With Shen Wushuang's medicinal baths, Wei Yun's wounds healed much faster, though his legs still had no sensation. Chu Yu massaged his legs in the morning and went out in the afternoon to gather information.
Shacheng was a region controlled by the anti-war faction of the Northern Di and also a major trading hub for them, serving as an important supply center for their military. Thus, despite the raging war elsewhere, Shacheng remained entirely unaffected, drawing people from all corners of the world. The streets bustled with travelers from various nations, moving about with ease.
At first, Chu Yu was somewhat nervous, but after a couple of days, she realized that Shacheng already had many people from Great Chu living there—like Shen Wushuang and Bai Chang, who had sought refuge. Whether she concealed her identity or not made little difference. So she relaxed, spending her afternoons visiting gambling houses and teahouses, listening to news from all over.
Zhao Yue was a capable man. Together with Gu Chusheng, he swiftly consolidated Great Chu's national strength in the rear, detained Yao Yong, and then delegated military authority to Chu Linyang, Song Shilan, and Qin Shiyue. They reclaimed most of Great Chu's territories in one sweep.
Meanwhile, the Northern Di fell into internal strife. Sucha occupied the northern capital and declared himself king, while Su Can went to the Chatu tribe, confronting Sucha. In this situation, Sucha had to guard against Su Can while also defending the main front. Despite the Northern Di's renowned ferocity in battle, signs of exhaustion began to show.
Listening to the news, Chu Yu speculated that Sucha might soon sue for peace and withdraw his troops. Returning to their quarters, she happily shared this with Wei Yun, but he remained silent. Puzzled, she asked, "Xiao Qi, why aren’t you happy?"
Wei Yun held his teacup, slowly raising his eyes as if wanting to say something, but in the end, he didn’t speak.
Why wasn’t he happy?
Zhao Yue was gaining power, and under his rule, the country was thriving—how could he be happy?
If Zhao Yue were worse, if he were despicable like Emperor Chunde, then Wei Yun could rise in rebellion, take up arms, and settle things cleanly and decisively.
But the reality was this: Zhao Yue had done wrong, yet now he handled everything perfectly. To rebel against him would only bring another wave of bloodshed.
Wei Yun was not Zhao Yue. He couldn’t trade thousands of lives for personal vengeance.
Yet the hatred for his family still smoldered in his heart. Wei Yun lowered his head, silent, afraid that voicing these thoughts would make Chu Yu despise him.
He took a sip of tea and said lightly, "Is it the Sky Lantern Festival today?"
Chu Yu blinked, then brightened. "It’s tonight! But Dr. Shen said—" She hesitated. "You can’t stay out too long. I’ll just take you around nearby. He’s prepared dinner, and we can return to the medical hermitage to watch the lanterns..."
As if worried he’d be disappointed, she quickly added, "But don’t worry. Once you’re better, I’ll take you out properly."
Wei Yun chuckled. "I’m not a child."
Chu Yu smiled faintly and said no more.
She stood and went to fetch snacks for him.
That night, as Wei Yun sat in his room reading, Shen Wushuang barged in and slapped his wheelchair. "Brother, do me a favor?"
Wei Yun raised an eyebrow as Shen Wushuang spun in front of him. "How does this outfit look?"
Dressed in white, Shen Wushuang exuded an ethereal air. Wei Yun nodded. "Passable."
Frowning, Shen Wushuang retreated behind the screen, rustled around, and emerged again. "What about this one?"
Wei Yun nodded again. "Not bad."
Shen Wushuang disappeared behind the screen once more.After changing five sets of clothes in a row, Wei Yun finally couldn't take it anymore and frowned, "What exactly are you doing?"
"Bro, how does this one look?"
Shen Wushuang was full of enthusiasm. Wei Yun suppressed his impatience and nodded, "Looks good."
"Great."
Shen Wushuang wore a long pink embroidered robe, tied half his hair up with a jade-colored ribbon, and paired it with a fan painted with peach blossoms, looking quite flamboyant. He tossed his hair and grinned, "I also think this outfit makes me especially eye-catching."
Wei Yun remained expressionless. Shen Wushuang glanced at him and said, "Tsk tsk, we're going out tonight. Change out of that deathly white outfit of yours—I'm getting aesthetic fatigue just looking at it."
Wei Yun's expression didn't change as he replied flatly, "Get lost."
Shen Wushuang shrugged and turned to leave. Just as he reached the door, he heard the voice from inside say, "Wait."
Shen Wushuang turned to look at him and saw Wei Yun staring out the window, the tips of his ears slightly red. "There's a light blue robe in my wardrobe. Bring it to me."
Shen Wushuang wore an "I knew it" expression and went back to help Wei Yun dress.
After dressing Wei Yun, following his instructions, he tied up his hair with a hair crown.
Wei Yun had grown quickly, his face caught between youth and adulthood. With the hair crown, he looked much more mature. Outside, Shen Jiaojiao knocked on the door excitedly, "Uncle, let's go."
"Alright, I know." Shen Wushuang inserted the hairpin into the crown, then let Wei Yun see himself in the mirror. He patted his shoulder and said, "Good, right?"
"Mhm." Wei Yun responded, then felt he should offer more praise. "Passable."
