Though he called her a silly girl with his words, holding her in his arms still filled his heart with boundless joy. Feeling her steady breaths against him, even without doing anything else, brought him immense happiness.
It was like a river suddenly bursting through a dam after being held back for too long, or resilient grass pushing through the weight of a rock to grow toward the sky. The river surged endlessly, the grass stretched upward—these were emotions that neither natural order nor human restraint could suppress.
He held her quietly for a long time until his arms began to ache slightly. Chu Yu also seemed a little uncomfortable, letting out a soft murmur. Wei Yun thought for a moment, then laid her down on the rooftop, covering her with his outer robe before lying beside her, gazing at her in silence.
Time passed swiftly when watching her. Before long, the first light of dawn fell upon her face. Chu Yu’s eyelashes fluttered, and Wei Yun quickly turned away without a sound. The light roused her, and when she opened her eyes, she saw Wei Yun’s back. She shifted slightly, noticing his robe draped over her. Hazily recalling that she had been the one to bring him up here the night before, she raised a hand to her forehead, resting for a moment before standing up. She patted Wei Yun’s shoulder.
Wei Yun, still facing away, responded vaguely.
“Xiao Qi,” Chu Yu said gently, “shall I take you down?”
Wei Yun pushed himself up, eyes still closed. Chu Yu chuckled, wrapping an arm around his waist before descending into the courtyard. After helping him into his wheelchair, she pushed him back to his room. Along the way, they passed Shen Wushuang, who was sprawled on the ground with Bai Chang in his arms. Chu Yu gave him a light kick.
“Wake up,” she reminded.
Shen Wushuang grumbled in response but only tightened his hold on Bai Chang.
Chu Yu settled Wei Yun onto the bed and instructed, “Rest for a while. I’ll prepare your medicinal bath.”
Wei Yun, still facing away, gave a low murmur, as if half-asleep.
Chu Yu didn’t dwell on it. She got up to boil water and gather herbs. As sunlight spilled into her eyes, she felt a momentary daze. Fragments of memory flashed through her mind—sky lanterns drifting upward, someone’s lips brushing against hers.
She couldn’t help but laugh softly, raising a hand to pat her own cheeks. It seemed that even after being reborn, she could still dream like a lovestruck girl.
She had dreamed like this in her youth too. Back then, she had yearned for Gu Chusheng—openly, without the slightest hint of maidenly shyness. She hadn’t seen anything wrong with it, except that Chu Jin stood between them, so she had never acted on it, never spoken of it.
Loving someone wasn’t wrong. Keeping it quietly in your heart meant it concerned no one else.
Wei Yun continued his medicinal baths for two more days before Chu Yu finally heard news of Wei Xia and Wei Qiu in the desert city. Strictly speaking, it wasn’t news about them directly, but rather reports of a elite Da Chu force harassing the Northern Di people across their territory.
Chu Yu was delighted by the news. Returning to Wei Yun, she cracked melon seeds and remarked, “Wei Xia and Wei Qiu are impressive. I thought they were still hiding somewhere.”Wei Yun remained silent, studying the map Chu Yu had shown him, which marked the places Wei Xia and Wei Qiu had been. They had now completely transformed into a guerrilla force of Great Chu operating behind Northern Di's lines, striking wherever they could. After seizing grain and horses, they would move on to the next location, never staying more than a night. By the time Northern Di sent troops after them, they were long gone.
"Sucha and Great Chu's army are locked in a stalemate on the front lines, while Su Can is chasing Wei Xia and Wei Qiu in a frenzy," Chu Yu said, lounging in a chair with a smile. "No wonder they’re too busy to come after us."
"Su Can would be thrilled if I returned," Wei Yun tapped the table lightly, his tone indifferent. "He’s counting on me going back to clash with Zhao Yue—that would take a lot of pressure off Northern Di internally."
Chu Yu paused, then quickly grasped the reasoning.
Right. Back then, when Su Can had spared Wei Yun’s life—if he had truly wanted Wei Yun dead, the few people she had wouldn’t have been enough to stop him.
