Wei Jun emerged, and the atmosphere turned awkward. Being chased out by one's wife was hardly a dignified situation for anyone.
Chu Yu looked at Wei Jun. The young man before her was gentle and refined, just as she had imagined—more like a scholar than a military officer.
He was ordinary in appearance, lacking the breathtaking beauty that Wei Yun would one day possess, the kind that would stun the entire Da Xuan. Yet, Chu Yu found herself inexplicably drawn to him.
She gazed at him quietly, gripping the reins as she spoke, "Husband, do you remember what you promised me?"
Wei Jun remained silent. Chu Yu urged her horse forward until she stood before him, then reached up and lowered her bridal veil, leaning slightly toward him.
"Young Master once promised me that you would return to lift my veil."
Those who overheard these words were momentarily stunned. Wei Jun's fingers trembled slightly as he looked at the fiery woman before him, feeling as though his heart had been struck with immense force.
This had been an arranged marriage, a mere duty to fulfill. Yet, in this moment, an unexpected ripple of emotion stirred within him.
He raised his hand, carefully and slowly lifting Chu Yu's veil.
Her eyes were lowered, but as light returned to her vision, she lifted her gaze to meet his.
Her bright eyes shimmered like spring water, and she smiled radiantly.
"Husband," she said softly, "from this day forward, my life is bound to yours."
Wei Jun said nothing, but his heartbeat quickened.
Chu Yu straightened and spoke calmly, "I wish to accompany my husband to war."
"Absolutely not!"
Wei Zhong was the first to object. "The Wei family has never allowed women on the battlefield!"
Though the Wei family had wives from military lineages, none had ever followed their husbands to war.
Chu Yu pressed further, "Father, I have trained in martial arts since childhood and have even accompanied my own father to battle before—"
"That was the Chu family." Wei Zhong frowned, then softened his tone. "A Yu, I understand your desire to protect Jun'er. But men have their battlefields, and women have their duties at home. If you truly care for Jun'er, return and assist your mother-in-law with household affairs. Wait quietly for his return."
Wei Zhong was a man of deep traditional values, something Chu Yu had long known. She glanced at the expressions of the surrounding soldiers—even Wei Jun looked disapproving.
She had anticipated this outcome and had only wanted to try. Taking a deep breath, she met Wei Jun's eyes. "Very well. I will wait for my husband's return."
"Don’t worry..." Wei Jun, moved by her words, spoke with a hint of hoarseness. He knew the dangers of the battlefield—something he had never dwelled on before, yet today, an unease crept in. Lowering his head, he said, "I will return safely."
"Good." Chu Yu nodded solemnly. "Then remember this: I will be waiting at home. You must protect yourself. This battle is primarily defensive—do not pursue a fleeing enemy."
Wei Jun paused, puzzled. Chu Yu fixed him with her gaze and repeated, "Promise me. No matter what, the Guardian Army will not chase down retreating soldiers."
"Father would never act so recklessly."
Wei Jun snapped out of his daze and smiled. "There’s no need for such worries."
"Swear it." Chu Yu grabbed his sleeve, pressing him. "If your father orders a pursuit, you must stop him."
Wei Jun sighed, attributing her insistence to excessive concern. Raising his hand, he relented, "Fine, I swear. I will not let Father chase the retreating soldiers."Hearing this, Chu Yu felt relieved. She released Wei Jun’s sleeve and smiled, saying, “Alright, I’ll wait for you to come back.”
With that, Chu Yu decisively stepped aside and said to Wei Zhong, “Marquis, pardon the interruption.”
Wei Zhong’s expression softened. Seeing his son married to a wife who cared for him wholeheartedly, he was deeply satisfied.
He nodded and said to Wei Yun, “Xiao Qi, escort your sister-in-law back.”
Without waiting for Wei Yun’s response, he set off again.
Chu Yu watched as Wei Jun rode away. He was still wearing his wedding attire, standing out vividly in the procession. Wei Yun stood beside her, watching the Guardian Army depart. Only when they were far away did he say, “Sister-in-law, let’s go back.”
This time, his tone lacked its usual playfulness, carrying instead a note of respect.
