Upon hearing these words, Chu Yu was momentarily stunned, and Wei Yun was visibly taken aback as well. After all, they had just been arguing over Gu Chusheng's matter, only to immediately receive this news.
Wei Yun instinctively glanced at Chu Yu, but she quickly composed herself after hearing the news.
In her past life, Gu Chusheng had risen from the son of a disgraced official to the position of Prime Minister—undoubtedly due to his genuine capabilities. Reflecting on his life, the one he had wronged the most was likely her. To the common people, Gu Chusheng was an Upright Official incarnate; to the emperor, he was the Pillar of the Nation, the Mainstay of the Court. Without him, the Ministries of Revenue, Personnel, Rites, War, and Works would collapse like the sky falling. To his subordinates, he was a fair and just superior; to his allies, he was a shrewd and trustworthy gentleman who honored his promises.
Gu Chusheng was good to everyone—except Chu Yu.
Sometimes, Chu Yu wondered why it was only her. Why was it that such a perfect man reserved the full extent of human cruelty solely for her?
But she had pondered this for a lifetime without finding an answer, and in this life, she no longer wished to dwell on it.
Song Shilan clearly knew of the relationship between Gu Chusheng and Chu Yu, but he pretended otherwise and continued, "Kunyang County is a crucial hub for grain transport. Gu Chusheng personally escorted provisions to Baicheng but encountered Yao Yong abandoning the city. Gu Chusheng rallied the remaining soldiers and organized the civilians to resist, buying time to evacuate them before retreating to Kunyang."
"And what of Kunyang now?" Wei Yun frowned.
Song Shilan shrugged. "That, I don’t know. It depends on how Gu Chusheng and Yao Yong argue. Perhaps, in a few days, Kunyang will be lost as well."
Kunyang was a strategic stronghold. If it fell, launching a counterattack would become exceedingly difficult.
Wei Yun clenched his fists, lowering his gaze in silence. The three of them had reached the entrance when Song Shilan glanced outside and remarked with a smile, "Given the current situation, His Majesty must be hoping for the Young Marquis to join the campaign. Alas, the Young Marquis is unwell. Still, His Majesty must have considered asking you to recommend someone, no?"
Wei Yun remained silent. Chu Yu pushed him outside, where a carriage was already waiting. Jiang Chun lifted the curtain and smiled. "What took you so long?"
From behind Wei Yun, Chu Yu glanced at Jiang Chun and replied cheerfully, "Xiao Qi was chatting with Young Master Song."
Song Shilan looked up at Jiang Chun and smiled warmly. Startled by the presence of an unfamiliar man, Jiang Chun feigned composure with a nod before lowering the curtain again.
Song Shilan and Wei Xia helped Wei Yun into the carriage. Just as Wei Yun bent to enter, he suddenly made a decision. Raising his head, he met Song Shilan’s gaze and said calmly, "If I assist you, Young Master Song, I hope you will remember this favor."
"Of course," Song Shilan replied with a faint smile, his eyes unfathomable as he cupped his hands in salute. "I shall never forget it."
Wei Yun nodded and stepped into the carriage.
Song Shilan then turned to Chu Yu and extended his hand. "Madam, may I assist you?"
Chu Yu mimicked Wei Yun’s dignified demeanor, nodding in thanks but not placing her hand in his. Instead, she lifted her skirts and ascended the steps herself. A handkerchief slipped from her sleeve, and Song Shilan bent to pick it up, offering it back to her. As Chu Yu accepted it, she heard him murmur with a light chuckle, "Madam’s Osmanthus Hair Oil is quite fragrant."
Chu Yu’s gaze snapped up, sharp as a blade.Earlier in front of everyone, she had pretended it was medicine for Wei Yun to smell, but in reality, it was the Osmanthus Hair Oil she had accidentally brought with her today. By bringing this up, Song Shilan was clearly signaling that he knew about Wei Yun's feigned illness.
But what was his intention?
A warning, or something else entirely?
As Chu Yu pondered this, she saw the man before her give a light laugh, flicking open his fan as he said, "I won't tease you anymore. I just thought earlier that Madam Wei's eyes were so big—it must be fun to startle her."
Her eyes were big, so startling her would be fun?
Chu Yu was stunned by this bizarre individual's train of thought. Pressing her lips together, she found herself at a loss for words. Then she saw the man spread his sleeves and bow gracefully, smiling as he said, "Farewell, Marquis, First Madam, Second Madam."
Since they were being dismissed, Chu Yu didn't linger. After giving Song Shilan one last glance, she turned and entered the carriage.
