Chu Yu listened to the slow, deep breaths of Wei Yun behind her, and only then did her tense body relax. She stared blankly at the fire in front of her, her mind in a daze.
What had she just been thinking?
At fifteen, she might not have understood, but now she was already married and had even borne a child. She knew full well what she had just done—she had actually felt desire toward a young boy.
Sitting by the fire, she suddenly felt grateful that there was no one around and that the Wei family upheld strict moral principles. Though Wei Yun was fifteen, he truly understood nothing.
If he had understood, how mortifying would that have been?
She was his sister-in-law. She knew how Wei Yun felt about Wei Jun. If Wei Yun had sensed the desire she had just felt, how disgusted he would have been with her.
And leaving aside how Wei Yun might view her, she couldn’t even reconcile it with herself.
No matter how you looked at it, Wei Yun… was just a boy.
Chu Yu slowly calmed down and raised her hand, slapping herself hard across the face.
The pain sobered her up considerably, and she finally regained her composure.
She thought that perhaps she really should find someone—even if it meant taking in a few male concubines like The Eldest Princess. At least she wouldn’t sink to the point of yearning for a fifteen-year-old boy.
Chu Yu had always faced matters of human nature with frankness. Back then, when she wanted Gu Chusheng, she went after him without the slightest hesitation. She didn’t find such things shameful. What was shameful was that the first time she had felt the urge to be close to someone since her rebirth was toward a fifteen-year-old boy.
Even Gu Chusheng would have been easier for her to accept than Wei Yun.
Though Gu Chusheng was only seventeen now, but Gu Chusheng…
Chu Yu frowned, finding it strange. Why didn’t Gu Chusheng make her feel like he was a child?
She poked at the fire, pondering seriously. After a while, she roughly understood.
Perhaps from the moment she met Wei Yun, she had seen him as a younger brother. Because he was Wei Jun’s brother, she cared for him. So no matter how old Wei Yun was, to her, he would always be a younger brother.
Having figured this out, Chu Yu collected her thoughts. She turned to glance at the boy sleeping on the hay.
He really was too good-looking—charming yet heroic, possessing both the refined elegance of a scholar and the steadfastness unique to a warrior. These two contradictory temperaments blended naturally in him, without the slightest incongruity.
There wasn’t a second person in Great Chu as handsome as him.
So… could she really be blamed?
For some reason, Chu Yu felt a hint of pride. Wei Yun was so outstanding—being momentarily bewitched was only natural.
After wrestling with her thoughts for half the night, Chu Yu finally straightened them out. Right then, Wei Yun woke up on time and said to her, “Sister-in-law, you should sleep for a while. I’ll keep watch.”
Chu Yu acknowledged and went to sleep.
When she woke the next day at dawn, she went into the woods to hunt for food and fetch water. The two of them hid in the forest, not daring to venture out recklessly. After eating, Chu Yu checked Wei Yun’s wounds.
Wei Yun’s condition wasn’t good. Many of his wounds had begun to fester, but the most serious was the injury on his leg—he could no longer walk at all.
Chu Yu didn’t dare touch him. She stared at his leg, frowning, wanting to say something but holding back in the end.
She wanted to ask if it hurt, but then she thought—what was the point of asking? Of course it hurt.She pressed her lips tightly together, took out the medicine, and applied it to him once more before finally saying, "I'll take you to Shacheng. We'll find a doctor there to treat your leg first, then make further plans."
Most major cities of the Northern Di were controlled by different tribes, primarily used for commerce and gathering people from all directions. Even during wartime, for tribes opposed to the conflict, the appearance of two people from Great Chu in the city wouldn't be met with excessive trouble.
And Shacheng was the nearest large city to them.
Chu Yu filled the water pouch, gathered plenty of fruit, and quietly stole some dried rations and clothes from the village. Then, carrying Wei Yun on her back, she began the journey to Shacheng.
At first, it was plains with lush green grass, but as they walked further, the vegetation grew increasingly sparse until they entered the desert.
During the day, when the desert heat was intense, Wei Yun would spread out his cloak to shield Chu Yu from the sun.
Chu Yu, dizzy from the scorching sun, suddenly felt something covering her head. Turning back, she saw Wei Yun holding up his cloak.
He gazed at her quietly, his eyes filled with indescribable complexity—guilt, worry, self-reproach, and other emotions too subtle to name.
