Hearing this, Gu Chusheng was momentarily stunned before quickly regaining his composure.
He wasn’t surprised that Zhao Yue intended to target Wei Yun’s family. Given Zhao Yue’s ruthless and narrow-minded nature, he would never engage in a direct confrontation with Wei Yun on the battlefield.
Wei Yun was an upright gentleman, while Zhao Yue was a true villain. Thus, Wei Yun and Chu Yu could never anticipate what Zhao Yue might do, but Gu Chusheng could foresee it.
Gu Chusheng remained silent for a moment before he couldn’t help but ask, “You’d give anything?”
“Yes.”
“What if I demand you let her go and part ways?”
“I would.”
“What if I demand that you never set foot in Hua Jing again, and that you support me in the imperial court?”
“As long as you refrain from evil deeds, then yes.”
“What if I demand you spare Yao Yong and Zhao Yue, and abandon your vengeance?”
Wei Yun trembled slightly, but he clenched his fists and gritted his teeth. “Agreed.”
Gu Chusheng watched him silently. Wei Yun’s voice was hoarse as he spoke, “I know you still have allies in Hua Jing. If I march into the capital now, Zhao Yue will surely act. I ask you to return to Hua Jing and, together with The Eldest Princess, protect her. I will lead the frontal assault. Once we enter Hua Jing, it will all be over.”
“Then why not negotiate directly with Zhao Yue? Give him whatever he wants, and it’s settled.”
“I still have my men, and this world still has its people.”
Wei Yun answered without hesitation, “I can give up everything I have, but if I trade the lives and futures of others for A Yu, I fear she would despise me for the rest of her life—and so would I.”
“Then why negotiate with me?”
Gu Chusheng stared at him. Wei Yun met his gaze. “Because you stand here at Quan Yong, I am willing to talk.”
A grand secretary willing to travel thousands of miles to personally aid disaster relief—no matter how flawed, how bad could he truly be?
Gu Chusheng scrutinized Wei Yun, who calmly returned his gaze. After a long silence, Gu Chusheng lifted his head to look at the dawn clouds, blinking away the moisture in his eyes. “Fine. If she’s in danger, how could I stand idly by? I’ll return.”
“Here is a list.” Wei Yun handed over a scroll and a jade pendant from his sleeve. “These are my informants in the capital. You may mobilize them if necessary.”
Gu Chusheng glanced at the list and nodded. “I’ll make preparations at once.”
Wei Yun acknowledged him. Just as Gu Chusheng turned to leave, he finally added, “One more thing.”
Gu Chusheng turned back with a questioning hum. Wei Yun raised his eyes, his gaze filled with restrained emotion. “The child in her belly…”
“She’s with child?!”
Gu Chusheng’s voice rose sharply. Wei Yun couldn’t bear to look at him, fixing his eyes on the weeds before him as he continued, “If she chooses to keep it, regardless of gender, the child will be the heir to my estate…”
Gu Chusheng’s expression darkened drastically. Wei Yun took a deep breath, stepped back, and bowed deeply with his sleeves spread in utmost respect. “Lord Gu, I entrust my wife and child to you.”"Utterly..." Gu Chusheng was momentarily at a loss for words. Watching Wei Yun bow respectfully before him, he finally flicked his sleeve in frustration and snapped, "The child might not even bear your surname when born, so stop entertaining such thoughts. Since we've come this far, I'll return and proceed as originally planned. Within a month, once Zhao Yue succumbs to the poison, the Eldest Princess and I will jointly assume governance. Once we've secured control over Zhao Yue and issued a general pardon, you'll lead your troops directly to Kun Province and replace all personnel in Hua Jing with your own men, along with those of Chu Linyang and Song Shilan."
"Agreed."
With this settled, Gu Chusheng wasted no time. He gathered his belongings and, escorted by Wei Yun's men, hurried back to Hua Jing.
Chu Yu had arrived in Hua Jing four days ahead of Gu Chusheng. Throughout the journey, she had been drugged, drifting in and out of consciousness. When she finally awoke fully, she found herself in a pitch-black room.
The space was utterly devoid of light, so dark she couldn't see her own hand before her face. "Is anyone there?" she called out.
The echo suggested the room wasn't large. Groping blindly, Chu Yu eventually found a wall. She untied a handkerchief from her person and let it drop to the ground, then used her body to measure the room's dimensions as she moved along the wall. After completing a full circuit, she had a rough estimate of the room's size.
Then she sat down, hugging herself in the darkness.
Being confined alone in darkness, without conversation or activity, was bearable at first. But soon, Chu Yu grew restless. She began to experience tinnitus, a sharp, scratching sound in her ears like a cat clawing at something. A headache set in, and she couldn't help but stand up again. "Is anyone there?!" she shouted. "Is anyone here?!"
