Chu Yu was held tightly in Wei Yun's embrace. For a fleeting moment, she felt as though he were a flower that had burst forth from within her body—rooted deeply inside her, drawing strength and nourishment from each other, inseparable.
Yet the thought passed as quickly as it came. She heard Wei Yun whisper, "Sister-in-law, don't be afraid."
"I will protect you. No matter what, you will be safe."
"What is there for me to fear?"
Chu Yu chuckled softly. "Xiao Qi, in this world, there is nothing I fear."
After all, she had already experienced life and death, parting and reunion. If her past life had been an arduous journey, then this life was meant for her to pursue fulfillment without restraint.
Wei Yun held her quietly, feeling himself gradually calm. He knew he should let go, yet he couldn’t bring himself to. So he continued to embrace her, savoring her warmth, and murmured, "But I am afraid."
"What are you afraid of?"
Wei Yun fell silent for a long while before slowly closing his eyes.
"I fear that you won’t be happy."
I fear that you will leave me.
He had so many fears tied to Chu Yu alone.
Once, he had only wished for her well-being. Once, he had believed that guarding her faithfully, accompanying her for a lifetime, and then following her into the afterlife would be enough. But when she said, "I'll stay with you," it was as though countless vines had erupted from within him, binding her tightly to his heart.
And so, he dared not imagine her leaving. If she turned away, he didn’t know how he could face the future.
Seeing his emotions gradually settle, Chu Yu smiled. She reached up and patted his back gently. "Alright, once you’ve cried enough, stand up. There’s still much to be done."
Wei Yun straightened at her words. Chu Yu walked to the basin nearby, wrung out a cloth, and handed it to him to wipe his face. As she did, she asked, "What are your plans now?"
Since they had decided to rebel against Zhao Yue, they needed a strategy—when to act, how to act—all of it had to be carefully considered.
Wiping his face, Wei Yun’s thoughts slowly cleared. The cold water brought him back to his senses, and he replied calmly, "For now, with the war still ongoing, we shouldn’t act rashly. Brother Chu Linyang was right about one thing—at least for now, Great Chu needs Zhao Yue as a unifying force to stabilize the situation."
Chu Yu nodded. She had always known that Wei Yun prioritized the people in every decision he made. "So you plan to build your strength first?"
"The war against the Northern Di isn’t over yet. At the very least, we must strike them down decisively now. Even if we can’t conquer them entirely, we must ensure they won’t dare invade for at least a decade."
Chu Yu took the cloth from Wei Yun’s hand and set it aside in the water. He continued, "I’ll pretend to know nothing and negotiate with Zhao Yue. We still have time to think carefully about how to proceed."
Chu Yu nodded again. She had always trusted Wei Yun’s abilities. In their past life, even without such favorable circumstances, he had fought through battlefields riddled with illness and still emerged victorious—proof enough of his strength.
After their brief discussion, Chu Yu withdrew to her own room. Both of them retired for the night. The next day, Wei Yun bid farewell to Chu Linyang and set off for Hua Jing to meet with Zhao Yue.Since Zhao Yue was now the emperor, Wei Yun naturally had to meet him first upon his return. Coupled with Wei Yun's concern for Liu Xueyang and Jiang Chun in Hua Jing, and Chu Yu's worry for The Eldest Princess in the palace, the two decided not to delay any further and set off directly for Hua Jing.
Chu Linyang prepared travel expenses and guards for them. When Chu Yu and Wei Yun boarded the carriage together and lifted the curtain, they saw Gu Chusheng sitting inside, looking up at them with a smile.
Gu Chusheng cupped his hands toward Wei Yun and said warmly, "Young Marquis Wei."
Wei Yun's expression darkened as he coldly replied, "Get out!"
"I happen to be returning to Hua Jing to report on my duties. The Chu heir instructed us to travel light, arranging only this one carriage. Given my frail health, I hope the young marquis will be accommodating."
Hearing this, Wei Yun let out a cold laugh and reached out to grab Gu Chusheng, but Chu Yu stopped him with a smile, saying, "Minister Gu makes a fair point. Since we're in a hurry, why don't we ride back on horseback? Would Minister Gu be willing to join us?"
"He's frail," Wei Yun immediately interjected. "It's more suitable for him to stay in the carriage."
