After Grand Tutor Xie had walked a few steps, Chu Yu finally reacted.
She pondered for a moment, pursed her lips, and eventually chased after him, calling out loudly, "Grand Tutor!"
Grand Tutor Xie stopped in his tracks. Chu Yu stepped in front of him, gritted her teeth, and finally asked, "Grand Tutor, could you give me an honest answer—does the Wei family bear any guilt in this matter?"
Grand Tutor Xie remained silent, his gaze fixed on Chu Yu. After a long pause, he slowly replied, "The young mistress ought to be wise."
To be wise meant that if one couldn’t guess or didn’t know, one shouldn’t ask.
Chu Yu was well aware of the need to be wise. Yet when Grand Tutor Xie said those words, she couldn’t help but feel a glimmer of hope—perhaps Grand Tutor Xie would do more than she had imagined.
Chu Yu didn’t respond. Seeing her resolute expression, Grand Tutor Xie fell silent for a moment before slowly saying, "Guilty or not, we must wait and see."
Chu Yu understood his meaning. Since they had been arrested, guilt was inevitable. But in the heart of the emperor, there might still be hesitation—hence the possibility of innocence.
She grasped his implication and carefully weighed her words. "Then, if the Wei Manor is deemed guilty, and I lead people to kneel before the Palace Gates now, how could Your Majesty tolerate such an act?"
Grand Tutor Xie considered this but said nothing further. Observing his expression, Chu Yu continued, "How about this—Grand Tutor, could you act as a messenger for me? Convey my request to see His Majesty?"
"What do you intend to do when you see His Majesty?" Grand Tutor Xie frowned. Chu Yu calmly replied, "Everything now follows the law. Since the Seventh Young Master has yet to be convicted, I naturally wish to plead for His Majesty’s mercy. If His Majesty refuses, I will seek other means."
Her words implied that she merely sought to go through the motions with the emperor—at least to discuss the matter with him first and give him face.
After some thought, Grand Tutor Xie nodded. "Very well. Tomorrow, I will speak to His Majesty about this. I will also assist with other arrangements."
Chu Yu cupped her hands in salute. "My gratitude to the Grand Tutor."
Grand Tutor Xie nodded, glancing at the gradually lightening autumn rain. "There’s no need to see me off. I shall take my leave now. Unless there are major developments, it’s best we avoid further contact."
"Chu Yu understands."
She bowed slightly as she watched Grand Tutor Xie depart. After he had taken only a few steps, she summoned the steward and instructed, "Quickly prepare twenty thousand taels of silver and send it to Grand Tutor Xie."
The steward was momentarily stunned but hurried off to make the arrangements.
Chu Yu exhaled in relief and returned to the main hall, where Jiang Chun anxiously approached her. "How did it go?"
Chu Yu nodded. "The Grand Tutor said he would help me request an audience with His Majesty."
As she spoke, Jiang Chun sat down and poured a cup of tea, looking somewhat puzzled. "Aren’t you seeing Grand Tutor Xie off?"
Chu Yu waved her hand. "Since he has already agreed to help us, we shouldn’t appear too close now. Otherwise, His Majesty might suspect whether Grand Tutor Xie was genuinely moved by the Wei family or had ulterior motives."
"But then why send the twenty thousand taels...?"
Jiang Chun was still confused. Chu Yu took a sip of tea. "He agreed to help us. The expenses for these arrangements shouldn’t come from his own pocket."
Jiang Chun nodded in understanding. Setting down her teacup, Chu Yu said to her, "You take care of Father and the uncles. I still have to go out."
"Where are you going?"
"There are other matters to arrange." Weariness flickered across Chu Yu’s face. "I may not even get to see them, but I must still try."With that, Chu Yu instructed the steward to prepare gifts and headed out. Jiang Chun hesitated, saying, "You're still injured. Maybe you should rest..."
Chu Yu shook her head and replied directly, "Xiao Qi is still in the heavenly prison. I can't rest easy."
After speaking, she left and boarded the carriage. She made a list of names—people who might speak up or help—and personally delivered gifts to each one.
Upon hearing it was her, they all shut their doors and refused to meet.