But Wei Yun had pulled off something unprecedented in Northern Di—leading over two thousand men straight to the royal court to abduct the emperor. For Northern Di’s subjects, this was likely an unbearable humiliation. If Sucha and Su Can hadn’t at least pretended to pursue Wei Yun, their people would have rebelled. So while they feigned a relentless hunt, they secretly allowed him to escape.
Chu Yu frowned. "Then can we just leave directly?"
If Su Can’s intentions were as such, the most stringent warrants for their arrest shouldn’t have been issued yet.
Wei Yun lifted his gaze to meet Chu Yu’s. "If we leave, what happens to Wei Qiu and Wei Xia?"
Chu Yu fell silent, hesitating as if unable to think of a good solution.
Wei Yun’s eyes returned to the map. "I brought them here—I’ll take them back. However many I can save, I will. There’s no reason for me to run and leave them behind."
With that, he wheeled himself out. "Find Shen Wushuang. If my legs aren’t healing, does he not want his head anymore?"
Chu Yu went to fetch Shen Wushuang, who was digging up herbs in the courtyard. Hearing Chu Yu’s words, he glanced up. "Want to recover faster? Fine. I have some potent medicine—no major side effects, except it’s excruciating. I was planning to use it in a few days if there was still no progress..."
"Use it now."
Wei Yun’s voice was calm. Shen Wushuang looked at him and grinned. "If you can’t endure it, you’ll die."
Wei Yun acknowledged with a hum, saying nothing more.
That night, Shen Wushuang brewed the medicine. He had Wei Yun drink the first bowl—it went down without any immediate effect. Then Shen Wushuang reached into the medicinal bath beside them, testing the water. The heat turned his hand red. He glanced at Chu Yu and said flatly, "Put him in."
Chu Yu lifted Wei Yun, lowering him into the bath bit by bit.
When his feet touched the water, Wei Yun frowned slightly, feeling only a prickling sensation. But as his legs submerged and the water reached his waist, a searing pain erupted without warning. Wei Yun’s hands clenched the edges of the tub, his face turning deathly pale. Chu Yu hesitated, stopping his descent.
Shen Wushuang’s voice was steady. "Put him in."
Wei Yun closed his eyes and nodded. Only then did Chu Yu release him, letting Wei Yun sink fully into the bath.Wei Yun clenched the edge of the bathtub tightly, his entire body tense with strained muscles. Shen Wushuang watched him calmly and instructed Chu Yu, "He needs to soak in this medicinal bath for four hours. I'll go prepare the medicine—he must drink a bowl every hour. The pain will intensify, and he might struggle. You cannot let him come out. If he does, it won't just be a matter of wasted effort."
Shen Wushuang lifted his gaze to Chu Yu and said seriously, "If he dies here, don’t blame me."
Chu Yu’s expression hardened. She pressed her lips together and replied coolly, "I understand."
She stood guard beside Wei Yun, watching as he sat rigidly in the tub, his face drained of all color.
The pain was like needles piercing every inch of his body.
Cold sweat dripped from Wei Yun’s face. Chu Yu sat on the ledge beside him and spoke softly, "Let me talk to you. Don’t keep staring at the water."
Wei Yun couldn’t make a sound, gritting his teeth against the pain. He could only nod.
Chu Yu thought for a moment before continuing slowly, "Where should I start? My earliest memories, I suppose. We have time."
Her voice was calm as she recounted her childhood.
From birth, she had lived on the southwestern border. The region was perpetually shrouded in miasma, and the people of Nanyue were sinister and cunning. Unlike the Northern Di’s brutal savagery, the Nanyue people carried a chilling, venomous darkness in their bones—like poisonous snakes, steeped in the deceptive softness of flowers and herbs.
Yet their love and hatred were clear-cut. When they loved, it was openly and unreservedly; when they hated, it was with utter ruthlessness.
They were merciless to their enemies but devoted to their own kin.
Thus, though Nanyue was small, it stood firm against the vast empire of Great Chu on the southwestern frontier.
Her stories weren’t particularly interesting—just childhood observations. Yet, as she spoke, Wei Yun found himself inexplicably drawn to her voice. The pain lessened slightly, and he gazed at her dazedly, like a child lost in a dream.
