The two of them discussed their way to the Chu residence, where Chu Linyang was standing at the gate, checking the people preparing for the journey. When Wei Yun stepped down, Chu Linyang was somewhat surprised, but after a moment, he saw Chu Yu follow and understood that Wei Yun had brought her along to see them off.
Wei Yun stepped forward to greet Chu Linyang, and Chu Yu followed, glancing at the people standing around before asking, “Where’s Father?”
“Still freshening up.” Chu Linyang smiled and invited Wei Yun and Chu Yu inside. “Have you had breakfast yet? Why not join us?”
The Chu household ate later than Wei Manor. Though Wei Yun and Chu Yu had already eaten, they still followed Chu Linyang inside.
Wei Yun and Chu Linyang exchanged polite formalities while Chu Yu listened quietly. The Chu family was in the middle of their meal, with Chu Linxi playfully coaxing Xie Yun, filling the room with laughter. When Chu Linyang brought Wei Yun and Chu Yu in, everyone paused, and then Chu Linxi happily rushed forward, exclaiming, “A Yu, what brings you here?”
“Manners!”
Chu Jianchang quickly scolded, though his tone lacked real anger. With a stern face, he said, “First, greet the Marquis properly.”
With that, Chu Jianchang stood up and bowed to Wei Yun. Wei Yun hurriedly helped him up, calmly saying, “Xiao Qi came specifically to bid farewell to Uncle Chu and Brother Chu. Please treat me as a junior and don’t stand on ceremony.”
Hearing this, Chu Jianchang didn’t refuse and smiled. “Then today, I’ll regard you as my nephew. Have you had breakfast yet?”
As he spoke, attendants brought in small tables and set places for Chu Yu and Wei Yun. Chu Yu sat beside Chu Jin, and as soon as she did, she noticed Chu Jin’s gaze was vacant, her expression dazed.
Chu Yu was puzzled, unable to understand why Chu Jin had become like this overnight.
She glanced at Chu Linyang, only to see him deep in conversation with Wei Yun. After a while, Chu Linyang stood up, intending to take Wei Yun for a stroll in the garden. Chu Yu quickly rose and followed, saying, “I’ll come too!”
Chu Linyang paused, looking at Wei Yun, who remained expressionless and nodded.
Chu Linyang chuckled helplessly. “Then come along.”
The three of them walked out together, with Chu Yu trailing behind the two men, who acted as if she weren’t there. Wei Yun spoke slowly to Chu Linyang, “When you reach the southwest, Nanyue will likely be restless.”
“Mm.” Chu Linyang nodded, his usually gentle face now furrowed with worry. “I’ve received reports that Nanyue has gathered fifty thousand troops at the border. Honestly, fighting Nanyue alone doesn’t concern me—what worries me is if the Northern Di and Nanyue attack simultaneously…”
“Actually, if you can drag it out, it’ll be manageable.”
Wei Yun pondered. “Nanyue is small with a sparse population. Their current aggression is likely a scheme with the Northern Di to seize some benefits. If you prolong the battle, once Nanyue feels the strain, we can offer them concessions, and they’ll naturally back down. So for this battle, just hold the line—don’t attack. The real challenge lies with the Northern Di.”
“Why did the Northern Di suddenly decide to invade?”Chu Linyang didn't understand. Wei Yun's expression showed some helplessness: "The Northern Di have suffered many natural disasters this year. Last winter's snow killed large numbers of their livestock, and this summer's heavy rains brought plague. Now the people are seething with discontent. Their new emperor is also skilled in warfare, and with the domestic pressure, he's determined to conquer Great Chu."
"Then taking a few cities would suffice. Why this relentless pursuit?"
Chu Linyang still didn't comprehend.
The Chu family's battlefront was in the southwest Luo and Hui provinces, with occasional deployments, but they weren't very familiar with the northern situation. The Wei family had long been stationed on the northern front, so Wei Yun knew more about these matters than Chu Linyang.
Hearing Chu Linyang's question, Wei Yun's gaze gradually turned cold: "The Northern Di are fierce. In truth, our border has long been defended solely by the Wei family's descendants. They're fierce, but we're fiercer. Now that the Wei family is gone, who will the Northern Di fear?"
