Chu Yu had visited the Eldest Princess's residence once before, but that had been in autumn when the princess could still frolic in the gardens with her male concubines on fine days. This time, Chu Yu could only meet her in the main hall.
The princess's residence was vast, with winding paths and lush courtyards that exuded a natural elegance. The steward, an elderly man in his fifties, led the way while saying, "Her Highness has been unwell lately and doesn’t receive outsiders. But when she heard it was the Madam coming, she agreed immediately. She truly holds you in high regard."
His tone carried a hint of reproach as he continued, "Her Highness is often lonely and takes a liking to few. We thought the Madam would visit more often, but after the last incident, you didn’t come by much."
Chu Yu took this as mere politeness and smiled. "I’m deeply grateful for Her Highness’s kindness."
"Don’t mistake my words for empty courtesy," the steward clarified, sensing her thoughts. "Her Highness is straightforward and dislikes roundabout talk. I speak the truth—please don’t dismiss it as mere formality."
Chu Yu paused, then replied earnestly, "A Yu was being overly cautious. Thank you for the reminder, Uncle."
Reassured, the steward shared more about the princess’s habits before leading Chu Yu into the main hall. Not daring to look up, Chu Yu kept her eyes lowered and entered respectfully, kneeling to perform a deep bow. "Greetings to Your Highness."
"Dis—dis—ah-choo!"
The princess sneezed before finally managing to say, "Rise."
She gestured listlessly to a nearby seat. "Sit first."
Chu Yu obeyed, rising to kneel in the indicated spot.
The hall was resplendent, every furnishing gleaming gold, nearly blinding Chu Yu. The princess wore a golden-threaded robe beneath a thick cotton coat. Well-preserved, she looked no older than a maiden in her teens despite being in her thirties. Bundled in the coat, she appeared almost endearing.
Behind her knelt two handsome young men in light blue robes. Chu Yu stole a glance and noticed one was different from last time.
Noticing her look, the princess said impatiently, "If you want to look, lift your head properly. What’s with this sneaky peeking?"
Without demurring, Chu Yu raised her head and swept her gaze over the two men. Confirming the change, she remarked with a smile, "Your Highness seems to have replaced one of the gentlemen."
"Beauty lies in novelty," the princess drawled, leaning against one of them. "Once it’s no longer fresh, even the most beautiful becomes tiresome."
Chu Yu didn’t argue, merely replying respectfully, "Your Highness speaks wisely."
Finding no challenge, the princess lost interest and studied her. "What brings you here today?"
"This humble one has come to ask a favor of Your Highness."
Unrelated visitors always came with requests. The princess waved a hand dismissively. "Go on, then. Let’s hear it."
Given leave, Chu Yu recounted the matter of Gu Chusheng. She held nothing back, stating only what Wei Yun had told her without embellishing or speculating about his unspoken plans.The Eldest Princess leaned against a handsome man while being fed pastries by another, looking utterly at ease. After listening to Chu Yu, she nodded and said, "I see. You want me to create an opportunity for the emperor to learn of this matter, correct?"
Chu Yu responded, "Exactly."
The Eldest Princess lowered her gaze to her red nail polish. After a moment, she slowly smiled. "You’re quite bold to speak so frankly with me. Aren’t you afraid I might betray you?"
"What benefit would betraying us bring to you, Princess?"
Chu Yu remained composed. "Since we’ve come to seek your help, we won’t ask for it in vain. A Yu understands the rules—whatever you request, as long as it’s within our means, we won’t refuse."
The Eldest Princess seemed pleased with Chu Yu’s words. "You’re quite sensible. This matter is actually quite simple." She thought for a moment. "I’ll pick a day to take His Majesty on an incognito visit among the commoners. Have someone chase Gu Chusheng in front of His Majesty, and naturally, he’ll investigate Gu Chusheng. If what you say is true, His Majesty will find out."
Seeing the princess agree, Chu Yu quickly said, "We’ve troubled you, Princess."
"Helping you isn’t for free," the princess said lazily, flicking her nails as if amused. "Reciprocity is only fair," she added with a light laugh.