Inside, she saw Wei Yun tapping his fingers against the small table beside him, gazing out the window as if deep in thought. Jiang Chun sat nearby, still reviewing the account books she hadn't finished.
Chu Yu took a seat opposite Jiang Chun and smiled. "Working so diligently? I'm not auditing the accounts—why the rush?"
"Just passing the time."
As the carriage began to move, Jiang Chun set down the ledger, her expression tinged with concern. "I heard you had a run-in with your sister in the courtyard earlier—did she give you trouble?"
"Hmm?" Chu Yu was surprised. "Word travels that fast?"
Then she chuckled. "Gossip among women does spread faster than military intelligence."
"Are you alright?" Jiang Chun asked worriedly. "That sister of yours doesn't seem like an easy person to deal with..."
"It's fine." Chu Yu leaned against the small table, tilting her body slightly as she smiled. "I was a little angry at first, but Xiao Qi stood up for me, so it doesn't matter anymore."
"And the rumors outside..." Jiang Chun ventured cautiously. Chu Yu met her gaze, her expression calm. "Everyone has someone they admire in their youth. There's no shame in that."
Hearing this, Wei Yun lifted his eyes to look at Chu Yu.
Her expression was serene, carrying the composure of someone who had weathered storms. "I loved that person and gave everything I could—even my life. But if such deep affection goes unreturned, then once I let go, I won't look back."
"But I don't mind others knowing," Chu Yu added softly, smiling. "What's done is done—there's nothing to hide."
Jiang Chun fell silent. With a sigh, she moved to sit beside Chu Yu, taking her hand gently. "A Yu, you must have suffered so much."
Chu Yu froze. Seeing the heartache in Jiang Chun's eyes, a sudden wave of grievances surged within her.
Twelve years of memories churned inside her. She stared at Jiang Chun for a long moment before finally speaking, her voice hoarse. "It's alright. It's all in the past."
The future couldn't be worse.
The three returned to Wei Manor and went their separate ways. Chu Yu and Wei Yun both headed southeast, but when they reached the fork in the path, Chu Yu noticed Wei Yun was still following her. Puzzled, she asked, "Why are you still following me?"
Wei Yun didn't answer. He simply looked at her quietly, as if there were many things he wanted to say but couldn't.
After a long pause, he finally spoke. "Sister-in-law, from now on, no one will ever bully you again."Chu Yu never expected that after following her for so long, Wei Yun would say just these words. He looked at her, completely devoid of the imposing aura of the "Young Marquis" he displayed outside. He had shed all his hardened armor, revealing only softness and tenderness.
His clear, black-and-white eyes reflected her image as he said earnestly, "Watching you and Chu Jin today, I kept thinking—she’s so good with words, so quick to cry. You must have suffered a lot of unfairness at home."
"You’ve always been the kind of person who wants to shield others from the storm, swallowing both tears and blood, never letting out a cry no matter how much it hurts. People have always assumed you’re strong, that you don’t care, that you’re fearless, that you never feel sorrow or grief. Even I’ve thought that way at times. So, at home, did your parents and siblings think the same?"
Chu Yu didn’t answer. She thought back to the past.
It was just as Wei Yun said—the crying child gets the candy. In that household, Chu Jin had always received a little more care.
But now, her heart could barely recall those trivial emotions. She had endured far greater sorrows in life; compared to those, what Wei Yun spoke of seemed insignificant.
But does insignificant mean nonexistent?
Year after year, it had silently festered in her heart.
And when someone exposed it, waves of bitterness surged forth.
Chu Yu lowered her gaze, listening as the young man continued slowly, "But I thought—you’re really not much older than me. Blood hurts when it spills, tears taste bitter when they fall. Who says you should bear it all alone? I was wrong. I should have been protecting you, not relying on you."
"Second Sister-in-law was right. You must have had a very hard time before."
Yes. Very hard.
Chu Yu couldn’t bring herself to look at him. For some reason, she felt as though her heart had been peeled open, exposing its ugly, bloodied form for all to see.
She remained silent, listening as Wei Yun’s voice, gentle and warm, carried a hint of laughter.
"But luckily, you’re with the Wei family now. Though Eldest Brother is gone, I’m still here. From now on, I won’t let you, Second Sister-in-law, Mother—any of you—suffer again."
"As long as I’m here," he raised a hand to his chest, "I’ll always be here."
Chu Yu didn’t speak. She kept her head down. After a long while, she slowly lifted her gaze. A breeze brushed through her hair, and her eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she smiled at Wei Yun.
"Xiao Qi, despite everything that’s happened, there’s one thing in this life I’ve been incredibly fortunate for—something I’ll never regret."
"That is, marrying into the Wei family and meeting all of you."
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