After Shen You was locked back in the dungeon, Jiang Chun set out with her people that very night.
Chu Yu repeatedly urged Jiang Chun to be careful, to which Jiang Chun smiled and said, "I'll be fine. Just take good care of Mother-in-law in my absence."
Chu Yu agreed and then held Jiang Chun's hand, reiterating all the things she needed to remember before finally letting her go.
Not two days after Jiang Chun's departure, Xie Yun came rushing over in a panic.
Hearing of Xie Yun's arrival, Chu Yu knew it must be related to Chu Jin's actions. She remained composed, inviting Xie Yun inside and serving her tea. Xie Yun, visibly distressed, barely sat down before exclaiming, "A Yu, A Jin is missing!"
"Hmm?"
Chu Yu looked up, feigning surprise. "How did A Jin go missing?"
"Just yesterday," Xie Yun said, tears welling in her eyes. "During the day, she said she was going to buy some cosmetics, and I didn’t think much of it. I went to bed early, and when I woke up this morning, I realized she hadn’t returned all night. I immediately sent people to search for her, but she’s nowhere to be found."
"What about her attendants?"
Chu Yu already had a rough idea where Chu Jin might have gone but kept her expression neutral. Xie Yun sighed. "Her attendants are missing too—likely gone with her. I was about to report it to the authorities when I found a letter under her pillow. She wrote that she was going to Luozhou to find Linyang! What are we to do?!"
At this, Chu Yu's eyes turned cold, though her face remained impassive. "Let’s keep searching. I’ll write to Eldest Brother first and ask."
"I’ve already sent someone, but the journey is so rough, and she’s just a girl..."
Xie Yun began to cry, lamenting, "It’s my fault. Back when your father wanted her to learn martial arts, I objected. If only she had half your skill in this day and age, I wouldn’t have to worry like this."
"Little Sister has her own strengths."
Chu Yu smiled and comforted Xie Yun for a while longer before having her escorted out. As soon as Xie Yun left, Chu Yu immediately sent people to track down those who had been following Chu Jin and wrote a letter to Chu Linyang, informing him that she had dispatched people to search for Chu Jin and that he need not worry.
After completing these tasks, Chu Yu pulled out the household account books to review.
Having borrowed money from Chu Linyang, she had purchased farmland in Luozhou and set up commercial properties in Lanzhou. Wei Manor was now stretched thin financially, and every coin had to be spent carefully.
She pored over the books until nightfall when the people sent to find Chu Jin finally returned. Chu Yu initially paid little attention, but when she looked up, she saw two men enter—one of them covered in mud and looking thoroughly disheveled. It was the man assigned to follow Chu Jin.
Chu Yu frowned. "Why are you back?"
Chu Jin was supposed to be on her way to Chu Linyang. They had been ordered to intercept her—why had they returned?
Hearing her question, the man immediately knelt and raised his voice. "This subordinate has failed! I lost track of Second Miss!"
"Lost track?"
Chu Yu was stunned. She stood abruptly. "How did that happen?"
"Second Miss left the capital yesterday, heading straight for Luozhou. I planned to intercept her near the Luozhou border, but this morning, we encountered bandits. I fought them off to protect the civilians and Second Miss, but when I turned back, she was gone!"
"Find her!" Chu Yu's voice was icy. "Go search for her at once!"
The guards, receiving their orders, hurried out to resume the search.The search went on for two days, yet there was no news of Chu Jin. Meanwhile, the battlefront inched closer to Hua Jing, casting a pall of despondency over the city. Many citizens began migrating to safer regions, and the court's morale visibly deteriorated with each passing day.
The emperor repeatedly sent envoys to summon Wei Yun, but each time, he feigned illness and remained bedridden, refusing to meet them. Helpless, the emperor could only turn to his ministers for advice, yet none dared step forward to take decisive military command.
Seven more days passed before the first triumphant report arrived from the frontlines. However, Emperor Chunde showed no joy upon reading it. The Wei family had already received the news half a day earlier.
The report detailed how the Northern Di forces, having advanced to Fen River, were repelled within half a day by Song Shilan's troops. Yet, Emperor Chunde's displeasure stemmed from the fact that after driving back the Northern Di at Fen River, Song Shilan immediately turned his forces to launch a fierce assault on Xiaoju County. In the end, Song Shilan captured the county, but his elder brother, Song Shilan, perished in the battle.
For the emperor, the fact that someone who had been consistently losing battles could reclaim Fen River in just half a day was proof that Song Shilan had not been giving his all in previous engagements. Now, this man was poised to replace Song Wenchang as the heir, rightfully taking control of the Song family's military power—a thought that made the emperor's heart ache with frustration.
What kind of wolves had he been nurturing!