Chu Yu turned to look at him and saw the clarity and gentleness in the young man’s eyes. Calmly, she said, “Go after them. You don’t need to escort me.”
“Sister-in-law…”
“Going back and forth will waste too much time. You’ll need your strength on the frontlines—don’t exhaust it on this.”
Wei Yun hesitated. Chu Yu gazed in the direction Wei Jun had gone.
She had done all she could. Wei Jun had promised not to pursue the fleeing enemy—surely nothing would happen…
Yet, she couldn’t shake a lingering unease. Though they had only met briefly, she was deeply fond of Wei Jun. Even if they weren’t husband and wife, she would have liked him as a friend.
She turned back to Wei Yun. He had survived in the past—he must have his own methods. Meeting his gaze, she said earnestly, “Wei Yun, promise me one thing.”
“Sister-in-law, just say the word.”
Seeing the hope in Chu Yu’s eyes, Wei Yun responded instinctively without even asking what it was. Her voice carried a plea: “Protect your brother well. Both of you must come home safely.”
If the worst happened… at least let it not be this fourteen-year-old boy returning alone to face the storms ahead.
Hearing this, Wei Yun was momentarily stunned, then laughed.
“Don’t worry, sister-in-law,” he said with pride. “Big Brother may look like a scholar, but he’s actually very strong.”
Chu Yu wanted to say more, but Wei Yun quickly added, “But I’ll definitely protect him! I’ll guard him on the battlefield—if he loses even a single hair, I’ll offer my head in apology!”
Wei Yun thumped his chest, full of confidence in his brother.
Chu Yu almost smiled but remained troubled.
After a moment, she finally said, “Go on. But remember—” Her expression turned stern. “The Wei family must focus on defending the city this time. Do not pursue a fleeing enemy!”
Wei Yun nodded blankly. After riding a few steps, he couldn’t help but stop and look back at Chu Yu. “Sister-in-law, why do you keep emphasizing this?”
Wei Yun was sharp. While Wei Jun thought Chu Yu was just overly worried, Wei Yun sensed something more.
Chu Yu wasn’t good at lying. After a pause, she slowly said, “I had a nightmare.”
“In the dream… you pursued the fleeing enemy and were defeated at White Emperor Valley. The entire Wei family… only you returned.”
At these words, Wei Yun’s face darkened instantly.
Such words before a campaign were deeply inauspicious. He wanted to be angry, but the woman’s expression stopped him.Her expression was filled with sorrow, as if the event had truly occurred. Thus, he swallowed his words of rebuttal and stiffly said, "Dreams are the opposite of reality. Don’t dwell on such thoughts."
With that, he turned and hurried after his father and brothers.
He glanced back once and saw the plains stretching endlessly to the horizon. Behind the woman stood a towering city, while the world around her was painted in the withered yellow hues of autumn. Clad in red, she sat astride her horse, solitary against the faded golden wilderness.
She seemed to be bidding farewell—or perhaps waiting.
Her slender face was sharply defined, and her narrow eyes held a calm composure.
In all his life, he had seen countless women, yet never one whose beauty struck him so profoundly, searing into his heart the moment it met his eyes.
After seeing off the last of the Guardian Army, Chu Yu rode back to Wei Manor.
Upon her return, the steward, visibly anxious, greeted her: "Young Madam, you’ve finally returned. The mistress has asked for you."
"My apologies," Chu Yu nodded, dismounting. "Please inform the mistress that I will go to her at once."
The steward had initially disapproved of her—never had he seen such an unconventional bride. But her sincere apology softened his displeasure, and he replied respectfully, "Rest assured, Young Madam. You may freshen up first."
He then arranged for attendants to escort her to her chambers. After a quick wash, Chu Yu changed into a pale blue gown and followed the servants to Madam Wei’s quarters.
Madam Wei, originally named Liu Xueyang, was the wife of Wei Zhong and the birth mother of Wei Jun and Wei Yun.
The Wei family had seven children: two legitimate—the heir Wei Jun and the youngest, Wei Yun. The remaining five—Wei Shu (second), Wei Ya (fifth) from the second branch’s Liang Shi; Wei Qin (third), Wei Feng (fourth), and Wei Rong (sixth)—were all born to the third branch’s Wang Clan.
