Chu Yu made her way to the palace, pondering the emperor's intentions in summoning her this time.
The emperor's ultimate target was undoubtedly Wei Yun. Forcing Wei Yun to take the field and pushing the frontline soldiers into battle was likely the emperor's current scheme. At present, the emperor's direct forces in Yanzhou remained inactive, holding back solely to protect the throne in case of emergency. The frontline was manned by the three families—Song Shilan, Yao Yong, and Chu Linyang—yet none of them exerted their full strength. They merely muddled through the battlefield, each playing their own game, effectively surrendering the empire. Naturally, the emperor now sought a way to compel everyone into action.
By taking Liu Xueyang hostage, he could pressure Wei Yun. If she were also brought into the palace, he could simultaneously threaten Chu Linyang and Chu Jianchang.
Chu Yu had a rough understanding of the emperor's thoughts and had already formed her own plans.
Following the eunuch into the imperial study, she saw Liu Xueyang sitting nervously across from the emperor, playing a game of chess with Emperor Chunde.
Liu Xueyang was visibly uneasy, clearly sensing something amiss, but she dared not show it. Her moves were a mess. Emperor Chunde, however, remained patient and said to her, "Madam, there’s no need to worry. We mean you no harm. We merely invited you to keep the empress company in the palace. You and the empress were once as close as sisters—you’ve stayed in the palace before. Why so reserved today?"
Liu Xueyang wore an awkward expression. Just then, Chu Yu entered with the eunuch, respectfully placing her hands to her forehead and kowtowing. "This humble subject, Wei Chushi, pays homage to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty live ten thousand years."
Her voice was steady and resolute. Emperor Chunde continued playing chess with Liu Xueyang, pausing for a moment when he noticed Liu Xueyang glancing repeatedly at Chu Yu. He looked up and said, "Madam Wei, why haven’t you made your move?"
"Your Majesty..." Liu Xueyang forced herself to speak. "My daughter-in-law here—"
"This humble subject, Wei Chushi, pays homage to Your Majesty!"
Chu Yu raised her voice again, reminding Emperor Chunde of her presence.
The emperor pinched a chess piece between his fingers and said coldly, "Did We permit you to speak?!"
Chu Yu remained prostrate on the ground, answering calmly, "This humble subject presumed Your Majesty summoned me in such haste for urgent matters, so I acted with undue eagerness. I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness."
"Eagerness?" Emperor Chunde slammed the chess piece back into its box and snapped, "We suspect you have no respect for Us as emperor and deliberately seek to humiliate Us!"
"Your Majesty jests."
Chu Yu remained composed. "Your Majesty is the sovereign, and I am but a common subject. How could I dare speak words of humiliation?"
"Enough. Spare Us the formalities."
The emperor waved his hand, and a eunuch stepped forward, gesturing for Liu Xueyang to leave. She hesitated, but when Emperor Chunde looked at her, she pressed her lips together and, lacking the courage to defy the emperor, finally turned and departed.
Once Liu Xueyang was gone, another eunuch handed the emperor a cup of tea. Emperor Chunde blew on the leaves and said, "You’ve likely guessed why We summoned you?"
"This humble subject understands," Chu Yu replied evenly, "but also does not."
"What don’t you understand?"
Emperor Chunde frowned. Still kneeling without raising her head, Chu Yu spoke clearly, "Your Majesty summoned me to the palace to seize control of the Chu and Wei families. But with Yao Yong and the Song Family already on the battlefield, why does Your Majesty not pressure them instead of us? The Wei family now has only the young marquis left—must Your Majesty exterminate us completely?""Preposterous!" Emperor Chunde roared. "Sending soldiers to the battlefield—how is that extermination?! It's your Wei family, always preaching loyalty to the sovereign and devotion to the country! I spared Wei Yun's life out of respect for the Wei family's loyalty, and how does he repay me?!"
"The deserters on the battlefield are countless," Emperor Chunde was clearly at his limit. "Do you think I don't know what's going on?! Do you take me for a fool?! Had I known the Wei family harbored such treasonous intentions, I would never have tolerated you!"