Under that gaze, Chu Yu's heart skipped a beat. Feeling awkward, she turned her head away and murmured, "Thank you."
Wei Yun didn't respond. Leaning against her shoulder, he mimicked her tone and whispered, "Thank you."
By nightfall, they found a water source. Chu Yu gathered dried plants, fetched water, and shared the dried rations with Wei Yun beside the fire.
Exhausted and speechless, after finishing the meal, she lay down by the fire and said to him, "You take the first watch. The firewood is beside you—add more if it's not enough. Wake me for the second watch. I'll sleep for a while."
Wei Yun gave a quiet "Mm," then patted the spot beside him and said, "Come sleep here."
Chu Yu, too tired to think much of it, dragged her heavy head over to Wei Yun's side, using her bundle as a pillow, and curled up to sleep.
Wei Yun leaned against a small mound of earth, watching the person sleeping beside him. Soon, he heard the sound of steady breathing. Seeing her curled up next to him, he removed his outer robe and gently draped it over her.
As he did, Chu Yu unconsciously shifted closer to him. He couldn't help but smile softly, reaching out to rest his hand on her head.
Chu Yu's hair was soft. Only when she was asleep could he ignore her usual composed demeanor and truly appreciate the delicate beauty unique to a young woman.
Some people dazzle at first glance but gradually fade into ordinariness. Others seem plain initially but grow more captivating over time.
Wei Yun gently ran his fingers through her hair, recalling the first time he saw Chu Yu—the girl in bridal red, arms crossed, leaning against the doorframe as she watched him.
Even then, he had thought her beautiful. But the more time he spent with her, the more he realized her beauty was breathtaking.
Never enough to look at, never enough time to stay by her side.
He wanted to do something for her, yet always fell short. She was like a towering tree, a mighty mountain—everyone sought to lean on her, but she alone, time and again, became his support.
His hand paused atop her head as he gazed at her slightly furrowed brows. He couldn't help but sigh.
"A Yu..."He whispered her name, not expecting a response, even afraid she might hear it. Yet after speaking it aloud, he felt a small surge of joy in his heart.
Just uttering her name could evoke such bittersweet happiness.
Chu Yu slept deeply through the night, only opening her eyes slowly when the sun rose the next morning.
The moment she awoke, she saw the figure in front of her.
She was wrapped in his robe, while he wore the stolen dark blue cloth garment she had taken, his hair loosely draped behind him, shielding her from the sunlight ahead and guarding her protectively.
For a moment, Chu Yu didn’t move. She simply watched quietly as he stood before her. Though he wasn’t dressed in fine robes or seated in some grand hall, she found his silhouette alone breathtakingly beautiful, enough to stir her heart.
She gazed at him for a long while before finally snapping out of her daze.
Shaking her head, she pushed herself up and hurriedly draped the robe back over Wei Yun. "Why didn’t you wake me? Standing guard all night—can your body even handle it?"
As she spoke, she fastened the cloak around his neck. Wei Yun watched her flustered movements and smiled, seemingly pleased.
"You were sleeping so soundly, sister-in-law. I couldn’t bear to disturb you. I can rest during the day."
Chu Yu didn’t respond. She looked up at him and noticed his flushed face. Reaching out, she touched his forehead—it was burning.
Gritting her teeth, she suppressed the urge to hit him. "You reckless fool. Just keep pushing yourself."
With that, she hauled him to the riverside, helped him wash up, then did the same for herself. After eating and donning her cloak, she carried Wei Yun on her back and set off again.
They weren’t far from Shacheng now. Chu Yu fumed, "We’re lucky. If we’d run into a sandstorm and delayed any longer, you might as well have died here from illness."
Wei Yun leaned against her, smiling silently.
His lack of response made her anxious. "Xiao Qi?"
"Sister-in-law, I’m awake."
Wei Yun knew what worried her and spoke reassuringly, "Don’t worry. I’m fine."
"Then why didn’t you say anything?"
Her irritation made her look for reasons to pick at him, and Wei Yun understood. He simply changed the subject. "Sister-in-law, you seem very familiar with the Northern Di’s terrain?"
Chu Yu hesitated.
In her past life, the Northern Di and Great Chu had fought on and off for six years. She and Gu Chusheng had traveled between the two nations many times—how could she not know?
She remained silent. Wei Yun, his mind hazy with fever, chuckled softly. "Sister-in-law, you always seem to have so many secrets. But don’t worry," he closed his eyes, drowsy, "No matter what, I’ll protect you."