Chu Linyang remained silent. He knew this topic pained Wei Yun more than anyone. After a long while, he sighed deeply: "Because of A Yu, we're practically family. I want to ask you honestly—do you know what Yao Yong did on the battlefield back then?"
"No."
Wei Yun answered calmly, raising his eyes to meet Chu Linyang's gaze: "Could I trouble you to also give me an honest answer? Why are you so certain this matter is related to Yao Yong and not my family's mistake?"
"You've probably forgotten," Chu Linyang smiled faintly, "Two years ago, I worked alongside your father and brother at the Northern Border for three months. I know the Wei family's tactics well—pursuing fleeing soldiers..."
Chu Linyang shook his head: "I don't believe it."
"And I'm well aware of the disagreements between Yao Yong and your father."
The three turned down the corridor and entered the waterside pavilion. In Hua Jing during the twelfth month, the lake's surface had frozen over with a thin layer of ice, the broken ice floating like slush on the water, making one feel cold just looking at it.
Wei Yun instinctively turned, habitually positioning himself to block the wind, subtly shielding Chu Yu behind him as he sat down with Chu Linyang. Chu Linyang glanced at Wei Yun but said nothing. Attendants quickly placed charcoal braziers in the courtyard, the warm air rising as Chu Linyang continued: "Your elder brother and I were old friends. A Jun once entrusted me, saying that if anything ever happened to him, I should look after you. I promised him."
Hearing this, Wei Yun froze.
He stared blankly at Chu Linyang, like a youth suddenly lost. The mention of Wei Jun's name left him visibly flustered. Chu Yu, seated behind him, spoke gently: "Xiao Qi."
Hearing Chu Yu's composed and steady voice, Wei Yun regained his senses, reassuming his usual demeanor as he slowly said, "Thank you, elder brother."
"My promise to him wasn't without conditions. I told him I'd take good care of you, and in return, I asked him to take good care of A Yu. I never thought he'd leave so soon," Chu Linyang smiled bitterly. "This bargain wasn't very profitable."
Wei Yun didn't respond. Mentioning the departed inevitably made the atmosphere heavy. Seeing the silence, Chu Linyang chuckled lightly: "Enough of this. You came today for other matters, didn't you?"
"Yes." Wei Yun followed Chu Linyang's lead in changing the subject, nodding. "Today we came first to see you off, second to inquire about the situation in the southwest, and third..."Wei Yun looked up at Chu Linyang with eager eyes. Normally aloof with those he wasn't close to, his face remained calm and composed, but his gaze was full of longing. That childlike, pleading expression on Wei Yun's face was devastatingly effective. Chu Linyang sensed trouble and gripped his teacup, turning his gaze away to steady himself. "What's the third thing?"
"Brother Chu, you see, you're an old friend of my brother and the elder brother of my sister-in-law. Xiao Qi regards you like my own brother. My brother often praised your business acumen and wealth-building skills. So I was wondering if you might be willing..."
"To lend you money?"
Chu Linyang instantly grasped Wei Yun's intention. He smiled and turned his head. "How much does the young marquis wish to borrow?"
"Not much at all—just a drop in the bucket for someone like you..."
Wei Yun maintained his composure, choosing his words carefully. "Let's start with enough to buy a thousand acres of land in Luozhou—"
"Young Marquis," Chu Linyang said with a fixed smile, speaking slowly, "A thousand acres? Why don't you just rob me instead?"
Unfazed, Wei Yun remained calm. His thick skin served him well against Chu Linyang's sarcasm. "I know you lend money at interest outside official channels. I'm not asking for a family favor—I'll pay the proper interest. What do you say?"
Chu Linyang sipped his tea, all business now. "What do you plan to do with a thousand acres?"
"Settle refugees and grow grain."
Wei Yun answered without hesitation. Chu Linyang looked up at him. "My loans carry ten percent monthly interest. If you're growing grain, you won't be able to afford it."
Wei Yun fell silent. He glanced at Chu Yu—accounting wasn't his strong suit. Understanding his meaning instantly, Chu Yu sighed inwardly but stepped in. "We can afford it."