Though Emperor Chunde understood the dynamics between Song Shilan and Song Wenchang, he could not voice his suspicions openly. Not only that, he had to reward Song Shilan. Thus, gritting his teeth, the emperor issued an Imperial Decree appointing Song Shilan as the heir and bestowed upon him some silk and gold as gifts.
The rewards were meager, but given the national crisis, no one commented on it.
That same day, a detailed account of Emperor Chunde's reaction was delivered to Wei Yun. Reading the report, Wei Yun laughed heartily as he recounted the court's events to Chu Yu, gleefully saying, "His Majesty must be seething with frustration right now. I wouldn't be surprised if it takes a toll on his health."
"His health isn't the concern," Chu Yu replied with a smile. "It's his judgment that might suffer."
Just then, a messenger arrived outside. Wei Qiu, unfazed, announced, "Marquis, His Majesty has sent another envoy."
Hearing this, Wei Yun quickly said, "Prepare the blood pack for me. I need to get back to bed."
By now, Wei Yun had perfected the art of feigning illness. By the time the decree-bearing eunuch reached the main hall, Wei Yun was already lying in bed. Chu Yu greeted the eunuch in the hall with a smile, rising to meet him. "The young marquis is still bedridden and unable to receive the decree in person. I hope you'll forgive this impropriety. May I accept the decree on his behalf?"
Under normal circumstances, accepting an Imperial Decree by proxy would have been outrageous. But these were far from normal times—the emperor's authority on the battlefield had all but collapsed, and few generals heeded his commands. In this context, Wei Yun having Chu Yu accept the decree seemed almost trivial.
The eunuch showed no offense, smiling as he replied, "That won't be a problem."
Chu Yu sighed in relief, but before she could speak further, the eunuch added, "This decree is actually for you, Madam."
Chu Yu looked up in surprise, her eyes widening. "Why would His Majesty issue a decree for me?"
"Today, His Majesty invited the Dowager of Wei to the palace for tea," the eunuch replied with a bright smile. "She finds the palace lonely and wishes to summon you for a visit. Would that be convenient?"
At these words, Chu Yu's expression instantly turned cold.Jiang Chun went out, and Liu Xueyang was too worried to rest. She had specially chosen this day to go and burn incense to pray for Jiang Chun's safety.
Chu Yu had already arranged attendants for Liu Xueyang, but she never expected Emperor Chunde to have gone so mad?
"Openly abducting the family members of court officials in Hua Jing," Chu Yu gritted her teeth as she spoke. "Has Your Majesty considered how other ministers would react if they found out?"
"Ah, Madam Wei, what are you saying?"
The eunuch flicked his horsetail whisk into his hand, his face full of ingratiating smiles. "It's just an invitation for tea, and the old madam has already agreed. Why are you making such a fuss?"
Chu Yu didn't speak. She took a deep breath, knowing she needed to remain calm. The eunuch smiled and said, "The madam is in the palace. I wonder if the young marquis has the strength to receive the decree? The young marquis is gravely ill, but it doesn't matter. Madam Wei can go to the palace in his stead."
As he spoke, the eunuch seemed certain Chu Yu would comply. He stepped aside and made a gesture of invitation. "Madam Wei, shall we go?"
Chu Yu remained silent. The eunuch watched her with a smile, as if waiting for her to lose her temper.
After a moment, Chu Yu instead gave a light laugh. "Then I'll trouble the eunuch to wait a moment. This humble wife will come after freshening up."
Without waiting for the eunuch's response, she turned and walked into the inner hall, returning to her room. She quickly took out numerous hair ornaments and adorned her hair, then donned soft armor beneath her robes. As she armed herself, she said to Wanyue, who had followed her in, "Go tell the young marquis that I'm going to the palace to bring Mother back. He must continue pretending to be ill. The emperor is trying to force him out—he must not act rashly."
Wei Yun had been planning for so long, waiting to push Emperor Chunde into a corner with no retreat. Only then, when Wei Yun reappeared, would Emperor Chunde have no choice but to concede unconditionally.
The worse the situation seemed for Great Chu now, the more dazzling Wei Yun's return to save the battlefield would be.
At this moment, Yao Yong had not yet been completely defeated. Wei Yun couldn't reveal himself—if he did, all their previous efforts would be wasted.
Emperor Chunde hadn't been pushed to the brink, and Yao Yong hadn't been eliminated. If Wei Yun went to the battlefield now, he might repeat the fate of his father and brothers.
Chu Yu pondered the situation as she put on her outer robe and fastened her belt, speaking quickly. "Tell him not to worry. I'll handle everything."
With that, she finished her preparations and headed out.
The eunuch was visibly anxious, pacing back and forth. When he saw Chu Yu emerge, he sighed in relief and regained his composure. "Madam Wei, shall we?"
Chu Yu smiled faintly, her expression calm. "After you, Eunuch."
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