Fight For Love

"What exactly is the situation between the Eldest Princess and Zhao Yue?"

Chu Yu frowned. "If you're asking us to find her, you should at least give us the full picture."

"Do you two know that thirty years ago, before Emperor Gaozu ascended the throne, the Qin Prince and Gaozu were close friends? Later, the Qin Prince was exiled from the capital. Coinciding with Zhao Yue's birth, Zhao Yue was raised in the Li household from infancy. At that time, the Eldest Princess was only five years old, but she took great care of him. It could be said Zhao Yue was raised entirely by the Eldest Princess."

Wei Yun and Chu Yu nodded. These past events weren’t secrets; they had mostly heard of them.

"Later, during the power struggles, Zhao Yue was stripped of his position as the Qin Prince Heir. To escape an arranged marriage, the Eldest Princess retreated to a Taoist temple. Enraged, Zhao Yue left Tai'an and disappeared—or so it seemed. In truth, he didn’t go far. He found the Eldest Princess at the temple and stayed by her side under the guise of a servant."

"He remained there until Gaozu became emperor and the Eldest Princess was granted her title. To stabilize the political factions, the Eldest Princess married Mei Hanxue, the eldest son of the Mei family. Zhao Yue was only twelve at the time. On the night of the wedding, he returned to Tai'an."

"After returning to Tai'an, with the support of the Li family, he reclaimed his position as the Qin Prince Heir. Not long after, just as the Princess became pregnant, Mei Hanxue died in battle. The Princess was widowed, and the Qin Prince severed ties with Hua Jing."

"Later, the Qin Prince rebelled, and Zhao Yue was implicated. The Princess sought out my father. With the Eldest Princess’s help, the Gu family risked everything to protect Zhao Yue. He changed his identity, remaining by the Princess’s side as a male concubine under the name Xue Hanmei."

"Zhao Yue was inherently gentle and indifferent to worldly affairs, with little attachment to the Qin Prince. Thus, the Princess believed the matter was settled—that the feud between the Zhao and Li families ended with them. But unbeknownst to her, Zhao Yue had been actively reaching out to the Wang and Xie families. During the chaos of the rebellion, he seized the opportunity, recruited Yao Yong, and stormed Hua Jing while you were defending Heaven’s Guard Pass. Emperor Chunde committed suicide as Zhao Yue entered the city, and the Eldest Princess was imprisoned in the rear palace. After his ascension, she was named Consort Mei, the only consort in his harem. To placate Yao Yong, Zhao Yue negotiated a marriage alliance, but he once told me Yao Yong would inevitably die—only Consort Mei could claim the position of Empress."

"So, how does this relate to us finding the Eldest Princess?"

Wei Yun sorted through the tangled relationship between Zhao Yue and the Eldest Princess. Though Gu Chusheng had only recounted objective facts, the love and hatred between them were easy to infer.

Zhao Yue’s unrequited feelings for the Eldest Princess had begun in his youth. A desire held too long becomes an obsession.

"The Eldest Princess is someone who draws clear lines between love and hate," Gu Chusheng lowered his eyes. "She wouldn’t simply let go of the murder of her brother. If you seek her out, she will undoubtedly help you. Her bond with Zhao Yue runs too deep. Zhao Yue is rational and composed—if you want him to agree to something he never intended to, no one but the Eldest Princess can make it happen."

After Gu Chusheng finished speaking, the three fell silent. Wei Yun tapped the table slowly. "Then what about you?"

"What about me?"

"Where do you stand in all this?" Wei Yun fixed his gaze on him. "When Zhao Yue attacked Hua Jing, I asked you to defend the capital. Instead, you went to Phoenix Tomb City—because you knew Zhao Yue was making his move, didn’t you? At that time, you were on Zhao Yue’s side. Isn’t that right?"Gu Chusheng remained silent as Wei Yun continued, "And now you come to me with these words, urging me to oppose Zhao Yue. What exactly do you mean?"

The night was quiet, filled with the sound of cicadas outside. A cool breeze carrying the scent of flowers drifted into the room. Gu Chusheng lifted his gaze and fixed it on Chu Yu. "The Gu family has always followed the bloodline of Emperor Yuan, the rightful imperial lineage. That is why my father risked his life to protect Zhao Yue back then, and why I inherited his will to rescue Zhao Yue."

"Yet I never imagined Zhao Yue would harbor thoughts of revenge. It wasn’t until I encountered him at The Eldest Princess’s residence—when he left to discuss matters with the Wang and Xie families—that I realized his intentions. The Eldest Princess nearly discovered him that night, but I covered for him, which is why... she failed to uncover his plans in time."

As he spoke, a trace of emotion flickered in Gu Chusheng’s eyes.

