When I chose you, I stopped caring about reputation long ago. Don’t overthink it." She kissed his forehead. "You’ve done well."
Wei Yun didn’t respond. Eyes closed, he leaned against Chu Yu’s chest. After a long while, he said quietly, "You, Gu Chusheng, and Second Sister-in-law were all right in the end—I was still too young."
Opening his eyes, he clasped Chu Yu’s hand and smiled painfully. "To be loved by someone like me now—my heart aches for you.""If you didn't like me, then I'd feel sorry for myself." Chu Yu clasped his hand in return and laughed. Wei Yun shook his head earnestly, "That won't happen. I've liked you since I was fifteen, and I'll keep liking you until I'm fifty, until I'm an old man. I'm not good enough now," he lowered his eyes, a trace of regret in his voice. "If I had waited until I grew up more, understood the twists and turns of human nature before liking you, perhaps you wouldn't have suffered so much hardship."
Hearing this, Chu Yu couldn't help but laugh.
"If that's the case, why didn't I like Gu Chusheng instead?"
Wei Yun was taken aback for a moment before replying blankly, "That's true..."
Chu Yu burst into laughter, slapping the bed. Wei Yun looked helpless and was about to pull her back when suddenly the woman flipped over and pinned him down. Pressing against him, she said, "Prince Wei, to be honest with you."
She reached up and patted his face. "With looks like yours, even if it were just a fleeting romance, I'd be utterly delighted."
Wei Yun was stunned for a moment before retorting with a mix of embarrassment and annoyance, "What nonsense are you spouting..."
Chu Yu held one of his hands down while deftly unbuttoning his clothes with the other, speaking gently, "People in this world are so strange—they treat a night together as more important than life itself, yet they'll entrust a lifetime of marriage based on some fortune-telling. But I'm different. If I like someone, I'll be with them. If I don't, then I don't."
"Stop fooling around..."
Wei Yun reached up to grab her, anxiously saying, "I'm doing this for your own good."
Chu Yu paused and looked up at him. "For my own good? How is making me unhappy 'for my own good'?"
Wei Yun blushed. "You're not even at Wei Manor anymore—what if you end up with a child?"
Chu Yu was momentarily confused. Would it be better if she had a child at Wei Manor? Sensing her thoughts, Wei Yun pulled her off him, wrapped her tightly in the blanket, and sighed as she blinked up at him. "You're running around everywhere outside, and I can't rest easy. If you were with child, I'd want to stay by your side and take good care of you."
As he spoke, Wei Yun reached out and brushed her hair aside. "Behave, alright?"
Chu Yu didn't reply. She thought about her upcoming plans and realized it might be inconvenient, so she obediently nodded. Wei Yun lay back down, relieved—but the moment he did, Chu Yu rolled over and draped herself over him, nuzzling against him. "Good brother, even if we don't have a baby, there are plenty of other things we can do, right?"
Wei Yun: "..."
Expressionless, he pulled her hands away, turned over, and wrapped his arms tightly around her to restrain her movements, saying firmly, "Sleep!"
"You're being mean to me!"
Wei Yun: "..."
Author's Note:
Chu Yu: Sorry, I'm not exactly the demure type.
Wei Yun: No, A Yu, let go of me (secretly pleased inside).
The title has been changed to The Pillow of Mountains and Rivers .
Please take note, everyone~
Actually, I didn’t want to change the title. When I first named it, I was just using a core theme—love has its most beautiful forms.
But after publishing, I realized many people assumed The Sister-in-Law as Wife was an erotic novel, leading to misunderstandings and missed opportunities. Plus, given the need for societal harmony, I ultimately decided to change it.Although the new name isn't down-to-earth and gives off a somewhat cold, high-end yet ordinary vibe, it's changed now... As long as it ensures I won't be mistakenly banned or censored, my goal is achieved.
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