Hearing this, Chu Jin's expression immediately darkened. She had confided her feelings to Chu Yu before, and now Chu Yu was still talking about arranging a marriage with the Gu family—clearly, she had no intention of helping her.
Xie Yun, thinking Chu Yu hadn't grasped her meaning, sighed and said, "Given the Gu family's current state, how can we let A Jin suffer? What I meant was, now that you've married into the Wei family, perhaps you could see if there's a suitable match among them."
At present, the only unmarried member of the Wei family was Wei Yun, who was already fourteen. Men typically got engaged and married between fifteen and seventeen, and Chu Jin was only fifteen now—she could afford to wait a year or two for Wei Yun.
But Wei Yun was such a fine young man—how could Chu Yu let her own sister ruin him? So she hesitated and said, "But... Father probably wouldn't agree, would he?"
Chu Jianchang valued his word. Once he had promised the Gu family, no matter their circumstances, he wouldn't go back on it.
When Xie Yun heard Chu Yu mention Chu Jianchang, she grew visibly annoyed. "That old ox! Don't you girls worry about him. I'll handle it—no need to fear any trouble. A Yu, A Jin's marriage..."
Just then, Chu Jianchang's laughter rang out from outside the door. He entered with Chu Linyang and Chu Linxi in tow. Chu Yu and the others quickly rose to greet them. Seeing Chu Yu, Chu Jianchang was delighted and gave her a hearty pat on the shoulder. "You're looking well!"
Of the two sisters, Chu Yu had grown up following Chu Jianchang and Chu Linyang. Before the age of ten, she had practically been raised at the border. Unsure how to raise a daughter, Chu Jianchang had simply brought her up the same way as Chu Linyang. Chu Jin, on the other hand, had stayed in Hua Jing with Xie Yun all along. Though they were biological sisters, their temperaments were entirely different, and their parents' attitudes toward them were equally distinct.
Chu Jin was prone to tears and melancholy, so Chu Jianchang dared not scold or criticize her. But Chu Yu was different—in his eyes, she was no different from his eldest son.
After enduring several solid pats, Chu Yu remained unfazed and smiled. "Father, you're back early today."
"I knew you were coming," Chu Jianchang said as he took a seat. Chu Jin poured him tea, and as he drank, he added, "So I brought your brothers along first."
"A Yu," Chu Linyang sighed, his eyes filled with helplessness. "You've suffered."
As a military man himself, he understood Wei Jun's predicament and didn't blame him. He simply pitied his sister for marrying someone who, like him, lived with his life constantly on the line.
Chu Linyang and Chu Yu had always been close—he had looked after her since childhood. It was a pity he had died too young in her past life; otherwise, she wouldn't have ended up in such dire straits.
Hearing her elder brother's sigh, Chu Jin knew he was feeling for her, and her heart swelled with both sorrow and warmth. Gently, she said, "Marrying into the Wei family is a blessing many girls in Hua Jing could only dream of. A Yu is truly happy about it."
Seeing that his sister wasn't as distressed as he had imagined, Chu Linyang felt somewhat relieved. Chu Linxi, however, leaned in and asked Xie Yun, "Mother, what were you all talking about earlier?"
Xie Yun looked awkward. In front of Chu Jianchang, she was too embarrassed to bring up finding another match for Chu Jin.
Chu Jin pressed her lips together and stayed silent, but Chu Yu pretended to know nothing and said cheerfully, "We were discussing A Jin's marriage.""That's true," Chu Jianchang nodded. "A-Jin and Chusheng have reached marriageable age. It was agreed back then that once you were married off, we'd arrange A-Jin's wedding with him. I'll have someone draft a letter to Chusheng immediately. Now that the Chu family has fallen on hard times, that proud boy Chusheng might worry we'd break the engagement and wouldn't take the initiative to propose."
As he spoke, Chu Jianchang turned to Chu Linyang: "Linyang, you handle this matter—"
"Father!"
Chu Jin could no longer remain standing. After all, this concerned her marriage. No matter how patient she usually was, she couldn't hold back now.
She knelt with a thud before Chu Jianchang, her eyes instantly reddening as she cried, "Father, I won't marry him! I don't want to marry!"
Chu Jianchang was stunned. He was utterly helpless when women cried—Xie Yun's tears had always defeated him, and now seeing Chu Jin weep gave him an even worse headache. Steeling himself, he said, "Don't kneel first. What's wrong? Weren't you quite satisfied with this match before?"
Chu Jin didn't speak, just kept shaking her head with her face lowered.
Chu Jianchang pressed, "What exactly is the matter? Has Gu Chusheng done something?"
Finally, Chu Jin spoke in a hoarse voice: "What elder sister loves, A-Jin dares not take."
Hearing this, Chu Yu spat out her tea.
She'd imagined countless reasons Chu Jin might give, but never expected to be dragged into this.
When Chu Jianchang looked her way, Chu Yu hastily waved her hands: "No, no, I really have no feelings for Gu Chusheng."
