Chu Yu remained silent, her gaze fixed steadily on The Eldest Princess. In that moment, she seemed to see the image of the princess kneeling before the Palace Gates years ago—adjusting her robes, tucking her hair behind her ears, and declaring with unwavering resolve: "The battles I wage have never ended in defeat."
The two women locked eyes, each seeming to glimpse storms and tempests swirling in the other's gaze.
The Eldest Princess saw the kingdom Chu Yu desired reflected in her eyes, while Chu Yu perceived the vengeance burning within the princess's.
"Do you believe it?"
After a long silence, The Eldest Princess spoke, her expression composed: "Are you willing to trust me?"
Chu Yu said nothing. Releasing the princess's hand, she rose to her feet. The Eldest Princess's gaze followed her, flickering with subtle emotion. Then Chu Yu took two steps back, creating distance between them, before kneeling gracefully—her wide sleeves spreading like wings as she pressed her forehead to the ground in deep reverence.
The Eldest Princess watched Chu Yu's movements with profound intensity as the younger woman spoke solemnly from her kneeling position: "I pledge myself to my liege."
Rising to her feet, The Eldest Princess said calmly: "Zhao Yue will send Wei Yun north, but you must remain here."
"I understand."
"My presence," said The Eldest Princess, resting her hand atop Chu Yu's head while gazing toward the palace gates. The cool silk of her sleeve brushed against Chu Yu's cheek as she spoke with quiet assurance: "will ensure the Wei family's safety."
While Chu Yu made her way to Phoenix Perch Palace, Wei Yun was escorted by eunuchs to the imperial study.
Zhao Yue was practicing calligraphy when Wei Yun entered. Looking up, the emperor smiled warmly—without any imperial pretension, as if he were still merely one of The Eldest Princess's Male Concubines. "Young Marquis, you've arrived," he said, his smile gentle and unassuming.
Wei Yun performed a deep ceremonial bow, which Zhao Yue hurried to interrupt: "Rise quickly, my beloved minister."
"This humble servant begs Your Majesty's forgiveness for my delayed audience," Wei Yun said, keeping his head bowed to conceal his expression.
Zhao Yue sighed. "How could I possibly fault you, when you've ventured alone deep into enemy territory and disrupted their formations? I'm profoundly grateful."
Gesturing for Wei Yun to be seated, Zhao Yue continued: "Rest first. I know you've only just returned and must be weary. But there are urgent matters I must inquire about, so I must trouble you further."
"Serving the nation is this minister's duty and honor."
With a satisfied nod, Zhao Yue proceeded directly to questioning Wei Yun about his Northern Di expedition.
His inquiries were exhaustive—every city's layout, every travel route, every local custom was examined in minute detail. As the official who had penetrated deepest into Northern Di territory, Wei Yun's knowledge was invaluable. Previous intelligence had relied primarily on merchant accounts, but trade between the two nations was limited. Those few merchants who did understand Northern Di often concealed information for personal reasons, and with time's passage, most records had become outdated and incomplete. For years, Chu had been forced into passive defense.
With formidable enemies at their borders, military intelligence took precedence. Both Wei Yun and Zhao Yue tacitly set aside matters concerning Yao Yong to first exchange critical battlefield information. Their question-and-answer session lasted until midnight. When Zhao Yue had finally satisfied his inquiries, he exhaled deeply: "From what you describe—Sucha and Su Can's internal conflicts, the discord among Northern Di tribes—their withdrawal from Chu territory seems inevitable.""I'm confident I can make them retreat," Wei Yun looked at Zhao Yue, speaking earnestly as if forgetting everything else. "But does Your Majesty think merely forcing their retreat is enough this time?"
Zhao Yue remained silent, lowering his head to sip his tea. After a moment, he smiled faintly. "What else does the Young Marquis wish to do?"
"After they've humiliated our Great Chu like this, if we simply let them retreat, won't they just return after regrouping?"
"You want them to pay a price."
"Don't they deserve to?"
The two locked gazes in silence until Zhao Yue finally looked down, pouring boiling water over the tea leaves. He had always loved brewing tea, a habit he'd brought with him into the palace.