"Oh?" Chu Linyang looked at Chu Yu in surprise. "Has the Duke Who Pacifies the Nation's household grown so wealthy?"
"We're confident about this."
Under Chu Linyang's gaze, Chu Yu spoke with some unease. After a pause, she added, "Land prices in Sishui will definitely rise."
Chu Linyang said nothing, sipping his tea. After a long silence, he finally spoke. "Since it's my little sister wanting to do business, of course her elder brother must support her. I'll lend you the money. Later, I'll have the silver notes counted and delivered to your residence."
Hearing this, both Chu Yu and Wei Yun exhaled in relief. Watching them kneeling side by side, Chu Linyang couldn't help but laugh—a warm, indulgent smile that momentarily stunned Chu Yu.
Chu Linyang gazed at her quietly before finally saying, "In the past, I never let you see me off because I didn't want to make you sad. This time, don't watch me leave either. Just go home when you're ready."
Chu Yu pressed her lips together. Chu Linyang had always forbidden family from seeing him off—it was his steadfast rule.
She met his eyes and, after a long moment, simply said, "Alright."
Neither was particularly talkative. After that single word, silence fell between them until Chu Linyang broke it with a sigh. "Let's go."
The three returned to the dining hall together, where the others had already finished their meal and were chatting nearby.Chu Yu and Wei Yun bid farewell to the crowd and turned to leave. Chu Jianchang and Xie Yun intended to see them off, but Chu Linyang suddenly said, "Let me and A-Jin escort them instead."
Chu Jin seemed to have anticipated this. Without a word, she obediently followed behind Chu Linyang and walked out with Chu Yu and Wei Yun.
The four of them strolled along the corridor. Chu Linyang led Wei Yun ahead to talk, while Chu Jin and Chu Yu trailed far behind. Neither spoke for a long while until, unexpectedly, Chu Jin broke the silence: "I'm sorry."
Chu Yu was taken aback. She turned to see Chu Jin's expression—one of numbness.
Chu Yu had never seen such a look on Chu Jin's face before. In her memory, Chu Jin had always been brimming with ambition and desire. But now, it seemed as though Chu Jin wanted nothing at all.
She moved like an exquisite doll, gliding down the corridor. Chu Yu frowned. "What's wrong with you?"
"Nothing," Chu Jin replied flatly, her voice devoid of emotion. "I've wronged you many times. Today, I'm apologizing."
Chu Yu said nothing, her gaze lingering on Chu Jin. She wanted to ask more but felt it wasn't her place to pry—doing so might invite unnecessary trouble. Suppressing her curiosity, she listened as Chu Jin slowly recounted the past.
"That year when you were twelve, you injured your foot but still went down the well to save a cat. I promised to pull you up with a rope but fainted by the wellside, leaving you trapped down there with your injury all afternoon. That... was my scheme. I'm sorry."
Chu Yu was momentarily stunned, not expecting Chu Jin to bring this up.
She remembered. That year, when she had just returned to Hua Jing, she had been fond of her porcelain-doll-like younger sister. Chu Jin, frail in health, wasn't allowed by Xie Yun to keep a cat, so she had secretly raised a kitten in the backyard.
One day, the kitten fell into the well, and Chu Jin tearfully begged her to save it. Despite her injured foot, Chu Yu had climbed down. Chu Jin had promised to lower a rope but collapsed unconscious by the well. So Chu Yu had crouched on a jutting rock in the well, cradling the kitten to keep it warm—for as long as Chu Jin remained unconscious.
When Chu Linyang finally found and rescued her, the prolonged soaking had caused her wound to fester, and she developed a high fever that very night.
She had always been robust, so the incident terrified the entire household. Even Xie Yun, who doted on Chu Jin, couldn't help but scold her.
Recalling such a distant memory, spanning two lifetimes, Chu Yu felt no resentment. Instead, the innocence of her youth brought a faint smile to her lips.
She grinned carelessly. "Ah, I knew."
Chu Jin froze mid-step, staring at her with an inscrutable expression.