"However," the princess’s expression cooled slightly, "if His Majesty intends to shield Yao Yong, he might act against Gu Chusheng before the matter becomes public. Are you prepared for that?"
"Marquis Wei and I have already discussed this," Chu Yu replied. "If Gu Chusheng is detained and His Majesty intends to kill him, we’ll have the people arriving from Bai City go to Shuntian Prefecture to beat the grievance drum and raise public outcry, pinning Gu Chusheng’s detention squarely on Yao Yong. If Gu Chusheng dies, it will confirm the matter. Given His Majesty’s concern for his reputation, he likely won’t allow it. But at that time, we’ll rely on you, Princess, to mediate."
As she spoke, Chu Yu made to bow again.
The Eldest Princess raised a hand to stop her. "Such a small matter doesn’t require such formality. You’ve come to me for help repeatedly—we might as well consider each other acquaintances, if not friends."
"To receive your favor, A Yu dares not decline."
Taking the steward’s earlier advice to heart, Chu Yu didn’t refuse. The princess, pleased with her attitude, smiled. "You’re quite straightforward. Why not stay for dinner? I’ll host a banquet and broaden your horizons!"
At the mention of "broadening horizons," Chu Yu’s heart skipped a beat, and Wei Yun’s words came to mind. She couldn’t shake the feeling that this person might be somewhat unreliable, capable of doing something outrageous.
Still, she didn’t dare refuse and simply smiled. "A guest follows the host’s lead. Whatever you arrange will be fine."
"Good."
The princess waved at the steward. "Tell the gentlemen to prepare—I’ll be hosting a banquet tonight."
Hearing "the gentlemen," Chu Yu’s eyelids twitched, but she maintained her composure, her expression steady.
The princess returned to her seat, chatting idly with Chu Yu, who knelt in her place, answering whatever questions the princess asked.
Before long, servants brought out dishes and placed them before Chu Yu. The princess’s chefs were clearly masters of their craft—each dish was exquisitely presented, more like works of art than mere food.Chu Yu calmly picked up some food with her chopsticks. The Eldest Princess glanced at her and, seeing her begin to eat, smiled. "With wine and dishes, how can we lack beauties?"
With that, the Eldest Princess clapped her hands. "Come in."
As soon as the words fell, the musicians who had been standing by suddenly began to play. Servants slowly opened the doors, revealing dozens of strikingly handsome young men of various styles, all uniformly dressed in flowing, wide-sleeved robes of water-blue silk. They stepped in gracefully with light, rhythmic steps, moving like drifting clouds to the music.
Chu Yu choked on her wine, coughing violently.
The Eldest Princess watched her with amusement. "Broadening your horizons?"
Chu Yu nodded vigorously, staring at the woman before her and suddenly feeling as though the first thirty years of her life had been wasted.
The Eldest Princess seemed to have anticipated her reaction. Sipping her wine, she looked thoroughly pleased.
Once Chu Yu recovered, she hurriedly lowered her head to eat. The Eldest Princess didn’t press her further, instead watching the beautiful men dance while tapping a small fan against her palm in rhythm. "You’re still young," she remarked. "The pleasures of this world are likely beyond your grasp. When you reach my age, you’ll understand the joy of keeping such company."
Chu Yu doubted she would ever understand such pleasures.
She remained silent. The Eldest Princess glanced at her and said slowly, "Still thinking of Wei Jun?"
Caught off guard by the question, Chu Yu mumbled an acknowledgment. The Eldest Princess leaned back against the man behind her, watching the performance with a nostalgic tone. "The year Meixue first left, I was just like you—determined to cling to his memory."
Chu Yu slowly lifted her gaze and saw the Eldest Princess staring at the banquet attendees as if unable to look away, her voice calm. "Then one day, I stepped outside and realized everyone was waiting to see how miserable I’d become. So I decided I couldn’t lose. They all expected me to suffer, to see how this arrogant, domineering woman would struggle alone with a daughter after her husband’s death. But I resolved to live well."