"Do you know how much continuing this war would cost?"
Wei Yun pressed his lips together. "The Northern Di frequently attack us precisely because they carry no provisions—they plunder wherever they go."
"You want to do the same?"
Zhao Yue raised his eyes. Wei Yun nodded. "The Northern Di's rear settlements are scattered. If we strike them one by one, it wouldn't require many troops. Your Majesty need only provide me with horses and men—I'll handle provisions myself."
Zhao Yue stayed silent, seemingly weighing the options. Wei Yun pressed on: "Does Your Majesty intend to fight periodic battles with the Northern Di indefinitely, or solve the problem once and for all?"
Still receiving no answer, Wei Yun continued as tea was placed before him: "Very well, let's set that aside. Doesn't Your Majesty have any ambitions? If during your reign Great Chu could annihilate Chen State and incorporate its territories—what an achievement that would be! Does Your Majesty not aspire to become a sage ruler?"
At this, Zhao Yue's expression shifted slightly.
Every emperor dreams of becoming the legendary ruler of the ages. Though matching the First Emperor's legacy seemed impossible, creating a prosperous era worthy of praise would still be remarkable.
Territorial expansion always measures an emperor's success, and even someone like Zhao Yue couldn't help being tempted.
Yet after consideration, he finally said: "We could wait a few more years."
Tapping the table slowly, he continued: "Currently, Gu Chusheng and I are focusing on resolving financial and livelihood issues at home. As for the battlefield, a ceasefire would suffice—I make no excessive demands..."
"I have demands."
Wei Yun's cold interjection made Zhao Yue look up. "Seeking revenge?"
Wei Yun's expression darkened. Zhao Yue chuckled: "Young Marquis, you're still too impatient. A gentleman's revenge can wait ten years—why can't you wait longer?"
Wait for what?
The question nearly burst out, but Wei Yun restrained himself. Taking a deep breath, he said slowly: "My family's vengeance—apart from Yao Yong—ended when I lit the Northern Di palace with Sky Lanterns for half a month. If this were about revenge, why wouldn't I cease fighting now and deal with Yao Yong instead?"
Zhao Yue studied Wei Yun—this reasoning he could accept. Lofty, righteous motives always struck him as hypocritical.
Seeing Zhao Yue's tacit approval, Wei Yun pressed his advantage: "I insist on fighting now because this is the perfect opportunity. With Sucha and Su Can's internal strife, and various tribes resentful toward the Northern Di Royal Court after last month's harassment... To be frank, before leaving I reviewed the Ministry of Revenue's accounts. I know exactly whether this war is feasible."Zhao Yue's lips curled into a smile, but the warmth never reached his eyes. Wei Yun paid no mind, staring directly at him. "Your Majesty refuses to continue the war simply because you fear I might expand my influence at the border and become a threat to you, isn't that so?"
Zhao Yue frowned. "Who told you such things? You are a future great general with an upright heart. I would never harbor such suspicions about you."
"Your Majesty," Wei Yun lowered his head and took a sip of tea. "It's just the two of us here. There's no need for such pretentious words."
"Hua Jing was taken by my hand. Yao Yong fell into my trap. Your Majesty's ascension to the throne wasn't exactly... honorable. For someone who gained the throne through such means to speak to me so righteously—isn't that laughable?"
"You're not wrong."
Zhao Yue's voice was icy, though his smile remained. "Then what exactly do you want?"
"First, I want Yao Yong's head."
Zhao Yue tapped the table and nodded. "That man was already on my list to deal with. I intended to send him to you."
"Second, I want Your Majesty to confer upon my sister-in-law the First-rank imperial title and grant her the military merits she rightfully deserves."
This demand caught Zhao Yue off guard. After a long pause, he slowly smiled. "Fine. That won't be a problem."
"Third," Wei Yun fixed his gaze on him. "I want Your Majesty's full cooperation—if not to annihilate the Northern Di, then at least to cripple them so severely they won't recover for over a decade, leaving the Great Chu undisturbed."
Zhao Yue turned to look out the window, his lips twisting in mockery.
"Wei Yun," he said coolly. "Who gave you the audacity to make such demands of me?"
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