Chu Yu scratched her head sheepishly, a childlike gesture slipping out as she reminisced. "Well, about that cat... Actually, I accidentally hit its leg with a stone while practicing martial arts, so it couldn't climb out when it fell. When you came to me, I felt too guilty to admit I was the one who hurt it."
Chu Jin fell silent, her lips parting without a sound.
How could she tell Chu Yu that she had been the one to throw the cat into the well—that it hadn't fallen in by accident?Chu Yu didn't notice her expression, still speaking with the same naive sincerity from their childhood: "I knew you were angry about this, so you pretended to faint and didn't pull me up. Whether someone's fainted or not, their breathing is different—I could tell when I surfaced."
"Then why didn't you just tell our parents back then?"
Chu Jin feigned composure, clenching her fists. As Chu Yu recalled the past, she actually felt a warmth in her heart: "I was going to, but when they carried me to bed, I saw you crying in fear beside me, asking over and over if I was going to die. So I thought, forget it."
"It wasn't really a big deal to me anyway," Chu Yu leaned against a pillar, her tone tinged with resignation. "If I'd told our family, given their temperaments, Father would've either used military rods or bamboo canes. Mother's scolding is hurtful but never to the point. And as for Brother—well, he might've beaten you as if you were me. With your delicate health, you couldn't have handled it."
As she spoke, Chu Yu's thoughts drifted further away.
In truth, she and Chu Jin hadn't had such a terrible relationship when they were young. How had they ended up like this step by step?
If everything Chu Jin did before Chu Linyang's death was for her own wealth and status, then after Chu Linyang died and Chu Jin married Gu Chusheng, the overwhelming emotion had been pure hatred.
Chu Jin watched Chu Yu standing in the corridor, her eyes filled with reminiscence. Something surged in Chu Jin's throat.
Chu Yu tilted her head to look at Chu Jin. She was half a head taller, and Chu Jin's frail figure beside her appeared delicate and pitiable.
There was still a youthful air about her features—not at all like the refined yet venomous woman Chu Yu had seen before her death. As Chu Yu quietly observed her, she suddenly realized she didn't hate her as much as she thought.
The young Chu Jin had secretly kept cats and cried while asking if she would die.
People grow step by step—no one is born that wicked from the start.
There's still time. Everything can still change.
Chu Yu gazed quietly at the girl before her, fists clenched and eyes red. Pressing her lips together, she finally reached out and pulled Chu Jin into an embrace.
"Ah Jin," she held her, speaking as gently as she had in their youth, "you should go out and see more of the world. There are magnificent rivers and mountains beyond these walls. You'll realize that wealth is but fleeting clouds, a man's fleeting admiration merely morning dew, and a woman's reputation or the schemes of the inner chambers—they only consume your life and beauty. You were such a wonderful girl."
As Chu Yu spoke, Chu Jin clenched her fists, eyes wide as tears streamed down. Feeling her shoulder grow damp, Chu Yu tightened her embrace and sighed, "I don't know why you became like this, but Ah Jin, you need to find yourself again. Don't let the world's darkness, fear, despair, or suffering distort you beyond recognition. You might not understand what I'm saying today, but this is the best gift I can give you as your sister. If you treat me as family, I'll treat you as family. But if you see me as an enemy, Ah Jin—" Chu Yu sighed deeply, "I've never been one to tolerate humiliation. Do you understand?"
"I never," Chu Jin said through gritted teeth, "wanted to humiliate you.""I know," Chu Yu softened her voice, releasing her and gazing at her calmly as she repeated, "I know."
Chu Jin lifted her eyes to meet her sister's gaze, her teeth trembling slightly.
"I just..."
Just what?
The words stuck in her throat. Memories surged up—from the age of twelve, that defiant "why" she had thrown at Chu Linyang had become her obsession.
After struggling internally, she finally managed to speak: "I can't accept it."
Having said this, it felt as though she had laid bare the most wretched moment of her life before Chu Yu. She slowly closed her eyes. "I don’t even know what’s wrong with me. I fear Eldest Brother, yet I wish he would treat me as well as he treats you. I feel like no one loves me. Mother doesn’t love me—she loves Father. She cares only for herself. All she does is repeat how good she’s been to me, demanding I remember it. Father doesn’t love me either—he never liked me, only scolded me. And Brother... Brother..."