But her words lacked credibility, given that just days ago she'd been clamoring to elope with Gu Chusheng.
Chu Jianchang hesitated, while Chu Jin continued weeping: "Since Brother Gu and elder sister are so well-matched in affection, even if they can't be together, A-Jin doesn't want to come between them..."
Chu Jianchang remained silent. Chu Linxi, visibly moved, spoke up: "If Gu Chusheng loves elder sister, A-Jin must be heartbroken. Now that the Gu family is in such a state, and Gu Chusheng acted dishonorably first..."
Chu Yu set her teacup aside. Listening to Chu Jin shifting blame onto her and Gu Chusheng, she pressed a handkerchief to her lips and slowly said, "A-Jin, how quickly your feelings have changed."
At her words, all eyes turned to her. Chu Yu looked up with a smile: "If you don't want to suffer hardships with the Gu family, just say so directly. What's the point of all this roundabout talk?"
"Elder sister, what do you mean..."
Chu Jin looked utterly bewildered, as if she had no idea what Chu Yu was talking about.
Chu Yu sighed, her expression turning sorrowful: "How much affection do I really have for Gu Chusheng—don't you know? I never liked military men, only civil officials. The reason I tried to elope with Gu Chusheng was because you told me you didn't want to suffer hardships with him in Kunyang County. My heart ached for you—you've grown up in silks and satins, how could you endure marriage there?"
Hearing this, Chu Jianchang's heart stirred.
Chu Jin had grown up in luxury, while Chu Yu had endured hardships with him. If Chu Jin couldn't bear suffering, Chu Yu could.
"Anyway, Gu Chusheng is a civil official. Our Chu family won't break an engagement, so it's fine if I marry him in your place. You've always aspired to marry into a powerful family—you'd surely be happy wedding into the Wei family. But Gu Chusheng looks down on me. When I sent money and an elopement letter, he returned them all, saying he'd only ever love you. See? Gu Chusheng's devotion to you is clear as day."With that, Chu Yu showed a hint of sympathy: "Now that I'm married into the Wei family, the marriage agreement between our Chu family and the Gu family cannot be broken. Gu Chusheng is upright in character, handsome in appearance, and has boundless prospects. Although he's a civil official lacking martial vigor, everyone has their flaws—it's no major issue. He's liked you since childhood, so you'll surely live well. Just marry him!"
Chu Yu stepped forward, raising her hand to wipe Chu Jin's tears: "Don't cry anymore, alright?"
After hearing this explanation, everyone understood the situation. Chu Jianchang's expression darkened. After holding back for a long time, he finally said: "I always wondered why A Yu, who barely interacted with Gu Chusheng, would suddenly elope with him. Chu Jin, who taught you to become such a pleasure-seeking social climber?!"
Chu Jianchang had always trusted Chu Yu implicitly. Even without the letter where Gu Chusheng broke off their engagement declaring his love for Chu Jin, he wouldn't have doubted Chu Yu.
Hearing her father's words, Chu Jin decided to throw caution to the wind and wailed: "For a woman like me, marriage is a lifelong matter! Don't you know what the Gu family's situation is now? You let elder sister marry into the Wei family while I'm to marry Gu Chusheng—how biased can you be?! Elder sister becomes a Princess Consort while I'm to wed a ninth-rank county magistrate. Father, we're both your children, yet you—"
"Chu Jin!"
Enraged by her words, Chu Jianchang roared: "What nonsense are you spouting?!"
"If you think so little of Gu Chusheng that you wouldn't let elder sister marry him, why should I?!"
No longer holding back, Chu Jin's eyes burned with resentment: "I won't marry him! I'd rather die than marry him!"
"Impudent!"
Chu Jianchang slammed the table and stood up, furious: "Confine her to the prayer hall! She won't come out until she's reflected on her mistakes!"
As he spoke, servants came to drag Chu Jin away. Xie Yun wanted to say something but was silenced by Chu Jianchang's glare. Still fearful of her husband, she swallowed her words, watching with pained eyes as Chu Jin was hauled off.
After Chu Jin left, Chu Yu stayed for dinner. Chu Jianchang seemed exhausted and, after exchanging a few words with Chu Yu, went to sleep.
When night fell, Chu Yu asked Xie Yun for Changyue and Wanyue, saying: "Mother, let me take these two maids back with me."
Xie Yun frowned, looking at the two girls standing behind Chu Yu. Both were slender and tall—one quite beautiful, the other gentle and graceful—their presence behind Chu Yu making them stand out remarkably.
Xie Yun felt uneasy: "Maids accompanying a bride shouldn't be so attractive..."
"I have no trustworthy people there," Chu Yu sighed. "The maids there are far more talented and beautiful, yet the Wei heir hasn't taken even a single bedchamber servant, which shows his upright character. I've used Changyue and Wanyue since childhood, and they know some martial arts. With them, I can act more freely."
