Gu Chusheng waited until sunset but still didn't see Chu Yu's figure.
The inconsistency with his memories made him somewhat worried. At this point, the officials had completely lost their patience and forcibly pulled the carriage forward, saying impatiently, "Let's go!"
Gu Chusheng took a deep breath as he looked at the bustling city gate and finally set off.
It's fine. Chu Yu will definitely come.
He told himself that his return would inevitably cause all sorts of changes, but he knew how deep the feelings of the seventeen-year-old Chu Yu were for him.
In his past life, she had come. In this life, she would come too.
While Gu Chusheng embarked on his official journey full of hope, Chu Yu was sound asleep.
When she woke up, she received a message sent by Chu Jin, informing her that Gu Chusheng had already left the capital.
Chu Yu wasn't particularly concerned about whether Gu Chusheng had left the capital or not. What intrigued her more was how her younger sister had such extensive connections?
She currently had no knowledge of outside news, yet Chu Jin even knew the exact time Gu Chusheng had left the capital. This information must have come from Gu Chusheng himself, meaning that over the years, Chu Jin had maintained contact with Gu Chusheng all along.
While Chu Jin claimed to have no romantic feelings for Gu Chusheng and encouraged her to elope with him, she herself had been keeping in touch with Gu Chusheng the entire time.
Chu Yu raised her hand and tossed the note into the brazier, saying to the maid who delivered the message, "Tell the Second Young Lady that there's no need to inform me about such matters. I don't need to say too much about propriety—she should understand in her heart."
Then, Chu Yu looked up at the maid and said coldly, "The General's Mansion values its reputation. She should weigh her actions carefully!"
The maid, unaware of the note's contents, was left bewildered by Chu Yu's words. After hastily leaving, Chu Yu gazed at the flickering flames in the brazier and couldn't help but sigh.
This note had made her almost completely lose hope in her younger sister.
Chu Jin's two-faced nature wasn't something developed later in life—it was ingrained in her bones, rooted deep within.
Back then, she had liked Gu Chusheng, but because he was Chu Jin's fiancé, she had never shown it for so many years. She hadn't uttered a single extra word and had even avoided him in daily interactions. When the Emperor arranged the marriage, she had agreed. She believed she had done everything perfectly—even when she chased after Gu Chusheng to Kunyang County, Gu Chusheng himself had been completely stunned.
If it hadn't been for Chu Jin's tearful pleas, if it hadn't been for Chu Jin begging her, why would she have gone to wait bitterly for Gu Chusheng?
On one hand, she claimed to dislike him and encouraged her sister to pursue true love, while on the other, she maintained ties with Gu Chusheng...
Chu Yu felt somewhat helpless. She couldn't understand why Chu Jin had such a personality. They were both born in the General's Mansion, both legitimate daughters—how could their characters be so different?
After pondering for a while, Chu Yu didn't want to dwell on it further. Taking advantage of having just returned, she fetched ink and paper and began recalling all the major events she remembered from her past life. Since she had been given this second chance, she naturally couldn't waste it.
In the short term, the most significant event was undoubtedly the Wei family's complete annihilation on the battlefield.
On the twenty-seventh day of the seventh month that year—the very day Chu Jin married Wei Jun—urgent military reports arrived in Hua Jing, and Wei Jun followed his father to war.The Wei family had seven sons, including the youngest, Seventh Master Wei Yun, all of whom followed their father to the battlefield. Everyone believed the legendary Wei family would triumph as always and return victorious soon. Yet a month later, news arrived that their 200,000 elite troops, led by the Wei family, had been annihilated in White Emperor Valley.
Wei Yun escorted the coffins back to the capital and stood trial at the Dali Temple. The defeat was blamed on Marquis of National Stability Wei Zhong, who had disobeyed imperial orders to pursue the fleeing Northern Di soldiers. Consequently, prominent noble families severed ties with the Wei family. Apart from the second son Wei Shu’s wife, Lady Jiang, who committed suicide in grief, all other wives and concubines requested to leave. Wei Yun, on behalf of his father and brothers, wrote letters of separation for them. In the blink of an eye, the Wei household collapsed—only Wei Yun and the elderly Dowager Wei remained, left with five young children.
At that time, Chu Yu was far away in Kunyang County with Gu Chusheng. Kunyang was the second line of defense on the Northern Border, a crucial hub for grain and fodder transport. Chu Yu had assisted Gu Chusheng in delivering supplies to the front lines many times.
However, by the time Chu Yu became involved in the war, the Wei family had already perished. She truly didn’t know the exact circumstances of their deaths or the reasons behind them.
All she knew was that later, Imperial Uncle Yao Yong was urgently tasked with defending White City but ultimately abandoned it and fled. As conflicts erupted everywhere, stretching the court’s resources thin and leaving no capable generals, Wei Yun, still imprisoned, volunteered for the front lines, signing a pledge of life or death.
Win or die.
Later, Wei Yun returned victorious. On the day of his return, he entered the imperial study holding Yao Yong’s severed head. Afterward, the emperor posthumously granted titles to all the Wei men who had died in battle.