Chu Jin couldn’t continue. Chu Yu listened in silence.
A pang of sorrow suddenly struck her.
If in her past life she had understood Chu Jin’s thoughts sooner—if she had even once asked—perhaps Chu Jin wouldn’t have become what she did later.
Watching Chu Jin sob uncontrollably, Chu Yu reached out and gently placed her hand on her sister’s head.
"What about me?"
Chu Jin looked up at her blankly. Chu Yu spoke calmly, "Ah Jin, if you had never harmed me, I would have loved you very much."
"Our family doesn’t know how to express emotions, but that doesn’t mean we don’t love. Every year when Brother returns home, he picks gifts for you while stationed at the border. Whenever he sees a beautiful doll, he buys it, telling me it’s for Ah Jin. Father, a rough man always ready to discipline me with army rods, restrained himself—no matter how furious, he never laid a hand on you. As for Mother..." Chu Yu smiled bitterly. "Her favoritism was so blatant it hurt me. She wanted you to remember her kindness only because you were her sole companion. Father, Brother, and I were all at the border—she had no one by her side. She was insecure. She was afraid."
"Ah Jin," Chu Yu sighed. "Look, so many people love you."
Chu Jin remained silent. Wei Yun and Chu Linyang stood ahead, having waited for some time as the sisters wept and embraced. Chu Linyang glanced at the sky, and Wei Yun, sensing his impatience, called out, "Sister-in-law, shall we return now?"
"I’m coming."
Chu Yu raised her voice, sighed, then lifted her skirts and turned to leave. Suddenly, Chu Jin called after her, "Elder Sister, have you ever encountered something that hurt you so deeply you feared it, yet couldn’t let go?"
Chu Yu didn’t respond immediately. Standing with her back to Chu Jin, she unconsciously straightened her posture. After a long pause, she finally answered, "Yes."
Like Gu Chusheng. Like her. They were the nightmares of her past life—terrifying yet inescapable. She thought she would hate them forever, trapped in that nightmare, struggling to break free but never succeeding.
"What do you do?"
"Face it." Chu Yu lifted her gaze to Wei Yun, her voice resolute. "If it’s a bond of fate, untangle it. If it’s a tie of sin, sever it."
Chu Jin said nothing more. Knowing she understood, Chu Yu stepped forward.
With composed grace, she walked to Wei Yun’s side. Both Wei Yun and Chu Linyang noticed an air of finality about her. Chu Linyang frowned but remained silent. Everyone had their own path to walk. If she didn’t speak, he wouldn’t interfere.Chu Linyang saw Chu Yu and Wei Yun off onto the carriage. Once inside, Wei Yun noticed Chu Yu's expression and finally asked, "What's wrong, sister-in-law?"
Hearing Wei Yun's voice, Chu Yu slowly raised her head.
The carriage reflected the figures of Chu Linyang and Chu Jin in the corridor. Her gaze was somewhat dazed.
"I thought in this lifetime, there would never be a good outcome between us."
Wei Yun remained silent. Though he didn't understand her meaning, he knew she needed to speak. He watched as she quietly gazed outside, her expression lost.
"I used to hate her, hated her to the bone. How can someone see the good in a person they despise so deeply?"
Wei Yun said nothing. He poured tea for Chu Yu and handed it to her, letting her cradle it in her palms.
The warmth spread from her hands, gradually relaxing her muscles and soothing her heart.
"In truth, a person's lifetime is merely a pursuit of inner fulfillment. If one's heart is full, they can see the world as it truly is," Wei Yun said slowly, sipping his tea. "But if the heart is unfulfilled, desperately grasping for something, clinging to it, the eyes become clouded. One sees only pure goodness or pure evil, even to the point where good turns to evil, and evil turns to good."
Chu Yu remained silent. It was only when Wei Yun pointed this out that she suddenly realized—this lifetime was different not just for Chu Jin, but for her as well, Chu Yu.
She couldn't help but smile faintly.