Hearing this, Chu Yu couldn’t help but laugh, her mood lifting.
"Who’s protecting who? That’s still up for debate."
Wei Yun gave a quiet hum, then murmured, "I remember all your kindness to me, sister-in-law."
"When the war ends, and the world is at peace, when I restore the Wei family’s honor—sister-in-law," he promised softly, "I’ll make you the most revered woman in the land, the one and only Madam Wei of our household. No one will dare slight you. Whatever you desire, I’ll give it to you."
Chu Yu froze, suddenly reminded of someone.
The Madam Wei of her past life—Princess Qingping.A trace of bitterness unexpectedly welled up in her heart, yet she couldn't bear to reject the young man's kindness, even though she knew this person would inevitably grow up someday.
One day he would marry and have children, welcoming the true mistress of Wei Manor.
And when that time came...
It would also be time for her to leave.
Everyone should have their own life, their own family. Birds leave the nest when grown, cats leave home when mature. As an elder, no matter how much one wishes to keep someone by their side—carefree and accompanying them for life—they must eventually face the reality of their departure.
They will grow up one day. One day you'll realize you still want to give and care, but there's no longer anyone to receive it.
Chu Yu thought this way at the time, yet she forgot one thing—
Wei Yun was never her junior.
Never.
She remained silent. Wei Yun leaned against her, seemingly sensing her sudden melancholy. With closed eyes, listening to her heartbeat, he asked, "Why is sister-in-law unhappy?"
"It's not unhappiness, really."
Chu Yu forced a smile. "I was just thinking how eloquent our Xiao Qi has become. But one day, you'll grow up."
"When the war ends, you'll reach marriageable age. Once your wife enters the household, it wouldn't be proper for me to remain as the Wei family's mistress."
Wei Yun didn't respond. Holding Chu Yu, he hoarsely declared, "I won't marry."
"At your age, it's normal not to want marriage. But by your capping ceremony, you may not have a choice."
Chu Yu chuckled lightly. "Don't worry about marrying someone difficult—I'll help vet candidates. I won't let you wed a shrew."
"I won't marry."
"Don't be afraid," Chu Yu teased, amused by his reaction. "Have you heard of Princess Qingping? I could arrange—"
"I won't marry! I don't want to! I'll never marry anyone!" Wei Yun suddenly roared, then broke into violent coughing. Startled, Chu Yu hastily reassured, "Don't upset yourself! I was only teasing. I won't mention it again—it's too early anyway."
Wei Yun stayed silent, clinging to her tightly with pursed lips, his breathing ragged.
Chu Yu quickened her pace as an earthen city wall came into view. Anxiously, she asked, "Xiao Qi, are you alright?"
"Fine," came his weak reply, tinged with grievance.
Reflecting that her joke might have been too harsh on the youth, Chu Yu sighed. "I apologize—that was thoughtless of me. Initially, I felt sad imagining your future marriage, then took the teasing too far. Please don't distress yourself."
Hearing this, Wei Yun paused before slowly responding, "I won't take a wife."
Not daring to press further, Chu Yu simply acknowledged him. Then she heard his raspy whisper: "So don't worry. And don't be sad."
"Only you could abandon me—I would never leave you."
These words made Chu Yu's heart race uncontrollably, her palms growing damp.
Before she could respond, Wei Yun changed the subject: "We've reached Shacheng."
Recognizing his unwillingness to continue, though uncertain why, Chu Yu obliged with a smile. "Yes. Pretend to be my younger brother, and I'll get you into the city."
"Husband," Wei Yun interjected, startling her.
Clenching his fists with difficulty, he insisted, "The further from our true identities, the better."Chu Yu came to her senses and nodded.
Yet Wei Yun felt as if something was pressing against his chest, making it hard for him to breathe.
But he still wanted this moment.
Just this once.
Let him overstep, let him transgress—only this once.
Author's Note: Wait a moment, I need to revise this chapter. I feel it needs some fine-tuning. I'll make up the word count for you tomorrow.
[Bonus Scene]
Wei Yun: "Sister-in-law, I want to make you the most revered woman in the world, the eternal First Lady of Wei Manor!"
Chu Yu: "Alright, I can feel your filial piety." (With motherly affection)
Wei Yun: "Damn it!! After all that kissing, you still treat me like this?!!"
OpenNovel