She called out repeatedly until, after what felt like an eternity, she finally heard footsteps approaching from one direction. She whipped her head around, and moments later, a loud "click" sounded. The entire room was suddenly flooded with light, so bright it stung her eyes. She shielded her face with her hands as lamps were lit and voices filled the space. When she finally adjusted and lowered her hands, she saw Zhao Yue seated before her.
Dressed in a bright yellow robe, he sat on a chair, chin resting on his hand. His handsome face bore a faint, mocking smile, though his gaze seemed unfocused as it settled on her.
"Miss Chu," he said softly. "We meet again."
Chu Yu remained silent, watching him calmly. Zhao Yue chuckled lowly. "Ah, no—I shouldn't call you Miss Chu, should I? What should I call you... the young mistress?" He tapped his temple, then feigned sudden realization. "Ah, I understand now. A woman carrying the Prince of Peace's child should be addressed as the Prince's consort, no? Though I wonder, which consort would you be? Even if you were the first, who knows when the Prince might have a proper princess consort?"
"What's the point of saying all this?" Chu Yu replied coldly.
Zhao Yue sighed. "Wei Yun has caused me no end of trouble. Can't I take it out on you?"
"Pity," Zhao Yue leaned back in his chair, tapping his chin. "You share a history with my wife, and you're with child. I can't go too far."
"Your Majesty's devotion to the Eldest Princess is truly touching," Chu Yu retorted sarcastically. "Why not honor that devotion by sending me back to her?""She won't agree." Zhao Yue spoke with a smile, his eyes filled with lingering affection. "I'm her husband. Even if her heart softens and she stops me from tormenting you, she would never help you. I'm her husband, the father of her child—just as Wei Yun is to you. You dared to defy the world for Wei Yun, and she would do the same for me."
Chu Yu remained silent. She had an instinctive feeling that Zhao Yue's current state was somewhat strange. After a moment of silence, she asked, "How is The Eldest Princess?"
Zhao Yue seemed momentarily dazed, his reaction sluggish. After a pause, he finally registered her question and nodded. "She's well."
"The child is almost five months along."
Zhao Yue smiled. "I heard the baby's heartbeat. I believe this one will surely be The Crown Prince."
Chu Yu said nothing. Zhao Yue appeared weary as he stood up. "I'm tired, Madam Wei. If you're in the mood, you can write a letter to Wei Yun. If he's willing to withdraw his troops for your sake, hand over his army to me, and come to Hua Jing alone, I'll guarantee your safety. If he refuses to obey..." Zhao Yue turned his head, his smile gentle yet chilling. "I wouldn't mind sending you back to him piece by piece. Oh, and your child too."
His gaze drifted to Chu Yu's belly, unfocused and cold, like the edge of a blade, carrying an aura of bloodlust.
"I'll carve out your child and deliver it to him. That way, your family of three can be reunited."
"Your Majesty," Chu Yu laughed. "I'm truly terrified."
"If you're really afraid," Zhao Yue lifted his eyes toward Chu Yu, "then write the letter!"
"Very well." Chu Yu nodded. "Leave me the writing materials. I'll think about how to phrase it."
"Leave them for her." Zhao Yue flicked his sleeve and strode out. The attendant set down the ink and brush, then turned to leave. Chu Yu tapped the inkstone with her brush. "Bring me another plate of spicy chicken feet. Without food, I can't write."
"You—!" The attendant spun around, glaring furiously at her. Chu Yu met his gaze head-on and pointed her brush at him. "I warn you—I'm pregnant. If you scare me into a miscarriage, or scare me to death, or cause any harm to me, your Majesty will have no leverage left against Wei Yun. And then he'll have you killed for sure!"
The logic was sound. The attendant gripped his sword, torn between striking her or not. After a tense standoff, he finally let out an angry shout and stormed away. Chu Yu bent her head to grind ink, raising her voice. "Don't forget the chicken feet! If you don't bring them, I'll keep pestering you—until you're driven mad!"
Chu Yu had been confined to the room for four days when Gu Chusheng arrived in Hua Jing.
The news of his arrival reached Zhao Yue as Zhang Hui was reading memorials to him. Zhao Yue could barely see anything now, but he couldn't let anyone know. Thus, he relied entirely on Zhang Hui to read everything aloud. Court physicians had come one after another, yet none could determine the cause of his ailment. Zhao Yue had ordered Zhang Hui to arrange for the renowned healer Yu Linlang from the martial world to examine him.
When he heard of Gu Chusheng's return, Zhao Yue let out a cold laugh. "How bold of him to come back!""Not only has he returned," Zhang Hui said quietly, "but his reputation is also soaring. I heard the common people spontaneously went to welcome him when he entered the city."