She didn’t want the Wei family to die.
Chu Yu clenched her brush, her eyes icy.
Men of such iron will as the Wei family should not have perished.
She meticulously recorded every fragment related to the Wei family, striving to reconstruct the events of that year.
She wrote until nearly dawn when Xie Yun entered with attendants carrying trays.
The general’s residence was already adorned with red lanterns and festooned with crimson paper. Seeing Chu Yu still writing, Xie Yun exclaimed anxiously, “What are you doing? The wedding is today! You should be resting—how will you manage tomorrow?”
“Mother, it’s fine.”
Chu Yu tossed the papers into the brazier. After a night of sorting through details, everything was crystal clear in her mind.
Calmly turning, she spotted the items the maids had prepared and smiled. “The wedding attire?”
“Yes, hurry and change.” Xie Yun was displeased, but her daughter’s cheerful demeanor softened her frustration. She called in the servants to help Chu Yu wash and dress.
After bathing, changing, and applying Osmanthus Hair Oil, Chu Yu donned the grand vermilion phoenix-embroidered robe with golden threads.
Then she sat upright before the mirror as maids stepped forward to apply her makeup.
Chu Jin entered with a comb and approached Xie Yun. “Mother, it’s time to comb her hair.”
Xie Yun gazed at Chu Yu’s reflection and said hoarsely to Chu Jin, “Look at her. She never bothers with adornments, yet today, dressed so beautifully for the first time, she’s about to meet her husband.”
As she spoke, Xie Yun lifted the comb and gently ran it through Chu Yu’s hair, lowering her voice. “Once you enter the Wei household, don’t act as willfully as you did at home. A married daughter must endure more hardship. Be patient in all matters—avoid unnecessary conflicts.”In the past, hearing such words, Chu Yu would likely have argued with Xie Yun. But now, listening to Xie Yun's tearful voice, her desire to argue faded away. She sighed and simply said, "I understand, Mother."
Xie Yun nodded and began combing Chu Yu's hair.
"First comb for a lifetime together..."
"Second comb for harmony till old age..."
As Xie Yun combed, tears welled up in her eyes. By the end, she seemed unable to hold back, as if exhausted, and leaned on Chu Jin for support as she stepped aside.
The maidservants came forward to style Chu Yu's hair and then placed the phoenix crown upon her head.
As this was being done, the sky gradually brightened, and the sound of gongs and drums echoed from outside. A maid hurried in, joyfully announcing, "Madam, Eldest Miss, the Wei family has arrived!"
Hearing this, Xie Yun stood up as if to go out, but the moment she stepped through the door, she suddenly hesitated. "No, no, they still have a while yet."
So she returned and waited with the other women in the room for the Wei family's arrival.
According to custom, when the groom's family came to fetch the bride, the bride's family would set up some playful obstacles, and only when the time was right would Chu Yu be allowed to leave. Thus, the commotion outside grew lively, while Chu Yu and the others waited inside, their curiosity itching.
Chu Jin, still young at heart, whispered, "Mother, perhaps I should go take a look?"
At this, everyone's interest was piqued. They all looked at Xie Yun, who couldn't help but laugh. "You restless souls, it's just a wedding procession—what's so exciting about that?"
Exciting indeed.
Chu Yu pondered silently.
In her past life, her wedding had been simple—just two tables for Gu Chusheng's subordinates in the courtyard of Kunyang County, lifting the bridal veil, and that was it. Gu Chusheng had once promised her a grand ceremony to make up for it, but she had waited a lifetime in vain.
Things one waits a lifetime for always hold a special allure. Suppressing her curiosity, Chu Yu said to Xie Yun, "Mother, let's go take a look."
"You silly child..."
Xie Yun playfully nudged her. Just then, the sound of an argument erupted, followed by the sight of two youths fighting atop the roof.
Chu Jin gasped. "It's Second Brother!"
The Chu family had four children: the heir, Chu Linyang; the second son, Chu Linxi; and the two sisters, Chu Yu and Chu Jin. Coming from a military family, Chu Linyang still had some reservations due to his status, but Chu Linxi had already thrown caution to the wind and engaged the Wei family without hesitation.
The women crowded by the windows, craning their necks to see the figures on the roof. Chu Yu, Xie Yun, and Chu Jin stepped to the doorway and looked up.
Chu Linyang wore a blue brocade robe, looking quite handsome. Opposite him stood a youth who appeared no older than fourteen, dressed in black martial attire, his hair tied high with a black-and-white ribbon. Though his attire was simple and neat, the innate arrogance radiating from him was no less imposing than Chu Linyang's.
Chu Linyang was already considered good-looking, but the boy across from him was even more striking. His eyes sparkled like stars and the moon, his brows arched like mountain ridges, and his phoenix eyes tilted slightly upward at the corners, lending an indescribable charm. Yet his expression was stern and solemn, leaving only a razor-sharp intensity that pierced straight to the heart.
It was a rare, disciplined severity seldom seen among the noble young masters of Hua Jing—like ice blossoms blooming beneath the frigid snow of the Northern Border, beautiful yet aloof.Chu Yu's gaze fixed on the youth, and for a moment, it was as if she had returned to her past life—the first and only time she had seen this person up close.