Two hours passed quickly. Shen Wushuang returned with a bowl of medicine and handed it to Wei Yun. "Drink it."
Wei Yun clenched his jaw and downed it in one gulp from Shen Wushuang’s hand. Shen Wushuang then brought another bucket and poured freshly brewed medicinal liquid into the bath.
As the new infusion mixed in, Wei Yun felt as though blades were slicing through his flesh, stripping it away piece by piece—like death by a thousand cuts.
Instinctively, he tried to rise, but he quickly forced himself back into the bath. Shen Wushuang hastily stuffed a cloth into Wei Yun’s mouth and said to Chu Yu, "Keep watching him."
Chu Yu’s heart twisted at the sight of Wei Yun’s suffering.
She had no choice but to continue her earlier tactic, resuming her stories.
Wei Yun tried to listen, but the pain was becoming unbearable.
By the third hour, his consciousness was nearly blurred. Shen Wushuang fed him another dose of medicine, and Wei Yun trembled violently.
Chu Yu watched as he curled up in the bath. She reached out and dipped her hand into the liquid but felt no pain.
Frowning, she turned to Shen Wushuang, who was adding more medicine, and asked, "How bad is the pain?"
"The first bowl—like ten thousand needles piercing the body."
"The second bowl—a thousand cuts, slow and excruciating."
"The third bowl—flaying the skin and tearing the sinews."
"The fourth bowl..." Shen Wushuang hesitated before continuing slowly, "From bones to flesh, every part will ache beyond endurance. How bad is it? I’ve never dared to try."
At these words, Chu Yu’s heart clenched in dread.Shen Wushuang finished pouring the medicine and straightened up, looking at Wei Yun.
Wei Yun had been in the bathtub the entire time. He had bitten through the cloth in his mouth from the pain, his entire body trembling, yet he still restrained himself, curled up in the tub without uttering a word.
“He’s remarkable.”
Shen Wushuang finally spoke, his expression tinged with respect: “The toughest patient I’ve ever seen only lasted four hours inside, and by the second hour, they were already screaming to get out. He… is remarkable.”
Chu Yu lowered her gaze to Wei Yun.
He was only fifteen, yet he could always control himself. He hadn’t broken down when he returned carrying his father and brother, and now, even in such excruciating pain, he remained silent.
Chu Yu couldn’t help but recall what her own fifteen-year-old self had been like, what Gu Chusheng at fifteen had been like, what Chu Jin at fifteen had been like.
Back then, they had been unrestrained and spirited, still carrying a hint of youthful naivety. Even Gu Chusheng, who had borne the weight of his family’s vengeance and traveled far to the border at fifteen, had stubbornly refused to bow to the local gentry, and when humiliated, had lashed out in frustration, telling her to leave. He had lost control of his emotions, had recoiled from pain.
But Wei Yun didn’t.
He always kept his emotions in check, never once harming others.
As Chu Yu truly took in Wei Yun’s self-control and composure, a dense ache welled up in her heart. Unable to resist, she reached out and placed her hand on his head, her voice hoarse: “Xiao Qi…”
Wei Yun opened his eyes dazedly, staring blankly at Chu Yu. Trembling, he reached out and grasped the hand she had rested on the edge of the tub.
Yet even now, he didn’t exert much force. He restrained his strength, as if seeking some form of solace, pressing his face against her hand. He had been sweating profusely, yet despite soaking in the scalding medicinal broth, his body was unnaturally cold.
Chu Yu felt that cold seep from his skin into her heart. Stroking his hair, she murmured hoarsely, “I’m here. I’m right here.”
Wei Yun gritted his teeth, silent. His mind was hazy, his vision filled only with her. His face pressed against her, listening to her words, he called out softly: “Sister-in-law…”
“I’m here.”
“A Yu…”
“I’m here.”
He called her name over and over, and she answered him each time.
By the final dose of medicine, he had little strength left. Leaning against the tub, Shen Wushuang gripped his jaw and began pouring the medicine down his throat. Halfway through, Wei Yun started struggling. It seemed he knew swallowing this would bring him pain, so he pushed against Shen Wushuang.