"Actually, I'm very grateful to your brother."
Wei Yun turned to look at her. Chu Yu gazed beyond the carriage curtain, warmth in her eyes.
"On the day of our wedding, when he saw me, he was so nervous he couldn't even speak. Later, when he handed me the red silk, he was so careful the entire way, afraid I might stumble or get hurt."
"No one in this lifetime has ever treated me like that," Chu Yu sighed. "That was the first time I felt my heart begin to fill."
When she had been reborn, her heart had been filled with endless resentment, wanting only to escape.
That had been her first glimmer of warmth.
Wei Yun said nothing.
The moment he heard Chu Yu's words, an overwhelming ache surged in his chest. He nearly blurted out—I'll treat Sister-in-law just as well in the future.
But the words caught in his throat, and he immediately sensed the impropriety.
That was something his brother could do, not him. His brother was her husband, a presence entirely different from his own. Some things Wei Jun could do, but Wei Yun could not.
His kindness to her must always remain beyond a certain line, restrained by propriety.
Though he wished to give her all the good things in the world, to repay her for the kindness she had shown the Wei Manor and the warmth she had given him in his darkest hour, some things could be given, while others required the right to do so.
Wei Yun couldn't quite describe this feeling. As he sipped his tea and gazed at the scenery outside, he found, inexplicably, that today's tea tasted unusually bitter.
While Chu Yu and Wei Yun discussed their next steps in Hua Jing, thousands of miles away in Kunyang County, Gu Chusheng was reviewing documents in the Magistrate's Residence.
After the fall of Bai City, Kunyang had become the first line of defense. Yao Yong had stationed troops there, guarding it alongside him.
"Young Master," the attendant Zhang Deng hurried in and whispered, "I've prepared all the identification papers. When do you think would be the best time to leave?"
Gu Chusheng didn't answer. Holding a brush in one hand, he raised the other, and Zhang Deng placed the prepared documents in his palm, adding, "The men and silver outside the city are also ready as you instructed. You needn't worry."
"Hmm."
Gu Chusheng quickly flipped through the papers to confirm everything was in order, then dipped his brush into ink and wrote on the memorial before him. "The silver sent to Gongsun Miao—did he accept it?"
Gongsun Miao was Yao Yong's trusted aide, privy to his every thought. Sending him silver was a way to gauge Yao Yong's stance.
Zhang Deng nodded confidently. "He accepted it."
Gu Chusheng paused, brush in hand, and looked up at Zhang Deng. "How did he accept it?"
"Just... took it directly." Zhang Deng, sensing something amiss in Gu Chusheng's expression, felt as if he had done something wrong. He hesitated before elaborating on Gongsun Miao's response. "Gongsun Mr. also said he would come invite you to his residence this afternoon to introduce you to Yao..."Before the words were finished, Gu Chusheng stood up and began packing his belongings. Zhang Deng was puzzled, "My lord, what are you doing?"
"Leaving."
Gu Chusheng spoke decisively. Zhang Deng was still confused, "Didn’t Gongsun Mr. agree to introduce you to General Yao Yong? Why are you leaving now?"
"Have you ever seen someone take a bribe so openly?" Gu Chusheng cast a cold glance at Zhang Deng. "Unless the master signaled it, how could they dare to take money so blatantly?"
Hearing this, Zhang Deng suddenly realized and felt a chill run down his spine. He hurriedly helped Gu Chusheng pack.
Gu Chusheng had already prepared everything in advance. Now, he merely retrieved the items and was about to carry them out when hurried footsteps sounded outside the door. Gu Chusheng immediately handed the belongings to Zhang Deng and said coldly, "Hide."
With that, he feigned calmness and sat back at the desk, continuing to review documents.
Soon, a middle-aged man in white robes embroidered with bamboo entered, holding a feather fan and sporting a fine beard. Behind him stood two rows of soldiers in the courtyard, their expressions solemn.
This was Gongsun Miao, the top strategist under Yao Yong. He stepped forward and bowed to Gu Chusheng, "Lord Gu."
"Gongsun Mr."
Gu Chusheng stood up and returned the greeting with a smile. "What brings you here today?"