The Eldest Princess's residence was no exception. However, Chu Yu knew the princess had always been fond of money. Without changing her expression, she discreetly pressed banknotes into the hands of the servant who came to negotiate, whispering, "I understand the princess's rules. This coal silver is entirely at her discretion."
The servant, unsurprised, subtly tucked the banknotes into his sleeve before escorting Chu Yu out.
After visiting the residences of eleven high-ranking officials in a row, Chu Yu saw that night had fallen and quietly made her way to the heavenly prison. She flashed the Chu family insignia and distributed silver, securing a mere fifteen minutes of visitation before being discreetly led in by the guards.
Wei Yun was held in a solitary cell. When Chu Yu entered, she saw him sitting upright by the prison bars. He had changed into prisoner's garb, his hair loose, his face somewhat pale. Seeing Chu Yu, he smiled faintly. "Sister-in-law, you came so soon?"
Chu Yu didn't answer. She scrutinized Wei Yun from head to toe as a guard fawned, "Young Madam, please speak quickly. I'll keep watch for you."
Chu Yu nodded, smiling respectfully. "Thank you, sir."
As she spoke, Wanyue handed over more silver from behind. The guard hastily waved it off. "No need, no need."
Even as he spoke, he retreated with the others. Wanyue handed the food box to Chu Yu and also withdrew, leaving only Chu Yu and Wei Yun in the cell. Seeing Wei Yun's calm demeanor, Chu Yu asked with concern, "They didn't beat you, did they?"
"No," Wei Yun chuckled. "After all, we're under the emperor's rule, and I'm innocent. What can they do to me?"
Chu Yu remained silent. She stepped closer to the bars, opened the food box, and passed him dishes and pastries. "If you're hungry, eat these. Hide the pastries and buns—I don't know when I can get you out. Don't starve..."
Hearing this, Wei Yun sighed helplessly. "Sister-in-law, you make it sound like this heavenly prison is some den of beasts. I just eat, drink, and sleep here every day—I won't starve. If others heard you, they'd think you'd been in the heavenly prison before."
Actually, she had.
Chu Yu suddenly remembered—in her past life, before the palace coup, she had been imprisoned in the heavenly prison as Gu Chusheng's wife.
Those days were nothing like Wei Yun described.
Pressing her lips together, she said nothing more and simply pushed the pastries through the bars.
Wei Yun, sensing her disbelief, quickly added, "I'm serious. I was just sleeping when you came in and disturbed me..."
"There's blood on the ground."
Chu Yu's words made Wei Yun freeze. She continued, "From the moment I entered until now, you haven't shifted your position. Wei Yun, do you dare to stand up?"
Wei Yun fell silent. Chu Yu stared at him and demanded coldly, "Stand up!"
Wei Yun didn't move. Chu Yu's gaze dropped to his feet. Wei Yun forced a smile. "It's nothing, really. Just a sprained ankle..."
"Is the bone fractured?"Chu Yu lowered her eyes and opened the bottom layer of the food box: "These are the finest medicines from the manor. Hide them well. Most of the loose bricks in the prison cell can be pulled out—many have been hollowed out by prisoners. Keep them there. I’ll get you out as soon as possible, but first, tell me clearly what exactly happened?"
Wei Yun remained silent. Chu Yu gripped the food box, suppressing her emotions.
"Before you all left, I warned you not to pursue the fleeing enemy soldiers and to prioritize caution. Why did you still chase them out and get annihilated in White Emperor Valley?"
"I don’t know..." Wei Yun’s voice was hoarse.
Chu Yu frowned as she heard him shake his head and say, "I don’t understand either. My father and brothers were never like this... I don’t know what happened. That day, it was as if they were bewitched. I tried to persuade them, but Father insisted on pursuing them. When my words had no effect, he ordered me to take inventory of the military rations as punishment. So they all went. Before leaving, Eldest Brother even told me things weren’t as I imagined and not to worry. And then..."
Wei Yun’s voice choked up. Chu Yu listened calmly, her tone steady: "Xiao Qi, don’t grieve. Keep it brief—start from when you first noticed something unusual."
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