Emperor Chunde stood up and bellowed, "And you dare question why I don't force General Yao?! You'd love nothing more than to push General Yao to the frontlines as the main force, fighting to the death, leaving the imperial family defenseless so you can seize the throne, isn't that right?!"
"Your Majesty," Chu Yu raised her head and looked at him earnestly. "After all these years, is this the impression the Wei family has left in Your Majesty's heart?"
Hearing this, Emperor Chunde calmed slightly. He looked at Chu Yu and said slowly, "Wei Zhong was different, of course. I never doubted the Wei family's loyalty—but that brat Wei Yun!"
Emperor Chunde gnashed his teeth. "Him?! Don't think I don't know what games he's playing!"
Chu Yu said nothing, only giving a light laugh.
Emperor Chunde frowned. "What are you laughing at?"
"This commoner laughs at Your Majesty's folly! If you trust the Wei family, why not trust our young marquis? You resent him for not going to the battlefield, but do you remember how the Wei family died on the battlefield?! Now, with Yao Yong as commander, if you send our young marquis back, you're sending him to his death!"
"Nonsense!" Emperor Chunde shouted angrily. "General Yao is loyal to the nation! Even if you have grievances with him, how could a general of the state stoop to such pettiness?!"
"Pettiness?" Chu Yu scoffed. "Your Majesty, search your conscience—who was petty in the matter of White Emperor Valley?!"
"What do you know?!"
Emperor Chunde grew impatient. "I have my own considerations—why can't you understand my thoughts? I know you resent the battle at White Emperor Valley, but those who died there are already gone. It was indeed the Crown Prince's reckless ambition that caused it, and I will find another way to hold him accountable. Must you force the imperial family to admit that the Crown Prince's mistake led to the deaths of seventy thousand soldiers?!"
"So the Wei family must bear this crime?!" Chu Yu raised her voice sharply. "Bear it without resentment, selflessly, and then go to their deaths again?!"
"If I send him to the battlefield, it's for my own arrangements! He is the son of an old friend—do you truly think me so vile?!"
Emperor Chunde was so furious he began panting heavily, soon breaking into a fit of coughing. The eunuchs hurriedly summoned the imperial physician, and after the commotion, the emperor was left exhausted.
Weakly, he said, "Enough. Go and rest. Your mother is also in the palace—go keep her company."
At these words, a cold glint flashed in Chu Yu's eyes. She said calmly, "Your Majesty, this subject did not enter the palace today to serve as your hostage."
Emperor Chunde slowly turned his head to see Chu Yu kneeling on the ground as she continued, "This subject came to propose a deal. I have trained in martial arts since childhood and followed my father to the battlefield. Keeping me in the palace serves only to pressure my father, brother, and uncle to secure your borders. But my father and brother have already given their all, and my uncle is unwell. Instead, let me lead the troops to defend the city for Your Majesty. What say you?"Emperor Chunde silently watched her as Chu Yu lifted her gaze to meet his. "Your Majesty, whatever you wish my father and brothers to do, you may speak plainly. This humble subject can also undertake it."
Chu Yu's words were clear—she would not allow the coercion of Chu Linyang, Chu Jianchang, or Wei Yun, but she herself was willing to do the same tasks.
The emperor remained silent, so Chu Yu continued, "Your Majesty, in these times when capable individuals are needed, does it truly matter who accomplishes the task? My father, brothers, and brother-in-law are men of great deeds. Do you truly believe the lives of a few women could compare to your grand ambitions?"
Emperor Chunde wavered slightly. As Chu Yu studied his expression, preparing to speak further, the emperor finally said, "What I ask is not difficult."
He looked at her, hesitation flickering in his gaze, yet he still spoke, "I will send you to defend Phoenix Mausoleum for at least one month. If Heaven's Guard Pass falls within that time, I intend to relocate the capital to Phoenix Mausoleum."
Hearing this, Chu Yu frowned. The emperor slowly added, "I can assign you twenty thousand troops. If you hold the city and secure Phoenix Mausoleum..." His eyes darkened with meaning. "I will return them to you."
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