Back then, he was already the renowned King Who Pacifies the North, the Grand Marshal of the Five Military Commands, wielding military power and dominating the court.
On the day Gu Chusheng sent her away from Hua Jing, amid a raging snowstorm, he rode back to the capital, clad in black with a white fur cloak, his expression icy.
At that time, he was much more hardened than now, lacking the youthful innocence and vigor still present in his eyes at this moment.
His gaze was as cold as a frozen abyss as he reined in his horse to block her carriage.
"Lady Gu?"
His tone was flat, a question without a hint of doubt, as if he already knew exactly who was behind the carriage curtain.
Chu Yu had the curtain lifted and sat inside, bowing respectfully before calmly replying, "Lord Wei."
"Where is Lady Gu headed?"
"Qianyang."
"When will you return?"
"Unknown."
"Lady Gu," Wei Yun chuckled lightly, "do you regret it?"
Chu Yu froze slightly. Wei Yun looked into the distance and said, "Lady Gu, did you know that before the Wei family came to propose marriage, my family once asked which of the Chu sisters my elder brother favored? He said he admired the eldest young lady because she practiced martial arts. When I came of age, if he was no match for me, he could bring his wife to the battlefield."
"The night before the wedding, my brother stayed awake all night, instructing me that the Chu family valued martial arts. If there was any fighting during the wedding procession, I should go easy."
With that, he turned to look at her. "Lady Gu, you are different from your sister. Your sister is an opportunist, a scheming sycophant. But you were willing to forsake an imperial marriage to follow Lord Gu to the Northern Border and fight on the battlefield. It's a pity you were blind—my brother treated you like a jewel, yet you scorned him."
"Having come this far," his gaze remained steady, "have you ever regretted it?"
Back then, Chu Yu had smiled lightly, meeting his eyes with composure. "This humble woman has always acted based on whether she wants to do something, never on whether she might regret it."
The young man said nothing, quietly studying her for a long time before uttering indifferently, "What a shame."
She did not respond, only kneeling respectfully as she watched him ride away.
Now, she tilted her head, observing Wei Yun sparring with Chu Linxi. His skills were clearly far superior, yet he deliberately prolonged the match, yielding subtly without detection.
Chu Yu couldn't help but curl her lips, picking up a pebble from a nearby flowerpot and hurling it straight at Chu Linxi.
The pebble struck Chu Linxi, knocking him over instantly.
Chu Linxi howled, "Seventh Master Wei, you tricked me!"
Wei Yun paused on the rooftop for a moment before realizing what had happened. He turned to look in Chu Yu's direction.
There, he saw a woman in wedding robes, a phoenix crown atop her head, leaning casually against the doorway. She tossed a stone playfully in her hand, grinning mischievously.
Wei Yun immediately understood and broke into a radiant smile.
He cupped his hands toward Chu Yu in acknowledgment before leaping down. Chu Linxi was still roughhousing with the other Wei brothers, while Chu Linyang mediated. Wei Yun quickly slipped behind Wei Jun and whispered, "Brother, your bride is beautiful!"
Wei Jun, dressed in wedding robes with his hands clasped behind his back, feigned calmness but subtly leaned closer. "You saw her?"
"Chu Linxi was knocked down by her."Wei Yun spoke with a hint of melancholy, "Brother, I think I might really never be able to beat you two as a couple in the future."
Wei Jun's brows curved into a smile. "Of course not. Could your brother's judgment ever be wrong?"
As they spoke, the appointed hour arrived. Chu Jianchang no longer delayed and raised his hand. Chu Linyang quickly ushered Chu Linxi and the other members of the Wei family to line up on either side.
Meanwhile, in the inner courtyard, a maid rushed in frantically and began placing the bridal veil over Chu Yu's head, then helped her walk out.
Wei Jun stood at the forefront, with Wei Yun and the second young master Wei Shu positioned behind him. The rest of the party lined up in several rows behind these three. The Chu family stood on the steps, while the master of ceremonies took his place at the right front and announced loudly, "Open the gates to welcome the bride—!"
The grand doors slowly swung open. Dressed in her wedding robes and supported by Chu Jin, Chu Yu appeared before the crowd.
Her vision was entirely red, and she could see nothing. The joyous music and firecrackers exploded around her, and then a length of red silk was placed before her. She heard a refined voice, barely concealing its nervousness, stammer, "Chu... Chu... Miss Chu..."
Chu Yu chuckled softly. She grasped the red silk and spoke gently.
"Prince Consort Wei, don't be nervous."
She said, "I'll follow you."
Wei Jun's heart suddenly settled. Holding the red silk, his anxious heart finally calmed.
He hadn't chosen the wrong person.
The Princess Consort of Zhenguo Hou's estate ought to be someone like this—someone who, with just a few words, could make him stand composed and assured.
Author's Note: At this time, Wei Yun is still a child, so he won't stand out too much. But when he grows up, his brilliance will be unmatched.
Don't worry, everyone~~
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