"They thought I should weep, but I laughed instead. They thought I should wear mourning clothes every day, so I dressed in the brightest colors."
"They assumed I’d remarry in desperation, so I gathered the most beautiful men in the land. Now, I’m richer than them, more powerful than them. While they cower, fearing their husbands might cast them aside, I can freely choose which man to favor."
The Eldest Princess took a sip of wine and turned her gaze to Chu Yu. "There are many ways to live in this world. The dead are gone—do you understand?"
Listening to her words, Chu Yu grasped the Eldest Princess’s meaning.
Perhaps the care the Eldest Princess showed her wasn’t just because she was sensible, generous, or opposed the Crown Prince—but also because her situation now mirrored the Eldest Princess’s own past.
This time, Chu Yu didn’t respond perfunctorily. She said earnestly, "Your Highness speaks wisely. Chu Yu understands."
Seeing no sorrow in Chu Yu’s expression, the Eldest Princess nodded in satisfaction and smiled. "Since you understand, why don’t I gift you a few male concubines?"
Chu Yu’s smile froze.
She suddenly recalled Wei Yun’s conflicted expression before her departure and realized what had been troubling him. If she actually brought men home, wouldn’t she be beaten to death?
Hastily, she replied, "Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness, but such pleasures are not for me. Please, spare me this honor."The Eldest Princess nodded with some regret, then after a moment's thought, asked, "Is Gu Chusheng currently staying at your residence?"
Chu Yu found it odd that she would suddenly inquire about Gu Chusheng but replied, "Indeed, he is at the Marquis's residence. May I ask what instructions Your Highness has?"
Hearing this, the princess's eyes brightened. She straightened up and leaned slightly forward, closer to Chu Yu. "I've heard that Lord Gu is exceptionally handsome and peerless in elegance. Is that true?"
Recognizing the look in her eyes, Chu Yu understood her intentions but didn't lie, nodding in agreement. "Indeed, he is."
"Then might I trouble you, Madam, to pass along a message?"
"Please speak, Your Highness." Chu Yu pretended not to grasp the princess's meaning and gestured for her to continue. The princess narrowed her eyes, tapping her small golden fan against her palm. "I shall host a banquet tomorrow and wish to invite Lord Gu and yourself. Would you kindly inform him when you return?"
"I will certainly relay the message to Lord Gu." Chu Yu deftly shifted all responsibility onto Gu Chusheng—she was merely the messenger, and whether he attended or not was entirely his decision.
The princess nodded, visibly pleased. She drank a few more cups with Chu Yu until the latter began to feel drowsy, at which point Chu Yu tactfully took her leave.
Upon returning to the residence, she instructed Wanyue, "Send someone to inform Gu Chusheng that the Eldest Princess wishes to host a banquet for him and ask if he would accompany me there tomorrow."
As far as Chu Yu was concerned, the message had been delivered. Whether he went or not was no longer her concern.
However, shortly after the messenger left, Wanyue returned to report, "Lord Gu said, 'When the princess extends an invitation, it would be impolite to decline.'"
Chu Yu nodded and acknowledged the response absentmindedly before going about her own affairs.
Given the princess's reputation, Gu Chusheng couldn't possibly be unaware of the implications behind her invitation.
He had agreed to it—let him deal with the consequences himself.
Author's Note:
[Bonus Scene]
Mo Shubai: What does it feel like to host a banquet for Chu Yu?
The Eldest Princess: Bullying an honest person is quite enjoyable.
Someone asked about the relationship between Lady Qingping and Wei Yun in their past life.
Lady Qingping was in a political marriage, entered it while pregnant, and her lover had passed away. The two lived together respectfully for a lifetime, and Wei Yun acknowledged her child as his own.
Don't dwell too much on the past life. Wei Yun held high status and power, and without any particular obsessions, it's unrealistic for him to have remained unmarried.
Think about it—if an outstanding, normal man reached fifty without a wife, girlfriend, or any interaction with the opposite sex, wouldn't he at least have a boyfriend?
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