The guards behind Chu Yu untied her ropes, and she quickly took Gu Chusheng's hand, using his support to step down from the carriage.
Gu Chusheng turned to greet Zhang Hui before instructing someone to help The Eldest Princess out. The Eldest Princess and Chu Yu exchanged glances for a moment, then she nodded coldly and followed Zhang Hui away.
As Chu Yu entered the Gu residence with Gu Chusheng, she immediately understood. "You kidnapped The Eldest Princess to exchange for me?"
"Mm." Gu Chusheng responded softly, then instructed the steward, "Bring the physician here."
Turning back, he asked calmly, "Have you been unwell lately? Did they do anything to you?"
"No." Chu Yu shook her head. After a moment of thought, she placed a hand on her belly and smiled. "I don’t know if it’s just my imagination, but I feel like the baby has grown a bit."
Gu Chusheng didn’t answer. He stood with his back to her, closing his eyes in silence before opening them again and leading her toward the main hall. As they walked, he asked, "When is your wedding with him scheduled?"
"Hard to say," Chu Yu shrugged. "Who knows?"
"Ridiculous!"
Gu Chusheng suddenly raised his voice, stopping in his tracks. "Does he even have a plan for his own affairs?!"
Chu Yu was taken aback, then replied sheepishly, "He actually wants to marry sooner, but I think it’s not a good idea… His mother doesn’t like me… If I marry into Wei Manor, I might as well live alone."
Her gaze drifted absently across the courtyard as she added, "You have no idea how troublesome it is when a mother-in-law dislikes you."
Gu Chusheng remained silent. The courtyard looked exactly the same as in their past life, and her words, spoken while looking at it, likely stirred old memories.
For a moment, he wanted to say—it’s different now.
This life was completely different from the last.
If she married him this time, he wouldn’t let her suffer the same grievances as before.
But he couldn’t say it. What had changed wasn’t just him—it was Chu Yu too. Suppressing his emotions, he sighed. "Come inside first. Let’s see if there are any other issues."
Chu Yu followed him in, and the physician entered the hall with his medicine chest. After taking her pulse and asking a few questions, the physician frowned.
"Is something wrong?" Chu Yu asked, puzzled.
The physician sighed. "Since becoming pregnant, Madam has endured long journeys and ingested a large amount of bewitching drug. Though your constitution is strong, the child’s foundation may be weak. You must rest well in the coming days. I’ll prescribe some medicine—take it daily and avoid excessive worry."
Chu Yu acknowledged his words. Gu Chusheng looked concerned but said nothing more.
Once the physician left, Chu Yu propped her chin on her hand and sighed. "Do you think I’ll give birth to a fool?"
"Don’t talk nonsense."
Gu Chusheng glared at her, and Chu Yu laughed. "Just joking. What’s your plan with Xiao Qi now that you’ve rescued me? What’s next?"
"Wei Yun should have taken Qing Province by now and is advancing toward Kun Province. Once The Eldest Princess returns to the palace, she’ll increase the dosage of poison. When Zhao Yue is too incapacitated to act, she and I will take control of the inner palace. Then I’ll summon Wei Yun back to the capital. Once he leads his troops here, the realm will be at peace.""Still the same old plan?"
"Yes."
Gu Chusheng responded. Chu Yu nodded, then furrowed her brow in thought. "It’s been so long. Has Zhao Yue never suspected anything?"
"He has."
A cold glint flashed in Gu Chusheng’s eyes. "He’s summoned many wandering physicians. Recently, it’s said he brought Yu Linlang into the palace. She’s now being guarded deep within the inner palace. We’re looking for an opportunity to act."
As he spoke, Gu Chusheng suddenly remembered something. "Don’t worry about these matters. Focus on resting for the baby."
"Then I won’t think about it," Chu Yu agreed, then added, "Can you contact Wei Yun?"
Gu Chusheng fell silent for a moment, his fingers tightening imperceptibly around his sleeve. "Zhao Yue has both of us under house arrest now. We’ll have to wait for The Eldest Princess to succeed."
With that, he took away the melon seeds in front of Chu Yu and stood up. "Stop eating these. From now on, avoid anything unclear or unverified."
Chu Yu was baffled. Since when had melon seeds become "unclear or unverified"?
The Eldest Princess was escorted back to the palace. Along the way, her attendant quickly briefed her on the recent events within the inner palace.
"His Majesty seems to have regained some of his sight and now holds Yu Linlang in high regard."
The Eldest Princess remained silent, lowering her gaze. "In the coming days, instruct Guo Shou to station a group of soldiers outside my palace for guard duty. Have him arrange for our people to be on duty at the same time, preferably at night."
Guo Shou was one of The Eldest Princess’s agents planted in the Imperial Guards. After lying low for five years, he now held a position of some influence.
The palace maid acknowledged the order. The Eldest Princess then asked, "No way to get to Yu Linlang?"