Liu Xueyang came from a scholarly family and, due to frail health, seldom involved herself in household affairs. Wei Zhong’s mother, the elderly Madam Qin, concerned herself only with matters of life and death, leaving the daily management to Liang Shi of the second branch.
Before marrying into the Wei family, Xie Yun had briefed Chu Yu thoroughly. Speaking of Liu Xueyang, she had said, "This lady is meek and easily swayed, never one to lose her temper. Pay her little mind. Instead, focus on currying favor with Liang Shi, who holds the reins."
It was the way of the inner court—new brides must please their mothers-in-law. Xie Yun, having spent her life mastering such strategies, wasn’t wrong in her advice.
But Chu Yu, raised mostly under Chu Jianchang’s influence, found Xie Yun’s methods distasteful.
Liu Xueyang was her mother-in-law, the rightful first lady of the Wei family. Whatever respect she showed Liang Shi, she would show Liu Xueyang even more.
And who said Liu Xueyang was meek?
When Wei Yun was imprisoned and soldiers raided Wei Manor, humiliating the women of the household, many fled or took their own lives. Liang Shi had long absconded with the family’s wealth, and even the most steadfast, Wei Shu’s wife Jiang Shi, chose suicide. Only the first lady, Liu Xueyang, took up a sword and killed before being struck down by the soldiers—an act that finally stirred the Emperor.
Though risking one’s life might seem foolish, for a delicate woman of letters to raise a blade—who could call her weak?
With admiration and reverence for Liu Xueyang, Chu Yu straightened her attire and stood respectfully outside her door, waiting for the servants to announce her.After a while, the servant led Chu Yu into the room. Without raising her head, Chu Yu meticulously performed a bow to the person on the couch and said respectfully, "Your daughter-in-law greets Mother."
A somewhat weak female voice came from above, "You seem like someone who follows the rules. How could you do such an outrageous thing?"
Chu Yu remained silent as Liu Xueyang was helped to sit up.
As she moved, she coughed lightly. A maid promptly stepped forward with a handkerchief, well-practiced in this routine. After coughing for a moment, Liu Xueyang looked at Chu Yu and said helplessly, "Born into a military family, war is a common occurrence. I know you feel wronged to face war right after your wedding, but this is the fate of women in the Wei family. Our men protect the country, and though we cannot fight on the battlefield, we must stay at home and wait for our husbands to return. We must not selfishly stop them from going to the front lines. Do you understand?"
Hearing this, Chu Yu realized that Liu Xueyang must have thought she had tried to stop Wei Jun from going to war.
Thus, Chu Yu replied, "Mother is right, and your daughter-in-law thinks the same. I have some martial skills and wish to accompany the heir to the front lines to offer assistance."
At this, Liu Xueyang's expression softened. She sighed, "I misunderstood you. It's rare to have such intentions. But war is men's business. As women, our duty is to maintain the household and bear children."
She then waved her hand, and a woman about Liu Xueyang's age stepped forward, presenting a box to Chu Yu.
"This is a gift for you," Liu Xueyang said in a much gentler tone, her gaze now filled with warmth. "Since you've entered the Wei family, serve Chengyan well, and I won't treat you unfairly."
Chengyan was Wei Jun's courtesy name. At twenty-four, he had waited for Chu Yu to come of age due to the marriage agreement with the Chu family. Hearing this, Chu Yu replied sincerely, "Mother need not worry."
Liu Xueyang studied Chu Yu, who kept her eyes lowered as she endured the scrutiny. After a long moment, the voice from above finally said, "Go and rest now."
Chu Yu acknowledged and respectfully withdrew.
Once outside, she stood in the courtyard of the Wei residence and let out a deep sigh.
Holding the jade pendant in her hand, she thought of Wei Jun.
He was a good man, wasn't he?
She mused quietly—
This life would surely get better, wouldn't it?
Author's Note: Wei Yun: Hold on, don't switch sides!! Won't it be better when I grow up?!
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