"Oh?" Gu Chusheng raised his hand and chuckled. "I think some occasional exercise would do me good."
Chu Yu nodded and led Wei Yun off the carriage. After having horses brought over, they mounted up and rode toward Hua Jing.
Gu Chusheng's stamina couldn't compare to Chu Yu and Wei Yun's. Having set out at dawn, he was already exhausted by noon. Noticing the sweat on his forehead, Chu Yu spotted a teahouse and had Wei Yun call for a rest stop.
Summer had arrived, and the weather was sweltering. Chu Yu, Gu Chusheng, and Wei Yun sat at the same table. While eating, Wei Yun plucked some grass blades nearby and began weaving something with nimble fingers. By the time the others were still eating, Chu Yu could already make out the shape of a hat. Noticing her gaze, Gu Chusheng smiled and said, "The young marquis is quite thoughtful."
"Hmm?" Chu Yu perked up at the mention of Wei Yun and replied cheerfully, "He's always been considerate. Once, I admired a floral crown but thought it was too childish. When I returned, he'd already made one for me."
Gu Chusheng's smile remained, though his eyes grew cooler as he said, "This is the perfect age for you to wear floral crowns."
"Yes," Chu Yu agreed with a hint of nostalgia. As they chatted idly, most of her words circled back to Wei Yun. Gu Chusheng kept smiling, though the warmth in his eyes gradually faded. When Wei Yun approached with the finished hat, Gu Chusheng took a final sip of tea and remarked lightly, "The lady is fortunate. The young marquis will surely rise high in the future. With such filial piety, you needn't worry about your later years."
The words gave Chu Yu pause.
Hearing "filial piety" used for the approaching young man suddenly struck her as somewhat uncomfortable.
Though she had often used those very words for Wei Yun before, for some reason, she now found herself reluctant to do so.
She watched as Wei Yun handed her the hat, saying with a smile, "Sister-in-law, I thought the sun might be too harsh. It's a bit crude, but please bear with it."
Chu Yu took the hat without a word, her fingers tracing its woven patterns. After a long moment, she finally looked up and smiled. "You're very thoughtful."
With that, she placed the hat on her head and stood. "Let's continue our journey."The group traveled swiftly on horseback for seven days straight before finally reaching Hua Jing. On the night before entering the capital, they found an inn to stay at. Wei Yun and Gu Chusheng took rooms on either side of Chu Yu's, settling in separately.
Perhaps due to their imminent arrival in the capital, Chu Yu felt restless that night, tossing and turning in bed, unable to sleep. Around midnight, she suddenly heard sounds from the eaves outside her window. With her sword by her side, she quickly grabbed it and hid near the window. Sure enough, moments later, her window was gently pushed open.
In that instant, Chu Yu thrust her sword toward the intruder. The figure bent low, spinning swiftly before pressing forward, covering her mouth and pinning her against the wall. A hushed voice whispered, "Sister-in-law, it's me."
Chu Yu's eyes widened in surprise. Recognizing Wei Yun, she relaxed as he stepped back and said, "There's something I'd like to discuss with you."
Nodding, Chu Yu gestured toward the table and teased, "Why take the window when you could have used the door?"
Wei Yun looked slightly embarrassed. "I didn’t want to alert anyone. It’s late, and if others saw me coming to your room, it wouldn’t look proper."
His words gave Chu Yu pause as realization dawned on her.
Right—this wasn’t the Northern Di anymore. This was Hua Jing.
Here, there were gossiping tongues, rigid rules, and hierarchies to observe. Above, she would face Liu Xueyang and her parents; below, the soldiers and commoners who looked up to Wei Yun.
Slowly sitting down, Chu Yu poured herself a cup of tea. The cold liquid settled heavily in her stomach, sending a chill through her. Wei Yun sat opposite her, placing his hand over hers to stop her from pouring more. "The tea’s cold," he said softly. "Don’t drink too much—it’s bad for you."
"Hmm." Chu Yu felt somewhat dazed. Logically, she knew his gesture was improper, yet a small, inexplicable joy fluttered in her chest.
Lowering her gaze, she remained silent as Wei Yun withdrew his hand and continued, "Tomorrow, we enter the capital."
"Hmm."
"I won’t reveal that I already know about White Emperor Valley. Instead, I’ll pledge allegiance to Zhao Yue in exchange for concessions. The question is—what should I ask for?"