Hearing this, Xie Yun felt somewhat reassured. Seeing Chu Yu's worried expression, she reluctantly agreed: "Very well."
Having secured the two maids, Chu Yu prepared to leave. Xie Yun saw her to the gate. Before boarding the carriage, she couldn't help adding: "About A Jin's matter... please still help look after her."Chu Yu nodded and sighed, "Mother, don't worry. Although she's immature, I'll still help her. However, the Wei family is unlikely—they have high standards, and Wei Yun is the most favored young master of this generation. He's probably destined to marry a princess. I'll look into other noble families and will keep A Jin in mind if there's a suitable match."
Hearing that Wei Yun might marry a princess, Xie Yun dismissed the idea. One could contend with anyone—but never a princess.
She glanced at Chu Yu, her heart filled with gratitude. "I always thought you were immature before, but now... A Yu, you've grown up."
Chu Yu stiffened slightly at these words, which involuntarily reminded her of the things this mother of hers had done in her past life.
She closed her eyes, sighed softly, shook her head, and entered the carriage.
The carriage rocked gently as Changyue and Wanyue sat on either side. After a long while, Changyue handed tea to Chu Yu and whispered, "Does the Eldest Miss truly intend to find a good marriage for the Second Miss?"
She had always disliked Chu Jin, but when she voiced this to Chu Yu, the latter merely dismissed it as overthinking. Yet Changyue couldn't help but speak up.
Chu Yu smiled faintly. Naturally, she couldn't let Chu Jin marry Gu Chusheng—he was a formidable man. What if he rose to prominence by chance?
Lost in thought, Chu Yu shifted her gaze to Changyue's face. As she listened to Changyue's complaints about Chu Jin, a trace of unease surfaced in her heart.
In her past life, Changyue had been beaten to death by Chu Jin's orders—all because of her sharp tongue.
Staring at Changyue, Chu Yu was abruptly transported back to those days.
In the bitter cold of winter, she had knelt before Gu Chusheng's study while Changyue's cries of pain echoed not far away.
She listened to the sound of the rod striking Changyue's body, desperately kowtowing to Gu Chusheng.
Her body had been damaged on the battlefield, making conception extremely difficult. The physician said it was due to the martial arts she practiced. In his quest for an heir, Gu Chusheng had stripped her of her martial prowess.
So at that moment—when Gu Chusheng had taken Chu Jin as his concubine, when Chu Jin had assumed control of the household and ordered Changyue beaten for insubordination—she could only kneel there, powerless.
Truthfully, she had never regretted anything before.
Loving Gu Chusheng, doing everything for him—she had no regrets. The path was her own choice. She had poured her heart into loving someone, and when that love faded, she could walk away with dignity.
But the moment she stood helpless as Changyue was beaten, she finally felt regret.
Her love should have been her own affair—no one else should have suffered for it.
And so, she begged him through tears.
"Gu Chusheng, I was wrong," she pleaded. "Spare Changyue, please spare her. I'll agree to the divorce. I'll yield the position of principal wife to Chu Jin. I'll leave with Changyue and Wanyue. I won't cling to you anymore. I was wrong..."
"I'm sorry. Loving you was my mistake. Please, let me go."
"Let me go..."
She wept as she kowtowed, her forehead striking the floor until blood seeped out.
Finally, Gu Chusheng emerged, draped in his official robes, looking down at her coldly.
"Just a servant—is she really that important?" His voice was like ice, like winter's frost.
"A mere servant determines whether we divorce or not?"
The corner of his lips curled as he scoffed, "Preposterous!"
Sobbing uncontrollably, she reached for him. "I beg you. I'll agree to anything you want. Gu Chusheng, for the sake of all those years I spent by your side—"
"Stop holding those years over me!" Gu Chusheng roared in fury. "I never forced you to endure hardship with me—you chose it yourself!"That night, Gu Chusheng did not save Changyue. In the end, it was Gu Chusheng's mother who came to the rescue.
But Changyue's injuries were too severe. She endured through the night with a high fever that wouldn't break, yet in the end, she didn't make it.
The winter was too cold. Chu Yu held Changyue's body in her arms until noon. She didn't speak, nor did she cry—she simply held Changyue quietly. Wanyue called out to her in a trembling voice, "Young Miss..."
Like Changyue, Wanyue had always refused to call her "Madam."
Chu Yu lifted her head and looked at Wanyue. After trembling for a long time, she finally managed to say, "Let's go..."
And so she left, taking Wanyue and Changyue's body with her, departing from Hua Jing.
She was afraid that if she didn’t leave, she wouldn’t even be able to keep Wanyue safe.
Remembering those past events, Chu Yu closed her eyes. She reached out and pulled Changyue into her arms.
Changyue blinked in confusion. "Miss?"
Chu Yu didn’t speak, her voice hoarse. "Changyue, I'm here."
This time, she would not cut off her own support. This time, she would protect her properly.
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