"A small matter, a small matter."
Gongsun Miao clasped his hands. "General Yao has long admired your talents. I come at his command to invite you for a discussion."
"This is truly wonderful!" Gu Chusheng feigned excitement. "I’ve long wished to meet the General. Please wait in the hall while I change into formal attire."
"Why bother?"
Gongsun Miao raised a hand to stop him. "We are not so superficial. The General admires your intellect and bearing, not your attire. Please come with me now, lest the General wait too long."
At this, Gu Chusheng showed a puzzled expression. "Is there something urgent? Why the haste?"
Gongsun Miao’s face stiffened briefly before he smiled again. "A misunderstanding, Lord Gu. My son awaits me at home, and I wish to return sooner. Hence, I act with haste."
"I see," Gu Chusheng nodded. "You are a family man indeed. Then I shall not delay you. Let us go."
"Many thanks." Gongsun Miao bowed again. Gu Chusheng smiled indifferently and walked out with him, chatting amiably.
Shortly after they left, Zhang Deng peeked out from behind a screen. Sword in hand, he leaped onto a beam, pushed open a tile above, and climbed out through the prepared escape route.
From the shadows, the Wei family’s Covert Guards watched Zhang Deng’s retreating figure and turned to Wei Qiu for instructions.
Wei Qiu gestured to the south, and three Covert Guards swiftly pursued Zhang Deng. Meanwhile, Wei Qiu led the rest to follow Gu Chusheng toward Yao Yong’s location.Gu Chusheng chatted idly with Gongsun Miao along the way, repeatedly expressing his admiration for Yao Yong. Gongsun Miao listened with a smile, feeling quite pleased. He simply thought this Gu Chusheng was truly a fool.
Yao Yong had abandoned the city, yet he dared to evacuate the civilians? How could such merit possibly be credited to him? Since it couldn't be given to him, and fearing he might bring it up to the Emperor in the capital someday, naturally, the only option was to kill him.
Gongsun Miao looked at the vibrant young man before him with a trace of regret—such talent, what a pity.
"This moat of Kunyang County was built by the former Prefect of Kun Province, encircling the city and connecting to the Guiyan River outside. Though it's winter now, the water level hasn't decreased."
Gu Chusheng enthusiastically explained the moat to Gongsun Miao: "Do you know why, my lord?"
Gongsun Miao also found it strange. Typically, water flow would diminish or even dry up in winter, so why was Kunyang's moat still rushing with water?
Gu Chusheng urged his horse forward slightly and pointed at a stone lion by the moat: "Come take a look, sir, it's right here..."
Gongsun Miao instinctively leaned in, and in that very moment, Gu Chusheng suddenly struck, seizing Gongsun Miao and pressing a Sleeve Blade against him, shouting angrily: "Stay back!"
Gongsun Miao instantly understood his predicament—Gu Chusheng hadn't failed to notice Yao Yong's intentions; he had noticed, all too clearly!
Cold sweat broke out on Gongsun Miao's back. He knew Yao Yong's methods well—if he let Gu Chusheng escape, his entire family would be doomed!
"Don't mind me!" Gongsun Miao roared. "Capture him!"
Gu Chusheng's expression changed drastically. After sealing Gongsun Miao's acupoints, he grabbed him and leaped into the moat.
Arrows pursued them instantly. Gu Chusheng submerged, lifting Gongsun Miao to block the arrows above before pushing him away and rolling with the current.
Those on the shore were momentarily at a loss, completely losing sight of them.
The Wei family's Covert Guards all turned to Wei Qiu, anxiously asking, "Boss, they're gone. What do we do?"
Wei Qiu pressed his lips together and ordered, "Wei Bing, return and send a carrier pigeon to report to the Marquis. The rest of you, follow me!"
Everyone scattered, with those on the shore rushing downstream in pursuit. Gu Chusheng hid in the hollow beneath a stone lion by the riverbank, clutching his wound as he panted lightly.
It had been many years since he'd been pushed to such extremes.
But it didn't matter...
His eyes burned with fervor. He would survive. He would return to Hua Jing.
Once back in Hua Jing, he would see A Yu again.
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