Shen Wushuang clicked his tongue and pushed Wei Yun out. The two waited in the corridor for a while before hearing Bai Chang and Chu Yu approaching, chatting and laughing. Shen Wushuang and Wei Yun both turned to look and saw the two girls under the lantern light, their smiles radiant like spring.
Wei Yun rarely saw Chu Yu laugh so freely. Away from the seemingly devouring Hua Jing, she seemed reborn, full of vitality—like a lotus emerging from the water at dawn, trembling lightly to scatter morning dew onto the water, petals quivering slightly.
He couldn't take his eyes off Chu Yu as she approached. Hearing her say with a smile, "See? I didn't lie to you. Looks good, right?"
Wei Yun lowered his gaze, smiling faintly. "Looks good."
"Alright," Chu Yu pushed Wei Yun's wheelchair and said cheerfully, "Let's go."
Shen Wushuang picked up Shen Jiaojiao and said to the group, "Come on, let me show you around."
With that, the group stepped outside, greeted by a dimly lit path. The Medical Hermitage was secluded, and the path was so dark they couldn't see their hands in front of them. Chu Yu and Wei Yun stayed silent until Shen Wushuang happily exclaimed, "Sister-in-law, can you see? Let me hold your hand!"
Wei Yun, Chu Yu: "..."
Chu Yu thought for a moment and silently slowed the wheelchair, putting some distance between them and Shen Wushuang and Bai Chang. Wei Yun also felt inexplicably awkward.
Both saw through it but said nothing, quietly following behind Bai Chang and Shen Wushuang as they playfully bickered.The Lantern Festival in Shacheng was different from that of Great Chu. While Great Chu was adorned with lanterns everywhere, Shacheng hung them in neat rows overhead, illuminating the city as bright as day. The streets buzzed with vendors hawking their wares, displaying exotic curios from various nations on their stalls. As Shen Wushuang bought trinkets for Bai Chang along the way, Chu Yu pushed Wei Yun forward in his wheelchair. After holding back for a long while, Wei Yun finally spoke up: "Sister-in-law, is there anything you'd like?"
Chu Yu was taken aback. She glanced around—if she were truly sixteen, she might have been fascinated by these novelties. But she was no longer that age. The older one grows, the harder it becomes to distinguish likes from dislikes. Everything grows increasingly mundane, life turning still as stagnant water, quieter with each passing day.
She watched the lively crowd on the street, young girls laughing as they ran past with flower crowns perched atop their heads. Chu Yu's gaze lingered on those wreaths, and she smiled faintly before looking away.
Shaking her head, she replied, "Just see if there's anything you like."
Wei Yun remained silent, his eyes fixed on Chu Yu. Under the lantern light, her eyes shimmered with scattered reflections. For a moment, he felt an immeasurable distance between them—as though separated by decades.
Unable to resist, he reached out and grasped her sleeve. Chu Yu gave him a puzzled look and chuckled, "What's the matter?"
Wei Yun lowered his head. Seeing her sleeve clutched in his hand, Chu Yu pressed her lips together teasingly, "Wanting something? Are you acting spoiled now?"
Still, Wei Yun said nothing. He simply held onto her sleeve, savoring her warmth, feeling her gradually draw closer to him again. Only then did his heart settle.
Just then, Shen Wushuang called out, "Madam Wei, could you take Jiaojiao to buy a clay figure for me?"
Hearing this, Chu Yu knew Shen Wushuang was trying to shake off Jiaojiao's pestering. As she prepared to push Wei Yun over, he spoke up, "I'd like to look at that mirror. You can leave me here and come back for me later."
Chu Yu scanned the surroundings—Shen Wushuang wasn't far, and the clay figure stall was nearby. She patted Wei Yun's shoulder, "Be careful."
With that, she stood and led Jiaojiao to the stall. Wei Yun turned toward an elderly flower vendor beside the mirror and wheeled himself over. "Granny," he said, "I'd like to buy some flowers."
He selected a willow branch and paired it with several blossoms.
When Chu Yu returned, she found Wei Yun bent over, crafting a flower crown.
The lantern light bathed him as his lake-blue wide sleeves draped at his sides. Though he strove to appear mature, the moment he lowered his head, the unique tenderness and awkwardness of youth still shone through.
His ears tinged pink as his hands—accustomed to wielding an eighty-jin long spear—fumbled delicately with the flowers, handling them with utmost care.
For some reason, Chu Yu hesitated to interrupt. She stood at a distance, watching the crowd flow past, until Wei Yun finished the wreath and lifted his head, spotting her.
Surprise flickered in his eyes before they crinkled into a smile.
Time and the world seemed to settle in his gaze as he spoke softly.
"A Yu, come here."
Author's Note:
Wei Yun: "A Yu, come here."
Chu Yu: "Oh no, it's the feeling of falling."
Wei Yun: "Zhao Yue, come here."
Zhao Yue: "Oh no, it's the feeling of dying."It's the same you coming over, why is there such a big difference between people?
PS: I want to change the article title... Any good suggestions? It should fit the content... More formal... And attractive... If used, I'll reward 50 RMB worth of JJ coins.
Collecting suggestions until Thursday. If nothing catches my eye by then, I'll give up and stick with this one. No more struggling.
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