Back when Zhao Yue had supposedly died of illness, he had been puzzled. But after entering The Eldest Princess’s household in this life, he understood—Zhao Yue’s death had not been an accident. The Eldest Princess had uncovered his schemes and swiftly eliminated him, then declared his death as illness to the public.

Because of his intervention, Zhao Yue had not died.

"To endure in silence for so many years—he is no ordinary man. If you oppose him, the road ahead will be difficult."

Gu Chusheng looked up at Wei Yun. "Truthfully, I don’t care what happens to you. If you die, I’d regret it—regret that Great Chu would lose a renowned general—but that’s all. What I cannot tolerate is the downfall of Wei Manor."

He left the rest unsaid, but everyone present understood his meaning.

If Wei Manor fell, Chu Yu would be implicated. As long as Chu Yu remained in Wei Manor, Gu Chusheng would never stand by and watch its ruin.

Though his words should have been well-intentioned, Wei Yun felt nothing but deep humiliation. He glared coldly at Gu Chusheng, who met his gaze unflinchingly. After a long silence, Wei Yun stood. "Lord Gu, let’s continue this conversation outside."

"My thoughts exactly."

Gu Chusheng rose as well, and the two walked out together. Chu Yu watched their retreating figures, frowning slightly before silently turning away and taking a sip of tea.

Gu Chusheng was not a reckless man, and Wei Yun was only reckless in appearance.

Once she finished her tea, she stood, climbed into bed without hesitation, and closed her eyes.

Meanwhile, the moment Wei Yun and Gu Chusheng entered Wei Yun’s room, Wei Yun spun around and fixed a piercing stare on Gu Chusheng.

Seeing his expression, Gu Chusheng smiled faintly.

"What has the young marquis so enraged?"

"From now on," Wei Yun said coldly, "stay away from my sister-in-law."

At this, a chill flashed in Gu Chusheng’s eyes, though his smile remained. "Shouldn’t you be saying that to yourself?"

"Meeting alone in the dead of night—such impropriety! She has never been strict about boundaries between men and women, but Wei Manor has stood for centuries. Did no one teach you propriety and shame?!"

"And did the Gu family teach you?!"

Wei Yun sneered. "Gu Chusheng, you know better than I do the underhanded tricks you’ve played. My sister-in-law is the lady of Wei Manor. Even if she were to remarry, it would be through the Six Rites, a proper and honorable marriage. How dare you, a mere Director of the Ministry of Gold, harass her like this?"

"Remarry?" Gu Chusheng echoed mockingly. "Would you truly allow her to remarry?"

Wei Yun fell silent. He met Gu Chusheng’s gaze—sharp as a blade, cutting straight to his core.He mocked, he sneered. Though he didn't speak, Wei Yun felt every glance was filled with disdain.

"Wei Yun," he slowly began, his expression cold. "Are you worthy of your brother?"

Wei Yun slowly clenched his fists as Gu Chusheng approached him. "She's your sister-in-law. Isn't your affection for her disgusting?"

With that, Gu Chusheng stopped before him.

They stood close, face to face, mere inches apart. Neither yielded nor retreated.

Gu Chusheng was about the same height as him. His strikingly beautiful eyes curved slightly, but the smile didn't reach their depths. "Don't you feel sick when you think about it yourself?"

"Why should I feel sick?"

Wei Yun met his gaze, speaking calmly and deliberately. "I like her. Why should I feel sick?"

"You actually dare to say it!"

"Why wouldn't I dare?"

Wei Yun looked at him, the image of Chu Yu flashing through his mind. He felt as though he had found some kind of strength, gradually calming down as he regarded Gu Chusheng seriously.

He had never said these words to anyone before, yet now that they were out, it didn't seem so terrifying after all.

He repeated earnestly, "I like her. I really like her."

"I haven't harmed the world or hurt others. I like someone, I keep her in my heart. Is that wrong?"

"But she's your sister-in-law."

"So what?!"

Wei Yun raised his voice. "My brother is gone. One day, she might like someone else. If she's destined to love someone, why can't that person be me?"

"That person won't be you!"

Gu Chusheng felt a metallic taste rise in his throat. He spoke with conviction, yet as he looked into the clear eyes of the young man before him, he felt fear.

He wasn't truly that certain.

He had always known Wei Yun was outstanding—or rather, the Wei family had a noble bearing that Chu Yu admired.

The Wei Jun of his past life was a thorn in his heart. He would forever wonder: if Wei Jun hadn't died, if Chu Yu had married Wei Jun back then, would she still have loved him?

Every time he thought about it, he needed Chu Yu to prove it again.

Facing the Wei family, facing Wei Yun, he carried an innate sense of inferiority.