Chu Yu didn’t answer immediately, carefully considering her words. "You can’t stay in Hua Jing."
"I know."
Wei Yun met her eyes earnestly. "I’ll ask Zhao Yue for troops and supplies to fight the Northern Di. Then, I’ll have Tuso harass the borders and station our forces at the Northern Border."
Frowning, Chu Yu countered, "Bai and Kun Provinces are already under the Wei family’s influence. If you station troops there, your power will seem too overwhelming—Zhao Yue won’t allow it."
"That’s my concern."
Wei Yun sighed. "Once I’m away at war, I can find countless excuses not to return, and Zhao Yue won’t be able to do anything about it. So he’ll settle for keeping my family in the capital. I can’t take Mother with me, but I wanted to ask you…"
He hesitated before finally saying, "Would you… come with me to the Northern Border?"
Chu Yu silently studied him.
The young man kept his eyes downcast, his emotions hidden. Slowly, he added, "I can give you a Divorce Letter. You’d leave the Wei family… and then secretly follow me north."Chu Yu remained silent. She felt something trembling within her heart as she watched the young man speak, his words laced with tension. It was as if she were a snail, being forcibly dragged out of its shell by an immense force.
She dared not dwell too deeply on it, so she numbly replied, "If I leave the Wei family and go to the Northern Border, what identity would I have?"
Wei Yun was momentarily taken aback as Chu Yu continued, "If I’m no longer your sister-in-law, what am I to the Wei family? Your brother is already gone. You’ve given me the Divorce Letter—what pretext would I have to return to the Wei family? Unless your brother could crawl out of his grave and marry me again?!"
Her words choked Wei Yun, and even Chu Yu herself felt a pang of panic after speaking them.
She clenched her fists in secret. Wei Yun lowered his gaze, and after a long pause, he slowly said, "It was my oversight. I was solely focused on ensuring the safety of my sisters-in-law and neglected to consider your reputation."
His voice was steady, tinged with apology, but beneath his sleeves, his hands gripped the fabric tightly, forcing himself to remain calm as he continued, "Then I will petition Zhao Yue to grant you a military title. The more prestigious your status, the harder it will be for Zhao Yue to act against you. After we return, I’ll find a way for you to establish ties with The Eldest Princess. Right now, the Wang and Xie clans are pressuring Zhao Yue to execute The Eldest Princess, yet she remains as his honored consort—proof of his favor. If you can connect with her, you’ll be much safer."
Hearing Wei Yun’s words, the weight in Chu Yu’s heart finally lifted. The hands that had been relentlessly trying to pull her out retreated at last. She exhaled in relief and nodded. "Truthfully, I’m also uneasy about leaving Mother and A Chun alone in Hua Jing. If I stay in the capital, I can at least look after the family. You needn’t worry while you’re away. If anything happens, I’ll find a way to protect them and get them out."
"Mm," Wei Yun acknowledged, then added, "There’s one more thing. Zhao Yue won’t kill Yao Yong now. If I surrender too smoothly, it might arouse his suspicion. I need a pretext."
Chu Yu tapped the table as Wei Yun went on, "If Gu Chusheng is Zhao Yue’s—"
Before he could finish, a knock sounded at the door. Chu Yu and Wei Yun exchanged glances, and then they heard Gu Chusheng’s cold voice from outside: "Madam, may I have a word with you?"
Wei Yun frowned and shook his head at Chu Yu. She cleared her throat and replied, "Lord Gu, I’ve already retired for the night. If there’s something—"
"I’m here to see the Young Marquis."
At his words, both fell silent. After a moment, Wei Yun couldn’t help but laugh. He decisively stood up, opened the door, grabbed Gu Chusheng by the arm, and pulled him inside before shutting the door firmly behind them. Turning to face Gu Chusheng, he said coolly, "Lord Gu, you truly are impressive."
Gu Chusheng straightened his robes and met Wei Yun’s gaze, his voice icy. "Young Marquis Wei, isn’t it improper for you to be here at this hour?"
"Speak your mind."
Wei Yun turned and returned to his seat, kneeling down with a cold expression. "I still have important matters to discuss with my sister-in-law."