Zhao Yue snorted coldly, unwilling to acknowledge this news. After a moment, he turned his head and asked, "How is Consort Mei?"
"All is well," Zhang Hui replied softly. "Recently, she's been making small clothes for the prince. Just yesterday, she inquired about Your Majesty's well-being."
Hearing this, warmth appeared in Zhao Yue's eyes. He then asked, "Has the palace tunnel been completed?"
"It's ready."
Zhang Hui lowered his voice: "Should anything go wrong, this servant will ensure Consort Mei and the young prince are safely escorted out of the city."
Zhao Yue acknowledged this with a nod.
Seeing Zhao Yue remain silent, Zhang Hui hesitated before tentatively suggesting, "Would Your Majesty like to visit Her Ladyship today?"
Zhao Yue was silent for a long time before finally saying, "I'll go after she's asleep. If she sees me during the day, she's clever enough to notice something's wrong. It would only cause unnecessary worry, which isn't good for her or the child."
Zhang Hui assented and made the arrangements. After Zhang Hui left, Zhao Yue flexed his fingers.
He didn't dare tell Zhang Hui that it seemed some of his fingers could no longer move.
After resting briefly, Zhao Yue received word that Gu Chusheng requested an audience. He had Zhang Hui draw the curtains and sat behind them, waiting for Gu Chusheng to enter.
Gu Chusheng walked into the great hall, knelt, and paid his respects to Zhao Yue, saying calmly, "Greetings, Your Majesty."
"Minister Gu has quite the audacity."
Zhao Yue spoke with a smile: "After seizing Minister Yao's provisions to aid disaster victims, losing Yuancheng, and now daring to return to Hua Jing?"
"This minister has done no wrong, why wouldn't I dare return?"
Gu Chusheng knelt on the ground, answering with complete frankness. Zhao Yue suddenly slammed the armrest and roared, "You still claim you've done no wrong?! If you're blameless, how was Yuancheng lost? Why did you seize Yao Yong's provisions? What were you doing in Qing Province for so long, disobeying imperial orders?!"
"Your Majesty," Gu Chusheng looked up at him, "You are the emperor. When the people suffer disasters, should they not be aided? If they should, then during peacetime, if I diverted military provisions to save lives—while perhaps a minor breach, the greater principle remains intact—what wrong have I committed? Yuancheng was abandoned by the soldiers, not by this humble minister. As a mere civil official who remained in the city for the people's sake and was captured by the enemy, fortunate to survive, how can that be considered wrong? Your Majesty, if I have erred, my only fault is that in Your Majesty's heart, I am at fault."
Zhao Yue said nothing, staring at Gu Chusheng through the curtain.
Though his vision was blurred, he felt with absolute clarity that the other man was like a fierce tiger lurking behind the curtain, watching him intently.
Their silence was like a wordless game of chess, waiting to see who would yield first.
Zhao Yue desperately wanted to call his guards to seize Gu Chusheng at this moment, but Gu Chusheng's influence in the capital was deeply entrenched. He feared that if he summoned people now, most who responded might be Gu Chusheng's men. Without knowing Gu Chusheng's full strength, he dared not act rashly. The two of them were like opponents holding knives to each other's throats—neither daring to strike first, locked in this stalemate.After a long silence, Zhao Yue let out a heavy breath and chuckled lightly: "Minister Gu speaks true. It is I who have been in poor spirits lately and unfairly took it out on you. However, I have always regarded Chusheng as a brother. There is a gift I wish to present to you, Chusheng. I hope that upon receiving it, you will understand my intentions clearly and henceforth assist me wholeheartedly, without becoming an accomplice to petty villains."
Hearing this, Gu Chusheng looked puzzled: "Your Majesty speaks of a gift...?"
"Chu Yu."
Zhao Yue leaned forward slightly. Gu Chusheng's expression stiffened, his fists clenched as he restrained his emotions, yet managed a smile: "What does Your Majesty mean by this?"
"Chu Yu is currently my guest. Oh, and she's carrying Wei Yun's child. Surprising, isn't it?"
Zhao Yue laughed aloud: "One a sister-in-law, the other a brother-in-law—such scandalous proximity, yet they still engaged in this depraved affair. To consort without proper rites is bad enough, but to produce a bastard from it... Chusheng," Zhao Yue sighed, "this must pain you deeply, no? But fear not. Once I've dealt with Wei Yun, I'll have this child removed for you. Then I shall personally officiate your wedding. How does that sound?"
Gu Chusheng remained silent, his fists clenched as he lifted his head, his words laced with warning: "Do not touch her."
This amused Zhao Yue. He let out a low chuckle and said slowly, his voice gentle: "Whether I touch her or not... depends entirely on your actions, Minister Gu."
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