But he truly had no strength left. Shen Wushuang hardened his grip, forcing the medicine down, then said to Chu Yu, “You must hold him down.”
Chu Yu nodded. Shen Wushuang didn’t leave, standing by to watch Wei Yun.
Moments later, the medicine took effect. Wei Yun could no longer endure it, abruptly trying to rise from the tub. Chu Yu reacted swiftly, pressing down on his shoulders and shoving him back under. But he began thrashing wildly, his voice ragged as he cried out, “It hurts… Sister-in-law, it hurts…”
Hearing him call her “Sister-in-law,” Shen Wushuang, who was helping hold him down, froze slightly, lifting his eyes to Chu Yu.
But Chu Yu’s entire focus was on Wei Yun. She pressed down firmly as he struggled, large beads of sweat rolling down Wei Yun’s forehead. He fought desperately to escape, but with both Shen Wushuang and Chu Yu restraining him, Wei Yun gradually regained some clarity amid the pain.He opened his eyes and saw Chu Yu standing before him. Unable to resist, he reached out with trembling hands, his voice hoarse as he pleaded, "Hold me..."
Chu Yu was momentarily stunned. She looked at the trembling Wei Yun, watching as he stretched out his hands, his face pale, repeating, "Hold me... please..."
Standing by the bathtub, Chu Yu gathered him into her embrace.
His forehead pressed against her abdomen, as if he were leaning his entire weight on her, breathing shallowly.
Shen Wushuang stared blankly at the two of them. Seeing Wei Yun gradually calm in her arms, he hesitated before turning and walking out.
Chu Yu held Wei Yun, gently running her fingers through his hair. Wei Yun restrained all his movements, only resting his forehead lightly against her abdomen, absorbing her warmth and listening to her heartbeat.
"Sister-in-law..." he murmured softly, "I miss Father... and Eldest Brother so much..."
Chu Yu's eyes stung. Unable to help herself, she tightened her arms around him, holding him closer.
She wanted to respond, but she couldn't.
He was mourning those who had passed, and she couldn't bring them back.
Suddenly, she realized just how important Wei Yun had become in her heart—so important that with just one word from him, she would move mountains to fulfill his wishes. Lowering her gaze, she whispered hoarsely, "I'm still here..."
Your Eldest Brother may be gone, but I'm still here.
Wei Yun leaned against her, though it was unclear if he heard. He wrapped his arms around her waist, like vines entwining around a tree trunk, inseparable.
Flowers that bloom from despair are often the most dazzlingly beautiful. The faint light that shines in the darkness trembles in the heart.
Time passed slowly, and Wei Yun's grip on Chu Yu gradually loosened. It wasn't until Shen Wushuang reentered and announced, "Time's up," that Chu Yu finally snapped back to reality.
Flustered, she lifted Wei Yun out of the water, carried him to the bed, and dried him with a towel before dressing him.
Wei Yun had already fallen unconscious, lying motionless on the bed. Only after finishing did Chu Yu notice the stickiness on her face. Raising a hand to touch her cheek, she realized she had been crying without realizing it, her tears dried on her skin.
She hurried out to fetch water. Shen Wushuang stood at the door, hesitating before speaking, "Um... Lady Wei."
Chu Yu paused. Shen Wushuang muttered, "You... you're his sister-in-law?"
After a brief silence, since they were now familiar, and he had already figured it out, she no longer hid the truth. Nodding calmly, she replied, "Indeed, I am the wife of the late Wei Manor's heir, Wei Jun. It was inconvenient to reveal our identities outside, so we pretended to be husband and wife to avoid trouble. I hope Doctor Shen can understand."
Shen Wushuang quickly nodded. "Of course, I understand."
Only then did he recall Wei Yun's words from the previous night. A bitter feeling rose in his heart—now he finally understood. Wei Yun hadn't been trying to scold him at all.
He had been searching for an escape through him.