He lacked this person's integrity, his openness and tolerance. He knew exactly what he had and what he didn't. And he knew exactly what kind of person Chu Yu was.

If the Wei Yun of his past life had been half-ruined by the world, then the resolute and clear-eyed young man standing before him now was everything he knew Chu Yu desired most.

But he couldn't say it. He clenched his fists, forcing himself to hold Wei Yun's gaze. "She loved me, ever since she was twelve..."

"And it ended when she was fifteen."

Wei Yun spoke calmly. "Gu Chusheng, she doesn't like you anymore. She's started a new life. If you truly love her, if you truly want what's best for her, let her go."

"To make it easier for you, is that it?"

Gu Chusheng sneered. After a moment of silence, Wei Yun finally said, "Gu Chusheng, being loved by you is truly painful."

Gu Chusheng froze slightly as Wei Yun placed a hand over his heart. "I like her. I keep her in my heart. I protect her. I pursue her. But I won't force her.""I hope she lives well and happily. If a world without me is better for her," Wei Yun felt a sharp pain in his heart as he spoke, yet his voice remained dry and hoarse, "then I can let go. Love is about tolerance, sacrifice, letting go, and understanding. It’s not about claiming her as yours just because you like her."

"What do you know?" Gu Chusheng trembled as he spoke, unable to restrain himself any longer. His words felt like axes chopping at his heart, his voice quivering with emotion. "How long have you liked her? What have you done for her? Wei Yun, let me tell you, your affection isn’t worth much. Do you even know why you like her? Not because she’s so great, but simply because you’re young."

"Have you seen the world? How many women have you met? How many people have truly been good to you? You just happened to meet someone who treated you wholeheartedly when you had nothing, and now you’re desperate to hold onto her. Do you even love her? No, you love the vulnerability in your heart, the way she just happened to fill that void."

As Gu Chusheng spoke, memories of his younger self flashed before his eyes.

What love isn’t tangled with complex emotions? He accused Wei Yun, but hadn’t he himself fallen in love the moment a woman lifted the carriage curtain with her sword in the rainy night?

Yet he didn’t understand, couldn’t comprehend, and so he envied—how could this person realize so much earlier than he had back then?

Seizing Wei Yun’s weak spot, he coldly said, "Wei Yun, do you believe that if you just spend five years apart from her, if you just meet a few more women who treat you well, you’ll realize your feelings are nothing more than youthful infatuation? What you feel for her is respect, gratitude, even the desires and pity of a young man—but that’s not love."

"Feelings that aren’t love are an insult."

Wei Yun was momentarily stunned by these words. Seeing his reaction, Gu Chusheng continued in a hoarse voice, slowly pleading, "Young Master Wei..."

His voice carried a plea: "I’ve liked this person for too many years."

A full thirty-two years.

He spent twelve years liking her and twenty years realizing he loved her.

"I’ve met many people, walked many paths, and only then did I confirm that I truly love her. How can love be so simple? You’re still so young—how can you be sure you really love her?"

"She’s always been timid and weak, but once she decides to love someone, she gives them everything, wholeheartedly. If she gives her all, only for you to realize it was just a youthful impulse, could you bear it?"

Wei Yun didn’t respond. After a long silence, he reminded him, "Gu Chusheng, you’re only two years older than me."

Gu Chusheng didn’t answer. Tears streaked his face.

Wei Yun’s gaze slowly brought him back to his senses, and he laughed bitterly. "Yes, so I don’t know, and neither do you."

"Wei Yun," he said calmly, "let’s make a deal."

Wei Yun remained silent, waiting. Gu Chusheng continued slowly, "I know you’re going to the Northern Border. I also know you’ll be planning the Wei family’s future there. While you’re in the Northern Border, I won’t pursue her. I’ll only do my duty, risking my life in Hua Jing to ensure her safety."

"And you—just do your duty."Wei Yun looked at the man before him without speaking. He picked up his wine cup and calmly said, "Fine."

"The Northern Border is unsettled, the realm unstable. I am merely your ally, Gu Chusheng."

Gu Chusheng poured himself wine and raised his cup toward Wei Yun. "When you return south, we'll each rely on our own methods. May we achieve a prosperous and peaceful age..."

Understanding Gu Chusheng's meaning, Wei Yun raised his cup to clink against his. Gazing into his eyes, his voice rang clear like jade striking porcelain: "I pledge the realm as my betrothal gift."

After speaking, both men tilted their heads back and drained their cups in one gulp.

May we achieve a prosperous and peaceful age. I pledge the realm as my betrothal gift.

Author's note: Wei Yun: I suspect this author is trying to force my growth prematurely.

Mo Shubai: That's not how this phrase is used...