Gu Chusheng looked between them, his lips parting briefly before he swallowed his words. He knelt before the table, pressing his hands down, and said stiffly, "Earlier, I went to the neighboring room to look for the Young Marquis but didn’t find him. I guessed he might be here—and it seems I was right."Chu Yu calmly took a sip of tea and said lightly, "I've always conducted myself this way, without much concern for rigid gender boundaries. Didn't Lord Gu know this?"
Her words struck Gu Chusheng's sore spot.
How could he not know?
Even before they'd met, he'd heard of her reputation and had always looked down on her. In countless arguments afterward, he would berate her over these very matters.
"Shameless."
That's what he'd called her back then.
Yet he also knew that despite Chu Yu's carefree demeanor, she had never truly crossed the line. Being alone with a man late at night like this—unless under special circumstances—had never happened before.
But he couldn't say this. Suppressing his emotions, he turned to Wei Yun and said calmly, "I've come tonight to counsel the Young Marquis."
Wei Yun raised his hand, signaling Gu Chusheng to continue.
"I know the Young Marquis harbors resentment toward Yao Yong for his actions at White Emperor Valley," Gu Chusheng said. "But His Majesty is a ruler who distinguishes right from wrong—no foolish sovereign. He will undoubtedly investigate this case thoroughly and clear the Wei family's name. However, now is the time for unity against our enemies. I implore the Young Marquis, for the sake of the common people, to set aside personal grievances for now."
Wei Yun took a sip of tea and laughed coldly. "I'll see him tomorrow. Why doesn't he tell me this himself?"
"These aren't His Majesty's words."
"Then whose are they?"
"Mine."
"Gu Chusheng," Wei Yun said, glaring at him. "You overestimate yourself!"
"Whether my words are right or wrong, does the Young Marquis not understand?" Gu Chusheng's gaze burned intensely. "When the Young Marquis killed Yao Yong and imprisoned Emperor Chunde, was it merely for personal vengeance? A gentleman's revenge can wait ten years. If the Young Marquis seeks retribution for his family, why not wait until after this war?"
"Once this war concludes and His Majesty's throne is secure, if the Young Marquis pledges loyalty to him, the combined forces of the Chu heir, the Song heir, myself, the Wang and Xie families, along with the Young Marquis, will form a formidable alliance in court. At that point, Yao Yong will be expendable. If I, the Young Marquis, and the Chu and Song families join forces to demand Yao Yong's death, would we fear he might escape it?"
"But if the Young Marquis opposes His Majesty now, while Yao Yong still has remnants of his forces, what are you doing? You're inciting civil strife! And to His Majesty, what does this signify? It shows you don't trust him. If you distrust him and pressure him, how can you expect His Majesty to tolerate the Wei family in the future? Or does the Young Marquis intend to rebel again? Emperor Chunde was a fool—his overthrow was inevitable. But now His Majesty is a wise ruler. If you seek to depose him, have you truly thought this through?"
Wei Yun remained silent, idly tracing the rim of his teacup. Chu Yu glanced at him, trying to gauge his thoughts.
To Wei Yun, Gu Chusheng was like timely rain from heaven, rushing to provide him with a way out. But he couldn't descend too easily—he had to maintain some pretense.
After a long silence, Wei Yun finally smiled slowly. "Gu Chusheng, I always knew you were silver-tongued. Now I see it's truer than ever."
Gu Chusheng exhaled in relief, but then Wei Yun added, "Yet tell me—what benefit does chaos bring my Wei family?"
"Zhao Yue pacified Yao Yong by promising him the position of imperial uncle. But he offers me nothing and expects me to set aside my family's vengeance to serve him? Does he take me for a fool to manipulate?"
Gu Chusheng frowned. "What do you want?"
"The seal of the Grand Marshal of the Armies remains in my possession." Wei Yun took another sip of tea. "And the regions of Kun and Bai have always been under my Wei family's control."
Gu Chusheng said nothing.Wei Yun chuckled lightly, "What's the matter, Lord Gu? Cat got your tongue?"
"His Majesty won't agree directly," Gu Chusheng pondered before speaking slowly. "But I have another way."
As he spoke, Gu Chusheng raised his head. "Once we enter Hua Jing, you must meet with The Eldest Princess without fail."
Author's note:
Wei Yun: Sister-in-law, I'm giving you a special hat.
Gu Chusheng: Wow, this green hat is so beautiful and original.
Wei Yun: Get lost!!!
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