Watching as Chu Yu turned away, he sighed and entered the room to begin administering acupuncture to Wei Yun. Halfway through, Wei Yun slowly regained consciousness.
His eyes fluttered open, staring at the ceiling. Shen Wushuang, keeping his head down, asked, "Awake?"
"Mmm," Wei Yun responded before turning his head weakly, his voice hoarse. "I..." He hesitated before finally asking, "Where's my wife?"
"Lady Wei is freshening up."Shen Wushuang used the term "Madam," and Wei Yun understood that he was subtly acknowledging the true nature of their relationship.
Wei Yun remained silent. After a moment of thought, Shen Wushuang finally asked, "You... like her?"
There was no need to specify who "she" was—both of them knew.
Wei Yun closed his eyes and softly replied, "Mm."
His straightforwardness left Shen Wushuang somewhat at a loss. Lowering his head to locate the acupoints, he said casually, "Does she know?"
"No."
"Do you want her to know?"
Wei Yun fell silent. After a long pause, he slowly answered, "I'll wait."
"Wait for what?" Shen Wushuang was puzzled.
Wei Yun gazed at the knotted cord swaying gently in the breeze above the bed and murmured, "Right now, I'm walking on the edge of a blade, unsure where each step will lead. Once I've walked this path, avenged my family, brought peace to the realm, and confirmed that I can protect her..."
He hesitated before adding, "Then I'll see how she feels."
"You," Shen Wushuang couldn't help but laugh, "are truly a man of patience."
Wei Yun chuckled, though his eyes held a trace of sorrow.
"It's not that I'm patient. I just can't let her become a widow in the Wei family a second time."
"What if, in the meantime, she falls for someone else?" Shen Wushuang asked curiously.
At this, Wei Yun pressed his lips together but replied firmly, "She won't."
Shen Wushuang raised an eyebrow. Wei Yun looked into the distance. "I'll be by her side."
This made Shen Wushuang laugh. He pulled out the needle and said with a smile, "Then I wish you luck."
Wei Yun acknowledged him with a hum. Shen Wushuang patted his leg. "Any feeling yet?"
Wei Yun nodded. Shen Wushuang stood up. "Rest and sleep. When you wake up, try moving your legs in bed. Later, have Madam Wei help you walk a bit. By tomorrow, you should be able to walk normally. After recuperating for so long, your muscles and bones should have healed. Now that you have sensation, the blockages must have mostly cleared."
With that, Shen Wushuang rose, announced his departure, and left without ceremony.
Wei Yun lay in bed, flexing his legs on his own. Before long, Chu Yu returned to the room. They slept separated by a curtain. That evening, Chu Yu helped him walk, and by the time the moon hung above the willow branches, Wei Yun was drenched in sweat but could nearly walk normally again.
Seeing his progress, Chu Yu thought for a moment and said, "I'll watch over you tonight, but tomorrow we can sleep separately."
Wei Yun lowered his head and murmured, "Mm."
Noticing his subdued mood, Chu Yu smiled. "Not happy?"
"No," Wei Yun replied, eyes fixed on his toes. "Just tired."
Chu Yu chuckled and helped him back to bed. In the middle of the night, she faintly heard the sound of a door opening. Blinking groggily, she saw Wei Yun slip outside. Hesitating briefly, she threw on a cloak and followed, only to find him under the moonlight, gripping the wall as he practiced walking over and over again.
From then on, Wei Yun trained under Chu Yu's supervision by day and secretly practiced alone at night, quickly regaining his former agility.
One evening, Chu Yu sat by the windowsill and saw Wei Yun pick up the long spear she had placed in the courtyard.
It was April, with flowers in full bloom and moonlight spilling like water across the ground. The young man in white gripped the spear, one hand resting behind his back. With a sudden flick of his wrist, the spear shot forth like a roaring dragon.His movements stirred gusts of wind, sending peach blossoms swirling through the courtyard. She sat by the window, gazing blankly, feeling her heartbeat thump heavily—as if wrapped in honey syrup, weightier, more lingering, and... far more joyous.