"His Majesty’s men are guarding her in shifts," the maid whispered. "It’s truly impossible."
The Eldest Princess nodded, a cold gleam flashing in her eyes.
"Then we must act quickly."
While undercurrents surged in Hua Jing, Wei Yun had just led his men to the border of Kun Province. Not daring to venture too close, he quietly stationed his forces at the boundary between Bai Province and Kun Province, waiting for Gu Chusheng’s signal.
This period of waiting was one of the rare moments of calm he had experienced in a long time. Shen You joined him on the city tower, drinking as they gazed into the distance.
"Your Highness, do you miss Madam?"
Seeing Wei Yun’s eyes fixed in the direction of Hua Jing, Shen You couldn’t help but ask.
"Of course."
"Does Gu Chusheng love Madam?"
"Yes."
"And you’re willing to let Gu Chusheng rescue her?" Shen You frowned. "Women are drawn to strength. What if Madam develops feelings for Gu Chusheng?"
Wei Yun paused at the question. Holding his wine flask, he chuckled after a moment. "I don’t know what I’d do."
"At first, I wanted to say—I’d just take her back. But then I realized I have no right to say such things. Shen You, I’ve come to understand that in all these years, at every critical moment, it was never me by her side. Back in Phoenix Tomb City, it was Gu Chusheng who stayed with her while I was repelling the Northern Di’s assault on the imperial court. Now, it’s still Gu Chusheng with her, while I lead troops here, waiting to storm Hua Jing."
"Tell me—what difference does it make for a husband like me to exist or not?"Shen You remained silent. Wei Yun gently set down the wine pot and sighed, "So I thought, if I can't win her back, I might as well die on the battlefield—no regrets. But that answer isn't right either. If I die in battle, who will protect her if she's bullied? The Northern Di remain undefeated, and Chen Kingdom is stirring. If I'm gone, who will defend Great Chu and her? That scholar Gu Chusheng?"
"So," Wei Yun turned to Shen You, "I suppose if she truly falls for Gu Chusheng, the most likely thing I'll do is guard her for the rest of my life. If there's another Phoenix Tomb City, another crisis like now, let Gu Chushen stay by her side—I'll be the one protecting her."
"Your Highness..." Shen You sighed softly. Wei Yun raised a hand and patted his shoulder.
"Don't overthink it," Wei Yun stood up and turned away. "Go rest."
"Your Highness," Shen You called after him, "what if the First Madam returns safely?"
Wei Yun didn't answer. He tucked his hands into his sleeves and lowered his gaze. After a long pause, he chuckled softly. "If she comes back to me safely after this battle, I never want to fight another war in my life."
"I've guarded Great Chu's lands for over twenty years," Wei Yun said slowly. "For the rest of my days, I want to spend them with her."
"That's good," Shen You smiled. "Having someone to wait for is a blessing."
Then, as if remembering something, Shen You added, "Did Song Shilan go to Bailing?"
At this, Wei Yun couldn't help but grin. "The moment he heard Bailing was besieged, he immediately sent a letter to inquire about the situation. Then he said he'd go as soon as he finished his tasks. He had just taken Cao Quan's territory, yet he turned right around and headed to Bailing. He should be there by now. Last time he left Bailing, he swore he wouldn't return unless Second Sister-in-law agreed to marry him. Guess he couldn't hold out after all."
As they spoke, Song Shilan had just arrived in Bailing.
He first paid his respects to Liu Xueyang. Jiang Chun claimed to be ill and did not appear. After greeting Liu Xueyang, Song Shilan used the excuse of visiting the young master to slip away and sneak into Jiang Chun's residence.
Jiang Chun was alone in her room, practicing calligraphy, when she heard knocking at the door. She went to open it—only to see a pair of fox-like eyes and a smiling face on the other side. She immediately tried to shut the door, but Song Shilan pressed against it. "Let me in to talk!"
"Prince Song, this is improper."
Song Shilan didn't budge, keeping his hand on the door. Jiang Chun pushed back with all her strength, and the two struggled for a long while before Song Shilan finally sighed in defeat.
"A Chun," he said helplessly, "you win in the end."
He spoke slowly, "Last time, when I said I was marrying Wei Qingping—that was a lie."
Jiang Chun froze. Song Shilan remained outside, not taking the chance to force his way in. He simply said, "This time, I've brought the betrothal gifts with me. Whether you accept them or not, I'll leave them at Wei Manor. I won't marry anyone else. I'll wait for you. Whenever you agree, just say the word—I won't have to propose again."
Jiang Chun hesitated before sighing. "Why must you do this?"
"You don't have to marry me," Song Shilan chuckled. "But no one else is allowed to bring betrothal gifts to your door in front of me! I came first. If you ever wish to remarry, they'll have to wait their turn—I was here before them."
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