That night, Chu Yu dreamed of Wei Yun wielding his long spear, dancing under the moonlight. At first, it was this small courtyard, then the scene shifted beyond Phoenix Mausoleum. Amidst a sea of people, he turned to glance back. Then it was before the Palace Gates, where he stood before her, battered and wounded, yet still shielding her with an umbrella. Finally, it was the night they released Sky Lanterns, sitting together on the rooftop.
The dream wove in many things she didn’t remember—she dreamed of Wei Yun holding her, lowering his head toward her.
The sky lantern rose into the air, warm and vivid against the dark night.
Their fingers intertwined, lips and tongues entwined.
Yet that kiss held not a trace of desire, utterly different from all she had experienced before.
It was warm and pure, carrying the cautious tenderness and bashful hesitation of youth.
Then, she was abruptly awakened from her dream by Wei Yun’s voice.
“Sister-in-law!”
Chu Yu’s eyes snapped open to see Wei Yun standing above her, sword in hand, urgency in his voice: “There’s an army approaching the city walls—we must leave now!”
Chu Yu rolled to her feet, listening intently. Outside came the disciplined tramp of soldiers, the Northern Di forces organizing and clearing civilians, the cries of children, the shouts of women.
A cacophony of sounds intertwined. Chu Yu swiftly gathered her valuables, grabbed her sword, and followed Wei Yun as they rushed out.
Shen Wushuang and Bai Chang had also been roused. Shen Wushuang packed medicinal herbs and his self-made poison pill powder, while Bai Chang gathered gold, silver, and dry rations. Clearly accustomed to fleeing, they moved with practiced efficiency.
Shen Wushuang carried Shen Jiaojiao on his back, following Wei Yun anxiously. “Do you know who it is?”
“I’ll lead the way, Sister-in-law guards the rear. Shen Wushuang, guide us. Bai Chang, carry the child. Shen Wushuang, take your sword!”
Wei Yun issued rapid orders before answering Shen Wushuang’s question: “We’ll see once we’re out.”
In any case—if it was the Northern Di army, they would flee.
If it was the Great Chu’s forces, they would welcome them.
If it was Wei Qiu and Wei Xia…
They’d need to warn them to retreat.
Wei Yun quickly calculated in his mind.
Shen Wushuang led Wei Yun out the door, speaking as they moved: “From the sounds, they’re coming from the east gate. We’ll exit through the west gate first, circle around, and assess the situation before acting.”
Wei Yun nodded. The city was already in chaos, everyone fleeing toward the west gate—no one hindered them. Wei Yun and Shen Wushuang turned to shield Chu Yu, Bai Chang, and Shen Jiaojiao as they pushed their way out.
Once past the west gate, the five of them skirted the edge and saw, beyond the city walls of Shacheng, a crimson military flag fluttering in the night wind.
Embroidered on the flag were golden cloud patterns, with a large golden character “Wei” at its center. The character was stylized like a bird, and upon closer inspection, it was unmistakably the divine Vermilion Bird.
The Vermilion Bird was the crest of the Wei family. Seeing it now, Wei Yun and Chu Yu immediately recognized it as Wei Xia and Wei Qiu’s forces. Wei Yun led the group toward the approaching troops, spotting Wei Qiu and Wei Xia riding side by side at the front.
By now, Shacheng was nearly prepared for battle, but the Guardian Army remained unmoved, seemingly hesitant. After a moment’s thought, Wei Qiu raised his hand, about to order the assault—when Wei Yun’s shout rang out:
“Halt! Retreat!!”
Wei Qiu turned first, spotting Wei Yun charging toward them. Wei Xia followed suit, exclaiming in delight: “Marquis!”
Author’s Note: Don’t wait for the second update—it’ll drop randomly, possibly tomorrow morning!! This chapter is already 7,000 words.
After considering all your name suggestions and feedback… I’ve decided—never mind, I’ll keep it as is. When recommending this novel, please tell others: This. Is. Not. Porn.
The 50-yuan bounty will be used for red packets, all distributed in the comments under this chapter. Deadline is midnight tonight. I’ll send them all after I return from watching a movie in the early hours.
Group mua to all~"Hold my hand and take me away, now! Immediately!"
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